After a disastrous summer with drought and bushfires we have had a flooding February and the rainfall for the month, 298mm, is almost up to half of what our total rainfall was last year. The wildlife was adversely affected by the drought and we had a very noticeable drop in the numbers visiting and even many that we would see regularly moved away looking for more favourable locations.
Fortunately the rain has vegetation again growing, plants flowering and with plentiful water available, our wildlife is coming back.
Today we had visits from a butterfly species that is normally found north of here and that makes its name very appropriate, Lemon Migrant, Catopsilia pompona pompona.
They are quite common in the northern Australian region and we are at the southern edge of their range.
The one in the photo stopped for a rest on a cycad just outside the office and I was able to get the photo through the window which affected the quality but when I went outside to get a better shot it was gone.
The larvae feed on many species in the cassia family both. native and introduced.
A spectacular sight in flight with their solid bright colouring. A pleasure to witness for residents, like myself, of Coomba Park.
ReplyDeleteHi unknown,
ReplyDeleteliving in a great location we do get to see a great array of wildlife and the butterflies do bring colour among the green of the trees.