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The haunting whistle of a green rosella cut through the early-morning mist. A Bridgewater Jerry had laid a meandering carpet of pure-white cloud across the Derwent and I presumed the rosella had sought higher ground to escape the mist. The rosella, hidden within or behind a line of ornamental fir trees marking the boundary of the Calvary Hospital in Lenah Valley, was out sight but not out of mind. The parrot’s call formed a portal, a link to the natural world although I was … [Read more...] about Green rosella call helps ease a troubled soul

People power has been in play to save birds from being poisoned by lethal rodenticides which also have the capacity to kill pets and harm children. Thousands of animal lovers have in recent year been campaigning to have the distribution of a new generation of rat and mice poisons restricted and now they have a cause for celebration. After receiving more than 10,000 submissions from Birdlife Australia supporters along with members of other wildlife organisations, the … [Read more...] about Rat poison victory for birds

A yellow-throated honeyeater was making the most of fine, warm weather during the autumnal equinox. Instinct honed over the eons told the yellowthroat that equal parts night and day meant winter was approaching. Although the first day of March is on our calendars the official start of autumn, Mother Nature has other ideas. Autumn starts on the equinox, on March 21 this year, and before this date we already had a taste of winter with two exceptionally cold days prompted by … [Read more...] about Yellowthroats a blur of radiant beauty

The albatross zig-zagged across the curling, tossing waves, its wings like great blades, separating sea from sky. First one as we left the sheltered Bathurst Harbour in the far south-west. And then, suddenly, there was an ocean of these magnificent birds. It seemed shy albatrosses were crossing bow and stern of our cruise vessel all the way around the South-West Cape, to Maatsuyker Island and then on to the Cape Bruny lighthouse at the entrance to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel … [Read more...] about Shy albatross rules the waves

A bright, early-morning sun dazzled the eyes as it bounced off a carpet of mud at Goulds Lagoon, Austins Ferry. I blinked and strained to focus my eyes. Against the reflected harsh light I could see tiny shapes moving, scurrying across the mud like crabs on a beach. Just silhouettes. All the same these tiny birds revealed themselves in shape and form as waders. It took some time for this small flock of birds to move out of the direct path of the sun so I could see the … [Read more...] about Dotterel delight on glorious autumnal day