Workshop about rare bird

A workshop about a rare bird occasionally found on the Peninsula will be held at the Erina Centre at Erina Fair at 7pm on Thursday, September 14.

The evening for local residents to learn more about the bush stone-curlew has been organised by The Friends of the Bush Stone-Curlew group, Gosford Council and the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

The bird is only known to nest locally in the area bounded by Davistown, Saratoga, Kincumber South, Bensville, Empire Bay and St Huberts Island, according to Gosford Council's natural resources officer Ms Nikki Bennetts.

"They have also at times been seen at Woy Woy tip and at Hardys Bay," she said.

"They live in these areas all year and return to familiar breeding grounds each year.

"They nest on the ground in open grassy areas, often in people's front or back yards, with nearby vegetation and logs to hide in and wetlands to feed at.

"Occasionally they nest below high tide level, which is a problem."

Ms Bennetts said there were less than 20 birds left locally and only three or four breeding pairs.

"Foxes and feral cats are the main predators."

She said the meeting was intended to raise further awareness of these birds and their needs.

She hoped it would get more people involved in protecting the birds, as well as informing those people already involved what has been happening and what can be done this season to help.

For further details or to RSVP, phone Nikki Bennetts on 4325 8844

Press release, August 29 Nikki Bennetts, Gosford Council