Hooded Plover

21/08/2026

Are you based in Adelaide or South East SA?

The South Australian Government is hosting FREE community forums across the state to keep the community informed.

📍 Upcoming sessions:

🗓️ Golden Grove/Wynn Vale Monday 24 August, 6pm Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Centre

🗓️ Port MacDonnell Thursday 27 August, 6pm Port MacDonnell Community Complex

These forums are a great opportunity to learn about H5 bird flu, current preparedness measures, and the animal, human and environmental considerations involved.

✅ Free and open to the public ✅ Registration essential

👉 Register now: birdflu.sa.gov.au/community-forums

Stay up to date with the latest information: birdflu.sa.gov.au

20/08/2026

The Hooded Plover nesting season has officially begun - for both the Eastern and Western subspecies! The first nest in the east was recorded on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, in early August. The first nest in the west, also in early August, was spotted in the Margaret River region, Western Australia. Since then, there have been reports of Hooded Plover pairs at other locations, some well-made scrapes and more nests.

Please give these nesting hoodies space by staying by the water’s edge and keep your dog on a leash. We need the community’s help to protect these threatened birds.

BirdLife Australia BirdLife Western Australia Green Adelaide Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu Alexandrina Council Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Shire of Augusta Margaret River Nature Conservation Margaret River Region State Natural Resource Management Program WA City of Busselton - Local Government

18/08/2026

The world has lost one of its most wonderful advocates for conservation, a local champion, Glenda Shomaly. She was passionate about local coastal habitats, tackling problem weeds and looking out for the hoodies and other wildlife. We will miss Glenda so very much and have been so privileged to know and work with her.

11/08/2026

The Hoodie season is here, and nests are already popping up!

For those of you in the Margaret River region, we've got a Hooded Plover Community Monitoring Workshop happening on Sunday the 20th of September .

Join BirdLife Australia for this free workshop and discover how Hooded Plovers raise their chicks, the threats they face, and - best of all - how YOU can get involved in protecting them! Know someone who'd love to be part of this? Pass it on!

With H5 Bird Flu now posing an added threat to our beach-nesting birds, monitoring and protecting these incredible species has never been more important. Don't miss out! Registrations are essential!
👉https://events.humanitix.com/margaret-river-hooded-plover-conservation-workshop

This event is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program.

Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia Shire of Augusta Margaret River Nature Conservation Margaret River Region BirdLife Western Australia State Natural Resource Management Program WA City of Busselton - Local Government

06/08/2026

Last week, the City of Onkaparinga held its Coastal Champions Mayoral Civic Reception at the Christies Beach Surf Life savings Club.

The event recognised the volunteers, community organisations, artists, young people and businesses whose commitment and resilience have supported our community in responding to the harmful algal bloom and its impact on our coastline and local area, and to acknowledge those who have made a meaningful contribution during a challenging time for our region.

BirdLife Australia was recognised and awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for the Hooded Plover volunteers' tireless work in protecting and supporting the breeding of these threatened bird species on the local beaches in SA.

Thank you to everyone who shows up for our coast, and to the City of Onkaparinga for recognising that work. 👏

L to R. Dudley Corbett (HP Volunteer), John Gitsham (Birdlife Staff) Sally Crafter (HP Volunteer) representing all the local Adelaide Metro Hoded Plover Volunteers.

01/08/2026

Very sad news this weekend - first H5 bird flu mass mortality event recorded in the country. State aerial surveillance has found 50 dead Greater Crested Terns on Baudin Rocks, about 7km north of Robe, in South East South Australia.

Please look after yourselves and keep avoiding, recording and reporting any sick or dead birds you find.

31/07/2026

: H5 bird flu has been detected in Victoria for the first time.

A Greater Crested Tern found in Portland, in Victoria's southwest, has tested positive for H5 bird flu, marking the first suspected detection of the virus in the state's native birds.

This latest case follows multiple detections in this species in South Australia. This is no longer a matter of whether the virus will spread – it's already happening, and the outcome could be devastating.

Portland is home to an important Australasian Gannet colony, a species that is highly susceptible to the virus. We're also particularly concerned about Eastern Hooded Plover flocks in the region.

BirdLife Australia is continuing to provide extensive data and expertise to government and wildlife health authorities to assist preparedness and planning efforts.

We have seen the impacts of the virus on native birds across the globe. We cannot afford to sit back and wait to see what happens next.

That's why we are urging the government to immediately deliver a $200 million Nature Resilience Package to help give our birds the best possible chance of surviving the inevitable impacts of this virus.

This means funding that:

🔺Protects and restores critical wetland, coastal and island habitats.
🔺Expands wildlife monitoring and conservation planning for at-risk species.
🔺Supports emergency wildlife response and recovery.
🔺Strengthens preparedness, including conservation breeding programs for our most vulnerable birds.

Our birds need their community more than ever.

📧 Use our email tool to ask your local MP to support this urgent investment: https://birdlife.org.au/call-for-stronger-protection-h5-bird-flu/
🔁 Share this post to help spread the word.

10/07/2026

This is really sad news. Please stay safe if you go to the beach and remember to follow the avoid, record, report principles.

: We are saddened to share the latest update on H5 bird flu. A Greater Crested Tern in South Australia has tested positive for the virus. This is a significant development as it’s the first evidence of the virus spreading to a local bird within Australia.

Greater Crested Terns nest in colonies and roost in large flocks, making them particularly vulnerable to H5 bird flu. They also interact with other coastal and wetland species, so we should not expect this to be an isolated case.

BirdLife Australia is continuing our work to protect Australia's birds. We are currently meeting with the SA Government to provide data and expertise. Our scientists continue to monitor the spread of the virus, support surveillance efforts, and advocate for the actions that must be taken. And we’re continuing to call on the Government to invest $200M in an urgent nature resilience package.

We need your help to give Australia's birds the best chance of facing this unfolding threat. Healthy bird populations are more resilient and better able to withstand the virus. Please donate today: https://brnw.ch/21x41jT to support our work like on-ground response, advocacy and surveillance efforts.

Now, more than ever, our birds need their bird-loving community.

Stay tuned, we will continue to update as we have more information.

20/06/2026

Heartbreaking news - the suspected H5 Bird Flu case has now been confirmed.

Today brings difficult news for everyone who cares about Australia's birds.

The Federal Government has now confirmed that the Brown Skua found in southwest Western Australia, which was previously suspected of having H5 bird flu, has tested positive for the virus. This marks the first confirmed detection of this devastating strain on mainland Australia.

Around the world, H5 bird flu has caused catastrophic losses, killing millions of wild birds and pushing already vulnerable species closer to extinction.

For Australia's birds, the stakes could not be higher.

One in six Australian bird species is already threatened with extinction, with many populations already under pressure from habitat loss, climate change and other human impacts. The arrival of H5 bird flu presents a serious new challenge.

BirdLife Australia is closely monitoring this developing situation and will continue advocating for strong monitoring, preparedness and coordinated action to help protect our birds.

We need your help more than ever so that we can continue to do our work to protect Australia's birds. Your donation means more now than ever.

Donate today: https://brnw.ch/21x3uZc

For more information visit our bird flu hub: https://brnw.ch/21x3uZd

19/06/2026

Statement from BirdLife Australia re suspected case of H5 bird flu reported from southwest WA.

The Federal government has announced that a migratory Brown Skua in southwest Western Australia has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza. A second bird, a Giant Petrel, found in the area is also being tested.

If these cases are confirmed as H5 bird flu (H5N1), this would mean the virus has arrived on the Australian continent for the first time.
H5 bird flu (H5N1, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza) is an infectious disease that can affect wild, farmed and pet birds.

Large-scale outbreaks of H5 bird flu (H5N1) have killed millions of wild birds and tens of thousands of mammals around the world. Until now, Australia and New Zealand have remained free of the virus.

An outbreak of H5 bird flu in Australian birds could be catastrophic, as one in six Australian birds are already facing the threat of extinction.

BirdLife Australia has consistently advocated for robust monitoring and preparedness ahead of an outbreak.

We are watching this development closely and seeking further information. We will keep you updated as more details emerge.
If you find a sick or dead bird that you suspect could have Avian Influenza (H5N1), remember to:

❌ AVOID contact with sick or dead wildlife and their environment. Do not touch, move or approach the bird, and do not allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead wildlife.

📸 RECORD what you see, the location the animal was found, and take photos or video (if possible) without approaching the bird.

📞REPORT any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.