Birds of Australia`s Top End

by Denise Goodfellow

*Reviewed by FatBirder

 

Birds of Australia`s Top End by Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow with Michael Stott published by Scrubfowl Press, PO Box 1023, Parap, Northern Territory, Australia 0804. ISBN 0957884907 Nov 2001.

Denise is an e-friend of mine, and whilst we have never met we have been corresponding by email ever since I started Fatbirder. This Christmas Eve I have been looking at the book she sent me which will be much studied until I get to meet her in person if I ever get the chance to go to Australia again.

I have printed the publishing details in full as this is not a book published by an international publisher and it may not be available through normal outlets. But it is one that, should you be contemplating a trip to anywhere in Australia, you will want to acquire. Is the book good? No! Its brilliant! It is 100% a birders book. Everyone of you lucky enough to get your hands on it will soon be thinking that, if you could write a book about your patch, then you would be happy to write one half as good as this.

For me it is quite simply the best guide to an area I have ever seen. It combines field notes and ID keys, pictures, maps and text, science and art, fact and anecdote in unique combinations. What field guide do you know that tells you what birds eat? What other book not only gives you species keys but a key to some little brown birds of monsoon forest and mangroves. Each species account is splendid for its individual approach often starting with the feature that separates it from a similar bird. The language says it like it is too; using the sort of common language a birder uses not the dry tones of the ornithologist. Such as, of the large-billed Gerygone: upper parts are warm brown, under parts are off-white with fawn smudges on the breast and flanks. Not only does each account tell you where the birds can be found but have a birdwatching hint for you to follow too.

Take this one from the same account:

Gerygones are hard to see as they rarely sit still. Visit low growing mangroves such as those at Leanyer Sewage Ponds ­ much easier to see than craning your neck to identify a fast moving brown spot twenty meters above your head! Also, visit early on dewy mornings when the birds pause, albeit briefly, to preen.

I have been lucky enough to visit Australia a couple of times, from Sydney to Perth, the mudflats of Cairns and the Atherton tablelands, as well as some time in the Pindan of Broome but I now simple HAVE to see the top end as Denise`s book has whetted my appetite as well as bringing the birds right to my study. Before I go I`ll re-read the front pages that are packed with honest and useful info. Every guide should be this useful and honest. I need to know where it`s not safe to park the car and how to protect yourself against snake bites. Denise reveals that she has been bitten four times by snakes ­ each time on her gumboots! No wonder this is the traditional wear of so many Australians.

Thank you Denise, for a terrific contribution to birding in Australia and for entertaining and informing me at the same time. If you write more books make sure you leave in all the footnotes as well as the brilliant keys and accounts. I`ll leave you with another author`s note from the species account for the Australian Pelican:

Once I rescued an injured pelican from a sewage pond where it was at risk of being eaten by the resident crocodile. Kruger (as the bird was named) had his wing set by doctors Rogan Draper and Gerry Goodhand, the obstetrician and anaesthetist who delivered my son only a few weeks before, thus demonstrating the versatility of medical practitioners at this end of Australia.

This book shows the versatility of one of the most interesting characters in birding anywhere!

 

www.fatbirder.com December 24, 2001

 

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