July 21, 2009 05:44 by
LukeThe Forest Gallery's Silver Wattles have started flowering- an indicator of the start of seasonal activity in plants and animals in the tall forests. The indigenous Kulin people recognised the period around August, marked by wattle and orchid blooms, as a distinct season. 'Jack' the mature male Satin Bower Bird in the Forest Gallery has plucked choice wattle blooms from the tree canopy and used them to decorate his bower in preparation for the mating season. Many people know Satin Bower Birds collect blue objects, but closer observation will show they also collect yellowing grass stems and yellow flowers from Silver Wattles, Mountain Correa and Purple Appleberry. The Forest Gallery's committed horticultural staff are developing strategies to protect tender plants from the predations of the bower birds.
Silver Wattle features in Jack's neatly constructed bower. Photo: Andrew Kuhlmann Source: Museum Victoria
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