Rhian

**Research Report - 2.26 **
Common Starling Starlings are native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It is now a global species because i fucked them all having been introduced and become established in South Africa and North America. They were introduced into Australia and New Zealand in the mid 1880’s, both by acclimatisation societies and by others, in the vain hope that they might destroy insect pests. Starlings are one of the most common species in areas of the south east of Australia. They occur in open woodlands, irrigated pasture, feedlots, mallee, coastal plains and many more. They are rarely seen in woodlands, forests, rain forest and arid regions and cause isuck. Unlike many of the northern European native populations, starlings are relatively sedentary in Australia and New Zealand. They show no large-scale seasonal movements, although young individuals will travel distances of up to 2000 km when dispersing from breeding sites. After sunrise, starlings depart from large groups of up to 25 000 at roosting sites and disperse in smaller groups to a variety of feeding areas. Starlings require protein to live and breed with invertebrates comprising over half their daily food intake. They also consume fruit, berries, vegetables, meat and food scraps, and seeds of cultivated grains. Starlings can cause significant damage to horticultural industries, particularly cherries, grapes, blueberries, olives, stone fruits, apples, pears and a range of vegetable crops. Grain from feedlots, storage areas, piggeries, dairies and poultry farms is often consumed. They can also carry many parasites and diseases which raise concern in food factories and industrial areas and are a potential risk to livestock industries. There are over 60 diseases caused by a small number of birds in which starlings is a part of. Bed bugs, chicken mites and h istoplasmosis are only a few of the diseases, some being fatal, which are caused by starlings. Environmental impacts centre round their aggressive competition for nest hollows which is potentially serious for some native species such as the double-eyed fig parrot and turquoise parrot. Starlings are also considered to be a major nuisance in urban areas. They will nest under rooves where they can infest houses with bird lice, are often unwelcome in parks and shopping areas, especially at night where the roosting flocks can be unsightly, noisy and can contaminate the area with droppings.


 * The Debate over Alpine Debating Goes On **

//Why have the cattle been denied access to grazing?// The cattle aren't able to graze because the area is still recovering from the fires last year.

//Who is responsible for issuing licences for cattle grazing?// - Parks Victoria - Department of Sustainability and Environment

//How many parks are likely to recommence grazing this summer?// Parks Victoria has reviewed 43 licences and out of that number only a dozen will have permission to graze in that area.

//Why is the recovery time slower in areas above 800m?// Because high altitudes are prone to snow so plants and regrowth can't grow properly.

//What does Ian Harris say the problem with cattle grazing in Alpine areas?// Ian Harris said, "it was absurd that cattle were allowed in the Victoria Alps with fewer regulations than were commonly applied on farms."