17-23 October National Bird Week – Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2022

Bird Week in Australia is drawing to a close. While covering books in the library this week, I realised just how many books about birds we had added to the library this year. Every new delivery seems to have had a picture book that included or was about birds.

All of these were published this year, and if you haven't seen the first two on the list, you need to, as they are extraordinary.

• Peregrines in the City by Andrew Kelly and Sue Lawson

High on the ledges of one of the tallest buildings in Melbourne, the peregrine and ticerel come to lay their eggs. 

• On the Trail of the Plains-wanderer by Rohan Cleave and Julian Teh

On the Trail of the Plains-wanderer tells the true story of one of Australia's most critically endangered bird species. This unique, quirky and precious bird faces many threats, but continues to survive against the odds.

•Swoop by Nicole Godwin and Susannah Crispe

Why do magpies swoop and why do we have such a fascination with them? Discover more about these clever, cheeky, and charming songbirds through this delightful book.

• Swifty: the Super-fast Parrot  by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Astred Hicks

Swifty grows from a hatchling to a fledgling in the blue-gum forests of Tasmania. She is then ready to make a challenging migration, following the blossom trail across Bass Strait to mainland south-eastern Australia.

• Song of the White Ibis  by Phillip Gwynne and Liz Anelli

A beautiful and powerful story to challenge the way we view one of our most infamous birds, and ourselves.

• Rusty the Rainbow Bird by Aleesah Darlinson and Mel Matthews

Fly with Rusty the Gouldian finch as he searches for a mate and saves his young family from fire. 

• A Shorebird Flying Adventure by Jackie Kerin and Milly Formby

This book takes you on  a trip to the Arctic tundra and back. On the way you’ll meet the birds who travel phenomenal distances every year and explore their precious wetland habitats and breeding grounds.

• An Important Message from Mr Beaky  by Cassie Leatham and Sue Lawson

Meet Mr Beaky!
He has an important message about what it means to be an Aboriginal person in Australia.
Mr Beaky is blue and white, not green and yellow, but he is still a native bird. 

•  Owl and Star by Helen Milroy

This story is also by an Indigenous author illustrator. Owl loved the sparkle of the stars. He would sit out on his tree at dusk and wait for them to appear. One evening, Owl became worried. His favourite little star had not shown herself. 

Then add these from last year

• The Bush Birds by Bridget Farmer

This book has exquisite illustrations, features many Australian birds and has flaps to add interest.

• Nestling Cockatoos: the Story of Squeak and Squawk by Angela Robertson-Buchanan

Have you ever met a sulphur-crested cockatoo? They are as intelligent as a toddler and can live up to ninety years of age. Squeak and Squawk were rescued when their tree-hollow home was cut down. They were only two weeks old. 

• Awesome Emu  by Gregg Dreise

Way back, before once-upon-a-time time, there was the Dreamtime, and during this period lived a very confident emu called Dinewah. He was tall, fast and colourful. Most animals thought he was a show-off, but he was too busy talking about himself to take any notice…

And coming early next year

 

• Bush Birds by Helen Milroy