By LIAM DURKIN
MOTORISTS are being urged to slow down to help protect baby birds.
With the spring breeding season ongoing, an unfortunate spate of bird deaths has forced Moe local Cheryl Wragg to take matters into her own hands.
Ms Wragg has erected a series of signs along Langford Street, warning motorists to slow down and stay alert for any wandering wildlife.
“It is baby bird season, they (people) can be proactive in helping these creatures to survive by making them aware of them and just slowing down,” she said.
“Look out, slow down and play a part in conserving these creatures and helping them (mothers) to keep their babies alive.”
Breeding season is still expected to go for another month, before baby birds mature enough to fly out on their own.
Ms Wragg warned however that this is often when young birds are at their most vulnerable, meaning the onus was on motorists to exercise caution year-round.
“We see so much roadkill and it’s avoidable for people to slow down and be aware that we are in the country, we have all sorts of creatures moving around dusk and dawn… all you have to do is slow down,” she said.
The signs along Langford St have been given even more prominence, with miniature orange flags attached and waving about.
Ms Wragg said the response to the signs had been pleasing, drawing a silver lining from an otherwise unfortunate situation.
“The people who live in Langford St really go out of their way to really look after these birds, they are really concerned about it,” she said.
“I’d encourage other people to be proactive, communicate with their neighbours, tell their families, slow down, everyone has a part to play. It’s a positive thing, instead of getting sad and watching this destruction, we can participate in conservation.”
Ms Wragg was joined by Latrobe City Councillor Sharon Gibson in helping put stakes in the ground.
Cr Gibson said keeping cats indoors of a night would also go a long way to remediating the issue, and wished to remind people of council’s cat curfew.
“If people would adhere to that, then we wouldn’t have situations like this,” she said.
“Don’t say you’re an animal lover and be part of the problem.”
Latrobe City Council’s cat curfew is between 9pm and 6am seven days a week.
