Welcome to Djeran (April-May) #
Noongar people divide the year into six seasons: Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, Kambarang and Birak.
Djeran, the Noongar season of adulthood, sees a break in the very hot weather, and the change in the season is evident in the wind with seeds, dust and leaves blown across the landscape. Flying ants can be seen cruising around in the light southerly winds of Djeran. You’ll also notice this season brings cooler nights with a dewy presence for us to discover in the early mornings.
This season sees the red wildflowers bloom, especially the Red Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia) and the petite Summer Flame (Beaufortia aestiva). The male and female Sheoaks (Allocasuarina fraseriana) form cones and Banksia start to display their flowers ensuring there are nectar food sources for the many small mammals and birds that rely upon them.
During this season, black cockatoos are active across the landscape. Carnaby’s cockatoos are often seen in larger flocks moving between feeding areas, while Baudin’s black cockatoos tend to stay within forested areas, feeding high in marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees. Red-tailed black cockatoos move through woodlands and forests, usually in smaller groups.
At this time of year, feeding is a key focus. Black cockatoos target seasonal food sources such as marri nuts and the nectar and seeds from red flowering gums.
In Djeran, Noongar people would traditionally eat Zamia seeds that had been collected a season earlier, as well as root bulbs of the Yanget (Bullrushes), freshwater fish, frogs and turtles.
Image credit: Save the Black Cockatoos / Red Cloud Design