Spotted (Turtle) Doves

[Alberta Hayes <>]

Hi everyone,
Further to the discussion about the STDs and their growing numbers, here in the South I believe that feral pigeons are becoming increasingly common as well. I've no data to back this up, only anecdotal sightings of more and more underpasses and such nesting sites becoming used by the pigeons.  

There are two particular locations that spring to mind that demonstrate both the prevalence and the ongoing issues that feral pigeons can cause.  One is at the back end of McCulloch street in Curtin.  A couple of years ago I was very happy to see that there were a great number of water dragons along the creek near the horse paddocks. My uncle lives along McCulloch and this Christmas I suggested a walk to see the water dragons and he said that there was no point. He hadn't seen any in a while. There is a large flock of pigeons along that stretch of creek and perhaps they have been eating the little ones? The little dragons were not afraid of people, perhaps their downfall was that they were not afraid of pigeons either?

The other place I am seeing pigeons more and more is along the edge of Monash, Oxley and Greenway. A couple of years ago, the only flock around belonged to someone in Monash who keeps them as pets. I'm unsure as to whether they are homing pigeons or not, but they certainly seemed to fly around the one house. Over the last two years, the feral pigeons have been slowly going from underpass to underpass. At the same time this has been happening, there has been a sharp reduction in the number of Welcome Swallows and Martins that we see along the lake and pond.  I know of two Welcome Swallow nests that no longer are in use that are right next to pigeon flocks. 

One question, is there an effective trap that we could use to rid Canberra of both STDs and Feral pigeons?  I don't think this would take away from CIMAG at all. If anything, inaction due to not wanting to step on CIMAG's toes would be much worse than taking the action needed.

Sorry for babbling a bit!
Alberta.

On 30 January 2011 14:23, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Lia,

 

I think you are being harsh in your assessment. There are several cases of bureaucracies (not sure if they are the same "department") giving a lot of effort and funds to eradication programs for feral pests: most notably, goats, rabbits, cats and rats on islands. The features of these programs are usually relating to a discrete environment, where even though the task can be very difficult, the need is demonstrably severe and re-colonisation is unlikely. Therefore they would probably assess the project in terms of success being achievable and necessary. I suggest it does not help to deny credit where it is due, when contemplating asking for more help on lesser problems.

 

Also there are many species that were introduced into Australia that simply have not survived, with or without further human involvement.

 

I suggest that few Canberra rate payers would be able to recognise a Spotted Turtle-Dove, let alone consider them a problem.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lia Battisson [
Sent: Sunday, 30 January 2011 7:18 AM
To:

Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Spotted (Turtle) Doves

Perhaps it’s worth talking to Bill to ask if CIMAG is interested in giving some thought to this pest species as well, given their philosophy.  We know from experience that the department won’t consider it until, like every introduced species ever introduced, it is beyond redemption.