Birds Die On Mass at Shoalwater Bay

Local residents in Byfield have said that hundreds, possibly thousands, of different species of birds and bats have died in the Byfield area over the past week.

The mass die-off began about one week following the live bombings in Shoalwater Bay by the Australian and USA military. These bombings are part of 'Operation Talisman Sabre', the largest joint war games since the Vietnam War. The designated bombing area is immediately north of Byfield.

The live bombings practise various tactics, such as 'ship-to-shore', and test various munitions, such as white and red phosphorous bombs and munitions containing perchlorate.

The Environmental Protection Agency claims the mass die-off is a direct result of the recent cold weather.