And how many butterflies did you see last summer in the suburban Hunter or Sydney? They used to be plentiful but all I can recall is Swordgrass Browns when I got well into the bush.
Graeme Stevens
From: Birding-Aus <>
On Behalf Of Robert Scholes
Sent: Tuesday, 19 May 2020 9:04 AM
To: Michael Hunter <>
Cc: <> <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Insecticides
Couldnt agree more. Not only insects 0affected but I am sure humans too. Asthma was unusual 60 years ago to name just one illness.
On Tue, 19 May 2020, 4:09 am Michael Hunter, <> wrote:
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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