BRING
BACK THE BIRDS
An edited
extract from the MBCL Publication "Coast and Creek: A Mordialloc
Environment Study" (1992).
In recent times, greater emphasis on planting
native and indigenous trees has seen a welcome increase in native bird life in
bayside suburban gardens. Unfortunately, the main enemy of the bird is the
domestic cat, which kills not only many birds each year, but also many other
wildlife species including lizards and bandicoots.
Plants indigenous to the Mordialloc area
which thrive and attract native birds include:
Larger native birds such as kookaburras are
attracted to very tall trees, especially eucalypts. These trees are suitable
for planting in more spacious gardens inland from the foreshore as well as in
parks, reserves and golf links:
Plants indigenous to the Mordialloc-Chelsea
area may purchased at the Friends of Braeside Park nursery or the Carrum
Indigenous Nursery. For further information see Plants
for you to grow.
NESTING BOXES
Due to the shortage of nesting sites for
certain species of birds in the local area, artificial nesting boxes can be
built and erected in trees high enough to be out of the reach of predators.
It is important to get the details right for
the particular type of bird you wish to assist. An excellent publication:
"Nesting Boxes for Australian Birds" can be obtained from the Bird
Observers Club (Phone Number: 9877 5342).
NOTE: Nesting boxes must not be made of
treated or painted wood.