Warwick and Wendy Wonga from Blackheath have been using a rustic wooden ‘courting seat’ in my garden for quite a few years. These Australian native pigeons are monogamous, and mate for life. Unfortunately, their seat has begun to show signs of wear and tear. Well, they do
Read more →
Roll up and grab your popcorn everyone. On offer is free entry to the Wongas’ unique theatrical performance. We all need some distraction in these troubled times. Australia’s native Wonga pigeons are engaging birds even when they are just pottering about, so expect something VERY special. After
Read more →
Our resident Wongas here in the Blue Mountains are acting so bizarrely. These monogamous, Australian native birds usually nest in summer, from October until January. They have a clutch of two white eggs, in a rough, twig nest built high in a tree. However, this year they
Read more →
The Wattle Cafe, on the Great Western Highway at Blackheath, has been around since the 1940s. My Blackheath born friend Larraine tells me they used to serve hot milkshakes, which had to be drunk quickly, before the straw melted. It is such a warm sanctuary on a
Read more →
I’m usually writing positive, upbeat stories about Blackheath, so this is pretty disappointing. What a ghastly mess the pond at Soldiers’ Memorial Park is. We have had plenty of rain recently, but the level keeps dropping every day. Is it leaking? This wood duck thinks is less
Read more →
First trip to Sydney on the train for a very long time. I was a bit nervous, especially re social distancing on the train as I’m immune-suppressed. Only medical checkups for my partner Rob and I had prompted the journey, but it still felt like a little
Read more →
Such publications are currently under serious threat. Lack of advertising and competition from alternative news sources are taking their toll. Our local rag The Gazette, is a free publication delivered to every home, well at least in Blackheath it is. This infuriates people who don’t want to
Read more →
It’s a great privilege to watch baby birds being fed. Wonga pigeons feed their chicks ‘milk’ for quite a while, even after a baby has begun to potter about foraging for solids. They are very shy birds, so to see this taking place through our kitchen window
Read more →
This is Spirit, who nearly did not make an appearance as her parents nested in a tree about to be cut down. Happily, the tree was spared. Spirit and a sibling we called Hope hatched successfully. We think a hungry fox took Hope. This a continual hazard
Read more →
Celebrating a significant birthday under lock-down Balloons from the newsagency. Rich chocolate cake from the village grocery store. All his gifts were purchased in Blackheath. Warm, cosy slippers from the newsagency (well he is seventy)
Read more →