Hi Birders,
Much is said about the effect of Mynas on native bird populations, but apart
from anecdotal evidence like that of Warren Thompsons, of Mynas taking over
tree hollows, particularly those of Eastern Rosellas and Red-rumped
Parrrots, it seems to me that nothing much is known of their effect. We do
know from research done by the Birds in Backyard Group in Sydney/Wollongong,
that Mynas are tolerant of small birds like Willy Wagtails, Silvereyes and
Superb Fairy-wrens etc and can live with them OK.
The problem is that Mynas are present because humans are continually making
new habitat for them. Here on the Central Coast, farmland and bushland is
taken over for new housing and industrial estates, and all treees are
removed. New McMansions and or office blocks or factories are erected, with
hardly any gardens and a few shrubs are planted, however lawns are always
established and often exotic palms planted. The total removal of all native
trees means that even Magpies, Currawongs, Butcherbirds, Kookaburras etc are
not able to initially establish because there are no nesting trees. This
means that Mynas have a head start and and they can nest in the buildings.
The exotic palm trees (and often mature trees are established) are liked by
Mynas and Starlings and they can nest in such trees and eat the fruit. More
instant pests!
Schemes for trapping Mynas are a waste of time while we continue to create
suitable habitat for Mynas. Golf Courses, Bowling Greens, Playing Fields and
Ovals are all suitable habitats for them and often at these places there are
no clumped plantings of native trees where native birds can exist
Even though at Bateau Bay there are plenty of Common Mynas, there are none
where I live because there are plenty of mature Blackbutt and Bloodwoods and
native plant gardens and understorey shrubs, and not many extensive lawns.
There are no mynas in my street because the Noisy Miners, Red Wattlebirds,
Little Wattlebirds, Magpies and Grey Butcherbirds keep them away.
The planting of wildlife corridoors, the revegetation of bushland around
isolated mature trees, bush regeneration along watercourses, Stock Reserves
and road sides, the replacement of extensive lawns with trees and shrubs is
what can control mynas and improve our native birdlife.
Until we get serious about these matters, trapping mynas is a waste of time.
Alan Morris
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