I'm rather concerned about Peter Ekert's response, particularly
given that for his Homebush role it seems to me rather
complacent about introduced plants. OK - there may be no or
little evidence in relation to camphor laurel (and privet) and
the pigeons.
But privet is an invasive environmental weed (as is camphor
laurel) and everything we know about how little we do know
suggests that the ecosystems will in some way or another be
damaged by these plants. An increase in pigeons is no more
valuable ecologically than an increase in Common Mynas, however
much a buzz it gives local tickers.
What's happening to the understorey, the insects, the
biodegredation of leaf fall ...
Anyhow as a child in England I was told never to eat the privet
berries. Folk nonsense - or folk wisdom ?
Michael Norris
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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