Darwin —Kakadu National Park — Kunanurra
25th June - 8th July 2002
Tour leader: Philip Maher
Day
1- 2, 25th
& 26th June, Darwin:
Mangroves, monsoon rainforest, wetlands & Botanic Gardens
Meet at 6.30 a.m.
for breakfast. This morning, if the tide is right, we will bird the Darwin mangroves.
The most difficult species in the mangroves is Chestnut Rail, while the more
easily seen species include Red-headed Honeyeater, Yellow White-eye, Broad-billed
Flycatcher and Large-billed and Mangrove Gerygones. Mangrove Robin and Collared
Kingfisher are also possible. Later we will visit some patches of monsoon rainforest
where we have a chance for the spectacular Rainbow Pitta, as well as Rose-crowned
Fruit-Dove. Nearby wetlands and mudflats should give us a good variety of waterbirds
and shorebirds.
Darwin Botanic Gardens:
Species that often inhabit the gardens include Green-backed Gerygone, Helmeted
Friarbird and sometimes, overwintering Pied Imperial Pigeon. We also have a
chance for Rufous Owl, which is one of our more difficult owls.
Overnight: Darwin
Day
3, 27th June, Darwin to South Alligator River
We leave Darwin today, heading east to Kakadu National Park and stopping off
at world renown hot-spot: Fogg Dam. Common species here include Egrets (4 spp.),
Glossy Ibis, Radjah Shelduck, Magpie Goose, Jabiru, Pied Heron and Jacana. With
luck, we might see White-browed Crake. En route to Kakadu NP we will keep an
eye out for one of our rarest raptors, the Red Goshawk. Other woodland birds
could include Red-backed Fairy-wren, Black-tailed Tree-creeper and Red-winged
Parrot. Spotlighting tonight might produce Spotted Nightjar, Barking and Barn
Owls, Agile Wallaby, Northern Brushtail and Dingo.
Overnight: Kakadu Resort
Day
4, 28th June,
South Alligator area
A large patch of monsoon forest near South Alligator River should produce Figbird,
Grey Whistler, Little Bronze-cuckoo and Rufous Fantail. Moving east into the
park, we visit some of Kakadu’s famous wetlands where we should see Green
Pygmy Goose and Wandering and Plumed Whistle-Ducks, plus large concentrations
of other waterbirds. Also for the first time we will see the spectacular Arnhem
Land escarpment and visit one of Kakadu’s major Aboriginal rock art sites.
We will be keeping a watchful eye skywards for Black-breasted Buzzard and Square-tailed
Kite – two of our best raptors – as well as Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.
The escarpment country should produce the first of the Arnhem Land endemics:
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, plus White-lined Honeyeater and Sandstone Shrike-thrush.
Accommodation: Gagudgi Lodge
Day
5, 29th June, Cooinda
We will head further into Kakadu NP this morning. Woodland birds being sought
include Partridge Pigeon and Chestnut-backed Button-quail; Kakadu NP is now
the stronghold for these species. Varied Lorikeets might be about if the eucalypts
or grevilleas are flowering. The melaleuca swamps have a great variety of waterbirds
and are also good for bush birds. Here we could get Bar-breasted, White-gaped
and Rufous-throated Honeyeaters, plus Grey Goshawk and Brush Cuckoo.
Accommodation: Gagudgi Lodge
Day
6, 30th June, Cooinda to Mary River
Early morning will see us cruising the beautiful Yellow Waters’ lagoons
for close encounters with waterbirds and crocs. Among the large variety of possible
water birds are the stately Jabiru, both species of whistle-duck, Green Pygmy-goose,
Radjah Shelduck, Nankeen Night-heron, four species of egrets, Pied Heron and
any number of Magpie Geese. Later we again bird the Arnhem Land escarpment,
seeking Banded Fruit-Dove and offering more chances for White-lined Honeyeater,
Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Sandstone Strike-thrush.
Overnight: Mary River
Day
7, 1st July, Mary River to Pine Creek area
An early start this morning as we make our way back to the Arnhem Land escarpment
as we make our final assault on the Arnhem Land endemics. Leaving the best 'til
last, we seek the delightful but elusive White-throated Grasswren in amongst
the boulders and spinifex at the top of the escarpment. Leaving Kakadu NP and
travelling west towards Pine Creek, we seek Hooded Parrot. This quite rare and
beautiful parrot nests in termite mounds and inhabits the stony hills, often
feeding in recently burnt areas. The Pine Creek/Katherine area is the last stronghold
for this species.
Overnight: Bonrook Lodge, near Pine Creek.
Day
8, 2nd July, Pine Creek to Victoria River
The lawn at Bonrook Lodge is a good place to view Northern Rosella. Today gives
us another chance today for Hooded Parrot as well as an opportunity for Goudian
Finch, which like the Hooded Parrot prefers the newly burnt areas in the stony
hills. Finches usually abound in this area and we should see Masked, Long-tailed
and Double-barred coming in to drink. After lunch we will travel into the dry
country west of Katherine, watching out en route for Budgerigar, Diamond Dove
and Cockatiel.
Overnight: Victoria River Hotel
Day
9, 3rd July, Victoria River to Timber Creek
Birding the canegrass along the Victoria River should deliver us Purple-crowned
Fairy-wren, Yellow-rumped Mannikin and Star Finch. These species have declined
in number and have a restricted distribution. Fresh water crocodiles are also
common in the Victoria River. We then head west to bird the dry woodland for
species such as Red-browed Pardalote and Red-backed Kingfisher.
Overnight: Timber Creek Motel
Day
10, 4th July, Timber Creek to Kunanurra
We have another chance this morning for the ever-declining Gouldian Finch that
can often be seen at water in Timber Creek. Black-chinned (golden-backed form),
Yellow-tinted, Rufous-throated, Grey-fronted and Banded Honeyeaters are some
of the species which are seen in the flowering eucalypts and grevilleas in the
area. After lunch, we shall continue west, crossing the Western Australia border.
We will keep an eye out for Pictorella Mannikin and raptors, such as Square-tailed
Kite and Black-breasted Buzzard.
Overnight: Kununurra
Day
11, 5th July, Kununurra
We will take a boat trip on Lake Argyle this morning where a big bird list is
assured. Notable species include Yellow Chat, White-quilled Rock-Pigeon, White-browed
Crake and Tawny Grassbird and a great list of waterbirds, as well as Short-eared
Rock Wallaby. Later we should have close up views of the delightful Spinifex
Pigeon and we will check out reed beds for crakes and bitterns.
Overnight: Kununurra
Day
12, 6th July, Kununurra
Driving north-west this morning to Wyndham, we will check out areas en route
for finches, including Pictorella Mannikin and Gouldian Finch — if we still
need those species. In Wyndham, we will explore the mangroves for White-breasted
Whistler, Mangrove Grey Fantail and the Kimberley form of Lemon-breasted Flycatcher.
Later we will visit grassy plains and swamps where we have a chance for Flock
Bronzewing and Australian Pratincole and several species of button-quail. Spotted
Harrier and Black Falcon frequent this area; and there is always the chance
of rare shorebirds.
Overnight: Kununurra
Day
13, 7th July, Kununurra - Katherine
Today we start our journey back to Darwin, stopping for anything that takes
our interest.
Overnight: Katherine
Day
14, 8th July, Katherine -
Darwin
We will arrive in Darwin early evening.
Overnight: Darwin
Cost: $4,620.00 AUD
single supplement applies
includes 10% GST
&
-accommodation, meals, park entry
fees and transport. Cost does not include airfares.
-meals will be covered from breakfast on day 1 to dinner on day 14. Participants
pay for their own breakfasts on the 9th July.
-motel accommodation from 24th June to and including 8th July.
Luggage: Restricted to 2 bags per person, preferably soft bags
Weather: Warm to hot, mostly dry - expect temperatures from 25 -35 C (75 -95
F)
There is no camping on this
tour.
Field Guides:
The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds, Slater P, et al. publ. Landsdowne
Press
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia,
Pizzey G & Knight F
publ. Angus & Robertson 1997
The Birds of Australia -a book
of identification, Simpson K & Day N
publ. Lloyd O’Neil Pty Ltd
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