Morning Mirror 73- 1st December 2003

In this edition

Have a Heart

Smalls 73

STONE THE CROWS?

Hang on a minute - and put down that rock. Shouldn't we be giving this a bit more thought?

The pied crow is a true-blue Zimbabwean, not like the dear little house sparrow, who claims the lion's share at the bird table without ever renouncing his English origins, nor even the gorgeous paradise flycatcher who claims temporary right of abode in equatorial Africa when he doesn't like our winter weather.

OK, so he's loud, arrogant and disrespectful - a bit of a delinquent.

But the pied crow is part of a family of birds who are generally reckoned to be the smartest of them all. Intensely curious and innovative, they will pick up and investigate interesting objects. In New Caledonia they've been seen using "tool kits" of various shapes and sizes of twigs to extract different insects from the foliage. And they're playful too, crows have been seen pulling vultures' tails at a kill, and sometimes they hang upside down from branches or even suspend themselves from their bills. Just for the hell of it.

Their feeding habits qualify them as urban vultures and there's the rub. There's a superabundance of food in Bulawayo these days and like all animals, including ourselves, crows take full advantage of the good times. More food, more crows, more trouble.

On our farm at Marula, Rich has been doing a study of nesting birds for the past ten years. The predation rate on open nesters like bulbuls (toppies) has been staggeringly high. Up to 90% of these nests are trashed each year by snakes, monkeys, baboons, night apes, genets and other birds. We don't like it but we haven't contemplated exterminating the offenders. They're making a living, that's all. Our feelings about it are irrelevant.

The trouble is that in our towns we have caused an imbalance in the crow population by making conditions so attractive for them. We made the problem, now it's up to us to solve it.  We have to start by cleaning up our act, and stop leaving rubbish around.

In Harare in the 80's, crows were accused of spreading disease in the townships and suburbs. Get rid of the crows! people shouted, until someone pointed out that there must be plenty of rubbish about to feed all these birds, and that if they didn't do the job of cleaning it up, someone else would. RATS! A single pair of house rats can produce up to 100 offspring in a year, and in 1665, these busy little creatures managed to reduce the population of London by half with the bubonic plague.

I know who I'd rather share my garden with!

Bookey Peek


THOUGHTS FROM ABROAD

name: Terry D. Quinn
email: tquinn66@hotmail.com

While doing some research on Chivhu-Enkledoorn, I bumped into your website and thoroughly enjoyed the articles.

I'm an American who lives in Johannesburg and has an on-going love affair with Chivhu and Beira, Mozambique (partially abandoned places that once must have been quite something etc.).

Well, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your countrymen and women. My best friends, the Coopers of Harare, are the nicest people I have ever known and I visit them at least once a year.

All the best to you. By the way, did you go to the two drive-in theaters in Bulawayo when you were a child? I've taken many pictures of them over the years. I'm 37 years old and was lucky to have had a drive-in in my small town growing up (then it was demolished for a 16-theater, indoor monstrosity).

SCHOLEFIELDS

I have a lovely long e mail from Clive and Lyn Scholefield, if anyone would like me to send it to them please e mail me on magskriel@mac.com  


CONGRATULATIONS

  • 'Mike and Thelma Mylne (ex-Esigodini, now in Hilton, SA) are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their seventh grandson, Mark, born on 25th November to Dave and Brenda van Wyk in Gaberone'

  • Alex and Dean Kendall a beautiful baby girl, Amy Erin born on the 24th November. We are so proud of you both and wish you lots and lots of happiness. She really is a precious little girl. All our love, Kev and Mands

  • LANE THOMSON & POLLY GOSLING  WEDDING
    DATE : SUNDAY 28TH  DECEMBER 2003
    TO ALL INVITED GUESTS PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WOULD LIKE THE GUESTS TO START ARRIVING AT 3:30PM THE WEDDING CEREMONY WILL START AT 4PM PROMPTLY.
    Thank you.
    Thomson / Gosling families


CONDOLENCES

  • Sincere condolences to the Sargant and Brebner family . Ronald may your heart be at peace. Our heartfelt sympathy, love Catherine Sargant, Craig and Damian.

  • BILL POTTER  passed away on Saturday 22nd November 2003 much loved father of Wendy and Gary Brooking

  • Lourie Walenn, passed away 26th November 2003, after a long illness. Beloved Husband of June, Dearest Father of Di Kesson & Roy Walenn.