I have heard of the removal of particular acacias introduced from other parts of Australia that locally behave as weeds competing with local species and are
therefore removed, eg. the Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_baileyana) which is classified as a weed in Canberra. However, I have no idea if that has anything to do with this situation.
John
From: Mark Clayton [
Sent: Tuesday, 9 April 2013 3:36 PM
To: 'Bill & Raelene';
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Denuding acacias in Bonner
Bill,
The ACT Government seems to have a thing about Acacias and tends to remove them wherever they occur. They are perceived as a fire risk so must be removed at
all costs. I blame the destruction of Acacias for the loss of many of our small birds and don’t blame the Pied Currawong as a lot of people tend to do. There use to be a lot of mostly mature Black Wattle (??)along Baldwin Drive in Giralang that was alive with
thornbills etc. When these were removed after the 2003 fires, all the small birds disappeared. I notice that there is now a lot of Acacia regrowth in this area now so it will be interesting to see what happens. Even the nature reserves are not immune from
this treatment.
Perhaps someone can disprove my theory so I am sure we would all like to hear an alternate reason!
Cheers,
Mark
From: Bill & Raelene
Sent: Tuesday, 9 April 2013 11:58 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Denuding acacias in Bonner
Morning survey at Maza Place ponds in Bonner turned up a 31 Grey Teal and a first, a Red-kneed Dotterel. Around the ponds I noticed stumps at ground level then saw that all the acacias had been stripped. The acacias were the dominant
shrub up to 4 m and the remainder looked like a bad haircut. There seemed to be no logic in this action as the plantings were about 5 years old.
Common Bronzewings from Mulligans Flat used the site for ground feeding. What could have prompted this action?
Bill
