134 The 700 Birds Project
About this episode
Artists Jane Rusden and Bridget Farmer share the story behind The 700 Birds Project - a long-term plan to travel in short trips and draw every bird they encounter. From Gluepot to Hattah-Kulkyne and Chiltern, they talk birding misadventures, advice about field sketching and why birds keep pulling them back into new places.
Birds mentioned in this episode: Gang-gang Cockatoo, Regent Parrot
Resources
2026 Victorian bushfire appeals that are helping people and wildlife:
Meet the guests
Bridget Farmer is originally from Northern Ireland. She initially visited Australia to see friends but fell in love with the country (and a certain Australian man) and stayed longer than expected. She lives in country Victoria with her husband, two young sons, a whole flock of chickens and a studio rabbit. Bridget is a printmaker and her work celebrates Australia’s birdlife and her chooks. She has written and illustrated three children’s books… and there are more on the way.
Jane Rusden grew up loving nature, the outdoors, art and adventure. Her grandfather, Claude Austin, got her hooked on birds as a little girl. Dyslexic and ADHD, she went back to school in her mid 20s to get qualifications in Zoology (Hons) in the UK. Jane came home after 10 years in UK, having done some work in conservation. She then completed a Visual Arts degree in her 40s and she’s been a professional artist ever since. Her art practice is deeply embedded in conservation and birds. Jane is also the convenor of BirdLife Castlemaine District.
