Merri Creek Bird Survey at Bababi Djinanang November 2013

Red-browed Finch

The quarterly bird survey along Merri Creek is on Sunday 10 November. In Fawkner the survey is at Bababi Djinanang. Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2) just before 8.45am.

Beginner-birders are always welcome to participate in surveys. Bring binoculars if you have them, and preferably wear sombre colours. Closed-in footwear and a sunhat would also be useful. No dogs, please.

Also on 10 November following the surveys, you are invited to a workshop on tackling Common (Indian) Mynas, an invasive pest bird.

Bird Survey meeting points:

Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner: Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2).
Egan Reserve-Harding St-Strettle Reserve: Meet at steps at end of The Grove, East Coburg (Melway 30 A3).
Coburg Lake Reserve: Meet near the car park, Lake Grove Coburg (Melway 17 H10).
Edwardes Lake: Meet at the playground adjacent to Griffiths St, Reservoir (Melway 18 E5).
CERES to Moreland Road: Meet at the seats on the Merri Path at rear of CERES near Blyth Street, East Brunswick (Melway 30 B7).
Phillips Reserve, Merri Park: Meet at the end of Victoria St, East Brunswick, at barbecue shelter (Melway 30 B8).
Hall Reserve- Yarra Bend Park: Meet at the Rotunda, Hall Reserve, Clifton Hill (Melway 2D D1).
Galada Tamboore: Meet at the end of Hatty Court, Campbellfield (Melway 7 K6).

The surveys at Bababi Marning and Galgi Ngaark will be a week later, on 17 November, 8.45-10.30am.

Galgi Ngaark (Craigieburn Grasslands): Meet at the O’Herns Road gate off Hume Highway (Melway 180 E6).
Bababi Marning (Cooper St Grasslands): Meet outside the Istrian Social Club, Cooper St Epping (Melway 387K10).

The survey is organised by Friends of Merri Creek. Contact for all Birdwatch events is Ann McGregor 0429 386 102. See the Friends of Merri Creek Birdwatch webpage for further information.

Common (Indian) MYNAS: Tackling an invasive pest

Friends of Merri Creek are also holding a joint event with Yarra Indian Myna Action Group:

11.30am, Sunday 10 November (immediately following Merri Creek bird surveys) at CERES – Van Raay Centre meeting room 2, off Stewart Street, East Brunswick.

Common (also known as Indian) Mynas are very aggressive, competing with native wildlife for scarce resources. They evict animals and birds from their nests, attack chicks of other species and breed in tree hollows rendering them unusable by other wildlife. They also nest in house roofs and gutters, leading to water damage to buildings. They are carriers of bird mite and other avian diseases.

Jamie McGlade of Yarra Indian Myna Action Group will talk about some of the successful campaigns against Mynas in various parts of Australia. One of YIMAG’s aims is to eliminate Mynas from the Diamond Creek valley. Jamie will explain how to use a Myna trap. Traps for sale and plans to build a trap will be available.