Welcome to ‘Wirltuti’, the First Nations Spring. Paul Rosser’s weather update.

37.5mm of rain for September taking the Year to Date (YTD) to 446.0mm.   We had a major rain event on 7/8 September when got a ‘dump’ of 31.0mm, which filled our tank & probably yours, again.

How does this compare with other years:

2023                     37.5mm               (8)                                                       446.0mm (4)

2022                     50.5mm               (4)                                                       385.0mm (8)

2021                     44.0mm               (6)                                                       400.5mm (6)

2020                     46.5mm               (5)                                                       400.5mm (6)

2019                     41.0mm               (7)                                                       304.5mm (10)

2018                     19.0mm               (12)                                                     282.5mm (11)

2017                     52.0mm               (3)                                                       444.5mm (5)

2016                     112.5mm             (1)                                                       543.0mm (1)

2015                     29.0mm               (10)                                                     391.0mm (7)

2014                     31.0mm               (9)                                                       345.0mm (9)

2013                     54.0mm               (2)                                                       460.0mm (3)

2012                     27.0mm               (11)                                                     462.0mm (2)

Interesting, the month was dryish compared to other years but the YTD is holding up because of the two ‘dumps’ we had in June (31.0mm) & September (31.0mm).    For those eagle eyes, the YTD 2021 & 2020 were the same by coincidence as were the two ‘dumps’ of 31.0mm this year.

What’s to come?   The Indian Ocean  is set up for a low rainfall contribution, as is the Pacific Ocean (El Nina has been declared as the sea & atmospheric temperatures are on the rise together for the first time in a number of years) & the Southern Ocean is hotter than usual causing the deaths to thousands of Penguin chicks this year.  Poor little critters, our CO2 is the cause.   Scientists are also concerned about the Krill too, as this is affected by higher temperatures.   This in turn could cause the Whale population  problems resulting in more deaths.    Sound like the beginning of the collapse, the point of no return?   Do we have until 2050 to turn things around – I think not, so write to your Federal Member & put your view.    We have a Voice already so let’s use it.   Perhaps the AAEV could put out a statement on it’s position & steps forward  from here, within the Village.

How are First Nations people viewing the seasons, now it’s October?  October is the start of ‘Wirltuti’, their Spring.  They look to the Southern Cross & its position in the southern sky.    It means the ‘Eagle’s Foot’ or is often shortened to the ‘Eagle’.   Check out its position in the southern sky & lock it in your memory.   Temperatures are warming, the north westerlies are blowing stronger.  They call these winds ‘Pukarra’.    We also have lightening (Karntu), thunder (Piturru) accompanying the strong north westerly winds & if no rain it can cause dangerous bush fires (Purta), not as bad as ours because they’ve done their soft burns earlier in the year.

What’s for dinner? Birds eggs, Lizards, Blue Crabs, Garfish, Crustaceans of all types, heart leaves of the Grass Trees, my favourite Yabbies & the odd Brown, Black & Tiger Snakes, as they come out of hibernation.

Are they on the move?  Yes, they are coming back to the coast, moving down to the reed beds behind the dunes.   If you see our reeds by the Willunga Creek, think about this as a camp site.    We have found stone tools down by the Creek.   If you find them just look & put them back from whence they came.    They spent much of their time curing skins, Possums & Kangaroos.

Their season goes from October to around the end of December.

So we can expect a long dry spell (months), very hot days & nights & gardens that will need a lot of water. If you are a dripper person, check your outlets & clear your pipes of blockages otherwise your plants will not get sufficient water to survive.   Hose users, like me, need to give each native/indigenous plant one minute at reasonable pressure for it to have 10 litres. Once a month should be OK for natives.  For other plants you will need to water much more often if they are to survive summer heat.   Always watch for drooping & provide a top up as required.

I will be reporting to Management Committee (MC) on our negotiations regarding Bowering Hill, next Wednesday night & then on Thursday I will write a few lines on the draft agreement we have.    Ongoing discussions to shore up our long term position with the Department of Environment & Water (DEW), will continue over the next few weeks.

That’s all for now,

Paul

Image courtesy BOM. http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/calendars/kaurna-seasonal-calendar.pdf

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Paul Rosser

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