magpie – Stilgherrian

15 September 2025

Weekly Wrap 798: A third week disrupted by illness, but a different one, plus squabbling birds

A bright sunny day. On a tree stump on the left, a brown cuckoo-dove with lighter brown undersides and pink feet raises its wings to look big and fierce. On the right, on a slightly lower tree stump, is an Australian magpie, head hunched down, wings extended. It's a stand-off! And on the far right, a red plastic water bowl.

My week of Monday 8 to Sunday 14 September 2025 started well but slipped into illness at the end — again! — although things then improved on the weekend. I had to bail from a conference on Thursday, and spend Friday very close to a bathroom at all time. We shall speak of this no more.

30 March 202506 April 2025

Weekly Wrap 774: Magpies are so talonted, yeah?

During my week of Monday 24 to Sunday 30 March 2025 the numbers of my magnificent Magpie Army started to swell again, with 18 of them visiting the other morning. I took a photo. I also produced a podcast, launched a crowdfunder, and squeezed out a newsletter.

27 January 202530 January 2025

Weekly Wrap 765: Feed me, said the magpie

Close-up of the head and chest of a juvenile Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), still in its lighter grey feathers rather than black, its orange eyes staring straight into the camera. In the background, way out of focus, sunlit scrubland.

My week of Monday 20 to Sunday 26 January 2025 was both productive and enjoyable, because I’m a hero. Yes, the music podcast thing is starting to happen. And the younger magpies are starting to get quite insistent.

11 February 202425 February 2024

Weekly Wrap 715: Little productivity, plenty of sleep, a bold magpie, and podcast plans

I accomplished very little during my week of Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February 2024, and even spent most of the weekend asleep. I’m hoping this goes me the energy for what is going to be a busy week ahead � including two or perhaps even three podcast recordings.

26 June 202203 July 2022

Weekly Wrap 630: Another easy week as the financial year draws to an end

My week of Monday 20 to Sunday 26 June 2022 was much like the previous week. A podcast and some planning and some socialising, but not a whole lot else. I’m sure this will come back to bite me. The weather was nice though.

04 July 202125 July 2021

Weekly Wrap 579: Lockdown, meds, and magpies in the depths of winter

Sydney went into lockdown, I ended up being very sleepy thanks to the changing medication regime, and I produced a podcast — all part of my week of Monday 28 June to Sunday 4 July 2021. There were also magpies.