Dunrossil Drive pines removal (was Denuding acacias in Bonner)

[Erika Roper <>]

The family of magpies that lives in my yard has a couple of very well established nests in the pine trees, even though there are also many large, native trees in the yard. They have been using these nests for at least 20 years, though I'm sure it is much longer. I wonder why they prefer the pine trees?

On 22 August 2013 16:44, David Rosalky <> wrote:

I’m embarrassed to say that a pair of very friendly magpies (like our pets and we don’t feed them) has built a nest on needles half-way up a Pinus canariensis in our neighbour’s yard.  I don’t know if they are fair dinkum or just experimenting.

 

David R

 

From: Alan Ford [
Sent: Thursday, 22 August 2013 1:42 PM
To: 'Peter Ormay'; 'sandra henderson'; 'Paul Fennell'

Cc: 'David McDonald (personal)'; 'Cog line'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Dunrossil Drive pines removal (was Denuding acacias in Bonner)

 

Is the member of the public able to produce evidence that the pines were utilised throughout the year?

 

My experience with three species of pines in a back and front yard in a 15 year + observation is that they got very little use. Even the common Myna  wouldn’t demean itself to use the Deodar Cedar and the main occupants of the golden Cypress were juvenile Pied currawongs. We really need to think about the issue of why our birds are in decline and perhaps even a tiny level of local species planting on a broad scale may make a difference.

 

Alan

 

From: Peter Ormay [
Sent: Thursday, 22 August 2013 10:18 AM
To: 'sandra henderson'; 'Paul Fennell'
Cc: 'David McDonald (personal)'; 'Cog line'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Dunrossil Drive pines removal (was Denuding acacias in Bonner)

 

I see no sense in replanting or planting any pine trees on the western or northern sides of any suburbs or houses in the ACT considering pine trees proved to be such a fire hazard in the 2003 bushfire. The western and northern sides are where the scorching hot fires blow from that can create catastrophic fire conditions in the ACT. A couple of rows of green exotic trees on the western and northern sides may slow a fire racing through dry grass to a manageable extent.

 

Peter O.

 

From: sandra henderson
Sent: Wednesday, 10 April 2013 11:34 AM
To: Paul Fennell
Cc: David McDonald (personal); Cog line
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Dunrossil Drive pines removal (was Denuding acacias in Bonner)

 

 

the official line is that

"many of them were either "dead or dying.

Four hundred and forty trees will be cut down in two stages" - and replacements planted in 12-18 months

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/historic-government-house-pine-trees-to-be-replaced-20130318-2gbbt.html

 

sandra h

 

On Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 9:42 AM, Paul Fennell <> wrote:

I saw a news item the other day where I understood they were being removed because they weren’t well and would be replaced by the same or similar species.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

 

Paul Fennell

Editor Annual Bird Report

COG Databases Manager

 

026254 1804

0407105460

 

From: David McDonald (personal) [
Sent: Tuesday, 9 April 2013 5:12 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Dunrossil Drive pines removal (was Denuding acacias in Bonner)

 

I had a call this morning from a member of the public concerned about the removal of these pines. She advised that they are prime breeding and feeding resources for native parrots and wondered if any assessment has been undertaken covering this aspect. In her view, it is an important conservation issue.

David

Sent from David McDonald's iPad

Tel. 0416 231 890

On 09/04/2013, at 4:08 PM, Robin Hide <> wrote:

On the subject of landscape hair-cuts - the harvesting of the mature pines on Dunrossil Drive (Yarralumla Gov House end) was proceeding apace this morning.

Robin Hide

On 9/04/2013 11:57 AM, Bill & Raelene wrote:

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