At 02:50 PM 11/20/99 +1100, Lynn wrote:
>Hi! I am also new to this list, Dick Jenkin from Dungog.
>
>We planted several species of the hybrid grevilleas & of course have a
>resident population of Noisy Minors, the odd Red Wattlebird & Noisy
>Friarbirds & very occasionally Eastern Spinebills & Scarlet
>Honeyeaters as the main nectar eating species. We also have 8 species of
>parrot/cockatoos &
>the dreaded Indian Mynah's . I have observed , strictly as an amateur, and
>have also heard someone else of good birding authority, mention the fact
>that the Noisy Minors defend their feeding
>territory & will chase off the Indian Mynahs & this allows the hollow log
>nesting species & no doubt
>numerous mammals of the night, to breed. Galahs & Eastern Rosellas nest
>here & since we have
>planted Acacias, Crimson Rosellas have also turned up. All seem to be
>increasing in numbers.
>
>Now is it better to have Noisy Minors ,like them or not, but are at least
>native, & the Rosellas etc
>than to have Indian Mynahs & no parrots !
>We have tried to counteract this by planting no more grevilleas ,but
>increasing our Acacias, lilly pillys, flowering gums, river oaks & some of
>the more prickly natives such as Hakeas etc
>
>
>
>Any comments ?
>
>Dick Jenkin <>
>20/11/99
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>
G'day Dick ,
I think you are completely on the right track by changing your planting
regime ,
that is drop the grevilleas , Bio-diversity is the answer , as the largest
proportion of birds depend mainly on insects for their diet , it is the
insects you need to attract .
I started on this place 15 years ago with less trees than you have to start
with and the same acreage , I have excellent growing conditions which makes
life easier , but I'm intending to have the whole place planted out , (
only a few acres to go now !).
I don't consider Noisy Minors a problem at all , I started with a few
taking control of the place , slowly building up in numbers to what was
starting to resemble a plague , they totally harrassed EVERY other species
who dared even fly over ,let alone attempt land . As the planted areas
started to grow , species who could stand up to the Minors nonsense started
to settle in . I have recorded 136 species here now , 80% of those are
permanent residents , and 70% of those ,I have recorded as successfully
nesting . The Minors are here but in balanced numbers , they still chase ,
harrass , and bully any bird they think is fair game , but even seem to get
bored with that fairly quickly . I think a large proportion of the other
species rely on them for warnings of snakes , cats , hawks , etc , so they
have a plus side.
I have not had experience with them harrassing Indian Mynahs , but if this
is the case , then it is certainly another big plus , there is no question
as to which species is a true PEST .
This is not the correct forum for me to rabbit on about what to plant
,except to say create as many different habitats as you can , with each
containing the greatest diversity of plants you can get hold of , and
expect it all to take a LONG time to evolve .
I would be happy to chat more on this subject , if you want to E-Mail me
any-time Dick .
Regards
John,
#####################
John A McLaren
BYRON BAY
N.S.W.
" Australias most Easterly point "
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