As a city grows, local birds lose their habitat. They are remembered in a special way at Sydney’s Angel Place.

Forgotten songs of Sydney's lost birds.


When the First Fleet arrived in Sydney in 1788 the bird life in the area was incredibly rich and varied.  Before long  the artist John Lewin  was producing watercolours of  the colony’s unique species, such as the beautiful lyre bird pictured at left.

Superb Lyrebird, one of the many birds lost to Sydney.
Superb Lyrebird

The old Tank Stream  (which now runs underground) provided  fresh water. Native shrubs such as banksias and grevilleas  attracted nectar feeding birds, including what became known as the Lewin’s honeyeater.

Lewin's honeyeater, one of the birds lost to Sydney
Lewin’s honeueater

Sadly, as the settlement expanded the birds’ habitat was destroyed.  Competition from introduced species  compounded the problem. Many species were forced to the margins of town and beyond.

In 2009, artist Michael Thomas Hill created a temporary  installation to commemorate fifty birds which have disappeared completely from the city centre.   The site chosen was Angel Place; a  pedestrian lane running  between George and Pitt streets. Steps lead  down  to  the lane from Martin Place. Decorative cages were  strung high above the pavement; their empty interiors a stark reminder of the displaced birds.  The project was so well received that it became a permanent  feature, and 180 new, rust-proof cages were installed.

SWEET SONGS CAN STILL BE HEARD IN ANGEL PLACE.

During the day  the  recorded calls of  vanished birds can be heard  over  the background rumble of traffic.  As evening falls the haunting calls of  nocturnal species  are played; Tawny Frogmouths, White-throated Nightjars, and  owls. The   calls were  recorded by wildlife  expert Fred van Gessel.  It is a true sanctuary in the heart of the city. Appropriately,  there is music of a different kind nearby, as the  City Recital Hall is also  located in the  lane. One of the sweetest  little birds remembered is the Eastern Yellow Robin. It is affectionately known as the ‘dawn harpist’, a name  so fitting for  Angel Place.

Eastern Yellow Robin, on of Sydney's lost birds.
Eastern Yellow Robin
Angel Place has180 empty birdcages in memory of the city's lost birds.
180 empty birdcages
Angel Place Sydney, a memorial to  the city's lost birds.
Even more magical at night. And you can dine here too.
ANGEL PLACE 1920s BY SAM HOOD (Library of NSW)

The names of the lost birds appear on the pavement of the lane, like  small tombstones.

Eastern Whipbirds are among Sydney's lost birds.
Engraved plaques at Angel Place In memory of Sydney's lost birds.
Wonga pigeons are among Sydney's lost birds.
A gorgeous songster; the Golden Whistler. lost to Sydney.
A gorgeous songster; the Golden Whistler.

Fortunately, some of the city’s lost birds can still  be found in  outer suburbs, where remnants of bush remain . Many more remain plentiful in the beautiful Blue Mountains, where I am fortunate enough to live.

Eastern Spinebill, another of  the small birds lost to Sydney.
Eastern Spinebill


COURTING COUPLES

These wooing wongas at Blackheath  are making up for Sydney's lost birds.
WOOING WONGAS…..HAPPY BIRDS!
Blue Wrens are among Sydney's lost birds.
A ROMANTIC DIP FOR THE BLUE WRENS

Just around the corner is  Ash Street,  a great place to   stop for coffee or a meal.

Ash Street runs off Angel Place and the memorial to lost birds.
Ash Street runs off Angel Place.

I love these ‘hidden’ spots in the city and I hope you will have the opportunity to enjoy them too. And if you live in the Blue Mountains, please ‘birdscape’ your garden by planting native trees and shrubs and providing freshwater. We don’t want to record more lost birds.

TO HEAR THE RECORDED SOUNDS OF THOSE LOST BIRDS AT ANGEL PLACE, CLICK HERE.

Here is another story about Sydney, and a  pavement memorial to a man who was as elusive as the shyest bird…..MR ETERNITY

5 Comments
  1. Another thought provoking post concerning what has given way to development. It’s inevitable; but at least as we grow, so does our knowledge of how to preserve the things still remaining. You must live in a lovely environment. I grew up hearing the whip-bird calling in our bushy swamp on the Sunshine Coast. The river that runs by our property used to have black swans gliding up and down with their cygnets. The river was named by the Aborigines which means black swan. Unfortunately I don’t think the swans are there any more. I must ask my brother who lives in the original plantation home.

    • Pauline

      Hi Heather, yes we have a huge variety of birds here.The whip birds always appear after rain….I love their calls. There is nothing better than a river to attract bird life. We only have a creek and the local duck pond. However we are beside the national park, which attracts many different species.

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