'Golden Whistler Reserve'

Never heard of ‘Golden Whistler Reserve’ in Drouin? That’s probably because it is the informal name used by the Friends of Drouin’s Trees for a narrow strip of bushland between the Drouin golf course in McGlone Rd and the Princes Freeway and it only appears on some maps, ingloriously, as ‘Public Purposes Reserve’.

Click on images to open in a larger window

This narrow strip bush consists of some remnant woodland, understorey and planted vegetation is one of the nearest places to urban Drouin where the beautiful Golden Whistler can be found. Golden Whistlers are a canopy bird that have a cheerful whistling song (click to hear) mostly heard in spring and summer.

Other interesting birds that can be spotted at times in this noisy, narrow patch of bush on our doorstep, include the Olive-backed Oriole, White-throated Treecreeper, Mistletoebird, Eastern Yellow Robin and the Spotted Pardalote. Bird surveys conducted by the Friends of Drouin’s Trees usually record around 30 different species of birds in ‘Golden Whistler Reserve’.

Clockwise from top left: Spotted Pardalote, Olive-backed Oriole, Eastern Yellow Robin, Mistletoebird and White-throated Treecreeper

The endemic Red Fruit Saw-sedge grows in the western end of the reserve and is a favourite food plant for many insect species, including the Swordgrass Brown butterfly. Swordgrass Browns are endemic to Australia. They like to flutter slowly in patches of sunlight, perching frequently.

During the winter months you can sometimes spot tiny Nodding Greenhood Orchids poking up between the bracken and the wiregrass. Nodding Greenhoods are members of the terrestrial Greenhood Orchid family of which Victoria has around sixty species, many of which are struggling to survive due to land clearing for urban development, agricultural and forestry industries, etc. 

Once the lockdown due to this dreadful Covid-19 virus is over, a walk through Golden Whistler Reserve would be one simple celebration you may find rewarding.

Coronavirus and bird watching

Looking for something to do while socially isolating?

Given that we are allowed to exercise close to home, this might be the opportunity to take your binoculars and give bird watching a try.

“You can leave your home to exercise, provided it’s possible to maintain physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres from others at all times. You can exercise outdoors with any of the people who normally live at the same address as you. Alternatively, you can also do outdoor exercise with one other friend or family member who doesn’t normally live at the same address as you, provided you maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between you and the other person.” - Victorian Government advice

Our streets, parks and gardens are some of the favourite habitats for many bird species. Bellbird Park, McNeilly Wetlands, Alex Goudie Reserve and Crystal Waters, if you live nearby, can have as many as twenty plus species of birds that can be seen in a short walk. Can you name them all?

Most families will have a bird field guide on the bookshelf to aid identification and there are plenty of online resources that can help (Bird Finder). It helps online if you can start with a knowing a family of species – ducks, waterhens, cormorants, parrots, finches, thornbills, etc.

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees bird list for Drouin, see sidebar, contains more than 100 bird species. Not bad for pretty much an urban area. Testament to the some of the natural environment, parkland and wetland spaces that we still have in our town.

Bird watching – fascinating, absorbing, sharpening the mind, cheap, relaxing, connecting with nature, available almost anywhere anytime, … and HEALTHY!

The values of ‘nature play’

It is well understood that nature has a positive impact on our lives – emotionally, physically and socially. Research also reveals that spending time in nature keeps children’s minds active, teaches self-reliance, risk management and independence. Playing in nature helps children to connect with others, learn about leadership and to focus and concentrate.

In nature, children begin to learn that challenges are what make life interesting and that overcoming challenges, facing your fears, is what makes life meaningful. Without an element of risk, there is no challenge and without challenge there is no growth.

Statistically, more children are injured from accidents indoors than from playing outdoors. And studies now show that children who play outdoors fall ill less often.

When playing in nature, children are beginning to relate to the natural world, to respect and appreciate the environment.

It has to be said however, that in our ever-increasing urban environment, the opportunities for nature play are diminishing with every new development. It is also a sad fact that the elements of challenge in the standard park playground are minimal at best.

We all need nature, especially children.