Human activity harming migrating birds on Labrador’s Curlew Island

WILDLIFE experts are blaming careless visitors for endangering birdlife on Curlew Island as migrating bird numbers drop. There are fears bird populations on the island could be wiped out if authorities don’t step in.

ENDANGERED birdlife on Curlew Island at the Gold Coast Broadwater is in danger of being ‘wiped out’ as careless visitors leave behind rubbish and let dogs roam free.

Rowley Goonan, of Gold Coast Bird Rescues said authorities needed to step in to save the “beautiful” island situated 500 metres off shore at Labrador and its inhabitants whose numbers are dwindling due to harmful human activity.

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“Migrating species, many seriously threatened, break their long journeys here to feed and replenish on the surrounding tidal sandflats before heading as far north as Siberia and Eastern China,” he said.

A darter rescued by Rowley Goonan found with fishing line wired around its mouth is finally captured on the third go. Picture: Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast

“Sadly, people regularly walk on the island with off-leash dogs which chase the birds.

“This is madness, but until authorities get off their butts and do something, we stand to lose all of this.

“The only known local pair of endangered beach-stone curlews last nested on the island five years ago but have since been driven off by human activity.”

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Some of the birds which call the island home during the migration season include whimbrels, bar-tailed godwits, double banded plovers and the critically endangered Eastern curlews.

Illegal dumping and visitors carelessly leaving trash behind on the island is another factor driving the birds away and polluting their habitat.

Mr Goonan said he recently collected two full bags of plastic and other debris and sadly noticed a distinct lack of birdlife on the island.

“There wasn’t a migrating bird to be seen, which is a tad ominous, but they do come and go according to the season,” he said.

Rowley Goonan from Wild Bird Rescue Gold Coast saves a pelican by kayaking out to grab her. Picture: supplied

“Sometimes there are hundreds.

“One of the biggest problem faced when trying to get any action at all on protection or rubbish issues is navigating the bureaucracies to try and establish who is in charge.

“Even then they pass the buck.

“It’s a dog’s dinner of epic proportion.”

Mr Goonan is calling for authorities to erect signage but lamented this may do little to deter people unless the rules were enforced and people faced consequences.

Rowley Goonan of Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast has finally rescued an ibis after five weeks of stalking his elusive bird. Picture: Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast

“Good signage explaining why dogs shouldn’t be on the island and why access is restricted would be a start, but ultimately it takes commitment and will by the Government bodies responsible to make any real difference,” he said.

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He also said there was a degree of confusion as to which authority was responsible for the island but he called on a bipartisan approach from State and local governments to address the issue.

Rowley Goonan of Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast with a pelican with necrotic fish hook wound in wing PICTURE: Wild Bird Rescues Gold Coast

Lydnsey Kershaw, Environmental Educator at Gecko said three sites of illegal dumping had been reported to Gold Coast City Council along the same stretch of beach.

“(There is) nobody policing activities on the islands or taking responsibility for illegal logging, fires and dumping,” she said.

“We are trying to get the authorities to take action.”