Mynas in New Zealand

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Not to mention the nature of some of the suburbs themselves in Melbourne, that has ‘excluded almost all small native birds’, with perhaps little or no causation by mynas. What impact do mynas have on small native birds anyway?

 

Philip

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2009 1:02 PM
To: 'Canberra Birds'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Fw: Mynas in New Zealand

I think you might need to comment further, Bruce.  HANZAB, which covers NZ, says ‘mostly inhabit built-up areas’ ... ‘Sometimes occur in native forests, mostly in disturbed areas, especially round margins ...’.  Roadsides are a preferred habitat.  There is no population in the South Island (extinct since 1890).

 

Incidentally, I am not objecting to the trapping program, and Bill has been a masterly organiser of it, deserving the heartiest of ‘well dones!’.  We could certainly do without this species.  However I question, when they are trumpeted in this semi-scientific forum, some of the reasons given for the campaign, and I am uneasy about the species being used to frighten children.  I think there may be a teensy shortage of supporting data.  For example I would be interested in any study showing that in Melbourne suburbs the species has clearly ‘excluded almost all small native birds’.   I am sure there are Melbourne suburbs where there are many mynas and few small native birds, but ...  well, have you heard of cats?  Any chance of a CIMACAG?   

 

From: Bruce Lindenmayer [
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2009 11:43 AM
To: 'Canberra Birds'
Subject: [canberrabirds] Fw: Mynas in New Zealand

 

No further comment required. Bill is President of CIMAG.

Bruce.

 

----- Original Message -----

From:

To:

 

Thanks Ron:  this is the common story across Pacific Islands unfortunately, yet we still have people here who say that we are overstating the problem of mynas. 

 

Cheers

Bill

----- Original Message -----

From:

To:

Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 3:23 PM

Subject: Mynas in New Zealand

 

Hi Bill & Jenny,

I have just returned from a trip around the North Island of New Zealand and was amazed with the sheer numbers of Mynas there.  They are easily the most common bird seen, even in the most remote of locations.  It was not uncommon to see flocks of Mynas feeding on the roadside for mile after mile. 

Keep up the great work.

Ron Thompson
Chisholm

---