Bower bird habitat

An excellent question, jomarcello, & one that needs to be asked by lots more folk if we're to preserve Australia's wonderful biodiversity.

As a general principle it you want to preserve your local birds, including Regent Bowerbirds, you need to plant what is indigenous to your area. You are fortunate to have some "natural low growing scrub" because this can be a template for what you grow on your side of the fence, assuming the "natural low growing scrub" is really natural.

There are three approaches you can use. My preferred approach would be to use a minimum disturbance strategy to encourage the indigenous vegetation in your area to regenerate into your property. The details of the strategy are in Bringing Back the Bush by Joan Bradley. Basically, it involves gradually getting rid of weeds by weeding from the highest quality bush outwards so that you're providing space into which the native species can naturally regenerate. The weeding methods will depend on the weed types but essentially it means avoiding soil disturbance because soil disturbance encourages weeds and slows down regeneration.

The second approach is to contact your local Landcare group, local council, environmental office or officer for information about plant species indigenous to your area & where you might be able to obtain them. I'm wary about using general nurseries for this information as their main aim is to make a profit & unscrupulous nursery folk are likely to sell you anything & tell you it's indigenous to your place. However, there may be a local nursery dealing in indigenous plants & from my experience in Adelaide they're reliable because they combine a passion for the natural environment with their need to make a profit.

The nearest native nursery to Bellingen I could find is Orara Valley Native Nursery ph 0457 406 425. They supply native species for the Coffs Harbour & hinterland areas. The indigenous native nursery network is often strong in various regions so even if they can't meet your needs Orara might be a good starting point for information about suitable nurseries in your area.Other posters here may have other information.

The third approach is to combine approaches 1 & 2, especially where the full community of local species might not be present in the natural bush near you. Revegetating with tube stock species no longer present in your local bushland can supplement natural regeneration. However, keep in mind that no nursery will have the full range of species that make up the natural bushland.

You might want to observe the structure of your local bush where there are Regent Bowerbirds. Are there open spaces, tall trees, low shrubs etc. Replicating this structure will provide even more suitable conditions for the Bowerbirds & therefore be more likely to attract them (& other native birds & animals).

It's clear that your palm-loving neighbour has no interest in native birds. Yet. If you're able to attract a range of birds to your area it might be helpful to engage her in discussion about the various species &, eventually, to help her in the replacement of her palms with more suitable species.

Publicising your efforts & their results might also encourage others in your neighbourhood, including your local council, to go forth & do likewise. This, too, will enhance the chances of Regent Bowerbirds populating your garden.

So it can be an involved exercise, jomarcello, & you'll need to chose a level of involvement that doesn't become discouraging & provides you with rewards for effort. The best of luck with it.

P.S. "Eek" is an excellent word to describe palm trees in the yard nextdoor & perhaps could be used more widely.