Wattles

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By far the biggest population of birds in our garden is the wattle. We seem to provide food and lodgings for a few different types as we have identified three distinct calls. 

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Wattles aren't the most spectacular looking birds in the garden but they ooze character. They love all the native flowers we have on offer and are always hanging out in the bottlebrushes. They also love the kangaroo paws, but I don't know if it is the flowers or the joy ride that comes with the long stems bending under the bird's weight. Either way it's a sight to see as they swing up and down, hanging onto the flower at the top of the stem.

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They are around every day, taking advantage of the bird baths, and they love to sit high in the trees making their varied calls. I call them my loyal locals, like the old guys who treat the corner pub like their second home. They are the stalwarts of the garden, constant and steadfast in their enjoyment of what we have on offer.

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They are not aggressive but they are no shrinking violets either. They are very much in control of their lives, tolerating the other birds who choose to live here with a 'noblese oblige' attitude to the others (and to us). They chase the kookaburras away though!

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We are here for their comfort. A wattle was the first bird to make use of the pond, swooping down and in and out again for a quick dip. They took up residence in a tree next to the pond to watch the strange antics of the humans as we created Maru out of a bare patch of ground.

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They consider the dog as a source of soft nesting material. They check out the deck for fur, on mats and cushions, scurrying around until they have found an acceptable clump. One even went straight to the source once, trying to pull fur from the sleeping dog. That didn't last long!

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Perhaps the most distinctive thing about these quirky birds is their varying calls. On our very first day we were greeted with Get F***ed!, loud and clear. We soon discovered it was a welcoming address from the wattles. We have since been able to identify Con-Cu-Bine and Pas-Pa-Tou as equally welcoming but less confronting calls.

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As we sit out in the garden we are always guaranteed some sort of encounter with the wattles. They love our garden and they add considerably to my enjoyment of this special place.