Bec Adamczewski
Exhibition Dates:
Wednesday 2nd September – Monday 28th September, 2026
Viewable 24/7
A cacophony of sulphur-crested cockatoos spend their days at Long beach, at the end of the day they travel together over the valley and hills to roost safely through the night in Taroona. Recently one of the large trees on their journey was cut down. The cockatoos response? A riot.
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Early evenings I am often delighted by the sight of around 70 sulphur-crested cockatoos picking their way from tree to tree, traveling from their daytime hangout near the beach in Sandy Bay, to shelter safety in the quiet hills of Taroona through the night. These intelligent, raucous birds have a clear plan and pattern; a few will fly to a specific chosen tree and wait while the rest follow in small flocks. Once all are accounted for, a quick chatter together, then they continue to the next tree on their nightly journey. A riot of yellow and white feathers, and an unmistakable sound.
A little while ago one of the many trees on their nightly route was cut down. I watched with growing concern as the workers chopped it, limb from limb – a towering cypress swiftly became a pile of logs. That evening I watched for the flock, I could hear them – but not see them. Concerned, I went for a walk down the hill and discovered the large group of birds all milling around on the verge nearby the once proud tree.
Confused, bewildered, grounded.
The next night I watched for them again. Would they still be disrupted by the change in their environment? Would they find a new tree for their nightly pilgrimage? My concern turned to surprise as I watched the flock land en masse on the roof of the house where the tree once stood. I could hear their loud squawks, piercing shrieks, gleeful flapping wings, and see their strong beaks tearing at the tiles, roofing and guttering – a riot like never before!
The cockatoos have since found a new favourite tree, a beautiful endemic Tasmanian blue gum – but their message was clear…
‘Don’t mess with us.’
Accessibility
Accessible Toilet (located in the Courtyard)
Registered Assistance Animals welcome
