This is an excerpt from a story by William Hansby on Stuff.
We’re seeing a lot more native birds in our garden at the moment, including pīwakawaka (fantail), tūī, kōtare (kingfisher) and pihipihi (silvereyes), but they don’t seem to stay for very long. So it was with delight that I read this week the Department of Conservation’s 10 tips for attracting native birds to the garden and hopefully encourage them to stay.
We’re seeing a lot more native birds in our garden at the moment, including pīwakawaka (fantail), tūī, kōtare (kingfisher) and pihipihi (silvereyes), but they don’t seem to stay for very long. So it was with delight that I read this week the Department of Conservation’s 10 tips for attracting native birds to the garden and hopefully encourage them to stay.
In brief the tips were:
- Plant nectar producing flowers (we have fruit trees, harakeke (flax), kōwhai, pōhutukawa and Australian frangipani, but nothing in flower at the moment. Note to self: look for some winter flowering manuka, pūriri and kohekohe).
- Encourage insects (we have stopped all pesticide spraying in our garden, and the silvereyes are having a ball).
- Don’t put bread out for birds (major fail: my father feeds the sparrows, blackbirds and thrush every day at 4pm with stale bread. DOC says these introduced birds will crowd out the natives).
- Put out sugar-water as supplemental food (a work-on at the moment).
- Plant trees away from windows as reflections can confuse birds, and many native birds are killed flying into windows (we get a thumbs up here).
- Keep the birds safe from rats and rodents (a work in progress).
- Plant flowers that provide food in winter (see note 1).
- Make sure they have something to drink (100% on task).
- Reduce risk from cats (our huntaway dog loves nothing better than to chase cats from our property, but tolerates birds).
- Encourage your neighbours to plant native-friendly plants too (work in progress).
