Dead mutton birds expected on beaches

Dead and dying mutton birds have been found washed up on Central Coast beaches and it is expected this will soon be the case at beaches on the Peninsula.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service acting regional manager Mr Alan Henderson said recent wild weather has meant the mutton birds, also known as shearwaters, have appeared at beaches along the coastline.

"Shearwaters migrate annually between nesting areas in the southern hemisphere and back to locations in the northern hemisphere, with some birds covering up to 15,000km," Mr Henderson said.

"If they encounter severe weather, the weakest or oldest may succumb and eventually wash up on beaches like they have recently.

"This event is a natural occurrence and every year along the east coast of Australia exhausted shearwaters succumb and wash ashore following their annual migration.

"Shearwaters are long-lived seabirds with individuals living up to 38 years old.

"But the long journey can take its toll and numbers of dead birds found dead on beaches can sometimes be well into the hundreds.

"The species found have mostly been short tailed shearwaters, which are regarded as one of the most common species of bird in the world.

"The population is believed to be in excess of 18 million."

Senior ranger of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Central Coast-Hunter Region Ms Susan Davis said affected beaches include Shelly Beach, Avoca Beach, Terrigal Beach and Copacabana Beach.

"Any ocean surf beach is likely to have birds washed up," Ms Davis said.

Media release, 21 Nov 2013

Susan Davis, NPWS Central Coast-Hunter Region