As summer rolls on, unexpected risks are emerging in areas where drivers least expect them.

What started as a routine day on the roads quickly took a troubling turn, sparking widespread concern among local experts.

Now, authorities are urging everyone to take extra caution in light of an alarming discovery that could have a major impact on how we navigate our surroundings.


Aussies were reminded to stay vigilant while out and about this summer as newly-hatched chicks began to explore their surroundings, making them particularly vulnerable to traffic, predators, and human interference.


This week, a concerned wildlife advocate from the Whitsundays in Queensland urged people to be mindful of the many birds that are 'on the move' during this season.

She shared the message on social media, highlighting that bush stone-curlews are especially prone to wandering onto roads with their young.

'Just reminding everyone that the curlews have their babies on the move — please be mindful,' she posted online on 6 January.


A photo shared with the post showed a tiny chick, no bigger than the palm of a hand, wandering near a parked car on a road.

Sean Dooley from Bird Life Australia talked about the importance of leaving native wildlife undisturbed when encountered.

He stressed that while it is important to report any injured animals to the appropriate authorities, humans should not feed, handle, or interfere with wildlife unless absolutely necessary.


'Bush stone-curlews are ground-dwelling birds and they rely on camouflage,' Dooley explained.

'So if you find a chick on the ground, it’s not like it’s fallen out of a nest—that’s where it’s meant to be.'

He added that the parents of these chicks are typically nearby and are highly protective of their young, often using sounds and displays to warn off potential threats.


A concerned woman from the Whitsundays shared photos of a bush stone-curlew chick and its protective mother on the road, sparking the warning.

The bird species is more common in northern Australia, but it faces increasing threats in the south, where it is listed as endangered in states like Victoria and New South Wales.

Dooley further mentioned that, unlike some bird species, bush stone-curlew chicks are capable of feeding themselves fairly soon after hatching.


Their breeding season, from July to January, marks the time when the chicks start to leave the nest.

The best course of action, unless the chick is in immediate danger, is to leave it be.

'The parents probably know where it is, and they’ll come back to check on it and feed it if necessary. They don’t need your intervention unless it’s a crisis,' Dooley advised.


Although bush stone-curlews face challenges in some parts of Queensland, they manage to thrive in areas like Brisbane, despite the presence of predators like foxes and domestic pets — significant factors in their decline in southern regions.

Locals took to social media to echo Dooley’s message.

'Keep your cats locked up, they are killers for these poor babies,' one woman commented.

'They are beautiful birds, please watch out for them,' another said.

A third person shared, 'Like turtles, curlews nest where they were born. It was scrubland, before roads.'


The vulnerability of bush stone-curlews in certain parts of Australia stems from habitat loss, increased predation, and human activity.

While they are not yet considered endangered across all of Queensland, their populations have declined in some regions due to urban development and the clearing of woodlands.

In southern and eastern Australia, including parts of New South Wales and Victoria, the species is listed as endangered.

Introduced predators, including foxes and feral cats, are a significant threat to both eggs and chicks.


With so many risks on the roads and reserves, what do you think is the best way for Aussies to stay vigilant and help preserve our native species?

We’d love to hear your thoughts – share your ideas in the comments below.