Shearwaters of Cape Woolamai

Since spring the short-tailed shearwaters have been nesting on Cape Woolamai headland, one of their main rookeries on Phillip Island. Every evening after sunset, you can witness these humble birds in extraordinary numbers, as they return home from their feeding grounds in the open ocean.

In January, at the peak of summer, their eggs are due to hatch. The adult males and females will soon leave the nest and return to feed their hungry chick, sometimes leaving the young ones up to two weeks.

The parents are fantastic ocean predators, they can dive 50m deep in search of krill, squid and fish! These nutrient rich foods will help fatten their chicks for the next 4 months.

During the day, the chicks seek refuge in their burrow, a deep hole (1-2m deep!) dug into the sandy soil, Tussock grasses and Bower spinach plants of Cape Woolamai.

While the main threats to the chicks are predators such as snakes and other birds, they are prone to predation by introduced land predators as well, including stray cats. Disturbance of their habitat by trampling, and atrificial light pollution also play a factor in their survival.

Join us on a Cape Cruise this summer to learn more about these fascinating birds. And if you plan to explore the beauty of Cape Woolamai reserve on foot, please keep to the tracks to ensure these spectacular shearwaters have the best chance of surviving!