For centuries, the white stork has been a powerful symbol of peace for the people of Ukraine. Its arrival from Africa this northern spring gives new meaning to the notion that it can shield families from evil spirits, writes Don Knowler Ukrainians looking to the skies for Russian war planes and missiles have instead seen the country’s emotive symbol of peace – the white stork. The storks migrate to Africa each year and this northern spring have arrived back at a time … [Read more...] about Bird of peace defies Putin’s horror
Archives for April 2022
Menace in the air for pooches
Accounts of eagles stalking and even attacking dogs are not new to raptor expert Craig Webb but what shocked him was the discovery of a special vest designed to thwart birds of prey attacks. The vest, which comes with protective spikes, had been shown to Craig by a dog lover recently. He mentioned the vest when we caught up at the Bruny Island Bird Festival last month. By coincidence, wildlife biologist Nick Mooney days previously had sent me an article on how to avoid such … [Read more...] about Menace in the air for pooches
‘Hot coals’ burn through the mist
A flame robin flew through a swirling mist and settled on a lichen-inscribed rock. The male robin’s fiery breast pierced the gloom as it hopped from rock to rock but there were other pockets of radiant colour bringing a surreal glow to the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington. A party of City of Hobart Bushcare volunteers in fluorescent vests had gathered on the plateaux for their annual rubbish-removal exercise on April 2nd. The hi-vis volunteers looked at the robin and the … [Read more...] about ‘Hot coals’ burn through the mist
Ducking for cover over black mark
Tasmanian birdwatchers are being alerted to a serious threat to one of the state’s best-loved ducks. The Pacific black duck is losing the unique character that defines it by inter-breeding with a duck from Eurasia, the mallard. The black duck of Australasia (Anas superciliosa) is the common species that frequents all types of water, from city parks, to isolated forest pools and tidal mudflats. It is not black but chocolate-brown, with shades of pastel-yellow around the … [Read more...] about Ducking for cover over black mark
Chilling reminder of change
It might have been a hot and sunny day, but I knew immediately that winter was on the way when the harsh, metallic call of a crescent honeyeater rang out across my garden. In the same way that the welcome swallow bookmarks spring and summer between the months of September and February, the crescent honeyeater marks the beginning and end of the period when nature goes into its own form of lockdown. Although both species are migratory, plotting their course by the stars and … [Read more...] about Chilling reminder of change