I've sent Lorne some info. about Emus and crops, written by Ian Temby,
author of "Wild Neighbours".
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nreninf.nsf/childdocs/-C3270146B772814F4A2568B30006FFEE-7A5820241AEA1564CA256BC800078098-7B785784C934E20E4A256DEA00292002-48496DF54732EEEACA256BCF000B4D7B?open
But the question about "Who cares about birds?" when talking about
environmental protection is important.
Basically I see birds as often simply epiphenomena: something that are
around but not connected to environmental sustainability. It's great to see
a rarity - Grey-headed Lapwing is an example - but it does not tell you much
about the environment, except that it provides some habitat.
Interactions between birds and environment however is important. Think what
they do they signalise (from my local point of view):
- seed dispersal e.g. Mistletoebird
- plant fertilisation, e.g. many honeyeaters
- tree pest reduction, e.g. Spotted Pardalotes
- insect and spider control: many
- snake, skink and frog control: some
- pest vertebrate control: some
- indicate human waste: Silver Gulls
They are also great warnings of climate change. Because they follow subtle
processes like insect availability, soil conditions.... the increased
(sometimes from zero) appearance down here of Crested Pigeons, Galahs, and -
it seems - black-backed magpie hybrids are the most obvious signs of deeper
change to our climate.
Comments welcome
Michael Norris
Bayside, SE Melbourne
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