Thank you Sandra. I was disappointed in the report for a slightly different reason. I thought it was mainly untested and unreviewed observations and a jumble of thoughts about public policy on management of what passes
for wildlife in an urban setting. In my view CIMAG did a good job in the situation that existed, but the number of mynas now is about right, in that it is tolerable and cannot be eliminated or significantly reduced without using resources and expertise that
could be better applied to other things. If people are worried about the number of MYNAS near them, it is open to them to take CIMAG-type measures without drawing on the public purse.
At the beginning of September, in view of an increase in NOISY MINERS, I decided to devote the month to looking at what was happening with both MINERS (in particular) and (also) MYNAS. This has regard to the literature
and personal observations, and is a work still in progress. There are not so many MYNAS around. They exist in pockets. For example the car park at Majura Park shopping centre is a splendid place for them. They also gather in numbers at night roosts. However
they are far outnumbered by the (in my view more aggressive) MINER. One thing that became apparent in the last few weeks was that most bystanders I spoke to did not know that M[Y][I]N[A][ER] referred to two species. ‘Don’t try to confuse me’ was one reaction.
On reading the report this morning (thank you again Sandra), I noticed that one witness referred to MYNAS excluding magpies at Florey Oval. I was looking for one more observational foray to complete the month of September,
so I set off for Belconnen. My count for bird species on and around the relatively birdless Florey Oval is: S-c Cockatoo (overflying) 4: Swallows 3: Galah 1: Magpie-lark 3: Crested Pigeon 2: A Magpie 1. At the nearby Florey shops I recorded Magpie-lark 2:
S-c Cockatoo 1: Swallow 2: A Magpie 1: Starling 1: Silvereye (in street tree) 4.
Having heard that Kippax shops was a site for MYNAS, I decided to make a call there. On the way there I paused for 30 mins at the woodland at corner Krefft St and Southern Cross Drive. Three MINERS were in vicinity.
One approached me, scrounging fashion, and accepted a piece of the excellent bacon/egg roll I had acquired at Florey shops. I shall spare you the short list of birds at Kippax shops. However in the southern car park I found a MINER foraging between and under
the cars, for all the world like the MYNA behaviour at Majura Park. Perhaps my most interesting ob from a habitat viewpoint.
In summary, on my Belconnen visit I recorded no MYNAS. I am sure they are there, though.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of sandra henderson via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 30 September 2024 4:35 AM
To: Canberra birds <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] ACT Government inquiry into Common Mynas
Apologies if this has already been noted on this site, but the report of the ACT Government's inquiry into the Common Myna was released last week (and is profoundly disappointing in my view.) I would urge members to have a look at the report.
The recommendations in the report are:
Recommendation 1. The Committee recommends that the ACT Government recognise the ongoing efforts of CIMAG to control the Common myna population.
Recommendation 2. The Committee recommends that the ACT Government recognise the significant concern by the community regarding the threat to our ACT biodiversity as a result of the presence of the Common myna.
Recommendation 3. The Committee recommends that the ACT Government continue to monitor the impact of Common mynas on ACT biodiversity.
Recommendation 4. The Committee recommends that the ACT Government support community-led initiatives to educate the community and control Common myna population.
