Birds
1. Orange-footed Scrubfowl
Common around Darwin
2. Brown quail
More plentiful this year due to good seasonal conditions. Coveys seen
from Pine Creek through to Kununurra.
3. Magpie goose
As with many of the waterbirds, relatively few were seen, due to the
amount of water still on the floodplains. The most we saw were a few
hundred on the Yellow Water cruise.
4.Plumed whistling-duck
Flocks at Yellow Water, Pine Creek Sewerage Treatment Works (STW) and
Lake Argyle.
5. Wandering whistling-duck
More numerous than the plumed. Flocks in Kakadu NP (including an adult
with young); Lake Argyle; and a large floodplain swamp near Wyndham.
At this latter locality, a large group of adults appeared to be holding
younger birds in a tight flock to protect them from predators.
6. Black swan
Just three were seen on the large floodplain swamp near Wyndham.
7. Rajah shelduck
Good numbers with pairs or small flocks seen most days of the tour.
Adult and young seen at several localities in Kakadu NP and also a brood
of 11 on the Pine Creek STW.
8. Green pygmy goose
Reasonable numbers in Kakadu NP; about 200 seen on Lake Argyle –
the most I have seen at that locality.
9. Pacific black duck
A few around Kununurra; a large congregation of several hundred on the
floodplain near Wyndham; none seen in Kakadu NP this year.
10. Grey teal
Six on the floodplain near Wyndham.
11. Hardhead
Only two seen, one in Kakadu NP, and one on Lake Argyle, where in some
years they are in their thousands.
12. Australasian grebe
Moderate numbers in suitable habitat throughout the tour.
13. Great-crested
grebe
Two on Lake Argyle – the fist records for this tour. Presumedly,
the continuing drought in southern Australia is driving them north.
14. Darter
Moderate numbers in suitable habitat throughout the tour.
15. Little pied cormorant
Numbers and localities almost identical to darter.
16. Pied cormorant
About 30 on Lake Argyle
17. Little black cormorant
Small flocks on the Adelaide River floodplain and Yellow Water; about
50 on Lake Argyle.
18. Australian pelican
Low numbers seen around Darwin and in the Lake Argyle/Wyndham area.
19. White-faced heron
Just one seen while we were en route to Kakadu NP, low numbers seen
most days from Katherine to Wyndham.
20. Little egret
Good numbers around Darwin and Kakadu NP. Scores in a feeding frenzy
with hundreds of royal spoonbills on the floodplain near Wyndham and
to a lesser extent in a small creek near Fogg Dam – the little
egrets working ahead of the massed spoonbills.
21. Eastern reef egret
A few in the Darwin area - mainly the dark phase.
22. White-necked heron
A few seen on most days from Kakadu NP through to Kununurra; mainly
on roadside dams or small swamps.
23. Great-billed heron
A possible sighting of one flying past at dusk at East Point; one calling
well and subsequently seen on two occasions on a billabong near Cooinda.
We were attacked by swarms of voracious mosquitoes at the Cooinda site
but it was worth it to hear the amazing roar of this bird.
24. Pied heron
Good numbers in Darwin, Kakadu NP and Kununurra area – many were
immature birds, indicating a successful breeding season.
25. Great egret
Low numbers recorded most days of the tour; highest numbers on the floodplain
near Wyndham.
26. Intermediate egret
Moderate numbers recorded on the wetlands in Kakadu NP and in the Kununurra/
Wyndham areas. Fifty-plus birds at a few localities.
27. Cattle egret
Moderately common, mainly in areas where livestock was present.
28. Striated heron
A few about Darwin, Mary River, Kakadu NP and Wyndham.
29. Nankeen night-heron
Low numbers around Darwin and Kakadu NP, and one on Lake Argyle.
30. Black bittern
Surprisingly common on the Mary River with about 10 seen on the cruise.
Most of these were juvenile birds that had recently fledged. Another
brief sighting near Cooinda, and another juvenile seen on the Yellow
Water cruise. These numbers contrast sharply to last year when not a
single black bittern was seen on the tour. The prolonged wet season
was clearly beneficial to this species.
31. Glossy Ibis
In excess of 100 at both Yellow Water and the vast shallow floodplain
near Wyndham; just a few on Lake Argyle.
32. Australian white ibis
A few birds seen most days when in wetter areas.
33. Straw-necked ibis
Small flocks seen most days throughout the tour.
34. Royal spoonbill
This species was a spectacle feeding en masse with little egrets at
a small creek draining from Fogg Dam and in the vast shallow floodplain
near Wyndham. The spoonbills moved in tight formation through the shallow
water; the little egrets dashing in front in a feeding frenzy.
35. Black-necked stork (Jabiru)
A few seen most days in wetland areas. One on a nest at Mamukala.
36. Osprey
Only three seen, all from the boat on the Lake Argyle cruise.
37. Black-shouldered kite
Two single birds seen: one on the South Alligator floodplain and one
in Kununurra.
38. Square-tailed kite
An excellent look at an adult working the treetops near Darwin STW and
another more distant bird east of Timber Creek.
39. Black-breasted
buzzard
Quite scarce this year with only three birds seen (all in one day) in
the area from Timber Creek through to the Western Australian border.
40. Black kite
Moderate numbers seen on all but one day. The only significant number
(100s) was seen at a fire south of Darwin on the last day of the tour.
Due to the late wet , the fire season had not started in earnest –
many areas being too green to burn.
41. Whistling kite
This species, seen on every day of the tour, was thriving in the prolonged
wet. Exceptional numbers from Fogg Dam through to Kakadu NP.
42. Brahminy kite
Just a few around Darwin and Wyndham.
43. White-bellied sea-eagle
Seen on most days that we were near the coast or wetland areas, particularly
Darwin to Kakadu NP. On two days in Kakadu NP at least six birds were
seen.
44. Spotted harrier
None seen until a single bird near Wyndham and then the following day
six birds were seen from Kununurra through to Katherine. (We had traversed
this same route five days previously without getting a single spotted
harrier). Possibly their northern migration had been delayed by the
prolonged wet season. An excellent view was had when an adult bird hunted
at low level along a channel bank in the irrigation fields north of
Kununurra.
45. Swamp harrier
One hunting over the South Alligator floodplain and another, presumedly
a migrating bird, up high near Pine Creek.
46. Brown goshawk
About seven birds seen, including several immatures, mainly in the area
Darwin to Kakadu NP to Katherine; and one near Kununurra.
47. Collared sparrowhawk
About four seen, mainly in the drier country between Katherine and Kununurra.
48. Wedge-tail eagle
About 15 seen (same number as 2003), mainly feeding on roadkills between
Katherine and Kununurra.
49. Brown falcon
A few seen on most days of the tour with about six, in the Timber Creek
area, being the highest number seen on one day. The prolonged wet and
lack of burning was probably the reason for these low numbers.
50. Australian hobby
Only three seen for the tour at scattered localities; probably average
for this tour.
51. Peregrine falcon
Just a single bird seen at Noulangie Rock where there is a resident
pair.
52. Nankeen kestrel
About five seen, which is about average (six last year); not common
in the Top End.
53. Brolga
All up, about 35 seen (43 last year). It was great to see that almost
every pair we encountered had an almost full-grown young with them,
particularly between Victoria River and WA border. They had not yet
started to flock due to the late wet and successful breeding.
54. White-browed crake
Just a couple seen at lake Kununurra.
55. Chestnut rail
A single bird seen preening and sunning itself on the edge of the mangroves
near Darwin. You can be lucky sometimes!
56. Purple swamphen
One at Lake Kununurra.
57. Eurasian coot
About twenty at Lake Argyle.
58. Australian bustard
One on the highway between Timber Creek and the WA border; and about
20, mostly males, on the islands in Lake Argyle.
59. Black-tailed godwit
Three out on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
60. Bar-tailed godwit
Two roosting at high tide at Nightcliff.
61. Whimbrel
Six roosting at Nightcliff.
62. Eastern curlew
About six roosting at Buffalo Creek.
63. March sandpiper
About 10 on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
64. Common greenshank
One calling Darwin STW, about 30 on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
65. Grey-tailed tattler
About 10 roosting at Nightcliff66. Ruddy turnstone
One roosting at Nightcliff.
67. Great knot
About 20 roosting at Buffalo Creek, one roosting at Nightcliff.
68. Red-necked stint
About 50 on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
69. Curlew sandpiper
A single bird on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
70. Comb-crested jacana
Moderately common in suitable habitat in Kakadu NP and around Kununurra.
71. Bush stone-curlew
About 15 seen or heard this year: a pair at East Point; six spotlighted
at South Alligator, seen and heard at Cooinda; three seen on the road
before dawn when we were driving out to Lake Argyle; and three roosting
on the grass near Kununurra airport.
72. Beach stone-curlew
An incredible five seen in Darwin, thought to be different individuals:
pair at East Point; single and a pair roosting at Nightcliff.
73. Pied oystercatcher
Pair roosting at Buffalo Creek.
74. Sooty oystercatcher
Pair roosting at Buffalo Creek, and another pair roosting at East Point.
75. Black-winged stilt
Few at Yellow Water and Pine Creek STW; 100s including some with small
young on the floodplain near Wyndham.
76. Red-necked avocet
About 80 on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
77. Grey plover
One roosting at Nightcliff.
78. Red-capped plover
A few at Buffalo Creek and about 50 at the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
79. Black-fronted dotterel
A few at Pine Creek STW, and on a sandbank on the Victoria River. At
least 15 on the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
80. Red-kneed dotterel
A couple at Pine Creek STW, and at least four on the shallow floodplain
near Wyndham.81. Masked lapwing A few seen on all but two days of the
tour. Over 100 present at the shallow floodplain near Wyndham.
82. Australian pratincole
Higher numbers than usual seen this year from Darwin through Kakadu
NP and around Kununurra and Wyndham. In the latter areas from 50 to
80 birds seen at two localities.
83. Silver gull
Just a couple around Darwin.
84. Gull-billed tern
About 40 at Buffalo Creek.
85. Lesser-crested tern
About 10 at Buffalo Creek.
86. Whiskered tern
Flocks around Darwin, Yellow Water, Lake Argyle and Wyndham.
87. White-winged black tern
A single bird in non-breeding plumage at Darwin STW.
88. Emerald dove
A single bird at Buffalo Creek.
89. Crested pigeon
Seen almost daily from Pine Creek through to Wyndham. Highest numbers
around Timber Creek.
90. Spinifex pigeon
About five down the Top Springs Rd, and a couple along the Lake Argyle
Road.
91. Partridge pigeon
About 10 seen, all along the Kakadu Highway.
92. Chestnut-quilled rock-pigeon
About three seen in the Gunlom Falls area. Seemingly no longer present
at Noulangi Rock area where they were once easily seen.
93. Diamond dove
Few in Kakadu; common in dry country from Pine Creek through to the
Wyndham area.
94. Peaceful dove
Common throughout; mainly along watercourses; seen or heard on all but
one day of the tour. Nest with small young seen along the Edith River
and another with eggs near Victoria River.
95. Bar-shouldered dove
Common throughout, seen on all but one day of the tour; more common
in the better watered areas.
96. Banded fruit-dove
A single bird seen from the lookout at Noulangi; probably another flushed
along the trail to the lookout.
97. Rose-crowned fruit-dove
One in the monsoon forest at Buffalo Creek and about four at Howard
Springs – some nice views at the latter locality.
98. Pied imperial pigeon
About 20 or so seen around Darwin.
99. Red-tailed black cockatoo
Common and widespread, seen on every day of the tour. A huge mob of
300 plus birds, feeding in a recently burnt area near Noulangi Rock
was an unforgettable image.
100. Galah
A few about Darwin but mainly seen in small flocks from Pine Creek through
to Wyndham.
101. Little corella
Flocks seen most days from Kakadu NP through to Wyndham.
102. Sulphur-crested cockatoo
Common and widespread; seen on all but two days of the tour; highest
numbers in Kakadu NP.
103. Cockatiel
Just a few seen from Pine Creek through to Timber Creek.
104. Rainbow lorikeet
Common and widespread, seen on all but two days of the tour.
105. Varied lorikeet
Small (flying over) flocks about Darwin, Pine Creek, Victoria River
and Lake Argyle. A single bird finally seen well, feeding in a flowering
bloodwood, down the Top Springs road.
106. Red-winged parrot
Common and widespread seen on all but two days of the tour.
107. Northern rosella
Three in Charles Darwin NP was my first sighting in Darwin. Other
sightings around Pine Creek.
108. Hooded parrot
Only four seen; an adult male and three females near Pine Creek. Certainly
not about in any numbers, presumedly still off breeding. (About 90 seen
on the 2003 tour).
109. Pallid cuckoo
Four seen – more than ever seen on this tour. One near Fogg Dam
and the others were seen from Timber Creek to Wyndham area.
110. Brush cuckoo
Few seen about Darwin; heard at Mary River and near Cooinda.
111. Horsfield's bronze-cuckoo
An adult and an immature seen in an open area near Victoria River.
112. Little bronze-cuckoo
Four birds displaying at Mary River and two in the monsoon forest at
South Alligator.
113. Pheasant coucal
About nine seen from Kakadu NP through to Wyndham.
114. Rufous owl
A single adult in Darwin.
115. Barking owl
Pair roosting at Fogg Dam; four seen while we were spotlighting at South
Alligator; pair calling at Cooinda and at Victoria River.
116. Barn owl
One seen while we were spotlighting at South Alligator and another near
Kununurra.
117. Large-tailed nightjar
One calling at East Point and, for those who braved the mosquitoes,
one flushed during the day in a melaleuca swamp near Cooinda.
118. Spotted nightjar
A beautiful pair spotlighted at South Alligator.
119. Australian owlet nightjar
One in its usual hollow near Cooinda.
120. Azure kingfisher
About 12 seen or heard from Darwin to Kakadu NP; six seen while we were
on the Yellow water cruise; and one along the creek at the top of the
escarpment at Gunlom.
121. Little kingfisher
One seen briefly in the mangroves at Palmerston.
122. Blue-winged kookaburra
Common and widespread; seen or heard on all but four days of the tour.
Very common on the wires around Tmber Creek.
123. Forest kingfisher
Moderately common about Darwin and Kakadu NP, not seen elsewhere.
124. Red-backed kingfisher
Few on the wires around Fogg Dam; seen or heard almost daily from Victoria
River to Wyndham; at least eight between Kununurra and Wyndham. Numbers
well up on previous years.
125. Sacred kingfisher
A few seen most days throughout the tour. Numbers also up on previous
years.
126. Collared kingfisher
A pair in the mangroves along Tiger Brennan Drive.
127. Rainbow bee-eater
Common and widespread; good numbers seen most days of the tour. Large
flocks on the move in the Kununurra area.
128. Rainbow pitta
Single birds seen at Buffalo Creek, Howard Springs and Fogg Dam; another
calling in the monsoon forest at South Alligator.
129. Black-tailed treecreeper
Pairs or singles seen most days from Kakadu NP through to Kununurra.
A stunning bird when seen well.
130. Purple-crowned fairy-wren
About six groups in the canegrass along Victoria River, all the males
were in full colour; another pair seen in canegrass at Big Horse Creek,
west of Timber Creek.
131. Variegated fairy-wren
race dulcis
Two pairs of this stunning race seen, one in the Nourlangi area and
another at Gunlom.
race rogersi
A group of about six seen while we were searching for black grasswren
near Merton Falls. The females, particularly, of these two races are
striking.
132. Red-backed fairy-wen
Groups seen in woodland from Kakadu NP through to the Wyndham. There
were still some brilliantly coloured males around due to the late wet.
133. Black grasswren
At least five seen after a tough search in the Merton Falls area. Both
males and females seen.
134. White-throated grasswren
Three birds (two males/one female) located at Gunlom who were quite
bold; one of the most stunning birds in Australia.
135. Red-browed pardalote
The distinctive call heard often in the Victoria River and Timber Creek
areas. After searching several trees, two were well seen east of Timber
Creek.
136. Striated pardalote
A few seen or heard most days of the tour. Very common along the Victoria
River they nest in the eroded sandbanks.
137. Weebill
Common and widespread in eucalyptus woodland.
138. Mangrove gerygone
Common in mangroves in at Wyndham; several of the attractive yellow-throated
juveniles seen.
139. Green-backed gerygone
A couple at Buffalo Creek and another at Adelaide River.
140. Helmeted friarbird
Common in the mangroves around Darwin.
141. Silver-crowned friarbird
Common, feeding in flowering grevilleas in Kakadu NP and seen across
to Victoria River. Also common on the Mitchell Plateau.
142. Little friarbird
Common and widespread in the drier woodland.
143. Blue-faced honeyeater
Common and widespread, seen on most days of the tour. Adult on a nest
(on top of an old babbler nest).
144. Yellow-throated miner
A few about Pine Creek and along the road into Lake Argyle.
145. White-lined honeyeater
Around five feeding in flowering grevilleas at Nourlangi Rock; calling
at Gunlom; one on the Mitchell Plateau.
146. Singing honeyeater
A few from Victoria River through to Kununurra.
147. White-gaped honeyeater
Common and widespread; seen most days of the tour, mainly along watercourses.
148. Grey-fronted honeyeater
One seen briefly in stony country near the WA border.
149. Yellow-tinted honeyeater
Moderately common from the Katherine area through to Kununurra, most
common around Timber Creek.
150. Black-chinned honeyeater (golden-backed form: race laetior)
Four of these delightful birds seen west of Katherine and another pair
near Timber Creek.
151. White-throated honeyeater
Common in the higher rainfall areas; none seen Timber Creek to Kununurra.
152. Brown honeyeater
Common and widespread, seen or heard most days of the tour.
153. Bar-breasted honeyeater
Moderately common at Fogg Dam and Yellow Water; two at Timber Creek;
one at the Mitchell Plateau. Mainly found along watercourses.
154. Rufous-banded honeyeater
Common around Darwin and Kakadu NP.
155. Rufous-throated honeyeater
Seen daily from Katherine to Wyndham, flocks feeding in the flowering
bauhinias Lysiphyllum cunninghamii.
156. Banded honeyeater
A few seen most days from the south end of Kakadu NP to Wyndham. Highest
numbers in the woodland west of Victoria River where the bloodwoods
were in flower.
157. Dusky honeyeater
Few in Kakadu NP and around Katherine.
158. Red-headed honeyeater
Common in the Darwin mangroves, a couple in the Wyndham mangroves.
159. Yellow chat
A flock of about 15 (adults and immatures) located along the shore of
Lake Argyle while we were on the cruise. We eventually had some nice
looks at an adult male.
160. Jacky winter
A few pairs in the dry woodland between Victoria River and Kununurra.
161. Lemon-bellied flycatcher
Quite a few sightings about Darwin, Kakadu NP and Katherine.
162. Mangrove robin
A pair in the mangroves along Tiger Brennan Drive and another pair at
Palmerston.
163. White-browed robin
Calling at Mary River; a pair at Yellow Water and three at Timber Creek.
164. Grey-crowned babbler
Few about Darwin and Kakadu NP; more common in the drier country from
Pine Creek to Wyndham. A town bird in Pine Creek.
165. Varied sittella (white-winged form)
Quite a few sightings of this delightful bird in the dry woodland from
Kakadu NP to Timber Creek. Adults feeding young in a nest near Timber
Creek.
166. Crested shrike-tit (northern)
Two or three birds seen west of Katherine, fairly shy and hard to approach,
possibly nesting – one bird appeared to be carrying nesting material.
Both male and female seen reasonably well. The most obvious difference
from southern birds appeared to be a narrower black band across the
throat.
167. Mangrove golden whistler
Heard only at Adelaide River.
168. Grey whistler
Common in the mangroves and monsoon forest about Darwin and a few in
the northern part of Kakadu NP.
169. Rufous whistler
Common and widespread; seen most days from Darwin through to Wyndham.
170. White-breasted whistler
An adult female seen in the mangroves at Palmerston. They have been
present at this locality for over a year now.
171. Little shrike-thrush
Three in the mangroves at Palmerston; calling at Mary River (north end)
and one seen in monsoon forest at South Alligator.
172. Sandstone shrike-thrush
None seen in Kakadu NP this year, which is the first time we have missed
them; four on an island in Lake Argyle; and two on the Mitchell Plateau.
173. Grey Shrike-thrush
A few seen or heard in dry woodland from Kakadu NP to Timber Creek.
174. Broad-billed flycatcher
Moderately common in the mangroves about Darwin; lots at Fogg Dam where
a bird sitting on a beautiful nest was seen; and quite a few seen while
we were on the Yellow Water cruise.
175. Leaden flycatcher
Quite a few sightings from Darwin through to Wyndham.
176. Shining flycatcher
Common in the mangroves and riverine vegetation about Darwin and the
north end of Kakadu NP. Abundant around Cooinda and Yellow Water.
177. Restless flycatcher
Very common on the Yellow Water cruise; moderately common at Fogg Dam,
Kakadu NP and across to Timber Creek.
178. Magpie lark
Very common and widespread; large flocks about Timber Creek and Kununurra.
179. Rufous fantail
Sightings in the mangroves at Darwin; monsoon forest at South Alligator;
about six seen while we were on the Yellow Water cruise; and one in
the mangroves near Wyndham.
180. Mangrove grey fantail
Three in the mangroves at Palmerston and about six inquisitive birds
in the mangroves at Wyndham.
181. Northern fantail
Quite a few sightings around Darwin and the northern half of Kakadu
NP; one at Edith River near Katherine.
182. Willy wagtail
Seen everywhere apart from the Darwin area.
183. Spangled drongo
Moderately common about Darwin and Kakadu NP; one on Mitchell Plateau.
184. Black-faced cuckoo-shrike
Common and widespread; seen on all but one day of the tour; highest
numbers about Timber Creek and Kununurra.
185. White-bellied cuckoo-shrike
Common and widespread, numbers exceeding that of Black-faced cuckoo-shrike;
Very common in Kakadu NP; only a few sightings in the drier country
west of Timber Creek.
186. Cicadabird
A simple bird in the monsoon forest at South Alligator.
187. Ground cuckoo-shrike
Seven birds flew over, up high, travelling west, down the Top Springs
Rd.
188. White-winged triller
Sightings from Darwin to Wyndham; abundant from Victoria River to Wyndham.
189. Varied triller
Quite a few sightings from Darwin to the northern half of Kakadu NP.
190. Yellow Oriole
Common from Darwin to the northern half of Kakadu NP; abundant at Fogg
Dam; heard in Katherine.
191. Figbird
Common around Darwin; few in Kakadu NP and Katherine.
192. White-breasted woodswallow
Common and widespread.
193. Black-faced woodswallow
Few along the road into Fogg Dam; many seen daily from south of Cooinda
to Wyndham; abundant from Katherine to the WA border.
194. Little woodswallow
Seen in low numbers most days from the escarpment country in Kakadu
NP to the Mitchell Plateau; abundant around Timber Creek.
195. Black butcherbird
The melodious call heard at Buffalo Creek and three quiet birds seen
at Nightcliff.
196. Grey butcherbird
(silver-backed)
A close encounter when a bird at Adelaide River War Cemetery perched
on our picnic table.
197. Pied butcherbird
Seen most days in the drier woodland from Pine Creek to Wyndham.
198. Australian magpie
Just a few about Kununurra and Lake Argyle.
199. Torresian crow
Common in all areas apart from around Darwin.
200. Great bowerbird
Common in all areas apart from around Darwin. A nice bower seen in Pine
Creek.
201. Singing bushlark
Groups seen around Timber Creek and along the road into Lake Argyle.
202. Zebra finch
Small flocks around Kununurra and Wyndham.
203. Double-barred finch
Sightings of pairs and small groups from Darwin to Wyndham.
204. Long-tailed finch
Small flocks seen daily from Kakadu NP through to Wyndham. Several pairs
nesting near Timber Creek.
205. Masked finch
Small flocks seen daily from Kakadu NP through to Wyndham as per the
long-tails, although more common than long-tails west of Timber Creek.
An adult building a nest near Edith River.
206. Crimson finch
Good numbers seen, mainly along watercourses from Darwin to Wyndham.
207. Star finch
Quite a few seen from Victoria River through to Wyndham. Mainly seen
in small flocks indicating that they were probably still breeding due
to the late wet.
208. Yellow-rumped
mannikin
A few, with star finches near Victoria River and some nice adults, also
with star finches, in the irrigation country north of Kununurra.
209. Chestnut-breasted mannikin
A couple near Fogg Dam and small flocks near Victoria River and in the
irrigation country north of Kununurra.
210. Pictorella mannikin
About 10 juveniles east of Timber Creek; a nice adult down the Bullita
Rd; another adult down the Lake Argyle Rd; and about six between Wyndham
and Kununurra.
211. Gouldian finch
About 100, mainly juveniles east of Timber Creek feeding in a freshly
burnt area. A few nice red and black headed males were with them. There
was no need for them to come to waterholes this year as there was water
everywhere.
212. Mistletoebird
Heard on nearly every day of the tour but seen only on a couple of occasions.
213. Tree marten
Seen in low numbers from Darwin through to Wyndham.
214. Fairy marten
Only in the western areas from Victoria River to Wyndham where they
were in good numbers, greatly outnumbering the tree martens.
215. Clamorous reed warbler
Just a few at Lake Kununurra.
216. Rufous songlark
Just two seen: one near Timber Creek and another on the road in to Lake
Argyle.
217. Brown songlark
About six in grassland along the highway between Timber Creek and the
WA border.
218. Zitting cisticola
A couple seen briefly on the South Alligator floodplain.
219. Golden-headed cisticola
Common and widespread, seen most days of the tour.
230. Yellow white-eye
Only a few seen in the mangroves at Palmerston; common in the mangroves
at Wyndham.
Mammals
231. Agile wallaby
Seen in moderate numbers throughout the tour, many roadkills west of
Katherine.
232. Antilopine wallaroo
Only a roadkill seen near Timber Creek.
233. Black wallaroo
Two adults including one with a joey at Nourlangi Rock
234. Euro
A few seen in the Lake Argyle area.
235. Northern nailtail wallaby
Five of these great mammals seen on an island in Lake Argyle.
236. Short-eared rock wallaby
One in the Nourlangie area and about four on an island in Lake Argyle.
237. Black flying fox
Hundreds roosting along the Mary River.
238. Northern brushtail
One briefly at East Point
239. Monjon
One flushed at Merton Falls.
240. Dingo
Six spotlighted at South Alligator; two others seen during the day in
Kakadu NP; a lovely healthy dog on the road to Lake Argyle; and another
between Kununurra and Wyndham.
Feral mammals
241. Feral donkey
About six, all between Timber Creek and Kununurra.
242. Feral pig
About 10 seen while we were on the Yellow Water cruise.
243. Water buffalo
After some initial confusion about size, one was seen while we were
on the Yellow Water cruise.
244. Feral cat
One west of Katherine
245. Wild horse
Few in Kakadu NP and in the Timber Creek area.
246. Wild cattle
Few in the Lake Argyle area
Reptiles
247. Estuarine crocodile
Sightings around Darwin, Mary River and Kakadu NP; a huge specimen in
the Mary River although not seen well.
248. Freshwater crocodile
Common on the Mary River and at Lake Argyle.
249. Northern goanna
Few about Darwin, Fogg Dam and west of Katherine.
250. Gould's goanna
One in Kakadu NP; west of Katherine; and near Wyndham.
251. Merton's water goanna
A couple seen while we were on the Mary River and Yellow Water cruises.
252. Frilled lizard
One along the highway near South Alligator.
253. Two-lined dragon
A couple at Fogg Dam.
254. Slaty-grey snake
One in the creek near Darwin STW.
255. Orange-naped (moon) snake
One spotlighted on the road near South Alligator.
256. Olive python
One fresh roadkill, about 3 metres in length, south of Cooinda.
257. Black-headed python
One seemingly dead specimen on the road west of Katherine gave us a
start when I was about to remove it from the road and it showed a certain
amount of life. Sadly, it was in a bad way. About 2.5 metres in length,
258. Brown tree-snake
One crossing the road south of Cooinda.
Darwin/Kakadu/Kununurra
Tour itinerary 2005
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