Step aside swans-a-swimming, little terns are heralding the Christmas season this year in Lake Macquarie.
Lake Macquarie City Council has confirmed little terns (Sternula albifrons) are nesting at Blacksmiths Beach, marking the first record of the species breeding at a local ocean beach.
Listed as endangered in NSW and vulnerable nationally, the presence of little terns is a mammoth find for local biodiversity and conservation efforts.
The tiny seabirds, sporting a black cap and bright yellow bill, make a long migration from Southeast Asia to breed on our shores each year, with one of Australia's largest nesting sites on Elizabeth Island in Swansea Channel.
Community Environment Network volunteer Meg Rice, who has monitored the Elizabeth Island colony for the past three years, said the emergence of a second local nesting site had significant conservation implications.
"We're really lucky to have them within our area while they are nesting," she said.
"There are fewer than 500 breeding pairs across NSW, so it is quite important when they've chosen a site around here that we can offer them as much protection as possible.
"Generally, if they are successful in their breeding attempt they'll come back and nest in that area again, so we're hoping this will be a successful site and we can grow it in the future."
Council is calling for the community to take care around the nesting site to help protect the terns and conditions as holidaymakers flock to the area over the festive season.
"The nesting area is located in a high-use section of Blacksmiths Beach, which experiences heavy 4WD traffic, dog walking and recreational activity, particularly during the busy Christmas holiday period," Council Coordinator Natural Assets Dominic Edmonds said.
"These activities pose serious threats to the survival of eggs and chicks, which are laid in shallow scrapes on open sand and are extremely vulnerable to disturbance.
"We ask beach users to respect fenced areas, keep dogs away and avoid driving 4WD vehicles near the site to give these rare birds the best chance of successfully raising their young."
Council has installed temporary fencing and signage to mark the nesting area, which is accessed via 4WD trails off Ocean Park Road south of the Belmont Wastewater Treatment Works plant.
The fenced area will remain until late February or early March, when the breeding season ends.
Avid birdwatchers are welcome to visit but are asked to respect the terns' boundaries.
"The biggest thing is to make sure people keep a healthy distance because they are easily disturbed and will take flight, which gives predators an opportunity to take their eggs and chicks when they do hatch," Ms Rice said.
"If people can respect the fencing - not climb over to get in close to take pictures of the nest and the chicks - they can certainly view them from afar, just make sure to keep a healthy distance so the little terns have the best chance of survival."
Visitors to the beach are also urged to refrain from setting off fireworks or flying drones near the nesting site.
Council encourages the community to report any issues, concerns or nesting site breaches by phoning 4921 0333.
