As World Animal Day- October 4 comes and goes it is a time to reflect on our relationship with the non-human animals we share our community with.
Our fond relationship with the local birdlife was highlighted last month when several distressing calls were received about the numerous dead Magpies that were being found around Rofe Street and Stansfield Close, “at least 11 in the past 3 weeks”.
A local had taken a bird to the local vet, who identified poisoning as the problem, our local wildlife carer received a sick bird which was rehabilitated and released, then found dead. Two other reports from locals were received which prompted a bit of research as to the possible causes.
On the back of the Warnervale bird poisoning the first thought was someone is deliberately baiting the birds.But there was another possibility ‘Lawn Care syndrome’… poisoning by unknowing locals from readily available chemicals that are used to spruce up the lawn.
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre states that in America about 67 million birds are killed annually due to pesticide ingestion.
The Risks from lawn care pesticides report produced by the US group Environment & Human health Inc. details the impacts of lawn care products and states “Some common lawn-care pesticides are toxic to birds (including 2,4-D and diazinon), while others kill the plants relied upon by insects, which in turn can reduce the available food supply for insectivorous birds.”
Diazinon, a popular, highly versatile general insecticide used to control soil and foliage insects as well as flies in many horticultural industries, in Australia, is under review and it has been found that it poses “an undue hazard to the safety of people and animals as these products could break down to produce highly toxic impurities”.
Dicamba is another pesticide that doesn’t look too good with it being neurotoxic in animals. Bindii contains Dicamba and MCPA – both are selective herbicides similar to 2,4-D and are ‘restricted use pesticides’ in US. Dicamba is said to cause wing drop, loss of controlled movements and weakness in birds.
Apart from the inherent toxicity of lawn treatment products another impacting factor is that the chemicals are often not used according to the instructions. Some home gardeners think more is better and are underestimating the lethal effects of these toxic chemicals, that end up persisting and poisoning the wildlife.
So before you reach to weed n feed or control Bidii & clover please read the label and be aware that your lawn care may be causing deaths in the local birds population or consider some non-toxic alternatives and strategies.
It is an offence under the EPA’s legislation to use pesticides in a manner that harms non-target animals. If you have any information that may assist the EPA with this incident contact the EPA on 131555 with the reference number C13261-2016.
P.S The EPA has just advised the CPPA that local dead birds have been collected and are being autopsied to determine what poisons have been used. It will take a couple of weeks for the results to be known
