One of my great pleasures is quietly watching the birds in my garden go about their daily lives. When I saw this book, my first move was to look for ideas and inspiration. I was not disappointed. The author, an architect and landscape gardener, scatters examples of beautiful bird-friendly garden designs throughout the book. There are sections on bird-attracting native plants, ideas for small gardens, water features, bird descriptions and ecologically sustainable development. This great resource is complemented by good photography and illustrations.
Leonard Cronin
- ABC Gardening Australia, October 2011
Just arrived – ‘Birdscaping Australian Gardens’ by George Adams
(D&G Publishing, rrp $59.95)
It’s not often that you run across a book that is as practical as it is beautiful - this gorgeous volume hits 5-stars on both counts! Containing a native plant index & a bird guide, chapters on design for gardens both large & small and much more this book is a must have for everyone from professional designers to wildlife and eco-aware homeowners. Illustrated with over 500 photos & diagrams it runs to a very comprehensive 364 pages.
Adam Woodhams
- Better Homes and Gardens Radio, September 2011
How to pull birds
George Adams, author of Birdscaping Australian Gardens: A Guide to Native Plants and the Garden Birds They Attract, suggests five ways to get birds into your Sydney garden.
- Plant native trees such as yellow box (Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea), which has red to pink flowers for six months of the year.
- Bowerbirds, orioles and silvereyes like fruiting trees such as the small leaf lilly pilly (Sysygium luehmannii).
- Build a nest box to lure rosellas, cuckatoos and kookaburras – tree hollows are scarce.
- Get a bird bath, so birds can drink and keep their feathers in good shape.
- Lobby your council to upgrade street planting to provide habitat.
Stephanie Wood, Dominic Rolf
- I-spy / Sydney Magazine – September 2011.
George Adams studied architecture at the University of NSW, and has written five previous books. This one is in coffee table format with stunning photography: exceedingly visual.
A truly comprehensive read on how to attract native birds to your garden: how to identify feeding habits and habitat: how to select the best plants for a garden designed to encourage the needs of birds. Over 400 plants have a unique relationship with our birds, butterflies and dragonflies.
Clare Calvet
- ABC Nightlife
"When habitat is so fragmented, it is a pleasure to find a guide that will help address the diminishment of suitable landscapes for birds in such a practical way. No matter how big or small your plot of land is (or your balcony!) this well-written and accessible book offers assistance on how to provide birds - and butterflies and other creatures - with food, shelter and (as appropriate) nesting sites.
The first thing you notice with this book, is the abundance of clear and colourful photographs (over 500) illustrating plants, flowers, and birds using the vegetation. There are also finely detailed drawings of various birds, very artistically captured and delightful to look at. They would be worth the price of the book alone!
This is a book both beautiful and useful and will appeal to gardener and birder alike - and as we know, the two are often one and the same!"
Lindy Jones
- Abbeys Bookshop Aug 2011
“I was blown away by the beautiful imagery, the hand drawn images are breathtaking" "Easy to read and well written book. Sounded like he was talking to the reader personally."
Noel Burdette
– ABC Radio, Brisbane (August, 2011)
"Birdscaping Australian Gardens is not only a joy to read but a very valuable reference book.
This book is full of information and inspiration for anyone interested in Australian birds, gardens and conservation of the environment.
Beautiful photographs of birds, plants and landscape ideas are supported by the author's own superb illustrations.
A must for both amateurs and professionals alike."
Fiona Brockhoff
— Fiona Brockhoff Landscape Design
"This book provides the perfect resource for both professionals as well as home garden enthusiasts. It combines beautiful photography and illustrations with concise information to enable the correct selection of plant material for attracting a variety of birds in Australian locations.
The cultural notes for the plant species are easy to follow with a wide range available for both small and large garden environments. The information in the Bird Directory and Planting Tables enables the correct species to be selected to provide food and habitat for birds all year round.
This book will become a well-used resource in our office."
William Dangar
— Dangar Group
"Your book looks stunning! Congratulations. Beautiful, I'm thrilled. The illustrations are incredible too, as are all your bird photos!"
Adam Jones
— Spirit Level Design
"I think that there is an increasing awareness amongst our members of the need to provide both fruit and nectar sources and shelter plants to sustain the presence of a variety of birds in their gardens. The Plant Tables will provide practical help in achieving this plan.
Thank you, again, for speaking to our group and sharing spectacular bird photography in an informative session which heightened our expectations of your new publication."
Wendy Grimm
— Secretary, North Shore Group, Australian Plants Society
"I especially like the ‘naturalness’ of the book. After reading your book, it seems to me that there are lots we can easily achieve in our garden and help our fauna and environment along the way. It’s a win–win all round."
Nola Parry
— The Wildflower Place
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