Time and place, birds are a living link with history. The Tasmanian birdsong that lifts our spirits each day is the very refrain heard by the first people to inhabit these lands 40,000 years ago, the first European explorers (Charles Darwin among them) and the others who have shaped our history. When I refer to time and place I mean that no two places in the world have the same birds. It’s always been that way. The birds of Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide or Brisbane are … [Read more...] about A conversation on birds
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Supurb fairytale could end all too soon
Superb fairywrens have a special significance for the Knowler family because 25 years ago they skipped ahead of us as we were walking down the mudstone drive of what would ultimately become our new home. We had been house-hunting after arriving in Hobart from Queensland, and we like to think the fairywrens somehow influenced our decision to buy. As bird-lovers, what better bird to welcome us to a new neighbourhood? As a bonus, on that first inspection we also saw a scarlet … [Read more...] about Supurb fairytale could end all too soon
Charles Darwin comes to town
At a time when the question of immigration – illegal or otherwise – is grabbing headlines in western countries, migrants of a different kind have flown under the radar to take up residence in Britain. The suburban and urban streets across southern England are alive with avian foreigners – rose-collared parakeets. Although parrots are not native to Britain, the skies above London especially are ringing to the whistles and shrieks of the parrakeets which historically are more … [Read more...] about Charles Darwin comes to town
Eyes on the sky for record-breaking flight
All eyes are on the skies during World Migratory Bird Day on May 9 to see if a remarkable long-distance record – a non-stop flight of 13,560 km – can be beaten. The record was set by a bar-tailed godwit which travelled from the place of its birth in Alaska to Tasmania two years ago. Although the record flight at first appeared a one-off for a species known for its unequalled powers of flight, several of the birds are still being satellite tracked to see if it can be … [Read more...] about Eyes on the sky for record-breaking flight
Art that sings reminds us of fragile future
In the parlance of my craft, journalism, young reporters are urged to make their stories “sing”. Attending the opening of bird artist Belinda Kurczok’s latest exhibition, it occurred to me that the same applied to her art. Her birds, especially a painting of playful swift parrots, are alive, full of spirit. They sing. In spring I missed the arrival of the migratory parrots because I was in Britain but earlier this month I managed to get my annual swiftie “fix” when I viewed … [Read more...] about Art that sings reminds us of fragile future