There is a fantastic small piece of precious habitat proving to be a birding hotspot within The Cape—I call it ‘the bog’ (a piece of wet spongy ground). While many Australians (and some Belgium’s I know!) have another meaning for this word ‘bog’ (slang for a ‘dunny’ or toilet), I prefer to use the more refined Oxford definition. While it may appear at first a drab unkept area—this parcel of retained habitat has been left relatively untouched since the estate began the landscape development back in 2018—it is paying dividends for us nature observers and more importantly, the wildlife that is using it. At this time of year, ‘the bog’ is in full swing with all sorts of shenanigans going on among the animals. Snakes are slithering about, there is a cacophony of frog calls (especially the pobblebonks) with kangaroos lounging about. It is a wonderful place to stop and contemplate nature at it’s best at close quarters from the nearby viewing points and walking tracks. We are so fortunate to have it!

Cape Chatter has always meant to be more than just a website and newsletter with nice pictures. It is about recording how formerly degraded cattle paddocks located next to a coastal reserve and stunning coastline, could be transformed into a sustainable housing estate with minimal impact on, indeed could make enhancements to, the natural world on which it was situated. Behind all the words and pictures in Cape Chatter, detailed observation lists have been made and species specific surveys conducted providing valuable data on how the estate can interact with the natural world and along the way, connect more people with nature. In this issue, I will share with you stories of some vulnerable bird species in our midst and what has been done to help conserve their future within and near the estate. But first, let me tell you about the stunning little Flame Robin which were spotted during the past week on the Weathertop Crest sand ridge.
 

Since last Cape Chatter, bird activity in particular, has ramped up. There is plenty of chirping and chattering among the birds and signs that nest building and breeding are imminent if not already started. A pair of male Crescent Honeyeaters have been busily courting a female in the home garden—she is yet to decide; an Eastern Rosella pair have been checking out the nesting boxes in the creek line stags; and the Little Wattebirds are going non-stop from dawn to dusk—who needs an alarm clock! And in the wetlands, a pair of secretive and vulnerable Lewin’s Rail are loudly staking their claim to territory among the thick reeds and rushes. It is lovely listening to nature in the throes of seasonal change and watching the behaviours of the different species—this is the beginning of peak birding season!
 

We are now into the depths of winter—cool to cold days have set in along with some much needed rain, but we need so much more water to rehydrate the environment. Recent strolls around the various habitats of The Cape revealed not too much in the way of wildlife and bird activity—not unusual for this time of year—but there are some species that actually chose to be here during these wintry times and you’d be surprised what may pop up if you are lucky and patient. The real action will start in the next month or so when we start to see migratory bird species arriving from various parts of Australia and the northern hemisphere. So here is a snippet of some recent observations.
 

Water is at the heart of ecological systems and at last, some decent rain has fallen and refreshed the landscape. The Cape’s ecological landscape has been designed around water harvesting and natural filtration along with providing biodiverse flora habitat for fauna. It hasn’t taken long to notice small changes in the range of species that have come back with the rain, especially the freshwater bird species around the wetlands and chain of ponds. I have spent some quiet, mindful time connecting with nature, watching and photographing various duck species feeding, preening on the water and in flight relocating between the various water sources. It is so much more peaceful watching natural ‘bird sorties’ over human initiated, long range destructive bombing raids!
 

A ‘Southern Ocean’ cold blast finally hit! Some well needed rain arrived recently with typical wintry squalls originating deep in the southern hemisphere, and while it was welcome, a lot more rain is needed to rejuvenate the dry environment and get some well needed run-off to improve water levels in the wetlands and ponds to support the wildlife. Meanwhile, there are rivers of nectar and seed pods in the estate’s streetscapes which are planted with Coastal Banksia, causing havoc among the territorial honeyeaters defending their nectar patches. In the creek line and wetlands, waterbirds have been happy puddling around in the slow trickle of muddy water. There has been lots of action around the installed tree stags erected five years ago providing perch and habitat spots for birds in the treeless landscape. These are proving to be invaluable ‘beacons’ for birds to survey the area and for us to watch them get up to some bird antics.
 

The local countryside continues to look really dry and brown with little rain. My few walks around the edge of the bush adjoining the estate reveals an eerie quiet from the small bush birds we would expect to hear this time of the year. Much of the bush is dotted with brown vegetation, displaying signs of stress and death from a lack of moisture. There is a little tinge of green in the open spaces, but the growth is nowhere near lush! Several of the constructed ponds are empty and water levels in the wetlands is just hanging in there while the creek line is down to a very slow trickle. These green arteries of the wetlands and moist home gardens continue to provide vital habitat. Tough times continue for our native animals as they eek out a living.

A strange thing happened yesterday … it rained, and we got a good old Cape south westerly squall with a bit of hail! In what has been a terribly dry year, every millimeter counts, even if it is just a few drops to settle the dust. This year’s tally to date is about half of last year’s total and even that was well below average. The wetlands and ponds which still have some water in them have become vital arteries of moisture and vegetation bands for many animals—and the home gardens are also providing important habitat pockets with food and water, especially for the small bush birds. Having to compete against the larger territorial birds, it is a tough time to carve out an existence for these small, lively birds.
 

Today’s 130th issue marks the fifth anniversary of Cape Chatter. Where has the time gone? A key objective of The Cape development was to restore habitat with indigenous flora to attract as much native wildlife back into what was previously degraded agriculture land. I set out with this newsletter back in April 2020 to “spark interest, stimulate awareness, encourage observation and help record the comings and goings of the natural environment of The Cape as it evolves over time”. Along the way we have managed to gather scientific data to influence landscape design and maintenance within the estate, instigate community led revegetation projects, initiate animal welfare protocols around disease and injury, and undertake conservation projects to help threatened species such as Hooded Plover and Latham’s Snipe. And we have become close and personal with some local bird folk such as ‘Darcy’ the Australian Magpie. Hopefully, followers of Cape Chatter have developed a better understanding of the behaviors and challenges faced by the local animals that also call The Cape area home, and who have to deal with our impact on their world.
 

The warmer months have been tough for many animals, but it appears the Short-beaked Echidnas are enjoying the drier conditions with near daily sightings of this remarkable Australian mammal wandering around The Cape. One individual in particular has taken to exploring the area around Moonshadow Ave and Sunlight Blvd (two main thoroughfares within the estate), getting up to all sorts of mischief among the home gardens. I have named this exquisite creature Captain Moonlight (a well known bushranger in Australian folklore), reflecting its reclusive nature, ability to escape from tight spots, and wide ranging movement among the coastal bush and around the estate. Read on to learn more about these unique creatures which we are so fortunate and privileged to see at close quarters within The Cape.