Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) will patrol the Belfast Coastal Reserve between Warrnambool and Port Fairy that has the highest population of the beach-nesting birds in Australia.

Parks Victoria seasonal ranger Robyn Bush will patrol the reserve’s beaches on an off-road vehicle to keep away dogs off-lead and other threats to the birds’ nests.

Dogs off-lead are prohibited in the reserve. 

Other Parks Victoria rangers and DEPI wildlife officers will also carry out regular summer patrols of the reserve and a program of fox baiting on the dunes will continue through the summer. 

The baits are fatal to both foxes and dogs. 

In addition, a team of volunteers with Birdlife Australia will place signs and rope off active nest sites. 

The protection activities will continue until April next year.

Belfast Coastal Reserve has the highest density of hooded plovers nationally and has the highest potential for their successful breeding. 

Up to 52 hooded plovers have been recorded in the reserve.

Ms Bush said the off-road vehicle would enable her to cover the length of the reserve’s beach more quickly and be a protective presence for the birds.

“Because they make their nests in the sand between the high tide mark and the dune edges, right where people like to walk and ride horses, they are very exposed to both predators and human disturbance,” Ms Bush said.

“On top of that, their nests are so well camouflaged it’s very hard to see them.” 

Parks Victoria ranger in charge Darren Shiell hopes the campaign to protect the hooded plovers will result in a greater hatching rate this season. 

“In the past the breeding success has been dismal, with many chicks either being killed by predators and dogs, or abandoned after the nest has been disturbed. 

“So what people need to do is walk their dogs and ride their horses along the water’s edge, preferably at low tide, and keep away from fenced nest sites.