Articles

Eastern Koels breed in Highton

Over recent years many of us have been listening to the characteristic "koel koel" call of the male Koel as this species has spread further into Victoria during spring and summer. Several observers have reported male and female Koels in the same vicinity in Highton and also in the Geelong Botanic Gardens in recent weeks. Trevor Pescott delighted us recently (1st February 2015) when he reported successful breeding of Eastern Koels in Highton. Trevor received a report from local residents and was able to see the juvenile and take some photos, one of which is shown here. Trevor comments "the hosts were almost certainly Red Wattlebirds. One was seen to go to the Koel and touch its beak, but there was no indication food was passed". The first documented breeding event of the Eastern Koel in the Geelong region.   ... Craig Morley

The Age Newspaper had an interesting article on the value seagrass performs as a sink for absorbing carbon dioxide. Research has demonstrated that seagrass areas are 40 times faster than a rain forest in fixing carbon.

So these areas are certainly a unique environmental habitat needing protection.   A significant area of seagrass meadows exists in Stingaree Bay where it is under threat from inappropriate development.  Canals with housing will lead to increase pollutants entering the bay particularly phosphorous promoting algae growth at the expense of the important marine seagrass.  

Article from The Age on Seagrass http://www.theage.com.au/execute_search.html?text=seagrass&ss=theage.com.au%2Fexecute_search.html