what is a feral

["Greg & Val Clancy" <>]

Hi Mike,

I agree that the arrival of the Cattle Egret would not be artificial and it 
has probably been occurring for thousands of years, however the 
establishment of the species here is most likely due to the availability of 
modified habitat (cleared grasslands with cattle) that wouldn't have been 
present prior to European settlement.
Re. the White-fronted Tern - the different breeding sites chosen by this 
species and the Fairy Tern would limit the competition.  And as you suggest, 
the White-fronted Tern may have been in Australia for a very long time and 
was just overlooked as a breeding species.

Regards

Greg