THE entire Little Tern bird colony has abandoned the Hearnes Lake breeding site, south of Woolgoolga, after being disturbed recently. It is suspected kitesurfers using the beach have inadvertently disturbed the birds as their kites have been perceived by the little terns as gigantic predators.
Kitesurfers are being strongly urged to abide by a voluntary 150mexclusion zone around the area or seek out alternative sites. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coffs Harbour City Council rangers will be patrolling the Flat Top area to ensure further disturbance to the breeding colony does not occur.
“At the latest count, we had recorded approximately 250 birds at the site – a record number which had exceeded all our expectations,” said Glen Storrie, NPWS Coffs Coast area manager.
“With so many other sites around NSW having failed in recent years, the nesting site at the Willis Creek mouth was shaping up to be highly significant in terms of the successful survival of this endangered species. Fencing has been installed, a fox-trapping program has been established and a close watch was being kept on the area to give the birds as much protection as possible during this year’s breeding season.
“Little Terns are quite particular about where they choose to nest and the presence of avian predators like brahminy kites, sea eagles and other raptors are a factor in breeding site selection," Mr Storrie said.
"After kitesurfing activity over last weekend the numbers of birds dropped to only three. It appears the birds were spooked. We are hopeful that some may return, but there are simply no guarantees.”
The Willis Creek mouth site was only identified – and fenced off - as a potential breeding ground in 2007, but 21 nesting pairs established themselves and 11 chicks were hatched that year.
In 2008, 60 nesting pairs were spotted and a total of 60 chicks were successfully fledged from the site – a significant number for a season that saw the failure of many of the more established sites in NSW.
Earlier this month, council and NPWS - as part of the Shorebird Recovery Program - fenced off the small breeding habitat area at the mouth of Willis Creek on Hearnes Lake Beach, limiting access to the site until mid January. The plan was to restrict vehicle access later in the season when the chicks started to hatch and explore their environment.
The little tern (Sterna albifrons subsp sinensis) is listed as an Endangered Species under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Breeding colonies are located on beaches, sand spits and sand islands near rivers, creeks and coastal lakes. Many of them are also located near the mouths of estuaries.
Historically, little terns were recorded at 70 separate breeding colonies in NSW, but today only 15 identified sites exist in NSW, including Sawtell (Bongil Bongil National Park) and Red Rock.
Since 2008, the Hearnes Lake nesting site has been considered one of the most significant in the state.
“Everyone is keen for the Hearnes Lake site to continue to be successful for the Little Terns,” Mr Storrie said.
“Council and the NPWS are working with representatives of the kitesurfing fraternity to work out how best to communicate with them about the issue and generate support for a voluntary exclusion zone 150 metres either side of Flat Top while the Little Terns settle in for the nesting season.”
Local kite-maker and Australian Kitesurfing Association member Bob Dawson said that Flat Top was known around the world as a high quality kitesurfing site.
“But, for the future of the sport, it’s important for the kitesurfing fraternity to work with land managers.
“Using the kitesurfing association website and other internet sites, blogs and chat rooms, we will be trying to spread the word about the Little Terns and the idea of a 150 metre exclusion zone.”
Flat Top Rock is a designated Marine Park Sanctuary Zone and beach-users should be aware that a permit is required from the Marine Parks Authority for sailing or surfing in such zones.
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