*TURN SOUND ON FOR THIS ICONIC "STORM BIRD" CALL* 👂👀🐦
Are you familiar with this distinctive and haunting call of the male common koel, which echoes through our neighbourhoods each spring? Is there one currently calling near you...day and night? 😀
It's a large glossy black bird, and the call starts as a melodic two-note 'koo-eee' call, but progressively rises in pitch and intensity to a loud and piercing call as the breeding male reclaims his territory and attempts to attract a mate.
This one was recorded in a Port Macquarie backyard... its voice sounds a bit hoarse, probably from calling day and night (even the resident kookaburra turns a head at the sound 😄).
Due to its conspicuous arrival each spring, which typically coincides with warmer weather and an increase in rain and storms, the koel is often referred to as the "rain bird" or "storm bird".
Local Port Macquarie photographer Ruth Howell captured these epic shots of the aurora australis, or the 'dancing lady' as it appeared off Lighthouse Beach this morning.
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Spring wildflowers on the Flower Bowl Circuit at Dunbogan's Kattang Nature Reserve. Are any wildflowers in bloom near you? Flannel flowers are a favourite of here at ABC Mid North Coast. 🌼🌸🪻🌷🌱🌞
Paraglider rescued from 30 metre high gum tree in Laurieton.
Inspector Gaven Muller, Duty Commander, Laurieton Fire and Rescue NSW says he was the 6th glider recued from trees over the past few years.
📷 Please share your best whale breach photo from this September below.
📹 This was taken from the shore at Oxley beach by ABC Mid North Coast, Wiriya Sati.
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SNAKES ARE ON THE MOVE
With the arrival of warmer weather, there's been a number of sightings of snakes on coastal trails around Port Macquarie this week. 🐍
This one was spotted today on the path along Port Macquarie's Town Beach.
Have you spotted any snakes near you? 🧐
Have you seen the huge seas hitting our coastline today?🌅
Here's how things looked off Port Macquarie. 🙌
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming.
What’s your favourite walking track and why?🚶
A stroll through the middle of town - can anyone guess where this is?
Please share your favourite nature pic from the track. 🌼
NAIDOC 24
Keep the Fire Burning - Black Loud and Proud is the NAIDOC theme this year.
Kicking off NAIDOC week in Port Macquarie's Town Green, Uncle Bill did a welcome to country while 13-year-old Jikyha Dungay Vitnel played Didgeridoo.
The Port Macquaire high school student has been playing since he was three years old.
📹 by Meredith Kirton
#alwayswasalwayswillbe #NAIDOC2024
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Wild seas across our coastline
Huge surf is hitting our region today, including Port Macquarie.
People are urged to take care.
How’s it looking where you are?
Little Bird, who looks like Big Bird, is currently sitting on, not eggs, but 3224 votes in Australia's next top chicken competition.
This Buff Laced Polish Frizzle is 1000 votes ahead of the next chicken, Truffle, and roster Pedro.
Who will be Australia's next top chicken? Poultry handler Christina Jones, from the Moorland spoke to Pete Rasmussen - you can listen on the ABC listen app after 10am. You can vote for your favourite chicken here:
Cafhttps://www.thegoodlifebackyard.com.au/australias-next-top-chicken-competition/
Sea Slug
Have you been seeing some of these majestic creatures in rockpools or washed up on the beach lately?🌊
The Sea Hare or Sea Slug feed on algae and there's no shortage of red algae around at the moment.
The red-purple dye is released when the slug feel threatened.
According to the Australian Museum, the dye “works as a smoke screen, enabling them to escape from predators”.🐙
But this slug doesn't seem to be in any hurry to disappear!🐚
