A RESIDENT at Potato Point let Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) know about a big, strange-looking bird last week.
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It was found in a lagoon behind houses near the beach, looking pretty tired and forlorn.
The wild seas and high wind in the last week had obviously taken its toll on it.
The bird was picked up by a volunteer of ASR and on closer inspection and after consulting with SOSSA (Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association), it was determined that it is a southern giant petrel.
The bird is a juvenile and about four months old, and has no obvious injuries.
In fact, after having a rest overnight, got straight back in to food. The bird was taken to Bermagui to be looked after by a specialist seabird carer and ASR member.
It will stay there until it is ready to be released back into the wild. A fishing vessel from Bermagui will take the bird back out to sea.
With the high seas lately the bird would find it difficult to swim out through the huge waves and they are reluctant to take off from shore.
Southern giant petrels, or Antarctic petrels as they are known, live their entire lives at sea.
They are listed as endangered and the population has decreased by 50 per cent in the last three generations, according to Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
These great birds take six to seven years to mature and breed and go back to their original colony to do that.
They are widely distributed within the southern oceans.
Because they are scavengers their main threat is long-line fishing, where they try and get the bait from the hooks.
Discarded long-line hooks are also a major killer of these birds. Floating plastic such as helium balloons and other plastic is another huge threat to the species.
On Macquarie Island, birds have been found with up to 300 bits of plastic in their stomach.
ASR volunteers say once you have met one of these magnificent birds, you’ll never forget it.
“They are calm and serene and almost seem without fear towards humans. They are magnificent and worth our while to protect them,” volunteer Mischi West said.
“Rescuers know that they become very friendly quickly and are often reluctant to leave for the ocean.
“Thanks to organisations like ASR many of them have been returned to their home and hopefully are breeding now.”
If you would like to know more go to the websites:
If you find an injured sea or shore bird contact ASR South Coast on 0431 282 238
