A series of workshops giving local residents the ability to help reduce numbers of the indian myna bird across Campbelltown have been well-received, with more opportunities to be involved as the program continues to be rolled out into 2015.
The workshops form part of Campbelltown City Council’s Indian myna bird action program, which is being conducted in partnership with local men’s sheds to help raise awareness of the bird’s effect on human health and the environment and to provide effective methods for controlling the bird’s numbers in the local area.
Rated as one of the world’s top 100 most invasive species, indian myna birds are a feral pest and commonly referred to as rats of the sky for their ability to spread disease.
Indian myna birds pose a threat to the long-term survival of many native birds and animals and are considered a concern for biodiversity at a global level.
Interested community members can participate in the indian myna bird action program by attending a one-hour workshop to learn about the impact of the Indian Myna, effective trapping methods, animal welfare protocols and humane euthanasia.
Participants will then be able to purchase an indian myna bird trap, tailor-made by one of the local men’s sheds or, alternatively, be supplied with plans to make their own trap.
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 bird, which is of similar proportions and markings but is predominantly silver/grey in colour.
Mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Paul Lake, said four workshops had already been held and the response from the community was overwhelmingly positive.
“Indian myna birds are by far one of the biggest feral pests in our local area, and council is pleased to be taking this proactive approach to helping reduce their numbers across our city in partnership with the men’s sheds and local residents,” Cr Lake said.
“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.
“Training is also provided on how to effectively trap and humanely euthanise indian myna birds based on methods that are acceptable to the community, government and animal welfare authorities.
“Community members are encouraged to join this great program to help reduce the effect of indian myna birds on our environment and public health in our local area,” Cr Lake added.
Upcoming workshops are as follows:
Saturday, December 6, St Helens Park Hall, 10am;
Friday, February 6, Glenquarie Neighbourhood Centre, 6.30pm;
Saturday, February 14, St Helens Park Hall, 10am’
Monday, March 2, Hurley Park Hall, 6.30pm;
Friday, March 27, 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 campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/indianmyna.
Sightings of indian myna birds can be reported online at feralscan.org.au/mynascan.
