It is gratifying to see the positive reaction to John's Night Parrot
find. I have had the pleasure and privilege of viewing many of the
photographs and video of the parrot. I have also been privileged along
the way to the details of John's ongoing search for the Night Parrot
which started about 10 years or more ago, even accompanying him on a
couple of trips to the area. Consequently, I am well aware of the
monumental effort, the many, many trips to that far western Queensland
country and the huge accumulated monetary cost to him of the ongoing
project. It was much more than by a "lucky break" or by a casual
spotlighting excursion. It came about only by an extremely dedicated,
never-give-up effort over that time. The Night Parrot must be the
toughest of all Australian birds to run to earth, let alone photograph.
John and I have been close mates for about 30 years. I have worked with
him on many occasions and have made excursions with him in search of
rare and other birds over that time. From that, I have come to regard
him as the best field ornithologist Australia has ever produced. I often
think that while some of us have been given a sixth sense, John has been
given a seventh when it comes to locating and knowing birds!
As a reminder of his past efforts - John supplied much data on the rarer
and lesser known owls for that monumental publication Night Birds of
Australia (Schodde & Mason 1980). All the data he supplied still stands
correct today. He did extensive work for David Hollands when David
produced his two books - Birds of the Night, and Owls, Frogmouths and
Nightjars of Australia, so much so that David described John as "the
most remarkable bushman and naturalist I have ever met". David dedicated
his first book to John, describing him as "Prince of Owl Men". John has
also been involved with video and photography for many years - even
receiving contracts from Sir David Attenborough. His own documentary,
Wings of Silence and others will always stand as testimony to his
ability to locate, study and professionally photograph the most elusive
of birds.
This time, instead of knocking his efforts (as a small group who had
never met the man unfairly did some years ago), I hope people continue
to give him the credit he deserves. I do know there is more good work to
come!
Lloyd Nielsen,
Mt Molloy, Nth Qld
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