Page 14 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

TROPIC • UP FRONT

Bird / Metallic native
Mention the word ‘starling’ to many
people and their response will
probably include a denunciation of this
introduced pest. Rightly so. However,
north-eastern Queensland boasts a
native species of starling, sharing these
birds with PNG and even further afield.
By now, the annual migration should be
well and truly over, our Metallic Starlings
(Aplonis metallica) having arrived and
settled into the breeding cycle.
They hang out in noisy flocks and are
In Season particularly noticeable in the evenings
as they swirl around in circles above
Tropic’s expert guide to the best their roosting trees, screeching their
presence to all and sundry. They
of TNQ nature this October don’t mind a little bit of vehicular or
and November. pedestrian traffic and happily ‘sleep’ in
trees right in the middle of town.
Words Nicky Horstmann Sounding a lot like a flock of rainbow

Astronomy / Shooting stars lorikeets, these birds couldn’t look more
October and November have, for many different. Living up to their metallic
years, ushered in a unique snake season name, the adults are iridescent black
in FNQ, with the local Taipans waging with a piercing red eye. During the day
war on southern introduced species Cassia fistula x javanica they can be easily spotted feasting on
such as hawks, wildcats and even kings. fruit, most visible in the inflorescences
In fact, for a few months, our Taipans Trees / Start of the rainbow of native palms.
are seen to assume an almost godly A visit to the Lagoon is always Metallic or Shining Starlings also
role and the Cairns Convention Centre rewarding but this time of year nest together, building droopy nests
becomes a temple where we lesser provides us with that bit extra. The suspended high in particular trees.
beings go to worship and revere them, Rainbow Shower trees should start Because of their large numbers the
encouraging them in their ruthless to flower. These trees are a hybrid of ground underneath provides an
endeavours. two equally beautiful Cassia species extraordinary feeding place for all sorts of
One such epic event on Saturday (fistula x javanica), one sporting yellow other organisms both big and small, and
17th Nov, will be followed by another blossoms, the other, pink. A close look can abound with furry critters, snakes and
phenomenon– the Leonids meteor at the Rainbow flowers will provide feral pigs amongst others. Even without
shower. The best viewing can be evidence of this as well as every other headbanging, Aplonis metallica rock.
achieved between 2.00 and 6.00am colour that a yellow/pink mix could
(on the 18th Nov). Try looking ENE and possibly produce. These magnificent
relatively low in the sky initially. As trees also provide us with dense shade
time passes, turn more to the NE and in the warmer months before shedding
raise your sights somewhat higher. some leaves and allowing more sunlight
Patience could enable you to see up to through as the days cool down - perfect
20 meteors an hour. What a night this for our climate. Oh, and don’t try
promises to be - shooting stars from collecting the seeds to grow your own
Taipan’s tipoff at 6.30pm until dawn the rainbow. Like many hybrids, these
next morning. Wow! seeds aren’t viable.

Rusty’s Markets: Going bananas
At the risk of sounding a little Aplonis metallica
obsessed, the food scene brightens
up at this time of year as new season
mangoes begin appearing at Rusty’s. different varieties. Boiled, baked or fried,
Heaven is upon us. While these highly plantains can serve as a starchy vegetable.
flavoured, juicy delights tempt us, it Give them a try.
could also be time to dabble in the
world of bananas and try some of the MORE: rustysmarkets.com.au

14 • Tropic • Issue 14