Hooded Plovers nest in Lorne
Early January; artist in residence community connect art precinct LORNE -community driven fun, making and performing in costumes to mark, celebrate and educate beach goers about Hooded Plovers and their fragile nesting habits.
Yesterday, on the beach I met Jonty 9, Annabel 8, and Lily 5 holidaying in Lorne. They were happy to pop on the hooded hoodies and dance and scurry across the sand imagining themselves to be the chicks. Super cute moment!
CONGRATULATIONS Auspicious 2 Hooded Plover Chicks Hatched
Having fun in Lorne with a small group of nature enthusiasts making Hooded Plover Chick hoodies from #recycled material. We hit the Lorne Op Shop Monday in full power mode foraging the racks for the neutral sandy seaweed palette and feathery textures found in an array of bad fake furs, picnic blankets and dressing gowns!
Sim Fulton, an Otway Forest Nature Muse, is driving the fabulous concept to create chick hoodie costumes for the kids to wear down at the beach raising awareness while celebrating this significant and auspicious Hooded Plover event.
Yesterday, on the beach I met some kids holidaying in Lorne. They were happy to pop on the hooded hoodies and dance and scurry across the sand imagining themselves to be the chicks. Super cute moment!
This hatching event is currently described to be the first Hooded Plover nest sighted in communities living memory. They are nesting between the rock groin and the mouth of the Erskine River on Lorne Main Beach and are highly likely to migrate up and down the beach as the chick grow older. I have been told by Margaret Donald, Moggs creek resident, hooded plover beach volunteer and enthusiast, that this hooded plover pair historically nest on the beach at Moggs and after a few unsuccessful breeding seasons at Moggs they have settled in at Lorne to have a crack!.
If you know of any Hooded Plovers previously nesting at this sight please reach out and share your stories with Kim from the GORCPA or the volunteer crew managing the sight.
Kim from GORCPA first sighted the nest early December and soon reported that 2 chicks hatch Monday 8th January, a week earlier than expected.
A lovely gang of Hooded Plover enthusiasts are now watching and managing the exclusion zone set up to detour pedestrian traffic exercising and walking dogs in the exposed and vulnerable nesting/feeding area.
To help volunteer and keep these endangered beach loving birdies safe for the next 35 days please contact
Janice Carpenter
Regional Co-ordinate Bird Life Australia
Mobile; 0418375561
Email; janicejohnoz@yahoo.com.au
January 2024 Hooded Plover Hoodies project instigated by Simone Fulton-Lorne resident and long time nature activist and advocate - construction by Anna Reynolds, Dimi Mammos and Simone Fulton
We whole heartedly thank you Simone Fulton for hatching the timely costume idea with chicky egg-thusiasm and knowledge of local resources!
Big kisses to the Lorne Op shop for cutting an egg-cellent deal on the repurposed garments we cut up to make the hoodies!
Big, speckled eggs to Marian, Simon and Anna from In the Skys for the donation of art materials
Not to forget a gleeful glue gun and glue stick donation from Dimi @ Wolf Whistle
And especially grateful for the CCAP artist in residency magnificent space where all the creative action is taking place.
A ‘good on you’ to ALL the volunteers who have been spreading the word and getting out there on the front line and to all the ‘kids’ who got in to the costumes and had some fun!
Celebrating Hooded Plover chicks hatching Jan 2024
Kids in Hooded Plover Hoodie costumes on the beach in Lorne, near the exclusion zone to protect chicks that hatched on the beach
MUMMA HOODIE aka KIM at Lorne beach in a hooded plover hoodie costume marking and celebrating the hatching of two hooded plover chicks hatching on the 8th of January 2024
costumes made from recycled materials sourced from the Lorne Op Shop
and community collaboration as part of 2024 artist in residence at community connect art precinct.
Gadubanud Country
LORNE, VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
