A Twitcher's Tale

 THE 100 BEST BIRDWATCHING SITES IN AUSTRALIA:  SECOND EDITION!

I get a real buzz out of having a book published and this is my sixth!  I can hardly believe it.

I had fun writing this book.  I went through all my records and re-lived all the wonderful places I've been to birding.  What a chore.  

I made very few changes to the second edition.  Unfortunately, some sites were badly affected by the 2019 bushfires.  I felt I must downgrade both Mallacoota and Kangaroo Island, although, with any luck, if there is ever a third edition, they may regain their 'rightful' places.  Likewise, both Tidbinbilla (in the Australian Capital Territory) and Fitzroy Falls (in Morton National Park in New South Wales) have unfortunately fallen off the list.

The good news is that this left room for the inclusion of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Lake Joondalup, both most deserving sites.  In fact, I've slotted Cocos Islands into the top ten.  I've visited these fantastic islands four times and seen an incredible 28 lifers there.  Most of these visits took place after I wrote the first edition, which is the only reason they were omitted.

Lake Joondalup is in Yellagonga Regional Park not far from Perth.  I confess I'd never heard of it until a Crested Honey Buzzard turned up there.  Now it is on every serious twitcher's To Do list.

Of course now (too late!) I realize that I should have made more changes, so that it was necessary for everyone who owns the first edition to rush out and buy the second edition.  What it is to be wise after the event.