Record-breaking breeding season brings hope for Hoodies

The Surf Coast has celebrated a landmark breeding season for the vulnerable Hooded Plover, with conservation efforts delivering the most successful results in recent history.  

We are pleased to announce that 10 chicks have successfully fledged across the Surf Coast region from August 2024 to March 2025 – the highest number recorded since monitoring began.  

This landmark season highlights the power of community collaboration with Friends of the Hooded Plover, our Conservation Team, Parks Victoria and responsible beachgoers all playing a crucial role in supporting the vulnerable shorebirds. 

Key highlights of the 2024/25 Hooded Plover breeding season include: 

• A historic first at Aireys Inlet, where three chicks successfully fledged – the first time a 3/3 outcome has been achieved on the Surf Coast and the first fledglings at Aireys in five years 

• A total of 20 chicks recorded across the Surf Coast, dramatically surpassing the previous record of 9 chicks set in the 2017/18 season 

• Successful breeding at the Barham River in Apollo Bay, with two chicks fledged. 

• Port Campbell National Park's ongoing conservation efforts have yielded promising results, with two chicks successfully fledged near Peterborough and the Bay of Martyrs, and an additional nest containing two eggs recently identified at the Bay of Martyrs. 

• One fledged chick at Newfield Point and a suspected chick at the Curdies Inlet. 

Parks Victoria and local volunteer teams continue their dedicated monitoring of nesting sites further down the coast, with potential for additional successful fledglings, including an active nest with two eggs at the iconic Twelve Apostles site. 

These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of: 

• Volunteer wardens who monitored breeding sites 

• Responsible dog owners who followed beach restrictions 

• Beachgoers who respected exclusion zones 

• Visitors who engaged with conservation education. 

Quotes attributable to Conservation Coordinator Scott Hives: 

“Through collaboration with volunteers, we recorded 20 chicks on the Surf Coast—more than double our previous number. 

"Every person who respected beach signage, controlled their dogs, or took the time to learn about these precious birds has played a role in this conservation success. 

"The fact that three chicks successfully fledged at Aireys Inlet is nothing short of a miracle, especially given that so many nests have failed there over the past five years.” 

"We’re thrilled with these results, and they show that more people understand the importance of working together to protect the Hoodies.”