The heated debate about outdoor cats and wildlife protection continues to simmer in our communities, but sometimes our quick assumptions need a reality check. Earlier today, I spotted a discussion about bird deaths that perfectly illustrated how we often jump to conclusions without considering the full picture.

Standing in my backyard this morning, watching a pair of willy wagtails dart between the native plants we’ve established, I reflected on how our urban environments have become complex ecosystems where native and introduced species interact in ways we don’t always fully understand.

The morning light was just breaking through my kitchen window when something caught my eye in the garden. At first glance, it looked like a moving pine cone, but there it was - a magnificent echidna, casually wandering through my yard as if it owned the place.

These encounters with native wildlife in urban areas seem to be becoming more frequent lately. Just last week, while walking through Warrandyte State Park, I spotted another echidna foraging near the trail. It’s fascinating how these prehistoric-looking creatures are adapting to life in our expanding urban landscape.