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the lyrebird

In 2008 a male lyrebird took up residence in the bush immediately in front of the entrance to the vineyard. Lyrebirds are the best mimics in the animal kingdom, as illustrated in the BBC Wildlife video with David Attenborough. Our bird’s repertoire starts with an as yet unidentified but clearly mechanical click-click-click noise, followed in quick succession by a Cockatoo, a Little Raven, a Restless Flycatcher (aka the Scissors-Grinder) and a Currawong. Although John goes out every morning to chant  “Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir” at it, the bird takes a highly principled stance on the matter of advertising. But as long as it continues to eat bugs and leave the grapes alone, we have no complaints.

But 2008 was then, well now.  Things went sinisterly quiet for a bit, but then wondrous to relate, he - I like to think he's the same one, they can live over 30 years - he came back.  (See 2022 MY BIRDFRIEND'S BACK post).

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