The “devil bird” is on the march from the tropics and it is only a matter of time before it reaches Tasmania. The common koel has satanic associations principally because of its eerie call which can be heard throughout the night. Another name for it is the “rainbird” because the song can also be heard before and during storms. The rainbird certainly worked its tricks when I arrived in Melbourne a few weeks ago, a sudden thunderstorm flooding the central city streets. By … [Read more...] about ‘Devil bird’ sets its sights on Tasmania
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
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
‘City wrens’ claim common ground
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
Reed all about it, coots rule
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
Magpie ‘minder’ keeps sparrows at bay
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