Mon Repos House

18/01/2025

This handsome, colourful, creature is a member of the Bristil Fly family, namely, Rutilia (Ameniamima) Quadripunctata, and as such is the largest of the Parasitic Blowfly Species , measuring 20mm. In this adult form they feed mainly on nectar, and/or the sweet excretions obtained from scale insects and aphids, making them important members of the plant pollinators. They are often seen, December to February, sunning themselves on the trunks of eucalyptus trees, having fed upon the flowers. Females larviposit their eggs on the ground. The resultant hatched maggots bury into the ground in search of larval Coleoptera (beetle) especially Scarabaeidae (which amongst many, include Christmas beetles) on which they parasitise. Although very little is known of their life history they are deemed important, being "controllers of pests". Interestingly, the family name for blowflies is Calliphoridae, from the Greek, meaning "beautiful appearance" and although most Australians do not hold a love of the blowfly, I have to admit this particular blowfly lives up to that description

05/01/2025

During the recent winds we sighted a nest in the Melaleuca (paperbark tree) adjacent to our loungeroom verandah. Unfortunately, the constant thrashing of the bough, and its dense foliage, prevented us, at that time, from confidently identifying the nest's occupant, however, once the winds abated, a bright red eye amongst the leaves, confirmed it to be a male Australasian Fig-bird. Further confirmation was gained as the female came in to relieve the male from his nest sitting duties. This species generally breed September to February, producing one or two clutches of 2-3 eggs each year. Their cup shaped nests are constructed within a horizontal fork, at the end of a branch, 6-20 metres from the ground, from loosely woven vines and twigs, supported by its rim, and slung low within the selected fork. The eighteen days of incubation until hatching, are shared by both parent birds, and the resultant young will remain in the nest for the following 16-17 days. Hopefully, within this time, we will have many opportunities to see the growing chicks. Despite the fact that the parent birds will aggressively defend their nest, they are known to regularly fall victim to nest parasitism by Pacific Koels.

05/01/2025

In 1968 Col Limpus was asked "to take on a little four-year study of flatback (turtles)" and so began an exciting, and rewarding, adventure. Now, all these years later, he retires as a highly respected major researcher of sea turtles. We thank him for his years of dedicated research, and wish him a long, and happy, retirementhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-24/dr-col-limpus-sea-turtle-researcher-retires-mon-repos/104757940?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Col Limpus, 84, has committed most of his life to uncovering mysteries about the majestic sea creatures, including founding the popular Mon Repos Turtle Rookery.

03/01/2025

This shining, chrome-like, structure, discovered on a Hoya plant in the garden of MON REPOS HOUSE, is in fact, the pupa of the Common Crow Butterfly (also known as the Oleander Butterfly). This butterfly has a wing span of 7cms, is black with small white spots on the wing edges with larger ones further in, which vary in size. During their caterpillar stage, they dine on the white sap of host plants which produce toxins, imparting a strong scent which warns off predators throughout their lifetime. Eating just one butterfly would make most birds sick; however spiders, dragonflies, wasps, and selective birds, are immune to these toxins. The male Common Crow Butterfly releases an alluring sexual odour when courting and employs the use of "hair pencils" from which he showers the female with aphrodisiac dust prior to copulation. Females mate several times (recorded maximum is 17) deriving proteins from the male which extend her life and enhance egg production. Females lay 350-500 eggs in their lifetime. Adult butterflies only have 4 legs, and are said to live for 11-13 weeks, however, in cold or dry periods they congregate in swarms to keep warm, resting and retarding their metabolism, allowing them to live up to seven months.

02/01/2025

This old man kangaroo is a regular visitor to the garden of MON REPOS HOUSE, so we were not surprised when he arrived early on Christmas Day. He started out with a few drinks, accompanied by light snacking, relaxing in, as the day progressed. With a full tummy, he found a position, with dappled sun, to his liking, stretched out, and soon dozed off. A typical Aussie Christmas guest!

31/12/2024

22/12/2024

Flocks of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Brown Honeyeaters, and Rainbow Lorikeets can be seen, throughout the day, feasting in the large Bottlebrush tree in the garden of MON REPOS HOUSE.

22/12/2024

Another interesting sunset seen from MON REPOS HOUSE 21/12/24

20/12/2024

Sunset seen from MON REPOS HOUSE 20/12/24

26/11/2024

The Rain Lilies (Zephranthes grandiflora) are once again in bloom at MON REPOS HOUSE. This sea of pale pink occurs after storms or summer rainfall. They are a bulb which readily form offsets, as well as producing a bountiful supply of easily germinated seeds, which if left, can form these clumping colonies which produce this wonderful sight. Like many bulbs, they can be planted in lawns, remaining undetected until the flower heads poke their heads up, indicating it is time to stop mowing and sit back, and enjoy the display that is erupting. Although these bulbs multiply readily, they are easily removed, so are NOT invasive.

07/10/2024

We were thrilled to see the newly fledged Australian Magpie chicks in the garden of MON REPOS HOUSE today. These friendly, highly intelligent birds, are known for their melodious call, and have the ability to recognize individual humans, remembering those who show them any form of aggression. For most of the year, these birds assist the gardener by employing their keen sense of hearing, to detect, and target, insects lurking beneath the lawn. They also feast on worms, small lizards, frogs and grains. They live in groups, year round, with all members actively defending their territory,(where they feed, roost, and nest), from predators, and other Magpies. Known to mate for life, they breed June to December, building nests of sticks and twigs, lined with softer materials (grasses, hair, feathers, wool, and/or shredded bark) in the outer branches of a tree, 15 metres above the ground. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs, which they incubate for 20 days. Fed by their mother, within 4 weeks they are feathered and ready to fly. During breeding season, some (12%), male Australian Magpies, will aggressively defend their home, by swooping intruders. With their retentive memories, our local Magpies know they have nothing to fear, so do not display this behaviour towards us.

02/10/2024

Osprey House Environment Centre's chick has fledged! Maybe we will have a name for her soon?

27/09/2024

The bright colours of these Rainbow Bee-eaters, attracts the attention as they feed within Barolin Nature Reserve. Both sexes are similar, however, females have shorter, thicker, tail streamer feathers than males. Juveniles have subdued colouring, and lack the long tail streamers, and black chest band. These quick, agile, birds dine on wasps and bees (from which they firstly remove their stings by rubbing them against a branch), moths, beetles, butterflies, and dragonflies. Believed to mate for life, they nest in a sandy bank or cliff face. Although they are said to have weak feet and legs, they possess partly fused toes which assists them in digging and removing sand and soil. During nest construction, the male collects food for the female, whilst she digs a long tunnel (up to 1 metre long), ending in a nesting chamber lined with grass, into which she lays 3 to 7 eggs. Both parent incubate the eggs and feed the young.