Little Tern Colony on Conjola Beach
20 January 2015
On the 13th of January there were 61 eggs in 34 nests plus 63 chicks hatched and roaming the dunes and sandspit area. The amazing nest moving and sandbagging efforts by Col and his helpers – Carol, Sandra, Robyn, Tim, Bob, Neville and Maxine meant that only one nest was lost in the first washover in mid December.
Most of the nests are located on the spit which is very low lying this season, being eroded over the winter.
However, sadly early on Monday morning an even bigger washover (due to the build up to king tides and a new southerly swell), meant that numerous nests and chicks were washed away on the spit. Thankfully Col and Carol were on site at 6:30am to save about 8 chicks that were being carried away in the water. A great effort in difficult conditions.
Dom and I were on site later to assist Col with cleaning up the fence and signs. We also dried out the chicks, gave them a bit of fresh water and prised their little eyes open which had been stuck together by the salty water. They were much chirpier when we left.
After recounting nests it looks like 28 nests were washed away in the waves, and probably a number of chicks too. It is hard to tell at this stage exactly how many as we hope some have moved up into the sand dune area to avoid the incoming water.
However there are still 4 active nests that were saved by the previous sandbagging raising them above the waves, plus at least 12 chicks were sighted running around on the spit and 5 new fledglings. One chick even hatched out during the washover atop it’s sandbag tower! There are also numerous chicks and a couple of nests still to hatch up in the sand dunes, which are well above the incoming water levels.
All is not lost but it was definitely devastating for the colony, and for Col and Carol who were on site during the washover.
I wanted to express my thanks to Col and Carol for their efforts.
One of the campers staying at Lakeside Van Park on the day of the wash-over also helped save the chicks. A very special thanks to Mandy. She also returned the next day with her teenage children and friends to help clean up the site. It is always good to see someone from the public who is grateful for our efforts to save threatened species from extinction
Jodie Dunn and Col Ashford
On the 13th of January there were 61 eggs in 34 nests plus 63 chicks hatched and roaming the dunes and sandspit area. The amazing nest moving and sandbagging efforts by Col and his helpers – Carol, Sandra, Robyn, Tim, Bob, Neville and Maxine meant that only one nest was lost in the first washover in mid December.
Most of the nests are located on the spit which is very low lying this season, being eroded over the winter.
However, sadly early on Monday morning an even bigger washover (due to the build up to king tides and a new southerly swell), meant that numerous nests and chicks were washed away on the spit. Thankfully Col and Carol were on site at 6:30am to save about 8 chicks that were being carried away in the water. A great effort in difficult conditions.
Dom and I were on site later to assist Col with cleaning up the fence and signs. We also dried out the chicks, gave them a bit of fresh water and prised their little eyes open which had been stuck together by the salty water. They were much chirpier when we left.
After recounting nests it looks like 28 nests were washed away in the waves, and probably a number of chicks too. It is hard to tell at this stage exactly how many as we hope some have moved up into the sand dune area to avoid the incoming water.
However there are still 4 active nests that were saved by the previous sandbagging raising them above the waves, plus at least 12 chicks were sighted running around on the spit and 5 new fledglings. One chick even hatched out during the washover atop it’s sandbag tower! There are also numerous chicks and a couple of nests still to hatch up in the sand dunes, which are well above the incoming water levels.
All is not lost but it was definitely devastating for the colony, and for Col and Carol who were on site during the washover.
I wanted to express my thanks to Col and Carol for their efforts.
One of the campers staying at Lakeside Van Park on the day of the wash-over also helped save the chicks. A very special thanks to Mandy. She also returned the next day with her teenage children and friends to help clean up the site. It is always good to see someone from the public who is grateful for our efforts to save threatened species from extinction
Jodie Dunn and Col Ashford
10 January 2015
We now have 63 nests 42 chicks and runners combined, with more new nests found every day. They are difficult to spot but Conjola Shorebirds Co-ordinator, Col Ashford, is confident that they are all there. There are 71 eggs still to hatch, so the colony has a long way to go for all to fledge. Many people are still sitting too close to the nest site, and some people have been entering the nest site.
PLEASE everyone, do not enter the nesting site, and walk close to the waters edge.
Col Ashford
1 January 2015
This year is the biggest Little Tern colony for more than 5 years. At present we have 39 nests containing 66 eggs and six chicks. Unfortunately the nest site they have chosen is extremely vulnerable to wash over from the king tides due over the next few days leading up to the full moon on the 5th Jan. The other problem we have is the nest site is surrounded by water on 3 sides and a lot of people are sitting or swimming very close to the nest site which keeps the birds from sitting on the nests causing the eggs or chicks to cook in the sun on hot days. It also prevents the adults from feeding or hydrating the chicks, so its very important that people stay well clear of the nest area. Within 2 days of hatching the chicks leave the nest and could be hiding anywhere, so your next step could be their last.
PLEASE everyone, walk close to the waters edge and look carefully where you tread.
Col Ashford
We now have 63 nests 42 chicks and runners combined, with more new nests found every day. They are difficult to spot but Conjola Shorebirds Co-ordinator, Col Ashford, is confident that they are all there. There are 71 eggs still to hatch, so the colony has a long way to go for all to fledge. Many people are still sitting too close to the nest site, and some people have been entering the nest site.
PLEASE everyone, do not enter the nesting site, and walk close to the waters edge.
Col Ashford
1 January 2015
This year is the biggest Little Tern colony for more than 5 years. At present we have 39 nests containing 66 eggs and six chicks. Unfortunately the nest site they have chosen is extremely vulnerable to wash over from the king tides due over the next few days leading up to the full moon on the 5th Jan. The other problem we have is the nest site is surrounded by water on 3 sides and a lot of people are sitting or swimming very close to the nest site which keeps the birds from sitting on the nests causing the eggs or chicks to cook in the sun on hot days. It also prevents the adults from feeding or hydrating the chicks, so its very important that people stay well clear of the nest area. Within 2 days of hatching the chicks leave the nest and could be hiding anywhere, so your next step could be their last.
PLEASE everyone, walk close to the waters edge and look carefully where you tread.
Col Ashford
