BACK TO NATURE - A Sit in the Sun

By Jamie Walker

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It was a beautiful walk in the sunshine. The air felt like the beginning of spring: and, so far, I had been very fortunate.

A confiding pair of Regent Bowerbirds – the male magnificent in his black and a gold that seemed to glow – had passed me, moving at head height from perch to perch, just five or six metres away. There had been a White-throated Treecreeper, and a Rufous Fantail – the latter feeding at ground level. And a great find was a Brown Gerygone pair building a wonderfully camouflaged, bottle-shaped hanging nest.

After I had walked a hundred metres past the nest, it occurred to me that I might manage a photograph of it without disturbing the builders; but, when I returned to the spot, my best efforts could not relocate it. A chance missed.

Butterflies were back with us. Lemon Migrants and Brown Ringlets were energised by the sunshine, and Common Flatwing damselflies were also beginning to stir.

At one side of my path was a scrambling thicket of Native Raspberries. I have often tried the fruit, hoping for something sweet, but have always found our local varieties to be disappointing. Yet I realised that the bushes are probably spread by birds which pass the seeds through their systems after consuming a fruit they must find sustaining and pleasant to eat. 

Perhaps the warmth and sunlight enhance flavour, and so the trick is achieved and procreation of the plants and next season’s vital bird food are both ensured. One of nature’s neatest plans in operation.

Around and within the thicket, there was a lot of bird movement, so I sat down by the track and took out my flask. (I have come to understand that, in Australia, there is never an inappropriate time for a coffee). Nor was a sit in the sun inappropriate, as my stillness and quiet encouraged the birds to maintain their busy activity; and soon, Satin Bowerbirds, Green Catbirds (unusually quiet) Varied Trillers and Silvereyes were all drawn down to the raspberries.

As I watched them feeding, I noticed that none appeared to swallow fruit whole. Even the larger species broke segments off the berries, often leaving them part-eaten and still attached to the plant.

And there was more. Insects attracted constantly to the bushes’ flowers, attracted the attention of Gerygones and Fantails – a further layer of benefit to the natural community.

The nature that surrounds us is very rich. But, sometimes it seems evident that this richness starts and is nourished at the humblest levels, with the most common things – like raspberry bushes.