Life never stands still in a bird-friendly garden but after the frenzy of the summer months autumn provides a breathing space to take stock and plan for the future.
The owners of the Inverawe Native Gardens at Margate, Bill and Margaret Chestnut have been doing just that these past few weeks, giving thought to attracting a new breed of birds next season and at the same time giving tips to a new breed of gardeners.
The Chestnuts have been explaining their simple philosophy for planning bird-friendly gardens: Think like a bird. The requirements for birds are not too hard to fathom, the Chestnuts say. They need food and shelter, and places to build nests to rear young. All three can be easily accommodated within the smallest of gardens.
The Chestnuts have been running their latest series of workshops on creating bird-friendly spaces and their property presents a perfect example of what can be achieved.
The gardens stand on what was once a smallholding that had been allowed to go to seed and, close to a main road, had become weed-infested and strewn with rubbish. After they purchased it 20 years ago, the Chestnuts set about transforming it into what is now Tasmania’s largest landscaped native garden, boasting 110 bird species, including all of Tasmania’s 12 endemic birds.
“Australians should feel comfortable in their own land,” says Bill Chestnut explaining the secret of Inverawe’s success. “Birds need what we need; food and a safe place to live, secure, to bring up offspring.”
To create a bird haven on the garden’s nine hectares, a variety of trees and shrubs reaching different heights have been planted, providing food in the shape of pollen and nectar and fruit and nuts year-round.
“When planning a bird garden, think in terms of canopy, mid-storey and ground level. Think like a bird – how can I safely fly from here to there without being predated? Is this safe for my offspring. Where can I build a nest?”
These considerations are the reason Inverawe, next door to the Margate Train in a semi-suburban environment, has attracted such a remarkable tally of birds, about a third of the number recorded in Tasmania.
Attending one of the workshops last month, I was told that the latest arrivals included a family of grey currawongs who had nested in the garden for the first time, much to the chagrin of the local new holland honeyeaters.
The Chestnuts have now added another workshop to complement those devoted to bird-attracting plants. They are also giving attention to the actual planning of gardens, taking into account differing soil types and how this can determine what can and cannot be planted. Advice is also being given on garden design.
Details and dates for the workshops can be found on the Inverawe website at www.inverawe.com.au