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ATTRACTING BIRDS TO YOUR WINTER GARDEN

No garden is complete without birds. Native trees and shrubs are essential if you wish to attract the widest range of native birds. Tall trees and prickly shrubs also provide shelter and protection from predators.

Planning your Native Garden

You can increase the pleasure and satisfaction you get from your native garden by careful planning and plant selection. You should try, if possible, to create a mixture of over-storey, middle-storey and under-storey using trees, large shrubs, small shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. This combination will attract native birds which feed on nectar, insects, fruit and seeds. Dense and prickly shrubs can also be planted to provide protection from predators at ground level. Try and plant some species which flower in winter when food is scarce. Birds are attracted to plantings which create small dense patches of green interfacing with open sunlight.

Water for Birds

Birds are attracted by water to drink and to bathe in. Some COG members have found that water features are as important in attracting birds as native plants. If possible water depths varying from 3 to 8 cm should be used. Bird baths must be out of reach of cats (at least 1.7 m above the ground) and preferably under a shaded branch or perch where birds can enter and leave safely. You must really choose between having a free roaming cat and having birds - the two are not compatible. Alternatively, you could build a back yard cat run allowing room for your cat to exercise, whilst protecting native birds in the rest of your garden.

Bird baths need regular refilling and cleaning to remove green algae and the exotic berry seeds which are regurgitated by Pied Currawongs.

Nest Materials Warehouse

In early spring, a small platform placed high in the garden offering a supply of suitable nesting materials is another way of attracting birds to your garden. Suitable materials are human or animal hair, small lengths of wool, dry soft grass, teased out cotton wool and clean carpet fluff or underfelt.

Putting out Food

The continual artificial feeding of native birds is not recommended as it may lead to a long term decrease in numbers through increased dependence on artificial food, obesity, nutritional deficiencies and ultimately reproduction failures. However, during winter and spring small amounts of wild bird seed or chopped fresh meat can be placed out for birds provided this is done infrequently and at irregular intervals. Do not use processed human food.

Plants Needing Little Water

Many plants you can grow require very little water in addition to natural rainfall. By appropriate siting, you can make better use of wet, dry, sunny and shady areas in your garden, and reduce the costs of watering.