Male Superb Fairy Wren
When we first shifted to Fairy Wren Cottage there were four types of birds that visited the garden… because over the last 11 years we have created and are continuing to maintain a bird friendly and wildlife friendly garden, we now have over 60 birds visiting or living in our garden.
The increase in bird life didn’t happen over night and it was a steady increase from season to season and year to year. Our part was simple, provide it and they will come. What was the “it” that we provided?
Last year a pair of Grey Shrike Thrush built a nest in this bird house, a homeschooling project from 8 years ago.
A chemical free garden.
No sprays, no herbicides or pesticides. We let nature take its course, if there is food in the shape of bugs, larvae, slugs and snails, the birds have breakfast, lunch and dinner and are likely to either take up residence or remember us on their travels.
Water.
Deep bird baths that are big enough for a black bird to have a bath in.
Smaller bird baths and dishes that are shallow with a large rock placed in the middle for the little birds to rest on or sit on while they drink.
Puddles, yep, you read right. Leaving the odd puddle here and there in the garden or along the side of the drive way creates a nice mud source for those little birds who need to collect mud for when they build a nest.
The garden pond. At the moment they are large plastic tubs about 1 metre in diameter that sit in amongst the plants. They are easy to tip out, the dirty water goes straight on the surrounding plants and the tub is refilled weekly with fresh water.
Filled with hay, we aren’t sure who made a nest in this bird house (home schooling project). Tucked in close to the trunk of a wattle the bird house is high up.
We fill that gap in the middle of the insect house with sticks/twigs/leaf matter, the parrots spend an afternoon emptying it, all good fun. At least if they are busy doing that, then the parrots aren’t eating our produce!
Habitat.
We planted trees, shrubs and flowers for the birds to nest in, eat from, drink from (the honeyeaters love salvia plants) and rest on. We also let the fennel that self seeds through out the garden go to seed, if the baby birds get a bit tired when they are first flying and they land on the seed heads in the middle of the garden between the boundary fences and espalier frames, they have somewhere to pause.
Green Rosella in our Back Orchard. Endemic to Tasmania.
Another homeschooling project, an extension from learning bird ID.
Bird Identification Lists.
How did we know how many bird visit or live in our garden.
The lists are all recorded by Liliana when she bird watches, we incorporated these activities into part of her homeschooling curriculum. By being more aware of her surrounds, it fosters an appreciation for wildlife and care for birds. Wanting to plant habitat for them and making sure the bird baths are always kept full.
This year will be the first time we participate in the
Aussie Backyard Bird Count
19-25 October 2020.
You can get all the details on their instagram account Instagram @birdlifoz or on their website www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
A cost saving shallow bird bath, a glazed saucer with an ornament in it, sits on a wide piece of timber nailed on top of a wooden pole. Used daily by the Fairy Wrens, Silver Eye’s & New Hollanders.
I really encourage you to sign up to the bird count, it would be a great way to start learning a new skill (bird id) and help you become aware of the changing seasons and your surrounds. Eg. We always know when Winter is on its way, the Currawongs return from the high country and of course they disappear back to the high country when the weather warms up.
It’s these simple rituals that make life richer.
Bird watching creates time to slow down, practice mindfulness and with that brings a sense of peace.
Happy bird spotting, until next time,
Sending Light & Love, Jude x
Female Superb Fairy Wren
Bird Watching.
October 15, 2020
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