Re: misplaced priorities?

Let's throw the cat among the blackbirds:  "they're an introduced species-but have never exploded tn plague proportions".

Yes, and no.  In 1997 I spent a week on Mount Corricudgy, east of Rylstone and on the western side of Wollemi National Park (northwest of Sydney).  Mount Corricudgy is a basalt capped rounded mountain in a "sea of sandstone".  Some great birds for that part of the world including Pilotbirds, Crescent Honeyeaters, Grey Currawongs and Brush Turkeys.  Bassian Thrush were also quite common.

I revisited the area in 2001 and found that Blackbirds were among the most common species on the mountain.  They were absent in 1997.  This species has the potential to compete with the native thrushes and probably already do so in Victoria.  I certainly wouldn't put them in the same category as Mynas but they may not be as innocuous as they seem.

Food for thought.

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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