canberrabirds

Re: Exotic plants for our native birds

To:
Subject: Re: Exotic plants for our native birds
From: "Paul T." <>
Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 21:53:01 +1000
At 07:52 PM 17/05/2011, you wrote:
should have added proteas (often assumed to be local, but South African etc) - especially for the wattlebirds, but also the smaller honey-eaters

Howdy All,

I have extensive camellia use by the honeyeaters as well, but the single biggest attractant in my garden is probably the Abutilons (Chinese Lanterns). These are a constant source of food for honeyeaters for about 9 months of the year (no exaggeration), and the dense branch makeup means that they are ideal hiding places for the smaller birds when Currawongs etc are after them. There are almost always aphids or other small insects on the as well, so the wrens and miscellaneous little brown birds go through them in waves as well.

Also of note are Ericas (another South African), in particular Erica colorans 'White Delight' (I think that is the name?), which flowers almost year around for me, unlike any of the other Ericas I have grown. Other Ericas at their flowering time are regularly patrolled by the honesyeaters as well.

For winter food for honeyeaters there are the winter Clematis species like Clematis nepalensis and the Clematis cirrhosa cultivars.

And for summer, you can't beat Salvias for honeyeaters, particularly the Wattlebirds, White Plumed etc.

These are just from my own experiences here in my own garden. There are more, but these are the biggest drawcards I can think of right now.

Cheers.

Paul T.
Higgins, ACT



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