Late last year I came across a dead bird on a beach, whilst I was starring at it and not watching where I was going I almost stepped upon another, it wasn't until I looked ahead that I realised the beach was lined with them, a really horrific sighting. I reminded myself to go home and google why this had happened but it must have been too recent and I couldn't find any information.
Fast forward to when we recently visited the spooky cave - again I came across more dead birds, this time showing signs of decomposition with bones exposed and only their skeletal frames and feathers left. At the time I naively said to Lowie that I didn't understand how they all fell from the sky in a row, he quickly corrected me and said they died out at sea and got washed in (I have a lot of those moments btw). This time when I went home to google I found a lot of information. Turns out they are short-tail shearwaters also known as mutton birds. These birds do an amazing 15,000km journey starting off in Tasmania, touching past Japan, Alaska and California before making their way back all within 2 months. It seems there was high fatality in last years migration path with birds reported as dying from starvation raising questions about over fishing practices. Another theory was poor weather and high winds resulted in a difficult journey for the birds especially if feeding up north was minimal. In any case it really was such a tragedy to visually witness. I hope these pictures aren't too distressing, I actually find them beautiful myself but then I'm probably a tad strange :p
Two birds washed up together - I found that sweet :)
These photos are so, so beautiful (even though they are quite saddening)~
ReplyDeleteThank-you I definitely see beauty in these birds even, as you sai,d it's still quite saddening that it even occurred :(
Deletethere is so much truth in a dead bird...like it can represent live it self on this earth,i guess... it makes me sad to think they die out o f lack of food,they lead such a brave path...
ReplyDeleteAhh so nicely said Sara :) Definitely one brave path to make
Deleteso tragic and sad! especially if it was because of starvation. i once came across an article that showed a dead bird and inside it was filled with crap like plastic can holders, bottle caps, etc. because it was eating garbage that people left on the beachside and there was nothing else to eat. :(
ReplyDeleteAhh Jane that is really sad :( Definitely a good reminded that our actions can have really terrible consequences and that we really need to be more mindful - sad reminder though!
DeleteThis happened at the beaches near my house as well and I looked up why but couldn't find any information. thanks for solving the mystery. It's so sad- I counted over 100 birds when I was walking my dog one day :-(
ReplyDeleteApparently they were washing up in New Zealand as well - I wonder what the final count was - super sad :(
DeleteIt's weird how these pictures turn out quite beautiful in a melancholic way.
ReplyDeleteI always turn my head away the moment I spot a dead bird.
Don't worry, my first instinct was to look away too, I actually got a big fright and probably jumped in the air but then my curiosity set in and I start wondering more about what happened to them :(
DeleteOh dear. This makes me so sad! I have heard of the mutton birds before but never actually seen them (dead or alive).
ReplyDeleteI'd never even heard of them! Actually when I first saw them, still with all their dark feathers I thought they were crows, I feel pretty silly saying that now - I guess it's always good to keep learning :)
Deleteoh no, what a sad story :(
ReplyDeleteshockingly sad :(
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