Saving Our Shorebirds

Urunga Island has become a sanctuary for the endangered Pied Oystercatcher and critically endangered Beach Stone-curlew. These shorebirds partner for life, returning to the same region every year to breed and nurture their chicks. There are only 15 breeding pairs of Beach Stone-curlew left in NSW and one of these pairs calls Urunga Island home. Unfortunately, the pair have been unable to successfully raise chicks in the last few years due to disturbances from people, dogs and boats.

In 2023/24 community representatives of the Shorebird Working Group (auspiced by Urunga Business and Community) received a $5,000 grant from Bellingen Shire Council’s Environment Levy Community Fund for a project to safeguard these threatened shorebirds.

To help protect the birds, the project focussed on installing educational signage at two key locations along Atherton Drive. The signage notes that August to January is breeding season for the Beach Stone-curlew and Pied Oystercatcher and asks that people not visit Urunga Island during this “resting” period.

The signage includes a design by Brentyn Lugnan from the Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation. Urunga Island and the beach nesting shorebirds are culturally significant to the Gumbaynggirr people. Brentyn Lugnan has created an artwork representing the importance of these shorebirds, including incorporating the footprints of the Waribun (Beach Stone-curlew).

This project was a great initiative bringing together indigenous groups, community members, local Council and state government departments to help protect shorebirds. The signage is just one of a number of initiatives to be taken over the coming breeding season to help protect these precious birds.