Each year, many short-tailed shearwaters (also called ‘muttonbirds’) die at sea during their migration along the New South Wales coast. Wind and tides regularly cause these birds to wash up on Wollongong's beaches. This event is an unfortunate but natural occurrence.
The NSW Government advises residents to leave these birds on the beach. The natural cycle of our beaches will ensure that the birds will not remain on the beaches for an extended period of time.