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birding...
Australia Northern Territories
Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory situated on the coast of mid-northern Australia, has much to offer the visiting birdwatcher. To give an example my yard list is 140 species, and the sewage pond twice that. The best time to come is about October - December, followed by March - May. However these are the hottest, most humid times of the year so be prepared! North-west Australia is renowned for mangrove birds (and reputed to have the highest diversity of specialised mangrove birds in the world). Among them are Chestnut Rail, a chicken-sized, very shy bird, the engaging but often hard-to-spot Mangrove Grey Fantail, and the tiny Mangrove Gerygone, a member of an ancient Australian family. Chestnut Rail, thought by many to be a very difficult bird to see, can be found within three kilometres of the CBD, at the Stuart Park mangroves. Remember that mangroves are quite safe for those used to them, but there are a few risks namely deep mud,mosquitoes and crocodiles. For those wanting to avoid these problems it is possible to hire a dinghy to visit any of the estuaries around town but because of our high tidal range it can be risky for someone not used to handling a boat. Then there are monsoon forest birds e.g. Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Emerald Dove, Rainbow Pitta, Little Shrike-thrush, Green-backed and Large-billed Gerygone. Many of these species are also found in mangroves. However in the wet season (roughly October-April) some disperse into open forest. Most songbirds breed at the beginning and end of the wet season. Others like Rainbow Pitta (the only suboscine in the Top End) mostly breed in the first half. This species begins calling about September (again depending on weather) and have mostly ceased by February. Wetlands are also found around Darwin. This habitat changes amazingly with the seasons. Grasslands during the dry they become densely-vegetated floodplains during the wet season with grasses up to three metres high. In the dry season these areas are inhabitated by few birds, namely Magpie-lark, Brown Quail, and Singing Bushlark (and perhaps our two cisticola species depending on the dryness of the area). At the beginning of the wet season at Holmes Jungle, just twelve or so kilometres from the CBD, Brolga gather in their hundreds, along with Magpie Geese, strange pied birds that are probably most closely related to the Southern Screamer of South America, and around mid-September, Little Curlew gather to feed in the mud and still-short grass. As the wet season progresses and the vegetation continues to grow the careful viewer may see White-browed Crakes feeding among the sedges, and Tawny Grassbird or Red-backed Button-quail among the rank grass on the water`s edge. Another reason for spending time in Darwin is that many birds hard to see out of town are easily spotted in parks and gardens here, among them Yellow Oriole and Figbird and Brown, Dusky, White-gaped, Red-headed and Rufous-banded honeyeaters. |
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Botanic Gardens
The Botanic gardens in the Darwin municipality are a great place for roosting owls and common passerines.Fogg Dam
Fogg Dam seventy kilometres from Darwin is great spot for birds. Here the juxtaposition of monsoon, paperbark and open forest and floodplains makes for a great mix of species. Waterbirds abound but so do raptors and many passerines... Jabiru, Pied Heron, Royal Spoonbill, egrets, jacana et al.Gregory National Park
Gregory National Park and the surrounding area, 500 kms southwest of Darwin, is terrific for Grey Falcon, and the Victoria River (in the same area) the most accessible site for Purple-crowned Fairy-wren.Gunlom Falls
Many people go after White-throated Grasswren at Gunlom Falls but unless one can visit in the latter half of the year don`t bother. This little bird has huge breeding territories. Later in the year the bird is found throughout the area often calling right beside the path at the top.Howard Springs Nature Park
Howard Springs Nature Park is 35 kilometres south of Darwin and brilliant for butterflies and birds. It is the haunt of Rainbow Pitta at the right time of year and is great for Shining Flycatchers, White-winged Triller, Black Butcherbird and Northern Fantails etc. but is also greatly favoured by some of the most predatory mossies I`ve ever encountered! [Fatbirder]Marraki Track
Marraki Track which is a dirt road going many kilometres into the bush and eventually fording [in the dry season] the Adelaide River. It is great for finches, gerygones, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Partidge Pigeon, Varied Lorikeet and Northern Rosellas. Of particular interest is Red-backed Kingfisher.Palmerston Sewage Works
This can be a great place for water birds but it is spasmodic even in very dry times. The surrounding scrub can be alive with finches, wrens, cuckoos etc. and the sky is often filled with hirundines.Pine Creek
The Pine Creek area (200 kms south of Darwin) is situated between the tropics and the semi-arid zone, and is a great area in which to see a mix of birds, including Partridge Pigeon, Hooded Parrot and Gouldian Finch. The Fountainhead-Pine Creek area is also very good for diurnal birds of prey in the dry season - including Black-breasted Buzzard & Square-tailed Kite.contributor |
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Fatbirder
Additional Top Sites
Denise Goodfellow
(Lawungkurr Maralngurra)
(Darwin, Northern Territories)
goodfellow@bigpond.com
http://www.earthfoot.org/guides/goodfell.htm
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State Bird - Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax
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Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis Black-banded Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus alligator Brown Whistler Pachycephala simplex
useful reading |
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Birds of Australia's Top End
Denise Lawungkur Goodfellow 159 pages, col plates, b/w photos, illus, distrib maps. Scrubfowl Press See Fatbirder ReviewISBN: 0957884907
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Birdwatching Kakadu Katherine Kununurra
Includes checklist, map and lots of directions. AU $10.00 Includes Post within Australia - Cheques/money orders etc payable to: NT Birds PO Box 1771 Katherine NT Australia 0851Fieldguides, CDs etc.
For general guides to Australia as a whole please see the Fatbirder Australia pageFinding Birds in Australia's Northern Territory
D. Donato, P. Wilkins, G. Smith, L. Alford Paperback - 192 pages (July 1997) CSIRO PublishingISBN: 0643062580
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Finding Birds in Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End
Northern Territory Australia - Niven McCrie and James Watson 160 pages, tabs, maps. NT Birding (Niven McCrie)ISBN: 0646460412
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Birds of Groote Eylandt
By Richard A. Noske and Graham P. Brennan, Northern Territory University Press, Darwin, N.T 2002. Pp. 187, 18 X 25 cm. RRP $35.ISBN: 1876248688
Buy this book from NHBS.com
clubs |
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Alice Springs Field Naturalists Club
The object of the club is to promote interest in all aspects of natural history...
The Environment Centre Northern Territory
http://www.ecnt.orgThe Environment Centre Northern Territory was established in 1983 and has played a crucial role in achieving environmental protection and management throughout the Territory...
museums |
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Birds Australia Atlas 2 - Northern Territory
http://birds.rhyme.com.au/The Top End Atlas Committee has two main goals: to support Birds Australia in acquiring reliable Atlas data over the vast expanse of the Top End; to foster an appreciation of Australia`s wildlife through bird-watching activities.
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Connells Lagoon Conservation Reserve
Connells Lagoon Conservation Reserve is situated in the heart of the Barkly Tableland. It is the only Reserve in Australia established primarily for the conservation of Mitchell grassland communities. The Reserve is dominated by perennial Mitchell Grass. Trees are found only in the watercourse and floodout areas with Bluebush dominating the wettest areas. The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory carried out the onlymajor biological survey in the region in 1982. Even though the Reserve looks flat and uninteresting, the PWCNT found 189 species of plants which is surprisingly rich. At the time 9 mammal, 53 bird and 19 reptile species were also recorded in and near the Reserve. Several birds considered endangered, including the Flock Bronzewing Pigeon, Pictorella Mannikin Finch, Red-chested Button-quail and the Australian Bustard were recorded in higher then expected numbers...
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/foggdam.htmlFogg Dam is a remnant of early attempts to produce rice on the Adelaide River flood plains. Today it provides an important refuge for wildlife...
Howard Springs Nature Park
http://nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/find/pdf/hsnaturepark.pdfHoward Springs Nature Park protects 283 ha of diverse habitats including monsoon forest, extensive swamps and riverine areas. These areas provide valuable wildlife habitats, especially for Magpie Geese, Whistling Ducks, Radjah Shelducks and Pygmy Geese... PDF
Kakadu National Park
http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/nt/kak/kak.htmInternationally recognised, the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park is one of the nation`s most prized cultural and ecological treasures...
Mary River Park
http://www.maryriverpark.com.auNT Bird Specialist can arrange tours to include numerous local sites in the Top End. Below we have listed some of the prospective sites you might be interested in including in your trip.
Newhaven
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/stories/s203432.htmNewhaven, 400 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, is not the first property the bird lovers have transformed into a bird sanctuary. Three years ago the organisation acquired Gluepot station, now Gluepot is the largest running community-owned bird conservation park in Australia.
Newhaven
http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/newhaven/future.htmlThe quality, diversity and abundance of habitats and species on Newhaven Station means it will play an important role in protecting Australia`s arid-zone biodiversity...
Northern Territory Visitor Centre
http://www.northernterritory.com/The Top End offers a diverse range of habitats such as open woodlands, floodplains, coastal, paperbark forests and rocky outcrops. These habitats are home to a diverse range of birds. The best time to view the Territory`s birdlife is at the end of the dry season from September - November when the floodplains are drying up. This causes the normally vast spread of birdlife to congregate in billabongs such as Yellow Waters and Coopers Lagoon.
The Territory Wildlife Park
http://www.territorywildlifepark.com.au/Many captive native species etc... a chance to get up close to species albeit in captivity...
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
2001 [February] - Susan Myers
http://users.wired.net.au/susan/territory.htmAt Chris` instigation a group of us (Stuart Dashper, Chris Lester, Rosemary Lester, Ross Mulholland, Fred Smith and myself) made a 10 day trip to the Top End in search of birds (of course) and this is a brief report on that sojourn. Our trip in the wet season was extremely hot and humid but well worth the effort for the cheap air fares, lack of other tourists, spectacular thunderstorms and super birding...
2001 [July] - Phil Gregory
http://www.cassowary-house.com.au/nttrip1.htmmet Gary and Marlene Babic at Darwin Airport from off the Singapore flight on July 29 at 0515, and we headed off to look for Partridge Pigeons and Chestnut Rail at a site near Darwin. This is a great time of year in the NT, cool and sunny with no rain, perfect birding conditions, and it was lovely to be back once again. Red-backed Kingfisher and Little Bronze-Cuckoo showed well, as did both Masked and Long-tailed Finches, then a group of 4 Partridge Pigeons came into view and the strange local form of Grey Butcherbird, the potential split Silver-backed Butcherbird showed very nicely. No rails were visible on a dropping tide, but Red-headed Honeyeater was nice.
2003 [August] Dave Gandy
http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/trips/kakadu-dg-0903.htmlI recorded 132 species during my trip, but had no tapes or previous knowledge of Australian birdcalls, so was at something of a disadvantage. The annotated itinerary below shows the highlights at each site...
2003 [June] Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
http://www.guidedbirding.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Information/austriprep.htmFor eight hours, accompanied by the film crew we ploughed around in the water gathering up great armsful of soggy vegetation in the hunt for file snakes, water python and turtles. We were all quite exhausted at the end of the day. During breaks in filming I pointed out birds to Duncan Chard, the director who was also a birder. Tree Martins flew above the water, and Long-tailed, Crimson and Double-barred finches watched us from the nearby pandanus. A White-bellied Sea-Eagle quartered low of the spike-rush that stretched the full length of the lagoon...
2003 [March] - Stephen Mawby - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/australia/aus-tour03/aus-mar03.htmThis trip was the result of a marriage break-up and was undertaken with a long-time non-birding friend who wanted to enjoy some cricket down-under. As a result, the first part of the trip was planned around the 4th and 5th Test matches of England`s Ashes tour of 2002/2003. Consequently, the first month was spent around the south-east of Australia with the move north towards Queensland not taking place until early January. Thereafter, the route took us north to Cairns, then west to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, south through Alice Springs/Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Adelaide and finally east back to Sydney. Although a birding trip for me, I had to respect the wishes of my travelling companion and as a result, was unable to give sufficient time to seeking out the more difficult species. However, a trip list in excess of 420 species and a new species list of 359 was, in my view excellent...
2004 [April] Fatbirder
http://www.anytimetours.co.ukThis was my third trip to Australia but my first to the Darwin area and I had particular target birds in mind to extend my world list but, as always, never went in pursuit of one rare or difficult to find species [with one exception] at the expense of more common lifers, or, indeed variety. So many birds are special to Australia that seeing many species again was welcome...
2005 [May] - Phil Gregory
http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/australia/queensland2/top-end-may-05.htm...Highlights in Darwin were a fine mix of species near Darwin River Dam, with lots of perched Varied Lorikeet, Northern Rosella, Masked and Long-tailed Finch, Banded and Bar-breasted Honeyeater. Rainbow Pitta was fantastic at Howard Springs, along with Brown Whistler and Green-backed Gerygone, whilst a hot bush walk gave us Silver-backed Butcherbird and another Tawny Frogmouth. The Rufous Owl in the Botanic Garden came up trumps again with two fine birds seen nicely. Palmerston mangroves were rewarding with Mangrove Fantail, an elusive Mangrove Robin and a bonus White-breasted Whistler, but Beach Stone Curlew proved elusive here at both East Point and Lee Point...
local guides |
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Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge Tours
http://www.arnhemlandbirds.com.au/Strarting in 2006, the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge has four exclusive bird tours. In September 2005, renowned Australian bird-watching authority, Dick Eussen, was engaged to conduct a survey of the bird species within a 50 km radius of the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge...
Australian Ornithological Services
http://www.philipmaher.com/main.htmPhilip Maher was born in Deniliquin, in south-western New South Wales in 1954. His interest in natural history was fostered by his parents from a young age. While Philip is an authority on Australian birds generally, his name is synonymous with the Plains-wanderer, a bird of the open plains in inland Australia. In 1980 Philip was with a party of local birders when they came across the Plains-wanderer. He went on to study the species extensively, banding about 600 birds and has shown the species to great numbers of Australian, American and European birders...
Birding Pal
http://www.birdingpal.org/Australianew.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders their area...
EarthFoot
http://www.earthfoot.org/guides/goodfell.htmAs a member of a clan she has responsibilities to certain animals and the environment in which they live. But overall her approach is probably best typified by the humour in her book Fauna of Kakadu and the Top End, and the two birdwatching soirees she organised for national television at the local sewage pond where about seventy Darwin residents turned up in evening dress, and gumboots.
Eden
http://www.foggdam.com.au/Treat yourself to stay at Eden, an organic tropical fruit farm with lots of bush located between Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve and Harrison Dam. Eden is home to abundant species of birds, butterflies, wallabies and other wildlife concentrated in the surrounding wetlands, dams and tropical bush...
John Young Wildlife Tours - Kimberley
http://www.johnyoungwildlife.comJourney through the heart of Australia`s last frontier - The Kimberley region of W.A - discovering World Heritage-listed wilderness areas, ancient cultures, pristine natural landscapes, and abundant bird-life, flora and fauna. Special scenic highlights will include the Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Plateau, Broome, Litchfield National Park, Lake Argyle and more...
Kimberley Birdwatching
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.auKimberley Birdwatching is based in Broome, which is situated in the southwest corner of the Kimberley division. The Kimberley is one of the most exciting and least explored regions for the birdwatcher and naturalist. Our tours also cover the Northern Territory. This company is owned and operated by George Swan (what a great name for a birder) and a jolly nice fella he is too. He will be desperately disappointed if he can`t get you the bird you are after and will turn out for an extra half day or evening to try again. Fatbirder Recommended
Lily-Hopper
mailto:lilyhopper@bigpond.comLily-Hopper provides an opportunity, for individuals and small groups to view and experience a close up exhibition of the unique Top End wetland wildlife, especially birds, from a purpose built vessel along with specialist information and Lily-Hopper quality service.
Northern Territory Bird Specialists
http://www.maryriverpark.com.auWe operate NT Bird Specialists at Mary River Park, Arnhem Highway Northern Territory Australia- Birdwatching tours, accommodation, natural wildlife, crocodiles etc.
places to stay |
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Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge
http://www.arnhemlandbirds.com.au/The comfortable lodge is situated on an escarpment fringe overlooking the Liverpool and Tomkinson River Valleys. You can choose between safari tent accommodation and purpose-designed, large, comfortable and breezy deluxe cabins. The deluxe cabins have spacious en suite bathrooms and a small bar fridge offer a taste of luxury in an otherwise remote and unspoiled environment. The main lodge includes a large, kitchen/dining area, a bar and tasteful dining decor overlooking the river valley...
B&B Club
http://www.bandbclub.com/region/19Listings of a number of B&B`s throughout NT...
Eden at Fogg Dam
http://www.foggdam.com.au/Eden offers quality B&B accommodation overlooking garden to native bush and a salt water pool. Your hosts combine local knowledge with a sensitivity to the needs of visitors. Just 2 km from Fogg Dam Nature Reserve, internationally renowned for bird watching...
Gagudju Lodge Cooinda
http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/nt/kak/glc/glc.htmKakadu is home to about one third of Australia`s bird species and this spectacular natural aviary is well represented at Yellow Water, from the comb-crested Jacana to hawks, eagles and the magnificent Brolga and Jabiru...
Mary River Park
http://www.maryriverpark.com.auWe offer accommodation, camping, river cruises, 4WD tours, and woodland, grassland or wetland bushwalks that are perfect for birdwatching or simply being close to nature. Meals are country hospitality at its best - homestyle meals are served in our tropical design dining room overlooking the woodlands. Meal times are flexible, and are adjusted to suit guests leaving or returning on tours away from Mary River Park.
Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge
http://www.sevenspiritbay.comLocated in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula at the Top End of the Northern Territory in Aboriginal Arnhem Land Australia, where entry is by permit only and extremely limited. The Cobourg Peninsula became the first reserve for the protection of flora and fauna in northern Australia when it was proclaimed in 1924. Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Resort is perfect for the adventurous or those who just want to relax. Adventure into the great diversity of the landscape and learn about the fascinating environments from our experienced guides. Every morning, every afternoon, a different experience is yours to enjoy if you want it...
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Birding & Natural History in the Far North, around Darwin
http://www.earthfoot.org/places/au002.htmPine Creek has the largest variety of birds in the Northern Territory, so the Diggers Rest is an ideal base for your birdwatching tour. Kakadu National Park and Darwin are both a 2 1/2 hour drive on sealed roads, while Litchfield National Park is 1 1/2 hours, and Katherine only 50 minutes away.
Birds of Darwin`s Mangroves and Mudflats
http://www.2docstock.com/BirdsDarwin/Index.htmlDenise Goodfellow`s book, Birds of Darwin`s Mangroves and Mudflats, contains descriptions and illustrations of about 75 bird species found in the mangroves, and on mudflats and saltflats in and around Darwin. It is part of a much larger work, Birds of the Top End, which has recently been published...
Birds of the Katherine Region
http://www.ntbirds.com/As a keen bird watcher with 25 years experience observing and recording birds in the Katherine region of Australia`s Northern Territory, I am pleased to be able to make information available about the region. Bird watching can be so much easier and more rewarding if local knowledge is available of the habits, behaviour and location of birds in an area you are visiting, or planning to visit.
Birds of the Top End
http://www.ntbirds.com/Finding Birds in Kakadu, Darwin & the Top End A NEW 19 page book with maps, notes and directions to good birdwatching sites along 1000km of the Kakadu, Stuart and Victoria Highways for the most sought after Top End Birds...
Birdwatching
http://www.abc.net.au/nt/stories/s1127734.htmThe Ilparpa Swamp and adjacent sewerage ponds are a permanent site which is home to a variety of birds and an important staging point for migratory birds on their way across Australia and overseas...
Birdwatching in Northern Territory
http://www.ausbird.com/nt.htmlA directory of Northern Territory birdwatching tours, birdclubs, freelance-guides, bird-orientated accommodation and reference information.
How to Attract Birds to Your Garden - Top End
http://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/When designing your bird attracting garden, mimic a forest around a clearing. This may be as simple as several different sized trees around a lawn or entertainment area. Plant shrubs and grasses around the edges of the space and the birds will imagine they are on the edge of a forest. Make sure some of the shrubs are dense, to provide shelter and hiding away places. Dead trees or hollow logs will provide nesting sites for kingfishers, rosellas and owls. Trees and shrubs with thorny foliage provide good protection for small birds from predators...
Rainbow Lorikeets
http://www.rainbow.org.nz/Northern%20Territory.htmThe Northern Territory covers an area of over 1,300,000 square kilometres (about six times the area of New Zealand) The Red Collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haemotodus rubritorquis) the western subspecies of the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haemotodus moluccanus); differs mainly in colouration from that species. It inhabits the northern quarter of the Northern Territory, the Kimberly area in the north of West Australia, and the Gulf of Carpentaria coast in the west of Queensland...
artists |
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Artist - Denise Goodfellow
http://www.2docstock.com/BirdsDarwin/Index.htmlBirds of Darwin's Mangroves and Mudflats - Denise Goodfellow's book, Birds of Darwin's Mangroves and Mudflats, contains descriptions and illustrations of about 75 bird species found in the mangroves, and on mudflats and saltflats in and around Darwin. It is part of a much larger work, Birds of the Top End, which has not yet been published.
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