Worth clarifying that in regard to the quote: “ It clearly showed Noisy Miners attacking small birds.”
The bit that was clearly shown as a small bird was a pardalote (one instance), that was already dead, wedged into a tree by the experimenter, accompanied by pardalote calls played
through a speaker system. Thus it was a dramatisation and a very contrived experiment. As such, I think it diminished the credibility of the program and I am a little surprised that they would include such a scene. Not denying of course that Miners do monopolise
the resource and chase away so many other birds but that could have been shown without trickery. Also to explain the follow on that the excluding of pardalotes does appear to negatively affect the trees. In most cases the pardalotes would surely successfully
fly away.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Richard Allen via Canberrabirds
Sent: Wednesday, 2 February, 2022 12:13 PM
To: Peter Murphy
Cc:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Noisy Miners
I think it is reasonable to consider all approaches to benefit the biodiversity. Yes we’re responsible but it helps to have a balanced view rather than simply blocking action that contributes to restoration. You could equally argue that
you re taking it out on the open woodland if you choose to plant appropriate shrubs and understory.
Richard
On 2 Feb 2022, at 11:58 am, Peter Murphy via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
That is not the answer. Noisy Miners thrive in the urban human altered landscape. So humans then just kill the Miners? What next? Typical human behaviour, cause environmental change then take it out on the
wildlife! Doesn’t work anyway. The actual answer is to repair the landscape with appropriate trees and other foliage.
On 2 Feb 2022, at 11:47 am, Susan Robertson via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
I think we are all aware of the damage Noisy Miners do to other birds. However it was very clearly illustrated on last night’s ABC Catalyst program “The secret life of our urban birds” produced by Ann Jones. It clearly showed Noisy Miners
attacking small birds. Isn’t it possible for bird groups to put pressure the relevant authorities to trap and kill Noisy Miners in the same way that Common Mynahs are?
Susan Robertson
