You can never give up on Hooded Plovers.

Despite all the things that could have gone wrong for this little bird at Montforts beach, it still managed to fledge.

Good news for this area of the Mornington Peninsula, considering many “not so good” seasons and confirmation on the resilience of this species.

But there is more. As I type, I’ve been informed by a volunteer on the other side of Port Phillip, (via twitter) that two chicks have fledged at Black Rock, Breamlea. Well done to the Breamlea volunteers.

When chicks fledge, you realise the sacrifice is worth it.