Now that both Labradors have passed over the rainbow bridge, our remaining house pets consist of possums and various insects.

We had mice, too. These guys were cute and friendly - I remember one sitting on top of an armchair, regarding me companionably, like a housemate - but their droppings in the cupboard under the sink did not feel particularly hygienic.

OTHER RECENT ECO NEWS COLUMNS:

In January, while we were away, a house sitter kindly trapped them and set them free down by the river (yes, they were probably instant snacks for some other animal).

A possum lives beside the exhaust fan above the toilet. If you're in there during the day, you might hear it shifting position or a quick thump-thump-thump as it scratches itself.

At dusk, you hear the clattering of its feet over the corrugated iron roof as it goes out to forage for the night, and at dawn, the same in reverse.

On a blackboard in the laundry, there is a long-standing item chalked on the To Do list: "Sort out possums".

I have no problem with their crashing and banging and occasional screams, but for human health and safety (they might chew on electrical wiring) they do need to be moved on.

As for flora, I've recently learned that the "broad leafed weed" in the yard is actually the perfectly edible mallow plant, and can be eaten just like spinach.

I cooked up a pretty good mallow and pumpkin curry with it. It's given me a whole new way of looking at the lawn.

Bathurst Regional Council now has a project that celebrates and advocates for the rich biodiversity in our own backyards.

To become a "Backyard Ranger", all you have to do is download the iNaturalist app on your phone.

From within the app, search for and join the Bathurst Backyard Ranger project. Then you can photograph and upload pictures of the flora and fauna you see in your local area: spiders, crickets, frogs, butterflies, bees, birds, possums, fungi, grass, flowers, weeds ... anything you see!

As a reward for joining Bathurst Backyard Rangers, Council will deliver a handsome nest box to your door! Choose from a bird box, a possum box, bat box or insect hotel. Your box will be accompanied by a Backyards for Wildlife booklet.