With regards to the Short-tailed Shearwater (Mutton Bird) found in Ireland this week...
...it seems theres been some concern for the species since summer 2019 when 1000s of birds returned to some of the small islands off Australia 10+ days late, a major concern as they normally return on mass and with precision timing. 100s were found washed up dead, all emaciated, on remote beaches on the Alaskan coast. Strange behaviour of the birds was reported by fishermen whilst far out to sea, they were approaching the boats, starving hungry.
Experts were worried that Australias most common Seabird could become its rarest. Heres a link from the Guardian that was published in November 2019, once research data was in regarding the potential disaster. This makes for a good read, hope its of interest.
...it seems theres been some concern for the species since summer 2019 when 1000s of birds returned to some of the small islands off Australia 10+ days late, a major concern as they normally return on mass and with precision timing.
100s were found washed up dead, all emaciated, on remote beaches on the Alaskan coast. Strange behaviour of the birds was reported by fishermen whilst far out to sea, they were approaching the boats, starving hungry.
Experts were worried that Australias most common Seabird could become its rarest.
Heres a link from the Guardian that was published in November 2019, once research data was in regarding the potential disaster.
This makes for a good read, hope its of interest.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/24/alaska-australia-anxious-observers-fear-mass-shearwater-deaths