People might be scraping ice of their windscreens, but spring is definitely only a few weeks away. White-browed scrubwrens may already be sitting on eggs, male superb fairy-wrens are putting on mating plumage, brown thornbills are raising chicks and varied sitellas are working on tiny but elaborate bark nests.

Australia’s Backyard Buddies program is all about getting more enjoyment from native animals in your backyard. It provides tips and advice on how to make your backyard a safe place for birds to nest.

“Especially insect-eating birds are welcome helpers in any garden, and there are a few simple things Walcha residents can do to invite them to raise their families in their backyards,” said Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife CEO Leonie Gale.

“Your backyard bird buddies will need healthy bugs to raise their broods and you can make sure they don’t go hungry or get sick from eating poisoned insects. Be sure to avoid using insect-killing chemicals on your garden and leave some leaf litter around.

“Willy wagtails even prefer to build their homes next to a human neighbour to help deter predators such as butcherbirds and currawongs. If you watch closely you will see your wagtails securing their nests of bark and grass with spider webs.

“But don’t take it personally if your inquisitive and confident wagtail suddenly tells you with angry calls and a flaring of its white ‘eyebrows’ to back off. It’s just good parenting.

“And if the winter chill does not keep you indoors at night you may hear the love song of a southern boobook owl. The official breeding season doesn’t start until next month but many boobooks are already serenading their partners.”

“Boobooks live happily in almost any leafy neighbourhood and, if you enjoy the company of these gentle owls, think about offering them a nest box big enough for a boobook family of four or five. They will reward you with their pest control services as they gather insects and even catch the odd mouse or two.”