My wife and I have moved to a new house next to a reserve, there is currently no garden and we intend to make the garden as bird friendly as possible.
The Block (Before Photo):
Photo Blog (updated every other day):
http://simon.fearby.com/blog/?cat=8
We have a number of birds that we cannot identify yet, we will take photos and post them asap.
Looks like a wonderful spot - I look forward to you sharing it with us.
Insect Attracting Plants - list of natives, try to choose local plants from your area.
Acacia
Adenanthos
Banksia
Boronia
Calytrix
Casuarina
Chorizema
Callistemon
Dampiera
Darwinia
Dryandra
Eremaea
Eremophila
Eucalyptus
Hakea
Hemiandra
Hypocalymma
Isopogon
Jacksonia
Kennedia
Kunzea
Lechenaultia
Leptospermum
Leucophyta
Melaleuca
Mirbelia
Pattersonia
Pimelea
Pultenaea
Olearia
Scaevola
Scholtzia
Verticordia
Seed Eating Bird Attracting Plants - A native list-
Below are frugivore attracting plants to accomodate for seed eating birds eg-(Bronzewing, Crested Pidgeons, various Parrots and Finches).
Acacia
Banksia
Billaderia
Callytrix
Casuarina
Dianella
Isolepis
Juncus
Lomandra
Sollya
Bird Attracting Plants For Honeyeaters
This list shows the plant groups from which you can choose differet varieties to give you the enjoyment of a garden full of birds.
Honey eating birds can consume up to their bodyweight in food comprising grubs, insects and nectar each day.
Choose plants that bloom in sequence through each season. This will supply a constant supply of nectar throughout the year.
Adenanthos
Anigozanthos
Banksia
Calothamnus
Correa
Dryandra
Eremophila
Grevillea
Hakea
Lambertia
Macropidia
Oh, and don't forget some water dishes about the place. Some hung up on trees and in different height spots for birds. I have a medium sized cement trough on the ground for the larger birds ie- magpies and cockatoos. Red-caps like to sit in it. They are good fun to watch so placing them where you can view them having fun thru windows or near favourite outdoor spots will give you so much pleasure.
Nice spot you have! I only have a 1/4 block and have 4 baths.
Think seasonal - spring/summer and autumn/winter flowering plants - birds need to eat all year
Think plants indigenous to the area you live because those plants evolved with the birds you find there
think different heights because they feed at different heights - and of course nest at different heights too
Fresh water is important to them. It will bring the insects that they feed on as well.
Human hair(moulted cat fur) can be placed in a safe spot for small birds to pick at for building nests. I allow spiders to build webs around the garden because they become a juicy meal for insect eating birds and I even leave the empty webs as they are valuable for smaller birds to construct nests. Ever seen a wattle bird go on a scout for spiders? In a place like yours it's not so important as you will have a larger range of critters anyway.
keep pesticide use to a minimum. It's amazing how diverse the insect population becomes after a few years and it is the biggest factor in bringing many birds to the garden especially any that rely on insects including the honeyeaters.
Do not hide the birdbath among the shrubs if you have a cat or neighbourhood cats visiting your place. The birds must be able to see anything approaching within about 5 metres in all directions including other birds, dogs and cats and they do look around and keep an eye on things as they bath.
Here are some of the birds
Also updating our garden blog here: http://simon.fearby.com/blog/?cat=8
Fantastic! You are in for a treat! FT