HOW MANY SEASONS ARE THERE IN A TROPICAL YEAR? IN KAKADU, THE ANSWER IS SIX

YELLOW WATERS LAGOON

Here in far north Queensland, indeed, right across tropical Australia, we tend to count just two seasons – the wet and the dry. In the wet, the monsoon brings huge amounts of rain and the possibility of cyclones – and it’s all that water that makes this place such an attractive home to our wildlife. During the dry, the days are hot, nights are warm and the place is chockers with tourists. Of course, it can rain during the dry, but the rain comes from a different direction and in usually much smaller amounts. But within those two broad “seasons”, there are subtle changes, periods when change is on its way and signs of what’s next become more apparent. Indigenous people in tropical Australia identify several distinct seasons – in the lush wetlands of Kakadu, in the Northern Territory, the local mob recognise six distinct seasons.

COMB CRESTED JACANA

Our wildlife correspondemt Dr Martin Cohen is in Kakadu this week, working with a Japanese film crew who are documenting the region’s most famous wetland – Yellow Waters – and some of its wildlife, including Norm the comb crested jacana, who Martin reckons should get the dad of the year award. LISTEN to Martin explain the critters and the seasons of Kakadu 

Dr Martin Cohen is ABC Far North wildlife correspondent. Hear him on radio Wednesday afternoons at 445 or search for him on your podcast app

 

THE CAIRNS ESPLANADE – A WORLD FAMOUS BIRD WATCHING LOCATION

ABC Far North wildlife correspondent Martin Cohen and I have travelled far and wide this year to observe the amazing birds and animals of far north Queensland. One of the best things about living in FNQ is that you don’t have to travel very far from home to see wildlife. In fact one of the best spots is right in the heart of the Cairns CBD – the Cairns Esplanade.

The Nard, as old time Cairns locals call it, is famous the world over as a great birdwatching spot. On any day you’ll meet bird-watchers from many nations there, equipped with some amazing cameras and scopes, marvelling at the birds that come in looking for food in the mud flat when the tide is just right. Pelicans, egrets, terns, all sorts. LISTEN to Martin talk about what you might see here

Dr Martin Cohen is ABC Far North wildlife correspondent. Hear him on radio Wednesday afternoons at 445 or search for him on your podcast ap

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RED TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS SEEN IN SOME UNUSUAL PLACES

Far north Queensland is home to all manner of birds – their presence or absence can tell us a lot about our changing seasons, the weather and environment. Lately we’ve seen red tailed black cockatoos in parts of the far north where they would not usually be seen. They’ve even been seen in significant numbers in down-town Cairns. They’re more often seen in drier parts of our region, but given the below average wet season and above average temperatures this summer, maybe they’re looking to find cooler conditions on the coast.

AUDIO Click on the red arrow to hear our wildlife correspondent Martin Cohen talk about cockatoos, the red tail black, and why they’re turning up in some unusual places.

The red tail black cockatoo is thought to have been the first eastern Australian bird illustrated by a European –  Joseph Banks’ draughtsman Sydney Parkinson sketched a bird taken at Endeavour River, Cooktown in 1770.

The northern subspecies of red-tailed black cockatoo has a wide distribution and is not considered endangered. The Western Australian inland red tail is more frequently seen than was once the case, but loss of suitable nesting trees in southern Australia has adversely affected populations.

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Dr Martin Cohen is ABC Far North wildlife correspondent. read more about Martin at http://www.wildaboutaustralia.com/