What about garden fencing in Shoreham?
Have you considered the effect of fencing on our native wildlife?
The Problem
Fences are an important part of managing rural properties. They ensure domestic stock are contained, and they identify the legal boundaries of properties. However, fences are also a major hazard for wildlife, including birds, possums, gliders, bats, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. Reptiles may also be at risk due to their backward facing scales which can get caught in narrow spaces and gaps in fencing.
Fencing can lead to creature getting tangled and seriously injured. Fences can also limit natural dispersal and thereby reduce habitat availability which can lead to a reduction in breeding opportunities and may lead to lack of genetic mixing and so create genetic problems especially in small populations.
Improving fencing for wildlife can have many benefits including reduced maintenance, lower costs of installation, to visually pleasing and providing local wildlife with freedom to move without the risk of injury.
Please also be aware of synthetic types of spider webs used for decorating at Christmas and Halloween. This type of fine web catches all types of birds, pollinators and micro bats so it is better to use them only inside the home.
Barbed wire
Barbed wire presents a serious risk to wildlife and should be avoided. In the Macedon Ranges, gliding possums such as the endangered greater glider and the locally common sugar glider have been found dead on barbed wire fences. Of course, many animals escape barbed wire but sustain injuries and die later as a result of their injuries.
Kangaroos are particularly prone to injury by fences. Improving the visibility of the top wire can help animals to clear the fence while jumping.
How to help
Design your fence so that it allows small creatures to pass underneath. Choose plain high tensile fencing wire which can contain most stock.
If wire must be used, avoid barbed wire on the top three strands and the bottom.
Keep the fence low- the maximum height should be 1.2 metres so that kangaroos can pass over the top.
In high quality vegetation areas and near water use plain wire or place wire inside split pipes.
Consider retrofitting existing fences with reflective materials such as CDs and aluminium plant tags.
Consider if you really need a fence or could you use vegetation to enclose an area?
Electric fencing can be used with caution. Keep hot wire above 45cms so that small creatures can pass through safely.
Avoid the use of ringlock which may catch kangaroo legs.