Surely, in the discussion of Common Mynas, carp, horses, etc, we are overlooking the greatest environmental threat of all - "Homo sapiens" (as used by romantic taxonomists).
Mostly feral population, but to distinguish "true ferals" from introduced varieties and indigenous varieties is politically "sensitive". Removal of "invasive populations" is proving to be politically dangerous.
Non-the-less, the fact remains that our species does far more damage than any other pest species.
Denis Wilson
On Mon, Dec 24, 2012 at 1:39 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
Of
course, as Mark says, there are far more severe threats to our wildlife than the
Common Myna. Though as we are discussing birds, I suggest the impact of trout is
somewhat limited (but that is another issue). Yes the Common
Myna likely has had localised negative impacts on populations some
bird species, especially when combined with other things (mainly diminished
supply of suitable large hollow forming trees). However that impact is still
mainly hypothesised on limited evidence. That is not to say we shouldn't still
be cautious and do something about it in places where there is still the
capacity to reduce the impact. There are reasons to reduce Mynas apart from any
potential negative impact on other species. Yes the Myna can surely at an
individual level out compete other species at particular nesting sites. In
Canberra the only evidence is that their impact is most obviously shown on the
Common Starling, with no empirical evidence (and indeed limited suggestive
information) of direct negative impact on abundance of any other species.
The parrots that we might have expected could most be impacted have all done
very well locally during the establishment of the Myna and continue to do so.
Yes they might have increased even more than most have done without the
Myna here but who knows. We don't have a parallel universe. Maybe a clue is
that the King Parrot, that never breeds in Canberra (but only in forests where
the Myna does not breed) and thus cannot have been impacted at all by nest
competition from the Myna, has increased the most of all the parrots.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Clayton
[
Sent: Monday, 24 December 2012 8:08
AM
To: 'Bill Handke'; ;
Cc: 'Alison Russell-French'; 'Anne
I'ons'; 'Bruce Lindenmayer'; 'Graham Gliddon'; 'Greg Flowers'; 'Ian Andrew
Fuller'; 'Kate Grarock'; 'Marg Peachey'; 'Megan Vandervelde'; 'Peter Ormay';
'ray barge'; 'Rosemary Blemings'; 'Ross Dalton'; 'Tony Peacock'; 'COG
List'
Subject: [canberrabirds] RE: [news] Myna Matters Bulletin
#25
Bill et
al,
Again a very informative
newsletter. I would however like to make a point on one comment, that being the
work of Darren le Roux and whether it can help getting the Myna listed as a
threatening process. It should in theory be an easy task given that so many
people dislike the bird. Unfortunately there are far more severe threats to our
wildlife, particularly native fish and amphibians posed by introduced trout and
other fish species but let anyone suggest removing them, especially trout, from
our lakes, rivers and streams or declaring them a threatening process, and watch
the outcry from the fishing fraternity. I know many people in departments like
the NSW NPWS would like to see this happen but politicians don’t have the guts to
try it! Just look at the ludicrous laws allowing hunting in National Parks that
are proposed by the O’Farrell government in NSW and the power of the gun
lobby.
Just something for people to
think about!
Merry Christmas all and a Happy
New Year,
Mark
From: Bill
Handke [
Sent: Sunday, 23 December
2012 10:23 PM
To: ;
Cc: Alison Russell-French; Anne I'ons;
Bill & Jenny Handke; Bruce Lindenmayer; Graham Gliddon; Greg Flowers; Ian
Andrew Fuller; Kate Grarock; Marg Peachey; Megan Vandervelde; Peter Ormay; ray
barge; 'Rosemary Blemings'; Ross Dalton; 'Tony Peacock'
Subject:
[news] Myna Matters Bulletin #25
Please find enclosed Myna Matters Bulletin #25 – the 2012
Xmas Edition. There has been an amazing amount of myna control stuff
happening all up and down the eastern seaboard over the past year. Lots of
it reported in here.
On behalf of the CIMAG Committee, have a great, safe Xmas and
a wonderful 2013.
Cheers
Bill Handke
Canberra Indian Myna Action
Group
--
Denis Wilson
If you're not pissed off with the World, you're just not paying
attention.
(Kasey Chambers)
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au
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