Its name might suggest a sly highwayman, laying in wait to relieve unwary travellers of their gold and silver, but the hooded plover is nothing of the sort.

It's a vulnerable bird, native to the beaches of the Capes region of South West Western Australia.  The hooded plovers nest in the sand just above the high tide mark and their eggs are at risk from cars, people, dogs etc. Disturbance during the nesting season can also increase predation and heat stress for eggs and chicks when the parents are busy trying to distract the threat from the location of the nest.

Photo of hooded plovers courtesy of Steve Elson

In late summer each year the beaches are monitored to locate and protect nesting areas.

During the run, the runners, photographers and crew will not only tread lightly on this fragile coast we share with the hooded plovers and, wherever possible, will avoid crossing sand areas above the high tide line, but we will also use the occasion to locate any potential breeding and nesting areas.  Any information will be forwarded to Birds Australia and the WA Department of Environment and Conservation.