Back in 1989 (I think) Warringal Conservation Society organised a major
planting on the banks of Banyule Billabong, (Heidelberg) with the
co-operation of (then) Heidelberg City Council. The cover was then
blackberries and hawthorn under ancient Red Gums - with plenty of
Scrubwrens and Blue Wrens. We persuaded the Council that on NO account
were the blackberries to be removed until the new plantings were
well-grown. It worked, though as the trees and shrubs have grown up
into a more open woodland the smaller birds are now less noticeable.
Anthea Fleming
On 6/09/2017 5:34 PM, Michael Tarburton wrote:
> G’day Chris
>
> It looks like both White-browed Scrubwrens and Superb Fairy-wrens will
> re-colonise areas they have been exterminated from - but it may take a long
> time .
>
> I spent a couple of hundred hours studying these scrub wrens in Wurundjeri
> Walk in Melbourne 1989-1993 and found that they spent most time in the
> blackberries along the creek, and second-most time in the native Goodenia.
> They spent most time in the thickets quietly feeding. Council then took over
> the park and we started planting native shrubs and trees. Council took note
> of my work for five years and then sprayed the blackberries (our work had
> taken us overseas) while the Superb Fairy-wrens were nesting in them. We
> arrived back in Melbourne a few days later and saw a Fairy-wren at its nest -
> looking very conspicuous as the leaves shrivelled and fell off. Both species
> disappeared. Fairy-wrens have been seen this year - but did not stay.
> Scrub-wrens never seen again. They would have to come from Blackburn Lake
> reserve about 2-3 km away.
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