Shearwaters are arriving

Shearwaters are now arriving on Phillip Island and other parts of Victoria, migrating from the Northern hemisphere.

Shearwaters travel more than 15,000 km to Australia each year to breed in spring and summer, one of the world’s longest bird migrations.

Some exhausted birds do not survive the journey and may be found on our beaches.

The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) has issued a reminder that if people see sick or dead Shearwaters to leave them in place and report their findings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or via the online reporting form.

DEECA said its on-ground and aerial surveillance continues across the state, and it is working with experts to inform surveillance of at-risk areas, particularly as Victoria moves into the spring breeding season for many waterbirds, including the arrival of migratory species.

Phillip Island

In an interview in August with Phillip Island Nature Parks CEO Catherine Basterfield, she told the Advertiser there wasn't a major concern in terms of the Shearwaters bringing the H5 bird flu virus here.

For the last couple of years, Nature Parks staff have been testing Shearwaters that arrive from their annual migration from Alaska, with no cases of the virus detected.

"The theory is that it's a really long journey and they're unlikely to survive it if they're infected," Ms Basterfield said.

"But once they get here, how we keep them healthy is definitely going to be a challenge now that's its (bird flu) prevalent on the island."

As of September 30, according to figures published on the Agriculture Victoria website, there have been no recorded cases of Shearwaters with the H5 bird flu virus on the island.

Overall there are 19 recorded cases in Bass Coast, with the majority Greater Crested Terns.

Since August 12, the department's reporting is based on events, rather than individual detections. An event may involve one or more animals. The new number of positive events captures all previously reported individual confirmed detections.

Response

As H5 bird flu becomes established in wild bird populations in Victoria, DEECA's response activities continue to focus on surveillance, public safety and protecting high-risk species.

"It is normal at this time of year to see Shearwaters washed up on Victorian beaches; this does not automatically indicate H5 bird flu," said Director of Wildlife and Landscape Protection, Eve Graham.

“Your reports help wildlife and animal health experts monitor and respond to potential disease risks.

“Community reports remain important in helping us to understand the impact of bird flu on Victorian wildlife.

“Year-round surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild birds is part of the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program which is coordinated by Wildlife Health Australia.”

For the latest information about H5 bird flu, visit the Agriculture Victoria website www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu

For birds and wildlife:
• AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment. This helps to avoid disease spread by people.
• RECORD what you see, and
• REPORT wildlife sickness or deaths to DEECA using the online form on the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.