It's hard to keep up with all the fires that are burning in regard to the threats to our natural environment. We live in a area recognised internationally as special and yet even with knowledge of the adverse impacts by day to day activities of the general public, there is a slow response and very little will by the governments to enact existing, or introduce relevant laws to help protect the remaining natural areas and the wildlife that rely on them. Thanks to people like Russell Constable and Yvonne Cunningham who dedicate a huge amount of their spare time observing their local environments and taking action to raise awareness in the hope of making postive changes. This often results in a negative or agressive reponse from those who feel it is their right to continue with practices even when they are made aware of damage they may be causing.
The concerns for the Little tern nesting sites on the battered Cowley Beach and on Coquette Point have been a focal point over the last few weeks and have been reported to authorities on all levels of government .
On the 6th Dec Yvonne wrote to authorities;
I checked on the sea-bird rookery at Coquette Point yesterday and observed that around fifty little terns had arrived. I observed a large number of male birds offering small fish to females who were sitting on the mound. We counted 26 birds on the western end of the mound and another 12 on the eastern end. At the same time another 10 were observed fishing. More little terns were observed with the crested terns. The crested terns were resting close to the rookery site, but I did not observe them nesting however they have been exhibiting courtship behaviour.
On the 6th Dec Yvonne wrote to authorities;
I checked on the sea-bird rookery at Coquette Point yesterday and observed that around fifty little terns had arrived. I observed a large number of male birds offering small fish to females who were sitting on the mound. We counted 26 birds on the western end of the mound and another 12 on the eastern end. At the same time another 10 were observed fishing. More little terns were observed with the crested terns. The crested terns were resting close to the rookery site, but I did not observe them nesting however they have been exhibiting courtship behaviour.
Russell has been observing nesting and mating behaviour also .....
I wish to “Back up” Yvonne’s request for signage to be installed at Coquette point to protect nesting and foraging aggregations of endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons.
On the 8th of January 2011 I too witnessed nesting/courting behaviour of these birds at this site whilst paddling this area on a kayak.
Below are the images of these migratory birds that I took on the day.
In this region this species appears to favour estuaries with dunes that are suitable for nesting as and as such Coquette point is one of only a few sites that fit the bill so to speak.
Continued human/canine traffic through this area could easily render it unsuitable for nesting/foraging purposes by these birds and as such I wholeheartedly support Yvonne’s request.
Russell
On the 8th of January 2011 I too witnessed nesting/courting behaviour of these birds at this site whilst paddling this area on a kayak.
Below are the images of these migratory birds that I took on the day.
In this region this species appears to favour estuaries with dunes that are suitable for nesting as and as such Coquette point is one of only a few sites that fit the bill so to speak.
Continued human/canine traffic through this area could easily render it unsuitable for nesting/foraging purposes by these birds and as such I wholeheartedly support Yvonne’s request.
Russell
