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Rare bird sighted at Umina campus

Cleaners at the Umina campus of Brisbane Waters Secondary College have regularly sighted a rare bird at the campus over the past few weeks.

The bird, the bush stone-curlew which is listed as endangered, was seen at times on a daily basis.

Only about 20 breeding pairs are believed to exist on the Central Coast.

Umina campus P&C Bushcare convenor Shirley Hotchkiss said the sightings were very exciting.

"Several staff and volunteers working at Umina Campus saw the bird over a period of several weeks," she said.

"The sightings in this vicinity have required the new perimeter security fence at the campus to be modified.

"This will allow access for the bush stone-curlew, to assist its ability to forage, breed and raise young."

"The bush stone-curlew is listed as endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act.

"The endangered category means it is close to extinction."

Ms Hotchkiss said the sightings were just across the road from the Catholic site on the corner of Hillview St and Veron Rd, Woy Woy, where a luxury retirement village is proposed.

She said the proposed development, which was still to be considered by Gosford Council, would destroy rare bushland, known as Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland, which covers the site.

Ms Hotchkiss said the sightings "highlight the need to protect this endangered bushland for the bush stone-curlew's habitat so it doesn't become extinct".

"These sightings are grounds for a new Species Impact Statement to be completed before Council considers the DA.

"They are also an additional reason not to develop the site."

Ms Hotchkiss said the council had refused a similar DA previously and that the Land and Environment Court upheld the refusal.

"Despite this, council staff have recommended this DA be approved."

Ms Hotchkiss said she'd been looking after the rare bushland at the College for six years.

"I only saw the bush stone-curlew once this last time, though I saw it a few years ago in the College grounds.

"The cleaners said they saw it every morning because it stood in front of one of the windows looking at its reflection.

"They thought it was trying to find a mate.

"An officer in the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Biodiversity Conservation Unit said this was typical behaviour for this species.

"The behaviour was 'dispersal' behaviour, which meant that a breeding pair most likely existed in the vicinity."

Ms Hotchkiss said there were a number of ways residents could take action to help save this endangered bird and its habitat.

"People can contact Gosford councillors and urge them to reject this DA.

"People can also join a local bushcare group to help protect the bird's habitat.

There are two bushcare groups in this vicinity that look after UCSW bushland, as well as other groups on the Peninsula that look after different types of bushland, dunes and wetland.

Ms Hotchkiss said the cooler months were a great time to get involved in caring for the bush.

"There are many benefits that include increased fitness and reducing the impact of global warming.

"And, as well as protecting species threatened with extinction, people see many unfamiliar native plants coming into flower."

Telephone 4341 9301 for more information.

Media release, 23 Mar 07 Shirley Hotchkiss