Animal species observations from the Bellis domestic garden, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (2003–2026) 

This csv file includes records of 540 animal species recorded in the Bellis domestic garden in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 2003 to the start of 2026 by Jerry Coleby-Williams. It includes basic taxonomic information (Phylum, order, species name) and year recorded.
The number of species and sampling effort varied among years and so cannot be used to look at annual or seasonal variation. Larger flying animals, such as birds and bats, were recorded if directly above the plot or had landed in the garden. The data therefore includes resident and transient species. The records did not include pets. For each species a nominal taxonomic group and name was assigned based on initial observation and/or photographs by Jerry Coleby-Williams, with identifications or confirmation of most invertebrates and some vertebrates provided by Dr Ken Walker from the Victorian Museum to the level of species (or genus) based on the photographs. For most species there are also observations/notes including relating to were found and other natural history style observations.
 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. The authors acknowledge Dr Ken Walker from Museums Victoria Research Institute for the identification of many species.
 

To document animal species data at a small spatial scale (650 meters square) for a domestic garden, adding to the limited records of these types of urban greenspaces.
 

Records of animal species in the Bellis garden were collected from 2003 until the start of 2026 by Jerry Coleby-Williams with the number of species and sampling effort varying among years. Observations of live animals and photographs using an ordinary camera were made during day-to-day life including gardening. Nearly all photographs were taken of animals in the garden, but some insects were collected, cooled in a fridge and then photographed before being released back into the garden. One species of springtail was identified using a microscope, while around 12 species of insects were collected, killed and pinned for formal identification. Larger flying animals, such as birds and bats, were recorded if directly above the plot or had landed in the garden. The records did not include pets such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs or a Monk parrot. For each species a nominal taxonomic group and name was assigned based on initial observation and photographs, with identifications or confirmation of most invertebrates and some vertebrates provided by Dr Ken Walker from the Victorian Museum to the level of species (or genus) based on photographs. Notes about the species were recorded by Jerry Coleby-Williams, forming a valuable database of natural history observations.