Noisy Miner feeding chicks in nest
By: Michael Fox
Some species, like the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala, are quite happy to share our urban environment. These Miners like to make their nest in the protective wire basket on the lights. Very clever … protection from bigger birds and warmth at night for the eggs.
Now they just need food for the chicks. Nectar feeders, Noisy Miners are honeyeaters, still need protein from insects for their growing chicks.
So it was interesting to have Helen Schwencke, Earthling Enterprises, join us for Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcase last Friday.
Monarch butterfly caterpillar feeding on Red-headed Cotton Bush
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We found a number of fascinating and photogenic insects in the Reserve.
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Sometimes environmental weeds are the place to look for some of our most attractive insects. The milkweed species, Red-headed Cotton Bush Asclepias curassavica is a favourite of the Monarch or Wanderer butterfly Danaus plexippus.
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Small Green-banded Blue caterpillar on Red Ash
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One way to find micro-locals is to look for chewed leaves. An expert like Helen Schwencke can even tell what insect she is looking for just from the pattern of chewing on a leaf.
Caterpillars of the Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius feed on leaves of the Red Ash/Soapy Ash Alphitonia excelsa. The caterpillar’s lime green colour blends perfectly with the underside of the leaves.
Native Hibiscus Hibiscus heterophyllus
The name Soapy Ash comes from the effects of saponins on the leaves which create a foaming soapy action. A useful bush soap.
The attractive Native Hibiscus Hibiscus heterophyllus growing in the Pollinator Link display gardens are fast growing and good plants for attracting food for insect eating birds.
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Small Brown-black Leaf Beetle on Native Hibiscus
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We found a number of Small Brown-black Leaf Beetle Nisotra bicolorata feeding on Native Hibiscus.
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Ladybird Coelophora inaequalis
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Seeing a Ladybird Coelophora inaequalis spreading its wings is something special. The pattern of dots is a key to identification of Ladybird species.
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Infestation of Milkweed Aphid Aphis nerii
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Ladybirds are particularly valuable for control of infestations of Aphids.
Aphid infestations can cause massive damage as they suck juice from plants. Ladybirds are particularly valuable for garden pest control as both adult and larvae Ladybirds are predators.
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Sawfly – species not identified
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We found this beautiful Sawfly adult feeding on Sandpaper Fig Ficus opposita. We have not identified the particular species of Sawfly. I have sent the photo to the Queensland Museum Ask a question team for identification.
Sawfly larvae are curious looking caterpillars that feed on native plants.
The Sandpaper Fig is often called the Supermarket Tree. It attracts birds, can be used for shade, food, medicine, tools, fire and string to make nets and traps.
Mount Gravatt Environment Group 
October 21, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Hi, I thought noisy minors were an unwelcome species, not endemic to SEQld? I’ve seen them dispace so many species of birds I used to see around the area as a child before they moved in… Silver eyes, Willy wagtails, even starlings and sparrows! Why would we want to encourage and feed them??? I’d have thought as an env. group we’d have been looking at ways to ward them off…
Steph
October 21, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Hi Michael. That’s a clever spot for the noisy miners to place their nest. They used to love the flowering eremophila bushes we had on the farm out west. Unfortunately, I’ve now got Indian Mynahs, the introduced breed in my Brisbane yard and they’ve driven away my parrots from the nesting log. I don’t see the noisy miners as much now. I love seeing native hibiscus on my walks as I know there will always be some kind of insect activity on them to photograph. Great post. I’ll have to head back to the reserve again. It’s been a long while!
October 21, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for the comment Steph. Yes, these are always complex issues.
First, let’s clarify that you are talking about an Australian native species – Noisy Miners, NOT the alien species Common or Indian Myna Acridotheres tristis.
I am not aware that Noisy Minors are a non-endemic SEQ species. In fact, Carla Caterall says: “Noisy miners occur throughout subtropical and temperate eastern Australia.” http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/415/28838_1.pdf?sequence=1
Yes, Noisy Minors are bullies and can force out other species. See Carla Catterall’s – Birds, garden plants and suburban bushlots: where
good intentions meet unexpected outcomes – http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/415/28838_1.pdf?sequence=1
However, we are not working to feed Noisy Miners alone. I just used that example because of the curious nesting habits of these urban tolerant birds.
If we want to achieve a balance of bird life we need to provide a balance of food. Over the last decades there has been a major focus on nectar plants like Grevilleas. However, many of our smaller birds, like Fairy Wrens, need insects and Red-browed Finch want seed. See our Small Forest Bird planting https://megoutlook.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/global-team-builds-small-bird-habitat/
Michael Fox
October 21, 2015 at 8:09 pm
Thanks Jane.
I have actually just today collected an Indian Myna trap from B4C because we seem to have a couple of family groups moving back into the area.
Michael Fox