I think Wendy's point was that the urban gardens Song Thrushes like
(need?) are being gradually removed and replaced with higher density
housing that has little or no garden. No idea how much of a factor this
is yet, but dual occupancy developments are very common in Melbourne
now, where a house on a large block is supplemented by a second house
(or more) where the back garden was. Theoretically, every such
development should increase the size of the territory necessary to
support a thrush.
I also agree with Wendy that such developments are necessary to reduce
the need to develop the green wedges, etc, but I'm not comfortable that
the loss of gardens isn't being compensated for with equivalent planting
in parks, etc. These should, of course, be designed for native birds,
not Song Thrushes.
Peter Shute
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Dave Torr
Sent: Monday, 19 May 2008 1:16 PM
To: Wendy
Cc: Birding-aus
Subject: Song Thrush: Friday Bird in Focus
Whilst I agree with most of your comments about the sprawl in the
western plains of Melbourne, I think this has little to do with Song
Thrush decline.
They are a bird of established gardens and woodlands and most of the
area being destroyed is grassland. Indeed - with a lot od new gardens
there may end being more Song Thrush territory in years to come! The
Thrush has declined in developed areas throughout Melbourne (I live in
Werribee in an established area and they have declined a lot - they also
used to be in the wooded areas of the Western Treatment Plant but are
now scarce). Drought seems the answer - my wife is a keen gardener and
is no longer troubled by snails so the connection seems obvious (but of
course may not be!)
2008/5/19 Wendy <>:
> Tim Dolby wrote ...
> "The dry conditions in Melbourne, and the fact that we do not water
> our gardens any more, may well be the reason that Song Thrush numbers
> have dropped in Melbourne."
>
> Other factor would be urban infill/higher urban density, and resultant
> loss or shrinking of house block gardens. While sadly this is not
> great for urban wildlife, I support it as it helps control urban
> sprawl.
> The current massive growth around Melbourne in the Werribee, Hume and
> Epping corridors, often in previous Green Wedge areas, is horrendous.
> Large areas of very rare and significant remnant vegetation is being
> destroyed, in particular Western Basalt Plains Grassland and Red Gum
> Grassy Woodland.
> Habitat to many rare and endangered animals and plants. Infrastructure
> development to support this sprawl further exacerbates the habitat
> loss not to mention the other adverse environmental contributions
> (e.g. more roads -
> greenhouse)
> Wendy Moore
>
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> birding-aus.blogspot.com
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