It is still officially winter, and last Sunday started out as a beautiful spring like (if not summer) day reaching a top temperature of around 23 degrees celsius. There was a ‘strange’ explosion of dragonflies—they were everywhere. I came across a Short-beaked Echidna wandering about—a bit earlier than normal? There were the calls of continental migratory birds in the area. There had been hints of early Hooded Plover nesting on the beaches. By late afternoon, a hailstorm arrived and since then, strong to gale force winds have continued to hit The Cape from the north-west. If you’re confused, imagine what it is like for the animals and birds trying to eke out a living. I haven’t seen a dragonfly since Sunday (they’re probably in New Zealand now) and any chance of Hoodie eggs surviving  the wave surge and wind on the upper beaches is well and truly gone—washed into the wild waters of Bass Strait. And what about the full/blue/sturgeon moon on 19th August rising above Moonshadow Avenue!! Nature!
 

Following on from the last two editions where we looked at the development of the reconstructed water features and habitats within The Cape estate, in this issue of Cape Chatter (No. 117) we take a look back over the past 12 months of species observation data to see how things are tracking. We now have 5 years’ worth of observations to ponder and to see who the winners and losers are. There is also a snapshot of how some of our threatened species are coping with the development. There are more words and numbers in this issue for those interested in reflecting on the health of the estate’s natural world. I promise to include more pictures in the next issue!