Cover Letter, DA Form 1, Plans, Owners Consent, Coastal Environment Assessment · OPW21/0049

Evidence of breeding in the estuary was limited to three resident species - the Beach Stone-curlew, Red-
Capped Plover and Australian Pied Oystercatcher. The nest of each species typically consisted of no
more than a sand scrape above the high tide mark and disguised amid vegetation. Whilst courting
behavior, nests and occasionally eggs were observed amongst pairs of all three species, only the Red-
Capped Plover, a shorebird, was observed to be successful in raising chicks to adulthood in the estuary 26.
The inability of the other species to do likewise was concerning.
A pair of Australian Pied
Oystercatchers (Haematopus
longirostris) (female at front,
male at rear) as observed in
the Noosa River. Individuals of
the species have been known
to live to 22 years.

Though considered secure, the
entire Australian population
may not exceed 10,000
individuals.

Credit: Bob Inglis.




                                                                                                       The speckled eggs and “nest” of an
                                                                                                       Australian Pied Oystercatcher as
                                                                                                       photographed in the Noosa River
                                                                                                       estuary.

                                                                                                       The resident pair of Australian Pied
                                                                                                       Oystercatchers in the estuary are not
                                                                                                       known to have hatched chicks - a
                                                                                                       concerning occurrence for such a
                                                                                                       slow breeding species.

                                                                                                       Credit: Jill Dening.




26
     Records were not maintained on breeding success rates for the Red-Capped Plover or any other species.

Noosa River – Shorebird Survey Report 2019                                                                                         Page 17