KI, as Kangaroo Is land is fondly called, is a haven for many different types of animals and birds. Kangaroo Island is also a bee sanctuary making it illegal to get any bees or any honey products inland. The Australians are so careful about nature preservation that more than half the island has never been cleared of vegetation and a quarter of its land is declared as National Parks and Conservation Parks.

Every season has an effect on the landscape and the wildlife; let’s take a look at how this happens:

Summer Time:

Summer time on the Kangaroo Island is from December to February. As the summer approaches the wildlife retreats to bush land habitat and they take shelter during the heat of the day. You get to see a myriad of colours with the contrasting gold pastures and colourful summer flowers and the green of the native trees. In summer you will see:

• The Little Penguins that moult all their feathers by the end of the breeding season and they lose up to half their body weight.

• The native Kangaroos and Tammar Wallabies are seen predominantly at dawn and dusk.

• The New Zealand Fur Seals give birth to their chocolate brown pups.

• This is also the arrival time for the young of the Australian Sea Lion, wallabies, koala bears and kangaroos.

• Heath Goannas also lay their eggs in the nest of warm, humid and stable atmosphere of the termite mounds.

Autumn:

The autumn time is between March and May on Kangaroo Island. The once golden pastures now turn green and the waterways and the catchment areas start to flow. Autumn is the time for change as slight rainfall allows some respite after a hot summer and promotes fresh growth. In autumn you will see:

• The Little Penguins and the glossy Black Cockatoos begin nesting.

• Autumn is also the courtship time for the black swans.

• Fungi or mushrooms start sprouting their little heads on damp grounds and rooting wood.

Winter:

Winter time on Kangaroo Island is from June to August and is the most appealing time here with its lush green countryside, flowing waterways and abundant wildlife. It is in this season that you will see the land mammals that usually came out at night or at dawn and dusk now start showing themselves during the day. Here you will see:

• The Kangaroo and wallaby joeys start emerging from the mother’s pouch.

• Koalas also start emerging from the mother’s pouch and start riding on her back.

• You will get to see the enchanting Echidnas ‘mating train’ which is where almost 8 males will follow the female around.

• Ospreys show off their mates with spectacular courtship fights.

• The waders begin to arrive on their migration from Siberia.

• You will also get to see the Southern Right Whales who pass the shores on their way from Antarctic waters to the Great Australian Bight to calve.

Spring:

This season starts in September and goes on till November. You get to see the rebirth of many things amidst a spectacular array of wild mammals, birds and flowers. You will get to see:

• There are around 40 endemic species of flowers around this island that come into bloom.

• Eucalyptus oil production is at its peak as one tonne of leaves can produce up to 30 liters of oil.

• The Cape Barren geese nest atop the native iris grasses in order to incubate their eggs.

• The Platypuses lay tow eggs in burrows that are almost 20 meters long.

Accommodation on this island is an experience in itself considering the scenic beauty you can see from your windows. There are many excellent choices to choose from like a beach house with Aqua On Wrights, www.aquaonwrights.com or hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, camping grounds and service apartments and cottages.