Page 9 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • UP FRONT

In season

EXPLORE
Tropic’s local guide to the best 1
of Tropical North nature this
August and September. For me, the two most outstanding
features of Peaceful Doves are their call 2
Words: Nicky Horstmann and their nesting habits. Sometimes
referred to as the Doodle Doo dove, these
I’m going to put my neck on the line However, this tree is truly alien to
and suggest that August and September little chaps can seemingly ‘doodle-doo’ for our environment and is doing
are possibly the best months in FNQ. hours on end at a volume that belies their irreparable harm. This species is in the
Not too hot, not too cold and frequently size. They can also rock a throaty ‘croorrr’ top 100 of the world’s most invasive
sunny but, given the ‘dishevelled’ weather over and over. Amazing little critters. weeds and is causing problems virtually
patterns we have been experiencing, one However, their nest building seemingly everywhere except its native tropical
can only hope. throws their survival skills into doubt. African habitat.
In the tropics they’ll build flimsy homes So why are African Tulip trees a
in palm fronds and inflorescences. One problem here? They kill our native
DOODLE DOO DOVE pair even built a nest on the top of our bees and other pollinating insects.
FAUNA fence in amongst the hoya vine, and laid Those magnificent flowers produce an
As the seasons change so does the two delightful little eggs that never made irresistible nectar that is so toxic the bees
prominence of different birds. it to hatching. They were just too exposed. and their other mates don’t even make
One species that seems to relish the drier So, no Grand Designs award, but Peaceful it back to the hive to spread a warning.
weather is the relatively small grey-brown Doves do live up to their name. Watching Consequently, more and more bees fly out
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida). them feed does evoke a real sense of calm. like lambs to the slaughter.
About half the size of a feral pigeon, these To make matters worse, these trees are
quaint creatures feature darker stripes on BITTERSWEET BEAUTY highly efficient breeders as well as quick
their wings and neck and have a soft blue FLORA growers. In a very short space of time, one
eye-ring. One of the stunningly beautiful trees tree can cause a truckload of problems.
Most often they’re found in pairs or intensifying in its flowering right now is Listing this species as a Category 3
family groups pecking about the ground the African Tulip Tree Restricted Invasive Plant is a good start,
looking for seeds and tiny insects. (Spathodea campanulate). Its prominently but there’s plenty of work still to be done
They like open woodland and gardens, displayed clusters of orange-red flowers to protect our vital pollinators.
preferably close to water as they like are hard to miss, making the drive to
to drink regularly, and can be found Brinsmead along the Western Arterial 1. Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida)
2. African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulate)
throughout most of Australia and PNG. Road a colourful one indeed. 3. Star Apple (Caimito),

RUSTY’S MARKETS This fruit originated in the West
Indies and is soft, juicy and sweet
STAR APPLE in the middle.
Keep an eye out for Star Apple on Be warned – don’t try to eat this
your next visit to Rusty’s. fruit like an apple. The skin and
No, I don’t mean the 5-cornered outer layers are full of latex.
carambola, I mean the round Star Simply cut in half horizontally and
Apple (Caimito), coloured either scoop out the soft inner pulp with
green or purple. a spoon. Yum!
3

9 • tropicnow.com.au