One of the very best things about 2020 was the return of Square-tailed Kites nesting in my local area! Friend…
Reflections: Loos on Platypus
This wonderfully cryptic title is my latest published piece: a reflection on an object in the Castlemaine Art Museum collection…
Deep Creek: a visit in Nov – and a bird walk on Jan 9 2021
In late November I visited a couple of landholders in Eganstown – and discovered a new lovely spot! Sue has…
Gorgeous Gang-gangs
There are some relatively common birds that I find exciting and wondrous to see every single time – Wedge-tailed Eagles,…
Choo-choo- it’s echidna train time
In the higher altitude foothill forests, the local wattles usually flower in late August and September. The silver wattles are…
Looking for lyrebirds ethically in ‘rona times
What is it that makes life worth living? Friends, family, a job well done, creativity expressed. And for me and…
Fungi and Wallabies
It really is a wonderful fungi season in central Victoria – both the Wombat Forest and drier forests to the…
Close encounter with Tawny
The question I am most frequently asked is “I have found a bird that seems to be hurt – what…
Sweet Bursaria in masses of flower
This summer has seen a spectacular flowering of Sweet Bursaria. In mid-January I visited Tipperary Springs and the creekline vegetation…
The bushfire crisis: how to help
The internet and social media is awash with hundreds of ways to held wildlife and humans in this bushfire crisis,…
Our local stars: daisies
One of my favourite things about early summer is the abundant flowering of a prime patch of Showy Podolepis along…
Kingfisher returns: kek kek kek!
A Sacred Kingfisher started calling at our bush block today– with a loud and far- carrying ‘kek kek kek kek’!…
The geese saga of Lake Daylesford
This photo shows the Lake Daylesford geese in their new home, a private animal sanctuary in the Mornington Peninsula. Here,…
When eagles get frisky
Nature Diary has a new home! After ten years, and increasing frustration with the Advocate, I am now being published…
The globe-trotting fungus lover
This article is printed in Cosmos #83 Alison Pouliot has spent two decades following the fungi. Each year she moves…
Chuffed with Choughs
Wheezing, whistling and whining – our two young White-winged Choughs have added to the usual cacophony of their family group…
Book review:Journeys to the other side of the world, by Sir David Attenborough
A version of this book review appeared in Issue 81 of Cosmos Magazine Famed for his distinctive narration with hushed…
the brown hare: old big-bum, furze cat
In recent weeks there has been a young hare feeding on grasses just outside our kitchen window. A very young…
‘YES’ to the Wombat-Macedon VEAC proposal
The following article is the longer version of the article in the Hepburn Advocate on October 10. The headline given…
A science journalist is born!
A dramatic title, yes – but it feels that way! Since January this year, I have written a total of…
Fine fungi season underway
In May and June, if there is enough rain, our gardens and local bushland are peppered with forms quite strange…
Sociable Skinks on Granite outcrops
For the December Nature News, Tanya Loos from Connecting Country writes about the sociable skinks photographed by Nick Schulz on…
Bush peas and friends ablaze in the forest
This year the various pea species in the region are putting on a wonderful show. The Large leaf bush peas…
The farmers’ friend – a friend in need
The paddocks near my place in Porcupine Ridge are busy with visitors. Almost a hundred Straw-necked ibis may be seen…
Living with local fauna seminar – Sat 19 11 am
I am very excited to be presenting a seminar for the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network tomorrow, Saturday September 19 at…
Silvereyes – autumn visitors
While the human world is in upheaval, it is lovely to see the usual autumn visitors to my bush garden…
