Supporting the Dubbo Indian Myna Program
Controlling the impact of Indian Mynas in the Dubbo/Wellington region
Capacity building - LEP23-005-MidMac-06_LLC_001
The issue
Dubbo Environment Group have been running an Indian Myna Control program for a number of years.
Indian Mynas, also called Common Mynas have a major impact on native species by taking over nests, aggressively bullying native birds from food sources and habitat, spreading disease and causing health issues. They also impact on native frogs, insects, squirrel gliders, pigmy possums and smaller reptiles.
Dubbo Environment Group manage 3 trailer-based aviary traps they park in areas of Dubbo where new populations are spotted. These large traps use a caller bird to encourage others in. They also make and sell smaller backyard traps for individual property owners.
This group needs support to increase the number of people trapping and to increase awareness of the impact of these birds.
The solution
Mid Macquarie Landcare have been busy spreading the word about Indian Mynas across social media and at our events. We regularly assist Dubbo Environment Group to move traps from Dubbo to other areas for people to purchase and we have supported their efforts to encourage Council to take the issue of feral birds seriously.
FUN FACT: Apart from their not-so-neighbourly attitude to native birds, they also have a significant economic cost to communities. Last year, feral birds cost a single Wellington business owner over $40,000! The damage to his heritage building resulted in long approvals, costly repairs and lost income.
We are excited that Dubbo Environment Group have been successful in securing funding for an aviary trap for Wellington, which Mid Macquarie Landcare will maintain locally.... watch this space!
The impact
8 new Wellington locals trapping and euthanasing Indian Mynas on a regular basis, a new large aviary trap on its way, and a whole new level of awareness locally about this species.
While it is still early days for this project in the Mid Macquarie region, we are hoping to see less of these pesky birds filling our skies as time goes on!
Find out more about the Dubbo Indian Myna Control Program or the Dubbo Environment Group
Key facts
- The Dubbo Indian Myna Control Program has been extended to Wellington with the help of Mid Macquarie Landcare.
- There is increased awareness locally about the impact of these pest species on native birds and other wildlife.
- More people are actively trapping birds in and around Wellington (and beyond!) and
- Things are about to get serious with our new aviary trap arriving immanently!