Turning Your Backyard Into A Wildlife Wonderland

If life was a Disney movie, a simple song (You’re the Voice, perhaps?) would fill our gardens with animals from far and wide

In the real world? Even John Farnham can’t bring all the animals to the yard.

The thing is, Australian wildlife is pretty darn special. Did you know about 80% of our fauna isn’t found anywhere else in the world?

But being the urban dwellers that we are, local wildlife can be hard to come by (bar the odd Huntsman).

The good news is it’s pretty easy to transform your backyard (or balcony) into a wildlife wonderland and enjoy Australia’s diverse and beautiful fauna on the reg.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Go native with your flora Ditch those overseas plants and embrace our incredible Aussie flora. Think bottlebrush, wattle, and kangaroo paw. They're not just pretty; they're magnets for local wildlife – especially if they have plenty of nectar! Balcony tip: Pop some native plants in pots. Choose smaller species or those that naturally thrive in containers.

2. Let your bush run wild Love that manicured garden look? Maybe reconsider. A slightly wild backyard can be a paradise for our local wildlife. A log here, some leaves there – it's like nature's version of a comfy lounge room. Balcony Tip: Potted wildflowers or grasses can provide a touch of nature (without the need for constant trimming).

3. Add a water feature Every good Aussie backyard needs a water feature, even if it’s just a shady bowl. Think of it as the local pub for the birds (sans the beer). Balcony Tip: A small bowl of water, changed regularly, can work just as well as a local watering hole for birds.

4. Rent-free living for the local birds Birds are always on the lookout for some prime real estate (aren’t we all?) A strategically placed birdhouse might just become the sought-after penthouse of the bird world in your garden. Balcony Tip: Just use a smaller birdhouse to fit the space you have!

5. Build a bee hotel Most of us think of bees as communal insects, but did you know many Aussie bee species fly solo? So cute. If you want to help out some lone bees, you can create an individual space for them to nest in your garden from wood with various-sized holes or bundled bamboo. Balcony Tip: Same as your birdhouse – you can easily work with the space you have to build a smaller bee hotel!

Remember, every little change makes your backyard more inviting to local Aussie wildlife. So, whether it's a few pots on a balcony or a huge water feature, each effort counts in supporting our unique local species.

Happy gardening!

Nakie HQ

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