Reserve important for birds

RICHMOND River Nature Reserve at South Ballina is now even more important for shorebirds, following the listing of the pied oystercatcher as an endangered species and the beach stone-curlew as critically endangered.

National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Andrew Fay said the new listing sparked a reminder to beach visitors that the nature reserve was a dog-free area.

“Many people who come to South Ballina to fish and surf may not be aware that the nature reserve is a critical habitat for the pied oystercatcher,” Mr Fay said.

“The bird was classified as a vulnerable species, but this has recently been upgraded to endangered. A survey in 2003 found only 129 birds between Ballina and Sawtell while a repeat in the same area in 2005 found 112. The North Coast is the birds' main habitat, with fewer than 40 breeding pairs found south of Sydney.”

The beach stone-curlew, now classified as critically endangered, is also found within the reserve.