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Kids learning about nature

Writing about how young seals learn about nature and their environment in her article, 'The long haul', Gloria Jackson explains how animals seem to be hard-wired for certain behaviours. Young seals take naturally to swimming and fishing; as young primates, I reckon we are 'hard- wired' for curiosity and discovery. Some people elect to remain 'hard-wired' to curiosity; they grow up to be the wildlife photographers, field naturalists, nature writers and nature lovers who contribute and subscribe to Wildlife Australia. The interest is there, but how to guide and refine it?

Through contact with real wildlife in classrooms and on walking tracks, through hands-on work in natural environments, through books and articles that are themselves based on real experiences and attention to detail. WAM's contributors, as always, offer inspiring ideas, intriguing stories, stunning photography and appealing illustrations.

More often heard than seen, the Superb Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus superbus), with its short bursts of clear, steady, hooping calls, prefers the dim lighting of rainforest and dense woodland canopies. Our cover fruit-dove lives in a large and well-vegetated outdoor aviary at Brisbane Forest Park where Michael Snedic was able to get close enough to capture the superb colours of the adult bird. Bright, bold, expressive - it almost looks as though it has been coloured in by a kid illustrating a nature project. Michael also spends a lot of time in wild places wailing patiently for the perfect photographic opportunity. Enjoy the results of that patience and his enthusiasm by joining him on a visual adventure through the Lamington rainforests in 'Rainforest eyes'.

An interview with Gloria Jackson

For some youngsters, learning about nature is life or death. Fortunately, there's time for play and nurturing.

Find mum, catch fish, avoid sharks, haul out where it's easy and remember which end goes into the water first. How hard is life for a seal pup?

By Geoffrey C. Smith and Michael Mathieson

A whimsical approach to a serious study of an uncommon bird, the Black Breasted Button-quail.

Where there's a smoke, these little quail are off like a puff of ... but with patience, you might discover a whole new meaning to BBQ.

A mosaic of experiences and perspectives that almost contradict W.C. Fields' famous adage. A selection of short commentaries by a range of life long educators

Real wildlife:

• a class act by Martin Fingland
• Hope and laughter by Lisa Kerr
• Bush paradox by Steve Cupitt
• My early association with the Powerful Owl by David Fleay

An interview with Jill Morris

Have you ever thought you would like to write for kids? This could be the article that inspires you to action.

Through books, children who love wildlife and writers who love wildlife can share their enthusiasm for tiny fascinating details.

By Lee Curtis

Aggressive and opportunistic, the Common Myna is reaching plague proportions in Australia, and councils are working to minimise the problem.

Is the myna a major pest, or does it have any redeeming features? The Austalian public is not charmed and is clamouring for authorities to get rid of it.

By Jan Smith

The dasyurids that came to dinner: a road story about guests who nearly overstayed their welcome.

Early on a summer Sunday morning - a good time to check and tidy the car, ready for another week of work. As Sean opened the boot of his lovingly restored 1956 turquoise Beetle, something streaked away into the bushes...

• Cyberrangers
• Ecorecycle
• Gould League
• Green Kids Guide
• Kid's Planet
• Wildscape

Eco-Media, Comment, City Animal, Scratchings and Rustlings, Nature Watch, Books Reviews, Autumn Skies, Wildside, Young and Wild, WPSQ in Action, Swamp Cartoon and our regular environmental crossword.

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