So, you would like to attract wildlife to your garden – how do you do it?  It really depends on what you would like to attract.  Many species have quite specific requirements, so we will consider the over-riding principles first.

Wildlife is often at its most diverse where two or more habitats meet.  This is because many species principally take advantage of one environment (e.g. open woodland) or another (e.g. grassland or lake), but may venture across the boundary.  Other species specialize in utilising edges or zones between different habitats.  Thus, where numerous habitats come together, an increase in species diversity is typically seen.

Every animal needs food, water and shelter.  The more of these requirements your wildlife garden is able to satisfy, the more animals, both in type and number, you are likely to attract.  Some aspects that need to be considered include: the structure of your garden, types of plants, provision of water, supplemental feeding and installing wildlife boxes.

Structure

Natural environments provide places for many different species to live, so if we are to replicate or perhaps even enhance such environments; a number of elements need to be considered.  Typically there are five structural layers in native bush-land:

1. Canopy: large trees (e.g. gums) which due to their size provide resources to a vast array of animals.
2. Under-story: large shrubs (e.g. Acacias or Banksias) provide shelter as well as rich sources of nectar and insects.
3. Small shrubs: (e.g. Saltbush or Correas) as for large shrubs, but typically with increased plant diversity.
4. Ground cover: the greatest natural plant diversity is typically seen in this layer, which contributes to a rich insect fauna and in turn the diversity of many vertebrate species.  Unfortunately, it is also one of the layers that can disappear in a manicured or overly tidy garden.
5. Leaf-litter: is a layer that reduces the loss of moisture and harbours decomposers such as bacteria and fungi which return vital nutrients to the soil  A wide range of invertebrate species live in this zone and many birds, mammals, lizards and frogs forage here because of its rich offerings.

The greater the number of layers in your wildlife garden - the higher the number of potential habitats, or places to live, for native species.

If you only have a small space for planting, think about the other resources wildlife may have available to them: a local park, a creek, bush land or consider combining your area with that of an adjoining neighbour(s) to increase the effective size of the resource, its value to wildlife and potentially your enjoyment!

Another essential component of ground cover includes the physical assets within your garden.  Rocks, hollow logs or wood piles all provide additional habitat for insects, lizards and possibly frogs, as well as bacteria and fungi, which in turn contribute to the health of your garden.

Plants

Indigenous plants or plants that historically come from your area, whose seeds can be sourced locally, are ideal. Specialist nurseries can help in this regard as can organisations such as trees for life. An environment rich in nectar and seed, available at all times of the year, is likely to attract the greatest number of birds, mammals, butterflies and other species. 

While indigenous plants are ideal, many exotic cultivars may also be highly attractive to native fauna (e.g. fruit trees) and may be worth considering.  However, certain species (such as Olives, Lavender or Ivy) are likely to become invasive weeds and need to be avoided at all costs.  Also, just because a plant is being sold as a “native” doesn’t necessarily make it ideal for your garden!!  Some of the most noxious weed species to be found across the country are Australian varieties from other parts of the country which have been inappropriately planted.  Does it make sense to enhance your own garden for wildlife, at the risk of endangering other local habitats?  Contact your local council or Department for the Environment in your state (DEH SA) for a list of species likely to be an issue in your area.

Water

While some animals are able to extract enough water from the food they eat, many species require standing water for survival.  If you provide a regular supply of clean water, particularly during dry periods, you will be well rewarded. 

Depending on the available space this may be as small as a bird bath, which can attract significant numbers of birds, up to the size of a dam.  Even a small pond can provide habitat for a range of fauna including frogs, dragonflies and perhaps even native fish (sourced from reputable suppliers, NOT from the wild).  In general, the larger the resource, the greater the number of species you are likely to attract.

Supplementary Feeding

There are widely varying opinions on whether to feed or not to feed.  The practice is undertaken extensively overseas, where it is being used increasingly as a conservation tool.  It is, however, typically discouraged in Australia for a range of reasons. 

The fact remains that supplementing available food may increase the number of animals, though not necessarily species, you attract.  A variety of birds or mammals may take advantage of a free meal!  This can facilitate seeing species in much closer proximity than you would otherwise and allow you to enjoy the antics rarely seen by the casual observer.

If you are feeding it is recommended:

1. Don’t allow the wildlife to become dependent on you.  Feed small amounts, which can be eaten in a relatively short space of time and don’t feed every day.  Uneaten food may attract vermin (e.g. mice, rats, foxes)
2. Ensure high quality food such as proprietory wild bird seed mixes or nectar solutions are used. Some sources including bread are poor in nutritional value, while discarded cage bird seed represents a potential health risk to native species.
3. Ensure the feeding containers and surrounding areas are kept clean to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Wildlife Boxes

Loss of habitat has had a dramatic impact on many native animals.  Old growth trees containing natural hollows are now rare in urban environments.  You can discover which local species depend on such resources in your area, through your local museum, natural history organisation or environment department.  Supplementing the available resources by building your own or purchasing a commercial wildlife box can help provide much needed nesting and roosting habitat.  Our products page provides further information on wildlife boxes and the range that is currently available.

Other factors

Reduce or eliminate the uses of herbicides or pesticides.  Plants form the basis of the food webs you are looking to establish (Fig. 1).  Using chemicals in the garden on either plants or animals (e.g. snails or insects) not only affects the species you want to remove, but also affects other, non-target species.  Therefore, by using chemicals, both plant and animal species will be affected - reducing the available food or potentially accumulating in the food chain to poison the very species you are looking to attract.

Fig 1.  A simplified food web to demonstrate just how complex species interactions can be.

Pets, particularly cats, can have a profound impact on wildlife, from beetles to butterflies and Blue-tongues to gliders.  The cat owner may be distressed by an occasional or even regular supply of “presents”.  Cats are also renowned for unwanted intrusions into neighbouring properties, fouling yards, digging up the gardens or preying on wildlife.  Owners can be encouraged to attach an elasticised collar with bells on it (often one bell will not do the trick and two or three will be required to prevent the cat from silent stalking).  It is also recommended that cats are kept inside at night, particularly during dawn and dusk – this change over period is when native species can be most vulnerable and cats most destructive.  A recent survey has shown that the average domestic cat will make over 50 kills a year, with some particularly effective individuals achieving over ten times this number.  In addition to pet cats, many feral animals exist which can have a devastating impact on local wildlife.  If you are a cat owner who would like your cat to avoid certain areas in your own yard (e.g. a bird bath) or a gardening/wildlife enthusiast looking to avoid unwanted intrusions - ultrasonic deterrents may offer a solution.  For information on CATWatch refer to our product information section.