Latest news with #NewSouthWalesNationalParksandWildlifeService
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Tiny creature — with ‘invisible' eggs — marks amazing comeback on Australia coast
World Tiny creature — with 'invisible' eggs — marks amazing comeback on Australia coast On the beaches of New South Wales, Australia, a small creature is making a record-breaking comeback. Bailey Rytenskild via Unsplash As spring approaches in the Southern Hemisphere, a group of little birds make a long journey. Little terns, a small seabird, travel hundreds or even thousands of miles across the ocean to land on the beaches of Australia to breed. This year, they came in record numbers. 'Little terns in (New South Wales) have experienced another great breeding season, with more than 900 nests counted across the state, the second-highest number in 24 years,' wildlife officials said in a May 5 news release from the environment and heritage department. There were 24 nesting sites found along the coast, including nests from 485 breeding pairs, officials said. This was a jump from the year before, which saw 430 breeding pairs. 'This incredible number of breeding pairs resulted in an estimated 510 fledglings, making it the highest count of fledglings recorded and a substantial jump from last year's figure of around 370,' officials said. Little terns nest right on the beach, and their eggs become nearly invisible in the sand. Andrew Robinson/Central Coast Council New South Wales Government Little terns face threats similar to other beach-nesting birds, including native and invasive predators, being crushed or disturbed by vehicles or people, and flooding of their nesting sites, according to the release. 'Beach-nesting birds, like little terns, lay eggs directly on the sand where they are so well camouflaged, they become almost invisible, making them vulnerable to beach visitors,' officials said. 'It's important beach goers understand the impact they can have on the breeding season of these endangered birds over spring and summer every year.' The nests were counted by an army of volunteers, park staff, local councils, land managers and contractors who conducted 5,000 observations this season, officials said. 'Despite these promising numbers, these birds remain on the edge, and continued efforts are vital to protect them along our coast, and every person can play a role in making a difference,' said Trish Harrup, the acting deputy secretary of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, in the release. New South Wales is an Australian state on the southeastern coast of the country. Irene Wright McClatchy DC Email this person Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie hikers stunned by camping cost of new 42km rainforest trail
The 42km four-day hike in the Tweed Byron Hinterland will cost hikers about $173 to camp along the trail, with each site holding up to two people. The hefty price tag on this new hiking trail is leaving Aussie shocked. The 42 kilometre 4-day hike in the Tweedyent hinterland will cost hikers about $173 to camp along the trail, with each site holding up to 2 people. The campsites include raised wooden platforms that can either hold two small tents or one medium sized tent. Also at each of the campgrounds, And non-flush toilets, picnic tables, shelters, and rainwater tanks. However, some hikers feel the cost is almost as steep as the terrain, with many taking to social media to claim the trail is bloody expensive. A spokesperson for New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service explained there are higher operational costs involved with the trail due to its remote location. They said there is no fee. for walking on the track, but staying three nights in the campgrounds along the track costs $172 80s for up to 2 people. That is about $28 80s per person per night twin share. The spokesperson added, all visitor fees are reinvested directly into the management of national parks, helping to maintain tracks, campgrounds, signage, and conservation programmes. What do you think?
