Central Coast Council has set up fencing around a nesting site at The Entrance North for rare sea birds that have returned to the area.

The endangered birds, Little Terns, have migrated from eastern Asia and are now calling the Karagi Reserve home.

Council Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, is calling on the community to help Council protect the habitat while the birds raise their young.

“It’s important to protect the shore while the Little Terns are breeding so they can increase their population,” Mr Dowling said.

“The adult birds are known to abandon their chicks if they’re disturbed by people which leaves the babies vulnerable to predators such as dogs, cats and foxes.

“Council is acting to protect the birds and is calling on the community’s help as the eggs are so small it’s easy to accidentally step on them or be eaten by other animals.”

Council has set up temporary fencing and signs around the nesting site at Karagi Reserve to keep out pedestrian traffic and potential predators.

Council Mayor, Jane Smith, said Council is committed to integrating the natural and urban environments to ensure wildlife can continue to call the Central Coast home.

“It’s great to hear these birds are back on the Coast and using our shore to raise their young – it is a positive sign that the work Council is doing around our waterways is really beginning to pay off. Mayor Smith said.

“If the Council and the community can continue to work together to protect and enhance our natural environments then sightings like this will become more common.”

Council is working with local environmental groups, National Parks and Wildlife, Office of Environment and Heritage and local bird watchers to ensure the Little Terns can safely nest without being disturbed.