Bird disturbance on beaches
© DERM, image by George Aldridge
Queensland's beaches and sand islands with their unspoilt beauty and attractive climate are great places to visit and simply 'get away from it all'. However, our beaches and dune environments are extremely fragile areas that are home to a variety of both plants and animal species. For example, they act as important feeding, resting and nesting sites for migratory shorebirds and nesting sites for marine turtles. To help protect our beaches and coastal environment, all (permitted) recreational beach activities (e.g. four wheel driving, dog-walking, fishing, camping, beach-combing, horse riding) should be undertaken with special care.
What species are threatened by recreational beach activities ?
Pied oystercatcher chick photo © DERM
Migratory shorebirds (also known as waders) travel some of the furthest distances of any migratory birds, flying up to 10,000 km non-stop. Many travel a round trip of 20,000 km each year, between Australia and their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere (arctic north).
Queensland beaches, salt marshes, mangroves mudflats and coastal wetlands are important sites for shorebirds. In particular, Moreton Bay Marine Park which is home to many resident shorebirds (e.g. beach stone-curlew, sooty and pied oystercatcher, bush stone-curlew, red-capped plover), is also a significant stopover for migratory shorebirds that feed, rest and nest in this sanctuary.
Eastern curlew photo © DERM
Between September and April each year, approximately 32 species of migratory shorebirds1 such as the eastern curlew, grey-tailed tattler, red-necked stint, ruddy turnstone and sandpipers visit our shores. Those that are too young to breed or too weak to migrate north (~ 15 percent), will stay the whole year. Migrating shorebirds need large amounts of energy to complete there global journey. For example the eastern curlew must eat large amounts of food to prepare for its long flight north to Siberia. It will then burn 40 percent of its body weight along the way. When moving north along flyways (paths birds follow when migrating), wetlands provide important refuelling stops where birds rest and regain strength for the next leg of their journey.
Beach disturbance - what are the risks?
© DERM, image by George Aldridge
Careless driving on beaches
Driving irresponsibly on beaches can cause considerable damage to the natural environment as well as annoy other beach users. Vehicle traffic disturbs resident and migratory wildlife and careless actions such as driving through flocks of shorebirds on beaches, can have a detrimental effect on their survival.
Shorebirds such as little terns, oystercatchers and eastern curlews nest in small scrapes on the soft sand and chicks tend to hide in the cast seaweed. Both eggs and chicks are almost impossible to see, especially when driving, and are crushed by vehicles and trail bikes.
Remember that careless use of vehicles in these areas can endanger the lives of other beach users, disturb wildlife, alter the environment (through air and noise pollution, dune destruction) and reduce wilderness values.
Irresponsible pet ownership
Shorebird colonies are sensitive to human disturbance and many birds will abandon nests if repeatedly disturbed. This can leave eggs and chicks exposed and more vulnerable to predators such as dogs, and trampling by walkers and vehicles. Dogs, in particular, disturb shorebirds and careless acts such as letting dogs chase and disturb resting and feeding flocks on beaches exhausts birds as they frequently take off to avoid threats and in the process, waste considerable amounts of energy. This compromises their ability to survive and breed once they head north to breed again.
Help minimise disturbance to shorebirds by being aware of nesting times and keeping clear of these areas at these times (e.g. dog-walking, driving, fishing).
Dune damage
Most beaches in Queensland are backed by vegetated sand dunes which act as sand reservoirs and protect coastlines from wave damage during storms. Dune environments also support a rich array of plant life (e.g. grasses, herbs and other woody plants) which play a vital role in the dune building process by acting as windbreaks and trapping deposited sand particles. Frontal dunes are extremely vulnerable to disturbance. Dune vegetation is easily destroyed by human interference (e.g. driving, excessive foot traffic, camping, clearing) and natural processes and both can promote dune instability and erosion. For the sake of our coast we must care for the dunes - so avoid these areas and remember that driving across or parking on sand dunes is illegal.
What can you do?
Responsible beach driving and dune protection - check with a local council, DERM or car hire company to see where beach driving is permitted. Where it is permitted please 'do the right thing' and follow these tips:
- Be aware of the local rules for beach driving. Remember to stay alert, keep to existing tracks, follow the normal road rules and observe speed limits (or go slower than the speed limit to suit the conditions).
- Don't drive along the beach at high tide or above the high-water mark as this will destroy shorebird nests.
- Don't 'bust dunes' - protect them by using only designated access points to the beach and keeping vehicles off sand dunes. Avoid driving on sandy areas along debris/drift lines as this is where new dunes may form.
- When on foot and going to and from the beach, use only designated walking tracks and keep off the dunes.
Minimise disturbance to wildlife - Noise, speed and movement easily disturb shorebirds, so help protect their habitat and their future by leaving them undisturbed.
- If you see flocks of birds, slow down and drive around them and not through them - remember these birds are resting after long, exhausting migration flights.
- Keep yourself and your pets well clear of areas where shorebirds are feeding, resting and nesting. Ensure that domestic animals are under control and kept on a leash2
- If fishing from a sandbar, fish from the opposite end to where the shorebirds are gathered.
- Feral animals can kill shorebirds and other wildlife, so please report feral animal sightings to the local council.
Keep our beaches and coastline clean - most rubbish and pollutants discarded on land end up in the ocean, so please take your rubbish with you.
1. Most of the shorebird species which visit Moreton Bay Marine Park are migratory species listed under the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) or the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA).
2. In Moreton Bay Marine Park it is an offence to overly disturb shorebirds or their habitat and on-the-spot fines apply. In local government areas adjoining Moreton Bay, dogs must be on a leash at all times unless in a designated "off leash" area.
Last reviewed 19 July 2011
Last updated 14 June 2011