Brush turkeys are back in force and driving North Sydney gardeners mad with their backyard antics
GIANT brush turkeys are wreaking havoc in gardens amid a massive increase in the protected species’ population numbers.
North Shore
Don't miss out on the headlines from North Shore. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They are the backyard baddies driving residents up the wall. Brush turkeys are wreaking havoc in North Sydney gardens amid a massive increase in the protected species’ population.
The problem has become so severe that North Sydney Council last week held a public meeting — the first of its kind in the LGA — to teach people how to deal with the much-maligned birds.
And while they rampage through gardens clawing together giant nests from mulch and sticks, council’s bushland co-ordinator Gareth Debney warned householders their hands are tied.
Mr Debney said once a brush turkey decided on a nesting spot, little could be done.
Once on the brink of extinction, the increase in brush turkey numbers is the result of several factors including fox baiting, improved bushland and people keeping their cats indoors at night.
Post your brush turkey photo on our Facebook page or tag @mosmandaily on Instagram
“There is no miracle cure ... The best thing to do is to live with brush turkeys,” he said.
A turkey has set up a huge nest in parkland close to Pine St in Cammeray and has stripped away mulch that resident Alan Baldry put down as part of the Streets Alive project.
The tenacious turkey has dragged the mulch up and down a set of stairs over a distance of up to 40 metres each time.
“It’s seven by 24 hours focusing on one thing. Looking after his babies,” Mr Baldry said.
Brush turkeys are one of only three mound-building birds known as megapodes in Australia.
The male attracts the females with the massive mound and up to ten females can lay at the one site.
Householders often report that the bird is never satisfied but Mr Debney explained there is a reason behind this intense building activity.
As the mound breaks down it generates enough heat to incubate the eggs and the male constantly checks the temperature with a special gauge on his nose.
He adjusts the mound to ensure it is ranging at a balmy 35C for the eggs, which have to be incubated for 50 days.
It takes another 50 hours for the chicks to break out of the mound and then they are left to fend for themselves. The chicks have no interaction with their parents and there is an estimated 90 per cent fatality rate.
1. It is pointless to destroy a mound as their drive to build is relentless.
2. Cover mulch and compost with well-secured chicken wire or a tarpaulin.
3. Set up the makings of a mound in the shade of a tree in an area that’s not part of your formal garden. This will encourage mound-building there.
4. Use pebbles and stones around trees or vulnerable plants. Tree guards are also useful.
5. Cover the area with branches to discourage raking of leaf litter.
6. Do not feed them, do not leave pet food out and cover up compost scraps.
7. Place a mirror in a strategic spot. The turkey may fight what he thinks is competition and move on.
8. Use synthetic predator spray such as fox urine or consider using motion sensing water sprayers.
9. Plant low-growing groundcovers such as grevillea, dianella or native violet.
10. Remove overhanging branches as they prefer shade for mound building. Please check council requirements before pruning or removing trees.
‘It’s sideways’: Passion and pain at City v Country junior rugby
There were thrillers, comebacks, heartbreak and heroics as the young guns of rugby played with passion - and pain - in a memorable City v Country showdown. Stars and result wrap
AFL Sydney future watch: Meet 45 bright young male and female talents
The pathway to the top starts here. These young stars from AFL Sydney are building their reputations early, and could be future draft picks in the making. See the full list of 45 rising talents.