Killarney Lyrebird Experience in Killarney, Queensland | Travel and transport

Killarney Lyrebird Experience

Locality: Killarney, Queensland

Phone: +61 434 352 710

Address: 1217 Spring Creek Rd 4373 Killarney, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.carabeenbeef.com.au

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24.01.2022 Native grape (Cissus hypoglauca) is a common, vigorous vine in the forest. It is just at the end of its fruiting season, and a favourite food source of many bird species. The vines can become very large in diameter and contain copious amounts of drinkable water if cut into sections to allow the watery sap to drip out. The vines are also very strong and early Europeans recorded them being used for climbing trees or as a place to sit and rest. Native grape is a coloniser wh...en forest giants fall, and can takeover large areas of canopy and mature trees. Some people believe it needs to be managed in the forest because of its vigorous growth but we leave the vines in peace as it is a very important food source for birds. One word of advice is to never plant it in your garden as within a few years you most probably will no longer be able to find your house! The fruit is best described as 20% grape and 80% lemon with a marked astringent after-taste. In the raw state, you would be unlikely to eat more than a few. Cooked however, native grapes create delectable vibrant coloured jellies and condiments for pork or beef. The cooked fruit is a firm favourite in our household; bush tucker at its best - the taste rivals native finger limes in complexity of flavour.

24.01.2022 Spring is a magical season in the forest. One of the many plants blooming is the Yellow-Flowered Wonga Vine (Pandorea floribunda). Floribunda is very appropriate with the vines presently festooned with masses of creamy trumpet flowers with the delightful, intoxicating and delicate scent of vanilla. They are robust climbers and often reach the canopy of the forest giants, particularly favouring the edge of sub-tropical rainforests. At the moment the blossoms are easily s...een on the rainforest edges at The Falls, The Bluff and The Head. There are other species of Pandorea the Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana) that is very similar in habit, flower and leaf; and Bower Vine (Pandorea jasminoides), a favourite of street landscapers (and can be admired on Railway Street, Boonah). This species is also native to rainforest and its natural form is showy in its own right. However, plant breeders have manipulated the native form to produce, IMHO, a caricature of its former self to satisfy gardeners want for larger flowers, a selection of colours, and variegated leaves. To me, this is one reason why the Yellow-Flowered Wonga Vine is so special. It has not been manipulated and its natural beauty is in correct proportions and very pleasing. Bigger and bolder is not always better. See more

23.01.2022 Okay - I know birds dont read books but this little guy is way out of his usual habitat. Red-browed Finches (Firetails) are common in forest woodland interfaces but definitely not in the middle of 200 acres of subtropical rainforest However he is forgiven - for one he is very cute, and two he has found the correct tree (for this area at least) to build a nest. Its a Hoop Pine and Firetails love to build their nests in the outer branches about 2 metres off the ground; a very safe place to rear their babies.

23.01.2022 Fascinated by fungi? Being a novice fungi enthusiast I was delighted to come across these beautiful Ghost Fungi growing on the forest floor after the recent rain. Being such a newbie to fungus id I think (though not sure) the scientific name is Omphalotus nidiformis, with the northern most distribution being the eastern part of the Border Ranges (including The Falls across to Springbrook). One of its distinguishing features is bioluminescence. The indigenous people (Komb...umerri) of Springbrook believed the light given off by the fungi at night signified the presence of their ancestors and gave the area a wide berth out of respect. The light is also thought to be similar to that described by early European settlers of the forest of Mount Tamborine as will-o-the-wisp; an eerie phenomenon rarely witnessed and thought to be caused by marsh gas. The emitted light, especially in young fungi, is quite bright; in fact, described as bright enough to read an old fashioned watch face or newspaper type. However, disappointingly, the fungi are not recommended eating as they cause profuse (but thankfully) transitory diarrhoea. So best admired in situ and purely for beauty. See more

22.01.2022 Corkwood: a drug lab in trees clothing! Corkwood trees belong to the Duboisia family and are renown for the medicinal properties of the leaves. Different species contain different alkaloids, and within the one species, the type of alkaloid can vary depending on geographical location. The local Corkwood grows at the rainforest grassland interface and the leaves contain mainly scopolamine and hyoscamine which can treat nausea, asthma, peptic ulcers and dilate the eye for su...rgery. In contrast the Corkwood species found across western Queensland and Central Australia contains pituri, a very strong nicotine like substance. Indigenous cultures in these areas valued pituri as a strong hallucinogen that relieved hunger, pain and fatigue, and allowed extreme exertion if required. The leaves were commonly dried then smoked or chewed, much like tobacco in European cultures and cola leaves in South America. Early European explorers, such as Ludwig Leichardt, noted the indigenous use of the leaves and the various active ingredients were isolated from the different species. With time the leaves were harvested and sold for industrial extraction of the compounds. Harvesting of leaves occurred here at The Falls in the 1950s*. On weekends the local children cut and stripped branches. The Corkwood trees were not felled to harvest the leaves, instead only a small number of branches were cut from each tree so the tree continued to grow and produce more growth. The secondary growth was highly sort on subsequent harvests as the leaves were of the highest quality being young and soft. Tarpaulins were placed on the ground to collect the leaves, and when sufficient, the leaves were poured into corn sacks. Once the bags were ready to collect a quick phone call was made, as the contents of the corn sacks rapidly heated. Corn sacks bursting into flame were a real concern! The sacks were driven by Jeep hauling a trailer down The Teviot to an extraction plant on the coast. 20 full corn sacks were the result of a full weekends work with the going rate of 5 to 6 bob per bag. Eventually the industry expanded, and the local harvest from naturally grown Corkwood was replaced with plantations of Duboisia hybrids, specifically selected for high concentrations of particular medicinal alkaloids. (* I wish to thank Laurie Dagg for recounting his childhood experience of many weekends spent collecting Corkwood leaves in the 1950s.)

22.01.2022 Want to see owls? Look down not up! A Barking Owl spotted just after dawn roosting in the rainforest. The tell-tale "paint splatter" of its droppings on the ground told us exactly where it was roosting! Barking Owls are usually heard, not seen. They have two distinctive calls - the common dog-like "wook wook", and the rare blood curdling scream (that once heard is never forgotten). Being nocturnal birds they feed mainly in the first few hours after dark and near dawn, preying on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. There are four owl species at "Carabeen" - the Powerful Owl, Sooty Owl (just started calling), Masked Owl (also calling at the moment), Australian (Southern) Boobook and the non-owl (but everyones favourite) the Tawny Frogmouth

21.01.2022 Logrunners - small, stocky birds that forage on the ground scratching the leaf litter with their feet while propped by the spines on their tail feathers. Just on sunrise and sunset they join the bird chorus - if you are not sure what to listen for imagine a series of loud guinea pig like "wheeks". While searching for lyrebird nests on a steep bank next to a creek I accidentally flushed a female Logrunner who was sitting on eggs. The nest is usually built on the ground, ski...lfully made of moss, twigs, and leaves, with a special "doormat" side entrance. Often leaf litter is scattered over the top of the dome of the nest making them very difficult to find. The construction of the dome is so dense the eggs are protected from the heaviest of rain. The hen incubates the eggs on her own but the cock bird brings morsels to her once the eggs are hatched. See more

21.01.2022 Nature every now and again throws a curve ball. Here, on the edge of the forest, is a White Browed Scrubwren with a genetic mutation which causes melanism. Melanism is a condition where, depending on the type of melanin produced, can cause an increase in black or dark brown plumage. It is inherited along simple Mendelian genetics, being a dominant allele. There is evidence that over time the genetic condition can lead to a new sub-species. This little guy was foraging near and chattering to a female with normal plumage. It will be interesting to see if a small group of darkly plumaged WBSW becomes established as the pair breed. It can be expected that 50% of their offspring will carry the genetic mutation.

21.01.2022 Come and meet a "Mr & Mrs Yellow-throated Scrubwren" the female is on the left, and her mate is on the right. They are an easy bird to see while walking in the forest constantly calling to each other while foraging on the forest floor or moving through tangled vine. Their large hanging nests are also easily seen suspended from branches above open areas, such as roadways or creeks. The nests are made of moss, small vines, sticks and even the odd piece of baling twine is added for adornment! (third photo) A side entrance (second photo) allows access to the inside where they work together to incubate and raise their young. They rarely roost inside the nests themselves (preferring to roost in tangled vine) and occasionally the abandoned nests (fourth photo) of previous years become the residences of micro bats and other birds.

18.01.2022 .`. .`. The rainforest has been desperately dry, with many of the forest giants on the western slope losing their canopy. This month the forest has been blessed with over a week of gentle rain, mizzle (mist & drizzle) and blankets of cloud. The flora is responding - including the Strangler Fig with its bright red rootlets reaching down towards the soil.

18.01.2022 The road marking "Wildlife" on Spring Creek Road at The Falls is the end of an 8 year process - of head banging, demolishing brick walls and rejecting downright obfuscation. These are the lessons I learnt (about how our policy makers and implementers think) along the way to a very satisfactory outcome - 1) Only the naive of us (including me at the beginning of this process) would think that wildlife corridor marking is put in place to protect wildlife. Wrong - the only fer...Continue reading

17.01.2022 A very large crows nest came toppling down from the forest crown yesterday. One metre across at the base! Too heavy to lift up so it is destined for pademelon tucker. The pademelons love eating them so it will be a welcome treat

17.01.2022 WOW! Today became a red letter day, when I happenchanced to see a Paradise Riflebird (Bird of Paradise) only a few metres away ... In the last week the mornings have become very cool and the birds know Winter is coming soon. The Paradise Riflebird is usually an inhabitant of the rainforest but in the cooler months it often moves to the adjacent sclerophyll forest. That is exactly what is happening right now at "Carabeen". On the edge of the forest where the thick vines,... wattles and gums merge the Riflebirds can be heard calling regularly during the day, and this morning I stumbled upon a sub-adult male practicing his dance on a thick vine. I was just congratulating myself on photographing a "female" when he started his display. There is nothing quite like a bird to make a fool of you (Hopefully photos or video of his display will be posted soon)

16.01.2022 The Red-necked Pademelons are a joy to see as they forage on the edge of the forest. They are more commonly seen than their cousin the Red-legged Pademelon, and they can be easily distinguished by the red colouration of their neck and shoulders, and lack of a white cheek stripe. Usually solitary in nature when in the forest, the Red-necked Pademelons often congregate in large groups while feeding on grassed areas at night; the further from the edge of the forest the larger the group for vigilance against predators (such as dogs and foxes). When predators approach, the pademelons thump their hind legs to alert others of danger. Lyrebirds also use the pademelons early warning system, and quickly move away when they hear the warning thumps.

15.01.2022 Identifying rainforest trees can be very tricky! Most trees look the same - but not all. So never miss an opportunity to identify a species which is easy Here is a photo of one tree that at this time of year is very easy to identify. It is Green Bolly Gum (or Bolly Wood) (Neolitsea australiensis) and has very distinctive leaves and new growth. It isn't one of the forest giants but rather an understory tree. It plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity in the forest with its fruit being a favourite of the Green Catbird, Bowerbirds (Regent and Satin), and Pigeons (Top knot and White Headed). Its not a tree that grabs your attention, rather one that gives the quiet pleasure of discovery during a meaningful meander through the forest

15.01.2022 Spring is in the air ... and the forest is erupting in blossom. A sensational bloomer is Orites excelsus, also known as Prickly Ash, Mountain Silky Oak and White Beefwood. It is in full bloom right now, and if you want to see it in all of its splendour stop at the pull-off area on Spring Creek Road, near the northern boundary of Carabeen Nature Refuge. There is a magnificent specimen, over 30metres tall covered in blossom, visible from the road. It can grow to 30 metres but also remain shrub-like depending on conditions. It germinates very easily from its winged seed when planted fresh, and blooms early in its long life. It often grows in association with Yellow Carabeen. The species have been around along time with fossilised leaves found from the Eocene epoch (53-34 million years ago)!

14.01.2022 The fruit of the Walking Stick Palm (Linospadix monostachya) is just starting to reach full colour. A vibrant strings of red beads decorating the forest understory. In the nineteenth century the palm stems were extensively harvested in the wild and sent to Europe and Britain as walking sticks - hence the name. Not a popular raw material for such use any more, thankfully, and plant numbers have recovered. The fruit is also chewable (apparently) but why would you? Here at "Carabeen" they are very plentiful, loving the dappled light and acidic, humus rich soil. They can grow in elevations up to 1200 metres, so at our 1000 metre altitude our forest ticks all the criteria.

14.01.2022 Resident or Refugee? Recently a government official congratulated Carabeen Nature Refuge for providing a refuge for the Alberts Lyrebird. I tactfully corrected them by saying the lyrebirds did not take refuge in Carabeen, but rather have lived here for the past 8 million years. Not refugees but long-term residents! However, there is a bird that is now taking refuge on our property on the edge of the rainforest, and we are feeling pretty damn proud about it. A Red Wattl...ebird (one of the largest species of the honeyeater group) has been calling for the past few months. It has a very distinctive raucous call chock a lock. And a few days ago I managed to snap a (blurry) photo of it preening itself high in the canopy. Southern Queensland is at the northern edge of the Red Wattlebirds usual range: it is a common resident in forest and woodland in south-eastern Australia. This is the first year we have heard or seen one at Carabeen. So why here and why now? Red Wattlebirds are migratory, but movements are complex and largely influenced by blossom. With such vast areas of southern Australia burnt last Summer maybe honeyeaters are being pushed further north in the search for food. If that is the case with the Red Wattlebird, then welcome oh raucous one, may Carabeen provide you rest, refreshment and refuge. Whether resident or refugee, they are all welcome here

14.01.2022 Such a wonderful experience yesterday! Two female Alberts Lyrebirds feeding within camera range (maximum telephoto). They are incredibly shy birds so photos or videos are usually only achieved using camera traps. Not this time - it was a "OMG, try to focus quickly and hold the camera steady."

13.01.2022 Spring is nearly over so the forest is changing from flowering to fruiting ... Southern Satinash, also called Red Apple (Acmena igens) is decorating its branches with beautiful, large, round, red baubles (fruit) ready for Christmas! The easiest way to find the trees is to look for the tell-tale squashed fruit on the road. (There are three fruiting just north of Carrs Lookout on Spring Creek Road before you descend The Bluff). The trees are very easy to germinate - soak f...ruit for a few days, peel away the flesh to reveal the seed and then plant. They prefer being creek side or near a spring/soak but surprisingly have often persisted when forest around them has been cleared. They seem to be able to tolerate living on their own in pastured areas. If you think the fruit looks like over-sized lillypilly you are right. It is a lillypilly and is also known by the name Syzygium igens. Being a lillypilly begs the question, "Can you eat it?" Of course - as a delicious jelly. Just follow the recipe for lillypilly jelly - put fruit in pan, cover with water, boil for about an hour til soft, gently strain through muslin overnight, add cup of sugar for each cup of liquid, boil til set. (There are finer points if you want to make award winning jelly - look it up online. Especially how to know when the jelly is set so it is not overcooked. Above is an abbreviated version). See more

13.01.2022 What on Earth are Earthstars? Earthstars are a fungus belonging to the genus Geastrum and are found throughout the world basically wherever rotting detritus is found! This little gem (G. australe) lives on the forest floor at Carabeen. The real part of the fungi is what we dont see - the thread-like mycelium which lives below the ground. Visible above the ground is the fruiting (reproductive) body; a repository and launch pad for the Earthstars millions of spores.... Autumn and Winter are the seasons to look for Earthstars on the forest floor, and temperature, moisture and humidity all determine when the spores are liberated. The process is relatively simple. The fruiting body consists of two layers the outer layer peals back to form the star-like rays and reveals and raises the underlying spore sac. A stoma (mouth) develops at the top of the sac, and with pressure exerted by the wind and rain drops on the thin sac walls, the spores drift out through the stoma and away on the breeze. And the question everyone wants the answer to Are Earthstars edible? Answer - best described as alimentary uninteresting. See more

13.01.2022 An immature male Satin Bowerbird on the edge of the forest. His plumage is the same as the female but the colour of his bill gives his gender away.

12.01.2022 Lunch time in the forest for an Alberts lyrebird and two pademelons.

12.01.2022 Breeding season for the Alberts Lyrebrids is just starting, and should be full steam ahead for the next 4 weeks or so. Here is the latest video of "Favourite" beginning his courtship display. I have tracked him for six years and this year he has changed his prefered display site (again) and moved to a very densely vined area. It is always a great pleasure to see him display - for one, it means he has survived another year and there is a good chance he will be successful in the mating game. And secondly, by tracking the birds we can collate more data on how they behave and thereby help "at the coal face" to ensure the survival of this threatened species.

12.01.2022 An update on the forest following 400mm of rain in January and February, the same amount of rain received during 2019. The forest giants have responded quickly, replacing lost canopy. One of the tree species that were totally denuded during the dry period was the Australian Stinging Tree. They are now resplendent in copious light green leaves that are covered in the tiniest hairs capable of the most vicious sting! These trees are one of the forest giants and are very impo...rtant colonisers of ground whereever the canopy has been breeched. They are also an extremely important source of food (fruit) for the wide variety of pigeon and dove species that live in "Carabeen" - brown cuckoo dove, white headed pigeon, emerald dove, wompoo pigeon, wonga pigeon, top knot pigeon and the rose-crowned fruit dove. And possibly the double-eyed fig parrot (heard but not seen, so not confirmed yet). The Wompoo pigeon can presently be heard calling from the roadside at the northern end of Carabeen Nature Refuge. It is such a delight to listen to their booming voice carrying through the forest. (Please note the Nature Refuge is privately owned and permission to enter the property must be sought before entry. Please do not be offended if permission is not granted.) See more

11.01.2022 So what COVID19 bird are you? On the farm we are a Powerful BowerBird (new species)

11.01.2022 Alberts Lyrebird breeding season 2020 wrap up: In just one word - WOW. So much activity and 4 new young males setting up their territories. The "new" males are effectively 2 sets of pairs - one pair of males side by side on the eastern side of the ridge, with the other pair on the western side, where once again, the territories are adjacent to each other. The two new males on the eastern side have different territorial songs (structure and tone) compared to the males with ...well established territories in that area. The pair on the western side have been active sexually in previous years (sighted with females and chicks ) but this year they were much more active in display activity. In all we have mapped 17 adult males with territory on the property. And the females have been regularly sighted (photographed) and recorded on camera traps, along with chicks. Usually the females are only picked up on camera traps, and chicks are very rarely seen by any method. Previous evidence of close and on-going associations of groups of adult and juvenile birds (2 to 4 birds) was also seen this year. It is nice when observed behaviour is repeated from year to year - it helps to give clarity to in-field observations. 2020 really has been an amazing season, most probably brought on by the change in rainfall patterns since January. It is so critical that the breeding season is active, and not disrupted by dry weather or human interference. The females lay only one egg each breeding season (year) and chick mortality is thought to be 90% in the first year of life. Around 8 years of age the males are thought to acquire breeding plumage but there is lots of documented evidence now to show they dont acquire territory at this age, and therefore it may be several more years before they breed. They can live many years - it is generally accepted 25 years or there abouts is old age for Alberts. So a rough calculation shows that everything needs to be in their favour for an individual (isolated) population to remain viable. A successful 2020 breeding season is exactly what this population of lyrebirds needed to continue to survive (if not thrive) in Carabeen.

11.01.2022 The value of the natural world (our natural capital) in sustaining human well-being is often overlooked by business and governments in policy decisions and actions. As a consequence, the natural world is often degraded without due concern, primarily because its value has not been able to put in to an accounting format. This scenario is about to change.... Accounting for Nature has developed a method of quantifying the condition (health) of individual ecosystems, in a manner that allows its inclusion in an accounting format. This is a quantum leap forward in the development and ultimate assessment of companies (large and small) and governments "eco-licences to operate". Shareholders, consumers and voters ability to assess and reward on sound ecological stewardship is coming of age.

10.01.2022 For everyone interested in nature there is a fascinating story of Superb Lyrebirds gathering at a place of safety while the bushfires approached (on abc news online. Photo courtesy of PJ Wallis). This behaviour clearly demonstrates the remarkable spatial awareness and memory of this species. Alberts Lyrebirds in Mt Clunie National Park also faced a significant fire threat this Spring, and how they reacted is unknown but may well be similar. Alberts Lyrebirds awareness and... memory of minute details of their territory is very well documented, so it is possible in a bushfire out of breeding season they could traverse other birds territories to a place of safety. Which leads to another question - would they fly or walk away from the fire front? Alberts Lyrebirds flying ability is just above the Pheasant Coucal clumsiness and they tend to either glide or clamber from vine to vine rather than fly. However, early accounts from European settlers record Alberts Lyrebirds flying from fires delibberately set to flush the birds from the forest so the birds could be easily shot for their tail feathers. Thousands of tail feathers were exported to adorn the drawing rooms of European aristocracy in the late 1800s to early 1900s. A specific law was passed in the 1930s making it a criminal offence to have lyrebird feathers in ones possession, thus formally ending the legal trade of such items and affording the birds protection. See more

09.01.2022 During non-breeding season (September to May) the Alberts Lyrebirds will often be seen foraging together. Here 2 females and 2 males (one out of view) are foraging as a group on a bank covered with thick forest humus. As breeding season approaches the males and females will become territorial. Not all adult males have territory, and the territories stay relatively stable from year to year.

09.01.2022 Came across this little fella moving across the forest floor; an adult male Pink Tongue Lizard. He is a little distressed hence the flicking tongue. Slender and a longer tail than his close relation the Blue Tongue Lizard. And these little fellas can use their tail to help climb trees, mainly for the purpose of evading predators. Feeds on snails and slugs. A lot of reptiles are active at the moment in the Nature Refuge: we saw 3 Land Mullets (in a group), Cunningham skinks (a family group) and this Pink Tongue Lizard in one morning. Such a pleasure :)

09.01.2022 One of the most beautiful of rainforest vines is in full display, roadside just south of Carabeen Nature Refuge. It is on private property but very easily appreciated from Spring Creek Road. The vine is Forest Clematis (Clematis glycinoides) and it has the most heavenly vanilla scent. This is a photo of the male flowers. The individual vines are either male or female, each with its own distinctive flower. Forest Clematis also has another name; Headache Vine. Because the intoxicating scent causes a headache? No, the vine was considered a remedy for headache by the early settlers. Apparently, on crushing the leaves, the overpowering smell of ammonia caused intense nasal irritation, watering of the eyes and the sensation of one's head was about to explode. And so the initial headache was quickly forgotten

06.01.2022 Out before dawn this Winter to watch the Lyrebirds and serendipity played her generous hand - it was also a great time of day to find Ringtail Possum drays. The possums live in a communal group so it is easy to see them against the light walking single file along the vines and through the trees (lower to mid canopy) to their home. And then to confirm your hopes by seeing a wriggling tail or cheeky nose poking out as they snuggle down for a sleep.

05.01.2022 A fascinating article about the evolution of birds brains (thanks Mike for sending the article)

05.01.2022 A follow up on the previous post about Forest Clematis. Here are the seed heads of the vine, which IMHO are as beautiful as the flowers. They can be easily seen just north of Carrs Lookout overhanging Spring Creek Road.

05.01.2022 Breeding season 2020 for the Alberts Lyrebirds was very active, and chicks have been photographed on the camera traps set in the forest. This chick was photographed in the area of one of the newly formed territories so it looks as if one of the "young" males has got at least one run on the board! Chicks are thought to have a very high mortality in the first year of life - around 90% - so the odds are stacked against this little one surviving. I have two camera traps set to see if the chick is still in the area but to date only females have been photographed ... maybe this chick is one of the unfortunate 9 out of 10

04.01.2022 Breaking news: Wildlife Corridor signs being painted on the road at both ends of the Nature Refuge At this very moment! SO EXCITED. Full story and photos tomorrow

02.01.2022 One of the young (immature) male Satin Bowerbirds honing his bower making skills.

01.01.2022 Orange Thorn or Native Orange is in full fruit at the moment along the edge of the forest, and can be readily seen when walking along Spring Creek Road (Photograph 1). The two common names are used for two related species - the one in the rainforest at The Falls is Pittosporum multiflorum (named by the explorer Allan Cunningham) while the inland form is Pittosporum spinescens. They are easily differentiated with the later having a much larger form and fruit, and non-serrat...ed leaves. The bright orange berries P.multiflorum are very decorative, and surprisingly edible if you fancy the taste of astringent, juicy orange skin. In the rainforest it provides food, but also a very important habitat. The fine, strong thorns along the stems and at the end of each branchlet can give protection from predatory birds and thus a perfect place for small birds to nest and shelter. Photograph 2 is an abandoned nest hanging from a branch of P. multiflorum, made by a Brown Gerygone (Photograph 3). (Note the decoration of lichen on the nest! ) P. multiflorum is a perfect addition for rainforest gardens and regeneration projects, providing food, nesting habitat and a barrier to human foot-traffic if required. Seeds germinate easily within 1 to 2 months, but growth is slow, so be patient. The bushes usually grow to 1.5 metres and may sucker a little, but they are easily managed and can be readily pruned to keep compact.

01.01.2022 Have just read a very interesting and informative article about the cost of bright blue plumage in Superb Fairy-wrens; how it affects behaviour towards danger (such as presence of predators) and female attentiveness and mating opportunities. I knew that the mature males change plumage during the year from brown to blue and back again, but I didnt realise that males dont all change at the same time. The timing of the event varies between males, and the male with the longest/earliest blue plumage is favoured by most females. Females Fairy-wrens have relatively stable partnering with a particular male but are also notorious for infidelity, slipping away under the cover of darkness to visit the favoured male! (theconversation.com "It isnt easy being blue - the cost of colour in fairy wrens")