I have been successful in discouraging blackbirds from my garden through
dense planting of a prickly local native shrub (Bursaria spinosa) lots of
tufting grasses, some taller species such as Acacia implexa, and other low
growing herbs, and shrubs.

I am trying to recreate the bush that is local to me, but obviously it will
never be the same.

However, there has been a huge decrease in the number of indian mynahs,
Blackbirds and sparrows.

It has taken 2-4l years and the plants still are not fully grown, but my
patience is paying off!

The original poster mentioned that by poisoning the blackbirds no other
birds would be harmed, I beg to differ. IF the blackbirds die somewhere
other than your property, perhaps a bird of prey or carnivourous/omnivorous
creature might ingest said dead blackbird.... If enough poisoned animals are
ingested then the level of poison builds and can kill the consumer.

This issue is well known by all of you I imagine, and is as serious a threat
to the loss of birds of prey, and carnivorous mammals as habitat loss.

cheers

Susannah


"Geodyne" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 04:21:58 GMT, (Tom Elliott)
wrote:

Unfortunately, that bush corridor is going to become first a
construction site and then a freeway in a year or so. Farewell birds.
I can provide habitat for the parrots, but not for a raptor.

Exactly! Thses birds are going to find survival hard enough without
****wit gardners killing them off.

The original poster wasn't talking about killing off native birds,
they were talking about getting rid of introduced pests such as
blackbirds etc. The problem was the method of poisoning isn't such a
great idea.

Absolutely. To clarify my position further, I feel quite upset that
I'm going to lose the pleasure of seeing the native birds when the
roadworks begin, while the number of rotten Indian Mynahs will
probably remain the same. IF the OP finds a suitable method of killing
the blackbirds, would they *please* let me know!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing native birds in my garden. They
love my apple tree! Plenty for all.

My secret plan: I hae a neighbourhood coalition. We're planting
bird-friendly native species behind our back fences as soon as we know
where the construction fence is going to be :-)

Happy gardening to all.
Tara