“The author captures the very essence of birdwatching in Australia”
Jonathan T. Coleman, IBIS, The International Journal of Avian Science
(scroll to the bottom of the page for some links to order)
A Note From R. Bruce,
Since “An Australian Birding Year” I have done a lot more travelling, birding and writing (excepting COVID limitations in the last few years). Now there is a second book also published by John Beaufoy Publishing and it is available globally.
In these tales I’ve seen Princess Parrots in the desert of Western Australia. I’ve been swimming with Whale Sharks off Christmas Island. I (and many other birders since) beheld the rare Nordmann’s Greenshank in Cairns, Queensland. I saw the Hudsonian Whimbrel here in Victoria in November 2021. These tales and much, much more are in my second book... “More Australian Birding Tales.”
I am a ‘mostly-retired’ entertainer. Performing as R. Bruce, I made my living as an internationally touring comedian and singer/songwriter. I released three albums of my original humorous songs that are still receiving airplay on satellite radio in North America. Now I travel Australia birding and write about it.
For the foreseeable future I live in Lara, Victoria, Australia with my wife Lynn. This puts me near my wonderful (step)grandchildren who live in this region. My Troopi waits patiently in the carport to head off again when we can.
I write primarily for myself. I also write to share with those who like to read my words. Or in the case of my songs, listen to what I’ve written. I truly enjoy sharing life, experiences and what I create. For me, sharing genuinely is an integral part of living.
If you have read my books, or seen me perform my songs, you have pretty much met me.
Sending love as I do ❤️
rb
It was more than spending a year travelling and birdwatching across Australia. It was the journey of a lifetime. This is the book about that journey.
The more my heart is spread out across this amazing country, the more heart I have. It is not like my heart gets divided up into smaller and smaller pieces between all of these many places. It is like I have more and more heart. For every piece I leave in another spot, that piece is added to, not taken from, my heart.
I have said, “I write, therefore I am.” That is the truth. I even read my own words and think about what I have written. They can make things more real for me. I will always be a work in progress.
Kenn Kaufman on An Australian Birding Year...
“The story is superb and the descriptions of birds, places and people are all original and engaging, and I love the asides and the wise and imaginative comments that Bruce works in on just about every page. The little asides that he tosses in are all gems and they add to the value and charm of the book. I love the story, I love Bruce’s unique perspective on every topic, and I would like to make sure I get that point across.” - Kenn Kaufman, Kingbird Highway, Kaufman Field Guide Series
Review ~ Jonathan T. Coleman, IBIS, The International Journal of Avian Science
“An Australian Birding Year catalogues the journey of the author and his wife Lynn as they travel the length and breadth of the Australian continent birdwatching, meeting people and juggling personal and family interests along the way. The style of writing is personable, informative and humorous, and the book has appeal to virtually any reader interested in Australian natural history and in Australian travel.
The author captures the very essence of birdwatching in Australia, describing the distances involved, the ranging habitats and climate, the diversity in people and places, and the challenges of remote travel. The close knit birding community in the country is also highlighted and the book is as much a representation of Australia and its culture as it is a representation of Australian diversity and birdwatching. The author also weaves into the story his own personal struggles and the challenges of a year on the road, in a very engaging manner which makes the book a delight to read.
From the first bird seen in Victoria, two Gang-gang Cockatoos Callocephalon fimbriatum, the author describes the journey required to see a further 640 species, the last, Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus, seen back in Victoria after a year on the road. The contrast provided by the author between the well-visited popular locations and some of the incredibly remote places that need to be visited to see some of the rarer and range-restricted species are insightful and helpful to anybody considering such travel in Australia.
While not a formal gazetteer of birding sites and their species, the majority of the well-known sites throughout Australia and their specialities are described, providing any reader with ideas on locations to visit. The author provides wonderful personal perspectives on the places, people and birds which further enriches the book.
The book offers something for everyone interested in Australian birdwatching and provides real insights into the considerations needed for anyone planning a large scale birdwatching trip to this huge and diverse continent.” ~ IBIS
Kenn Kaufman on More Australian Birding Tales...
“I love it! This has the same combination of crackling wit and deep insight that made, An Australian Birding Year so memorable and lots of inspiring experiences with birds and people. Bruce brings the excitement of birding to life in a way that will appeal even to someone who has never looked at a bird. Seriously, this is a wonderful, major success.”
~Kenn Kaufman, Kingbird Highway, A Season on the Wind, Kaufman Field Guides, etc
And from Jonathan T. Coleman, IBIS The International Journal of Avian Science:
“The author brings a very personal note to the book which makes it particularly special, describing his own personal challenges, friendships, good and bad experiences, and the sheer joy he has for birdwatching, weaving this all into a compelling narrative. There are lessons and messages here for everyone and the book with its combination of humour, fact and shared experiences truly has something for most audiences. The book is a wonderfully engaging read, complementing his first book, and providing yet more insights in Australia and its rich birdlife in an easy-to-read and informative manner.
~Jonathan T. Coleman
