Be a Hoodie Hero: Volunteers needed this Spring
Published on 09 September 2025
There is a call out for new volunteers around Apollo Bay to help protect Hooded Plover chicks this Spring.
Less than one in ten Hooded Plover chicks - known affectionately as Hoodies - survive to adulthood.
It’s a sobering statistic, and one that conservation teams are working hard to change. But in Apollo Bay and surrounding areas, low volunteer numbers are leaving these vulnerable beach-nesting birds at even greater risk.
This breeding season, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and BirdLife Australia are calling on locals and visitors to help turn things around. Volunteers are urgently needed to join the frontline of Hoodie protection along the coast.
About the size of a golf ball, Hooded Plovers nest directly on the sand between the high tide line and the dunes. Their eggs and chicks are remarkably well-camouflaged – a clever defence, but one that also makes them easy to disturb or overlook.
Off-leash dogs, foot traffic, storm surges, and predation by foxes, cats and other bird species all pose serious threats to their survival.
Volunteers play a crucial role by monitoring nesting sites, collecting data, keeping an eye on newly hatched chicks, and educating beachgoers on how to share the shore responsibly.
This year’s campaign introduces Scout – a fictional chick who tells the real story of survival through social media, print and on-beach signage. Scout puts a face to the statistics: she’s tiny, fragile, and urgently in need of protection – just like the real chicks on our beaches.
The Hoodies Heroes program is focused on beaches and foreshore areas between Separation Creek and Moonlight Head, where nesting activity is high, but local volunteer numbers are in decline. Locals and holidaymakers in these areas are invited to join the Hoodies Heroes team.
Whether you're a local or visiting the region, you can make a difference. Just a couple of hours a week can help give Hoodies a better chance at life.
Training is provided by GORCAPA’s Conservation team throughout Spring, with ongoing support from BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Hub and local rangers.
Our team will be on the ground at the Apollo Bay Market on Saturday, 13 September to answer any questions.
Quotes attributable to Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority Conservation Coordinator, Scott Hives
“These little birds are tough, determined, and clinging to survival on some of our busiest beaches.”
“We’d love to see more people volunteering to help authorities protect them during the breeding season."
“Come join other passionate locals volunteering every year. It is a really rewarding experience and we would encourage anyone interested to reach out and get involved.”