Brush-tailed bettongs released into Mount Gibson sanctuary
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Sticky prune, pear and ginger cakes with ginger caramel
A variation of my mum's beloved sticky date pudding, these little cakes are all warming spice and soft, cooked fruit. As they're made with wholemeal flour, sticky prunes and pear, I like to kid myself that these are, in fact, healthy muffins. But then I drown them in ginger caramel and a puddle of cream, and that illusion is shattered! On a cold evening these really are heavenly, and I wouldn't even blame you if the leftovers masqueraded as breakfast the next day. The prunes are lovely in this – I actually prefer them to dates. If you're not convinced, just think of them as dried plums. I have often gifted a box of these, along with an accompanying jar of caramel sauce, and they are always well received. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Makes 6 100g unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra to grease185 ml full cream (whole) milk 125g caster sugar 120g pitted prunes, halved1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 eggs, lightly beaten1 tsp vanilla bean paste 2 small pears, ripe but firm150g wholemeal flour, plus extra to dust tins3/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp ground ginger 1/8 tsp fine sea salt Ginger caramel sauce100g unsalted butter, cubed165g light brown sugar 200ml single cream, plus extra to serve (optional)1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced1/2 tsp flaky sea salt Preheat the oven to 160C fan-forced and grease a large muffin tin (with six 180ml capacity holes) well with softened butter. Line the bases of the holes with circles of baking paper, then dust with a little wholemeal flour, tapping out any excess. Put the butter, milk, sugar, prunes and fresh ginger in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat, stir in the bicarb soda and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. When the mixture has cooled, stir in the eggs and vanilla. Peel and quarter the pears, removing the cores. Cut the quarters into 1–2cm pieces and set aside. Place the flour, baking powder, ground ginger and fine sea salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Make a well in the centre and pour in the cooled prune mixture, along with the pear pieces, stirring gently until just combined. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the cakes are golden brown and risen, and just a few damp crumbs cling to a skewer when tested. Allow the cakes to cool a little in their tins while you make the ginger caramel sauce. Add the butter, sugar, cream and ginger to a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Turn the heat down and let the caramel bubble for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened, and watching carefully that the caramel doesn't bubble over. Remove from the heat and stir in the flaky sea salt. Carefully turn the warm cakes out of their tins, running a knife around the edges to loosen if necessary. Serve the cakes warm, topped with warm ginger caramel sauce and a puddle of pure (single) cream, if you like. I like to use a skewer to poke holes in the top of the cakes to allow the caramel sauce to really soak in. Any leftover cakes and caramel sauce will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days – just heat gently before serving. This is an edited extract from Handfuls of Sunshine, written and photographed by Tilly Pamment (Murdoch Books: $39.99, out now)
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
How to humanely deal with pests without using cruel traps or harmful chemicals
I've seen a rash of social media posts recommending the application of sticky-tape bands around tree trunks to prevent spotted lanternflies and other garden pests from accessing tree canopies and munching on foliage. But those bands also catch caterpillars, butterflies, bees and birds, which would be difficult to free without ripping off their limbs or breaking their wings. Similarly, glue traps are cruel devices, holding hostage everything from basement cave crickets to terrified mice and rats until they starve to death. Recently, after noticing a rustling sound coming from my attic, I discovered a family of squirrels had settled in, presumably after the pregnant mother gained access through an unscreened vent. At that point, securing the vent would have been easy, but would have trapped the critters indoors. After monitoring the scampering above me for a few days, I surmised that after their early-morning dance parties, the squirrels would leave the house each day, then return after sunset. So, when the disco closed one morning, I sealed up the vent opening, locking them out. Problem solved. It required more patience than setting out traps or poison, or calling someone to 'take care of it,' but it was worth the wait (and it didn't cost a dime). Coexisting with wildlife So-called 'nuisance' animals, like squirrels, bats and raccoons, are just living their lives, as we are, and they need food, water and shelter, like we do. It's not their fault that we chopped down their forested homes, paved over meadows and built neighborhoods in their habitat. They have nowhere else to go, so the least we could do is treat them humanely and share our (outdoor) space with them as much as possible. When they enter indoor living spaces, however, that means evicting them, as I did. But prevention would have been better. Look for openings in attics, basements, and around windows, doors and soffits, keeping in mind that a mouse can squeeze through a hole as small as the diameter of a pencil. Check, too, for gaps under eaves, missing chimney caps and broken vents. Ensure there aren't any animals indoors before sealing them. If you have unwanted residents, wait for them to leave or lure them out so they don't die in your walls. If you're concerned about biting insects, there are better ways to control them than using pesticides, which can expose people, animals and groundwater to harmful chemicals and kill a variety of other insects that serve as an important food source for birds. The products also require repeated applications to maintain that control. Instead, eliminate mosquitoes from your backyard by preventing them from breeding in the first place. Don't allow water to collect anywhere on your property. Get into the habit of emptying plant-pot saucers, overturned trash can lids, tires, children's playsets and other receptacles after each rainfall (or irrigation session). Add Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacterium sold as Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits, to sources of standing water, such as birdbaths or still ponds, where the insects lay their eggs. The biological control prevents mosquito, gnat and black fly larvae from developing, but is considered harmless to humans, pets, wildlife, beneficial insects, fish and plants. To discourage wild animals, avoid feeding pets outdoors, tightly secure trash can lids, and physically make your property as inhospitable as possible by sealing entry points, closing garage doors, installing fencing, etc. If there are babies, please don't separate them from their mother. Wait a few weeks until they are old enough to leave on their own, as my attic's squirrels were. Or, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for help. Avoid relocating animals. Many won't survive; others will return, often from greater distances than you might imagine. It also may be illegal in your state. Reaching for a spray can might seem like an easy and effective route to a pest-free summer, but it shouldn't be considered unless you're facing a legitimate infestation. And in that case, start with the safest, least toxic method and escalate only if necessary. Indoor problems Kitchen ants, for example, can be effectively controlled with bait stations. Some cockroaches can be controlled with baits, as well, but if yours can't, you have my blessing to hire a certified pesticide applicator (roaches multiply quickly, so common sense must prevail). Remember to do your part by removing clutter, keeping things clean and sealing up entry gaps to prevent a recurrence. Similarly, it wouldn't be likely for you to have just one mouse in your house, as they are also prolific breeders. To eliminate indoor rodents, opt for a strong snap trap that will kill instantly without causing the animal to suffer. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___ For more AP gardening stories, go to
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Grave' fears for missing couple and dog after no contact from plane flying from Tasmania to NSW
Tasmanian police hold 'grave concerns' for a couple in a light plane missing three days after taking off from the state's north. Gregory Vaughan, 72, and his partner, Kim Worner, 66, were flying with their pet dog in the twin-seater plane that departed George Town airport on Saturday. Family members raised the alarm about 5pm on Saturday when the Bristell S-LSA, painted in a distinctive green, failed to arrive at its destination. The aircraft took off about 12.45pm and was headed to Hillston Airport in central western New South Wales, via Leongatha in Victoria's south east. What happened to the plane remains unknown. No distress signal or contact was received, police said. 'The two people on the plane have not been in contact with anyone, or aviation authorities, since they left George Town,' Insp Nick Clark said. Challenging weather had hampered search efforts that had continued on Tuesday. A helicopter was patrolling the northern coastline between George Town and Turners Beach. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Clark said due to rough conditions, boats were unable to begin searching on Tuesday. Since Saturday, extensive search efforts have involved a Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) search airplane and Tasmania police helicopter resources and marine vessels. The search has focused along Tasmania's northern coastline and Bass Strait. Tasmania police northern commander Marco Ghedini said: 'As we enter the fourth day of searching, police hold grave concerns for the missing couple, however we maintain hope as the operation continues.' Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Further assessment in relation to the ongoing search will be made in the coming days,' he said. The Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff, also expressed concern for Vaughan and Worner. 'I understand that there are grave fears for the missing couple and their dog,' he said. 'We hope and pray for the most positive outcome possible. Our thoughts are with them, their family, friends and loved ones.' A spokesperson for AMSA said it had handed search coordination for the missing aircraft to police on Monday night. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are deferring enquiries to the police while the search continues. According to ATSB data, in 2024 there were 20 fatal aviation accidents that caused 27 deaths.
