George, the first budgie, was a 9th birthday present.

This started my association with birds that has lasted and grown for over 30 years. I have hand raised abandoned and injured sparrows, starlings, magpies, quails, budgies and gouldian finches; tended to the sick and aged, wild and captive-bred, and bred my own birds to be hardy and tolerant. I delight in each new season's hatchings, laugh at the antics of the bold and ever curious juveniles, and feel saddened by each and every death, young or old.

Such is the way of the natural world, and my task is to observe, help where I can, and learn.

The Australian Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae
- Flying rainbows

The Australian Budgerygah Melopsittacus undulatus
- The humble budgie

The Superb Blue Wren Malurus cynaeus
- A tale of two wrens

Wild encounters