SHEARWATER fledglings are currently departing Muttonbird Island off the Coffs Coast, prompting an appeal for residents to “dim their lights”.
The island, which is called Giidany Miirlarl (moon sacred place) by the Gumbaynggirr people, supports the state’s second-largest colony of shearwaters – commonly known as muttonbirds.
During April, adult shearwaters depart on their annual migration, and now fledglings are attempting to leave their burrow for the first time.
In a natural environment, the young birds would be drawn to the reflection of the moon and stars over the ocean.
On the Coffs Coast, however, young shearwaters are being distracted by the bright lights of the city, and many end up under streetlights and on roads and pavements around Coffs Harbour, instead of departing on their migration.
“Sometimes they become disorientated and land around the Jetty area and cannot take off again, leaving them vulnerable to injury by cats, dogs, and cars,” NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Dr Adelaide Dedden told News Of The Area.
“The lights from Coffs Harbour can confuse these birds and they head inland instead of out to sea.”
Coming to the aid of the shearwaters, NPWS has devised a volunteer program to monitor, report and care for these birds, which are then re-released another night.
Members of the public can join this volunteer program or report bird sightings to their local NPWS office or wildlife carer such as WIRES, FAWNA and Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (CCWS).
Local businesses and residents are also advised to reduce the amount of artificial light at night in the Coffs Harbour area.
“If you find a disoriented muttonbird, you can gently pick it up and bring it to the green triage clinic trailer located in the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary car park,” CCWS manager Tiga Cross said.
The Sanctuary operates this green triage trailer, providing immediate support for injured or distressed wildlife.
“Our team, in partnership with NPWS and WIRES, will ensure the bird is safely cared for and rehabilitated.”
Locals can reduce the effects of light pollution on wildlife by following the six Best Practice Lighting Design Principles to protect and restore natural darkness:
1: Start with natural darkness and only add light for a specific purpose.
2: Use adaptive light controls to manage the timing, intensity, and colour of light.
3: Light only the area needed.
4: Use low-intensity lighting and keep it close to the ground.
5: Use non-reflective, dark-coloured surfaces near lighting fixtures.
6: Avoid white lights – use amber (low CCT) lighting with little or no blue wavelength.
These principles are part of the National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW).
The NPWS is actively researching the impacts of artificial light at night as part of the Marine Estate Management Strategy Initiative 5, aimed at reducing impacts on threatened and protected marine species.
By supporting these initiatives and adopting best practices for lighting, the community can help safeguard local wildlife for future generations.
By Andrea FERRARI
