HABITAT RYDE HUNTERS HILL

The Gladesville Library and our local habitat.
For example --
http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Sustainable+Living/Sustainable+Living+Guide/Recreation/Immerse+Yourself+in+Nature

http://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Bushland+and+Wildlife/Attracting+Wildlife


Identifying a Plant or Animal Species Species
go to-- Atlas of Living Australia
http://www.ala.org.au/faq/species-identification/
http://www.ala.org.au/

Attracting Wildlife

Home > Environment > Bushland and Wildlife > Attracting Wildlife

Powerful Owl

Residents have become increasingly interested in attracting native birds to their backyard. However, did you know that by feeding birds a diet of bread and honey or sugar and water can have a disastrous effect on their health? Here are some tips on the best ways in which you can attract birdlife.
Planting native trees and shrubs:
Create a suitable environment by planting native trees and shrubs which are native to the Ryde area.
Some recommended bird attracting plants are:

• Banksias, Paperbacks, Eucalypts - Lorikeets.
• Nectar bearing plants such as Bottlebrushes, Grevilleas, Banksias - Honeyeaters.
• Low spiky bushes such as Hakeas and some Grevilleas offer protection and attract insects for birds to eat - Blue Wrens and other small insect feeding birds.

Having a bird bath:

• It must be kept clean and placed in an area away from the reach of cats.
• If you have a cat, make sure that it has a bell on its collar.

Hollow Limbs for nesting:

Many Australian birds, such as Galahs, use hollow limbs for nesting. If the trees in your garden have hollow limbs, which are potentially dangerous, you can cut the limb to a smaller size then secure it to the tree with the hollow end pointing outwards so that the bird can fly into it.

Lizards and Skinks

Often you may find blue tongue lizards and smaller skinks in your garden. These lizards like to live under rock crevices or among logs and grass. They are not venomous and rather than biting they rely on bluff to scare predators away. The lizards they eat snails and slugs.
As a resident of Ryde, you are fortunate to be living in an area which contains some significant bushland areas and wildlife corridors. By landscaping your garden with local native plants you will be helping our wildlife by providing a small habitat which is an extension of the bushland corridor.

Birds in Backyards Program

Rainbow Lorikeet

Have you noticed that many smaller native birds have gradually disappeared from suburban areas, replaced by bigger, more aggressive birds? In many areas, there are fewer birds altogether. Our lives are poorer with birds disappearing from our gardens and parks.

Birds are a vital component of nature, fulfilling many functions in ecosystems. They control insect populations, pollinate plants and spread seeds, and are a food source for many animals. Without birds, the natural balance is severely disturbed.

Birds in Backyards is a research, education and conservation program focusing on the birds that live where people live.

If you would like to know more about how to encourage a greater variety of birds to return to your backyard and local park, the Birds in Backyards (External link) website can assist you with information about Australian birds and their habits, and how to create bird-friendly spaces in your garden and local community. You can also provide bird survey data from your own backyard.  

Page Last Updated: 12 July 2011

Key Documents

• Wildlife in Your Backyard and Growing Native Plants

Related Links

• Selecting the Right Tree

More Information

• Birds in Backyards
• Habitat Network
• Know Your Garden's Natives
• Flora for Fauna
• WIRES

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