THE little tern colony at Culburra Beach could be heading for one of its biggest breeding seasons, with more than 120 nests on the sand that separates Lake Wollumboola and the ocean.
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However, National Parks and Wildlife Service shorebird volunteers, who monitor the endangered bird’s breeding season, are still concerned Mother Nature could ultimately have a say in this season’s success, with predicted large tides from this weekend through until Boxing Day possibly placing the colony in danger.
It’s been a week of mixed emotions for volunteers, according to co-ordinator Frances Bray.
“The total number of nests could have been even more if it had not been for an avian predator and a strong wave surge that wiped out more than 80 nests last week,” Ms Bray said.
“We were up to 90-odd nests, many of them with three eggs in each, which is a rarity for the tiny species and then in the middle of last week eggs just started disappearing from the nests.”
The area is cordoned off with an electric fence to keep predators away.
“There were no prints whatsoever, so we can only assume it was an avian predator,” she said.
“We lost 40-odd nests in two days. And then on Friday, even though the tide was not very high, a rogue wave washed over the area, taking everyone by surprise and washing away another 40 nests.”
Volunteers and NPWS staff worked frantically to try to retrieve the eggs and relocate them but many were lost.
The little terns again showed their tenacity with another wave of egg laying seeing more than 120 nests established.
“This is the highest number of nests I can remember,” Ms Bray said.
“We have even seen a few, what we call ‘runners’, chicks who can’t yet fly in the nesting area.
“We know we have had at least 21 chicks hatch and hopefully we will have more from the first lot of nests.”
But large swells could again threaten the determined little birds.
“We have sandbagged in the past but it is a hell of a lot of work and often the wave surge is so strong it makes no difference,” Ms Bray said.
“We can also build sand mounds around the nests but ultimately if the seas are big enough there is nothing you can do.”
Hatching the chicks is only the first challenge as they then must survive long enough to learn how to fly without being taken by predators such as foxes before leaving the area.
A group of around eight volunteers takes turns each day staying at the nesting site to ensure its safety and recording new nests and hatching chicks.
Around 100 little terns remain at Culburra Beach and will be at the location until the end of breeding season in March.
