AS the local Pied Oystercatcher nesting season nears its end, MidCoast Council has advised on the success of hatchlings on Corrie Island.

Shorebirds such as the endangered Pied Oystercatchers lay their eggs in shallow scraped-out nests in the sand.

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Matthew Bell, Senior Ecologist at MidCoast Council told News Of The Area, “The pied oystercatchers are nearing the end of their nesting season.

“Of the six nests on Corrie Island, it seems like four nests failed due to predation, inundation and unknown causes.

“Of the two successful nests, three hatchlings were observed but we don’t know if the hatchlings have survived to fledge.

“There was one nest early in the season at Winda Woppa, which hatched one young.

“A second nest has been observed recently, with two hatchlings present.”

Each successful hatching is vital for the tiny seabird as according to National Parks and Wildlife there are only 140 breeding pairs of Pied Oystercatchers in NSW.

Shorebirds nest on sandy beaches along the NSW coastline, including Corrie Island Nature Reserve, Winda Woppa peninsula in Hawks Nest and the Worimi Conservation Lands.

Known nest sites may be indicated by fencing or signs, while parts of some beaches, such as those on Corrie Island, are entirely closed to visitors during the breeding months from August to March, to allow these birds space and peace to raise their families.

Pied Oystercatchers with their black-and-white feathers, pink legs and red beaks are easily identified.

Almost always seen in pairs, they live in Australia year-round and have already started laying eggs.

‘Oystercatcher’ is bit of a misnomer, as this species eats many other invertebrates as well as oysters and other bivalve molluscs.

Visitors are reminded that dogs are not allowed on NPWS national parks, including Corrie Island Nature Reserve, at any time.

People are reminded penalties can apply to individuals causing disturbance or damage to threatened species, including their eggs or chicks.

Protection and monitoring of beach-nesting birds in Port Stephens is delivered by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program, MidCoast Council, NPWS, Biodiversity Conservation Division and the Myall Koala and Environment Group, and is supported by Hunter Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

Learn more at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/news/beach-nesting-birds-share-the-shore

By Marian SAMPSON