Birdlife in North Queensland has taken a hammering, according to a Little Darwin correspondent. The recent annual count of Torres Strait Pigeons on Hinchinbrook Island was exceptionally low-about 2800.Usually the figure is nearer 25,000. Cyclone Yasi battered the NQ coast in February . It ripped through the controversial Port Hinchinbrook marina near Cardwell , where 40 vessels were destroyed and damaged , some hurled into houses and down streets by the surge . After much public opposition, the marina was built by Gold Coast entrepreneur Keith Williams ,who also built Sea World.
Large tracts of vegetation along the coast were badly damaged by the cyclonic winds and tidal surge . With tops torn from many trees , vines have grown up trunks, stifling regrowth and reducing feed for pigeons and other birds. Each year large numbers of pigeons from the NT , New Guinea and parts of Cape York descend on Hinchinbrook . Torres Strait Pigeons can be seen nesting in Darwin now. Recent cyclonic weather reduced the amount of nuts available for Cassowaries resulting in them invading settled areas and being run down by vehicles. Silt laden run off along the coast has killed seagrass beds leading to the death of many turtles and dugongs
Large tracts of vegetation along the coast were badly damaged by the cyclonic winds and tidal surge . With tops torn from many trees , vines have grown up trunks, stifling regrowth and reducing feed for pigeons and other birds. Each year large numbers of pigeons from the NT , New Guinea and parts of Cape York descend on Hinchinbrook . Torres Strait Pigeons can be seen nesting in Darwin now. Recent cyclonic weather reduced the amount of nuts available for Cassowaries resulting in them invading settled areas and being run down by vehicles. Silt laden run off along the coast has killed seagrass beds leading to the death of many turtles and dugongs
