Over the past week I have continued to monitor the Pied Oystercatchers along our coast and as usual I observe the birds fight against predation of both their eggs and chicks. I thought you would like to know that there are some birds here on the Australian mainland that actually have protection.

In October and November 2009 we spent time in Portland, Victoria with Grant’s work and it enabled us to see some new birds and animals along a very picturesque coast. The road from Melbourne to Portland is partly the Great Ocean Road and it is the world’s largest war memorial. The 243 kilometre (151 miles) road was built by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932 and dedicated to the soldiers of the first World War. Once you reach Portland you can then participate in another section of coastline by walking the Great South West Walk, which runs for 250 kilometres (155 miles).

It takes about an hour along this walk to get to Point Danger due to the fact that it follows a very rugged coastline. The track is good, but we were warned to not walk too delicately so that the snakes would move out of the way on warm days!

Part of the Great South West Walk near Portland, Victoria

More of the trail heading towards Point Danger

The main reason for anyone heading to Point Danger is it is unique for being the only mainland colony of Australasian Gannets on the Australian mainland and there have also been reports of the occasional Cape Gannet over the years. The birds first arrived on the mainland in 1996 after breeding on the nearby island, Lawrence Rocks. They had been breeding successfully until 2007 when every single nest failed due to predation by foxes.

A solution was sought and a pair of Maremma dogs were put in place to protect the breeding colony. There were a few problems with the dogs wandering at first, but that has been resolved and there is now a successful breeding colony once more on Point Danger.

Maremma dog casually guarding against fox predation

Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger and Lawrence Rocks

Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger and Lawrence Rocks

Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger and Lawrence Rocks

Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger and Lawrence Rocks

Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger

 Australasian Gannet colony Point Danger

If only you could protect birds all along our coast with such lovely dogs!

 

Written by Clare M
Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!