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Conservation Council of WA releases latest WA Fairy Tern Conservation Guide

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

THE Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) has released the latest edition of the WA Fairy Tern Conservation Guide.

Fairy terns are birds that are white, except for the crown which is black from bill to the nape.

The guide was launched at Point Walter today, with the Bicton location being among the places that the bird can be found.

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The guide was compiled by CCWA citizen science coordinator Nic Dunlop and assisted by contributions from members of the Western Australian Fairy Tern Conservation Network.

The publishing of the second edition was supported by the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council.

Dr Dunlop said the lives of the threatened seabirds interacted with many coastal management issues including the health of near-shore marine habitats, shoreline stability, changing sea-level, introduced weeds, feral animals and the behavioural interactions between people and wildlife.

“Coastal development, domestic dog and off-road vehicle disturbance to fairy terns nesting on beaches and shorelines are the major threats near Perth and throughout the densely populated south west of the State,” he said.

“Although not currently rare, the species is listed as threatened and is at least conservation dependent, requiring dedicated species-specific management to maintain a viable population.

“Beyond that however the continued presence of these charismatic birds stands as both an indicator and a symbol of ecological sustainability in south-western Australia’s coastal zone’.”

Hard copies are available from the group’s office in West Perth or its website as well BirdLife WA in Floreat.