Young wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardeena pacificus), flesh-footed shearwater (Ardeena carneipes), and black-winged petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) are starting to emerge from their burrows on LHI. 

Wedge-tailed shearwater and black-winged petrel fledglings are beginning to appear along the foreshore. If you are walking your dog in these areas, please be especially cautious. Black-winged petrels may make a soft “squeak” while resting outside their burrows, which can attract dogs. Dogs should be on leash on the beach, particularly if they are drawn to the sound or movement of birds nesting in nearby shrubs.

These birds are also increasingly found near roads, particularly where nesting colonies intersect with roadways. Please slow down and take the time to "move a mutto" when needed. Shearwaters are clumsy on land and may be disoriented or startled by lights, so they may not move away in time to avoid vehicles.

If you find an injured or dead bird, please report it to a member of the Lord Howe Island Board (LHIB). This information helps us track bird deaths and understand contributing factors such as roadkill.

For further information or to report a bird, please contact Lucy Copcutt on 02 6563 2066 Ext 38.