Nature Notes: 1st June

Bald Hill Lookout

I took my own advice from last week’s Nature Notes and headed back to Coledale, grabbed another coffee and more treats and looked out over the ocean pool area and this time I DID see a whale! My first of the season! It did a fair bit of fin splashing and some tail throws and by the time I put down the coffee and slice down safely, it had had enough and I only got a couple of very average photos. But still, nothing beats seeing a humpback!

We then headed up to Bald Hill Lookout, on what turned out to be a beautiful day, although unfortunately there were no hang gliders to spot. There were loads of people taking advantage of the freezing but sunny Sunday, grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat. We spotted a very active pod of dolphins riding the waves far below and a sea eagle as it circled its way up the escarpment. Highly recommend as the perfect spot for a bird’s view over the Northern Illawarra and the wildlife below. Don’t forget to bring a jumper!

Is it a worm? Is it a leech? What on earth is that thing?

After loads of rain you might find what looks to be a worm, making its way across the path on a slime trail. But they don’t move like a worm. So if it’s not a worm and it’s out after heaps of rain, it must be a leech, right? Nope, not a leech, fortunately.

If what you’ve found is dark, navy blue in colour, has a pale stripe along its back, a bright blue underside and (if you can see it) a red or pink tip, you’ve found a Blue Planarian. Personally I think these flatworm relatives are really beautiful, in a slimy kind of way. Plus, they’re predators with a really cool hunting technique which you can read more about here.

Reach for the stars

Okay, we’ve had some pretty amazing space-based fun recently with meteor showers and planetary alignments and June is going to be even better (if the rain ever stops!) Starting from about the 4th of June, if you look east from 5.45am  you should see FIVE planets all lined up! Mercury will just be above the horizon, then Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn high in the sky.

Dr Brad Tucker has a great video with more information. Perfect way to start your day.

I’d love to hear what you’re finding around the Illawarra. Please do get in touch.

Until next week,

Amanda