Naturally diverse

Our June cover story ‘25 ways to welcome wildlife’ really struck a chord with Gardening Australia readers, and the competitions that followed for copies of The Australian Animal Atlas and The Australian Bird Guide elicited a huge range of responses. We decided we just had to share the winning entries with you, some of which came from very young wildlife enthusiasts! Thank you to all who took part.

If you were an Australian animal, what would you be and why?

I would be a wedge-tailed eagle because I could explore Australia from above. I could stop and visit many Australian gardens on the way.

Sally, age 7, West Wollongong, NSW I’d be a blue heeler so I could spend all day getting dirty in the garden. Harper, age 3, Rivett, ACT I am a green turtle munching on sea grass, cruising coral reefs and nesting on remote tropical islands. Vicki Harrington,

Bolton Point, NSW

I’d be a keelback snake because

I would be able to swim swiftly and be immune to cane toad toxins. Luke, age 10, Gordon Park, Qld

I would be a platypus… indigenous, agile, unusual, clever – and a good swimmer at last! A Stritch, Drouin, Vic

Tell us about a memorable encounter with an Australian bird

Bush outing, nature called, uncompromising position… mulga parrot pair descend nearby… perfect view, ideal photography conditions but no camera… missed opportunity but memorable encounter!

Mary Butler, Kalgoorlie, WA Loved hearing the deep throaty thud, thud of emus coming to the sheep troughs to drink before the day got hot. Nicole Dove, Morphett Vale, SA An injured booby joined our fishing boat for a week, resting and eating our bait. As its wing healed, it gradually returned to the wild.

Joseph Macdougall, Forest Lakes, Qld

Show-off! A pair of yellow-tailed black cockatoos in a bottlebrush tree. The male, squawking away loudly, swinging around the small branch in 360° loops.

Annie Morrison, Dapto, NSW

Once a week a white-browed scrub wren comes in, does the housekeeping, getting the spiders under chairs, then leaves. Beats vacuuming! Kristine Smith, Tallangatta, Vic