Is killing Rooks still necessary?

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
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Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Neil Fitzgerald »

Rooks are persecuted because they are considered an agricultural pest. It is about $ and whinging farmers, nothing to do with native ecology. They tear up turf in search of grass grubs. Grass grubs are undoubtedly the bigger pest, but we have poisons for them too.

Since magpies were mentioned; these are conspicuous chasers of other birds, but insignificant predators. They are shot because they are noisy Australians.
SomesBirder
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by SomesBirder »

Neil Fitzgerald wrote:Rooks are persecuted because they are considered an agricultural pest. It is about $ and whinging farmers, nothing to do with native ecology. They tear up turf in search of grass grubs. Grass grubs are undoubtedly the bigger pest, but we have poisons for them too.

Since magpies were mentioned; these are conspicuous chasers of other birds, but insignificant predators. They are shot because they are noisy Australians.
I thought that they only chase Harriers; even then, a Harrier could tear a Magpie to pieces if it decided to.
I did not know that people dislike their calls. They sound much better than Spur-Winged Plovers; that is for sure.
Davidthomas
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Davidthomas »

And in large numbers during the breeding season they can be jolly annoying! However for all the magpie persecution we used to carry out on the farm (trapping/shooting) it never really made any significant difference in the numbers we saw. Infact now we have stopped any control i see less magpies then i used to. This may be an artifact that i actually looked for them more often or the numbers have somewhat stabilised in the waikato. As much as i dislike their chasing and displacement of birds they do have quite a nice song!
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Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Neil Fitzgerald »

Hi Somesbirder
Magpies chase a lot of things, and they are often not discrete about it. See Morgan et al 2005, Magpie interactions with other birds in New Zealand: results from a literature review and public survey, Notornis 52 (2).
http://notornis.osnz.org.nz/system/file ... 2_2_61.pdf

And for the study I think Jan was referring to earlier; Innes et al 2012, Using five-minute bird counts to study magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) impacts on other birds in New Zealand NZJE 36 (3).
http://nzes-nzje.grdev.co.nz/new_issues ... _3_324.pdf
Five regions, including Waikato and "magpies may restrict the movements of some birds (including kererü and tüï) in rural areas, but are less important than pest mammals at limiting population abundance at a landscape scale"
rod_259
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by rod_259 »

I find it strange that rooks are so persecuted in New Zealand and I am sure it is only because they are members of the crow family. All research, particularly in the UK shows that overall, by a considerable margin, they are beneficial to agriculture. Moreover, anyone who is lucky enough to be able to observe a rookery in Spring will see how interesting and intelligent these birds are. When you look at the real pests in NZ (apart from humans of course which I doubt will be exterminated!) then possums, wasps, magpies, Canada geese etc. it shows it is only the farming lobby that wants them removed and without any good reason. The authorities must have money to burn. What a very sad use scarce resources!!
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by andrewcrossland »

I'd suggest it wasn't the farming lobby that pushed for the eradication of rooks, unless there's some powerful union of walnut farmers?

Rather, it was regional pest destruction authorities looking for low-hanging fruit. Possums, ferrets, etc are very difficult to eradicate, while Rooks are a very easy tick. Find a rookery and poison or shot. pretty soon they're wiped out and a great big tick in the pest control achievement book.
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Neil Fitzgerald »

and visible, Andrew. People see rooks. Then people don't see rooks. Yay, I can see where my rates are going so I'm a happy ratepayer. Doesn't work with rats or mustelids.
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Jan »

And pest eradication is done by Regional Councils........what group of the population are elected as Councillors? Partic. in rural areas?
les
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by les »

saw a solitary one flying across the outskirts of`town`? on the northern side of woodville this morning,must be a few survivours of the poison campain this year?
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Re: Is killing Rooks still necessary?

Post by Steps »

Jan wrote:And pest eradication is done by Regional Councils........what group of the population are elected as Councillors? Partic. in rural areas?
Im of the understanding pest control by the local council is more in regard to complaints made due to inconvenience.. eg magpies harassing children in a park type of thing.
And DoC with conservation stuff.. like rats in conservation area, and illegally released lorries... pests that are considered serious threat to the NZ conservation
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