At Home with the Birds

A typical Australian backyard scene

Laughing Kookaburra perched on a Hill’s hoist, Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. © Bronwen Scott

My office is at the back of the house, facing south-east. The weather comes from that direction and my windows are always streaked with rain and dust. The view is of the garden and the row of trees along the neighbours’ fence. The trees are mostly lillypillies, which attract the fruit-eating birds. The birds bring in seeds. Sprouting between the deliberate plantings are Bleeding Heart…