Mutton Birds

[happy daze john in oz]

Des, you should come down here.
We have all manner of birds, got a family of Australian Ravens that knock on the screen door for food.
Got bitten on the finger Saturday by a bloody big Sulphur crested.

[James Curry]

New Zealand Green Lip Mussels fantastic, we can even get them here in the UK now but very expensive

[happy daze john in oz]

To add to your selection here from Oz we send Mutton to UK.
Real Sheep mutton not the bird stuff.

[Gerald Farr]

To Des, My wife feeds the local ducks which live in our front yard, wattle birds which are feeding their young, rosellas, and king parrots which sit on our hand to feed. Unfortunately this also attracts the cockatoos in large numbers so we have an excess if you really want them. We also have a fair selection of other birds such as sparrows, small honey eaters, blackbirds, and of course magpies. Cheers to you and yours for the Festive Season, Gerald.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Gerald
I am sitting here listening to a lovely Blackbird, reminds me of going down our common when i was a kid. As for cockies only one so far , two REd Cockies started on my apples so had to put a net over, trouble is they tack a peck then start on another one.
Cheers and all the Best for Xmas
Des

[James Curry]

I am reading a book called the Black House by Peter May just a crime novel. It is based on a murder that took place in the Hedrides.
There is a mention of the annual cull of certain sea birds, Gannet (chicks) they call them Gaga or Guga. I thought the author was just adding more fiction to a good read. But no apparently it does go on and is a delicacy.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotla...lands-25527432
I wonder did the Scottish Islanders bring this hunting of sea birds with them to New Zealand hence the eating of Mutton Birds? I am sure many an Islander from Scotland will have settled in NZ over the years.

[happy daze john in oz]

Gerald same down here in Sunbury.
I have six fruit trees and when the fruit arrives so do the Rainbow Lorikeets.
But I let them have what they want, we take so much natural
habitat from our native creatures I feel it is only right.
All manner of other birds here, Maggie's, Doves, Sparrows and a family of Australian Ravens who knock on the screen door so I might put some scraps out for them.

[Allen James Jones]

Des, these birds were sooty shearwaters. They nested mainly in the South of NZ and there are some islands named Muttonbird Islands down by Stewart Island. They were available in certain shops and are, now, only legally caught by local Maori. I once flatted with a Maori guy and one night when it was his turn to cook he boiled up some muttonbird stew. Revolting. They have a very oily, fishy taste that only 24-48 hours boiling then dumping can cure. Yuk. I once sailed around Stewart Island in my yacht (home built) and at times the sky was black with sooties. Amazing sight. If anybody from outside visits NZ do spend a day or two in Stewart Island. The bird life is prolific and it is a lovely Island to spend time on.

[Allen James Jones]

John, was listening to a radio programme a few days ago and the person being interviewed mentioned that there are a species of albatross that are native to a particular part of the North Pacific. I think that the query arose when discussing the amazing albatross of 70ish who has just laid an egg having mated with a bird equivalent of a toy boy.

[happy daze john in oz]

There was an item in the news the other day about a bird said to be about 70 that had laid an egg.

But Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's can live to 100 in captivity, saw a 90 year old few weeks back.
Can live almost as long in the wild in certain parts of Oz.