When we bought our land in 2017, there wasn't much here, basically an old paddock and an easement into a creek, which we discovered the neighbours had been running their grey water into. They were new to the area too, but their house was built in the 60s. So, lots of disinfectants and god knows what into the creek for 50 years.
There were a few fairy wrens around, some earth worms, but otherwise everything seemed kind of... reduced?
Since we built and started (slowly) planting a garden, and got the neighbours to sort out their grey water situation, I've been noticing all sorts of different things coming into the garden, including -
- 30 species of birds, including grey faced herons
- Many different kinds of beetles
- Frogs. You never used to be able to hear them in the evenings, but now with the window open, it sounds like a good population.
- All kinds of butterflies
- Crickets! This year is the first year I've seen/heard them here
- Snails! Taken for granted, and a pest, but I haven't seen one here for 6 years, until a couple of weeks ago.
- Lots of skinks
I guess what I mean to say is that even if the world is shit, improving small things around you can really improve things more than you imagine they will.