Local Climate Change Action: 1 new webpage and 2 upcoming events
Posted on 3 June, 2016 by Connecting Country
If you are interested in learning more about the impact of climate change in central Victoria then it you should head to Bendigo on Wednesday June the 15th. There are two events of interest – in the morning, the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s Climate Change Forum, and in the evening, a public forum on the future of Bendigo in a warming environment. More information on the these forums is below. Or, if you are enjoying the comfort of home, you can check out Connecting Country’s new Biodiversity and Climate Change resource pages.
Climate change will put pressure on the biodiversity of the Mount Alexander region. Photo: Shane Carey
Climate change and biodiversity in the Mount Alexander Shire
By working with people in our community to address the direct and indirect impacts of climate change, we hope to create a robust and healthy local landscape that remains livable for future generations of humans and other species.
Connecting Country’s activities – such as remnant protection, construction of wildlife corridors, control of pest plants and animals, and biodiversity monitoring – all contribute to climate change adaptation, mitigation and a better understanding of its effects. However, there is always more that can be done locally and at larger scales.
Our new climate change and biodiversity resource pages contains links to local information looking at climate patterns, the impact on biodiversity and what you can do to help. As with all of our resource pages, these references are continually evolving and your suggestions for new information is always welcome (email krista@connectingcountry.org.au).
CLICK HERE to view the pages.
North Central 2016 Climate Change Forum
This forum offers you an opportunity to share the latest knowledge of climate change science and agency activity with the North Central CMA. CLICK HERE to view the flyer.
When: 9 am – 1pm Wednesday 15 June 2016
Where: Bendigo Jockey Club, Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550
RSVP: Attendance is limited. RSVP to the North Central CMA by Friday 10 June
Telephone: (03) 5448 7124
Email: info@nccma.vic.gov.au
Public Forum: The Future of Bendigo in a Warming Climate
10 June 2016 – Strategic Fire Planning Presentation in Castlemaine
Posted on 2 June, 2016 by Connecting Country
The guest speakers for the June meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC) are Paul Bates (District Manager, Murray Goldfields District, DELWP) and Ben Matthews (Regional Fire Planner – Loddon Mallee Region, DELWP).
Paul has provided the following information about the presentation:
“We would like to talk about strategic fire planning and the risk based approach to fuel management. This work is guided by government policy called Safer Together which can be summarised as follows: Safer Together – our new approach to bushfire management, combines stronger community partnerships with the latest science and information to more effectively target our actions to reduce our bushfire risk. We will use a risk reduction target across public and private land to focus our bushfire management activities (like planned burning) in areas we know (through fire modelling) will have the greatest impact.
Our planned burning program under this new risk target does not mean we will burn less, or burn more – it means we will be burning smarter.”
There will be ample time for questions after their presentation.
As per usual for the CFNC, this free presentation will occur on the second Friday of the month (10 June), commencing from 7.30pm. It will be held in the Fellowship room, which is located in the hall behind the Uniting Church (On Lyttleton St, next door to the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum). Visitors welcome. Tea and coffee afterwards.
Taradale Landcare BBQ – Sunday June 5th 2016
Posted on 1 June, 2016 by Asha
Taradale Landcare is making a comeback! On Sunday June 5th 2016 (aka World Environment Day) they will be holding a FREE BBQ. If you or anyone else you know might be interested in joining the group, or checking out the displays and kids activities, please come along!
Click here to see the flier with further details OR Click here to check out their new Facebook page.
Where: Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve, Jackson St, Taradale.
Date: Sunday June 5th 2016
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
FOBIF Tree exhibition moves to Newstead
Posted on 30 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
Long-leaved Box Eucalyptus goniocalyx, juvenile leaf. From Strangways
Photo by Patrick Kavanagh, September 2014
The Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests exhibition, Trees in the Mount Alexander Region, is moving to the new Newstead Railway Arts Hub after a month at TOGS café in March.
The show in Newstead will run throughout June 2016. It will include the photos from the TOGS show and a slide show which will have at least one image from people who sent in photos for the FOBIF Flickr site after a call for photos in January. There are 25 framed photos which are all are for sale with proceeds going to FOBIF.
The Arts Hub show will be open at weekends and the Queens Birthday holiday (Monday 13 June). Opening hours are 10 am to 4 pm. The address is Dundas Street, Newstead (directly across from Railway Hotel). If you would like to view the exhibition outside these days/hours, or help with staffing the show, contact Bronwyn Silver on 5475 1089.
The opening will be at 10.30 on Saturday 4 June 2016. There will be refreshments and everyone is welcome. Bernard Slattery from FOBIF will open the show.
‘Death Throes.’ Yellow Box Eucalyptus melliodora. From Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve
Photo by Damian Kelly, November 2015
June 2016 edition of North Central CMA chat
Posted on 30 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The June 2016 Chat edition is available for viewing (click here – 5MB). Regional Landcare Coordinator, Tess Grieves, notes that the highlights this month include an invitation to the North Central Waterwatch 4th Annual Water Science Forum on June 4, an array of fishy news stories and an introduction to Gorse Project officer Jenny Johnson.
Tess also writes “I have also included a note in my intro about the 2016-17 North Central Community Grants program. Our annual grants program is likely to follow previous years’ timeframes, expected to be opened in mid-July 2016 *pending approvals. The 2016-17 program has been revised based on extensive community feedback, so we are currently updating the application forms, guidelines and “Supporting Landcare in North Central Victoria’ survey. It is really important that groups, networks and individuals are ‘project’ ready’, so it’s timely to begin thinking about what your Landcare community might be needing in your region. I look forward to being able to open applications in mid-July.”
Latest news from the FTLA
Posted on 30 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
On the 27 May 2016. Susi Johnson from the Farm Tree and Landcare Association (FTLA) sent us a comprehensive email full of information about upcoming events, activities and grants opportunities. We thought that there was lots within it which would be of interest to our members and local Landcare groups. As such, we’ve turned her email into a PDF for you viewing (click here).
Bird outing to Karrook at Kalimna Park
Posted on 24 May, 2016 by Tanya Loos
By Tanya Loos.
Saturday 14 May 2016 had a magical Autumn morning and our group of 25 bird observers was ably led by Jules Walsh and Geoff Hannon from Friends of Kalimna Park. Jules and Geoff are locals in the area and were able to share with the group some of the history of the site known as Karrook. Thanks Jules and Geoff!
It was very quiet at first, with our group seeing few birds. But by the time we got to the gully/ dam area, the bushland was alive with Scarlet Robins (6!!), thornbills, White-throated Treecreepers and a very healthy looking male Golden Whistler. Another highlight was a Little Eagle soaring overhead!
We also saw an Eastern Spinebill –a small, much-loved honeyeater, most often seen in gardens so great to see in the bush! One of you (I think it was Lynette!) asked me if the female had a grey crown, and I most mistakedly said “oh no, that difference is the difference between White-eared male and female honeyeaters”. Well, I am happy to say that as a birdwatcher one is learning all the time and I was very wrong! Geoff Park did a lovely blog post on Natural Newstead on these birds which points out that the female spinebill does indeed have a grey crown (as in the picture by Geoff below, and read more on this post HERE).
Our outing was during the annual mainland Australia Swift Parrot survey count weekend. While we did not see any Swifties, we have nevertheless submitted a survey form, as knowing where they are NOT is also very important. I have attached a word copy of the completed survey form (WL_-_Swift_Parrot-Regent_Honeyeater_survey_sheetConnectingCountry).
If you would like to be on the email list for bird surveys in the area – drop me an email at tanya@connectingcountry.org.au.
A female eastern Spinebill, by Geoff Park
Our bird walk also happened to fall upon the Global Big Day Out 2016 – a massive worldwide event that encourages users of eBird to record their sightings. eBird is an online recording tool that can be downloaded as an app, or used online. To see our survey as it looks in the eBird program go HERE.
Don’t worry if you have never heard of eBird – it is a great tool, and fun to check out but not essential. Sometime this year BirdLife Australia will finish their smartphone app and online recording tool or portal – we’re expecting that this will be more useful and relevant to us than eBird, as it is locally-based and uses exactly the same bird surveying methods.
Having said that I think the idea of a simultaneous worldwide bird count is a lot of fun! The results of the Global Big Day Out are in: 6,199 species recorded by 15,446 people all over the world! In Australia, 487 species were recorded in 944 checklists by just 309 people! Our humble contribution was 20 species! I encourage you to explore the Global Big Day website (click HERE) – it is really inspiring and has a lovely picture of a map of birds all over the world to download.
The statistics for the Global Big Day Out
4 June 2016 – Citizen Science Forum
Posted on 24 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The North Central CMA’s Waterwatch Program is hosting its 4th Annual Water Science Forum in Bendigo on Saturday 4 June. This year’ forum is titled ‘A focus on Citizen Science….contributing to scientific knowledge‘. Further details are in the flyers below (or Click HERE and HERE to download the details). RSVPs to the North Central CMA (03 5448 7124).
1 June 2016 – Fire Operation Plan ‘Open House’ Session in Castlemaine
Posted on 24 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) have let us know that they will have staff available for discussion about the Fire Operations Plan for central Victoria. Various sessions are being held, including one in Castlemaine from 2pm to 7pm on Wednesday 1 June. The flyer says “Join Forest Fire Management staff to discuss the strategic plans which outline the frequency and location of planned burns, the three year schedule of burns and the mulching and grooming activities planned for Central Victoria….”.
Further information is available in this flyer (CLICK HERE).
Green Army Team 2016
Posted on 23 May, 2016 by Asha
First Green Army Team of 2016
Last year, Connecting Country partnered with the North Central CMA and more than 20 local Landcare/Friends groups to apply for Round 4 of the Green Army programme. We were successful, and as a result, we’ve had a team of nine working on Landcare projects across the region since February 2016. This current Green Army team has done some fabulous work so far, including controlling weeds, removing rubbish, and installing posts and tables. Soon it will be time to change things up a bit with some planting, pine control and track maintenance. It’s been wonderful to hear the positive feedback from both Landcare/Friends groups and the Green Army participants. Each Green Army team operates for about 6 months, and this one is under the management of Manpower Australia.
Tackling the gorse in Specimen Gully
A couple of weeks ago I went out to have morning tea with the team and see how they’ve been going. Peter (team supervisor), Liam, Mitch, Paige, Kirra, James, Rachel, Melissa and Josh were working assisting the Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife Group in Specimen Gully at the time, tackling the infestation of gorse and other weeds there. There’s been a lot of weed control for the team to do this year, so by now they’re a well-oiled machine when it comes to cutting and painting. There are plenty of interesting things that turn up along the way as well, like mystery plant and bird species, or even a shy echidna. The team has also enjoyed learning about the stories of the Landcare/Friends groups they’re working with, so thank you to everyone who has taken time to share these with them.
Over the next few months, this Green Army team will continue to work in heritage areas in the region. We’ll also have a second Green Army team starting in July, who will be working on projects for another twelve local Landcare/Friends groups.
By Asha Bannon
Mount Alexander Region Landcare Facilitator
Sunday 29 May 2016 – Cactus control day and BBQ
Posted on 23 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The next Cactus Killing Field Day of the Tarrengower Cactus Control Group is to be held on Sunday, 29th May from 10.30 am to 12.30pm, followed by a sausage sizzle and cuppa. The venue is in Baringhup at the Cairn Curran end of Watersons Road. The property is on Watersons Road between Cairn Curran and Back Cairn Curran Roads. Further details are available in their pamphlet (click here).
All are welcome to come along, and to help control this weed which threatens to spread across the whole region. “Hope you can be there to help us make 2016 another great year in the fight against Wheel Cactus.”, says group member Tony Kane.
Future Directions Conference Series: Food & Fibre Production and Environment
Posted on 23 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The Bendigo TAFE are organizing a conference covering the topic of ‘Sustainable Food Production’. On Friday the 24th June 2016 from 10am to 4pm you can hear from leading industry speakers, covering:
The importance of biosecurity for food security – Rosa Crnov, Manager, Plants, Pests and Disease Agriculture Victoria- Export potential of ‘clean and green’ food – Bryan Balmer, Market Manager Agriculture Victoria
- Sustainable land use – growers experiences – Grant Sims, producer Pine Grove, Weekly Times Farmer of the Year 2016
- Adapting farm practices in a changing climate – Dr Richard Eckard, Professor and Director of the Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre
Bendigo TAFE have let us know that a full agenda will be released soon. They are encouraging people to join them for the opportunity to network and be part of the conversion about sustainable food production. To express your interest please email epi@bendigotafe.edu.au and they will send you further information and the registration link.
While you have your diaries out, Connecting Country and the North Central Catchment Management Authority are organizing a Viable, Sustainable and Biodiverse Farms Field Day on Friday the 19th of August 2016 to be held in Sutton Grange. More details of this exciting event are coming soon.
Remediation and Other Aspirations
Posted on 19 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The recent Sutton Grange Landcare newsletter (May 2016 edition) featured an inspiring article by Pam and Grant Workman on their Connecting Country project. Their stunning property on the side of Mount Alexander forms an important part of our Mount Alexander to Metcalfe Link project, the first stage of which was funded through the state government’s Communities for Nature program in 2015. Thanks to Grant and Pam for allowing us to share their story.
The direct seeding undertaken at the Workman’s property.
As two townies who came to the country Pam and I took a while to acclimatise to our new environment. Living on anything beyond a suburban block was completely new to me although Pam had some childhood experiences of living in smaller rural communities.
What to do with 22 ha of rolling, if not steep land, subject to all the climatic vagaries of the Faraday Sutton Grange area. One of our sons from his strong interest in terra-culture systems developed a master management plan which in theory looked magnificent. Unsurprisingly it required more energy, time, water and reticulation infrastructure than we had available.
Enter ‘Connecting Country’. Another participant and community member, Natalie McCarthy extolled the virtues of this program at a recent Landcare meeting noting the excellent administration of the program and the responsive staff: we concur with all such affirmations. The program allowed us to isolate stock from our most fragile hill areas, direct seed more land than we would have believed possible, plant 750-800 trees and larger shrubs, and provide for weed and rabbit control.
So what had happened since we got underway in mid-2015? The wind blew, the rain failed to fall, the rabbits were endemic (migrating from adjoining land faster than we could control them), our weed control efforts while effective on our land, faced the onslaught of uncontrolled adjoining properties including the regional forest and we experienced record high numbers of kangaroos running through and over everything in their path. Sounds disastrous. And on the face of it, it was. We lost nearly every planted tree and shrub being left with milk cartons strewn everywhere with only the odd bamboo stick to indicate where we had once planted.
Pam and Grant have found it pays to be patient when it comes to seeing direct seeding results.
The good news that it’s not all bad news! We have learned a lot from observing how our particular situation responds to our efforts. The direct seeding, after initially appearing to be a dead loss is coming to life like a giant awakening. We suspect that over the coming 2-3 years, even with modest rainfall we will have a significant cover from this process providing habitat for small birds and having a major erosion mitigation strategy in place.
What have we concluded from all of this in our circumstance on our specific block? Big tick for the Connecting Country program and direct seeding. Planting trees and larger shrubs we think requires exclusion zones (roos, rabbits, weeds), and be no bigger than we can look after with our limited resources in any one year. Each successive year we should be able to create a new zone and go again. We also think that before embarking on such a venture it would have been really helpful to discuss what we planned to do with neighbours and try and include them in the program, if possible, but at the very least have them on board so that weed and rabbit control issues can be bipartisan particularly neared shared borders.
Most of this will be no surprise to those of you who have been custodians of the land in this area for a long time. Us newbies are still getting out heads around it and hopefully learning valuable lessons as we attempt to remediate our land.
Grant and Pam Workman
Meet Our New Crew
Posted on 16 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
For four years now, Connecting Country has assembled an annual Works Crew to undertake planting, weed management, rabbit control and fencing on many of the properties we are working with. The crew for 2016 started just after Easter, and are enthusiastic about the season ahead. We wish to share a warm welcome to Anna Pike, Rachel Campbell and Luke Archer. Once again, the crew is headed up our inspiring Crew Leader, Alex Schipperen.
A warm welcome to our new crew members (L-R); Luke Archer, Rachel Campbell, and Anna Pike. Crew leader, Alex Schipperen, is on the far right.
Let us introduce them:
Anna has studied Environmental Management at university and was a Project Firefighter in Gelibrand. In the long term, Anna wants to become a park ranger, so the plant identification skills she’ll learn with Connecting Country are a top priority. Anna isn’t fazed by the hard work ahead – after spending her summer cutting through fences for fire access, she realises it’s about time she put some up again.
Rachel comes to us from Woodend, where she is an active part of Woodend Landcare’s Thursday Crew. When she heard that the annual koala count in Wombat State Forest totalled zero, she realised some serious work needed to be done and she wanted to get involved. This led to Rachel to undertake a Diploma in Conservation Land Management. Joining the Works Crew will give Rachel the practical on-ground experience she needs to complement her studies.
Luke has spent the past 12 months working with the Green Army, around Daylesford, Wedderburn and Mount Alexander. He’s developed skills in plant identification, weed control and erosion control, which he hopes to expand on with the Works Crew. Luke loves the outdoors, and has visions of a landscaping apprenticeship in the future. He’s most looking forward to learning about seed collecting and helping out with our nest box monitoring program.
Over their time with Connecting Country, Anna, Rachel and Luke will obtain their chemical use certificate, first aid certificate, learn chainsaw operation and tree felling, and their construction industry ‘white card’ induction – all great foundations for future work. For now, however, they are busy fencing off areas in preparation for the planting season ahead. Please do say hello if you see them out and about.
The works crew are an important part of our Connecting Landscapes across the Mount Alexander Region project funded by the Australian Government.
Update on the Connecting Country committee
Posted on 13 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
Due to an impending move to NSW with her family, April Merrick has resigned from her role on the Connecting Country Committee of Management. April been a wonderful contributor to the Connecting Country Committee of Management since 2012, and as Treasurer for the past 2-3 years. As well as bringing a comprehensive knowledge of the NRM industry and the philanthropic world to the committee, she has also been the driving force for enhancements to our governance and financial management practices and policies. She has also provided good support for me and other staff in a range of financial and non-financial manners. On behalf of Connecting Country, thank you April, and all the very best for the northward move.
This also means that there is one vacant position as an ‘Ordinary’ committee member. If you are potentially interested in joining the committee, please feel free to contact me for more information (chris@connectingcountry.org.au or call 03 5472 1594) . As a minimum, it involves attending and contributing to monthly committee meetings. There are opportunities for committee members to become more involved in our other activities if they are interested and available. Connecting Country’s AGM is typically held in October each year, and so this could be an opportunity to join the committee now for a short period as a trial, and then reapply to join for the next year if you want. (NB: All committee positions are volunteer roles).
Chris Timewell
Director, Connecting Country
13 May 2016
Swift Parrot count this weekend
Posted on 11 May, 2016 by Tanya Loos
Fans of the Swift Parrot are pleased to hear that the “swifties” are back in the Mount Alexander region, with a small flock of adults and juveniles reported on Geoff Park’s blog Natural Newstead (click here). These precious and declining migratory parrots visit the area every year in Autumn and winter. BirdLife Australia coordinates counts across the birds’ range, and we encourage you to participate this weekend (14-15 May 2016)! The Swift Parrot surveys can be undertaken in a couple of different ways.
Swift Parrot feasting on blossom, a beautiful photo by Chris Tzaros.
- Join me on an outing to Kalimna Park this Saturday 14 May 2016. Kalimna Park is not renowned for a lot of Swiftie sightings but it is good to know where the birds are not occurring, as well as where they are. This walk is a rescheduled outing from last week which was cancelled due to bad weather. Please call or email to book a place and for further details. Phone 0400 458 910 or tanya@connectingcountry.org.au
- Head out on a survey yourself! The form to use is very easy and can be downloaded from the Birdlife website (click here). Elizabeth (Beth) Mellick from the Norman Wettenhall Foundation is coordinating the various Swiftie survey locations in our region, so if you are carrying out a survey, please email Beth at beth@nwf.org.au. The Muckleford-Newstead area is usually the best place to go to see some Swift Parrots! However, some other potential locations that are not yet covered by birdwatchers include: Harcourt, Nuggetty, Welshmans Reef, and if you wish to go further south, Campbelltown and Talbot.
From Tanya Loos,
Coordinator of Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Projects
Connecting Country Membership Renewal Time
Posted on 10 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
On the edge of a basalt plain in the Mount Alexander region.
It’s membership renewal time at Connecting Country we hope that all current members will continue their membership into 2017. Membership demonstrates your support for Connecting Country, which helps us obtain funding for new projects across the local community. Current members are also able to vote at the AGM if there are decisions to be made (e.g. committee elections) and provides you with insurance cover at Connecting Country events.
As per previous years, membership of Connecting Country is completely free – but it does need to be renewed on an annual basis.
Please find a 2016-17 Membership Renewal Form for current members (click here). This can be returned by email (naomi@connectingcountry.org.au). Membership renewals are requested to be completed and returned by 31 July 2016.
We are also always keen for new members, and welcome applications at any time of the year. New Membership Application forms are available (click here) for those keen to join Connecting Country for the first time, or for those whose memberships have lapsed by two years or more. Signed hard-copies of the application form can be posted to Connecting Country, PO Box 437, Castlemaine VIC 3450. Email Naomi if you unsure if you are a current Connecting Country member or not (naomi@connectingcountry.org.au).
This is also often a great time to show your support by giving a donation to Connecting Country. If you wish to make a donation you can use the ‘Donate Now’ in the top right of our home page or simply click here.
It’s been a really exciting 12 months for Connecting Country and we wish to give our heartiest thanks to all our members for your continued support for and participation in Connecting Country activities. We look forward to the next year being just as busy and great.
Local choir, the Chat Warblers, give a stunning performance at this year’s Feathered Five Festival
North Central Chat – May 2016 edition
Posted on 10 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
The May 2016 edition of the North Central CMA publication ‘chat’ is now available (click here – 4.8 MB), and contains a range of stories about Landcare and Waterwatch from across the region.
2016 National Volunteer Week in Castlemaine
Posted on 10 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
Local coordinator of the Mount Alexander Volunteer Network Inc., Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, has let us know that there are two local events in being held as part of National Volunteer Week.
- A free morning tea and live music at Buda Historic Home and Garden, Hunter Street, Castlemaine on Tuesday, 10th May from 11am – 12.30pm. This event is supported by Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters who will be in attendance to thank and acknowledge the powerful work of volunteers. Live performance from Doc Henry & Ange Mitten. All welcome.
- The launch of a new volunteer resource website & support service taking place at the Castlemaine Library on Wednesday, 11th May at 11am – 12 noon with morning tea provided. Meet Nicky Suter from the Central Victoria Volunteer Service and learn how this service can assist and support your community group and improve your volunteer experience.
Nature News: Neighbourhood (bird)watch
Posted on 3 May, 2016 by Connecting Country
On page 16 of this week’s Midland Express newspaper (3 May 2016), you’ll see the fourth in our monthly series of Nature News articles. Local amateur naturalist and Connecting Country staff member, Naomi Raftery, has written a delightful piece on her discovery of our local frogs: A beginner naturalist discovers frogs.
In April, our Nature News article was written by new resident to Castlemaine, Benjamin Boxshall, who shared his experience of learning about the local wildlife to be found in the heart of town – and the joy of sharing the discoveries with new neighbours. His article is below if you missed out.
Common Bronzewing. Photo: Geoff Park
One of the exciting things about being new resident in a new location is the process of familiarising ourselves with the local wildlife. Observing the comings and goings of our local fauna is one of the great joys of living with a ‘sense of place’ even if it’s often done from the kitchen window or the front porch.
It is really rewarding to note the arrivals and departures that occur with changes in weather and seasons. Along with our resident comedian magpie chick, we’ve had a proud male bronzewing strutting around our backyard in recent weeks. Often before we are even out of bed we can note the arrival of a newcomer to the neighbourhood with the sound of an unfamiliar call in the otherwise familiar soundscape. It can take us several weeks to identify the bird responsible, but we really enjoy the suspense and the satisfaction of naming our bird!
It also pays to look up! It’s no wonder our neighbours’ colony of blackbirds often look nervous. Driving home recently we were stunned to see a collared sparrowhawk intercept a blackbird on the wing, snatching it in flight, and awkwardly carrying it across in front of our car to perch in a street tree to finish the job.
White-throated Needletails. Photo Geoff Park
In the last few weeks we’ve been very excited to see white-throated needletails – or needletail swifts – hunting insects high over our house at dusk. They are a truly impressive sight – precise, aerodynamic hunters that apparently conduct their courtship on the wing, and can reach speeds of up to 150km per hour. Also known as storm birds, they will leave our skies over the coming weeks and migrate north to the bright-blue skies of Mongolia and Siberia.
Other highlights have included watching a harrier cruising over the backyard, apparently oblivious to the protestations of the resident wattlebirds, and the discovery of a family of micro bats living under the metal cap of our power pole. We have watched up to a dozen of these little bats emerging one at a time from their unlikely hiding place on a number of evenings now.
There are great rewards that can come from being tuned in to nature. But such stories are best enjoyed when they are shared. At our recent street Christmas party we found ourselves deep in conversation with our new neighbours about gardens, birds, bats and bluetongues. Whilst we’d already started identifying and listing the birds we’d seen around home, we were assured that there were more bird species to discover. We learned there were striated pardalotes nesting at the house on the corner, and were told to expect to see eastern spinebills in the months ahead. So we’re now starting a street bird list to encourage all our neighbours to tune in and share stories.