Nesting Grass

[GregH]

Not that my birds ever seem to stop breeding but I'd like to prepare for upcoming breeding season by securing a source of nesting grass. The stuff I had was "Swamp grass" or "November grass" but what exactly are these grasses and where can you get them? A 2L bag costs close to $20 at my local bird shop and it's not an economic to continue. I've been eyeing off the winter-grass (Poa annua) but its not as fine or soft as the Swamp/November-grass. What else do people use in SE Queensland?

[Craig52]

Not that my birds ever seem to stop breeding but I'd like to prepare for upcoming breeding season by securing a source of nesting grass. The stuff I had was "Swamp grass" or "November grass" but what exactly are these grasses and where can you get them? A 2L bag costs close to $20 at my local bird shop and it's not an economic to continue. I've been eyeing off the winter-grass (Poa annua) but its not as fine or soft as the Swamp/November-grass. What else do people use in SE Queensland?

Greg,why don't you buy it from the sellers in Finch News or better still collect your own from around the cane fields,Jacobs Well is a good start just near the stawberry farm if it's still there. Craig

[tonytoast]

Greg, are you talking about buying it or collecting it? Toast

[GregH]

I'l like to collect it. At the price I'm see it in bird shops I cant afford to breed otherwise!

[arthur]

Used to be a Doug (3379 6732) at Graceville . . reasonable price

He would be getting on a bit now but may still sell

[tonytoast]

Greg, unless I am misunderstanding, nesting grass is everywhere....long couch, wire grass on the cricket and soccer fields....even green panic...as long as it hasn't been sprayed, it all works well. November grass is still a few months off. Toast

[Craig52]

I'l like to collect it. At the price I'm see it in bird shops I cant afford to breed otherwise!

There is also Fred at Kingston 0732900109,good luck Craig

[Finches2011]

Yes, both Doug at Graceville and Fred McKinnon advertise November grass every month in Finch News. They have November grass available all the time. If you want to collect it yourself then QFS organises a nesting grass collection outing (usually in early November) to show how and where to collect November grass near Brisbane.

But it is important to provide a range of grasses for nesting.

[GregH]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've managed to get a good supply of coarse grasses but the fine materials are absent around Chapel Hill so I've had to purchase it. The QFS collection sounds a great idea. I would have gone last year even though I didn't have birds then but I wasn't free but hopefully it will work out this year!

[mickw]

........The stuff I had was "Swamp grass" or "November grass" but what exactly are these grasses and where can you get them? .........

Look up "Blown Grass"......genus Lachnagrostis