Plenty of nature signs to tell us that spring is certainly in full swing. Small bird activity is frenetic in the coastal bush and around the remnant vegetation; the wetlands are humming; the restored creek line is planted out and busy with birds and mammals; and the reptiles are starting to emerge.

Spring has arrived despite the winds and some wild, wet weather, and so have the birds. This week I have been focussing on some of the newly constructed habitat areas within The Cape. Despite early days, there is plenty happening in the street landscapes, down the new creek line and the open grassy spaces nearby. Read more by following the link below to read the latest issue of Cape Chatter.

I have taken the liberty to produce something a little different in this Special Edition of Cape Chatter.

The Cape is in a special part of the world and our back yard is the wild water of Bass Strait. We do not get the chance to see much out on the water and have only sporadic chances to see life in the blue world. So a small group of Cape residents (D,G and the 4J’s – sounds like a 70’s pop group!) made the most of a whale watching trip off Wilson’s Promotory last Friday with Wildlifecoast Cruises. And we were not disappointed.

A big thanks to The Cape residents Jeannie and Gabi who helped me conduct our first Latham’s Snipe survey for the season last Saturday in windy, wintery conditions. After about two hours of stomping around in our gumboots, we finally managed to flush one Snipe out of the bog near the central wetland complex. This is a spot they have been seen before and is confirmation this area is favourable Snipe habitat, and the reason the restored creek line was modified near its junction with the wetland to accommodate these amazing birds.