How to run over Oriental Plovers

["Ricki Coughlan" <>]

I had the sad task of collecting a mortally wounded Beautiful Firetail Finch from a roadside last week. Poor little fella was still warm after being hit by a car travelling in the opposite direction. He breathed his last breath in the palm of my hand. Slightly slower driving may have helped, but sometimes birds fly straight into the sides of vehicles because they are not there one second and the next....crash! Death soon follows.

 

Might I suggest Marc that you try one of those small and unobtrusive wildlife scaring devices which you attach to your bumper bar. As wind blows through them they emit a sound which humans can't hear but warns wildlife that something big and nasty, maybe a predator, is coming and they clear out of the way. I am told that you don't miss seeing the wildlife with these devices but you do see the various creatures moving aside up ahead. They come with a little cover to disable them so that they wont make a sound if you are wishing to drive near and observe wildlife. I reckon these are a great device as they save wildlife and cars (and people) from getting smashed up or killed and cost from $10 to $20, depending on the model. Try 4WD outlets or get one mail order from the Wilderness Society Shop through their website. I wouldn't be driving through the bush at night without one.