The annual migration of shearwaters, also commonly known as mutton birds, is underway and the massive journey is too much for many who are literally falling from the sky dying from exhaustion and starvation on our shores. 

Each spring shearwaters return from the Bering Sea near Alaska in the northern hemisphere to breed in Victoria and Tasmania. 

The journey is part of their 10,000-kilometre migration, which takes three or four weeks, and many birds perish along the way from exhaustion to the weather conditions.

Every year on the Northern Beaches birds wash up along our coastline and wash into the sea with the tides to become food for marine life. 

It’s important to avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, not to feed wild birds and not to allow pets to touch or eat the carcass.

If you see a sick bird/s, you can contact WIRES on 1300 094 737, or Sydney Wildlife Rescue on 9413 4300. If you observe 5 or more sick or dead birds, report it via the Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information on migratory birds, visit the Environment & Heritage website.