Sitting at the wheel of my car on the forecourt of the Skyline garage in South Hobart I heard a commotion in the air. Forest ravens were going ballistic and when I looked up I could see a white goshawk flying in wide circles in the airspace above the service station, the panorama of the city spread out behind it far below. It made a wonderful sight, the sun glinting on the shiny, pure-white outstretched feathers, the goshawk in leisurely flight catching an updraft of air … [Read more...] about The road to oblivion
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.
‘Wastelands’ awash with hidden value
It’s one of those fragments of “wasteland” that barely warrants a second glance – unless by chance you happen to be a property developer. This patch of scraggy, soggy ground sits behind Carlton Beach Rd going south from Dodges Ferry and it is littered with not only scattered pine trees but rusting bits that once belonging to cars. Its only saving grace is a small, reed-fringed lake which on the day of my visit was graced by two black swans and their three cygnets. Like so … [Read more...] about ‘Wastelands’ awash with hidden value
Polly finds a friend on Twitter
Parrots are learning to exploit the “animal internet” to make friends. As incredible as it might sound, a new study has helped lonely parrots make video calls to each other. Animal lovers have long known that birds which normally fly in flocks often suffer from isolation and loneliness when they are caged. Taking a cue from humans who during the Covid lockdown used the internet to keep in touch with family and friends, researchers at universities in the United States and … [Read more...] about Polly finds a friend on Twitter
Parrot in swift flight to oblivion
Bird-watching is worth more than $280 million each year to the Australian economy and for this reason Birdlife Australia says it makes sense to protect our birds. This time last year the birding organisation set out to put a price on the heads of the birds in economic terms and found in its survey that the birding bonanza largely benefitted regional communities where the more uncommon species were found. The finding of the economic survey were very much in my thoughts when … [Read more...] about Parrot in swift flight to oblivion
Birds in tune with human music
The song of the European cuckoo rang out through the rafters of St James’ Church Hall on Elizabeth St last month, filling the air with the curious two-note refrain that has inspired musicians over the centuries. This time it was the Hobart Guitar Society mimicking the bird, performing Going Cuckoo by modern British composer, Andrew Forrest. Usually I’m more likely to be found listening to a pub band, but the promise of the song of a bird I remember fondly from my youth in … [Read more...] about Birds in tune with human music