Perhaps the most obvious aspect of the abundance and diversity of bird life in Canberra is the sheer brilliant presence of the cockatoos and parrots that are highly visible in our city and suburbs. The raucous whiteness of a group of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos illuminated by the slanting rays of a late rising winter sun is a sight that stays long in the memory. It is wonderful that so many strikingly colourful parrots can be seen in many gardens on a daily basis. We should be careful not to take for granted the presence of such birds as Australian King Parrots, or Crimson or Eastern Rosellas.

These and many other birds are here in Canberra because of the unique design of our ‘bush capital’s suburbs, parks and open spaces. There are natural corridors and linkages which provide access to suburban parks and gardens for the many birds of the surrounding region, much of which is nature park or national park. Many of our home gardens are ‘bird friendly’ habitats, providing shelter and food for a broad range of bird species.

Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG) is contributing in many different ways to the protection of the environment in the ACT and surrounding region. A major contribution is through its surveys of bird abundance and distribution over many years at many different sites and habitats.

Information about the types of birds inhabiting an area perhaps can be an important indicator of the health of these habitats, and the health of the environment overall.

The Garden Bird Survey is a long-standing survey of birds in Canberra home gardens, the results of which are presented in this book. It will play an important role, I am sure, in making the reader aware of how close to home environmental conservation issues really are. A decline in the numbers of a summer migrant, such as the Pallid Cuckoo, for example, could well signal the need to preserve their winter habitat far to the north, as well as ensuring suitable habitat is maintained locally.

Birds of Canberra Gardens is COG’s third major publication, the others being Birds of the Australian Capital Territory: an Atlas by McComas Taylor and COG 1992, and Birds in the ACT: Two Centuries of Change, by Steve Wilson OAM 1999. Birds of Canberra Gardens is another fine example of how a volunteer organisation has harnessed the skills and expertise of a wide range of committed individuals in a sustained study of our local bird life and then produced an attractive book. It speaks volumes for our community and our environment.

Brendan Smyth MLA
ACT Minister for Urban Services

June 2000