Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

the birds were not disturbed. Despite this effort the chick disappeared shortly after and is
thought to have been taken by a fox, cat or dog.
The most successful and unlikely breeding site was the Woy Woy Waste Disposal Depot
where two chicks fledged after being banded by Alan Morris. Council staff at the tip site
ensured that the site was protected keeping vehicles well away from the birds and
generally keeping an eye out for them. The site is considered one of the best Bush Stonecurlew
sites in NSW as it offers a rich source of insects, there are few people walking
around to disturb the birds, it is fenced and fox and wild dog control is undertaken in the
adjoining Brisbane Water National Park.
A pair of birds nested near the high tide mark on a foreshore on private property at St
Hubert's Island in early September. Due to the risk of inundation, sand bags were used to
try and protect the eggs from incoming tides. This was only moderately successful and the
nest was inundated by the wash from a ferry. However, one chick managed to hatch but
died within a few days. An autopsy of this chick showed that it had died from
organochloride contamination (C. Price DECC pers.comm. 2005). There were reports of
birds calling from near Milson’s Island and off Mooney Mooney Creek and this site
requires further investigation. There were no reports of Bush Stone-curlews from around
or near Empire Bay in 2004.
2005 Monitoring Program
Pygmy Possum Consultants were engaged to undertake monitoring to determine nest
sites for the 2005 season and to undertake ongoing monitoring to investigate breeding
success. A meeting was held with the Friends group to plan the monitoring program for
the year. One of the adult pair at the Pony Club was killed, presumably by a fox, just prior
to the commencement of the breeding season. Its remains were found and DNA testing
found that it was a female.
Call play back was undertaken in Brisbane Water and along the Hawkesbury River where
a recent record existed. As a result a number of pairs were located but only one pair were
known to successfully breed this season whereby one chick was raised at St Huberts
thanks to the efforts of local residents who kept an eye on the birds and helped protect
them from local cats and dogs. This chick was banded in January 2006. The lack of other
known breeding incidences, despite concerted efforts, if of concern and may indicate that
the birds are seriously on the decline in the area.
A - 3.3
Related biodiversity programs
A number of biodiversity related programs have been undertaken across Council. These are
more fully documented in Council's Sustainability Report 2004 and include environmental
education programs such as the Little Green Steps program for primary schools, the Cities for
Climate Change program and environmental education and protection programs such as
undertaking catchment audits to increase awareness and compliance in environmental
protection. In the areas of water management, Council has implemented a number of water
saving initiatives and improved management of onsite sewerage. Council also develops and
implements riparian restoration and rivercare type plans with landholder assistance.
A - 3.3.1
Bushcare Program
Council's Bushcare program provides training and support for volunteer bush regenerators to
undertake bush regeneration on Council lands. In addition to the on-ground activities, a range of
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 67