the smell of Ibis breeding

How do we describe the smell of an ibis breeding ground? There is truly nothing like it. Walking past TAFE on Harris Street, in springtime, has become untenable. We have found less malodorous routes.

But what is it about ibis nests that pushes the word ‘reek’ to its limits? The stench is definitely musty, that’s part of it, but it’s also quite layered… There’s a lingering death smell, as if these ibis are reminding us all that they were around when the dinosaurs were. And there’s also something alarmingly avian about their nests, their shit is acidic, sulphuric, they’re so damn big and feathery and beaky.

All that said and done, there is something to be said for any inner city urban space capable of harbouring a bird breeding ground. That’s pretty impressive, Ultimo, suburb of grey. Well, we are impressed, albeit from a safe distance.