Bongil little tern recovery program
Bongil Bongil National Park
Do you live near Bongil Bongil National Park and want to volunteer to help protect the area’s endangered tern? Success at Bongil Spit, in northern NSW, relies on the work of NSW National Parks staff and volunteers to continue to protect the endangered tern.
Any day of the week, October to January (peak months are December and January). Early morning and dusk are the best times to see nesting birds.
- Bongil Bongil National Park
- Meeting point
- Bongil Spit (south side of the mouth of Bonville Creek).
- What to
- Hat, sunscreen, snacks, drinking water
- More information
Email or phone Martin Smith at NSW National Parks on (02) 6652 0907.
Volunteer to help protect endangered species of shorebirds in Bongil Bongil National Park. Bongil Spit, in northern NSW, is now the largest and most productive little tern and pied oystercatcher breeding colony in northern NSW.
This wasn’t always the case. Back in 1997, the little tern was thought to be locally extinct and a recovery program was initiated to restore the ecosystem these shorebirds need for seasonal breeding. Its ongoing success relies on the work of NSW National Parks staff and volunteers.
This volunteer work is suitable for people who feel comfortable working alone in a relatively isolated location. You’ll need to walk across a shallow estuary to access the site, have keen eyesight, be happy to talk to local beachgoers about the importance of the shorebird breeding site, and ideally have some previous bird watching experience. All volunteers are provided with training and support. Bring along binoculars, a notebook and pen or pencil when you volunteer.
- in Bongil Bongil National Park in the North Coast region
Bongil Bongil National Park is open sunrise to sunset but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
- Coffs Harbour
(02) 6652 0900
Contact hours: 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday
- 32 Marina Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW
- Fax: (02) 6651 9525
- Coffs Harbour