Carpobrotus rossii (Pig Face, Karkalla)

Pardalote's nest at base of Carpobrotus rossii (Pig Face)

Husband was checking out a pigeon’s nest in the corner of our block when a small bird seemed to fly from under his foot. Closer inspection revealed this little burrow at the base of the pig face, Carpobrotus rossii. The bird is the Spotted Pardalote. These and Rainbow Bee Eaters make burrows in sandy banks or cliff faces. During the spring and summer we often find scratchings that indicate the beginnings of burrows and it is quite exciting to actually have one being constructed on our place. Husband was able to get a photo of the bird carrying grass to the burrow to line it.

The nest is in the middle of the patch of this Pig Face. It is a very hardy plant like all succulents seem to be. I will be planting some of this on the edge of our driveway to create the illusion of ‘lawn’. There is no way that I could keep lawn going there and I wouldn’t want to anyway because it would be a waste of water.