STDs in Weetangera

Martin

I think you have mentioned my main concern.

I have seen records on the COG Birdlist for quite a few years now of 'spotted doves' from Queanbeyan and from Tuggeranong, but on only 1 or 2 occassions in 36 years, both fairly recently, have I seen them in Belconnen. Both single birds.

So it does concern me to see 6.

I know from breeding doves they have 2 young per nest. So if it is a family, it has to be minimum 2 nests, I forgot to mention that.

I just have the feeling, from what I know from captive dove species, once the second clutch fledge the adult males become super aggressive towards the first clutch. The first clutch do start calling at a young age.

If so, the fact that 3 were calling, and fighting, and if the above is true, which seems a real possibility, this means they are successfully breeding in the locality.

With new establishment of weeds/pests there is often a period where the species establishes, very slowly, then reaches a critical mass and explodes. Much like happened with Common Mynas, and St Johns Wort..

WebSearch for 'sleeper species' for more evidence of this.

The amount of $ to eradicate 'sleeper species' before they expand, is minimal, whereas 'control' of established species is astronomical.

Benj

-----Original Message-----
From: martin butterfield <>
To: Peter Ormay <>
Cc:
Sent: Sun, Mar 6, 2011 12:30 pm
Subject: STDs in Weetangera

I have attempted to summarise the SD (how I miss that T) situation as recorded in the GBS in http://franmart.blogspot.com/2011/03/spotted-doves-in-canberra-where-things.html (which saves sending about 5 separate files to folk.

Martin

On Sat, Mar 5, 2011 at 10:19 AM, Peter Ormay <> wrote:

A sighting of 6 Spotted Turtly Doves is alarming. I agree whole-heartedly about trying to do something.  Perhaps COG could persuade the Indian Myna Action Group to ask it's members who have Spotted Turtle Doves in their areas to try to trap them.

Peter Ormay