Neil Hermes Blog
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Neil Hermes is a Canberra based ornithologist, columnist, expedition leader, science communicator, political advisor and author who has written about 20 books. His passion is birds. He studied Zoology (Honours) at Australian National University. He has had a career in National Parks (Kakadu, Uluru, Norfolk Island and Booderee) was A/Director at Questacon the Australian National Science and..
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Looking for some fascinating facts and interesting news about birds? Look no further – this week’s bird wrap delves into the wonderful news about three special bird species in Australia.
Neil is an author, scientist, and ornithologist based in Canberra. Each week, he rounds up some of the most recent news, stories, and insights on all things birds through this weekly bird wrap. This week, Neil talks about:
– The late return of the attention-grabbing Koels
– A rediscovered existence of Mallee Whipbird
– A distinctive characteristic of a Lyrebird
How The Delayed Return Of Koels Is Getting Austr ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate the#1 woman in our lives, whether it’s our biological mother, grandmother, or any motherly figure who has played an important role in shaping who we are. It’s a day to show our appreciation, love, and gratitude for all the sacrifices and hard work they’ve done for us.
This Mother’s Day, instead of the usual flowers or chocolates, why not consider giving the gift of adventure, relaxation, or learning to the most special woman in your life? These gift ideas are truly unique and will make any mum feel loved and appreciated on this special day.
Whet ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Birdwatching is a great outdoor activity that has been enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds for centuries. Apart from being a great hobby, birdwatching has numerous benefits for mental health and well-being. In this blog post, we will explore three benefits of birdwatching for mental health and well-being.
Image from UnsplashBird Songs Help Improve Mood And Reduce Daily Stress Levels
Hearing birds sing is one of the most enjoyable experiences of birdwatching. In Australia, the abundance of different species of water birds that came to Canberra after Lake Burley Griffin filled up in 1 ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
As someone who is passionate about birds, one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences is being able to identify different bird species by their songs and calls. While some bird species are easy to identify by their distinctive features and behavior, others can be challenging, especially if they are not easily visible. In this post, we will explore three of the best ways to identify birds by their songs and calls.
Using Books, Online Databases, and Field Guides Image from Unsplash
Books, online databases, and field guides are also great resources for identifying bird songs and calls. Th ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Neil Hermes, an ornithologist and bird expert based in Canberra, has been hosting and guiding birdwatching walks and safaris all over the Australian Capital Territory for years. In this YouTube clip, Neil shares his knowledge and experience about where to spot water birds in Canberra, particularly around Lake Burley Griffin. However, if you want to learn about the other spots for birdwatching around the area, we highly recommend you read the full article below.
Before Lake Burley Griffin was filled in 1964, there was little surface water around the ACT. As a result, water birds were ext ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Neil is an author, scientist, and ornithologist based in Canberra. Each week, he rounds up some of the most recent news, stories, and insights on all things birds through this weekly bird wrap. This week, Neil talks about:
– A 20-year-old study from ornithologists in Canberra
– A Zebra Finch Made a Nest on a Dingo Carcass
– Gouldian Finches Spotted in Katherine Showgrounds
A 20-Year-Old Bird Study by the Canberra Ornithologists Group
The Canberra Ornithologists Group has produced a valuable report called the Long-term Trend Studies in ACT Woodland Birds 1998 to 2019. The report has brought t ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Neil is an author, scientist, and ornithologist based in Canberra. Each week, he rounds up some of the most recent news, stories, and insights on all things birds through this weekly bird wrap. This week, Neil talks about:
A glimmer of hope for the return of the Western Grasswren
The surprising discovery of bird anatomy from 67 million year old bird fossils
How the rare Black Robins from Chatham Island rose back from near extinction
A glimmer of hope for the return of the Western Grasswren
The first story focuses on the Western Grasswren, a small and elusive bird species native to the ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
Neil is an author, scientist, and ornithologist based in Canberra. Each week, he rounds up some of the most recent news, stories, and insights on all things birds through this weekly bird wrap. This week, Neil talks about:
– The possible spread of the Bird Flu disease
– Cranes
– The Plains-Wanderer
Why Bird Flu Outbreaks Are To Be Expected Expected This Winter
Bird Flu is pretty much a type of influenza that infects birds. However, if carried in large wild animal populations, the disease can be crossed over to humans as well. What’s alarming about bird flu is the fact that as the virus chan ..read more
Neil Hermes Blog
1y ago
There are around 600-800 species of birds in Australia, nearly half of which are endemic. If birdwatching is something you genuinely enjoy, you should definitely consider spending a lot of time down under. You can also join birdwatching groups and safaris for an amazing experience with like-minded people. You can book your next birdwatching adventure here.
Whether you are an expert or beginner birdwatcher, or just simply love being outdoors, then Callum Brae Nature Reserve should definitely be on your list of places to visit. This nature reserve is located in the Australian Capital Terri ..read more