Extensive drought conditions throughout eastern Australia have severely impacted waterbird numbers and resulted in the lowest breeding levels on record – and yet the Victorian State Government has ignored experts and policy advisers and has permitted the duck shooting season to go ahead, sealing the fate of approximately 250,000 native waterbirds.
Duck shooting is not a sport. There is nothing sporting about concealed shooters waiting for native waterbirds to fly towards decoys. There is nothing sporting about spraying ducks with 200 pellets from the blast of a shotgun.
Just before sunrise tomorrow morning the carnage will begin. There won’t be enough light to accurately identify all species. Not all shooters will have taken the inadequate Waterbird Identification Test, some deficiencies of which I explained in Season of Shame. Not all shooters will care what they shoot, as discussed in Season of Shame and Season of Shame – Part 2 (Graphic). Not all shooters will clean up after themselves. Last season I was sickened by the amount of rubbish discarded by shooters, including spent cartridges, empty alcohol cans and bottles, and human waste. And among the filth were feather pits where our native birds, that are protected for 9 months of the year, had been plucked. There were severed wings, feet and heads, and abandoned ‘game’ birds. There were endangered birds like Freckled Duck hidden under rocks and coot stashed in tree hollows while swans, kites, pelicans, cormorants, Musk Duck and numerous other species were left to rot where they fell.
This is not about controlling bird numbers for ecological benefit, it’s not about culling feral species, it’s about appeasing the vociferous 0.4% of Victorians who derive pleasure from killing birds.
Grey Teal – one happy duck
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 400
I urge everyone opposed to duck shooting to take a moment to write to your local MP so our voices can be heard advocating for our wildlife – it worked in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. More information can be found in the links above and on these pages: ABC News, Coalition Against Duck Shooting and Animals Australia.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if all our native waterbirds could look as happy as this week’s teal?
Happy birding, Kim
NEWSFLASH lirralirra was delayed today as I awaited the formal announcement of the closure of a major wetland due to 150 Blue-billed Ducks being on the lake – you little beauties! Heaps of thanks to CADS and AA for filing an injunction with the Supreme Court and to the Victorian Government responding so swiftly. All the best to the wildlife rescuers – you’re little beauties too!
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It is great to see awareness spreading and so much new energy getting behind this cause. Hopefully it will not be too long before our beautiful birds are protected all year round! Gorgeous wee teal here 🙂
I feel that new energy too Alyssa, it’s exciting and fills me with hope.
Done Kim, invited all friends to sign petition against this war on ducks
Thank you Alison! Spreading the word to people who care is the only hope.
How WONDERFUL that the those Blue-billed ducks are safe. Thank you so much to those who worked to achieve it.
Hunting? Sport? Hiss and spit. And rather a lot of other less printable words.
I agree!
wow thank you for 1 bit of good news at the end of your post – the rest is infuriating. I have just so many issues, but will add voice to this by phoning Cindy McLiesh office asap
Hi Sue, thank you for adding your voice to this, it’s very much appreciated by me and the birds.