Outdoors

Plover’s precarious position

SOMETIMES our WILVOS Hotline has us scratching our heads. Solutions aren’t always simple.

Groundsman Rod rang from a local school, concerned about three plover eggs not in a good location. He wanted the best outcome. School was due to start Monday and the eggs were near the main office pathway. The parents were very protective. I have enormous respect for native animals that try to stand up to humans. Many humans run off shrieking in terror, as if this small bird is going to rip their arm off!

Children would be walking past this site. Relocation of eggs was considered, but there wasn’t anywhere suitable nearby and this is rarely successful. Deciding to leave the eggs till first thing Monday, I hoped the chicks would hatch on the weekend.

One of our dedicated WILVO carers, Merete, was happy to check the eggs early Monday morning and bring them to me if not hatched. There is actually a feeling of sadness and guilt when eggs are taken, but sometimes it is necessary. There is always a risk that some cruel and irresponsible person will just take the eggs and break them. Our children are the future of our wildlife so we don’t want them witnessing any such heartless act.

Four days after arrival the chicks hatched. A week later, they race around on the grass as I throw bugs and worms on the ground. They return to the brooder at night. Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) Phone: 5441 6200. www.wilvos.org.au

MARCH PLANTING GUIDE

NEW MOON 1ST QTR

Plant annual above ground leafy plants with seed outside the fruit, such as: asian greens, basil, beans, broccoli, coriander, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, sweet corn, lettuce, leek, luffa, radicchio, silverbeet, squash, sunflower, tatsoi, sweet pea.

NEW MOON 2ND QTR

Annuals with above ground yield which are vines and produce seeds inside the fruit such as: beans, capsicum/chilli, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, leek, sunflower, sweet pea, tomato, zucchini, peas, spring onion, parsley.

FULL MOON 3RD QTR

Biennials, perennials, bulb, and root crops such as: Beetroot, carrot, potato, radish, swede, avocado, olive, strawberries, citrus, pineapple.

FULL MOON 4TH QTR

No planting but a good time to cultivate, pull weeds and destroy pests.

Permaculture Noosa Club Night Tuesday Sept 7, 6.30pm. Cooroy Memorial Hall Permaculture Noosa Fundraising BBQ Saturday Sept 18, 7 - 11am. Pomona Park Permaculture Noosa Club Day Sunday Sept 19, 9am. www.permaculturenoosa.com.au

Meet NOOSA RSPCA PETS OF THE MONTH

CODY is a calm and and loving boy who is after a home where he can enjoy the simple things in life. He does need his new home to be with teens and older, as he is not so keen on living with little kids too busy for him. He loves his food, the attention from his humans & a nice place where he can be an old lounge lizard. I will need a fence to keep me safe, unsure re cats etc just ask my staff and will be good with a female friend. Hope to meet you soon COOKIE is a sweet cat but would prefer no children as I can play a little rough. I love to be with you but I’m not a knee hugging snuggle around your neck type of cat. I’m independent and not needy, I have my own mind and will be your bestie but on my time .... leg rubs knee sits and feed me head butts thats me. Visit me at the Noosa RSPCA here waiting for the perfect home. Hope to be yours soon

Adoption price includes desexing, micro chipping, flea & worming treatments & ensures that all of my vaccinations are up to date. RSPCA NOOSA Cnr Hollett and Eumundi Noosa Rd Noosaville