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This year our National Beach-nesting Birds Conference will run across two days to allow for a range of activities including conference presentations, workshops and social activities. The aim of this event is to share knowledge and advance our conservation efforts for this special suite of birds and their coastal habitats. It also happens to be National Volunteer Week and is therefore a great opportunity to celebrate and unite volunteers from across our vast coastline!

RSVP NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 1st MAY by using this link:

www.surveymonkey.com/s/BNBConf15

Alternatively, send the supplied registration form to bnb.events@birdlife.org.au

Day 1 Friday 15th May 2015

Times: Conference 9:00am – 3:00pm

Field Trip 3:00pm – 5:00pm (finishing times may vary)

Where: Badcoe Hall, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park, Victoria.

Optional Dinner at Smokehouse Sorrento, 6:30pm start Day 2 Saturday 16th May 2015

Times: Workshops 9:00am – 2:00pm

Field Trip 2:00pm – 5:00pm (finishing times may vary)

Where: Meet at Badcoe Hall, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park.

This year there will be a registration cost to attend the conference. This is to help recoup some costs of the event and will include a limited edition registration gift.

Friday only: $25. Saturday only: $25. Friday & Saturday: $40.

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DAY 1 Friday 15th May Day one consists of Conference Presentations, an expert discussion panel to answer all those questions you’ve wanted to ask, and field trips.

Where? Badcoe Hall, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park (see Maps 1 and 2) 9:00 Arrival - Registration and Payment (grab a cup of tea or coffee) 9:30 Presentations begin

9:30 – 9:35 Welcome and House keeping. 9:35 – 9:45 An insight into traditional cultural values along the local coast by Adam

Magennis. 9:45 – 10:10 BirdLife Australia’s Dr. Grainne Maguire will provide an overview and update

on the Beach-nesting Birds project. 10:10 – 11:00 Hear from BirdLife Australia’s Jean Turner and Aleisa Lamanna about using

the Red-capped Plover as one of the flagship species for the Samphire Coast; from Joris Driessen on the latest Biennial Count results, and from President of Friends of Hooded Plover Mornington Peninsula Inc. Diane Lewis, about local actions for the Hooded Plover.

11:00 – 11:30 Morning Tea 11:30 – 13:00 This session will focus on research findings from a range of institutions

including Red-capped Plover nest habitat selection, dogs on beaches, flight initiation distances and managing disturbance, marine debris and Pied Oystercatcher habitat use in South Australia.

13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 14:45 Q&A Session. An expert panel will be available in this session to answer

your questions. The panel is made up of researchers, land managers from local and state government agencies and community engagement experts, and therefore can provide insight into a range of perspectives on coastal issues and on beach-nesting birds. Start brainstorming your questions!

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14:45 – 15:00 Silent Auction items announced. 15:00 – 17:00 Field Trips: two hours in length, including travel times. See page 4 for

options.

18:30 Optional Dinner: Smokehouse Pizza Kitchen, 182 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento: www.smokehousekitchen.wix.com/home

Just 10 minutes from the Point Nepean National Park, the Smokehouse is a local standout, offering Italian cuisine including pizzas and mains. Prices range from $17 - $37. Note costs are not included in your registration and are at your own expense. For booking purposes, please indicate whether you will be attending dinner in your RSVP survey or registration form, and whether you wish to bring someone with you that is not attending the conference (e.g. a partner, etc). We have our own private room for the evening.

DAY 2 Saturday 16th May Day two consists of workshops that will allow you to build on your skills and knowledge across a range of themes related to the Beach-nesting Birds project, a relaxed BBQ lunch and field trips during the afternoon.

Where? Meet at Badcoe Hall, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park (see Maps 1 & 2)

Workshop Sessions 9:30 – 10:00 Arrival – Registration and Payment (grab a cup of tea or coffee) 10:00 – 11:00 Workshop session 1 (see page 4 for options) 11:00 – 11:30 Morning Tea 11:30 – 12:30 Workshop session 2 (see page 4 for options) 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 17:00 Field Trip (see page 5 for options)

Payment Information

This is the first year where we have a cost associated with attendance. As you would know we lost funding for the program in 2013, so unfortunately need to charge a cover price to recoup some of the costs of this event. Payment can be made in two ways. The first and preferred option is to pay cash at the registration table when you arrive at the event (available both days; receipt will be provided on the day). The second is to pay online via an electronic bank transfer before the event (up until 8th May). Please email bnb.events@birdlife.org.au for EFT details. The cost of the event is either $25 per person for a single day, or $40 per person for the two days.

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Friday Field Trip Options Please indicate in your RSVP which field trip you would prefer to attend. Each excursion will be led by a knowledgeable local guide. There are 5 to choose from (see over the page also) and Map 3 shows where these are each located. Field Trip Description Notes

Quarantine Station, Point Nepean

Established in 1852, take a walk around the Quarantine Station and learn about the fascinating history of the area when it was an active quarantine area for new arrivals to Victoria, and later a military site.

Easy walk. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate attire for the weather.

London Bridge ‐ Farnsworth loop track, Portsea

This walk provides stunning views of the Mornington Peninsula National Park coastline. This walk follows a loop trail amongst bushland and then along the beach. Highlights are amazing views, bush birds and perhaps even a hoodie or sooty oystercatcher!

Easy/Moderate walk. Wear suitable sturdy shoes for bush track and beach walk. Wear appropriate attire for the weather.

Observatory Point, Point Nepean 

This walk provides views west across the bay and meanders through bushland and then onto the beach. Highlights are views, bush birds and maybe a dolphin or two!

Easy walk. Wear suitable sturdy shoes for bush track and beach walk. Wear appropriate attire for the weather.

Franklin Rd, Portsea 

Check out one of the most important Hooded Plover flocking sites on the Mornington Peninsula and have a go at reading leg flags! It’s not uncommon to see flagged birds from the Bellarine and Surf Coast and Bass Coast on this stretch of beach.

Moderate walk. Wear suitable sturdy shoes for soft sand walking and appropriate attire for the weather.

Gunners carpark toward Fort Nepean, Point Nepean 

Walk along the bitumen road (closed to cars) toward Fort Nepean. There are amazing views across both sides of the bay and opportunities to sight seabirds offshore and birds of prey soaring above.

Moderate walk. Wear suitable sturdy shoes for soft sand walking and appropriate attire for the weather.

Silent Auction and Displays We will be running a Silent Auction on Friday the 15th, to raise money for Beach-nesting Bird research. There will be a number of exciting items for auction including shorebird prints, an original watercolour from Kathleen Loxton, and much, much more. Items will be on display until afternoon tea on Friday, with winners announced after the Panel Q & A session at 14:45pm. If you have posters, banners, photographs or brochures and materials that you would like to display, we will be making a designated space for this. Just be sure to let us know what you plan on bringing so we can make sure there is enough room.

Photo courtesy Dan Weller

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Saturday Workshop Session Topics You will each get the chance to attend two of the workshops listed below during the Saturday morning. However, because we need to limit numbers attending each workshop, we ask that you rank your preferences from most preferable to least preferable in advance when you register via www.surveymonkey.com/s/BNBConf15, or the supplied registration form. Workshop session: Description:

1. Bird photography [running twice]

Tips on bird photography from expert photographers focusing on birds and how to capture their unique behaviours, including ethical considerations. Note: you don’t need to bring a camera.

2. Advocacy Toolkit [running once]

BirdLife Conservation Manager, Jenny Lau, will impart her knowledge and useful tips on a range of methods used in advocacy, including submission and media writing.

3. Shorebird ID session [running once]

Learn from BirdLife Australia’s Shorebirds 2020 Project Manager Dan Weller, how to identify resident and migratory shorebirds. Dan provides lots of useful tips on distinguishing between migratory species in particular.

4. Wetland Bird ID session [running once]

Learn how to identify birds found in wetlands with BirdLife Australia’s Chris Purnell, BirdLife Australia’s Wetland Bird Specialist. Chris will provide useful tips for detecting, identifying and distinguishing between waterbirds.

5. Beach-Nesting Birds Training session [running once]

New to volunteering with the Beach-nesting Birds project, or time for a refresher? BirdLife Australia’s Renee Mead will present on all you need to know to monitor and interpret the behaviours of your local beach-nesting birds. Feel free to ask any questions you’ve wanted to ask!

6. Wardening Session [running once]

Join Dr. Grainne Maguire, BirdLife Australia’s Coast and Marine Program Manager, to learn more about chick wardening and how to approach and talk to the public. Grainne will be joined by experienced volunteers from the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast to share their experiences.

7. Education [running once]

Dr Meghan Cullen, Conservation and Education Officer on the Beach-nesting Birds project, joined by FoHP Mornington Peninsula’s Chris Willocks and Lois Greene, will be discussing education in primary and secondary schools, and the activities that can be done to increase awareness within schools. Dr. Cullen will also give an overview of the new Beach-nesting Birds Education Kit.

8. Weed and plant ID [running twice]

Want to learn your weeds from your coastal natives? Come along to a coastal weed and plant ID workshop to gain a better understanding of the impacts of weeds, and how to identify them in the field. There may even be some bush tucker tastings from the coastal natives! Please note this workshop will be held outdoors so please dress appropriately.

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Saturday Field Trip Options Please indicate in your RSVP which field trip you would prefer to attend. Each excursion will be led by a knowledgeable local guide. There are 5 to choose from (see over the page also) and Map 4 shows where these are each located. Field Trip Description Notes Coolart Wetland, Balnarring 

Visit the Coolart wetlands where you will be able to walk through bush and wetland habitat, as well as view birds from a number of hides. The site has an historic homestead. Possible highlights include pink-eared ducks, black-fronted dotterel, Australasian shoveler and more!

Easy walk. Wear suitable study shoes and suitable clothing.

Snorkelling at Portsea pier   

Have a swim and snorkel with the zebrafish, stingrays, hulafish and octopus – with the chance of spotting a Weedy Seadragon at Portsea Pier!

Participants must bring their own wetsuit and snorkelling gear, and be competent at swimming.

Hooded Plover flocking site, St Andrews beach 

Visit one of the two (the other being Franklin Rd Portsea) most important flocking sites on the Mornington Peninsula, and learn about the histories of the nesting pairs (including the trio of breeding hoodies)!

Easy/Moderate walk. Wear suitable study shoes and suitable clothing for beach walking.

Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk,  Koonya  

Walk a section of the coastal walk that meanders along the cliff line and down onto the beach, encountering spectacular views of hidden bays along the Mornington peninsula. You may also get to see hooded plovers, other beach-nesting birds and coastal raptors on this walk.

Easy/Moderate walk. Wear suitable sturdy shoes for bush track and beach walk. Wear suitable clothing.

Maps and Directions

Driving to Point Nepean

If you are travelling by car please refer to maps 1 & 2 provided on the following pages. There are several different ways to get to Point Nepean.

1. Via the Nepean Hwy

2. Via the Nepean Hwy, Frankston Freeway and Peninsula Link

3. Via Eastlink and Peninsula Link. Please note, Eastlink is a toll road and a day pass would need to be purchased from www.eastlink.com.au

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Map 1. Point Nepean National Park is about approximately 2 hours south of Melbourne.

Map 2. Location of the Point Nepean Badcoe Hall/Information Centre.

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Map 3. Locations of Friday afternoon field trip meeting locations relative to Point Nepean National Park. Red star represents Quarantine Station; Yellow star represents Gunners/Fort Nepean; Green star represents Observatory Point; Blue star represents London Bridge; Purple star represents Franklin Rd.

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Map 4. Locations of Saturday afternoon field trip locations relative to Point Nepean National Park. Yellow star represents Snorkelling at Portsea Pier; Blue star represents Mornington Peninsula Coastal Walk at Koonya; Green star represents the flocking site at St Andrews beach; Purple star represents Coolart wetlands, Balnarring.

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Bus and Shuttle Bus Services There is limited public transport available to Point Nepean National Park. The train service will take you to Frankston, and then there is a shuttle bus which takes you from Frankston to the Point Nepean National Park gates this journey will take approximately 3 hours. From the gates, it’s another 20-30 minute walk to the Badcoe Hall.

If you would like to attend the Conference, but do not have transport, please email bnb.events@birdlife.org.au as we will endeavour to organise travel arrangements/car pooling for you.

Further research on your trip is recommended: PUBLIC TRANSPORT VICTORIA: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/ ROUTE 788 BUS TIMETABLE: http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/982

Travel journey for both travel to Point Nepean, and return from Point Nepean

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Arrival by SeaRoad Ferries Participants from west of Melbourne may wish to travel on the SeaRoad Ferry. You are required to book your own travel as either foot passengers or with vehicles. Return tickets for foot passengers cost $22, and an average vehicle return is $114. See http://www.searoad.com.au/ or phone 03 5258 3244 for more details and to book your ticket. Foot passengers using the Ferry will need to arrive 20 minutes prior to the Ferry Departure times. People travelling as foot passengers on the ferry will be picked up from the Sorrento Terminal at 8:50am, and dropped off again at 5:20pm in the evening. You must contact bnb.events@birdlife.org.au so that we can help organise your travel between the Conference and Ferry Terminal. Please see details below. Friday 15th May: Morning travel from Queenscliff to Sorrento: arrive at 7:40am for an 8am departure Evening travel from Sorrento to Queenscliff: dropped off at 5:40pm for a 6pm departure Saturday 16th May: Morning travel from Queenscliff to Sorrento: arrive at 7:40am for an 8am departure Evening travel* from Sorrento to Queenscliff: dropped off at 5:40pm for a 6pm departure *Note: if you are departing on the Saturday evening ferry, there will be limited options for field trips. Contact bnb.events@birdlife.org.au for more information. Accommodation

There are multiple accommodation options available on the Mornington Peninsula. The locations that are closest to the event location are Portsea and Sorrento, which can be rather expensive, and then a bit further afield but still within 15-20 minutes are Blairgowrie, St Andrews beach and Rye.

The nearest caravan parks are:

Blairgowrie Caravan Park, Blairgowrie: www.mpcp.com.au Kanasta Caravan Park, Rye: www.kanastacaravanpark.com.au Bella Vista Holiday Park, Rosebud West: www.bellavistaholidaypark.com

Backpacker and hostel options are:

Continental Hotel, Portsea: http://www.continentalhotel.com.au/ YHA Sorrento: http://www.yha.com.au/Hostels/VIC/Lakes-Coast/Sorrento/

For hotels try www.booking.com or www.wotif.com

For renting a holiday house and perhaps sharing with a number of people coming from your region, visit: http://www.stayz.com.au/ www.airbnb.com.au