Big Bird, on a recent migratory trip down south for the winter, overshot his preferred location and ended up Down Under for the first time in his flying career. We caught up with the bird that brings so much joy to children every week on Sesame Street to talk gardening.

G4D: Is it true that the early bird catches the worm, Big Bird?

Big Bird: No. It's a fallacy that has been purported throughout generations misleading young people when they should have stayed in bed. Who wants to catch the worm anyway? If birds composted more they wouldn't have this problem of getting up so early. They could sleep in and then feast at a more respectable hour of the day.

G4D: Recently there's been a lot of talk about attracting birds to your garden. Are you attracted to any gardens and what is it exactly that attracts you?

Big Bird: I'm attracted to gardens that have lots of room to land with really soft surfaces. These nectar type trees everybody's planting may be alright for little birds but you'll never find me hopping from branch to branch. I'd probably break them. What really attracts me to a garden is a large spa, cold beer and perhaps a few pretzels.

G4D: This was a photo from a gardening awards ceremony where you were one of the fortunate recipients. Tell us about your award.

Big Bird: It was nothing really. I didn't actually win a prize I was there as a guest of honour as they unveiled the town's new bird bath. They wanted me to try it out but I refused to get undressed with all those people watching.

G4D: Yes. I can imagine that would be a little embarrassing having to remove that tie.

G4D: We've seen your posters about your trip to China what was that about?

Big Bird: I was there on behalf of the National Duck Association that was advocating better conditions for ducks. They weren't too happy ending up on someone's table as Peking Duck so we tried educating people that they were more useful as snail eaters in their gardens.

G4D: Finally, do you have any new gardening projects coming up?

Big Bird: Yer I'm currently building a bird house.