Gooday all,
Richard said
"To be most effective, any warning or deterrent devices would have to
work at night. Many waterbirds travel in darkness. Most of us would know
of, or have heard of, instances of ducks, coots, rails and the like
landing on iron roofs in the night, apparently mistaking them for water.
They make quite a bang when they hit! If a roof can fool the birds, it's
hardly surprising that they sometimes fail to see powerlines."
This comment from Richard about waterbirds landing on roofs reminds me of a
possible problem our horticultural areas around Bowen could pose to birds.
All farmers in our region use agricultural film which is usually supplied in
a shiny black plastic. This is laid out in vast acres across the paddocks
at the start of the growing season to reduce weeds and provide water for the
plants.
After it has been laid you would be very mistaken if you thought you were
looking at a lake on a moonlit night.
I have no evidence of any birding fatalities actually occuring, but have
often thought that those night flying Whistling Ducks would certainly be in
for a shock if they ever came in for a swim and feed.
Jon Wren
PO Box 868
Bowen (Climate Capital of Australia)
Visit www.bowen.qld.gov.au
Queensland Australia 4805
Phone 07 4786 2614H Mobile 0412 789 285
email: or
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