Endangered chicks die

Both chicks born this season to the sole remaining bush stone-curlew breeding pair on the Peninsula have died.

The second of the two chicks died after being found injured on Carpenter St, Umina, on Saturday, February 26, aged 10 weeks.

The breeding pair produced two eggs in December, however one chick died shortly after hatching.

The chicks were hatched in the grounds of Umina campus of Brisbane Water Secondary College in December.

The staff at Umina High School had erected a fence around the nesting birds in an attempt to protect them from predators.

The remaining chick was banded by The Gosford Friends of the Bush Stone-curlew, a volunteer group which help manage the small population of this threatened species in Gosford Shire.

"This is a sad blow to The Gosford Friends of the Bush Stone-curlew group," said coordinator Mr Alan Morris.

"It is also sad news for the staff and children at Umina campus who went to great efforts to ensure that the birds nested safely.

"If anyone can provide any more information on how this bird was injured or any information generally on bush stone-curlews on The Peninsula, the Friends Group would like to hear from you," said Mr Morris.

The population of bush stone-curlews in the Gosford area consists of four breeding pairs, three male birds holding territories from the death or disappearance of the female bird and a number of juvenile birds.

The lone breeding pair on the Peninsula are based around the Umina High School campus, St John the Baptist Catholic School and the Everglades Golf Course and move freely between the three sites, he said.

"To lose one of our colour-banded chicks is a great loss and does not help in trying to maintain the viability and sustainability of the local population," said Mr Morris.

"Most of the other pairs and single birds live around the Brisbane Water foreshores in public reserves, nature reserves and on private property," he said.

The bush stone-curlews' major enemies are foxes which take the eggs and chicks, dogs which chase birds from their feeding and roosting sites, and human interference.

Bush stone-curlews are nocturnal.

They roost during the day and feed at night on grasshoppers, moths, spiders and large insects.

With inquiries, phone Alan on 4348 4327.

Media release, 3 Mar 2011 Alan Morris, Saratoga