Internationally recognised expert on Australian muttonbirds, Associate Professor Nick Klomp, has been following the recent mass deaths of the birds around the Australian coast with considerable interest. He believes the deaths are due in part to the recently discovered normal pattern of muttonbird breeding, which is influenced by El Niño events.

Professor Klomp leads a team of Charles Sturt University researchers studying the large colonies of Wedge-tailed and Short-tailed Shearwaters, commonly known as muttonbirds, on Montague Island off the NSW South Coast.

The team have tracked the birds using radio and satellite technology for some years, discovering that during the breeding season, adults birds can fly an amazing 12 000 km to Antarctica and back in two weeks to gather krill for their chicks.

Professor Klomp is available for comment on the recent muttonbird deaths and their possible effects on breeding colonies. He is a regular commentator on science issues for ABC radio, the Discovery channel and specialist science media.