Solar Surf Handplanes

05/11/2026

Today, a local duck decided to take her ducklings on a tour of our suburban backyards, losing multiple chicks in the process. 19 locals across 9 properties found them and reunited them with mum. Then, herded the family back to the local bush reserve.

22/10/2026

I had a great day last Sunday at the Central Ringwood Community Centre Art Fair and market

One more person is creating a place for parrots to raise chicks, 2 people have a home for Blue Banded Bees, and someone has vastly improved their beach experience with a new hand plane.
The event was very well organised as expected, with some very professional and creative stallholders.

There was art from local artists and high school students (beaming 17 year olds selling their first paintings).

There are some very clever artists In our local area. Check out

20/10/2026

Just sitting on the deck chatting with a neighbour

17/10/2026

A busy couple of days in the shed. A new rosella box, insect hotels with a clay block for Blue Banded Bees, and a couple of microbat boxes.

07/10/2026

The local Eastern Rosellas discovered my new nesting box.

31/08/2026

So, there's definite interest in the new box. This is a mature Crimson Rosella. There is an immature pair sniffing around and some Easterns.

25/08/2026

I'm trying out the Alfred camera app.
The free version has motion detection, live streaming, and you can download any events to see the video without a watermark. It's intended as a home security app but it should work for wildlife.
I've set up an old phone to monitor a box on the wall.
Obviously, the phone has to be undercover, and it will need to be connected to power full long-term monitoring.
At the moment, I'm just having a play, but I'll post the results.

19/08/2026

This Kindle was dead. A new battery and 10 minutes research on YouTube, and it's back up and running.
Check the size and type of screws before you start. This one needed a T5 Torx screwdriver.
It can be fiddly but most batteries can be replaced.

15/07/2026

Sooo... I hadn't checked my brother's nest box for a while...
He did mention he had bees.

07/05/2026