WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDENING
Wild Sex in Your Garden
Steve Krinks

White Cockatoo couple Photo Max Herford

While in Brisbane recently, wondering what subject to focus on for the latest “Wildlife Friendly Gardening” article, I was chatting to a local resident. This lady mentioned that she hadn’t slept too well, as it was mating season. For koalas. She was lucky enough (although not feeling it that morning) to have koalas in residence in her area, and they managed to keep her awake for most of the night with their calls. Her tale was enough to inspire this theme – what you can do to help our native fauna to bring up their young in a safe and healthy environment.

What you can do to help

So what is a safe and healthy environment? Well, there are many ways to help native fauna through the various stages of the reproductive cycle. Providing source of natural food and shelter will encourage them to spend time in your garden (and get to know each other). However, specific animals have their own needs when it comes to creating the right environment to bring up their young.

Froglet in tank pipe Photo John Blay

Australia has a wonderful variety of native frogs that are a joy to have as co-tenants and neighbours. Providing them with a good breeding environment will help them to cope in an increasingly difficult environment and provide you with a musical accompaniment to your evening. Creating a frog pond in your garden may well surprise you. Even inner-city gardens and courtyards are home to a variety of frog species and a well designed pond will quickly attract amphibian visitors. It’s surprising how a pond can become a self-contained little ecosystem and provide a healthy frog environment with very little maintenance. Details on pond design and looking after frogs can be found in PAWS Issue 4 Winter 2004.

Birds are sometimes the mortal enemies of frogs. All the more important that you provide good shelter for the frogs! However, ensuring birds have the right environment for their breeding cycle revolves around providing them with shelter too. For many bird species, the breeding season is in spring. To attract birds during this time avoid any pruning of potential nesting sites. A diversity of native plant and foliage types helps encourage a diverse range of bird visitors.

Threats

Other animals can prevent successful breeding. The noisy miner is extremely territorial and will chase off other native birds. Avoiding hybrid varieties of grevillea and other large-flowering nectar producing plants can help reduce the presence of these and other ‘bullying’ bird species.

Nesting

Increasing development and a preference for ‘low maintenance’ gardens has deprived many species of suitable nesting sites. Providing a nest box may be a good option for many native species.

Brush-tailed Possum Photo John Blay

A nest box may be a good idea for many mammal species too. Possums in the roof are not most people’s idea of being close to nature. In the absence of suitable tree hollows for nesting, Brush-tailed Possums may take up residence in roof or wall cavities. Many native species can benefit from the provision of a nest box placed in the right location.

So where does this leave the (un)lucky animal lover with a bunch of amorous but noisy koalas in the backyard? We’d suggest a good pair of earplugs; or play some Barry White and just go with the flow.

Happy Gardening!
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