A few months ago, some necessary clearing of shrub weeds like lantana was undertaken along the fence line. A few weeks ago, the burning of the large pile of rubbish from that clearing was finally possible.
What it revealed was a Satin Bower-bird’s ‘bower’ — the grass U-shaped ‘avenue’ surrounded by a mat of grass and decorative items in shades of blue, from pegs to bottle tops to flowers.
I see and hear the females often here, but this last week I have seen the glossy violet-black male as he has patiently relocated his bower.
First he flattened the avenue of grass and then, one by blue one, he has picked up the decorations in his beak and flown off.
There is barely a flash of blue left.
I have not yet found where the new bower is located, but when I do, I’ll be sure to leave it well protected by shrubbery — even if it’s lantana.