The Little Darwin resident Curlew chick population grew to four when two more hatched at the front , dangerous unfenced part of the plantation . Sadly, it now seems none have survived. Predators are many - Currawongs, Kookaburras , Crows , Barking Owls and cats . A black cat has been seen prowling about at night in a main Curlew area in Nelly Bay ; another cat spotted walking about the Foodworks parking area and yet another white one nearby .
TOP : One of the earlier two chicks peeking out from mother . ABOVE : Newly born chick from the front , second batch , an egg blending into background, near tail of parent, from which the other hatchling emerged soon after ; all four gone within days .
With so many young Curlews failing to survive , adults the victims of roadkill , dogs , cats there are concerns that the island's colony of Bush Stone-Curlews is facing gradual extinction . Because adult birds can live for long periods , perhaps more than 20 years , it can give the misleading impression that a local population is in reasonable shape , when in actual fact it will undergo a sudden crash .
In other parts of Australia where Bush Stone-Curlews are no longer prevalent , there are efforts to protect them in specially built enclosures , encourage reintroduction . Visitors from southern parts of the nations where Curlews are extinct or rare are delighted to find them on the island. Overseas visitors are also impressed by the birds.
However, On Magnetic Island , part of the Great Barrier Reef Heritage Marine Park , the burden of retrieving and looking after much of the wildlife, including Curlews , falls on the shoulders of a small band of dedicated , unpaid wildlife carers . There is a koala hospital on the island which receives publicity and money ,which is good , but it is the wildlife carers who often rescue, retrieve the sexy koalas , who were introduced to the island , that end up there.
One wildlife carer , a woman , recently received a call at 1am via police emergency radio to rescue a wallaby tangled in a fence . The same woman, returning from a hospital appointment , no sooner got home than she was called out on another rescue .
It is not clear exactly what is the role of the Parks and Wildlife branch on the island . There is talk that it is small in numbers , short of money and has to cover a large area , now seemingly more involved in marine patrols and turtles .
The Townsville City Council got rid of the resident pound keeper and requests for information about the replacement arrangement have gone unanswered . It is believed somebody comes over from Townsville in a car, drives around , then heads back to the mainland . A councillor was asked if traps are set at the island dump to catch feral cats , rats as is done interstate . If so , what has been the catch ? No reply .
It is clear to Blind Freddie that Magnetic Island needs an updated, modern approach and facilities to look after all the island wildlife , which does not put the burden on a small number of dedicated women . This view has been put to the Queensland government , so far without a satisfactory response .
It is clear to Blind Freddie that Magnetic Island needs an updated, modern approach and facilities to look after all the island wildlife , which does not put the burden on a small number of dedicated women . This view has been put to the Queensland government , so far without a satisfactory response .
