While we are snuggled in front of our open fires, our thoughts wander to how Blue Mountains winter wildlife cope with the harshness of winter. It’s tempting to assume that any bird that could, would migrate to warmer climes, and many do. Cuckoos embody the dream lifestyle – winter in the tropics and a southern summer. However, the mountains are the go-to winter destination for many birds, the Banksia blooms being the drawcard for many honey eaters. Noisy red wattlebirds, silvereyes, spinebills and thornbills descend for a feeding frenzy.
The migration of the Tasmanian Silvereye is incredible. A tiny bird that manages to cross Bass Strait and head north, foraging busily during the day then flying long distances at night. Meanwhile the local Silvereyes have already headed inland or north for greener pastures. You may be hearing the pre-dawn call of the Yellow-faced Honeyeater. They are partial migrants – some do and some don’t, and their destination varies depending on the season. Bird migration for Blue Mountains winter wildlife in Australia? It’s complicated!
The more stoic bowerbirds, fairy-wrens, ravens, magpies and lyrebirds stay put and get a head start on breeding activity. This brings about a change in their song. The famous call of the male lyrebird is a winter serenade, looking for ladies. Whereas calls from the monogamous couples such as magpies and currawongs are designed to define their patch of turf, their nesting sites already established.
Tiger quolls (spotted-tail quoll or tiger cat) are breeding and more mobile now. Usually a loner, finding a mate when you have a territory of 1000 hectares can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Quolls get around this by sharing a communal toilet on a prominent flat rock, their typically twisted scats indicating readiness to breed. If you see this spotted hypercarnivore, please record it through iNaturalist.
For their much smaller relative, Antechinus, winter is a time of frenzied activity. Often mistaken for rats, these boys literally go out with a bang. Their lives are so incredible they deserve much more space, so stay tuned for next issue to continue discussing Blue Mountains winter wildlife. You too can come visit us at Wildside to explore for Blue Mountains winter wildlife click here to learn more.
