After an ornithologically sterile month traversing California, a creeping
realisation that Mulgoa Valley, once seething with small birds now has far
fewer, ditto Avoca on the NSW Central Coast, the penny dropped.
INSECTICIDES. are wiping out the base of the food chain in built up and
semi rural areas.
Not just for small birds, but all the way up to raptors like Black
shouldered Kites and falcons which include insects directly, and indirectly via
small reptiles which are largely insectivorous. Honeyeaters eat insects in
flowers as well as their nectar.
A very obvious example has been the demise of House Sparrows worldwide,
although granivorous their young need animal protein, in the form of insects,
to develop. Those insects have largely gone due to insecticides, House Sparrow
sightings are now rare. My last single sighting was in Bunnings Gosford
Nursery. ? Significance ?
Most Reptiles, most small Mammals, most Amphibians and most Fish need
insects.
How many Councils spray entire suburbs for Flies and Mosquitos,
unwittingly killing thousands of birds and reptiles.
A giant problem. Any suggestions re a longterm solution.?
"Bring Back the Birds. Ban inorganic and long lasting Insecticides "
Hoping that this starts a longterm campaigns
Much more to come.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
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