There are over 3 million pet dogs in Australia, with around 38% of households keeping a dog. However, backyards are getting smaller, dogs are not allowed off the lead in public places, and off-lead exercise areas are few and far between. Lack of exercise and...
In our segment Don showed a baby Red-tailed Black Cockatoo that had been bred in captivity. It was a curious little creature, resembling a tiny, fluff-covered dinosaur or lizard. Of all the Australian birds, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos have the sweetest natures and...
Morrie McGowan wrote to Burke’s Backyard to tell us about his Roller pigeon hybrid, Rolly. Rolly is strangely attracted to a ball. Anywhere the ball goes, Rolly will follow. If Morrie throws the ball in the backyard, Rolly will fly after it, land on it and peck...
John Dengate picked up a black-bellied swamp snake. These snakes are not highly venomous, but they do bite and victims may suffer pain and localised swelling. John pointed out that this species could easily be confused with the eastern brown snake, which looks similar...
John Dengate met Jodi Rowley, from the Australian Museum, at Long Reef Golf Course. There they found a bombardier beetle hiding under a log. This remarkable creature is able to squirt would-be predators with boiling acid. The beetle can aim its firing tube in almost...
This year Burke’s Backyard is introducing a new environmental segment called Making a Difference (MAD). In this segment we will look at practical ways you can make a difference to your local environment. The recommendations we give will be based on thorough...