Campbelltown City Council will continue to roll out its Indian myna bird action program during 2016.
But as part of that strategy, council is offering local residents the chance to attend free workshops to learn how to combat the invasive Indian myna bird in their own backyard.
The workshops, held in partnership with local men’s sheds, aim to raise awareness of the birds’ effect on human health and the environment and to provide effective methods for controlling population numbers in the local area.
Participants will be able to purchase an Indian myna bird trap, made by one of the local men’s sheds, or alternatively, be supplied with plans to make their own.
Rated among the 100 most invasive pest species in the world, Indian myna birds have been referred to as flying cane toads for the negative impact they have on native animals and biodiversity.
They also pose a potential health risk to humans as accumulated droppings provide ideal conditions for disease and large roosts are a potential fire hazard.
Indian myna birds can be identified by their black head and chocolate brown body, yellow beak and eye patch, white wing patch (highly visible in flight) and long yellow legs.
They are not to be confused with the Australian native and protected species, the noisy miner, which is of similar proportions and markings but is predominantly silver/grey in colour.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, said that council was committed to working with residents to reduce the Indian myna bird population within the Campbelltown region.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Indian myna birds are one of the biggest pests in our local area, and council is pleased to take a proactive approach to reduce their numbers, in partnership with the men’s sheds and local residents,” Cr Hawker said.[/social_quote]
“Workshop participants will learn a variety of methods to help discourage Indian myna birds from inhabiting their backyard, such as reducing feeding, roosting and breeding opportunities.
“Residents are encouraged to join this very practical program to help reduce the impact of Indian myna birds on our local environment,” Cr Hawker said.
SNASPSHOT – workshops will be held on:
• Friday 12 February, 10am, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Fields;
• Wednesday 25 February, 6.30pm, Hurley Park Hall, Campbelltown;
• Saturday 5 March, 10am, St Helens Park Hall, St Helens Park;
• Wednesday 20 April, 6.30pm, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Fields;
• Saturday 11 June, 10am, Hurley Park Hall, Campbelltown;
• Friday 22 July, 10am, St Helens Park Hall, St Helens Park;
• Saturday 3 September, 10am, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Fields;
• Wednesday 20 October, 10am, Hurley Park Hall, Campbelltown;
• Friday 2 December, 6.30pm, St Helens Park Hall, St Helens Park.
As there are limited spaces available for each workshop, registration is essential. For more information, or to register for a workshop, call 4645 4601 or visit council’s Indian myna website link here.
