We are lucky on New South Wales’ south coast to occasionally see Hooded Plovers on the beach. The Hooded Plover is listed as vulnerable in Victoria and South Australia and the fifty or so surviving birds in New South Wales are listed as critically endangered. Hooded Plovers prefer beaches that face the open ocean, feeding on tiny invertebrates near the water’s edge. They lay their eggs on the beach above the high water mark or in the sand hills.

There is currently one pair nesting on the local beach, with the site carefully festooned with warning signs to control dogs and not to disturb the nest. The presence of name tags on each bird reminds of their endangered status. Another single bird (K9) has been around the last two weeks – waiting for a suitable partner to appear?