RORY’S RAMBLES Artistic additions are for the birds

HITTING the walking trails around Armstrong, you’ll find some new artistic additions perched overhead that are drawing interest from local birdlife.

Created by Villawood artist/sculptor Folko Kooper, the birdhouses are a terrific mix of environment and creative whimsy.

The magpies and other birds taking up lodgings in them show they’re a hit with the birds too.

“I’ve made five of them, four with nesting boxes in it and one with a nesting platform because cormorants and herons use platforms,” Folko said.

“There are five nesting platforms in the one structure.

“I looked up what’s there, in terms of birds, at Armstrong. I spoke to an expert as well.”

Folko put in nesting boxes for owls, boobooks, parakeets, wood ducks and larger cockatoos, or sulphur crested, and gang gang cockatoos.

“I’ve made them for birds that will use them, although they’ll probably get used by starlings,” he laughed.

YOUNG fans who met up with Geelong Cats players Rhys Stanley, Jackson Thurlow and Gryan Miers at Armstrong’s recent School of Greatness will get the chance to put their supporter skills to work this weekend.

The Cats meet up with Carlton at GMHBA Stadium this Saturday for what promises to be an interesting clash.

Graduates from the School of Greatness will be needed as the Cats seek to redeem themselves after last week’s lacklustre showing against Essendon.

The Blues, in the doldrums after a thumping by the Demons, will be looking for a similar resurrection.

So Armstrong junior Cats, get out the blue and white hoops and get roaring!

The game starts at 7.25pm on Saturday, May 26.

IF YOU’RE looking for things to do this Sunday, parks and gardens might be your thing. The magnificent Geelong Botanic Gardens will be staging an open day from 11am to 3pm.

You can find out more about the various activities happening on the day at friendsgbg.org.au.

Free guided walks will also be on offer at the gardens. That’s at 2pm; phone 5222 6053 to find out more.