The Sacred Kingfisher’s Shield: A Victory for the Paperbarks
They say that when you save a life, you become a part of its story. For the Sacred Kingfisher I rescued, the story didn’t end with his release. A week or so later, as I was working on my daybed, he appeared on the railing outside, looking in at me to tell me he was going well. I saw him fly up into a tree for a little while, and I’m sure I could hear his mate calling to him before he flew off. They became the spark for a much larger mission: protecting the very trees that offer the birds’ sanctuary.
A Shocking Arrival
The peace of my coastal home was shattered when a house was moved onto the neighboring property in the middle of the night on the back of a truck. The event was so jarring—happening right outside my bedroom window—it sent everything into a tailspin—my own nervous system included—even causing my house’s electricity to short-circuit. It was a chaotic, distressing start to a fight I was determined to win. Soon after, the threat intensified: Ergon Energy intended to lop the branches of the ancient Paperbark trees on the council nature strip in my driveway to connect power to this new arrival.
The Council Stalwarts
In a world where bureaucracy often moves slowly, the Livingstone Shire Council stood as my stalwarts. This victory didn’t happen by accident; I spent two dedicated days drafting a comprehensive letter to the council, meticulously detailing the significance of these trees to the local biodiversity. I wanted them to understand that these weren’t just obstructions, but vital components of our ecosystem.
After receiving my letter—which featured the photo of my Kingfisher and the Tawny Frogmouth owls that had recently graced my deck—the response was swift and powerful:
- The Deputy Mayor’s Visit: One day after my letter arrived, the Deputy Mayor came out personally to inspect the trees.
- Active Advocacy: Leise Childs, the Environmental Services Officer at the council, rang Ergon directly, making it clear that these trees are valuable council property and must be protected.
- Professional Support: My friend Cristle, a wildlife catcher, provided a vital letter of support to emphasize the ecological cost of losing these branches, and my friend Cheryl formatted it for us.
Standing My Ground
The owner of the new house, eager for power, insulted me when I raised my concerns about my tree. It was very upsetting. I felt like I was under siege with neighbours on both sides cutting down the trees that had sheltered me and provided me with privacy, and my own rotten Monster bird tree also being gone, leaving me exposed on all sides. But I knew the value of the paperbark in my driveway and its companion on the verge; I was fighting for a natural habitat.
The Final Triumph
Today, the energy shifted. I looked across the road and saw my friend Marty mowing, just as the Tree Services and Ergon crews arrived. (Lol, by coincidence, I was wearing my favorite t-shirt with a pirate owl on it.) I went over to speak to them to find out what they intended to do. They admitted they were well aware of the letters to the Council and Ergon. They said they will not be touching either of the council trees. I said I was most concerned about the paperbark, and the tree service man said they weren’t going to touch it. Or the Tropical Almond tree next to it. The Tropical Almond tree is a food source for the Red-tailed Cockatoo.
To find a solution, they are now considering trimming a fig tree on the neighbor’s property to facilitate the connection. While the birds might have a smaller canopy, the vital Paperbark and Coastal Almond supermarkets remain untouched.
A Lesson in Manipura Energy
This victory is a testament to the power of the Manipura Chakra—the centre of our will and valour. By transforming the “ashes” of a stressful encounter into the “fire” of advocacy, we saved a piece of our local ecosystem. The Paperbark stands tall, the Kingfisher has his home, and we have a reason to celebrate.
Have you ever had a “sign” from nature that gave you the strength to stand up for what’s right in your own backyard?