Spit, or symbiosis of the elements – a quiet presence by the creek

Imagine the state that flowing water in nature puts you in: it integrates the senses, cleanses and brings harmony between spirit and body. Standing at the threshold of the portal to such a world, would you wonder whether to go further? This is a place where presence does not take the form of screaming, but becomes one with the element. This is where the splash lives.

First step – entry

I begin my trek into the mountains in the valley – the monumental rock formations open the gates to the natural world for me. However, before I reach the summit, a journey along a winding path awaits me. Both physically and in the form of symbolic purification.

The valley is long and its trail is conducive to tranquility. The murmur of water flowing down the creek next to it puts thoughts in order and brings peace.

Meeting – a friend from the trail

Tired of hiking, I decide to draw water to quench my thirst. Then, unexpectedly, a stone lying in a shallow stream comes to life. What wonders are these? What amazing water flows in this stream.

Here is a platypus(Cinclus cinclus), a bird of the Cinclidae family.

An unusual inhabitant of mountain streams in size resembles a blackbird or starling. Its inconspicuous brown plumage blends in perfectly with the surroundings of water and stones. Its white belly further breaks up its silhouette, making it almost invisible against the background of its environment. This, however, is not the only superpower in the spitter’s survival arsenal.

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Symbiosis – unusual qualities of integrity

The longer I sit by the creek, staring at the splash, the more I rub my eyes in amazement. One moment he is standing proudly on a stone, observing his surroundings, the next he disappears under the surface of the water like a skilled diver. He does it with such finesse and ease, as if the swift current were his greatest ally.

This adaptation to life in a rushing stream is remarkable. The bird plunges into the current without resistance – the water envelops his body, and he – instead of fighting the element – becomes an integral part of it.

What makes it overcome such difficult obstacles with great ease? The body of a splash is an amazing structure. Imagine plunging into an icy stream and swimming against the current. Are you cold?

Its feathers are saturated with waterproof, oily secretions of the poop gland. This keeps them from soaking up water too quickly, so the platypus is very resistant to chilling. The thick, dense plumage is also conducive to this. The platypus has an excellent grip on slippery ground – thanks to its sharp claws and strong muscles, fallen leaves or mosses on wet stones are no threat to it.

The bird very efficiently slips under the surface of the water and searches the bottom, finding food there. The main component of the platypus’ diet is crustaceans, insects and larvae, plus, especially in winter, small fish. Thanks to a special shutter membrane, its eyes also remain functional underwater. Interestingly, it has special flaps on its nostrils that close and prevent water from entering its respiratory system. In addition, studies have shown that underwater, the heart rate of a platypus slows down and its blood hemoglobin level is higher than that of other species of similar size, allowing it to stay under the surface longer.

Change of perception – winter

When white fluff covers the ground and water takes the form of ice, most birds fly away to warmer regions of the world. What happens to the platypus then? After all, winter in the mountains can be very harsh and not very friendly to the creatures that inhabit this environment. He stays, which is proof of strength and perseverance.

The platypus is like a guardian of the stream – it can be found in the same place all year round. It is a sedentary bird – as long as the water does not freeze, it remains in its revetment, covering a stretch of 300 meters to 2 km.

Transformation – the dance of joy

At the beginning of March – when the days get longer and the temperature rises – the activity of plushies increases noticeably. The time of blooming life begins.

The mating is initiated by the male – he usually chooses a large stone and stands on it like a pedestal, displaying his charms. He puffs out his white breast proudly, spreads his wings gently while doing so, bobs his head and sways his body. And its tail looks like a fan. He finishes the ceremony with a subtle squawking.

As soon as a female partner candidate approaches, he excitedly repeats the performance, as if bowing and inviting her into his world. When his efforts have the desired effect and the female stands by him as a sign of accepting the invitation, together they fly off to a more secluded location.

A splash nest is a carefully concealed structure – usually located in a hollow under a rock shelf, bridge or behind a waterfall wall. Such camouflage gives plushies protection from predators.

A pair of plushies produces 1-2 broods per year. They breed from April to June. The female lays 3-6 eggs and hatches them for about 17 days. During this time, the male provides her with food. For the first 13 days, the young remain in the nest, under the constant care of a caring mother who keeps them warm. After this time, their down becomes thick enough to give them real protection from the cold.

After leaving the nest, the young are fed by their parents for about 2 more weeks. After this time, the pair usually brings out a second brood.

In our country, the platypus is a sparse breeding bird – its population is estimated at about 1-3 thousand pairs, mainly occurring in the south of Poland: in the Tatras, Beskids, Karkonosze and Bieszczady. Interestingly, it can also be found in the north of the country – but these are isolated sightings, associated with the presence of sufficiently clean and swift watercourses. In the past, the platypus was more common in the lowlands, but its numbers have declined markedly with hydrological changes and the disappearance of natural, rapid stretches of rivers.

Further upward

When the platypus, integrated into the environment, begins the reproductive stage, I move higher, saying goodbye to my friend from the stream. Filled with this experience, I leave with a deeper understanding of life and its rhythm in nature.

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pic. main: Karol Grabski