UPDATE: The toxin killing hundreds of native birds near Dubbo has been identified as an insecticide.
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has received the results of further testing, and the results indicate that an insecticide, Fenthion, is the likely cause of death.
Director of the North Branch of the EPA Gary Davey said that the insecticide was detected in samples from dead birds.
“This insecticide is commonly used to eradicate insects, spiders and non-native pest birds, such as starlings. At this point, we do not have evidence as to how the birds came into contact with the insecticide but we are continuing to investigate.
“Water samples from the Macquarie River have also been tested and preliminary results indicate that no pesticides have been detected.
The Dubbo community have been asked to help solve the mystery of where the toxin may have come from, that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of native birds, including galahs, correllas and cockatoos.
“Any information about the possible source will assist our investigation and I’d ask that anyone with information about the bird deaths or information about pesticide misuse, to contact the EPA’s EnviroLine on 131 555,” Mr Davey said.
The NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) also called for people with information to step forward, as the number of dead birds continued to rise.
Nine days on from the discovery of birds falling ill from exposure to a harmful pesticide, the toll on native bird populations in the Dubbo area is nearing 600, WIRES advised.
The predominantly affected species is the little corella and with the number of deaths so high, this will have an impact on the local population.
Anna Felton, a WIRES rescue officer, said two adult raptors have also been found to have ingested the toxins.
"We don't know at this stage if this is because these Whistling kites have fed on birds that have been poisoned, or if they have fed on the same source as other birds," Ms Felton said.
"If it proves that the poison is being passed down through the food chain, this could be devastating for a number of other species including snakes, Tawny frogmouth and raptors."
Ms Felton said those who come across birds or other animals in need can contact WIRES Dubbo direct on 1300 556 686.
