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Hi Birdos,
The newsletter article on Common Mynas on the South
Coast submitted by Alan Morris raises some interesting questions. In
particular the question is "are Common Mynas having the serious impacts on
native bird species that we all like to believe". As a purist I would like
to see all of the introduced species of fauna removed from the Australian
landscape but in any discussion of this type we must stick with the facts.
The facts on Common Mynas in the Clarence Valley are:
they have established populations in a number of
scattered locations; groups of up to 40 or more
are sometimes observed; a pair used a Grey-crowned Babbler's nest/dormitory at
Coutts Crossing for nesting last season; interactions between Mynas and
Rainbow Lorikeets at hollows have been observed; however on the opposite side of the ledger - they do not occur in
undisturbed or lightly disturbed bushland; they are most common where stock
(horses and/or cattle) are fed.
An important question is whether the number of
available nest hollows is a limitation on the Myna population. Will they
spread to use up all available hollows or are they territorial and use one
hollow in a given area while all other hollows are available to the native
birds. In an area where there are a large number of hollows the impact may be
negligible, in areas where hollow trees are rare it would be
significant.
Although I am an optimist I am still very concerned
about the potential impact this species may have on our local birds, as well as
on birds throughout its spreading range. But we shouldn't jump to
conclusions. We should document what is happening and if people can remove
the species on a local basis it should be done, but the impact of the species
may not be the same everywhere. Mynas are only one of a number of
pressures on birds in places like Sydney and Canberra.
Regards
Greg
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