My son Madison (7) & I have a good thing going – I look
out for him & he looks out for me. Before his increasing interest in
birding, his focus was on animals – especially Australian native animals. ‘You
look out for animals for me & I’ll look out for birds for you’ he would
announce at the start of a bushwalk. His ‘Looking out’ has naturally extended to
include his mother & younger brother & sister (mostly they are happy to
be looked out for!).
I was on my way to the shops when I saw some Red-rumped
parrots feeding in an open grassed area near the roadside. Knowing these were
not on Maddie’s ever expanding list, I hoped that they would be there upon my
return so I could take him along to have a good look. They weren’t but further
along, in the front paddocks of a local female penitentiary / detention centre,
were some Straw-necked ibis, again near the roadside, presenting good views and
not on Maddie’s list. Shopping delivered, Madison, Aly (4) & Ryley (1) in
the backseat, we were off on an adventure.
The Ibis were gone, except in the distance through the trees
some white birds could just be seen. There were no signs prohibiting entry and
presuming it to be a public road we drove in to get a better look. In the trees
we heard & finally saw some White-plumed honeyeaters fussing about. Welcome
swallows welcomed us further into the establishment. A White-faced heron
acknowledged our presence from a small watercourse. Over a gentle rise not too
far from a high fenced enclosure, were the Ibis with several more Herons, some
Magpies & a pair of patrolling Masked lapwings. We stopped the car, wound
down the windows and passed the ‘binocleaars’ around for all to see.
After a good look & a check to see what else was about we
turned around & headed out pleased with our finds. Suddenly, an approaching
car swerved across our path & blocked our progress. Out jumped a guard
informing us that we had been observed using binoculars! We were questioned
about what we were up to whilst simultaneously our car was searched from behind
the ‘standard issue’ sunglasses. I explained that we were bird watching &
that we were particularly interested in the Straw-necked ibis - Madison pointed
them out. Our explanation was met with an incredulous look & I further
explained that Madison, although a young boy, was quite interested in birds
& that he hadn’t seen these before & was keen to do so. This finally
seemed to be acceptable and we were cautioned on our way.
Next
time we visit we may get to see another new listing – perhaps a ‘gaolbirdus
escapii’ – who knows what will turn up when you look out for each
other.
Matt
Hughes
