Signals of Spring (Pareip)

One of the lovely pleasures of winter is wandering through along the coastline all rugged up and experiencing the icy breeze on our faces, blowing the cobwebs away and making us feel alive! It’s a time of year when everything is quieter and appears to slow down - or does it? On your next winter outdoor wander, pay attention to what the wildlife is doing and create a nature journal page about your observations. Some questions to prompt you: 

• What species are present? 
• Roughly how many are there?
• If they are flying, in which direction are they heading?
• Are they calling? What sounds do you hear?
• Are they feeding, protecting territory or preparing their nest sites?
• How do they stay warm?
• Did you see behaviours you did not expect?

The signals in nature can give us clues about what is happening in our environment and possibly in predicting the change of seasons. At the beginning of August, we’re moving into early Spring (Pareip) and the signs are there for us to see.
Of course, always be mindful of safety (perhaps take a trusted friend if you don’t enjoy being alone) and be prepared for the cold weather.

A Singing Honeyeater on introduced Boxthorn in the brisk sea breezes of Cape Schanck