As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Protected birds fed poisoned corn: court

A far north Queensland man has faced court charged with killing protected birds by feeding them corn laced with poison.

The Department of Environment alleges more than 50 birds died from pesticide poisoning on a grazing and grain producing station near Cairns in 2011.

At least 10 were protected brolgas.

Richard Thiele, managing director of Osprey Australia which runs the 2,300 hectare station, has been charged with breaching the Nature Conservation Act.

Wildlife ranger Karen Dabinett on Tuesday told Cairns Magistrates Court that rangers found the bird carcasses on the property after a tip-off.

Small piles of corn were found dotted around the station and corn was found inside the birds, she said.

Thiele's lawyer argued that anyone could be responsible for the deaths as the large property is accessible to members of the public.

No motive was revealed in court.

The hearing is expected to finish on Wednesday.

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