I’m afraid the St Andrews Chick is dead. It will most likely be the last chick for the season in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

The final results for this season will no doubt be released by Parks in the future but my estimate is that over 50 nests containing more than 100 eggs in total produced 3 chicks that fledged. This is not sustainable and is a reflection of the poor park management practices of Parks Victoria.

If you agree with me please write to the Premier at:

Office of the Premier, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3002

I hope you all have a good winter.

Parks Victoria are maintaining the ban on Wardening at St Andrews beach. Parks Victoria have asked me to ensure all volunteers to be aware that Parks Victoria do not support wardening on this beach due to the risk of injury to volunteers and there is no insurance should something happen to any volunteer.

Below is a photograph of the beach where the chick is located, (taken by Glenn Ehmke). As Glenn has demonstrated with his photograph, the rope fence has been very successful at keeping people out of the chicks home. Hopefully the fence will work this weekend.

Whilst the wardening ban is still in place at St Andrews, this does not mean everyone should stay away. We’re not sure but there may still be two chicks between Moana and the Paradise Drive car park and observations from volunteers are encouraged.

If you visit the chicks and see something wrong, contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or send Malcolm a text on 0403 997 831.

There has been an incident at the St Andrews Beach during Hooded Plover warden activities. Please note the message below which was provided by Darren Mitchell of Parks Victoria.

“This e-mail is to inform you of the immediate suspension of all Hooded Plover wardening and field related volunteering activities within the Mornington Peninsula National Park. Pending a review of an incident on the 25/02/12, at St Andrews Ocean Beach, all activities are suspended until further notice. Could you please inform all volunteers involved in these activities of this suspension.
Parks Victoria is currently reviewing the situation and will keep you informed.”

Thankfully no volunteers were seriously injured.

This is most likely the last attempt at successfully breeding Hooded Plover chicks at St Andrews this summer. There are currently two healthy chicks running about on the beach just wanting to grow into adults, (see below for the location).

St Andrews has already been successful this year closer to the sewerage outfall and in previous years it has also been successful.
The general public at St Andrews are more sympathetic to Hooded Plovers than the people at Heyfields and Parks Victoria are putting in, if only to help this seasons results not being a total disaster.

So far this summer, more than 50 nesting attempts in the Mornington Peninsula National Park has resulted in 3 chicks fledging. A shameful result for Parks Victoria and the DSE but the public still have time to contribute. Come on down to St Andrews with your Binoculars and protect these chicks, (please).

A very young chick has been sighted East of the Moana Court entrance late this week. See map below.

Moana Court is off located off Paradise Drive St Andrews.

As has been the case often this summer, no wardens are required this weekend due to there being no chicks. Unfortunately, I am also unable to provide the usual feedback from Parks Victoria as they have not provided an updated report.

However, to give you something positive to read, below is an update from Phillip Island. They have had a very good season.

“On Phillip Island we have had the best start to a breeding season since at least 1992-93 with five Hooded Plover chicks fledged well before Christmas (3 from Silverleaves and 2 from Elizabeth Cove near Grossard Point).  The pair at Silverleaves is on their way to fledging 4 chicks for the season.

Currently have eight chicks of various ages at beaches across the island (1 at Magiclands and Silverleaves, 2 at Red Rocks, Woolshed Bight, and Ventnor west).

There have been 35 nests recorded, 80 eggs, 18 chicks, there are currently 4 nests with eggs (Forrest Caves, Farm Beach, Anzac west, and Flynns Reef).

We have been working closely with the Bass Coast Shire rangers and the local community at the nest sites at Grossard Point, Red Rocks and at Silverleaves. At Red Rocks Hooded Plover Watch volunteers looked after 2 chicks almost round the clock for the four days of the Australia Day weekend. This was a brilliant effort as the chicks survived the hot weather and crowds; the last time hoodies nested in this area was 21 years ago.”

courtesy Jon Fallow (well done Jon)

No wardening this weekend.

Below is the latest report from Parks Victoria on the status of nests etc on the Mornington Peninsula.

I like movies. One of my favourites is Risky Business. There is a scene where Tom Cruise, his friend (Miles) and a sex worker are in a Porsche and the sex worker says to Miles: ” you like excitement Miles”

This beach is a site for those who like excitement. A ranger has been assaulted on this beach and over the last 3 days 2 banners have been stolen, most likely from dog owners who use the beach and have been fined by PV or getting told to keep their dog on a lead.

Nevertheless, there is a little Hooded Plover chick alive on this beach and it’s nearly one week old.

There will be no warden box, no reception for mobile phones and very aggressive March flies, not to mention people who hate week old Hooded Plover chicks and hate people who are conservationist. This beach has produced two fledglings in 20 years. It is tough.

I will be on the beach up to 9 am or so Sat and Sunday. Directions below.

No new chicks this weekend on the Mornington Peninsula.