Merryl Watkins is often stopped by strangers when they notice her camera and impressive telephoto lens. They ask “are you Merryl Watkins? We love your photos”. (Photo: Julie Nance)
Story by Julie Nance, photos by Merryl Watkins
For an entire year over COVID lockdowns, Merryl Watkins posted a new bird photo on social media every day. The Blaxland resident wanted to remind people there was still beauty in the world and joy to be found if you stop, look and listen. Her photography obsession captured imaginations both in the Blue Mountains and overseas, raising awareness of endangered wildlife and treating audiences to the fun antics of our feathered friends.
Key Points:
“Change brought about by humans is reducing nature’s capacity to sustain birds and life for the future. In the face of nature’s changes, threatened bird species need our help to survive.” (Source: Birdlife Australia’s 2023-2032 Bird Conservation Strategy).
By sharing her stunning Blue Mountains bird photography, Merryl Watkins aims to raise awareness of the birdlife we have around us and spread the word they need our appreciation and support.
Over brunch at a Lower Mountains café, it was touching to learn how passionate Merryl is about birds in her backyard and beyond.
The former English, history and drama teacher grew emotional when describing the unintended impact her bird photography has had on strangers.
“During the lockdowns people were connecting with each other because I simply put a post up, having conversations with me and each other,” she says.
“It was really special. Although I don’t post every day now, the one reason I keep doing it is I’ve had people say to me, ‘you helped get me through a really dark time’. It just blows me away.”
After 10 years of sporadic photography, including taking happy holiday snaps with husband George, in 2017 Merryl signed up for a photography course at Nepean Community College in Penrith. She gained the skills and confidence to use the manual settings on her DSLR camera, rather than automatic.
However, it was an invitation to attend a camera club in Blackheath with a friend that was the gamechanger.
“The thing that really clicked for me was when we focused on shutter speed,” Merryl says.
“For a bird in flight, you need a higher shutter speed. It depends on the light and everything, but I try to have it on 1/2000th of a second.
“You see things you would miss with your naked eye. That opened up this whole new world for me. I’d always loved birds from when I was little but after that, I became obsessed.”
I asked Merryl to select some of her favourite photos over the past couple of years and share her experiences with us. Below is a tiny sample of her collection.
Galahs
This photo was taken shortly after dawn. I had watched the female Galah and her mate as they prepared a hollow in a neighbour’s tree. They fought off other birds including much bigger Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos and then started feeding their young ones.
It was the parents’ second season at the tree and they would come to our yard for water and to eat seeds from the grass and weeds we had grown for them. I knew the first young one (at the top) was getting ready to fly and had watched the parents encouraging him/her for days. This is the split second before the young Galah’s awe-inspiring maiden flight. I missed the actual moment because I was crying. This was such a special thing to see and to be there, in my backyard, was truly incredible.
Regent Honeyeater
This is a photo I never expected to get, especially in a suburban yard. This is a male Regent Honeyeater, critically endangered in NSW and Victoria. In fact, with only 250 to 300 birds in the wild, according to BirdLife Australia, “they are among Australia’s birds most likely to become extinct”.
He and another male were regular visitors to a grevillea in a yard at the bottom of the Blue Mountains earlier this year. The other bird was banded and from what I’ve read, his bands show he was bred in captivity and released in the Hunter Valley region. It would appear the bird in the photo is wild born. How exciting is that!
A number of birds bred at Taronga Zoo have been released into the wild and there are signs they are breeding with wild born birds. We can only hope successes like that continue.
Gang Gang Cockatoos
Gang-gangs were once common in the Blue Mountains and people who have lived here for years have told me about them feeding in their yards in the Lower Mountains during the colder months. Sadly, that is no longer the case.
I was incredibly excited to see a family of eight in the bush last year; the first I’d ever seen. The group was made up of two adult pairs and four young birds. It was great to see they were breeding successfully.
The older male (second from right) had been interacting with the younger male while the two females looked on. Then the younger male seemed to have a conversation with the older female. Perhaps getting reassurance from his mother.
The communication and connection was real; a sign of intelligence and complex lives.
Eastern Spinebill
Eastern Spinebills are frequent visitors to our garden and every time I see one, I get a little buzz because they are feeding from something I planted. I’m not the world’s best gardener but I’m learning. Seeing birds come to use our birdbaths and feed from our plants is all the encouragement I need.
Female Glossy Black-Cockatoo
What an absolute delight to stand and watch this beautiful bird as she and two others fed from a Casuarina in the Lower Blue Mountains. Glossy Blacks are listed as vulnerable in NSW and have a very particular diet, feeding almost exclusively from two species of Casuarinas. So many food trees have been lost to bushfire and development. It is just wonderful to know there are places they can still come and feed undisturbed, especially as they tend to return to the same trees each year.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
As my husband and I walked our dogs we noticed two Sulphur-crested Cockatoos preening each other on a power line running to a house. Suddenly, a third bird landed, and the moment was ruined as they struggled to keep their balance. One thing I love about photography (especially with a high shutter speed) is catching moments we would otherwise miss.
This photo reminds me of a synchronised gymnastics routine, but in reality it was a split second and certainly not as controlled as it looked. The next minute one bird was hanging upside down and the other was flapping madly.
Tawny Frogmouth
Tawny Frogmouths are fascinating birds. They are so good at staying still, I wonder how many I have walked past without noticing. A lovely person told me where two could often be found. Whenever I saw them they were in deep shade and behind lots of foliage.
One time, in the late afternoon, the light changed subtly, and this bird started paying attention to ravens calling nearby. Fortunately, I also managed to find a spot with a clear view. The patterns and soft browns of the feathers are intricately beautiful, but those golden eyes are just glorious.
King Parrot
King Parrots are not only beautiful to look at, they are also very special to interact with. I was visiting a friend when this male flew into her yard. As he flew down from a tree to a hose cart, I felt the wind from his wings, he was so close. There was no food offered but he really seemed to look at me and listen as I talked to him. One thing I love about this photo is the connection; he was looking right at me.
Take Action:
Consider joining Blue Mountains Bird Observers, a community group open to anyone interested in the birdlife of the Blue Mountains.
Feeding wild birds can cause great harm including malnutrition, disease and unbalanced populations. Birdlife Australia does not condone wild bird feeding but acknowledges 30 to 50 per cent of Australian households feed the wildlife they are often seeking to help. A guide to feeding wild birds in Australia provides tips to avoid causing birds serious problems. For example, it advises you should not feed birds any of the following:
Particularly in hot weather, provide bird baths for birds to drink from and bathe in. Make sure they are cleaned regularly and are close to bushes or trees where they can escape to.
Purchase cards, prints and calendars featuring Merryl’s photos on Made It Australia, at Blaxland Post Office or Leura Pharmacy.
Learn how to capture and share nature’s beauty through photography at affordable courses run by Nepean Community College.
Merryl recommends we all stop, even for 10 minutes, be still, look and listen to the amazing wildlife we have around us. “It’s good for your mental health. You can find things that bring you joy, and it can be the smallest thing.”
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
This Saturday will be the first meeting of the Upper Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening Group at the Planetary Health Centre, starting at 10am. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/3LalNFy
It will be followed by the Planetary Health Bushcare group at 1.30pm. Register your interest here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo
Global poisoning by a tsunami of toxins that are flooding the planet is fast becoming the biggest threat to life on earth. Extreme weather events like fire and flood accelerate this chemical pollution. To address this the Planetary Health Centre`s Full Cycle 2025 conference from 20-22 Nov is bringing together leading experts in managing extreme weather events as well as those who are working on reducing the risk of hazardous materials like asbestos and PFAS. According to keynote speaker Julian Cribb:
"The poisoning of our planet through human chemical emissions is arguably the largest human impact of all upon the Earth. In volume, it is four to five times greater than our climate emissions (which are a part of it), and three times more lethal than the estimated climate death-toll. It is the mega-threat least understood by society, monitored by science or regulated by government. It has mainly occurred over the last 50 years, due to a massive global surge in chemical use and materials extraction.
Scientific assessment has identified more than 350,000 man-made chemicals. The US Department of Health estimates 2000 new chemicals go on the market every year and the Smithsonian says 1000 new compounds are now being synthesised every hour. The UN Environment Program warns about a third of these “are persistent, able to accumulate in humans and animals and are toxic”.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 13.7 million people — one in every four — die each year from diseases caused by “air, water and soil pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and ultraviolet radiation”, caused by human activity.
Human chemical emissions are thus responsible for the largest mass killing in history.
Learn more and register for the conference here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
There will be a free community expo on Saturday 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba.
Conference volunteers receive free registration. Email planetaryhealthevents@bmcc.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to volunteer at this critically important event.
T`ai-chi and Qigong routines can increase mobility and strength, improve immunity and help build an inner calm. To get the greatest health impact you need to practice them on a regular basis, so we`re thrilled to now be offering a 6-week block of classes to take you into summer starting 9am this Saturday 1 November and running until Sat 6 December. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4qrw4Nx This Saturday, 1 November, the activity is also the first in a full day of Skill Share activities at the Centre that includes Seed Saving and Gardening from 10am, and Planetary Health Bushcare from 1.30pm. You can book in for Bushcare here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/49k8PPo Contact Lis on 0407 437 553 for more information.
Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be meeting again at the Planetary Health Centre at 6pm on Monday 27 October. Register at this link if you`d like to attend! (link in profile) https://events.humanitix.com/rotarians-4-planetary-health-l7bb4qhr?
Thank you to everyone who popped by for the @ediblegardentrailbluemountains today! It was a great day discussing gardens, ponds, frogs, seeds, composting seats, wicking beds and how to restore the hydrological cycle! Next Saturday will be our Skill Share Saturday. We`ll be kickstarting a 6-week block of Tai Chi & Qigong at 9am, launching our Seed Saving and Gardening Group at 10am and running our monthly Bushcare Group at 1.30pm. You can book in for Tai Chi here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/tai-chi-and-qigong-six-week-block-spring-2025-qaw2ts2v and to Bushcare here (link also in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-bushcare-spring-summer-2025
The Planetary Health Centre is on the Edible Garden Trail today! Last week we launched the Upper Mountains Seed Savers and Gardening Group. Come along to learn more, enjoy a coffee in our garden, and pick up a free Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guide. We`re open from 10am. You can find us at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Tickets for the Edible Garden Trail available here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-edible-garden-trail-2025
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out. Read about three days of innovation at the upcoming Full Cycle Conference in Nov, the Edible Garden Trail this weekend, and a six week block of Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the Planetary Health Centre (link in profile): https://bit.ly/47jbFBz
Today is an Extreme Bushfire Danger Day! Have you heard about the extraordinary fire resistant paint developed by Professor Yeoh and his team at UNSW? Professor Yeoh will be presenting at our Full Cycle Conference on Thurs 20 November. He is world renowned in the field of fire safety and his innovations are helping to keep people and property safe. Importantly among these innovations has been the development and commercialisation of FSA FIRECOAT paint (sold at Bunnings), which creates a protective insulating ‘char’ on a building when it’s exposed to flames. It is water based and non toxic. Watch it in action in this video (link in profile): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkA1RlxMjWQ
Join us at the Conference to learn more about Professor Yeoh’s work during three days of innovation and exploration in which leading speakers from around Australia will share how we can reduce the risks of natural hazards and hazardous materials. Places are limited so register here now (link in profile): https://www.fullcycleconference.com.au/
With new modelling suggesting a hot summer with increasing fire risk it`s worth making time now to learn more about how we can reduce the risk of disaster by registering to attend the Full Cycle Conference that`s bringing together the Bushfire Building and Asbestos & Hazardous Materials Management Conferences in Katoomba on 20-22nd Nov. Group discounts apply if you register now here (link in profile): www.fullcycleconference.com.au
• Emma Whale from the NSW Reconstruction Authority will discuss how state-wide and place-based disaster adaptation planning is helping reduce risk;
• David Sanderson, the inaugural Judith Neilson Chair in Architecture at UNSW, will share the results of a landmark enquiry on how our response to disasters requires a change in housing policy and local government empowerment;
• Owen Price, Director of The Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires at UOW will compare the patterns of housing loss in the NSW and Californian wildfires;
• Guan Heng Yeoh from UNSW will share how he developed the award winning FIRECOAT fire resistant paint;
• Everson Kandare from RMIT University will discuss the development of fireproof cladding made from molasses-cultured mycelium - a fungal biomass;
• Alan Green from the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre UOW will introduce Heatwave and Multi-Hazard Resilience Star Rating Tools for retrofitting houses;
• Emma Bacon from Sweltering Cities and Dr Kim Loo from Doctors for the Environment will discuss heat waves and social justice;
• Andrew Bovis from Integrated Water Solutions will discuss the potential use of treated blackwater as an independent water source for landscape hydration and fire fighting;
• Sara Jane Wilkinson from UTS will launch the Bushfire Retrofitting Toolkit for older Australians and do a session on green roofs and walls to reduce disaster risk and increase biodiversity;
• Melissa Knothe Tate will discuss research on tackling PFAS contamination;
Thank you to everyone who participated in our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair today. It was an inspiring and thought provoking day with lots learnt, many connections made, amazing food consumed and stunning weather! We look forward to doing it again next year!
The inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair kicks off at 9am today at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Pop in to listen to a talk, watch a demo, grab a coffee and sweet treat from Good Fat Pastry, a delicious lunch from Bibi`s Kitchen, fresh mushrooms from EarthRising Mushroom Farm, locally acclimatised vegetable seeds from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, and edible native plants from Muru Mittigar Ltd You can view the full program here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle The Planetary Health Centre is at 33-39 Acacia St (former Katoomba Golf Course).
The Fair is a World Animal Day event and has been supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association of Environmental Educators.
A huge thank you to Richard Burrell from Muru Mittigar Native Nursery who delivered us the following edible natives to sell at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October:
Apple Berry Finger Lime Mat Rush Lomandra longifolia Midgen Berry Native Leek Native Parsnip Native Raspberry Female and male Pepper Berry Vanilla Lily Yam Daisy
You can view the full program for the Food Security Fair here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle
Julie Nance is a community storyteller with the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. In her coverage of the Lower Mountains area, she brings 30 years’ experience in communications, publishing and journalism.
After specialising in health and social issues as a journalist, Julie led creative teams in the government and not-for-profit sectors including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, YMCA NSW, Cancer Council NSW and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Julie is passionate about empowering people with quality information to help them make informed choices.
The Blue Mountains Perch may not be as adorable as a cuddly koala, but it is also an endangered animal in need of awareness and support. Populations of the freshwater fish have been hit hard by drought, fire and flooding over the past few years. A NSW fisheries study, while sobering reading, is helping experts develop a plan to save the fish.
