As the weather warms up we begin the Nyungar season of Kambarang (Oct & Nov), the second spring, a period of longer dry periods. This coincides with an abundance of colours as an explosion of flowers burst forward in the warmer weather. This is also a season of movement, as snakes like the Nornt (Western Tiger Snake) awake from hibernation, and young families of birds begin to find more independence. Source: Bureau of Meteorology and Derbal Nara. Photo credit Dave Robinson. |
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Swooping season has started! Koolbardi (Australian Magpies) are a native and common species to Australia. They usually breed between August to October every year and it is during this period that male magpies will they swoop to protect their nests, especially if they feel threatened.
Be assured that Magpies only swoop during a very short period of the year, up to 6 weeks and only in proximity to their nest.
How to avoid swooping: - Never deliberately “scare off” or harass a magpie as this will likely only aggravate the situation and make the magpie more defensive.
- If possible, plan your travel/walking route to avoid common magpie areas during nesting season. Magpies usually defend an area of about 100m from their nest.
- Locate the bird and keep watching it when entering its territory. If it swoops, do not crouch in fear or stop. It is best to adopt a confident stride and move through the area quickly without running.
- Protect and cover your face with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. You can also carry an open umbrella for protection.
Find an injured or abandoned baby bird? Check this flow chart before you get involved, fledgling birds don't always need help. |
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Turtles are nesting
Nesting turtles are on the move, leaving their watery homes to look for a place to lay their eggs. So what should you do if you see a turtle?
- Record all sightings of turtles using the TurtleSAT website or download the TurtleSAT app and record your lucky sighting!
- If they need help, be a turtle bodyguard. Assist them in the direction they were heading, and protect them from predators. It is best to keep your distance, but you can wave off ravens if they are attacking.
- Injured or dead turtles should be taken to the WA Wildlife Hospital (formerly Native ARC) at Bibra Lake. WA Wildlife Hospital can provide emergency care, rehabilitation, and egg retrieval. WA Wildlife Hospital can be contacted on 9417 7105, and is located at 172 Hope Road, Bibra Lake.
Find out more about how the City is protecting our turtles here. |
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Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grant The City provides financial support to Cockburn residents living in the rural and resource zones who wish to conserve natural bushland and wetlands on their property.
Landowners can receive up to $3,000 per property towards a range of conservation projects including revegetation and weed control.
Applications close Monday, October 31 2022. |
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Bore water changes! Being a Waterwise Council, we encourage anything that saves this precious resource of ours, the State Government has introduced permanent water-efficiency measures to reduce our water use. From 1 September, bore sprinkler use has changed to 2 days per week. The State Government has changed this to align with the 2 days per week sprinkler roster for scheme water users. This will save up to 30GL per year of groundwater, equivalent to 13,320 Olympic-sized swimming pools! This change will help to slow or reverse our declining groundwater levels, ensuring our natural habitats, will have their share of ground water. The City offers free home eco-audits which would assist you in reducing your water consumption. You can apply any time by emailing sustainability@cockburn.wa.gov.au |
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Modern Cloth Nappy Workshops Are you thinking about using modern cloth nappies and don’t know where to start? Join Kam Andrews 'The Nappy Guru' to learn about using and maintaining cloth nappies. Kam will demonstrate different cloth nappies available and explain the benefits of each. Residents who attend the workshop get up to 60% subsidy to try cloth nappies using the Nappy Guru’s library service, or a $50 rebate for new cloth nappy purchases. Registrations are essential. October Workshop Thursday, 6 October 2022. 6-8pm. August Workshop Tuesday, 29 November 2022. 6-8pm. |
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Worm Farming Workshop Worms are a great way to convert your kitchen waste into fertiliser. They convert the waste into both liquid fertiliser and castings that are great for plants. You will learn all about the art of worm farming with a hands-on demonstration.
Wednesday, 26 October. 6-8pm.
This workshop is part of the Home Waste Compost Subsidy program. You can purchase a subsidised worm farm for $95 at the workshop or simply join us to learn more about recycling organic waste at home.
Registrations are essential. |
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Henderson Waste Recovery Park Tour Come for a FREE behind-the-scenes tour of the waste recovery park and discover the amazing world of waste.
Learn how waste can be minimised and avoided, reused and recycled into new products and how we convert waste gas into electricity.
Visit the popular Reuse Shop to pick up a few bargains along the way!
Saturday, 8 October 2022. 9.30-11.30am Meet at City of Cockburn Administration Building car park (near the main steps to the Spearwood Library) to jump on our community bus, departing 9.35am sharp. |
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Let's Talk: Busting Waste Myths Let's Talk is a social learning drop-in café series led by the City's Community Development team. We welcome all Cockburn residents to come along and learn about a new topic in a casual, friendly environment.
The topic for this session is Busting Waste Myths, presented by the City's Waste Education team.
Cuppashack Hamilton Hill. Tuesday, 8 November 2022. 11am-12pm.
No RSVP is required please just come along. |
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All the latest from the corridor... Rehabilitating Roe 8 (RR8)has a fun event coming up, with a Wildflower Walk and Gladi Grab event happening in the Malvolio bushland. Please register online and meet at 8.45am at the gate just south of Elinor Reserve on Malvolio Road, Coolbellup on Saturday October 15.
In other news, local Noongar Elders met up on 19/9/22 and agreed to the public release of the archaeological report funded by RR8. The report summarises findings of an archaeological survey completed in 2019 at Turtle Corner (the corner of Hope Road and Progress Drive). It highlights the importance of the site, with evidence of Noongar activity for at least 10,000 years. This makes the find the second oldest in the Perth metropolitan area. You can access this report on our website. |
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Sustainability News All the latest news from Cockburn on everything Climate Change, environment, sustainability, waste and recycling. Cockburn’s GREAT Gang: Comedy with a sustainable message - You may have seen some quirky characters appearing up on the City of Cockburn’s social media feeds in recent weeks. Local comedian, Adrian Alaberg, was commissioned to write and star in the campaign, in the hopes that his trademark brand of cheeky humour would help to engage residents with a message of sustainability. City urges residents to report illegal clearing - The City of Cockburn is asking its residents to help combat illegal bush clearing by reporting suspicious activity at its reserves. After two Tuart Trees were cut down in a reserve south of Spearwood Avenue to create a makeshift trail. New play area for young children opened at Tapper Park - Parents of young children in Atwell have a new place to take their kids, after a nature play area was opened in Tapper Park on Friday, 12 August 2022. |
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