Report reveals over 1,700 tree martins killed or hurt in Adelaide's Rundle Mall

A new study shows that more than 1,700 tree martins have died or been injured in Adelaide's central shopping strip, mainly after colliding with glass and wires.

A consultancy study prepared for the City of Adelaide has documented that 1,773 tree martins were impacted in the 2025-26 season, including 670 deaths and 256 birds receiving veterinary care. The majority of casualties resulted from strikes on large glass shop fronts and entanglement in overhead wires after the colony moved to Rundle Mall following netting on Leigh Street trees. Businesses reported nuisance from bird droppings and odor, prompting mitigation actions such as high-reflective window decals, wire markers, and regular cleaning around roost sites.

These measures, especially window stickers, cut collision numbers by more than half in April 2026. Rescue teams’ constant presence helped quickly treat stunned birds, though historical injury rates are unavailable for comparison. Adelaide City Council will discuss the report at its Tuesday meeting, while SA Native Animal Rescue praised the response but highlighted concerns about future H5 bird-flu exposure.