By TANIA PHILLIPS
SHEARWATERS – better known as Mutton Birds – have been washing up on Tweed Coast Beaches in their hundreds over the past week.
A spokesperson for Tweed Shire Council said although it was disturbing, it was a natural occurrence.
Council will collect and dispose of those that they can, concentrating on the more popular beaches. They decompose quite quickly.
The Mutton Birds have travelled an extensive distance on their annual southerly migration from the tropics, flying to breeding grounds off the east coast of Australia.
During their long and gruelling journey opportunities to stock up on food supplies are limited (some birds losing almost half their bodyweight) leading to starvation and exhaustion, particularly when coming closer to their final breeding destination along the east coast.
When confronted with headwinds and the storms that the Tweed has recently experienced along the coast many of the weaker birds end up as casualties, seen dying or dead on the beaches.
This unfortunate circumstance may perhaps be considered an event of natural selection where stronger birds survive the journey to ensure a healthy breeding population.
Precautionary measures:
* Birds that are washed up on the beach become particularly vulnerable, dog owners are requested to distance their dogs from the birds and keep their dogs on leads even in off-leash areas where there may be a danger of stressing or potentially injuring any exhausted Shearwater birds.
* People concerned/recreating on the beaches should avoid contact with the birds to reduce stress unless under the supervision of a qualified wildlife carer (Australian Seabird Rescue, National Parks and Wildlife).
Foir any further information, please contact NPWS on the Environment Line 131 555.
