National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Ranger, Martin Smith said the endangered Little Tern chose a new breeding location on a sand island in the middle of Bonville Creek this year.

“Their breeding success at this location rivalled the best year ever recorded at Sawtell for Little Terns,” he said.

“Around 45 breeding pairs nested on the low-lying island, successfully rearing an estimated 71 fledglings at the site.

“The protective enclosure built around the breeding colony by NPWS staff also attracted a number of other nesting birds including a breeding pair of threatened Pied Oyster Catchers. The Pied Oyster Catchers, a striking black and white beach bird with a bright red beak and legs, successfully raised a chick.

“Red-capped Dotterels also nested within the compound and raised at least six chicks at the site.

“A pair of critically endangered Beach Stone Curlews were also seen a number of times in the vicinity of the breeding compound early in December but it’s not known if these elusive birds were a breeding pair.

“This great result can be largely attributed to a community-wide effort to protect these vulnerable shore birds at Sawtell,” said Ranger Smith.

The NPWS, volunteers and contract staff, supported by Coffs Harbour City Council conducted extensive fox, feral cat and wild dog trapping and baiting activities around the breeding location, as well as engaging in community education. A large fenced enclosure and signage around the site was also critical to the success of the program.

“This year park visitors were generally well behaved and gave the birds a respectful wide berth and thankfully domestic dog presence in and around the site was down on last year’s level,” said Ranger Smith

The endangered Little Tern at Sawtell has been the target of a successful endangered species recovery program since 1999 implemented by local NPWS staff, with the assistance of local volunteers. The best result ever achieved at the site was the summer of 2000-2001 when the breeding colony produced 81 fledglings.