Fur, Feathers, Flowers And More #8

We must lead off with more news of Gang Gang cockatoo sightings.

Up on Studley Road long-term resident Pam has been delighted to see a family group of 10 Gang Gangs feeding in trees along the top of the cutting.

She has shared some photos.

We have had some beautiful days to entice us outdoors, sunny enough to get some photos of our bushland wildflower walks.

I took advantage of an opportunity to go to Melton Botanic Gardens with colleagues in the Yarra Yarra Branch of the Australian Plant Society.

One must sigh and accept the reality that escorted bus trips with other oldies comes to us all eventually.

Good outing though - very impressive 60 acres of mostly Australian native plants. There are 2 discrete areas dedicated to South African and Mediterranean plants.

The most impressive aspect is that the site has been developed over 20 years by volunteers. Lots of active volunteers.

So many willing volunteers that they need to be rostered over different days and activities to keep numbers on site manageable.

There are 6 Verticordias (featherflowers), Eremophilas, Acacias, Beaufortias, Calothalmus, Guichenotia & Halgania among these plants, which will all be planted out along the rail corridor.

Plant of the week

Verticordias

We have Verticordias growing in the bushland wildflower walk along Sherwood Road, and they are spectacular plants when in flower.

Beast of the week

Pied Currawong

Commonly referred to as Rainbirds because of their uncanny ability to give short-term rain forecasts, these birds regularly move through our suburb in small flocks. Recently cleaned up our fig tree after the Rainbow Lorikeets had their fill.