By Lisa Gilbert
PHILLIP Island Nature Parks is calling on the community to help protect the thousands of short-tailed shearwater chicks about to embark on their first annual 15,000km migration north.
This year, they have partnered with Bass Coast Shire Council, Phillip Island Conservation Society, WE-EF Lighting, Ausnet and the Victorian State Government –Department of Transport and Planning to stage the annual campaign, Dark Sky So Shearwaters Fly.
PHILLIP Island Nature Parks is calling on the community to help protect the thousands of short-tailed shearwater chicks about to embark on their first annual 15,000km migration north.
This year, they have partnered with Bass Coast Shire Council, Phillip Island Conservation Society, WE-EF Lighting, Ausnet and the Victorian State Government –Department of Transport and Planning to stage the annual campaign, Dark Sky So Shearwaters Fly.
Shearwater rescue on Phillip Island They are calling on residents and businesses in the birds’ flight path to turn off their outdoor lights at night from 19 April to 10 May to give the chicks the best chance of reaching their destination in the seas around Alaska.
Phillip Island Nature Parks Senior Scientist Dr Duncan Sutherland said bright light sources can be a deadly distraction for the young seabirds as they learn to fly. They are drawn to street lighting and land on roads, becoming a risk to themselves and to motorists, particularly on the San Remo bridge.
“As they learn to fly, they can become disorientated by bright lights. If they land on roads, they can be hit by cars and become a hazard to road users as well.”
Phillip Island Nature Parks Senior Scientist Dr Duncan Sutherland said bright light sources can be a deadly distraction for the young seabirds as they learn to fly. They are drawn to street lighting and land on roads, becoming a risk to themselves and to motorists, particularly on the San Remo bridge.
“As they learn to fly, they can become disorientated by bright lights. If they land on roads, they can be hit by cars and become a hazard to road users as well.”