Archives for February 2013

The forests below Mt Wellington have been ringing with the song of the beautiful satin flycatcher during the summer. The species has proved elusive in the past but this year hardly a day goes by on my travels on the lower slopes of the mountain, or in its forested foothills closer to the city, I do not hear it either making its cheerful, rhythmic whistle, or a harsher note that sounds like the chirring of crickets. So familiar has the bird become that I can now identify … [Read more...] about Forest rings to the satin flycatcher song

The patch of yellow grass in a shorn hay meadow held a secret within in its sun-burnt stalks swaying in the hot summer wind.  The secret was partially revealed as I approached the grassy oasis because overhead a bird of prey appeared as if from nowhere, letting out a shrill cry that echoed through the surrounding hills.  Treading carefully through the tall grass I suddenly caught sight of two creamy-white,  downy shapes, perfectly camouflaged to hide in the grass. Then an … [Read more...] about Harriers find a friend

THEY stand sentinel over the Huon Valley, perched on fence posts along the long and winding road that drops down from the high country to Huonville and beyond. I always see brown falcons on this route and they bring a welcome distraction from what might well be an extraction at the dentist’s down the road.  My dentist has a surgery in Huonville – having transferred there from his previous base in Sandy Bay– and for my visits to him at least I have the probable sight of the … [Read more...] about Extraction distraction