Restoration works across the Gippsland Lakes are delivering strong conservation results, with threatened seabirds successfully breeding following habitat improvement projects supported by government and conservation partners.
Recent monitoring by BirdLife Australia has recorded 28 Fairy Tern chicks and five Little Tern chicks successfully
fledging from Albifrons Island, marking a significant breeding outcome for species that are under ongoing threat across their range.
East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority chief executive Bec Hemming said the results reflected coordinated on-ground action to restore critical nesting habitat.
“We are delighted to report that recent monitoring by BirdLife Australia recorded 28 Fairy Tern chicks and
five Little Tern chicks successfully
fledging from Albifrons Island,”
Ms Hemming said.
“This is an incredible outcome and we thank everyone who has worked together in the planning and creation of habitat for threatened species. We also thank the community for their part in caring for the birds, particularly during the breeding season.”
The outcomes follow the 2024
delivery of a sand renourishment project under the state-funded Love Our Lakes program, which saw up to five hectares of island shoreline restored to improve beach nesting conditions. The works were delivered through a
partnership involving Gippsland Ports, Parks Victoria, BirdLife Australia and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters
Aboriginal Corporation.
The project involved placing sand to rebuild degraded shoreline areas, creating suitable habitat for species including Little Terns and Fairy Terns, both of which rely on open sandy beaches for successful breeding.
BirdLife Australia undertook pre- and post-restoration monitoring of the sites and reported strong uptake of the newly created habitat by nesting terns.
BirdLife Australia’s Deb Sullivan said the breeding results highlighted the importance of ongoing habitat restoration across the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site.
“This is a huge success as both species of terns are under threat and rapidly declining and their conservation is a top priority across the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site,” Ms Sullivan said.
“Ongoing monitoring across the
Ramsar Site is helping us understand waterbird breeding and distribution across the Gippsland Lakes, informing conservation efforts to support their ongoing survival.”
Further shoreline renourishment works are planned across the Gippsland Lakes over the next 12 months as part of continued efforts to strengthen habitat resilience and support vulnerable
bird populations.
