Readers responded positively to our story on Lake Macquarie City Council’s Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program, and the idea of making their backyard an attractive habitat for birds displaced by the April storms.
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The council’s sustainability manager Dr ALICE HOWE explains why natural enticements are better – and safer – than store-bought treats for native birds.
MANY people enjoy observing birds up close in their own backyard and may be tempted to feed them artificial foods, such as store-bought seed, fruit, meat and bread.
While having native birds in the yard visit the backyard is a delight, feeding them artificial food can be harmful.
There are quite a few reasons not to provide artificial food:
■ It may not provide adequate nutrition for birds, which can lead to health problems;
■ If birds are congregating in large numbers to access food, they can spread disease to each other;
■ It can tip the balance in favour of larger, more aggressive birds, which may then force out smaller birds;
■ Birds can become too dependent on us for food;
■ Without the need to find their own food, some birds, such as cockatoos, can become bored and turn to destructive behaviour such as chewing decks, outdoor furniture and window sills; and
■ It can encourage pest species, including Indian mynas.
The best way to encourage native birds into your yard is to provide natural food in a habitat garden.
A good habitat garden provides natural food, shelter and water for native animals throughout the year.
Elements of a habitat garden can include native grasses to provide food for seed-eating birds, leaf-litter to attract insects and insectivorous birds, a small pond or a bird bath filled with clean water, and a variety of flowering plants to attract nectar-feeding birds.
Get involved
MEMBERS of Lake Macquarie City Council’s Backyard Habitat for Wildlife program receive a free copy of the Backyard Habitat Planting Guide with a plant selector table at the back of the booklet to help them choose suitable bird-attracting plants.
They also receive discounts for native plants at selected local nurseries and two free native plants to help them get their habitat garden started.
The Backyard Habitat Planting Guide is also available for download at lakemac.com.au/backyard-habitat-for-wildlife.
