Pied Oyster Catcher is breeding; beach users urged to be careful

July 10, 2008

Beach users from Ballina south to Evans Head have been urged to take extra care during the Pied Oyster Catcher breeding season.

General Manager of the Department of Lands, Graham Harding, has announced that the bird’s breeding season of the has commenced and urged drivers to take care on the beaches south of Ballina.

Mr Harding said the Pied Oyster Catcher breeding season extends from July though to December.

“I urge people driving on the beaches between South Ballina and Evans Head to adhere to the maximum legal speed limit, which is 30km per hour,” he said.

“There is signage on display at each beach entry point to advise this limit.

“The 30km per hour speed limit is part of the strategy adopted by the Department of Lands to help protect the Pied Oyster Catcher especially during their breeding season.

“Beach users should remember that the general road rules that occur throughout NSW also apply to the beach.

“Local police from the Ballina Highway Patrol have advised they will be undertaking regular patrols of the beach, including during the upcoming Evans Head Fishing Classic.

“Anyone who requires further information or copies of the Pied Oyster Catcher Strategy can contact the Lands’ Grafton office on 6640 3400.”

The Pied Oyster Catcher is one of five resident non-migratory shore birds, with an estimated remaining population of 250 individuals in NSW.

Threats to remaining populations include fox predation, noxious weeds, storms and loss of habitat due to disturbance.

The Threatened Species (Pied Oyster Catcher) Management Strategy has been prepared by the Department of Lands in consultation with Department of Environment and Climate Change, Richmond Valley Council, Ballina Shire Council, Tweed Lismore RLPB, and other bodies and organisations including Coastcare, Northern Rivers CMA, Department of Planning, Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council and NSW Wader Studies Group.

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