Words and paintings by Patsy Hunt
AS I walk around the residential streets of Cowes near my home I see street trees gradually disappearing, often without replacement planting. Even if replanting is done the plants are often thoughtlessly vandalised or die before they have a chance to grow.
I also observe the larger homes being built on smaller blocks with little space for a garden. If a garden is created, it is often euphemistically called a "low maintenance garden", which usually means concrete, pebbles and succulents which are of little use to birds and animals. Lately, I have even seen fake grass being used, which seems most strange in an area which is supposed to value its natural environment.
AS I walk around the residential streets of Cowes near my home I see street trees gradually disappearing, often without replacement planting. Even if replanting is done the plants are often thoughtlessly vandalised or die before they have a chance to grow.
I also observe the larger homes being built on smaller blocks with little space for a garden. If a garden is created, it is often euphemistically called a "low maintenance garden", which usually means concrete, pebbles and succulents which are of little use to birds and animals. Lately, I have even seen fake grass being used, which seems most strange in an area which is supposed to value its natural environment.
Our town, not so long ago, had free-roaming koalas, but sadly no more as loss of trees and the constant threat of traffic forced them to slowly disappear. So far the birds are hanging in there, thanks to reserves and those people who still treasure their gardens, but their numbers are declining.
More regular visitors
More regular visitors
Australian magpie by Patsy Hunt The Australian magpie is a bird known to everyone. Watching a magpie family is fascinating. Both parents diligently feed their young, who are so very noisy and demanding. While they are good parents and defend their babies tenaciously (some people would say too tenaciously) they also hand out discipline. When it is time for the young to learn to be independent the parents will actually punish them with pecks so they get the message to feed themselves. Magpies are very good at appealing for food, but can become rather bossy if fed regularly. When we were between owning dogs we befriended a family of magpies who would actually demand food whenever they saw us, and even took to walking inside if a door was left open! Now we just provide them with water and a garden full of insects which is a much better arrangement. Magpies also enjoy sunbathing flat out and staying still for some considerable time. Their most endearing feature is their wonderful singing. They can be heard carolling beautifully early in the morning and sometimes even sing on a clear night before the sun gets up. They sometimes include other birds songs in their repertoire. The Magpie's song is a very Australian sound.
Little Raven by Patsy Hunt The little raven is another bird that frequents the garden and has nested in a black wattle tree in the backyard. It is a very intelligent bird, and when present is a constant threat to the smaller birds and their nests and young. Their cawing is not a pleasant sound and a family of ravens can remind me of the Alfred Hitchcock film The Birds as their presence can seem threatening. Ravens are very good at foraging and will take every opportunity to prise open a rubbish bin with the lid not firmly closed and spread the contents everywhere. Their young stay with them for some time and are very raucous and demanding. They are also quite funny to watch when they are learning to fly straight, and discovering what is actually edible. Ravens are scavengers, but although they may not be our favourite birds, they are part of the natural environment.
Laughing kookaburra by Patsy Hunt The birds I am now going to describe are not always in the garden but are seen fairly frequently. The first is the laughing kookaburra. The spectacle of a group of kookaburras sitting side by side on a gum tree, heads thrown back, laughing loudly is awe inspiring. Of course, they are not laughing but telling the world of their presence. They are also, like the magpie, likely to be heard early in the morning, even before sunrise, but can be heard singing at other times too. Our visiting kookaburras particularly like the eucalyptus tree on a nearby nature strip and I have often stood transfixed when the birds gather and sing their loud song. One pair have been trying, without success, to create a hollow in the tree for nesting. There is a small opening and they have been spending many hours pecking away to increase its size. The absence of nesting hollows is worrying and could threaten the future of these spectacular birds. I have also watched them flying in the rain with much exuberance, obviously just happy that the rain has arrived. Recently, although they can still be heard singing in the distance, they have not visited the nearby tree so frequently. I hope they return again soon.
Masked lapwing by Patsy Hunt The masked lapwing was previously known as the Spur-winged Plover and is a common sight. Sadly, because of its swooping habit, which it does enthusiastically to protect its young, many people don't like this bird and will even chase or torment it. It also has a loud piercing call which it uses when it senses danger at any time day or night, which also upsets some people. Thankfully many people do appreciate it and, every nesting time, will try not to disturb it too much while enjoying the sight of the tiny fluffy defenceless chicks which have to feed themselves as soon as they hatch. Their success rate in our neighbourhood is very low due to traffic, disturbance from humans and dogs and being preyed upon by cats and raptors. The chicks are flightless for several weeks and their only defence when the parents make an alarm call is to drop down and rely on camouflage - not a good idea on a road or when a cat is about to pounce! They are an attractive bird with black head and wings, brownish back, white stomach, long red legs and yellow beak and wattle. Their chicks are like little balls of fluff on long spindly legs. I admire lapwings for their tenacity as parents and the way they will bravely defend their chicks often against unbeatable enemies. Despite their swooping they do not make contact very often (unlike the magpie) and give you plenty of warning to avoid them. Amazingly this year, against the odds, our street pair have managed to raise a chick - the first in years!
Grey shrike thrush by Patsy Hunt A much more elusive visitor is the grey shrike-thrush. It is a grey bird, about the size of a blackbird, with brown back, grey wings and tail and light grey underparts. While it might be plain in colour it more than makes up for it with its beautiful melodious song which echoes through the trees announcing its presence. It doesn't visit as often as I would like, possibly because of the resident blackbirds, but recently we have been blessed with its beautiful song just as the day dawns - a great way to wake up. A gentle unassuming bird it truly is a great songbird, affectionately known as a G.S.T. by dedicated bird lovers. If it turns up when you are gardening it will hang around in the hope that you will disturb a juicy grub for its enjoyment.