Hooded Plover Report

Synopsis
The Hooded Plover (“Thinornis Rubricollis”) is a small beach bird which is roughly 10cm tall, very unintelligent and quite unadaptable. Hooded plovers are mainly found in South Australia and on the Yorke Peninsula. Unfortunately they are now regarded as vulnerable and it’s believed no more than 200 are left on the Yorke Peninsula. The reason behind this is that Hooded Plovers roost about 6 metres in front of the fore dunes just above the hide tide line. This choice of nesting area is the cause of many dangerous threats. Humans greatly impact on hooded plovers by predominately driving through the dunes with their big 4WD’s. Wild animals also impact on Hooded Plover’s habitat. So far no long term solutions to conserving their nests and populations have been devised, but short term solutions such erecting signs and fencing off specific areas has been enforced in some areas and some instances.

Aim and introduction
Our aim was to investigate the breeding success and the population of the Hooded Plovers along the Yorke Peninsula. We also examined the threats that the Hooded Plovers face, including their nesting areas. To seek the required information we visited a beach at the Innes National Park to search for, or find evidence of, the Hooded Plovers’ existence. Discovering this information was important if we hope to come to comprehensive conclusions and possible resolutions to combating the ever escalating threats that the Hooded Plovers face.

Method
The technique for our research was to search a beach along the Yorke Peninsula (Pondalowie bay) for the elusive Hooded Plovers and hopefully their nests.
We searched for the plovers into two groups before and after lunchtime. We searched for Hooded Plovers just after lunch (1:30pm) in my group and at that time it was about 30-35 degrees. Though it was hot with little wind, we found Hooded Plovers, contradicting the traditional “best monitoring” temperature. Though we found Hooded Plovers, we were unable to find any nests. In addition to recording their frequency, we also observed a diverse mix threats, including; humans’ footprints, tourists, a sunbaker, 4WD tracks, Silver Gulls. Trailer tracks were found very densely and also a tin can.

We collected the above data in our Student Learning Journal to be later inputted in to spreadsheets on excel and a power point. The only problems that I could see with the methods that we used is that there is always a periphery for error amongst tired, dehydrated students, as was the case in this instance.

Results
From our results we conclusively concluded that there are few Hooded Plovers in existence on the Yorke Peninsula and that there are numerous threats that the birds face, which are preponderantly human provoke. There were however, natural threats such as wild animals.




At Pondalowie Bay there are heaps of human activity such as 4WDs and boat trailers. On the search at Pondalowie Bay we didn’t see any nests. This proves that human activity has a pessimistic effect on the Hooded Plovers nests because we didn’t find any plovers in close proximity to or around nests in our search

Discussion
From our investigations it became clear that human actions have greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival. Such deeds as driving 4WDs, playing cricket, running though the sand dunes and constantly pulling boat trailers up and down the beach vertical to the shoreline have negatively upset the balance of the Hooded Plover habitats. In addition, negative impacts of natural and introduced predators have, combined with human activities, greatly reduced the chance for the Hooded Plovers’ survival and continued existence.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Hooded Plover’s confront immense challenges as a surviving species from the highly damaging impacts of predators (ignorant humans in particular).
Plover nests are located in the fore dune where they are camouflaged, hard to see and are in the very spot where enthusiastic 4WD owners like to burn around. As a consequence, human activity can easily cause the accidental destruction of nests and Hooded Plover eggs. To combat this dilemma we should initially raise awareness of Hooded Plover roosting areas and ban driving through the fore dunes, or negotiate a win/win agreement/arrangement. People shouldn’t be allowed, or simply asked to run and play cricket closer to the shore where the disturbance of nests can be kept to a minimum. Another option may be to fence off certain areas of the beach. Even captivating Hooded Plovers and possibly helping them to breed may be part of the long term solution. Hard punishments should e dealt to those who cruelly treat or kill the innocent Hooded Plover population. If only some of these steps could be taken, even to a certain extent, the Hooded Plover population could prosper. Currently however, the necessary authorities (the council) are yet to act with positive consequence, so the work that must be left is left to committed but severely underfunded volunteers who see it their duty to protect the Hooded Plovers.