Limestone Coast Landscape Board take the lead to protect shorebirds this summer

Visitors and residents of the Limestone Coast are urged to take the lead this summer and help protect shorebirds along the coast. By keeping your dog on a lead while visiting beaches you are helping protect shorebirds from predators. Take the lead is an initiative of the Our Coorong | Our Coast project supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program which aims to restore and protect the habitat of beach nesting and migratory shorebirds throughout the Coorong and Limestone Coast.

Robbie Andrew, Project Coordinator for Our Coorong |Our Coast said, “Keeping your dog on a lead when visiting our beaches this summer is an action we can all take to support these vulnerable shorebirds from inquisitive dogs. Shorebird eggs are extremely hard to see on the sand and therefore can easily be damaged. By keeping your dog on a lead you will help protect our feathered friends while they feed, nest and rest during this season.” The Limestone Coast Landscape Board is distributing dog leads to the public over December/January so that we can all take the lead this summer. Visitors and residents of the Limestone Coast are encouraged to visit one of the local stockists and collect their free dog lead.

While keeping your dog on a lead is important, there are other ways you can protect shorebirds this summer. For example by keeping an eye out for informative signs that indicate shorebirds are in the area. Keeping away from these areas reduces disturbance to the birds. Walking on the water’s edge away from the soft sand also helps to protect shorebird eggs that are very hard to see.

For a full list of free dog lead stockists click here