BAYBOCA Bulletern
Extract BAYBOCA Bulletern
ExtractThe following article is from the February 1999 edition of the BAYBOCA newsletter, the BAYBOCA Bulletern, which is mailed to all members.
"The rocks of Ricketts Point and Quiet Corner Islets are regionally important as roosting sites for Terns and Cormorants and as habitat for other birds."
This is a quote from Birds of Port Philip Bay - a Ministry for Planning and Environment Victoria book published in June 1986.
This area is very popular too, with people and their dogs, and became even more heavily used when the adjacent Kingston Council banned dogs off their beaches totally during the summer months. Local residents watched dismayed as more and more people and dogs crowded into Watkins Bay and Ricketts Point and uncontrolled dogs relentlessly put up everything attempting to roost on the rock platforms; even a Pelican and a Royal Spoonbill were chased off. An occasional group of White Ibis or Swans was no match for a determined large dog. Probably the most vulnerable birds were the juvenile Crested Terns which come up to Ricketts Point each January, each accompanied by a parent. These are recently fledged birds most of which have bred on Mud Islands in December.
The Bayside Friends of Native Wildlife decided that some educational signage was needed and applied for funding from Coast Care/Coast Action. This was done in conjunction with the Bayside City Council because grants are not made to unincorporated bodies.
We were elated when advised in December 97 that our application was successful. We had considerable help in preparing our application from Michelle Lauder of Coast Care/Coast Action. She told us that coastal disturbance of sea birds in Victoria is a big ongoing problem e.g. the difficulties of nesting Hooded Plovers, Little and Fairy Terns.
In preparing the design and wording of our signs we endeavoured to include as many interested people as possible. Tania Ireton supplied most of the photographs and Clive Minton provided some too. We must thank these people for their generosity. Helen Vaughan devised the wording, and Friends of Watkins Bay will plant some coastal indigenous plants around the signs.
In late November 98 our two signs were put in place. Birds are still being chased by dogs, but it does seem to be an improved situation. So far no adverse comment has been received. Our remaining task will be a mini-survey of beach users' attitude to the signs.
In all it involved more work than was expected, but we felt it necessary to include the input of as many interested parties as possible.
The three logos on the base of the sign are Bayside City
Council (which acknowledges the Friends groups), Coast Care/Coast
Action (which provided the funding) and BAYBOCA (which was
heavily involved and supplied most of the photographs).
It was truly a group effort and we hope that it will help the birds.
Credits
Article: Moira Longden
Photograph: Ian Parsons
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