As I write this, a windy blast of cold Antarctic air is about to hit The Cape. But last week was certainly spring like if nature was any indication – frog calls were noisy and abundant, an echidna appeared, birds were chattering amongst the bush, honeyeaters, small and large, were flying after each other at great speed, ducks were busily chasing each other in flight, Welcome Swallows were gliding around in large numbers … and that dreaded Magpie (my new best friend – not) was still swooping me! Several bird species also made return appearances from their warmer climes – Black-fronted Dotterel, Silvereye, and Grey Fantail.