My highlight for 1999 is less exotic than those few mentioned so far -
regaining my health sufficiently to go birding again.
Oh! and the Grey Falcon seen two weeks ago in the Lockyer Valley.
When the century ends is immaterial. I recently wrote an article for our
local (Toowoomba Bird Observers) newsletter. In it I reminisced on a
lifetime of bird observations. I include an extract that is self
explanatory with the inclusion of the location of Jandowae. It is a small
town about 300 km west of Brisbane.
"What has been my favourite bird in all that time? Surprise, surprise! It
was a Southern Boobook. This bird was special and built up a rapport with me
that I cannot believe, even now. It was in Jandowae and the Boobook appeared
on our clothesline one evening. Over the next few months I talked quietly
and moved a little closer each time. Eventually, I was allowed to touch and
then gently scratch this wild creature. No one else was allowed to go
anywhere near it but it allowed me to have this relationship. No food was
ever given to the bird and after a few months it disappeared. I wonder
whether it met with an accident or just moved on? Why did it choose me? It
was, without a doubt, the highlight of my fifty years of birdwatching."
Terry Pacey
Toowoomba Qld
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