Gardening – Planting for birds

We are fortunate in northern Rodney to be able to enjoy a wide array of native and introduced birds. Frequent visitors or residents of our gardens include kereru, tui, waxeyes, various finches, blackbirds, thrush, mynah, turtle doves, morepork, ducks, starling, sparrows, pukeko, kingfisher, grey warbler, fantail, skylark and welcome swallow.

They are augmented by occasional visitors such as quail, pheasant, kaka, bellbird, kookaburra, magpie and shining cuckoo. All told, a pretty good selection.

Properties near native forest or near some of our superb reserves are particularly blessed with an abundance of birdlife. Less well bird-populated are the newer suburbs. With the removal of many shelter belts and trees during the development process, bird numbers drop until flowering and fruiting trees can re-establish.

The easiest way to get an increase in birdlife is to increase the number and range of plants in our gardens. Shrubs and trees that birds like to feed on include hibiscus, abutilon, kowhai, plum, pseudopanax, peach, guava, flax, coprosma, cordyline, titoki, mahoe, pittosporum, citrus, figs, palms, persimmon, banksia, protea, leucospermum, callistemon, grevillea and coral tree. There are many more – just observe what the birds in the neighbourhood are feeding on, particularly in winter when food supplies are more scarce.

Smaller flowering plants are useful for seed-eating birds. Good ones to plant include amaranthus, marigold, calendula, sunflower, cosmos and all the grasses. Leave patches of lawn grass to go to seed if possible, as this provides a lot of seed. Any vegetables that are left to go to seed will also provide a bonus food source for seed eaters.

The overall garden environment is also important. Birds need patches of denser shrubbery to shelter and nest; hedges and vines are very good for this. Nesting boxes are useful for some species, but make sure they are designed to reduce the ability of nest robbers such as mynahs, cats and rats. If you can, leave a few partially decomposed logs or stumps in a back corner of the garden. These provide a bountiful source of insects and can provide a nesting site for some species.

A multi-layered garden is ideal, with canopy trees, vines, shrubs, ground covers and a thick layer of leaf litter or mulch on the gardens to provide a range of environments for feeding and shelter. Leaf litter and mulch are also essential for insect eaters to increase the amount of food and allow for easier foraging. Providing several water sources around the garden is helpful. Birds will choose which ones they prefer to wash or drink from, depending on how safe they feel.

Speaking of safety, a dramatic increase in bird numbers will be seen wherever a comprehensive pest trapping programme is undertaken. Setting up permanent traps around the property for rats and mice, with regular re-baiting, will produce results within a year by increasing the number of chicks that successfully fledge in spring. Trapping larger predators, such as possums, stoats and ferrets, is more work, so consider combining forces with a few neighbours to establish and monitor traps.

Every little bit you can do to improve the environment for birds will enhance the feel of our lovely region, make it a more pleasant place to live and reduce the pests in your garden. A definite win-win.

Andrew Steens