This Endangered Species Day, the Gippsland Lakes is celebrating the united effort that resulted in 15 Small Tern chicks successfully fledging from the Lakes in the last summer breeding season.

Fairy Terns and Little Terns, collectively known as Small Terns, are two of Australia’s smallest and most threatened seabirds. Across Gippsland Lakes, they rely on undisturbed beaches for feeding and breeding. Disturbance from humans, predation by dogs and foxes and storm surges all can affect the success and survival of this important species.

“We thank everyone for their part in protecting the Lakes’ Small Terns,” said Bec Hemming, CEO of East Gippsland CMA.

Small Terns are important visitors to Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site with these long distance travellers arriving in late winter and spring from northern Australia and further afield to breed.

“While in the Lakes, the terns are monitored by BirdLife Australia as part of the Gippsland Lakes broader shorebird monitoring program and there is a raft of partners working together to reduce threats to the terns and their habitat.”

This includes sand renourishment works carried out in 2024 to restore beach nesting bird habitat for Small Terns and other threatened beach nesting species across priority islands within the Gippsland Lakes including Crescent and Albifrons Islands and Horries Spit. This project builds on past nourishment works delivered through the Love our Lakes program.

“Additional initiatives being delivered include assessing threatened shorebirds, delivering pest animal and weed control and revegetation to improve habitat,” Ms Hemming said.

Our help is needed to protect the terns

Small Terns generally lay two eggs and raise the chicks on sand islands across the Lakes. The main threat is disturbance of breeding sites by human activities (including off-lead dogs, bikes, horses, boats and vehicles) and predation by introduced species and birds. Disturbing the birds may cause direct destruction of eggs or the abandonment of nesting sites resulting in the eggs being eaten or  getting too cold or hot.

Chicks are also very vulnerable when they are unable to fly and parents must use a lot of energy to protect their chicks – especially from dogs off lead.

“It’s a pretty small thing for us to do to help these highly threatened birds, please read and observe and beach signage when entering an area on foot or by boat. Thank you!

Endangered Species Day is held on 16 May each year and celebrates saving species around the world through learning and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. https://www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/.

This project is supported by the Victorian Government to improve the health of waterways and catchments across regional Victoria.