In mid-October migratory Little Terns returned to their nesting grounds at Karagi Point, The Entrance, and already the first baby chicks are starting to totter around the sand.

Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation – and the Central Coast’s Karagi Point is their most important breeding ground in New South Wales.  

Central Coast Council undertakes annual management work to help protect the Little Tern nesting areas, and in recent years these actions have resulted in record-breaking breeding success and significantly contributed to the long-term survival of the species.

Managing a beach for both people and threatened species can be challenging, but with careful management by Central Coast Council with support from NPWS, DCCEEW and the Saving our Species program, Council is hopeful of another successful breeding season.

The key thing from now on, until the end of their breeding season, is to ensure that everyone does their bit to help protect them and ensure their survival. This includes staying away from fenced nesting areas, not leaving rubbish which might entangle wildlife or attract predatory animals, such as silver gulls or foxes, and remember that dogs are not allowed on Karagi Point beach at any time.

As chicks start to hatch, they may leave the fenced area and be anywhere on the beach, particularly towards the ocean waterline. So the community is asked to watch out for tiny, well-camouflaged chicks and eggs.

Karagi Point will be closed to the public during large open-air events including the Christmas Carols (beach closed 3pm – 10pm 24 December) and New Year’s Eve fireworks events (beach closed 12pm – 12:30am).  For more information on the fireworks event visit: lovecentralcoast.com/newyearseve

The Central Coast is lucky to have this species, at risk of extinction, arrive at The Entrance to begin nesting every summer, and Council staff are thanked for their commitment to protecting these endangered seabirds, as well as the community for being respectful of the nesting site so that everyone can continue to enjoy them.

Find out more on the Little Terns and how to help protect them by visiting: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/littleterns

This project is also supported in part by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program.
 

Photo credit: Andrew Robinson