A black and white swooper and it’s not who you think
Come Spring, everyone gets a little anxious about the territorial swooping of the good ol’ Magpie. I encountered a much smaller, but much more determined swooper on my walk: the Willie Wagtail! Wagtails will take on anything. I’ve seen them harassing everything from a kookaburra to a powerful owl. They know no fear. Enter me, minding my own business in my black, faux fur-lined parka out on a stroll. Like a wagtail but bigger and with red hair. And glasses. All right, I didn’t look one bit like a wagtail but that didn’t stop this feisty little bird!
Out of nowhere there was a flurry of activity in my face. My actual face. A Willie Wagtail was flying at me, first at my head, then at my feet, flicking its wings out, flouncing around its tail fanned out, telling me in no uncertain terms that I was in its territory. While it can breed year round, like many birds, its peak season is from August to about January.
Keep an eye out for the cup-style nests, sitting out on a branch a few metres off the ground. The babies with their gaping mouths are pretty adorable!
Spring things – baby possums
With Spring comes possum joeys. That’s all cuteness and light, right? Well, WIRES has had a run of deceased possums and, after a pouch check, it was found that many of them had living joeys inside. If you find a dead possum and you feel comfortable, check their pouch or call into WIRES 1300 094 737 and request a pouch check. You may just save a bubba’s life.
Check into a Frog Hotel
Looking for a weekend project? What about building a frog hotel? The guests are adorable and they’re great for pest control too. Hotels are small, relatively inexpensive and work perfectly in that shady spot in your garden. Find a how-to guide here.
What’s on
FREE Screening of Envoy: Shark Cull
Saturday, 10 September, 782 Kingsway, Gymea. Shark nets go in the water on the first day of Spring and the consequences for marine life are devastating. Go below with the free screening of this documentary, narrated by Eric Bana. For details and to register, head here.
Illawarra Grevillea Park Botanic Garden
Final open days for 2022. September 10th and 11th. Pack a picnic and spend a few hours wandering around, be inspired and pick up some plants for your home. Visit the park's website.
