Cockatoo carnage predicted

Endangered Carnaby’s and Baudin’s black cockatoos are being killed by vehicle strikes on South Coast Highway and Chester Pass Road, prompting calls by environmentalists for more warning signs for motorists.

Bird conservationists say unsecured grain from trucks is being spilt onto the road and attracting flocks of birds to feed, increasing their chances of being hit by a passing vehicle.

Denmark environmentalist Basil Schur said he witnessed a flock of more than 60 endangered Carnaby’s white-tailed black cockatoos feeding on grain on Chester Pass Road on Sunday, December 22.

“These birds are in dire danger of being wiped out by a truck or car,” he said.

“Who knows how many have already been killed … it is just a matter of time before a whole flock is wiped out at this point.

“I am deeply concerned about this issue and call upon Main Roads to put up signage for the grain carting industry to take responsibility to prevent spillages, for all drivers on South Coast roads to take extreme care and for more to be done to save this and other threatened bird species.”

Birdlife Australia Great Cocky Count co-ordinator Dr Hugh Finn said vehicle strikes were a significant and growing cause of death and injury to cockatoos, including Carnaby’s and Baudin’s, whose populations are both in decline.

A Main Roads spokeswoman said the issue had been raised with the grain transport industry and they were expected to minimise grain spillage.

“Despite the efforts of road transport operators, some grain does get spilt on the road network which attracts various form of wildlife,” the spokeswoman said.

“Cockatoo warning signs are in place on both Chester Pass Road and South Coast Highway … if flocks of birds are evident adjacent to the road, motorists should reduce their speed to avoid impact.”