Our FNQ iconic bird... the Red-capped Plover?

Denis Walls | Convenor

When I was involved with the Places You Love initiative in the late 2010s, the southern boffins asked me what bird might represent FNQ in the battle to strengthen the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). I thought it needed to be a threatened shorebird and suggested the Far Eastern Curlew; consequently, that magnificent creature became the poster bird for our region during that long campaign.

The problem with the migratory Far Eastern Curlew was that many people confused it with the Bush Stone-curlew, and I got abused on radio for saying how threatened they are. (Far Eastern Curlew numbers have collapsed by over 80% in the last three decades.) That’s the reason, to this day, that I call Bush Stone-curlews Bush Thick-knees, following their global family nomenclature. Also, with Far Eastern Curlews disappearing for half the year to the northern hemisphere, it was harder to maintain permanent, emotional engagement with the bird.

Bush Stone-curlew (aka Bush Thick-knee). Photo by Martin Willis.

Far Eastern Curlew (aka Eastern Curlew). Photo by Duade Paton.

We’ve always struggled a bit in FNQ to name one single bird that can resonate the way that Hooded Plover, Regent Honeyeater, Carnaby’s Cockatoo, and other important species do in regions down south. Since most of our listed species are coastal, maybe we need to choose a beach bird that is present all year where people and dogs are plentiful. In this way, we can inform and expand the birding message, which in turn will hopefully lead to greater shorebird protection and awareness all round.

I’m advocating the Red-capped Plover!

First of all, it’s a gorgeous little bird. Plus, very few of our shorebirds are beach nesters, but the Red-capped Plover is one and is very active at the moment on the Northern Beaches. Nests and eggs are very prone to being trampled, and the birds chased by dogs, so what better time to increase their protection, when all our migratory, non-breeding waders are returning from the northern hemisphere exhausted and needing a peaceful feed? Our returning migratory shorebirds would benefit from that greater public awareness too.

Female Red-capped plover. Photo by Denis Walls.

Male Red-capped plover on the Cairns Northern Beaches. Photo by Denis Walls.

Our sub-group raised this matter with Cairns Regional Council at our quarterly meeting on 26 August, regarding cordoning and signage, and I’ll raise it with BirdLife Australia regarding promotional paraphernalia featuring the delightful Red-capped Plover. BirdLife Australia has already agreed to send Red-capped Plover stickers for distribution to schools and elsewhere.

Do you agree with my choice of shorebird to be our regional icon?