Jim Saddler
A bird-watcher, and the protagonist. Jim's acute ability to appreciate the smallest details of nature makes him an excellent witness to the gruesome brutality of war. He sees unspeakable tragedy in those trenches.
Ashley Crowther
This wealthy young man inherits Jim's favorite estuary and hires him to manage it, but then, both become involved in the Great War, since Australia was founded by the English. Ashley becomes an officer.
Imogen
An elderly woman whose passion for photography and bird-watching made her fast friends with Jim.
Wizzer
This allied soldier attacks Jim and forces Jim to become violent.
Clancy
Jim finds a friend among the soldiers, a kid named Clancy. Clancy's unfortunate fate is Jim's most shocking experience of horror and violence, since it was one of Jim's earliest encounters with real death.