National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW
16/3/83
Subject: Agricultural Chemicals
In reply to Telex AA 63754 requesting information on effects of Agricultural Chemicals and any effects upon wildlife.
This district has noticed some effects of Agro-chemicals upon wildlife in this area.
i. During aerial spraying of locusts in this district, many farmers reported significant numbers on small insectiverous birds dying on their properties. The most commonly affected species in White Browed Woodswallow which does die in fairly large numbers.
ii. One particular pair of Peregrine Falcons which regularly nest within the Pilliga Nature Reserve has noticed to have a fairly low hatching rate, compared with other pairs further south in the Coonabarabran - Warrumbungle National Park area. One addled egg was removed from this nest after the 1981 season and sent to the CSIRO for Pesticide testing...
iii. White Cockatoos, Galahs, and Crimson Rosellas are often seen eating seeds from the flowering heads, of variegated Thistle in Warrumbungle National Park. These weeds are always sprayed with "D-800 Ester" (R) Du Pont.
No affects on these birds have been noticed, however no careful observations have ever been made.
During certain times of the year, White Cockatoos have been noticed to almost completely defoliate several Angophora trees near Wambelong Creek in W.N.P. This is the unusual behaviour noted.
***
Superintendent
Coonabarabran/Narrabri Districts.
National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW
16/3/83
Subject: Agricultural Chemicals
In reply to Telex AA 63754 requesting information on effects of Agricultural Chemicals and any effects upon wildlife.
This district has noticed some effects of Agro-chemicals upon wildlife in this area.
i. During aerial spraying of locusts in this district, many farmers reported significant numbers on small insectiverous birds dying on their properties. The most commonly affected species in White Browed Woodswallow which does die in fairly large numbers.
ii. One particular pair of Peregrine Falcons which regularly nest within the Pilliga Nature Reserve has noticed to have a fairly low hatching rate, compared with other pairs further south in the Coonabarabran – Warrumbungle National Park area. One addled egg was removed from this nest after the 1981 season and sent to the CSIRO for Pesticide testing…
iii. White Cockatoos, Galahs, and Crimson Rosellas are often seen eating seeds from the flowering heads, of variegated Thistle in Warrumbungle National Park. These weeds are always sprayed with “D-800 Ester” (R) Du Pont.
No affects on these birds have been noticed, however no careful observations have ever been made.
During certain times of the year, White Cockatoos have been noticed to almost completely defoliate several Angophora trees near Wambelong Creek in W.N.P. This is the unusual behaviour noted.
***
Superintendent
Coonabarabran/Narrabri Districts.