Coastal birds of wild and rugged Margaret River
Hooded Plovers listed as vulnerable but big efforts are being made to protect them
“It is difficult limiting my choice to five favourite birds when speaking about coast and ocean birds. I have been associated with the management of the beach nesting Hooded Plover (pictured below) for more than two decades, so that bird has to be top of my list. Classed as vulnerable, the small resident shorebird is an icon of our region. Now there is a unique capes monitoring program in place where Parks & Wildlife-inducted volunteers report breeding plovers to the BirdLife online portal. There are also rangers to protect eggs and chicks by immediately erecting fencing and signage to alert walkers of birds’ presence and a request to take care not to approach them, keeping to the water’s edge and keeping dogs on leashes.
Striking Pacific Gull dominate beaches up and down the capes
“Another species that I find totally incredible to watch is the Pacific Gull (pictured below). Larger than the Silver Gull, in small numbers, these striking black and white birds dominate the beaches up and down the coast.
The handsome oystercatchers warrant a mention too – Australian Pied Oystercatcher (pictrued second from top with red legs and beak) and Sooty Oystercatcher – large shorebirds that feed on the rocks and along the tide line. Here again walkers can take care to avoid the dunes where these birds breed.
Australiasian Gannet also impresses with its awesome aerial feats and fishing ability
“The fifth bird in my list of favouritres is the impressive Australasian Gannet (pictured below). It can be seen in small numbers close to shore, when walkers look out to sea from the track. From a great height these gannets dive into bait balls and at certain times of year gather in rafts of up to fifty birds.
I also love seeing other species of birds here in and around the coast, including albatrosses, shearwaters, plovers, even recently a Little Penguin, and of course the migratory shorebirds from the northern hemisphere. There is so much to see and enjoy in its many facets and weathers!”
Thanks so much for those great words Christine! And a big thanks to photographer Jenny Kikeros for her shots of the Hooded Plover and Australian Pied Oystercatcher. And to Jeffrey Venning for the fabulous shots of the Pacific Gull, Australasian Gannet.
To book your guided or self-guided adventure on the Cape to Cape Track, click HERE.
