Campbelltown City Council still has those pesky indian myna birds in its sights.
Its latest move as part of its “indian myna bird action program’’ is to offer free workshops to local residents on how to combat any mynas 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.
More than a dozen workshops had already been held and the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, says Mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Paul Lake.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Indian myna birds are by far one of the biggest pests in our local area, and council is pleased to take a proactive approach to reduce their numbers across our city, in partnership with the men’s sheds and local residents,” Cr Lake said.[/social_quote]
“Workshop participants will learn a variety of methods to help discourage indian myna birds from calling their backyard home, 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 and public health,” Cr Lake said.
♦ Future workshops will be held on:
· Friday, July 24, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, 6.30pm;
· Saturday, August 15, St Helens Park Hall, 10am;
· Monday, August 31, Hurley Park Hall, 6.30pm;
· Friday, September 18, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, 10am.
For more information, or to register for one of the workshops, phone 4645 4601, email environment@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au or visit the website here
You can also report sightings of indian myna birds in your local area online in this website
