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.

Friday 17 May 2013

Storms blamed for scores of bird deaths

May 16, 2013 - 1:21PM
Rania Spooner

Stormy weather has been blamed for an unusually large spate of native bird deaths on Western Australia's south coast in recent weeks.

About 130 dead flesh-footed shearwaters have washed up at Mandalay Beach and areas west of Walpole over the past fortnight, according to the Department of Environment and Conservation.

DEC Frankland District nature conservation coordinator Alison McGilvray said about 25 dead birds, which were mostly fledglings and sub-adults, were first discovered on Friday, May 3.

In the days that followed "dozens" of others washed up dead or in poor health.

"Strong winds and high tides caused by early-season winter storms are the most likely cause of the deaths, as these storms impacted on nearby islands where the birds are known to nest," she said in a statement.

"The birds have only recently fledged and left their nesting burrows, and it is likely that high tides impacted the shearwaters' burrows while the storm activity affected the ability of the younger birds, which are not yet at full strength, to fly and feed."

Although young bird deaths in rough conditions was a "natural occurrence" that happened most winters, Ms McGilvray said it was unusual to see so many deaths.




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