Why do we keep going to Moorunde Wildlife Reserve? Yes, the Reserve needs weeding, fencing repairs and general maintenance. But are these the only reasons for going there month after month? It certainly gives a person satisfaction to be doing something for conservation, but is that all? No, it is not. There are the small events which happen, to give delight to the onlookers. Here are a few examples that we have seen during the last two working bees.
Early in the morning, waking to the melodious call of the butcher bird.
Sitting quietly watching a group of wrens flitting through the bushes as they search for food.
Finding a tawny frog-mouth’s nest and watching the progress of its young.
Seeing a lizard hanging on a branch and photographing it. It relied on its camouflage and never moved.
Watching an ant carry off a biscuit crumb. There are many ant-trails and it is interesting to follow one to its source. There are even cross-roads but the traffic never seems to get confused.
As you wander through the Reserve, see kangaroos hopping away ahead of you.
While digging some soil, disturbing a large trap-door spider which didn’t seem very upset about it.
At dusk, wood-swallows flying very high in great circles as they search for insects.
Sitting talking on a summer’s evening with bats silently swooping around.
Don’t you think we would come home mentally refreshed after all these pleasures?
Berna Clements
Natural History, Jan-Feb 1998