THE SECRET LIFE OF MUTTON BIRDS
Talk by Dr Jennifer Lavers with music by Maggie Abraham
Suggested walking location @ The Nut, Stanley
The small, brown, humble-looking mutton bird may not seem so exquisite upon first glance (or first sniff), but their modest appearance belies their incredible story. From throwing themselves off a cliff for their first flight and not returning to land for five years, to flying round-trip to Antarctica every few days to fish for their growing chicks, these birds are true Tasmanian superheroes. Walking along the Nut, with evidence of mutton birds everywhere around you, spare a moment to appreciate their splendour and to listen to the warning they have for all of us.
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About Dr Jennifer Lavers:
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Dr Jennifer Lavers is a Lecturer in Marine Science with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in Tasmania. Over the last 15 years, she’s been studying the source, distribution, and impacts of plastics and associated chemical pollutants in our environment. She’s especially passionate about threatened species and remote islands, and has been fortunate to collect valuable data from some of the most inaccessible and beautiful locations in the world. Much of this work is done in collaboration with traditional owners and local communities, which has greatly enhanced the scope and duration of studies and led to more impactful results.
About Maggie Abraham:
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Maggie Abraham is a contemporary percussionist and composer whose improvisation and composition technique is deeply influenced by listening, observing and interacting with her environmental surroundings. With a deep love of wild places, she has a drive to create music that reflects and engages with the natural world.
Maggie is currently living in Melbourne and working as freelance musician and community producer for Big hART’s primary prevention program Project O. Having been musical director for large group works and composed extensively for a variety of musical collaborations over the past seven years, Maggie has featured in Tasmania’s major festivals including; 10 Days on the Island, MOFO, Falls Festival and Panama Festival.
Photo Credit: Oliver Berlin
Suggested Walking Location: The Nut, Stanley
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The centrepiece of this walk is a stark 143m high massif. The Nut, thought to be an ancient volcanic plug, juts out into Bass Strait above the historic town of Stanley. You can access the top of The Nut via a steep foot track from the township of ​​Stanley, or by riding the chairlift (fees apply).
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Grade 3: Some bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps.
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Click here for more information.
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