It's all about the birds
Since playing Powerful Owl calls our resident Koel has not been heard again, 24 hrs later.
Hope it’s not coincidence.
Michael
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Dear All,
The topic of birds and anting crops up periodically on Birding-aus, most recently in the last few weeks. Not the same as earlier discussions, but related, is the relationship between ants and birds in the nest.
The following paper has just been published in the online journal, Scientific Reports, which looks at the value of birds’ nests for ants, based on a study of songbirds in Poland. The authors conclude that ants establish colonies in birds’ nests because the body heat of the nesting bird generates a thermal environment that favours optimal development of ant larvae. The host birds benefit from this relationship by relying on the ants to remove external parasites and other debris from the nest and feathers. In the study, the authors discounted the overall nest structure as the main attraction to ants and showed quite convincingly that the heat generated in the nest is a major benefit.
Thermal ecosystem engineering by songbirds promotes a symbiotic relationship with ants
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77360-z
Kind regards,
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde NSW
Hi Mike (and fellow Birding-Aus people…),
I hope that this note finds you well…
My first migratory swift record for this season was yesterday.
At 1:00pm, approximately 50 x White-throated Needletails were seen over the Kennedy Hwy, 43kms south of Mt Garnet and north of the Forty Mile Scrub NP boundary. They were in the main flying across the hwy from the north-west to the south-east, but a small number crossed over the hwy in the opposite direction. Most were about 30 mtrs above the ground, but about a third were hawking at twice this height above the treetops. Habitat was tropical woodland, weather was hot with a steady easterly breeze and just ahead of a trough line and cool change…
No Fork-tailed (Pacific) Swifts were among them.
Cheers for now,
Martin Cachard
Cairns, FNQ
0428 782 808
Martin Cachard
Phone: +61 428 782 808
It’s the nesting sites
Where do they next in our Capital ! Has anyone checked the Parliament Houses for these particular parasites. ?
Tree hollows would be limited in Canberra.
Sent from my iPhone
> On 22 Nov 2020, at 4:00 am, birding-aus-request@birding-aus.org wrote:
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> Today’s Topics:
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> 1. Re: Common Mynas (Geoffrey Dabb)
>
>
> ———————————————————————-
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2020 08:54:28 +1100
> From: “Geoffrey Dabb” < gdabb@iinet.net.au>
> To: “‘Martin Butterfield'” < martinflab@gmail.com>
> Cc: “‘Birding-Aus'” < birding-aus@birding-aus.org>,
> < canberrabirds@canberrabirds.org.au>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Common Mynas
> Message-ID: < 005001d6bf87$b8c61dd0$2a525970$@iinet.net.au>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”utf-8″
>
> I was not going to say anything about this, but I do have something to report. As Martin says, the Canberra anti-IM/CM group has had considerable success in reducing the species around Canberra. Canberrans have moved on, and concurrently with this discussion have been talking about whether and how to reduce NOISY MINER numbers around Canberra. That species has increased dramatically in the suburbs, and the current spring has been particularly good for them.
>
>
>
> What I have to report is the following. A few years ago Noisy Miners colonised a nearby suburban park. About three years ago, a pair of IMs disappeared from the park, where they had used a particular hollow. A case of being out-minered, I thought at the time. Just this morning, on the early dog-walk, I came across one of those flurries of bird interaction. A Noisy Miner was engaged in vigorous and sustained pursuit of an IM, one of two that had reappeared. Other Noisy Miners appeared and chased the pair of IMs from the park. If the latter do not reappear, I would take this as evidence that in some situations one species excludes the other.
>
>
>
> What usually happens now is that someone says ?Oh no. Here in Lower Birdwell both species live together quite happily.?
>
>
>
> From: Birding-Aus < birding-aus-bounces@birding-aus.org> On Behalf Of Martin Butterfield
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 November 2020 11:43 AM
> To: Tony Russell < pratincole08@gmail.com>
> Cc: Birding-Aus < birding-aus@birding-aus.org>; Geoff Ryan < geoffryanster@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Common Mynas
>
>
>
> Dear Ancient Twitcher
>
>
>
> The Canberra Indian Miyna Action Group has done an excellent job of stopping the increase of the pests in Canberra . However as another ancient twitcher said quite a few years ago “They’ll never get rid of the Mynas until they get rid of the stables at Queanbeyan and Canberra race tracks.”
>
>
>
> Martin Butterfield
>
> franmart.blogspot.com.au/
>
> mallacootaweatherwildlife.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, 18 Nov 2020 at 10:56, Tony Russell < pratincole08@gmail.com
>
> All this debate about Mynas, common or Indian, is all very interesting but doesn’t solve anything. They are HERE and there’s no way to get rid of them. They are as common as sparrows and starlings, get used to them and live with it, just as we do with other introduced species. Sorry fellas, you are wasting your breath.
>
>
>
> Ancient twitcher.
>
>
>
> On Wed, 18 Nov 2020 at 08:27, < friarbird43@bigpond.com
>
> I could not agree more Geoff and, for the benefit of the birds, I am now embarking on a wide ranging policy of human genocide. Please join me.
>
>
>
> While this policy may attract its critics, it is clearly the best approach to solving the current environmental problems, including those caused by introduced species.
>
>
>
> Taking responsibility for human introduced species is, of course, silly. We should embrace their impact and pacify ourselves by staring guiltily at any available mirror.
>
>
>
> Geoff, you have got me on a bad day. However what good is guilt and what solutions do you offer or are you seriously suggesting that we should just ignore introduced species?
>
>
>
> Cheers
>
> Ken Cross
>
>
>
> From: Birding-Aus < birding-aus-bounces@birding-aus.org
> Sent: Wednesday, 18 November 2020 6:11 AM
> To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Common Mynas
>
>
>
> I am surprised that, on a birding site, some still use the misnomer of ‘Indian Myna’, for Acridotheres tristis. The accepted common name is ‘Common Myna’. And the introduced bird is common up and down the east coast of Australia with varying densities. Populations also extend well inland in certain areas. No doubt it is aggressively successful and competes with native birds when it occurs in dense populations. However the Common Myna is not as widespread, or in such dense populations, as its close relative the Common Starling. Sturnus vulgaris which also competes with native wildlife.
>
>
>
> In recent travels I have also noticed that populations of House Sparrows have spread into remote agricultural, pastoral and bush areas, well away from houses. All these introduced birds, including the Common Blackbird and the Spotted Dove, appear to be increasing their range and, presumably, their impact on native birds.
>
>
>
> However, before we get sanctimonious and judgemental about these birds we should consider, carefully, what we could do about the one species that is far more destructive, widespread and invasive than all these and the major cause for the reduction of our native bird populations and species. It is the species we see when we look in the mirror.
>
>
>
> Perhaps we should accept the blame and not deflect our guilt onto introduced bird populations.
>
>
>
> Geoff
>
> .
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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http://www.indianmynaaction.org.au/
A lot can be and has been done about them. We have had a massive decline of the species, in Canberra, after a concerted effort over a lot of years. Just a suggestion following up on recent comments to check out this source. And don’t waste time debating the name. It was chosen by the group, when it was set up years ago, (not that I agreed) but it was thought by a vote of those present as I think I recall, that more of the public know them as Indian Mynas than Common Mynas.
Some of the comments are odd. Addressing one issue does not negate addressing another issue.
Philip
On 17/11/2020 17.42, Tony Russell wrote:
> All this debate about Mynas, common or Indian, is all very interesting
> but doesn’t solve anything. They are HERE and there’s no way to get rid
> of them. They are as common as sparrows and starlings, get used to them
> and live with it, just as we do with other introduced species. Sorry
> fellas, you are wasting your breath.
>
> Ancient twitcher.
Playing with pussies.
Stephen’s reference on cats seemed more directed to one’s own pet pussy rather than to the problem of general protection of wildlife, (as outlines in the reference, an eye watering problem) from feral or uncontrolled domestic moggies.
Here in Mulgoa we have largely eliminated them by using possum traps, most successfully baited with commercial cat food, which is so good that I suspect that it contains pheromones. Our friendly vet euthanises them with a simple almost instantly fatal injection of some description.
However, it is a continuous process, a trap is kept permanently set, and over the past six months no cats caught. Just the occasional cheeky Magpie, one of which, named “Violin” after the pattern on its. wings and back, and he/she kept returning until the trap was relocated beyond their ken.
As an aside, other than by behaviour, can Australian Magpies be sexed on appearance.?
Cheers
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
> On 18 Nov 2020, at 4:00 am, birding-aus-request@birding-aus.org wrote:
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> than “Re: Contents of Birding-Aus digest…”
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> Today’s Topics:
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> 1. Cats and birds (stephen prowse)
> 2. Re: Indian Mynah control (Rod Warnock)
> 3. Re: Indian Mynah control (Penny Brockman)
>
>
> ———————————————————————-
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:01:17 +1000
> From: stephen prowse < stephenjprowse@gmail.com>
> To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Cats and birds
> Message-ID:
> < CABzNmuxDH2YdBBWsJ1vzgrtXng4O7yc0yFkEMbAKPMfuS92saA@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”utf-8″
>
> There is good evidence that both domestic and feral cats have a serious
> adverse impact on avifauna.
>
> Birds Queensland has produced a brochure that encourages people to better
> manage their cats.
>
> This brochure may be found and downloaded here:
>
> birdsqueensland.org.au/cat_safety_brochure.php
>
> Please download and use wisely. We feel that it is important not to be seen
> as anti-cat but to persuade people, Councils and State Governments to move
> towards improved cat management. Aggressive anti-cat positions are
> polarising and will achieve nothing.
>
> Cheers
>
> Stephen
>
>
> Dr Stephen Prowse
> Research Translation Consultant
> Chair – Protect the Bush Alliance
> Conservation Officer Birds Queensland
> www.ptba.org.au
> www.birdsqueensland.org.au
> 0419371134
> stephenjprowse@gmail.com
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> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:27:20 +1100
> From: Rod Warnock < rw5666@gmail.com>
> To: Michael Hunter < drmhunter@westnet.com.au>
> Cc: “< birding-aus@birding-aus.org>” < birding-aus@birding-aus.org>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Indian Mynah control
> Message-ID:
> < CAE-VREn96TiLqmuuj1=RY=Abb2EbCXyse2GYmcj8RL-mCiq+mQ@mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”utf-8″
>
> When I arrived in Kilaben Road ,Kilaben Bay on Lake MacQuarie 40 years ago
> I was plagued with Indian Mynas.
> I planted Grevilleas and Bottlebrushes and in came Noisy Miners after the
> above native plantings within 12 months the Indian Mynas vanished. No
> baiting etc they simply vanished. All I planted were as above.
> Best regards
> Rod Warnock PhD AFIAP
> Nature: The Cathedral of Awe !!
> Rod Warnock Bird and Wildlife Photography
> www.rodwarnockphotography.com
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 2:41 PM Michael Hunter < drmhunter@westnet.com.au>
> wrote:
>
>> Indian Mynahs are a pestilence on much of Sydney’s suburbia.
>>
>> They can be virtually totally eliminated by blocking their nesting
>> cavities, which are invariably under the eaves of houses, often via gutters.
>>
>> Trapping and wringing their necks (“euthanising”) is never ending,
>> stopping them from breeding is permanent.
>>
>> In Suburbia it would be a big deal for all houses to block off, but should
>> be a program instituted by all the relevant Councils.
>>
>> Education pamphlets distributed to all households, possibly the provision
>> of mobile teams of ladder men with a supply of old (“nylon”) socks or wire
>> netting would get completely rid of these “flying rats”.
>>
>> Hopefully the return of many small native bird spp. to suitable areas
>> would follow. Particularly areas without uncontrolled cat populations .
>>
>> I can personally vouch for this. The only Indian Mynah nest in a tree
>> cavity that I have seen was short lived thanks to either goannas or other
>> hole nesting birds . Not applicable in most of infested Suburbia.
>>
>> Yours Very Sincerely
>>
>> Michael Hunter.
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>
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> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2020 15:44:38 +1100
> From: “Penny Brockman” < penny@pennydb.org>
> To: “Charles Hunter via Birding-Aus” < birding-aus@birding-aus.org>
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Indian Mynah control
> Message-ID: < 7014a689-5a53-4ce4-b9f4-3ff8f951d13e@www.fastmail.com>
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>
> I have no mynas except in summer occasional visiting pair that nest in nearby old red gum. Garden has almost no grass, thickly planted natives. Noisy miners are common southern end town around parks, sales yard, hospital and high school. And nearby river flats with cattle and crops. Lots dodgy house roofs and old gums for nest sites. However in 18 years residence myna numbers are going up. Nobody cares enough to trap consistently and I?m too old and increpit to manage such a program as well as problem of disposal.
>
> Like all problems with weeds it?s only when the infestation gets enormous and starts causing economic problems that anybody takes action.
>
> ——————–
> Penny Brockman
>
>
>> On Tue, 17 Nov 2020, at 2:27 PM, Rod Warnock wrote:
>> When I arrived in Kilaben Road ,Kilaben Bay on Lake MacQuarie 40 years ago I was plagued with Indian Mynas.
>> I planted Grevilleas and Bottlebrushes and in came Noisy Miners after the above native plantings within 12 months the Indian Mynas vanished. No baiting etc they simply vanished. All I planted were as above.
>> Best regards
>> Rod Warnock PhD AFIAP
>> Nature: The Cathedral of Awe !!
>> Rod Warnock Bird and Wildlife Photography
>> www.rodwarnockphotography.com
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 16, 2020 at 2:41 PM Michael Hunter < drmhunter@westnet.com.au> wrote:
>>> Indian Mynahs are a pestilence on much of Sydney’s suburbia.
>>>
>>> They can be virtually totally eliminated by blocking their nesting cavities, which are invariably under the eaves of houses, often via gutters.
>>>
>>> Trapping and wringing their necks (“euthanising”) is never ending, stopping them from breeding is permanent.
>>>
>>> In Suburbia it would be a big deal for all houses to block off, but should be a program instituted by all the relevant Councils.
>>>
>>> Education pamphlets distributed to all households, possibly the provision of mobile teams of ladder men with a supply of old (“nylon”) socks or wire netting would get completely rid of these “flying rats”.
>>>
>>> Hopefully the return of many small native bird spp. to suitable areas would follow. Particularly areas without uncontrolled cat populations .
>>>
>>> I can personally vouch for this. The only Indian Mynah nest in a tree cavity that I have seen was short lived thanks to either goannas or other hole nesting birds . Not applicable in most of infested Suburbia.
>>>
>>> Yours Very Sincerely
>>>
>>> Michael Hunter.
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>
Birding-Aus mailing list
>>>
Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org
>>>
To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
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