Phil-
You wrote:
Interesting to see Lloyd Nielsen's note that the
Black-billed Magpie has been destroyed by AQIS as
it may introduce disease. I assume this means that
AQIS will also be destroying all migrants birds as
well?
Is this all foot and mouth related hysteria?
No, its to do with the fact that perhaps the second greatest threat to
biodiversity, worldwide, after habitat destruction, is the deliberate or
accidental introduction of non-native flora and fauna to new areas, by
humans. Corvids are good candidates as potential environmental pests,
because many of them are opportunists/generalists,and are very adaptable. I
am intimately familiar with the magpie, and within its natural range it
occupies many types of 'open' habitats. . This species would probably be
very much at home in the woodland areas of Australia, and it could well do
significant damage there. It is a frequent nest/nestling predator, and an
aggressive competitor. Do you think it is worth the risk letting them turn
up, reside and possibly become established? Local species and ecosystems
will, over long periods, have reached some sort of equilibrium with natural
migrants, so the two things- migrants and introduced by humans- are a world
apart. If you disagree, as some do, and say that it can't possibly do any
harm, or things will reach some natural balance, then lets bring on the
lantana, goats, foxes, ship rats, rubber vine, cats and all the other things
which have been mistakenly judged as benign.
Scott O'Keeffe
-----Original Message-----
From:
Behalf Of Phil Gregory
Sent: 16 March 2001 10:59
To: birding-aus
Subject: Magpie destruction
Interesting to see Lloyd Nielsen's note that the
Black-billed Magpie has been destroyed by AQIS as
it may introduce disease. I assume this means that
AQIS will also be destroying all migrants birds as
well? Is this all foot and mouth related hysteria?
Regards Phil
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