‘I’m afraid they do,’ Nina said. ‘All the time. But don’t worry. These birds are safe here. And I’ll let you into a secret – when I watched Storm Boy, I cried too.’
A variety of ducks swam in the water: common ones like black ducks, teal and mallards, and rarer ones as well – a little pink-eared duck with its cartoon eye patches and huge square-tipped beak; a pair of bluebills. Loveliest of all was the plumed whistler, with its flank of lance-shaped feathers, and shining chestnut breast, barred in black.
Sophie beamed with delight as several ducks waddled from the water towards them. Nina gave her some pellets to throw. ‘Look,’ said Sophie. A white egret emerged in measured steps from behind a wattle thicket, its long neck retracted in a graceful curve. He was in full breeding plumage, h
