On The Wing

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

Birdland is a magical place where it’s possible to escape all the pressures and stresses of the environment of the city created and inhabited by one species - humans – and immerse yourself in a less one-dimensional world.  Birdland is nowhere in particular, and does not have to be special or noteworthy. It could be in the wildest of wild forest, or in suburbia. It could be a pristine beach, a few hectares of eucalypt woodland, or a neatly manicured city park. It could be a … [Read more...] about Passport to birdland