On local radio this morning I heard that the well-known birdwatcher Tim the Yowie Man was in search of the giant water rat of Canberra’s wetlands. Few sections of our community will be more familiar with this animal than birdwatchers, who constantly come across the chap, but very few of them are really scared of it. I was talking to a woman the other day who said “I used to be terrified of them and the gaps in my bird list are mainly due to my unwillingness to go into places where they are likely to be. However, since the bird hides have been opened up I am much more confident. Moreover the lined ceilings have greatly reduced the chance of one dropping down from the rafters. Mind you, I do have a concern that a large one could force up that new grating in the floor, if it was really hungry”.
