Freezing gale force winds are believed to be behind the downing of hundreds of tītī (muttonbirds) in Central Otago, northern Southland and the Lakes District last night.
It is believed the birds were migrating south to the Tītī/Muttonbird Islands for breeding season, but were blown off course and exhausted by the wintry blast.
Garston business owner Robert Durling said he was alerted to the plight of the birds when he heard a thump on his roof, about 9pm last night.
"We just thought it was a possum or a big clump of snow.
"Then we heard another one, so I went out to have a look, but I couldn't see anything.
"Then all of a sudden, I saw this odd-looking bird on the lawn, and then I saw two or three of them, and then another one crashed into the tree beside us, and they kept hitting the roof for ages."
