With the arrival of the Little Terns expected to begin mid-October at Karagi Point, The Entrance North, Central Coast Council is once again undertaking works to help protect the nesting area.

Little Terns migrate from South-east Asia to Australia each year and are protected under both State and Federal threatened species legislation, and Karagi Point is where the colony has historically chosen to nest.

Council’s annual management works, including temporary fencing at the nesting area, will commence this month and are designed to help protect the nesting birds.  In recent years these actions have resulted in record-breaking breeding success and significantly contributed to the long-term survival of the species.

Council Environment and Planning Director, Jamie Loader said around 36 percent of all Little Tern fledglings hatched in NSW last season have come from the nesting colony in Karagi Point at The Entrance North, making it the most successful Little Tern breeding colony in the state in recent years.

“Last season, at least 134 chicks were confirmed as having fledged, which is an exceptional conservation outcome and the most successful Little Tern breeding season on record at Karagi Point - the previous best being 96 fledglings in 2021-2022.

“We know how exciting it is to see these rare birds nesting, but we ask visitors to the beach to keep well back from the fenced area as the Little Terns are highly sensitive to disturbance and can abandon their nest site if they feel unsafe.

“The best way to get a close look at the Little Terns is by visiting the Central Coast Visitors Centre at The Entrance and checking out our nesting display.

“We are asking the community to help keep the area litter free, not feeding Sea Gulls and other birds, avoiding unnecessary noise such as unauthorised fireworks, not flying kites or drones over the area and reporting fox sightings to Council.

“We also ask that the community keeps cats in at night and dogs away from Karagi Point,” Mr Loader said.

Council’s Administrator, Rik Hart, said we’re very lucky to have this endangered species arrive at The Entrance to begin nesting every summer.

“It’s pleasing to see the Little Terns continue to use this particular site for nesting, which is a reflection of Council’s management efforts over the last few years,” Mr Hart said.

“I want to thank the Council staff for their commitment to protecting these rare birds, as well as the community for being respectful of the nesting site. I hope we can keep working together so we continue to enjoy these special visitors and their growing families.”

Find out more on the Little Terns and how to help protect them by visiting:  

https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/council-news/council-preparing-nesting-area-return-little-terns

This project is also supported in part by the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program.