We are two-thirds the way through winter here in Australia. Over the last couple of months the missus and I have personally seen, counted and in some cases photographed, the following critters feeding on our Kikuyu
lawn:
1 Wallaby
2 Masked Lapwings
2 Willie Wagtails
2 Grey Fantails
5 Kangaroos
5 Magpies
dozens of Welcome Swallows
22 Rosellas
27 Superb Fairy Wrens
50 Galahs
58 Red-Browed Finches
The wallaby, kangaroos and lapwings
feed at night, the rest during the day. The fantails and swallows pick off insects flying above the lawn. The magpies and lapwings drill for grubs. The wagtails and wrens hunt down crawlers.
Of most interest are the granivores — the finches, rosellas and galahs. They pull up the crown of the Kikuyu to get at the seeds. Since Kikuyu primarily expands by rhizomes and stolons, the consumption of seeds doesn't have any noticeable impact on lawn growth.
(Galahs and Rosellas foraging for Kikuyu seed in a drizzle during winter.)
We've been pleasantly surprised by the number and range of critters that seem to be deriving sustenance from the lawn. Its proving to be quite a buffet during winter when alternative feed options are limited.
The wallaby and kangaroos keep the grass short, which saves me from having to mow so much. The granivores break up the thatch layer, so it doesn't look like I'll need to de-thatch either.
Of
course, it's not all rainbows and unicorns. The galahs rip up enormous amounts of grass, which makes it look a bit messy. Poo everywhere is a mixed blessing — it's free fertiliser but you have to watch where you step.
Our lawn is more interesting to watch than television ever was.
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