Some tree martin birds have survived and are being kept alive in incubators.
© Zac BruceSome tree martin birds have survived and are being kept alive in incubators.
Conservationists have blamed a summer cold snap for the widespread deaths of a small native bird in Western Australia's South West.

A low pressure system brought unseasonal cold temperatures and heavy rainfall to southern WA for several days from the weekend.

Parks and Wildlife conservation officer Ben Lullfitz said after the cold weather people had found dead tree martin birds from Augusta to Bunbury.

"It's a small bird which looks a bit like a swallow, basically they are insect feeders which don't like cold weather in the summer ... which has caused them to get into quite a bit of distress," he said.

Mr Lullfitz said the birds were unable to feed or regulate their body temperature during the cool conditions.

"We don't know how many exactly have died but it's been a widespread event," he said.

Tree martins migrate to the south-west region during Summer and were the only species reported to be affected by the cold snap.

"We haven't had any reports of other species not surviving this cold weather but generally [birds] will find a spot to shelter and wait out," Mr Lullfitz said.

He recommended local residents dispose of any dead birds they find.

"If animals are still alive and in distress take them to the nearest vet or call the wildlife helpline," he said.

Hopes of survival

The tree martin is unable to regulate its body temperature during cold weather
© Zac BruceThe tree martin is unable to regulate its body temperature during cold weather
Wildlife rescuers are hopeful some of the distressed swallows can be rehabilitated.

Suzanne Strapp, president of the Busselton wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group FAWNA, said the local community had rallied to save the birds.

"The phone has been ringing since about six o'clock last night with people finding them on their doorstep — 50 and 60 huddled up under eaves," she said.

"Everyone's been great — lots of people driving in from quite a way to bring them into vet hospitals."

Ms Strapp said FAWNA wildlife volunteers had been collecting the unwell birds from vets around the South West.

"They've been put into hot boxes and we're trying to warm them back up but unfortunately many of them are just so exhausted that they won't recover," she said.

"These birds have been aggregating, so putting them together with other birds I think must be quite comforting.

"Most of us have got 10 or 20 birds, a lot of them aren't very well though."

Any birds that survive will be released at their local wetlands.

"As long as they can fly and get out and chase their food again I think they'll be fine," Ms Strapp said.

"[And can] carry on doing their job of removing insects."