Children's Nature Watch Journal

I wanted to share with you what is happening in my part of the world during Autumn, as I thought it might prompt some creative interpretations for our craft exchange! 

I found this wonderful; resources at Trees In Newcastle site called the "Children's Nature Watch Journal"  as it says,

 

"...Nature is all around us, the flowers in bloom, the birds in the bushes, the bugs in the blossoms. Stopping to look and make a note of what we see helps us to follow the changes in the months, the seasons and over the year" 

A great resources for adult and children alike and it also allows plenty of space for children to record their own observations as well. How Fabulous! 

So thanks for Trees of Newcastle for making the resource available and here below is a list  what will be happening during Autumn in my local area.

MARCH 

• Leaf curling spiders are active
• Crickets still calling at night
• Brush tailed possums have the first of their two litters of babies for the year 
• Orb weaver spiders are about
•  Spotted Gums are flowering. They are important food for honey eaters, flying foxes and lorikeets
• Camphor Laurel trees are fruiting and the Topknot pigeons eat the fruit. 

 

 

 

APRIL

• Lillypilly are fruiting and Flying Foxes and birds eat the fruit
• Many Banksias are flowering in the heath and woodlands
• Swamp Mahogany start flowering which attracts birds like the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot and other animals in the day and Flying Foxes at night.
• Muttonbirds migrate north along the coastline some get exhausted and wash up on the beach.
• White-breasted Sea-eagles start courting and building nests
• Koalas are active bellowing at night
• Frogs are spawning
• Water gums are fruiting
• Bottlebrush and Melaleucas are flowering
• Pigface is flowering  

 

 

 

MAY

• Lillypilly are fruiting and Flying Foxes and birds eat the fruit
• Many Banksias are flowering in the heath and woodlands
• Swamp Mahogany start flowering which attracts birds like the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot and other animals in the day and Flying Foxes at night.
• Muttonbirds migrate north along the coastline some get exhausted and wash up on the beach.
• White-breasted Sea-eagles start courting and building nests
• Koalas are active bellowing at night
• Frogs are spawning
• Water gums are fruiting
• Bottlebrush and Melaleucas are flowering
• Pigface is flowering  

 

 

 

• Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea) are in flower. The Honey Eaters, Friarbirds and insects all enjoy the  oozing nectar 
• The Sunshine Wattle, Acacia terminalis is in bloom. Butterflies and bugs are attracted to the plant.
• At the beach keep a look out for the Humpback Whales. They start to migrate north along the coast
• The male Superb Lyrebirds are calling loudly from on top of their display mounds
• Many Banksias are in flower and attracting birds and Ringtails and Pygmy Possums.
• The Forest Red Gum, Eucalyptus tereticornis starts flowering. Lorikeets and Honeyeaters love the nectar it makes.

What's happening over Autumn in your part of the world? Leave a comment as I'd love to know.