HELP protect local wildlife and sign up to an Indian Myna Bird Workshop.

The regular workshops are part of a Wollongong City Council-sponsored community program that aims to monitor, and reduce, the number of Indian Myna Birds in the region.

Indian Myna Birds are considered an urban pest. They are known to bully native birds around food sources, and compete for nesting sites.

Through the Indian Myna Bird Program people are taught steps taken to reduce the breeding, feeding and roosting opportunities for the birds. Participants also learn how to trap the birds in a humane way, using a method that’s accepted by the Pest Animal Advisory Group, an organisation made up of animal welfare and government agencies.

Council’s Natural Areas Coordinator Alycia Clifford said this is an essential program and one that has been successful in the city.

“To date we’ve had around 540 people attended the workshops since the launch of the program in March 2011 and we’ve collected a wealth of information that is being provided to University of Western Sydney as part of a two-year research project,” Ms Clifford said.

Council will run another workshop on Friday April 27 and another on Saturday May 26. People can register for the workshops by contacting Council.

“We know there are a lot of people in our community who are interested in protecting native species from this urban pest which can have an impact on wildlife and human health,” Ms Clifford said.

“This program is a positive way people can reduce numbers of this species that is native to the Indian sub-continent and South East Asia. It’s worth noting, people must participate in one of Council’s workshop before they may participate in trapping the birds.”