Spring is in the air. Our natural environment is certainly indicating this at present. Yes, there are the obvious displays of bright yellow wattle, but have you seen a leopard (orchid) yet? Our members have been down at ground level photographing and recording numerous different local orchids that are prolific now, particularly greenhoods and blue caladenia.
The birds are also getting excited about spring. Families of white winged choughs are constructing their mud nests, Pardalotes are singing and dancing with outstretched wings, crested pigeons, galahs and magpies have all been seen in flight carrying nesting materials. An encounter with a white fronted chat saw the small bird mimicking an injury or broken wing, a clever deception to distract the intruder from young birds in its nest.
Echidnas are active. Two were observed at Mt Korong within 1km of each other, walking briskly across open ground. They were very different in colour and size. The pale coloured echidna was easily camouflaged by tussocks of grass.
The sounds of nature also changes with the season. It is wonderful to hear frogs again, and challenging to try to pick out different calls. A fellow observer mentioned listening to a banjo frog, sometimes called a pobble bonk, after a shower of rain. The call of the pallid cuckoo is synonymous with the wattle in bloom. Magpies are singing in large groups, and are even singing at night.
WCMN members had an interesting and most educational day trip to visit many of the sites that WCMN had been involved with. A major highlight was the sighting of a Little Eagle at Mr Korong.
There is so much happening in our local natural environment. Something of interest for everyone. From the behaviour of birds at nesting time, to the brilliant displays of flowering wattles, right down to the delicate, yet so varied orchids and other flowering plants.
WCMN will be at the Kooyoora wildflower show. This will be a wonderful opportunity to see a huge display of our local wildflowers, and gather lots of information. Hope to see you there.
WCMN (Wedderburn Conservation Management Network) “Observers”
The birds are also getting excited about spring. Families of white winged choughs are constructing their mud nests, Pardalotes are singing and dancing with outstretched wings, crested pigeons, galahs and magpies have all been seen in flight carrying nesting materials. An encounter with a white fronted chat saw the small bird mimicking an injury or broken wing, a clever deception to distract the intruder from young birds in its nest.
Echidnas are active. Two were observed at Mt Korong within 1km of each other, walking briskly across open ground. They were very different in colour and size. The pale coloured echidna was easily camouflaged by tussocks of grass.
The sounds of nature also changes with the season. It is wonderful to hear frogs again, and challenging to try to pick out different calls. A fellow observer mentioned listening to a banjo frog, sometimes called a pobble bonk, after a shower of rain. The call of the pallid cuckoo is synonymous with the wattle in bloom. Magpies are singing in large groups, and are even singing at night.
WCMN members had an interesting and most educational day trip to visit many of the sites that WCMN had been involved with. A major highlight was the sighting of a Little Eagle at Mr Korong.
There is so much happening in our local natural environment. Something of interest for everyone. From the behaviour of birds at nesting time, to the brilliant displays of flowering wattles, right down to the delicate, yet so varied orchids and other flowering plants.
WCMN will be at the Kooyoora wildflower show. This will be a wonderful opportunity to see a huge display of our local wildflowers, and gather lots of information. Hope to see you there.
WCMN (Wedderburn Conservation Management Network) “Observers”
