[prawn]

I've been in places in the USA and Europe that just feel devoid of birds or often insects. Lift a log in Australia and there are dozens of living things crawling around. In parts of the US, more often than not, there's nothing.

I have a pretty routine suburban backyard in South Australia and there are loads of birds, as with your experience - lorikeets, wattlebirds, etc.

[dmix]

Using Australia as the baseline measure for wildlife/insect levels and you're going to find the vast majority of places wouldn't keep up..

[prawn]

That reply got me thinking - thanks.

[cf141q5325]

In Europe you can see some "forests" which are devoid of any life. I lived near one as a kid. They are simply not functioning ecosystems but dead silent wood plantations.