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Donald Knowler

Dancing on the Edge of the World

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On The Wing

Passport to birdland
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 backyard. That’s the magic of birds; they bring beauty and wonder to every corner of the planet, wild or untamed, and my On the Wing writing is their celebration.

Love flies high on St Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2023 Don Knowler

Love is in the air. The birds, if not the bees, are very much in focus as we count down the days to the annual celebration of romance, Valentine’s Day, on Tuesday. Birds, in fact, have much to teach us humans about the art of love. Although birds have a markedly different evolutionary past, much of their behaviour shows remarkable parallels with our own. No other lifeform relies on song and dance to the same degree to not only woo partners and form relationships, but to … [Read more...] about Love flies high on St Valentine’s Day

On The Wing

‘City wrens’ claim common ground

February 5, 2023 Don Knowler

A “city wren” flitted across an ocean of swaying kangaroo and wallaby grass, defying the advance of concrete and glass on the near-horizon. The Melbourne skyline was closer in the murky half-light than imagined, the steady rain blunting its angular outline. The urban wrens were a welcome sight because in cities across mainland Australia this beautiful little bird is fighting for survival. In Australia’s second city, however, the superb fairy-wren is getting by with a little … [Read more...] about ‘City wrens’ claim common ground

On The Wing

Reed all about it, coots rule

January 29, 2023 Don Knowler

My heart sank when I saw a coot sitting alone on a bed of reeds at the Waterworks Reserve. A day previously the doting female had been fussing over four tiny chicks. Now my worst fear appeared to have been confirmed – a goshawk had come to call. I had watched this happy family from the beginning of spring when a coot pair began a courting ritual on the open waters of one of the reservoirs before gathering the reeds to build what became a huge nest standing about half a … [Read more...] about Reed all about it, coots rule

On The Wing

Magpie ‘minder’ keeps sparrows at bay

January 25, 2023 Don Knowler

The sparrows of Salamanca Square have met their match – an eagle-eyed magpie who stands guard at the electric doors of Banjo’s. Over the years I have enjoyed the antics of the cheeky and smart sparrows who always seem to find their way into the bakery despite the efforts of staff to keep them out on the pavement. ‘The sparrows have enjoyed rich pickings of pastry and crumbs inside Banjo’s, timing their assault at the precise moment customers trigger the sliding doors. But … [Read more...] about Magpie ‘minder’ keeps sparrows at bay

On The Wing

Resolution consigned to history

January 15, 2023 Don Knowler

It did not take long for me to break the first of my New Year resolutions. I visited the Waterworks Reserve after vowing in late December I’d give my favourite birding location a break. The promise was prompted by a reader who complained that I invariably write about the birds of the reserve and I ignore other locations, particularly the dry and sandy eastern shore where the bird life differs from the wet forests of the Waterworks Valley. The point was taken but I could not … [Read more...] about Resolution consigned to history

On The Wing

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PUBLISHED BOOKS

The Shy Mountain

shy mountain

Silent and brooding, the Shy Mountain does not have to speak her name. We know she’s there, watching … [Read More...]

The Falconer of Central Park

Although written more than 30 years ago, The Falconer of Central Park has remained popular ever … [Read More...]

Riding the Devil’s Highway

Tasmania might be known internationally as the home of the Hollywood cartoon character, Taz, based … [Read More...]

Dancing on the Edge of the World

Dancing on the edge of the World by Donald Knowler

Dancing on the Edge of the World is a collection of essays that had their genesis in the “On the … [Read More...]

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Recent Posts

  • Tide turns for threatened albatrosses
  • Yellowthroats highlight the north-south divide
  • A welcome sight emerges from the heat haze
  • Hunt is on for swift resolution
  • ‘Devil bird’ sets its sights on Tasmania
  • Love flies high on St Valentine’s Day
  • ‘City wrens’ claim common ground
  • Reed all about it, coots rule
  • Magpie ‘minder’ keeps sparrows at bay
  • Resolution consigned to history

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