Wattlebirds adapt to suburban life

Wattlebirds are native honeyeaters - our largest - and have adapted successfully to urban life, despite the altered landscape, human activity and the ever-present cats and dogs.

Their success is probably due to their non-specialised diet. Although they are fond of nectar from native plants - eucalypts, bottlebrushes and grevilleas, for example - they also feed on insects. Sometimes they take mincemeat and pet food.

Most of the food provided for their chicks is insects. Their wide choice of food clearly makes them at home - and successful - almost anywhere.

The youngster pictured today is recently out of its suburban nest. At its very young stage, it already shows three defining features of the red wattlebird: the red wattle on the face, the yellow belly and the pink legs. There is another wattlebird known as the little wattlebird - not found in Ballarat - which lacks these three features.

The red wattlebird is bossy - and perhaps that is another reason for its success. It frequently chases other honeyeaters from flowering trees, and it is not afraid to have a go at a raven, cat or some other predator.

Although with us in varying numbers all year-round, many wattlebirds leave as the colder weather sets in. Those remaining take advantage of the nectar in such exotic plants as camellias.

Red wattlebirds nest in trees and tall shrubs. During nesting they are very quiet and unobtrusive until the eggs hatch. Then they become noisy and agitated if the nest or chicks are approached.

The newly-fledged youngster pictured today was unafraid, to the extent of not moving when approached, and allowing itself to be gently stroked.

SPARROW GROUND

The small bush reserve known curiously as Sparrow Ground is a delight at the moment, with numerous wildflowers in bloom.

Situated at Canadian, this remnant patch of bushland contains a surprising variety of native plants. Although there are some weeds present, these are in the minority, with much of the reserve being in good condition, despite its suburban situation.

There are yellow trailing goodenias and everlastings, white milkmaids, trigger-plants and rice-flowers, orange parrot-peas and shaggy-peas and purple chocolate lilies. The narrow-leaved peppermint eucalypts are flowering, too.

All these are right on the edge of town. Take a walk through the bushland between Kline and Richards Streets to find these wildflowers and more.

NATURE QUERIES ANSWERED

I can't find out the name of this stinging caterpillar, whose venom I have copped three times now when working under eucalypts. Can you identify it?

J.D., Haddon.

The highly-ornamented little creature is a cup moth caterpillar. It feeds on gum leaves, and can be quite destructive when it occurs in large numbers. They seem to be fairly common in many forests now, so they will probably cause some defoliation as they grow and eat more and more. The tiny, venom-holding yellow hair-clusters cause irritation and itching on many people.

There are a few different species of these caterpillars. Perhaps surprisingly, they turn into a rather small and insignificant brownish moth.

The cup-like cocoon gives them their name. It tapers in at the top.

• Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au