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A group of international wildlife tourists received a bonus during their $13,000 trip to Australia – the sight of a family of peregrine falcons going about their business in southern Tasmania. The peregrines became a talking point for the tourists even though technically speaking they did not see them in the flesh. En route from the state’s north-west to Bruny Island, their coach made a call at the home of their guide, wildlife biologist Nick Mooney, to view a live ‘‘feed’’ … [Read more...] about Peregrines put on a show

The old adage “beware what you wish for” has come true for a family in Bellerive who invited a grey shrike-thrush to call.  A family learned the “Joe Witty” call of the shrike-thrush and mimicked it when it was out and about in their garden. However, the call seems to have been so effective that the shrike-thrush believes the song originates from a rival and not a human having a little fun. At first the family could not identify the bird that arrived at a window at 5.20am … [Read more...] about Trouble when ‘Joe Witty’ comes calling

The world of birds can lead you to all sorts of strange and wondrous places but I never thought I would be sneaking off from a drinking session with my journalist mates to go in search of orchids. I made my excuses down the Salamanca strip, turning my back on a rather fine ale, Itchy Green Pants at Jack Greene’s bar, to rediscover the parson in the pulpit in the Waterworks Reserve. Parson in the pulpit is the common name for a stunningly beautiful orchid, Glassodia major, … [Read more...] about Orchids share the spotlight

IT’S official. The superb fairy-wren has been named Australia’s favourite bird. The beautiful little species that brings such magic to Tasmanian gardens each summer with its friendly nature has won a national poll to identify the country’s most-loved feathered creature. The vote was organised by BirdLife Australia during Bird Week 2013 in October and the research and conservation organisation reports that a poll of 8000 bird lovers revealed a “very close race” for top spot … [Read more...] about Superb result for our favourite wren

For 12 years I searched for tawny frogmouths in my local birding patch, the Waterworks Reserve in Dynnyrne.   It was a tantalising hunt for a decade. I had heard frogmouths calling over the years, at dawn and dusk and sometimes in the night when I had also searched for masked owls.  I had also seen frogmouths in other areas of Hobart but I had always been told about their location by readers. I had never been able to track down these amazing birds, with superb camouflage … [Read more...] about Success in the blink of an eye