Critically endangered shorebirds under threat in Port Hacking because of irresponsible dog owners.

COPYRIGHT. PLEASE ASK PERMISSION BEFORE REPOSTING MY VIDEOS ELSEWHERE. Under NSW legislation it is against the law for dogs to be on a beach or public bathing area unless local Council designates otherwise. A reminder to all in the Sutherland Shire. Maianbar beach/Spit/tidal flats ARE NOT an area where dogs are allowed, either on or off lead. The reason why is because it is habitat for critically endangered (ie on the edge of extinction) shorebirds. Here we can see someone ignoring the law and their dog charging thru the birds. The birds use the beach areas at high tide for much needed sleep, having spent the whole day hunting up food. You can see one bird, a bar-tailed godwit, that is weak after having flown from Alaska, non-stop, 9 days straight, having trouble getting out of the way of the charging dog. These birds can’t glide or rest on the water like sea birds, such as albatross, can do. They flap all the way Alaska to Australia. When they arrive back they have trouble standing and flying because they have lost more than half their body weight and are exhausted. It was lucky it had just enough strength left to fly out of the way. Sometimes, they don’t, and it could have been tragic. We are so very lucky here on Port Hacking to still be able to see shorebirds, which are one of the most endangered species groups in the world. They fly from Australia up to the sub Arctic circle to breed, then return. A perilously long journey. Let's hope we can all continue to respect their space so they have a safe home to feed and rest in.