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I wish to comment that the average vigneron does
not normally try to kill silvereyes in vineyards. Whilst the birds
are a real nuisance, the use of nets to protect the fruit is the usual
counteraction and any deaths would be inadvertent rather than
intended. The benefits of having birds around to help control insect
pests is starting to be recognised too.
I grew up on a fruit orchard which has been
converted to a vineyard. There has always been a fair amount of
chemical use. This must have had a detrimental effect on the
wildlife, yet that property is still swarming with birds. What has
suffered most is the mature eucalyptus trees. They all suffered
dieback and the trees are now predominantly European. Consequently
it is the birds like silvereyes and gold finch that predominate.
Annabel Ashworth
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