City of Victor Harbor has called for community support to help protect Hooded Plovers during the breeding season.

The season runs from August to March, when the birds rely on ocean beach habitat for laying eggs, incubation, and raising chicks.

The council says at this early stage a nest has been identified in Hayborough and a pair look close to nesting at Yilki.

Experts say hooded plovers are Australia’s most threatened beach-nesting bird, with only about 70 across Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

They nest at the base of the dunes, on the dry sand and chicks are flightless for 35 days before reaching independence.

City of Victor Harbor and other Fleurieu councils work with Birdlife Australia throughout the breeding season to protect Hooded Plover chicks. 

It asks the community to help protect vulnerable Hooded Plover chicks by:

• Following all signage along beaches.
• Leashing dogs around nesting sites.
• Allowing plenty of space around nesting sites.
• Spreading the message to others.

The Hooded Plover Program is part of BirdLife Australia’s national Beach-nesting Birds program. On the Fleurieu and metropolitan coast, it is supported by funding through Green Adelaide with further support from the federal government, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu and the state government Citizen Science Grant. 

Find out more about Hooded Plovers by visiting the Green Adelaide website.