Remote South Pacific island aims to be first in the world to eliminate mynas

Early last century, the myna was introduced to Atiu Island in Cook Islands as a way of controlling insects and other pests in crops and gardens.

But within a few short years, its aggressive behaviour destroyed the local bird populations.

In 2000, the myna was declared to be among the world's 100 worst invasive species.

The people of Atiu have gone a step further, declaring a war on the myna - calling themselves the 'myanators'.

To see the rest of the story follow this link to the ABC website  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-06/an-cook-islands-aims-to-be-first-in-the-world-to-eliminate-myna/5185870

5000 MYNAS DOWN and STILL COUNTING

The CVCIA's Indian Myna group has now removed over 5000 of the pest birds from our pristine Clarence Valley environment, thereby allowing thousands more nest sites available for our wonderful natives.
Well done all trappers, keep up the great work.
Remember even if you only stop one pair from breeding over a couple of years they could have produced over one hundred offspring.

2013 Indian Myna Conference

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE INDIAN MYNA CONFERENCE

Titled - "Towards Best Practice Indian Myna Control" This conference is being held in Canberra June 19th at the CSIRO Discovery Centre.  So plan a wintery trip and include this one full day conference on your way to the snow fields, or Turner’s exhibition at the Canberra Art Gallery, or even better—the Britain & Irish Lions vs. ACT Brumbies Rugby Union game in Canberra, or whatever takes your fancy.  But make sure you pre-book accommodation as Canberra is pretty busy then.  Please come along and join us in our afternoon discussion and exchange ideas and observations and listen to the Drs, PhDs and other experts in the morning.  If you’re interested, please click on this link for the program or registration form or contact Kevin 6649 4712 for details.  We are looking forward to getting together with many other IM groups.
 

 

3/5/13 - Cold, cold toading nights!

When Rob suggested after Wednesday night's meeting that we go toading Friday night I screwed my nose up and said "won't it be a bit cold?" but after some cajoling I agreed so the 6 usual suspects (minus Kath, Mark and Annie) headed to Yamba to see if we could find any toads out.

Well blow me down if we didn't get 214 toads and scooped 50 tadpoles out! Goes to show you can still head out with your beanies and mittens and make a difference. :)

Beth and Ant, who is so cold he has wrapped a toad sack (clean!) around his shoulders!

Myna tally passes 4000

After a slow February when lots of rain and subsequent floods prevented most trapping, our tally of Indian Mynas trapped has passed 4000. Great work everyone, please keep us updated with your monthly trapping numbers.
However there are still plenty around as the recently taken photos show, so we still need to keep trapping and monitoring.

Junction Hill more than 75 Mynas (thanks Bevan for photo)

Palmers Island 65+ (Kevin snapped this one)

Lismore's Big Trap

Lismore City Council and the Men's Shed have built a large trap intended for areas with major Indian Myna populations. The photo show its size against a normal Pee Gee trap, we will keep you posted on their results.

Toadbusting Backtoad

Well, I'm a little behind in updating the blog for cane toad busting! Sorry everyone. Since my last post we have been out 3 times!

15th Feb - we went to Yamba and bagged 151 cane toads from the usual haunts. On 1st March we went to the Yamba Golf course (9 vols -great turnout!) and in between the rain and the harassment bagged 654 cane toads (there were tadpoles in the dam nearest the golf club).

Then on 15th March, 6 vols (not me - I was out sick!) spent the night out at Brooms Head with the amazing Russell Jago and bagged 270 cane toads.

Rob recording toads caught with Russell Jago

So we are pottering along with the same few volunteers but happy to chug along. See you out in the swamp! Cheers, Sharon.