General News
5 March, 2026
Cheeky cockies in silent bid
HAVING worked in radio for nearly 41 years, I’ve a few funny stories to tell, but this one could possibly beat them all.
Cockatoos were found to be the culprits after several of the announcers at Douglas FM noticed that the signal strength was weaker than usual in certain parts of the station’s transmission area.
Upon further investigation at the station’s transmitter site on Flagstaff Hill, Port Douglas, station manager Bryan Bergman discovered damage to the connecting coax cable and to the antenna itself.
A combination of recent wet weather and the coax damage caused by our feathered friends, or not friends in the case, resulted in the local radio station very nearly going completely off air.
Fortunately, to avoid any potential completely dead air, the issue was initially resolved with a temporary fix and a permanent solution will be underway soon thanks to a Federal Government ‘Quick Response Grant’ of $12,000. This funding, together with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation, means that Douglas FM will soon install a more rugged broadcast antenna system, best suited to face some of the unique challenges of our region.
Mr Bergman was quite surprised to discover that it was actually cockatoo damage that was causing the station’s signal issues, although apparently it is quite common.
“I’ve worked as a technician in the radio industry for many years and it’s not the first time that I have experienced this type of bird damage” he said.
“I guess that is life in the tropics.
“It could have been disastrous if the station had gone off air completely, but now I do have to see the funny side of it.”
Douglas FM, run by a mix of paid staff and volunteers, services the Douglas Shire, which includes Port Douglas, Mossman and the Daintree.
Apart from music, the daily shows provide local information, news, weather, interviews, sport and general entertainment.
The station is set up to assist locals should events like Cyclone Jasper eventuate and is supported by grants and sponsorship from local businesses who advertise their products and services.
Not able to fully catch these crafty cockatoos in the act, Mr Bergman used his artistic skills and some help from AI to construct a picture of how the cheeky birds may have accomplished their deed.
Armed with a beer and a pair of pliers, the cockatoo in question has fondly been named ‘Bruce’ by the Douglas FM team.
“For some reason our listeners, via our social media, have really taken to Bruce the cockatoo,” Mr Bergman said.
“In fact, I’d say he’s gone quite viral,” he said.
I’m off to fluff my feathers, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
