Planting a home for the Superb Fairy-wren

BY FERGUS GRIEVE

In celebration of National Tree Day, the Glebe Society and City of Sydney have joined ranks to organise a tree-planting event at the Arthur (Paddy) Grey Reserve in Glebe.
The event, to be held this Sunday (July 27), will focus on planting shrubs and trees that provide habitat for the Superb Fairy-wren.
It follows the release of a research report that found that Superb Fairy-wrens ‘ known to many as blue wrens for the blue facial feathers seen in males ‘ are in danger of disappearing from the Glebe and Forest Lodge area.
The report, commissioned by the Glebe Society with funding from the City of Sydney, recommended a number of ways to encourage these charming native birds in the neighbourhood.
It suggested that dense shrubs and grasses and tangled thorny plants provide excellent shelter for the Superb Fairy-wren, while flowering plants that attract insects will ensure a regular food supply.
It was also recommended to minimise the number of plants and trees that attract aggressive, territorial birds such as currawongs and various honeyeater species.
A long-term aim of the project is to develop corridors of wren-friendly vegetation to allow the birds to spread out and increase in numbers.
‘The National Tree Day planting event in Glebe is a great opportunity for residents who care about protecting local biodiversity to come along and find out other things they may be able to do,’ Glebe Society president, Jan Macindoe said.
More information and plants to take home will be available on the day from 11am. Participants are advised to bring a hat and gloves.