It’s a win-lose situation

by PAUL FRASER

Most people living in the Blackall Range area would know that in addition to our beautiful native bushland areas, we also have an extensive invasive weed problem.

Having been involved with a few local Landcare groups, I quickly became familiar with the invasive weeds of the area. These include Smallleaf Privet, Broad-leaf Privet, Camphor Laurel, Wild Tobacco and Lantana to name just a few. Another thing quickly learned is that weed removal is an endless chore, they just keep returning. So, where do they come from?

Over the last century or so, some of our native bird species have developed a taste for the fruit of the above-mentioned weed species. Whilst this is a win by providing additional food sources for our native birds, it’s also a lose by having a very effective method of spreading the weed seeds.

I’ve even heard it said that the establishment of weed species, coinciding with native forest clearing in the early-mid 1900’s has potentially saved some bird species