EastLink dead birds: Locals concerned native birds crashing into glass barriers

Native and protected birds are causing a gruesome scene near EastLink, with their broken bodies littering the ground. Find out why.

Piles of dead birds — including rare natives — are being found at the bottom of sound barriers along EastLink having killed themselves flying into the clear glass at the top of the walls.

And it’s believed bird rescuers have been raising the issue with the toll road operators for about 12 months, who have deemed the siutation as “complex”.

Pictures obtained by Leader show dead birds found near sound barriers and a walking track behind Oxford Reserve in Nunawading, including parrots and the rare and protected kingfisher.

Mitcham resident Bec New, who regularly walks at the park, said she had seen at least six dead birds since September, and more than 15 in the past 12 months.

Ms New said the casualties included rainbow lorikeets, spotted doves and a raven.

“Its very distressing, especially because they keep turning up and nothing has been done, and it has to be stopped,” she said.

Nunawading animal rescuer and Wildlife Victoria volunteer Sonja Olsen said she had was made aware of the situation after being contacted by concerned residents, who had reported a spike in activity in the past month.

Dead parrots found in January next to EastLink sound barriers near Oxford Reserve in Nunawading. Picture: Supplied.

An azure kingfisher which flew into an EastLink sound barrier near Oxford Reserve in Nunawading. Picture: Supplied.

“There seems to be an increase in them (crashing) and nothing seems to be done,” Ms Olsen said.

“It’s very concerning, most of the ones, such as the kingfisher are quite rare and protected, they’re just flying into it and falling down.

“A lot of them have broken necks … but its also happening near an off-leash dog park, so if any of them survive that knock, they’re going to be taken by the dogs, so it’s like a death trap.”

Ms Olsen said one resident said they had seen “so many more” incidents take place in the past month.

She said the resident claimed EastLink had been promising to do surveys or put strips of tape up to address the issues, but no action had been taken.

“EastLink made a big deal when it (the barriers) got put in that the nature would be preserved and it would make a beautiful corridor full of native habitat, but it’s actually causing death,” Ms Olsen said.

Birds are flying into clear glass sound barriers and been left for dead near EastLink in Nunawading. Picture: Supplied.

Locals Les Semple and Paddy McGoldrick said they had rescued birds, pigeons and white cockatoos found in nearby bushland over the years.

Both men felt parrots in particular were at risk of crashing into the clear glass on the barriers, in between Springvale and Mitcham roads.

“The native parrots take off very quickly and don’t realise its there … its stuck way up in the air where a bird feels safe,” Mr McGoldrick said.

“It’s a concern that a public asset could result in individual deaths of native birds,” Mr Semple said.

EastLink spokesman Doug Spencer-Roy said the panels were installed as part of the Eastern Freeway in the mid-1990s, and were designed to reduce noise while allowing sunlight through to benefit residents and vegetation.

Mr Spencer-Roy confirmed a resident had contacted EastLink about the issue but the authority was yet to find a solution to the “complex” issue.

He said the toll road operator would continue to consider the issue.

“The matter is complex and a practical solution that maintains noise control without impacting light transmission has not yet been identified,” he said.

A Manningham Council spokeswoman said the council was “aware and concerned” about the incidents but couldn’t comment further as they had “no authority on the matter”.

“The Department of Transport is the state authority that should be working with EastLink on the issue,” the spokeswoman said.

The Department of Transport referred the matter to EastLink.