July 2016

Short-tailed Shearwater Rescue



Short-tailed shearwaters arrive on Phillip Island in September and spend the summer raising a single chick. They undertake one of the most incredible migrations, flying 16,000km to feed near Alaska during our winter. Chicks depart mid-April with no guidance from their parents and unfortunately many are killed on the roads at night. Shearwater Rescue is an initiative to reduce these deaths by moving disoriented birds to safer areas and working with the community.

During April and May we supported this program by funding road signage that alerts the public to the risk of shearwaters on roads. Since the inception of the Shearwater Rescue Patrol in 1999, thousands of birds have been saved from the roads as they attempt to fly. Community support has been instrumental in reducing the number of shearwaters killed or injured on roads. 

Over the past season 360 Short-tailed Shearwaters were rescued alive and released back to the colonies for another chance at fledging. The majority of the birds handled by the rescuers this year were good weights and in good condition which was great to see.
A big thank you to everyone who helped out over the season. The Enviro team did a great job in this all-consuming task over the three week period, as did the volunteers. Thanks also to all the Nature Parks staff and the community for helping to raise awareness and taking care on the roads during this period.Over the past season 360 Short-tailed Shearwaters were rescued alive and released back to the colonies for another chance at fledging. The majority of the birds handled by the rescuers this year were good weights and in good condition which was great to see.

Over the past season 360 Short-tailed Shearwaters were rescued alive and released back to the colonies for another chance at fledging. The majority of the birds handled by the rescuers this year were good weights and in good condition which was great to see.