They’re back. The welcome swallows have returned to the Waterworks Reserve. Most years I can set my calendar by them, always turning up in the first few says of September although last year they were about a week late for reasons I could not determine. At the end of August I always watch for them, just in case they make an earlier than usual return, along with the traditional early trans-state migrants, the striated pardalote and the fan-tailed cuckoo. An entry always goes … [Read more...] about Swallows make a welcome return
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.
Spring is magpie attack time
It’s that time of the year when magpies start to show their belligerent and rowdy side – and I’m not talking about Collingwood supporters. The comparison might seem a little unfair coming from a St Kilda devotee but the Collingwood joke always appears to emerge when I mention magpies and their apparent aggressiveness during AFL finals time at the start of spring. And so it was in the last week of August when I toured an infamous magpie “war-zone”, Clarence St on the Eastern … [Read more...] about Spring is magpie attack time
Gardens must not stand in isolation
When planning a bird garden, and taking into consideration the food requirements of birds, we must divide the plants into three categories to match the bird groups I discussed last week in my “home for birds” column. As I mentioned, these are the nectarivores, frugivores and seed-eaters. Birds eat practically every type of living thing. Beaks are a good way of identifying what type of food they eat. Birds will forage in shrubs and trees, on the lawn and among ground … [Read more...] about Gardens must not stand in isolation
A window opens on wildlife
Birds are our window on the great world of nature. Birds are constantly about us, their songs brighten our day. Although birds are always in sight, always obvious, it is possible to bring their wonder and mystery even closer by creating a bird garden. With a little planning, and a little study into the right type of trees, shrubs and flowers to plant, we can not only cater for the birds that we commonly see and hear, but bring other species into our lives. We just have to … [Read more...] about A window opens on wildlife
Trees shape the seasons in Hobart
When it comes to “green” cities – those graced with leafy parks and tree-lined streets – the rest of Australia could take a leaf out of Hobart’s book. A mix of deciduous trees originally introduced from Europe and our own native eucalypts and wattles not only provide shelter from rain and sunshine, but give shape to the seasons. There is no greater sight than Tasmanian blue gums in white flower in Sandy Bay in spring, or the maidenhair tree, ginkgo biloba from China, in … [Read more...] about Trees shape the seasons in Hobart