Ed McNabb, who died in May 2025, was a covenantor and pioneering wildlife expert. His contributions to science and conservation will leave a legacy for generations to come. We extend our condolences to Ed’s family and friends. Here, Ben Cullen, South Central Area Manager at Trust for Nature, reflects on Ed’s contribution.
I met Ed McNabb and his partner Susie at the first Cardinia covenantors event where I was speaking on behalf of Trust for Nature. I was nervous to see Ed in the group – I was already a huge fan of his work. I’d bought the same spotlight he used to find nocturnal wildlife and, if I could grow decent facial hair, would have modelled it after Ed too.
Ed greeted me warmly. He and Susie, also incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife and plants, invited me to visit their property as part of Trust for Nature’s Stewardship Program. We became friends. We spoke regularly and he taught me a lot about wildlife and spotlighting. I never met anyone more skilled with a spotlight. He taught so many people and was so generous and kind with his knowledge.
I adored Ed McNabb. I would drive around to meetings of conservation volunteers far and wide to watch Ed McNabb do his presentations on nocturnal wildlife. His talks were a sensory experience. Slides showed amazing pictures of animals that looked like they belonged in a Jim Henson workshop.
Then suddenly he would play the call of the animal at an often ear-startling volume. Not only did Ed take amazing photos, but he was also a pioneer in recording wildlife sounds. Trekking into the darkest and most remote forests, Ed would stand with a parabolic microphone, waiting for the exact moment a nocturnal creature would call.
These recordings were immortalized on an album, Nightlife Of Australia: South-eastern Forests, which is still one of the premier tools for identifying wildlife calls. His work revealed the hidden worlds of much-loved wildlife. Who knew a Long-nosed Bandicoot even made sounds? Later Ed went on to record Frog Calls Of Melbourne, a comprehensive guide to frog calls all over Victoria. He is probably best known for his work on owls. He was so knowledgeable about all species of owls and played a leading role in owl conservation.
I met Ed McNabb and his partner Susie at the first Cardinia covenantors event where I was speaking on behalf of Trust for Nature. I was nervous to see Ed in the group – I was already a huge fan of his work. I’d bought the same spotlight he used to find nocturnal wildlife and, if I could grow decent facial hair, would have modelled it after Ed too.
Ed greeted me warmly. He and Susie, also incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife and plants, invited me to visit their property as part of Trust for Nature’s Stewardship Program. We became friends. We spoke regularly and he taught me a lot about wildlife and spotlighting. I never met anyone more skilled with a spotlight. He taught so many people and was so generous and kind with his knowledge.
I adored Ed McNabb. I would drive around to meetings of conservation volunteers far and wide to watch Ed McNabb do his presentations on nocturnal wildlife. His talks were a sensory experience. Slides showed amazing pictures of animals that looked like they belonged in a Jim Henson workshop.
Then suddenly he would play the call of the animal at an often ear-startling volume. Not only did Ed take amazing photos, but he was also a pioneer in recording wildlife sounds. Trekking into the darkest and most remote forests, Ed would stand with a parabolic microphone, waiting for the exact moment a nocturnal creature would call.
These recordings were immortalized on an album, Nightlife Of Australia: South-eastern Forests, which is still one of the premier tools for identifying wildlife calls. His work revealed the hidden worlds of much-loved wildlife. Who knew a Long-nosed Bandicoot even made sounds? Later Ed went on to record Frog Calls Of Melbourne, a comprehensive guide to frog calls all over Victoria. He is probably best known for his work on owls. He was so knowledgeable about all species of owls and played a leading role in owl conservation.
Ed once told me he had started his nature journey when he was jogging in the Dandenongs. He would go jogging around sunrise and sunset and he started to notice the world come alive in the dark hours. His interactions with creatures, especially owls, became more frequent. He learned where to look and to notice even the most obscure signs that an owl might be nearby.
Soon he was publishing scientific papers and identifying wildlife at the Arthur Rylah Institute. I won’t attempt to summarise his enormous contribution through his career. He played a massive role in protecting forests and species all around Victoria through his survey work. In 2022 Ed wrote a book, Whoo Is Calling?, a wonderful account of his adventures in the forest.
Susie and Ed’s property is a haven for amazing wildlife: Sooty Owls, Greater Gliders, Yellow-bellied Gliders, Powerful Owls, White-footed Dunnart and more. With other Trust for Nature staff, I set up motion cameras which captured a treasure trove. Ed and comedian John Clarke, who was also a covenantor, provided commentary on the video we produced. Ed was funny and mischievous, and he and John got on well. Lots of laughs were had.
Like many others, I was devastated by news of Ed’s death, but amazed to think of the massive contribution he made to nature conservation. He taught so many, he discovered so much, he protected all he could, and kept us all smiling along the way. Like a covenant, his knowledge will help us protect nature forever.
Soon he was publishing scientific papers and identifying wildlife at the Arthur Rylah Institute. I won’t attempt to summarise his enormous contribution through his career. He played a massive role in protecting forests and species all around Victoria through his survey work. In 2022 Ed wrote a book, Whoo Is Calling?, a wonderful account of his adventures in the forest.
Susie and Ed’s property is a haven for amazing wildlife: Sooty Owls, Greater Gliders, Yellow-bellied Gliders, Powerful Owls, White-footed Dunnart and more. With other Trust for Nature staff, I set up motion cameras which captured a treasure trove. Ed and comedian John Clarke, who was also a covenantor, provided commentary on the video we produced. Ed was funny and mischievous, and he and John got on well. Lots of laughs were had.
Like many others, I was devastated by news of Ed’s death, but amazed to think of the massive contribution he made to nature conservation. He taught so many, he discovered so much, he protected all he could, and kept us all smiling along the way. Like a covenant, his knowledge will help us protect nature forever.