My friend Russell Constable is a tireless campaigner for a better deal for the environment where he sees a need for more awareness and change. Russell's blog is packed full of information about his local area. Here is a letter he wrote to DERM and CCRC representatives to express his concerns about some of the ongoing threats to wildlife at Cowley Beach.....
Dear Mark, Terry and Paul
During my recent visits to the Cowley Beach Spit on 25 November 2011 (with Mr Richard Piper) and the 29 November 2011 (unaccompanied) I witnessed Endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons exhibiting nesting/breeding behaviour on this spit. As you should no doubt be aware, this dune spit at the mouth of Liverpool Creek currently presents optimal nesting/foraging habitat for this species as it has a large area with a clear view of approaching predators and a significant amount of camouflaging timber and wrack.
Unfortunately the Little terns were flushed from the ground on the 25 November by a quad bike rider driving through this area so I did not get the photographs I desired.
I did however get photographs of the birds on the wing that confirmed that they were indeed Endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons when they later commenced feeding behaviour at the mouth of the creek.
I did however get photographs of the birds on the wing that confirmed that they were indeed Endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons when they later commenced feeding behaviour at the mouth of the creek.
They are small fast birds and hard to photograph from a distance. Please note I did not wish to disturb them or threaten any nests by walking too closely to the area where I saw them.
Also of interest was the presence of many waders including what appeared to be Whimbrels on the southern creek bank, a migratory wader mentioned within Paul Devine’s Cowley Beach report to Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
However my primary goal on the 25th was not to photograph birds and the weather was turning bad so I left.
When I returned to this location on 29 November 2011 I was delighted to see even more of these endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons squatting in the dune and exhibiting what could be described as nesting/courting behaviour. Please note that the Birds in the photographs below exhibit the yellow beak, yellow legs and strongly defined facial plumage of breeding birds. Immediately below is an image of a Little tern I took on the 29th that was sitting amongst the timber etc on the southern section of the Cowley Beach dune.
However my primary goal on the 25th was not to photograph birds and the weather was turning bad so I left.
When I returned to this location on 29 November 2011 I was delighted to see even more of these endangered Little terns Sterna albifrons squatting in the dune and exhibiting what could be described as nesting/courting behaviour. Please note that the Birds in the photographs below exhibit the yellow beak, yellow legs and strongly defined facial plumage of breeding birds. Immediately below is an image of a Little tern I took on the 29th that was sitting amongst the timber etc on the southern section of the Cowley Beach dune.
Although the birds were part of a flock obvious pairs could be seen within the group demonstrating “affection” for each other.
I am both delighted that these Endangered birds are hopefully going to nest at this location and at the same time highly concerned that uncontrolled beach/dune driving at Cowley Beach poses a direct threat to the success of any nesting by these terns.
The DERM web site lists beach driving as a direct threat to this endangered bird species. The extract below is from the DERM website at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/az_of_animals/little_tern.html
Common name: Little tern
Scientific name: Sternula albifrons
Family: Laridae
Conservation status This species is listed as Endangered in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is ranked as a high priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management ‘Back on Track’ Species Prioritisation Framework.
Threatening processes
Common name: Little tern
Scientific name: Sternula albifrons
Family: Laridae
Conservation status This species is listed as Endangered in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is ranked as a high priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management ‘Back on Track’ Species Prioritisation Framework.
Threatening processes
Threats known to affect the little tern include coastal recreational activities such as 4WD vehicles on the beach, trail bike riding and walking that can crush eggs and chicks. Foxes, wild dogs and uncontrolled pet dogs are the most serious predators, along with cats, rats and silver gulls. Human disturbance is also a major cause of nest failure. Loss of suitable nesting habitat occurs because of recreational use or development. Little terns are potentially susceptible to pesticides and contamination of estuaries by oil spills and heavy metals.
I have witnessed this species nesting at Coquette Point where recently that colony has been under threat from unregulated beach traffic and off leash dogs http://www.missionbeachcassowaries.com/9/post/2011/11/news-from-coquette-point28.html and it would appear that this is a regional issue.
ACTION REQUESTED
As Little terns are an Endangered species in Queensland I naturally believe that local (CCRC) and State (DERM) government bodies have a responsibility to ensure that these Little terns can nest without disturbance from vehicles on the Cowley beach southern dune where they appear to be nesting. I strongly request that CCRC and DERM take action to COMPLETELY STOP Dune/Beach driving at the South of the Cowley Beach Boat ramp at least until this nesting activity ceases. Continued disturbance by car and quad bike drivers will most probably deter nesting or damage existing nests.
I look forward to your prompt attention to this threat to this Endangered bird species and hope to hear from you in the very near future
As a further matter of concern I photographed many wader species using this area on both days that would also be impacted by this vehicular disturbance. I have included images below taken on 29 November 2011 at Cowley Beach Spit in the same area as the terns. Undoubtedly many of these would be Commonwealth listed migratory waders (apart from the red capped plover below which I only included as they nest on this dune at Cowley Beach too).
Regards and thank you for giving this matter your urgent and diligent attention
Russell Constable
I have witnessed this species nesting at Coquette Point where recently that colony has been under threat from unregulated beach traffic and off leash dogs http://www.missionbeachcassowaries.com/9/post/2011/11/news-from-coquette-point28.html and it would appear that this is a regional issue.
ACTION REQUESTED
As Little terns are an Endangered species in Queensland I naturally believe that local (CCRC) and State (DERM) government bodies have a responsibility to ensure that these Little terns can nest without disturbance from vehicles on the Cowley beach southern dune where they appear to be nesting. I strongly request that CCRC and DERM take action to COMPLETELY STOP Dune/Beach driving at the South of the Cowley Beach Boat ramp at least until this nesting activity ceases. Continued disturbance by car and quad bike drivers will most probably deter nesting or damage existing nests.
I look forward to your prompt attention to this threat to this Endangered bird species and hope to hear from you in the very near future
As a further matter of concern I photographed many wader species using this area on both days that would also be impacted by this vehicular disturbance. I have included images below taken on 29 November 2011 at Cowley Beach Spit in the same area as the terns. Undoubtedly many of these would be Commonwealth listed migratory waders (apart from the red capped plover below which I only included as they nest on this dune at Cowley Beach too).
Regards and thank you for giving this matter your urgent and diligent attention
Russell Constable
