canberrabirds

Silvereyes on honey locust

To: Philip Veerman <>
Subject: Silvereyes on honey locust
From: Nathanael Coyne <>
Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2016 05:32:15 +0000
FWIW a) I may be wrong about the identification of the tree, and b) if it is indeed honey locust then I'm pretty sure it's a special thornless variety so the latter part of that description Philip posted wouldn't apply. 

I am surprised it's regarded as a weed here in Australia; it's quite popular with permaculturalists.



Nathanael Coyne

www.purecaffeine.com

Canberra, Australia
0431 698 580


On 16 April 2016 at 15:20, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Well I for one had no idea what a honey locust is, seemed like an odd name. So I found some info about it.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust It is a native of inland south-eastern USA. This includes this extract:

 

The species is a major invasive environmental and economic weed in agricultural regions of Australia. The plant forms thickets and destroys the pasture required for livestock to survive. The thickets choke waterways and prevent both domestic and native animals from drinking and also harbour vermin. The spines cause damage to both people and domestic and native wildlife and puncture vehicle tyres.[2][3] In much of the Midwest of the United States the honey locust is also considered a weed tree and a pest that establishes itself in farm fields.[4] In other regions of the world, ranchers and farmers who employ monocropping deem honey locust as a nuisance weed; its fast growth allows it to out-compete grasses and other crops.

 

Philip

 

From: Nathanael Coyne [
Sent: Saturday, 16 April, 2016 2:41 PM
To: COG
Subject: [canberrabirds] Silvereyes on honey locust

 

The last few years I've noticed Silvereyes are attracted to honey locusts planted around a nearby apartment block around autumn.

 

I can understand why the King Parrots are attracted to it for the seed pods but the pods are three times the length of a Silvereye and there's no way they can tackle the fruit!

 

Maybe they're eating insects that are attracted to the ripe seed pods?

 

Also, had a squadron of noisy miners just move through the street, grh. Hope they stay away.

 

Gang-gangs still in the area, three were circling around the suburb yesterday (Macquarie) and Rainbow Lorikeets who, like the Australian Ravens, gravitate towards a nearby heritage listed 30-metre Yellow Box.

 

Superb Fairy Wren perched on my bird bath (which I empty and clean every few days) seconds before diving in for a splash: https://www.flickr.com/photos/purecaffeine/26109793240/

 

Cheers,

 

Nathanael Coyne

www.purecaffeine.com

Canberra, Australia
0431 698 580


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