QFS July Meeting Guest Speaker: Brad Mayger: Evolution of a Dream

Our July speaker is Brad Mayger who has been keeping and breeding birds for over 45 years. During this time, aviary design has changed, species availability has changed, and Brad’s personal preferences have changed.

Brad’s talk will focus on the development of his dream of wonderful aviaries and a wonderful collection on a 1.5 hectare property bought in May 2020. He found many issues that needed to be understood and overcome. The challenges of a flood plain, giant forest red gums and abundant wildlife all contributed to what needed to be addressed and dealt with. Brad will discuss the planning process and how he incorporated all of the needed requirements for the dream property, in what was essentially not ideal land.

Water was always an issue, with only rainwater to the property. How, where and why he situated the aviaries where they are today, the placement of gardens and how he dealt with the water requirements of having numerous livestock and gardens will be covered. And, of course, he will describe his mixed and rather eclectic collection of birds where finches are just one, and often a minor, element.

Brad’s talk will be a lead in to an aviary visit to his place just two days later on July 5. So come along or join online to listen and then experience Brad’s aviaries on the Sunday.