Aussie apartment owner's amazing feat after moving from farm to the city: 'Didn't take long'
Retiree Dan Tussie created an incredible oasis on his 13th-floor apartment balcony in Sydney – proving you can always bring the bush with you.
Longing for a taste of what life on a farm offered him for many years, retiree Dan Tussie was desperate to spruce up his 13th-floor apartment balcony. Adding a fish pond and some greenery to his comparatively small outdoor space, what followed was "remarkable" — and what he ended up with shocked even him.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, the 68-year-old said he’s “always been a bird man” and before moving to the three-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s St Leonards, had lived on farms throughout rural New South Wales. On his last in Middle Dural, on Sydney's northwest outskirts, which he sold 10 years ago, he was breeding birds, he said.
But because of his age, he was forced to sell and move to Sydney, opting for apartment living where he began noticing "the odd lorikeet flying past”
“I decided to get some chopped apple and just tried to encourage them to eat some of that," he told Yahoo News Australia this week. "That didn't take long at all. Soon they were eating out of my hand — they were even jumping on my head and on my shoulders. It was hilarious.”
Retiree makes bird boxes with 'sensational' outcome
The 68-year-old said the native birds were “incredibly friendly” and relatively quiet considering their reputation, but then he noticed two pairs who used to “canoodle” on his balcony railing. Taking the hint, he decided to “make a box” to give them privacy — and with that single move new life was born.
"I popped it in a big, very, tall plant pot under cover, and it had shrubbery around it with peat moss inside for added comfort," he explained. "The top of it was out with a hole for them to go in and within a couple of weeks, they were in it.”
But when he noticed the other pair “looking at me” from the railing he felt obliged to make another, and before long several chicks had been born. Dan said it was “absolutely sensational” especially when “more and more” began to visit — he eventually had multiple boxes.
He even watched the little chicks fly for the very first time, flapping their wings “a million miles an hour” from his balcony. "I was terrified. I thought they’d fall," he said.
What’s even more amazing is that he doesn’t feed them anymore he revealed, not since the very first time he gave them apple. “I let them get their own natural feed. I can go out there now with no food, and they're still all over me. It's quite remarkable," he explained.
More than 50 baby birds born on Sydney balcony
Over the past four years, Dan has watched over over 50 chicks be born. He said he's "really proud" of what he's been able to achieve.
The adult birds will often forage the surrounding area and bring food back to their chicks inside the box, including bottle brushes and nectar from other flowering trees. “They just eat flowering trees, anything that's in bud,” Dan said.
And surprisingly, there’s not been a single complaint from neighbours — even when “a whole flock of them” return at once after flying off.
"My immediate neighbour loves them and thinks it's just phenomenal, amazing. He comes and visits and thinks it's just such a rarity to find this situation,” Dan told Yahoo.
'Overwhelming' reaction to Aussie man's incredible efforts
Admitting he "took it for granted" because he was used to having birds around, the retiree said the reaction he’s received has “overwhelmed me”.
He shared his accomplishment on social media where it's received an incredible response — over 1.5k likes and comments from astonished witnesses. “This is amazing, you’re amazing, they’re amazing!! Omg I love this,” one said.
“That’s very encouraging. I live on the 7th floor overlooking a reserve. Lots of nesting birds hanging around. I’d like to do the same,” another revealed.
His efforts have now earned him a “legendary” badge of honour. “What a blessing you are for the local wildlife,” another shared.
Despite missing his ride-on lawn mower, his horses and other wildlife, apartment life is “absolutely brilliant” Dan concluded. “I don't have to maintain lawns and gardens and gutters. I can just lock up and go."
The abundance of birds that still visit daily have certainly “compensated” him for what was lost, he admits, hoping they'll continue to return.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
