The EPA is appealing for information after dozens of birds were poisoned on the Central Coast.
Over the past two weeks, the environmental watchdog has received reports of dead Corellas at Warnervale and dead magpies at Budgewoi.
Testing has found the birds were poisoned with the same pesticide known as fenamiphos, which is not readily available to the public.
As part of its investigations, the EPA has obtained video which appears to show the driver of a dark-coloured Ford Ranger throwing an object out of the moving vehicle.
“The video footage is distressing – it shows magpies and other birds flying to the meat and then becoming severely affected within minutes of ingesting the poison. Dead magpies are visible on the road verge and birds can be seen falling out of trees as they succumb to the poison,” said EPA Acting Director Hunter, Karen Marler.
The video has since been passed on to police and the RSPCA.
The EPA says it’s an offence to use pesticide on non-target animals, with the maximum penalty $120,000 for an individual.
Anyone with information should call the EPA’s environment line on 131 555.
