The holiday season has ended but summers in Perth continue much longer. The Noongar word for this “second summer” is bunuru, which is marked by the changing of which trees are in flower.

The bright yellow flowers of the slender banksia flowers are starting to give way to the oranges of the acorn banksia. This staggered timing of flowering ensures that the many honeyeaters in the bushland can find food from banksia flowers throughout the year.

The marri trees are already blooming with flowers that attract and feed a wide variety of pollinating insects. Pollinated flowers will develop into big honky nuts and the seeds feasted on by black cockatoos and parrots, each with their own distinctive way of chewing the nuts.

You can see these signs and other changes within the bushland on one of the free guided walks led by the Friends of Bold Park Bushland guides. This walk starts at 6:00 pm from the WA Ecology Centre on Perry Lakes Drive,and will finish around 7:30 pm.

Prepare for your walk:

• Wear sturdy shoes and come dressed for the weather. Bring drinking water and a torch to light the path after sunset.
• This walk requires a moderate level of fitness.
• There are no public toilets in Bold Park. Toilets are available at the nearby playground at the southern end of Perry Lakes Reserve.
• All guided walks are free and bookings are not required for individuals.
• Please contact the Friends of Bold Park Bushland if you have a group greater than five people who wish to attend.

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