ONE of the bravest journeys in all of the natural world is about to begin.
Tens of thousands of short-tailed shearwater chicks from Phillip Island are set to take off in the next few days on their maiden long-distance flight, a 14,000 kilometres epic to Alaska, without anyone to show them the way.
But we can at least help to get them on their way by supporting Phillip Island Nature Parks ‘Dark Sky So Shearwaters Fly’ campaign which already has strong support from statutory authorities, local businesses and individuals.
This year the annual lights out campaign will run from April 19 to May 10, and will ask residents and businesses in the bird flight path to switch off their lights for up to 10 nights to minimise risks to the seabirds and to motorists.
Each year, shearwater chicks make their 14,000km first flight to Alaska in late April or early May. Bright manmade light sources can be a fatal attraction for the young seabirds as they learn to fly. They are drawn to street lighting and land on roads, becoming a hazard to themselves and to motorists, particularly on the San Remo bridge.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Senior Scientist, Dr Duncan Sutherland, has been hitting the airwaves in the past week, to spread the word, and he’s looking for your help by turning out external lights at home and around businesses.
According to Dr Sutherland, it had been a tough year for shearwater breeding, so all help is needed to ensure the fledglings made a safe, successful trip north.
“Monitoring of our research nest boxes in February suggested it would be a less productive breeding season this year,” Dr Sutherland said.
“Not only were there fewer eggs laid in December than the past few years, but the hatching success of those eggs was also lower.
“This means there are likely to be fewer chicks migrating this April.”
Last year, 419 short-tailed shearwater birds were rescued from roads, of which two had to later be euthanised due to extensive injury. Another 237 birds were found dead on the roads after being hit by cars.
Cape Woolamai and the Penguin Parade were hotspots for live rescues, while dead seabirds were retrieved at Forrest Caves and the start of The Esplanade in Surf Beach, with the sites accounting for more than half of the deceased birds in the area.
To minimise casualties and fatalities of the chicks, Phillip Island Nature Parks has partnered with the Department of Transport and Planning, Bass Coast Shire Council, AusNet, WE-EF LIGHTING, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the Victorian Ornithological Research Group and the local community as part of the Shearwater Rescue Program.
Dr Sutherland said recently he wanted to have 35 businesses signed up to support the campaign, and pledge to turn their lights off, but already that number was officially up towards 50.
“Turning off artificial light sources at night and being vigilant when driving during this short period will give young shearwater chicks the best chance of a safe departure this year.”
AusNet Services will switch off the lights on the San Remo bridge for up to 10 nights during the peak departure period to minimise the number of birds flocking to the bridge, causing a hazard to drivers.
