Learning and Loving

One of the most common quotes in the world of conservation is “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will only understand what we are taught” - Baba Dioum. The biggest barrier to saving species from extinction and habitats from destruction is simply knowing what’s going on!

Lyrebird

Do you know what wildlife is native to your area? Now is an excellent time to find out! Once you know what you’re looking for, things will start to stand out. Suddenly the birdsong outside your window won’t be anonymous - it’ll be the song of your resident magpie lark. Suddenly the trees along your drive home won’t just be a lovely view - they’ll be homes for the sugar gliders or brushtail possums in your neighbourhood. In this time where we are connecting more with our smaller communities out of necessity, why not learn some more about your outdoor neighbours?

In my case, my outdoor neighbours have become my upstairs housemates. The first to move into my roof was the possum. A beautiful, big, brushtail possum. However, word quickly spread regarding how comfortable my roof is.

Now I have 3 species of birds that nest there, they have even had 2 rounds of hatchlings! I don’t have the heart to kick them out. I wouldn’t mind the possum either, except that he seems to have taken up Zumba or something. He has been served with a polite request to leave, in the form of a light on in the roof space (this makes it less comfortable for him to sleep during the day and he will hopefully search for somewhere else).

Have you ever had your wild neighbours come inside?