Nature Notes for September / October

So much is occurring in our natural environment during these spring months. The “Observers” have had a busy and most interesting time. The bright and varied colours of wildflowers are so visually stimulating. For example the hop bushes are spectacular at present ranging from vivid red through to orange and pale green. Lots of birds are nesting now and this is associated with quite a bit of defensive behaviour. We are well accustomed to magpies defending their young in the nest, but many birds can be equally as defensive towards other birds who venture near their nests. Wattle birds will chase away any other bird, large or small. It has been entertaining to watch the progress of construction of a white winged chough’s nest. Over a few weeks a noisy team of workers have almost completed the project. The nest is made from mud and it appears that even though many birds contribute the nesting material, there is a foreman who supervises the construction. Masses of flowers have been observed on bull mallee trees and white gums. Small groups of lorikeets are in the area feeding on the flower nectar. Cockatiels have also been seen in several locations. After the hot and then rainy weather large flocks of wood swallows appeared, catching insects on the wing. The observers have been visiting other areas too. Wyperfeld National Park currently has masses of wildflowers (who needs to go to Western Australia)? An informative day was attended at the Trust for Nature Kinipanyial Grassland site – also lots of wildflowers, and an important example of the biodiversity of the region. At the Friends of Kooryoora Wildflower show the “observers” had a great opportunity to learn a lot more about our local flora. The Wedderburn Conservation Management Network bus trip was well attended and provided the community with an opportunity to view many of the WCMN work sites. Keep looking at your natural environment – following the rains, the wildflowers in our local area have really put on a spectacular show.

Wedderburn CMN "Observers"