Cold, wet and windy … typical Cape winter weather. Not the greatest time of the year for exploring nature with just the tough and hardy animals out and about. One little mammal that seems to like this time of the year is the native Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus). Most of the bird life is that of our permanent/resident species, but there are signs things are about to change. I am pretty sure I heard the call of the elusive Olive Whistler a few days back and a lone Laughing Kookaburra (not a species we see very often in the estate) was hounded away by some aggressive Australian Magpies and a pair of Magpie Lark—indications they are readying for breeding and not letting any intruders into their breeding territory. Masked Lapwings are becoming agitated as well! Interesting times ahead—so be wary of swooping, nesting birds
Cape Chatter 
Hi David, thank you so much for the amazing photos, they are such a help when trying to identify these quick little bundles of feathers. Kate P
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Thank you Kate
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How ya doing mate? Funny, I reckon I heard the first of the Spring chirps a few days ago. A good sign … Spring is on the way!
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All well here yes action is heating up and this week’s weather might spur them along! Cheers David
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Hi David, early Sunday afternoon a large (may I say) beautiful looking fox with a dark coloured creature in its jaw went proudly strutting past our house heading east along Seaward Drive.
And I think we may have a magpie nest happening in a banksia tree outside our living room.
Regards, Lesley Stainthorpe.
I did write this in comment box but not sure if it sent
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Thanks Lesley. The fox problem is huge and they seem to becoming more brazen. I had one walk past the front windows last week in broad daylight. In the past, The Cape OCC put some money into trapping fox on the edge of the coastal reserve which was done by Landcare. BCSC and Parks Vic do seem to have the capability to manage this problem on an integrated scale and Landcare has limited funds. It is a big problem for the Hooded Plovers! Not sure if we are going to make any head way on this without a concerted, integrated effort along the whole coast, in towns and parks!. Let me know how the magpies go – Darcy and his missus are starting up as well near us – i think i have discovered their nest site but i am stating well away from them! Cheers David
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Fabulous!
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Thanks Janine … cheers David
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