Sunday 12 January 2014

Beach Find

A month or so ago there were consistent reports of large numbers of Short-tailed Shearwaters either in distress or washing up dead on beaches around Melbourne.

While I was walking on the beach at Queenscliff I found this skull, which is probably from one of these birds.

It was not known if the deaths of the Shearwaters was caused by a problem in Australia, or if the birds were not in good condition when they left their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere.

Whatever the reason, this find was a reminder of how fragile even birds with huge populations can be.


You can find more macro shots at Macro Monday 2 and I Heart Macro.  SM

16 comments:

  1. not a nice find but yes I had read lots of reports on the shearwaters also; hopefully this year will be a good year for them

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is sad news about the Shearwaters.. I hope their numbers have not been effected permanently. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ja je hoort er over maar als je het ziet word je er met je neus extra opgedrukt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ah, another look into "nature at work".

    ReplyDelete
  5. That would be a nice addition to my collection.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is not fun to find dead Shearwaters.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ah, sad indeed and I think there are far too many of these today.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful macro shot ~ always excellent photos here ~ carol, xxx (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  9. A sad end for just one of a magnificent family of birds Stewart.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Although I'd prefer not to find dead birds their skeletons are endlessly fascinating.......interesting image!

    Ruby

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't know what shearwaters are, but that is certainly big! Poor birds

    ReplyDelete
  12. C'est toujours triste... surtout si les activités humaines en sont la cause.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful even in death.
    I will say He has found other places to fly. MB

    ReplyDelete