Denis brings up the most valid point in
this discussion – why wait? Both Ian Fraser and I have advocated getting
rid of them asap in the past. If people do find nests with eggs and want to
help control them, the Australian National Wildlife Collection will happily
take the eggs off your hands. The same goes for any feral species –
starlings, mynas, sparrows, blackbirds, etc - locally. If you want contact
details just let me know.
Happy New Year to one and all.
Cheers,
Mark
From:
Denis Wilson [
Sent: Thursday, 31 December 2009
6:06 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
Spotted Turtle-Doves in Kambah
David McDonald has just written: "The Spotted Dove is a species that
needs monitoring in our region to determine if or when the point comes
that an eradication program is needed."
I do not wish to start a heated debate -
far from it.
But, for what it is worth, this season,
STDs are becoming firmly established in Bowral (Southern
Highlands) and having recently visited Nowra, I was surprised to
find them "common" there.
Obviously they do have the propensity to
establish themselves in large numbers. We know that from Sydney and Melbourne
anyway.
I am not against research to establish a
formal case, but I cannot help asking:
- "Why do we need
to wait until they have built up into problematic numbers
before looking at an Eradication Program?"
That approach has led to the major effort
required to control the Common Myna.
Surely early intervention is a better
strategy?
