http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/media/?release=597
Exhausted muttonbirds wash ashore
01 Dec 2003
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is investigating reports of dead
and dying muttonbirds along the south-east Queensland coastline.
QPWS Wildlife Manager Craig Walker said QPWS officers last week found
almost 100 muttonbirds washed ashore at Teewah Beach, north of Noosa
and about 60 between Eurong and Indian Head on Fraser Island.
“There have also been reports of dead and exhausted muttonbirds found
at Bribie Island on the weekend,” Mr Walker said.
“The short-tailed shearwater or muttonbird Puffinus nenuirostris is a
long-distance migrant that returns to our shores each year to breed.
“From time to time, these amazing birds do die in large numbers on
their annual migration from the northern hemisphere to nesting sites in
southern Australia.
“They head south from the Aleutian Islands, through the central
Pacific, curving westward to the Australian coastline and arriving in
October to November. The main nesting sites are in Victoria and
Tasmania.
“In April–May, they return north, travelling up the east coast of
Australia to Japanese waters and back to the Aleutian Islands,” he said.
Mr Walker said strong winds could knock them around, and with their
energy reserves getting low, some of the birds did succumb to
exhaustion.
“The birds inspected by QPWS officers were in very poor condition and
well below their optimum weight.
“With an estimated 18 million birds migrating past our coast it is
inevitable that we will get some dying along the way and washing ashore.
“QPWS will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.
Released by: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
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