The well-established breeding grounds of the endangered little terns were largely washed away by floodwaters gushing out of Bonville Creek in March, April and again in May, and it is now likely very few, if any, chicks will be hatched this breeding season.

National Parks and Wildlife spokesman Lawrence Orel said not only had the nesting site been decimated by the floods, but the birds would also face new threats this summer.

“The sand spit was reduced to about 10 per cent of its earlier size and until replenished naturally the remaining sand is very low and susceptible to king tides and storm surges,” Lawrence said.

He said the service and volunteers will continue to monitor little tern movements at Sawtell, but it seems that the birds have moved north.

“Recent reports of up to 200 birds at Hearnes Lake highlight the importance of alternate breeding sites along the Coffs Coast for little terns,” Lawrence said.

Each spring the birds migrate 6000km from east Asia to the Coffs Coast to breed at sites from Red Rock to Nambucca Heads.

The Bonville Beach sand spit was one of only 15 identified breeding sites in NSW for the species, so increased protection will this year be provided at Hearnes Lake.

Fencing has been erected around the nesting site where 60 chicks fledged last season and a fox-trapping program is currently being undertaken.

Beach goers are being asked to respect restrictions that have been put in place until after the young birds fledge.