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WILDLIFE rescue volunteers have told of the terrible deaths suffered by hundreds of native birds in a suspected poisoning north-east of Dubbo.
The carnage was discovered at Troy Reserve when a corella breeding ground was littered with "carcass after carcass".
"It was a shocking and devastating scene," WIRES Dubbo bird co-ordinator Helen Swan told the Daily Liberal.
"The birds couldn't fly and looked terribly sick. They had dark faeces running straight through them.
"We spent last Saturday out in the rain picking up dead and dying adults and juveniles.
"The cruelty to such magnificent birds was really horrible. Some of the birds had already been eaten by raptors, others had to be euthanised.
"A lot died in the water, near the junction of the Talbragar and Macquarie rivers. We went out in kayaks to retrieve the bodies.
"About 200 dead birds were collected. This week close to another 200 birds died. They were mostly corellas. Sulphur-crested cockatoos and galahs have also been affected."
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is continuing scientific testing of bird carcasses. Initial laboratory results point to pesticide exposure.
As a precaution, the EPA advises people and pets should not handle sick or dead birds.
"Information about bird deaths or pesticide misuse should be reported to the EPA EnviroLine on 131 555," a spokeswoman said.
"It will assist the EPA in any investigation if people making a report include information on what they saw, smelt or heard and note the time and weather conditions."
WIRES Dubbo chair Ann Mara said volunteers were working with Dubbo City Council in an ongoing rescue exercise to save as many birds as possible.
So far 25 corellas and one galah have been successfully rescued.
"The EPA is investigating ... until the source of the pesticide can be determined we cannot be certain when this situation will end," Ms Mara said.
"The suffering for the birds involved is tremendous."
The symptoms of affected birds include rapid death, breath difficulties, generalised weakness, eyelid swelling and an inability to fly.
Ms Mara said Australia's native birds had been through tough conditions during a hot, dry summer.
"These fine specimens of Australia's native wildlife are worth every bit of effort we put into saving them and we thank the community for their efforts to date in helping us locate sick birds in need of urgent medical attention," she said.
WIRES can be contacted by phoning 1300 556 686. Calls can also be made to the NSW WIRES Rescue Line on 13 000 WIRES or 1300 094 737.