I'm studying the Short-tailed Shearwater as part of a PhD on Great Dog
Island in the Furneaux Group, Tasmania. Yes there is an annual commercial
and recreational harvest of the birds in late March to late April on some of
the islands. I think the current commercial harvest levels are around
300,000 chicks for all of Tassie. The number used to be up around the 1
million mark a few decades ago. Current population estimates are around 23
million breeding birds so no, they are not threatened.
I was able to taste them earlier this year and they were great. A fishy
quail I would describe the taste, beautiful on the BBQ.
Mark
From: Fairy Wren <>
To:
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Mutton Birds
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:00:40 +1000 (EST)
Did my ears deceive me, or did I REALLY hear the presenter of ABC Radio
National's 'Bush Telegraph' this morning ask listeners to send in their
recipes for muttonbird?
I only caught a snatch of this broadcast, so it may have been a running
gag in rather poor taste for us birdos, or an irresponsible joke from this
normally sensible, worthwhile & interesting programme. I do hope I misheard
or misconstrued, and if so, abject apologies to the ABC, who broadcast some
great features about birds. The presenter commented that he didn't know
whether or not muttonbirds are protected. I guess if enough people sent in
recipes, they soon would be...
My mind utterly boggles at things like this. Whatever next? Recipes for
Pot Roast Australasian Bittern with a wild orchid coulis? Orange-bellied
parrot pie with QLD bananas? Eeeeeew...
Did anyone else hear it, and can they confirm/clarify?
[ Whew, that feels better - rant over now. :) :( ]
Anneliese
Melbourne.
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PS Trixi: Check back weekly for Trixi's latest update
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