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  • Itineraries
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Trip Reports 2015

List of sightings and reports from recent tours  


 

Route travelled on the Best of Top End Birding Tour

 

 

 

Tour-Best of Top End Birding  7 – 14 August 2015

Weather: Temp range from 10 to 35 Celcius, low humidity

Guide Mike Jarvis, Guests Trevor and Lynne Rackstraw from the UK, Andrew and Anna Knowlson and Neil McKinlay and Pam Hazelwood from NSW.

Trip Highlights

Day 1 Darwin to Pine Creek
Bush breakfast at Dudley Point. Great day with Rainbow Pitta, Bush and Beach Stone-curlew at East Point. Red-headed Honeyeater at Rapid Creek. Picnic lunch at Rapid Creek. Pink-eared Duck and Red-kneed Dotterel at Pine Creek STP. About 50 Hooded Parrots flying over at Pine Creek plus great close-up views.
Dinner and bird call at Railway Resort, 82 species seen.
Pine Creek Sewerage Treatment Plant... only birders and ducks understandPink-eared Duck at Pine Creek Sewerage PondsHooded Parrot at Pine Creek, one of about 40 we eventually saw there

 


 Day 2 Pine Creek to Victoria River Roadhouse
Bush breakfast at Fergusson River. Not many Gouldians but those we saw were brilliantly coloured mature Red and Black-headed male and female. Amazing volume and intensity of birds. We had great views of Yellow-rumped Mannikins in a flock of about forty with some Purple-crowned Fairy wrens at Victoria River Roadhouse. 
Dinner accommodation and bird call at Victoria River Roadhouse, 58 species seen.Pam has a great shot of a Gouldian!Breakfast with Gouldians and other birds at Fergusson River

Birding location in the Victoria River District

 

Day 3 Victoria River Roadhouse to Timber Creek
Bush breakfast at Escarpment lookout carpark. White-browed Woodswallows at Escarpment Lookout. Great view of Blue-winged Kookaburra in lovely light. Lunch and dinner at Policeman’s Point. Gouldian Finches showed up on Escarpment Lookout location while we were looking for Grey-fronted Honeyeater. Cockatiels and Red-backed Kingfisher at the airfield. Two Black-necked Storks at Policeman’s Point. Accommodation at Wirib. Dinner and bird call at Policeman’s Point, 50 species seen.
On the Escarpment Walk

 

Brown Honeyeater and juvenile Banded Honeyeater facing off on the Escarpment Walk, near Victoria River Roadhouse

 

Day 4 Timber Creek to Katherine
Breakfast at Bullita access waterhole. Saw quite a range of birds including a Black-necked Stork. Stopped at Dingo Springs Creek, greeted by a very friendly pair of Hooded Robins. Saw Chestnut-breasted and Yellow-rumped Mannikins, Crimson Finches and a Buff-sided Robin. Saw an Australian Magpie on Victoria Highway between Dingo Springs and Flora River NP. Picnic lunch at Flora National Park and then we continued on to Katherine and Nitmiluk. Had great views of a Great-billed Heron on the Katherine River. Trevor yelled out 'Bustard!!' and  we turned around to see two Australian Bustards on the side of the road on returning to Katherine. This inspired a bit of friendly banter between the Aussies and Brits on board, resulting in the following limerick composed by Trevor....

If you see an Australian Bustard
Be thoughtful just what you howl
If you're tempted to shout
To point it out
Be glad of the fortunate vowel! 

Trevor (the Pommie bustard).

Dinner and bird call at the Pine Tree Hotel. 50 species seen.
Dingo Springs yielded some surprises including Hooded Robin, Buff-sided Robin, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and Yellow-rumped Mannikin

 

Male Hooded Robin at Dingo Springs, bothe male and female were present and posed boldly for photos in typical robin styleTwo Australian Bustards were spotted by Trevor on the Katherine Gorge Road

 

Making the most of a viewing opportunity - Bustards!!Day 5 Katherine to Kakadu
Bush breakfast at Edith Falls road. Many Gouldians and other finches came to drink. Red-winged Parrots and Black-necked Stork. Nesting White-breasted Woodswallows at Pine Creek. Lunch at Harriot Creek, Pheasant Coucals, Brown Goshawk and Silver-backed Butcherbirds were seen. We continued on to the Warradjan Centre, looked at the display, and had ice-creams. Then we joined the 4.30 Yellow Water Cruise, highlights were Black Bittern, Azure Kingfisher, Glossy Ibis and Comb-crested Jacana. 
Dinner and bird call at Aurora and accommodation at Anbinik. 82 species seen.
Breakfast with Gouldian Finches again...



Day 6 Explore Kakadu
Bush breakfast at Anbangbang, About six Partridge Pigeons were on the road and in the grass on the way to Burrunggui. Rock Art and Rainbow Pitta on the circuit walk around the rock. Lunch at Jabiru Lake. Rainbow Pitta at Burrungui. Several Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeons at Ubirr and a Rainbow Pitta at Manngarre.
Dinner and bird call at Aurora. 60 species seen.
Wilkin's Rock Wallaby munching on a pandanus fruit at Ubirr

Day 7 Kakadu to Mary River
Bush breakfast at Mamukala, Bar-Breasted Honeyeaters and Red-backed Fairy-wrens were sighted. Views out over the wetland revealed thousands of birds and was a breathtaking sight. We stopped at South Alligator River where we saw the Canary White-eye and broadbilled flycatcher. More Australian Bustards were sighted as we turned off the main road. Lunch was at the Bark Hut where we sighted an emu at last. Unfortunately it was a captive! Then on to Mary River, where some went on a river cruise and saw a Great-billed Heron. Others went walking and saw a white morph Grey Goshawk and a dead Cane Toad. 
Dinner and bird call was enjoyed at the Mary River Wilderness Retreat restaurant. 86 species seen.
Canary (Yellow) White-eye at the South Alligator River boat ramp
Magpie Geese at Mamukala


Mamukala Bird HideDay 8 Mary River to Darwin
Our last bush breakfast was on the Marrakai track, and we had about 100 Gouldians join us, plus a brief showing of Northern Rosellas. Our main target for the Marrakai was the Blacktailed Treecreeper, which we heard at breakfast but didn’t see. Searched up and down, saw Buff-sided Robin at Margaret River but still no treecreeper. We stopped and took photos of a Spotted Harrier not far from the Arnhem Highway T-junction, and then had great views of Black-tailed Treecreeper! Lunch was at Corroboree Park and then we continued on to Fogg Dam. Here we had several Australian Pratincoles and 1000’s of Pied Heron, as well as nearly every other water bird. We spent about an hour at Charles Darwin National Park, saw Varied Lorikeets and Red-headed Honeyeaters. Return to Palm City Resort. 83 species seen.
Spotted Harrier crossing the Marrakai track

Little Woodswallows questioning a Banded Honeyeaters right to share their tree!!

Total of 155 bird species for the trip.

Back row l-r Trevor, Andrew, Mike Front row Lynne, Anna, Pam, Neil

Sightings and locations

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt
East Point, Manngarre walk, Ubirr, Charles Darwin National Park

Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora Vic Highway, Timber Creek Airfield

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata
Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna
arcuata Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah Bridge Creek Dam, Pine Creek STP, Katherine, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala and Mary River, Fogg Dam

Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus Pine Creek STP

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Mary River, Fogg Dam

Grey Teal Anas gracilis Pine Creek STP

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Pine Creek STP, Yellow Water, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Hardhead Aythya australis Pine Creek STP

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Pine Creek STP, Anbangbang, Mamukala

Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Timber Creek Airfield, Katherine, Pine Creek

Partridge Pigeon Geophaps smithii Anbangbang

Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis Ubirr

Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata Pine Creek STP, Fergusson River, Edith Falls road

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata Everywhere, every day

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 1 Everywhere, every day

Pied Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bicolor East Point

Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Rapid Creek

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae East Point, Bridge Creek Dam, Policeman's Point, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Mary River, Fogg Dam

Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucosEast Point, Fergusson River, Victoria River, Fergusson River, Policeman's Point, Bullita Access Road, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Mary River, Fogg Dam

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Bridge Creek Dam, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Marrakai Track, Fogg Dam

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax variusYellow Water, Mary River, Marrakai track

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatusYellow Water, Anbangbang, Mary River

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticusStuart Highway, Bullita Access waterhole, Yellow Water

Black Bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis Yellow Water

White-necked Heron Ardea pacificaBullita Access road, Yellow Water,

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermediaAnbangbang, Mamukala, Mary River

Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Nitmiluk, Mary River 

Great Egret Ardea alba Bridge Creek Dam, Mamukala, Marrakai track, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Cattle Egret Ardea ibis Yellow Water, Fogg Dam

Striated Heron Butorides striata East Point

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae Katherine, Victoria River Roadhouse

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Bridge Creek Dam, Fogg Dam

Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra East Point Grey and White morphs.

Nankeen Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Yellow Water, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Mary River, Fogg Dam

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca Everywhere, every day

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Everywhere, every day

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regiaBridge Creek Dam, Yellow Water, Mamukala

Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon Bullita Access waterhole, Vic Highway, Kakadu Highway, Marrakai track

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus Everywhere, every day

Black Kite Milvus migrans Everywhere, every day

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Fergusson River, Edith Falls road, Harriot Creek, Mamukala

Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiaeMary River Park, white morph seen by Trevor and I

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Marrakai track

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Vic River Escarpment Walk, Marrakai track

Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides Vic Hway, Arnhem Highway, Marrakai track

Brown Falcon Falco berigora Stuart Highway, Arnhem Highway, Marrakai track

Brolga Grus rubicunda Yellow Water, Fogg Dam

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Yellow Water, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis East Point

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Anbangbang, Mamukala

Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis Katherine Gorge Road, South Alligator River floodplain

Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius East Point, heard most nights

Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris East Point rocks, four birds

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pine Creek STP, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops Bridge Creek Dam, Pine Creek STP, Fogg Dam

Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus Pine Creek STP

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Almost everywhere, every day

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea Bridge Creek Dam, Yellow Water, Anbangbang, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos East Point

Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes East Point

Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis East Point

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica East Point, Yellow Water, Mamukala

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Yellow Water, Fogg Dam

Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii East Point

Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae East Point

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii Everywhere, every day

Galah Eolophus roseicapillus Most places, most days

Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea Everywhere, every day

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Everywhere, every day

Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus Pine Creek, Stuart Highway, Timber Creek Airfield, Edith Falls

Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis Everywhere, every day

Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor Fergusson River, Escarpment Walk, Marrakai track, Charles Darwin National Park

Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Most places, most days

Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus Marrakai track

Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis 50+ Pine Creek

Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus Escarpment Walk heard, Harriot Creek, Mamukala

Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Yellow Water, Mamukala

Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azureus Yellow Water

Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii Most places, most days

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii East Point, Rapid Creek, Yellow Water, Ubirr, Mamukala, Marrakai, Fogg Dam

Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius Timber Creek Airfield, Marrakai, Fogg Dam

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus East Point, Mamukala, Marrakai track

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Everywhere, every day

Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris East Point, Burrunggui, Manngarre walk

Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura Marrakai track

Great Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis Most places, everyday

Purple-crowned Fairy-wren Malurus coronatusEscarpment Walk, Vic River Roadhouse

Red-backed Fairy-wren Malurus melanocephalus Timber Creek Airfield, Bullita Access Road, Dingo Springs, Mamukala, Marrakai track

Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Edith Falls road, Marrakai track

Green-backed Gerygone Gerygone chloronota East Point, Adelaide River bridge

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Rapid Creek, Fergusson River, Marrakai track

White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor Everywhere, every day

Grey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus Timber Creek Escarpment

Yellow-tinted Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavescens Timber Creek Airfield, Flemington Yards, Policeman's Point, Bullita Access Road, Dingo Springs

Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis Fergusson River, everywhere in the drier, southern parts

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura East Point, Rapid Creek, Fergusson River, Burrunggui, Mary River, Marrakai

Red-headed Honeyeater Myzomela erythrocephala Rapid Creek, Charles Darwin National Park

Banded Honeyeater Cissomela pectoralis Fergusson River, Dingo Springs Creek, Edith Falls Road, Marrakai track

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta Everywhere, every day

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis Everywhere, every day

Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Most places, most days

Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides Burrunggui (Sandstone race), Charles Darwin National Park

Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps Fergusson River, Escarpment Walk, Vic River, Burrunggui, Mary River, Marrakai, Charles Darwin National Park

Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Most places, most days

Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Pine Creek, Fergusson River, Mamukala, Marrakai track

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Most places, most days

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis Everywhere, every day

White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii Everywhere, every day

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela East Point, Ubirr, Mary River, Fogg Dam, Charles Darwin National Park

Brown (Grey) Whistler Pachycephala simplex East Point

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris Most places, most days

Little Shrike-thrush Colluricincla megarhyncha East Point

Sandstone Shrike-thrush Colluricincla woodwardi Timber Creek Airfield

Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti East Point and Pine Creek

Green Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus East Point, Fergusson River, Katherine, Burrunggui, Ubirr, South Alligator, Mary River Park

Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus Burrunggui, Mary River Park

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus Many places, most days

White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Escarpment Walk

Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus Pine Creek STP, Vic Highway, Dingo Springs Creek, Edith Falls road,

Little Woodswallow Artamus minorUbirr, Mary River, Marrakai track

Silver-backed Butcherbird Cracticus argenteus Harriot Creek

Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularisFergusson River, Katherine, Stuart Highway

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus Rapid Creek, Ubirr, Mary River Park, Fogg Dam

Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas East Point, Mary River Park, Marrakai track

Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa Fergusson River

Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris East Point, Yellow Water, Burrungui, Mary River Park

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Everywhere, every day

Torresian Crow Corvus orru Everywhere, every day

Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis South Alligator River, Mary River, Marrakai track, Charles Darwin National Park

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula Fergusson River, Adelaide River bridge

Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto East Point, Yellow Water, Burrunggui, Mary River

Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana Most places, most days

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Everywhere, every day

Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Katherine

Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans Flemington Yards sign Vic Hwy

Lemon-bellied Fly-robin Microeca flavigaster East Point, Rapid Creek, Anbangbang, Manngarre, Marrakai track, Fogg Dam, Charles Darwin National Park

Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata 2 Dingo Springs Creek, pair

Buff-sided Robin Poecilodryas cerviniventris Dingo Springs Creek and Margaret River

Horsfield's Bushlark Mirafra javanica Marrakai track

Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi Marrakai track

Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel Katherine

Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans East Point, Pine Creek, Fogg Dam

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Most places, most days

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Rapid Creek, Fergusson River, Vic River, Policeman's Point, Dingo Springs, Edith Falls road, Mamukala

Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda Most places, most days

Masked Finch Poephila personata Most places, most days

Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton Fergusson River, Timber Creek Airfield, Dingo Springs, Edith Falls road, Ubirr, Mamukala, Fogg Dam

Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae Fergusson River, adult male red and black morphs, about 5 birds, Timber Creek Escarpment Lookout, Edith Falls road-dozens, Marrakai track- 100+

Yellow-rumped Mannikin Lonchura flaviprymna 40+ Victoria River Roadhouse, Timber Creek Escarpment walk, Dingo Springs 

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax Dingo Springs Creek 

Butterflies
Orange Lacewing
 Cethosia penthesilea East Point

Mammals
Agile Wallaby
 Macropus agilus Most places, most days

Euro Macropus robustus Escarpment Lookout Timber Creek

Wilkin's Rock Wallaby Petrogale brachyotis Ubirr

Horse Equus caballus Yellow Water

Pig Sus scofa Anbangbang

Reptiles 
Johnstone's Crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni Day 1 Bridge Creek Dam

Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus Yellow Water, Mary River

Gilbert’s Dragon Lophognathus gilbert Rapid Creek

  

 


  

 

Bush breakfast at Anbangbang

Kakadu Nature's Way tour July 20-24. Guests Mike and Nancy from the US, Mike and Helen from the UK and Maggie from Tasmania.

Meet and greet at the Seafood on Cullen Bay on Sunday night.

Day 1

6am pick up from Darwin and bush breakfast on the Marrakai track. Black-tailed Treecreepers, Little Woodswallows and Red-winged Parrots. Raptors on the floddplain included Nankeen Kestrel, three Wedge-tailed Eagles and a Little Eagle. later we had great views of a Spotted Harrier. Quite a variety of birds at the lunch spot on the Margaret River.

We continued on to the Mary river Wilderness Retreat and did the Bamboo Walk. Here we saw Arafura Fantail and many other species.

Dinner at the resort restaurant.
Bush breakfast on the Marrakai track © Mike Samuel

Day 2

Bush breakfast at Mamukala. Grey-crowned Babblers building a nest neart the carpark. Blue-faced Honeyeater chasing off a Torresian Crow. Then we did the loop walk down to the wetlands and saw a fully coloured Red-backed Fairywren, Sacred and Forest Kingfishers, Masked, Long-tailed, Crimson and Double-barred Finches. At the hide several Comb-crested Jacanas had chicks.

We then went to Ubirr and had a picnic lunch near Manngarre. Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves chased each other amorously through the folaige of the ficus next to the picnic. On the Manngarre walk we saw large Estuarine Crocodiles jostling with each other for position with the incoming tide. We viewed the rock art at Ubirr and then went to the Bardedjildji Sandstone Walk. Found a Chestnut-quilled Rock -Pigeon at the last leg of the walk.

Returned to Jabiru and had dinner at Aurora.

Our group at Nadab lookout, photo taken by a helpful tourist. Maggie didn't make the climb

Day 3

Bush breakfast at Anbangbang, light was magic, great for photography, water birds were there in good numbers and variety. From there we went to Burrunggui and did the circuit walk. Heard White-lined Honeyeater but didn't see it. We had good views Sandstone Helmeted Friarbird and Red-winged Parrot. Rock art, habitation areas and natural features were enjoyed by all.

Picnic lunch at Mardugal, great views of Blue-winged Kookaburra and Northern Fantail.

From there we went to the Waradjan Cultural centre and spent some time learning more about Aboriginal culture and history of the area and checked out the souvenir shop as well.

We joined the 4.30pm sunset cruise on Yellow Water. Saw biggest mobs of birds, many crocs including Max the boss. Black-necked Stork, Nankeen Night Heron and great, close-up views of an Azure Kingfisher.  There were alot of Comb-crested Jacanas including one with very small chicks. White-breasted Sea-eagles were on teh nest. Saw a Swamp Harrier.

Dinner at Aurora.

Day 4

Bush breakfast at the South Alligator River. We walked along the river, observed flood debris 9-10 metres up some trees, saw numerous animal tracks. Galahs, Forest Kingfisher pair, Green Oriole family, male Mistlebird.

Had a coffee break at Harriot Creek and saw Red-collared Lorikeets (at nest hollow) and Silver-backed Butcherbird. Lunch at Copperfield Dam, Cockatiels flying in for a quick drink drink, Galahs, interesting behavior as pair fed in the long grass and flew up to a nearby branch and commenced allopreening. Black Kite waded into the water and bathed. Nymphoides indica (lily) growing on the water's edge.

At the Edith Fall's Road site we saw juvenile and female Gouldians, Masked, Long-tailed, Double-barred and Crimson Finches. Paperbark Flycatcher and Rainbow Bee-eaters. There were several Archer Fish.

At Pine Creek we saw Grey-crowned Babblers, Blue-faced Honeyeaters, Little Friarbirds, Crested Pigeon and Hooded Parrots.

Checked in at the Pine Creek Hotel and had dinner at the Lazy Lizard.

Day 5

Breakfast at Fergusson River with Gouldian's coming down to drink intermittently from about 8am on. Eventually a male Red-headed Gouldian showed as well as Northern Rosella and many other species. We returned to Pine Creek to check out and watched the Great Bowerbird put on a performance near his bower in the campground. We had lunch at a disused dam just off Stuart Highway and watched a Royal and a Yellow-billed Spoonbill work the edges of the dam together. From there we went to Fogg Dam, saw and photographed a good many waterbirds from the vehicle as we slowly made our way between the floodplain and the dam. We did about half of the monsoon forest walk in the hopes of seeing a Rainbow Pitta until Nancy spotted one! We watched it for about ten minutes until it disappeared from view. We had a brief stop at the magnetic termite mounds at Lampbell’s Lagoon and returned to Darwin.

 

Total of 107 bird species seen.

 

 

 

 



 

Sightings 

Day 1: Monday, 20 July 2015 

Location: Marrakai Track 

Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata 

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos 

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 

Great Egret Ardea alba 

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 

Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Black Kite Milvus migrans 

Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus 

Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis 

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax 

Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 

Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides 

Brown Falcon Falco berigora 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus 

Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus 

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 

Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura 

Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris 

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus 

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura 

Banded Honeyeater Cissomela pectoralis 

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae 

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 

Little Woodswallow Artamus minor 

Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas 

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 

Torresian Crow Corvus orru 

Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto 

Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi 

Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel 

Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans 

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 

Masked Finch Poephila personata 

Mammals ( 2 ) 

Agile Wallaby Macropus agilus 

Antilopine Wallaroo Macropus antilopinus 

Location: Mary River Park 

Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata 

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor 

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura 

Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis 

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela 

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus 

Arafura Fantail Rhipidura dryas 

Northern Fantail Rhipidura rufiventris 

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula 

Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana 

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii 

Day 2: Tuesday, 21 July 2015 

Location: Kakadu, Mamukala 

Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora 

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata 

Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni 

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata 

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus 

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 

Pied Heron Egretta picata 

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Black Kite Milvus migrans 

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea 

Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella 

Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea 

Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus 

Little Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites minutillus 

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

Red-backed Fairy-wren Malurus melanocephalus 

White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor 

Bar-breasted Honeyeater Ramsayornis fasciatus 

Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis 

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura 

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis 

Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis 

Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis 

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula 

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster 

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis 

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii 

Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda 

Masked Finch Poephila personata 

Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton 

Location: Kakadu, Manggarre Monsoon Forest Walk 

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt 

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina 

Striated Heron Butorides striata 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea 

Varied Triller Lalage leucomela 

Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres vieilloti 

Butterflies 

Common Crow Euploea core 

Reptiles 

Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus 

Location: Kakadu, Bardedjilidji Sandstone Walk 

Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon Petrophassa rufipennis 

Day 3: Wednesday, 22 July 2015 

Location: Kakadu, Anbangbang 

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata 

Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni 

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata 

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah 

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus 

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 

Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos 

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica 

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster 

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata 

Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni 

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata 

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah 

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus 

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 

Little Pied Cormorant Microcarbo melanoleucos 

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica 

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Location: Kakadu, Anbangbang 

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster 

Location: Kakadu, Burrunggui 

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura 

Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides 

White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis 

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 

Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula 

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 

Day 4: Thursday, 23 July 2015 

Location: Kakadu Highway, Sth Al River, 

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii 

Galah Eolophus roseicapillus 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis 

Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus 

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

Great Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus nuchalis 

White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor 

Rufous-banded Honeyeater Conopophila albogularis 

Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis 

Dusky Honeyeater Myzomela obscura 

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis 

Yellow Oriole Oriolus flavocinctus 

Spangled Drongo Dicrurus bracteatus 

Torresian Crow Corvus orru 

Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis 

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher Microeca flavigaster 

Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis 

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum 

Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii 

Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton 

Location: Harriot Creek 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Galah Eolophus roseicapillus 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis 

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 

Silver-backed Butcherbird Cracticus argenteus 

Location: Copperfield Dam 

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus 

Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 

Great Egret Ardea alba 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Black Kite Milvus migrans 

Galah Eolophus roseicapillus 

Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris 

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 

Location: Edith Falls Road 

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica 

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus 

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 

Little Woodswallow Artamus minor 

Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana 

Masked Finch Poephila personata 

Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton 

Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae 

Location: Pine Creek 

Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes 

Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis 

Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis 

Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis 

Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis 

Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis 

White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus 

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 

Day 5: Friday, 24 July 2015 

Location: Ferguson River 

Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 

Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus 

Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolor 

Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus 

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus 

White-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus unicolor 

Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis 

White-throated Honeyeater Melithreptus albogularis 

Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis 

Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa 

Masked Finch Poephila personata 

Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae 

Location: Bridge Creek 

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae 

Australasian Darter Anhinga novaehollandiae 

Great Egret Ardea alba 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia 

Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes 

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta 

Paperbark Flycatcher Myiagra nana 

Location: Fogg Dam 

Orange-footed Scrubfowl Megapodius reinwardt 

Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata 

Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata 

Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah 

Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus 

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa 

Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus 

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia 

Great Egret Ardea alba 

Cattle Egret Ardea ibis 

Pied Heron Egretta picata 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca 

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis 

Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans 

Brown Falcon Falco berigora 

Brolga Grus rubicunda 

Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles 

Comb-crested Jacana Irediparra gallinacea 

Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 

Forest Kingfisher Todiramphus macleayii 

Rainbow Pitta Pitta iris 

Grey Whistler Pachycephala simplex 

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys 

Shining Flycatcher Myiagra alecto 

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca 

   


  

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