Bird sightings at 160 Cowper Street Goulburn NSW Australia

This dataset comprises monthly listings of the birds that visit our home garden. Casual observations produce a simple listing of species names seen each month. The observations include both Australian native species and introduced species.

Datasets such as this should provide useful presence data for certain scientific study, local wildlife conservation, and catchment management.

Contents:

Organisation of the series

There is a separate document for each year, which is simply a table listing common name, scientific name, and monthly presence. Each species name in these documents has a link back to the index document (directly to the relevant species name in the summary species list). Where possible there are then links to further resources on the network which describe that species.

Bird identification method

Birds have been identified by a lay-person using the following reference books:

• Australian Birds - Simply Classified
  • Donald and Molly Trounson
  • 4th Edition, 1996
  • National Book Distributors and Publishers, Sydney Australia
  • ISBN 1 86436 241 3
• A Field Guide to Australian Birds - Volume One & Volume Two
  • Peter Slater
  • 1983
  • Toppan Printing Co. (HK) Ltd., Hong Kong
  • ISBN 0 85179 102 6
  • ISBN 0 85179 813 6

Site description

Backyard urban garden in the City of Goulburn, NSW, Australia. Goulburn is located in the southern tablelands of the state of New South Wales. It is on the Hume Highway about 200 km south of Sydney and 90 km north of Canberra. Longitude: 149.73 Latitude: -34.75

Local catchment is Mulwarree Ponds and the Wollondilly River. Major catchment is the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment.

The backyard is small, about 20 metres long and 8 metres wide. Aspect is south-west. Behind is a large, vacant, open, grassed block (the enclosed centre of this square town section). About 200 metres further west is Victoria Park (about 400m square), open forest of mainly Australian native trees.

Our yard is enclosed, with bushes around the perimeter including some Australian native species (Grevillea, Banksia, Callistemon). There is a large vegetable patch with yummy insects. Close to the back of the house there are water gardens and a large bushy tree.

There is a large water barrel with fresh water in the centre of the yard. This is now used by most species, though they were cautious for a long while.

The northern neighbour's yard is overpopulated with trees. The large tree in their western corner is a most popular roost. A struggling Red Flowering Gum is popular in its season.

Why are the birds present?

We endeavour to make our garden a haven for birds. Such sanctuaries and supporting food and water sources are much needed, as we see that even our urban habitats are dwindling. Diverse food sources allow nature to feed itself.

We have a mixed garden with vegetables, flowers, and native flora. The front street trees are ornamental plums which attract Cockatoos, Currawongs, Magpies, and Rosellas.

There is large fresh-water barrel out in the open, with a clear view all around it. Many species use it for bathing and drinking.

Mulch is spread all around the gardens. This keeps the gardens moist and weed free and provides homes for certain insects. We make and apply our own compost and there are worms in abundance.

We have a couple of chooks in the yard. Their scraps help to attract other birds, especially sparrows, pee-wees, currawongs, and wattlebirds. The hens love a little assorted seed, especially in the winter. Almost all birds go for the leftovers.

For some time we were providing a little assorted seed in bird-feeders. We have gradually phased out any bird feeding, ending in October 1998. There is the occasional old banana and the left-over chook scraps.

There is a tall television aerial which is a popular perch for all birds.

We rescue and care for native wildlife, as a member of WIRES (the NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service). We often have young birds in our backyard, either in a large recuperation cage or in the open. Their presence sometimes attracts other birds.

Assist nature to feed itself

It is important that birds are never dependant on us providing food for them. We often need to clean up after the chooks to limit the currawongs and starlings.

Key concepts: native trees, dense shrubs at various levels, vegie garden insects, and a consistent clean water source for bird bath and drinking.

Summary species list

Index to sighting lists

Other useful resources

• Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG)
• Birds Australia - formerly Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (RAOU)
• NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES)

URL:http:/www.indexgeo.com.au/data/cowper-1/
Last Modified: 26 May 2004