Discover the Beauty of Birak in the Perth Hills Armadale

6 reasons to get out in nature

If we told you that the season Birak was symbolised by the colour red that probably wouldn’t surprise you, right? Birak, one of the six Noongar seasons, is usually the December-January period- although Noongar seasons are not confined by the precise date and instead follow the emergence and changes to the natural world including the weather. Birak’s red symbolism comes from the heat, sun and fire that the season brings.

You might be asking yourself, how do you know that Birak is here? The signs are easterly winds in the morning (they get warmed by the country inland so they bring the heat) and cooling breezes (from the south west) for the afternoon. So, there’s the heat and the sun warming the country, but where does the fire come in?

During Birak the Noongar people would burn the country in mosaic patterns to reduce the fuel load (less fuel meaning less out of control fires, especially if previous Makuru had led to lots of new plant growth), improving plant germination for the coming seasons and providing more grazing pasture for animals. It was essentially, a time for preparing the land for the times ahead.

How do you experience Birak in the Perth Hills?

1. Rise early to spot wildlife

The hot weather means that your best chance of seeing wildlife (other than at a wildlife park like Cohunu Koala Park or the Armadale Reptile Centre) is at dawn or dusk. If you have international visitors who’d like to experience kangaroos in the wild your best bet is an early trip to Serpentine National Park. It’s also possible to swim in the pool at the base of the falls, subject to water quality.

Photo credit IG@Stibbyyy

2. Birdwatch in Bungendore

Fledgling birds have generally left the nest by Birak, but some, like parrots and magpies, will be sticking close to their parents for this season. The best place to spot these are Bungendore Park- and as a bonus they’ve recently upgraded their trail signage so it’s the perfect spot to get out and enjoy an early morning bushwalk.

Photo credit FB@BungendorePark

3. Get up close with cold-blooded creatures at the Armadale Reptile Centre

The reptiles are out and shedding their skins as well. Being ectothermic (cold blooded) they regulate their temperature using the sun, and paths are a great spot to catch some rays. Since we know that you probably don’t want to encounter a dugite in the wild on your next bushwalk the best place to visit for a view would be the Armadale Reptile Centre. If you’d like a more unusual souvenir of your visit they have shed skins for sale too.

Photo credit IG@jesshadlow

4. Find a WA Christmas Tree

WA Christmas Tree- well, the first thing you should know is it’s one giant parasite, but that doesn’t make it any less cool to look at. These trees flower around Christmas (hence the name) and are found in some pretty unexpected suburban locations. If you’d like to see them in the wild hit up one of our local walk trails or try Ellis Brook Valley for a view while you get your botany fix in.

5. Be on the lookout for Beetles

Jewel Beetles are out in December and add a splash of colour to a parched landscape, although their numbers continue to decline. The adults feed on the nectar of flowers (but some do eat foliage) and are usually spottable around Forrestdale Lake. If you do manage to get a peek of one it will likely be the Castiarina aureola, but there are other species that call the lake home and occasionally make an appearance. 

Photo credit Urban Bushland Council WA

6. Spot a Christmas Spider

These tiny arachnids are most commonly seen during December and January, hence the name Christmas Spider, but we also think they look like little Christmas baubles with their round and brightly spotted body. They often congregate in large numbers and can be found throughout the Perth Hills region.

Staying Safe in the Hot Weather

We’d hate to sound like your mum, but if you’re going out and checking out our natural beauty this time of year there are a few things to keep in mind. Coming back safe means more adventures later. Follow our tips.

• Start early to beat the heat
• Stay hydrated! 1 litre per hour is recommended
• Protect yourself from the sun and slip, slop, slap
• Walk in groups of 4 or more and let someone know where you’re going
• Avoid snakes and wildlife by staying on paths