Hi Alan and others,
Just as an aside, thought the current
problem of Ruddy ducks in the UK to be a little similar – RSPB are currently undertaking an
eradication program of the estimated 900 breeding pairs and 6,000 wintering birds. The birds are currently resident over a
huge area - West Midlands, northern England, Anglesey, southern Scotland, and even parts of Ireland. They are employing
marksmen to do the job, and are planning to ban the keeping of this species in
waterfowl collections in the UK. This seems to be very
forward thinking, especially when one considers the amount of opposition to
this eradication!
Check out -
http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/ruddyduck/?page=r
There are further links at the bottom of
that page, one of which says –
“The introduction of mallards to New Zealand over 100 years ago resulted in a similar problem involving the
native New
Zealand grey duck. The proportion of non-hybrid grey ducks has now fallen
below the level that is considered essential for the continued existence of
this species, whilst the mallard population continues to increase. Globally,
non-native species are considered the most important threat to biological
diversity after habitat loss.”
Not sure this in entirely correct about
grey duck being below the level that is considered essential for the continued
existence of this species, but it certainly will be in the next few decades if
more work like that currently underway around Christchurch is not implemented.
Mallards at least would be a little easier
to get rid of than Ruddy ducks, to start with, as the can easily be hand fed
bread…..
Cheers,
Brent
-----Original Message-----
From:
[ On Behalf Of Alan Morris
Sent: Wednesday, 7 May 2003 8:13
p.m.
To:
Cc: Tim Morris
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Mallards -
Potential Negative Interactions
I would like to take up Brent Stephenson's comments about
Mallard invasions as I believe that maybe it is too late to halt the invasion!
