A Peaceful Dove a little out of range
2 Comments »29th April, 2012; Category: Birds on Television
One of our television channels here in South Australia is currently showing reruns of Star Trek Voyager series 2. I have been enjoying seeing this series over again, some of which I had previously missed. The episode I watched this evening (Innocence) featured Tuvok who had crashed-landed a shuttle on a well vegetated moon.
Part way through the episode I turned up the volume. Sure enough, there was the unmistakable call of a Peaceful Dove on the soundtrack. LOL.
The Peaceful Dove is a widespread species in Australia. I had no idea that it colonised a moon in another galaxy.
Peaceful Dove, Cleland Wildlife Park
Now for a personal rant
Black Swan with cygnets, Canberra
WARNING: personal rant ahead.
Featured in our television news last night, and in our daily newspaper this morning, was news of a 19 year old jet ski rider on the Gold Coast in Queensland who deliberately ran over a Black Swan. Onlookers actually filmed him doing it and he has now been charged. He allegedly made three attempts before actually running over the bird. Although he didn’t kill the swan, it is feared that it might not survive.
My Opinion: ban all personal water craft
Personal water craft – often known by the brand name “Jet Ski” ® – should be banned in my opinion. Sure, most riders of these craft are responsible in the way in which they use them, and this one person’s actions are extreme and certainly not the norm.
I object to them on three environmental grounds:
- The noise pollution is unbearable. Not only does this highly annoy people, it has to be most distressing to wildlife, including birds.
- Water pollution: the machines are well known for their water polluting characteristics. The water ways of the world are polluted enough; to add to this pollution in the name of fun and recreation cannot be justified.
- Air pollution: it is a fact that two hours of operation of an early model personal water craft creates MORE air pollution than a late model car does driving over 200,000km. Granted, later model craft have seen some improvements in the amount of pollution created but the figures are still alarming.
I just can’t see why they are allowed at all.
My rant is over.
Now back to birding.
This post was updated on 5th November 2013.
Rainforest: the secret of life
I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s nature programme called “Rainforest: the secret of life” on ABC1 television here in Australia.
It was particularly pleasing to see so many of our birds featured on the programme. I enjoyed the long sequences showing the Albert’s Lyrebird and his extensive repertoire of calls and songs. Another feature was the Brush Turkey dispatching the carpet python from stealing eggs from the nesting mound by violently flicking leaves and sticks at the hapless snake.
The only criticism I can level at this lovely documentary was at the commentary. Whoever wrote the script needs a lesson in basic nature writing. It was far too lighthearted and anthropomorphic for the seriousness of the subject matter. The final few minutes highlighted the global importance of rainforests. They are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This is great cause for concern, but I fear the message was lost after the humourous sections earlier in the documentary.
Despite my criticism, this is a worthwhile show to watch. It’s not available from the ABC Shop Online as I write this, but will probably be available in the next few days.
UPDATE: the DVD of this programme is now available – click here.
Masked Lapwings nesting in Adelaide CBD
2 Comments »25th October, 2008; Category: Baby birds, Bird Behaviour, Birds in the News, Birds on Television, Lapwings, Nests
This is one article I should have written ages ago. I’ve been busy.
Quite a few weeks ago now there was a special item on the television news here in South Australia showing a pair of Masked Lapwings nesting on the median strip of one of Adelaide’s busiest thoroughfares.
This pair had made their nest on a triangular piece of lawn at the intersection of North Terrace (6 lanes), West Terrace (8 lanes) and Port Road (6 lanes), arguably one of the busiest parts of the Adelaide CBD. This median strip would have to be no more than half a tennis court in size and would have tens of thousands of cars, trucks buses and bikes going past only a few metres away every day of the week.
Amazing.
It was in exactly the same spot about ten years ago that saw a pair of Lapwings escorting two little balls of fluff with legs. I hope they are able to run the gauntlet of all that traffic and survive. It can be relatively quiet around 3am I suppose – if you run during changes in the lights.
Masked Lapwing
The Start of my Indian Bird List?
2 Comments »11th October, 2008; Category: Birds in the News, Birds on Television, Eagles Hawks and Kites
While watching the news on television this evening I was interested in seeing footage highlights of the First Cricket Test match between Australia and India. This match is currently under way in Bangalore, India.
Imagine my delight when part of the highlights package included some close up shots of about 15 -20 Black Kites soaring over the cricket ground.
I’ve never been birding in India. Moral dilemma: can I now start my list of Indian birds?
Black Kite at Mannum, South Australia