AUSTRALIA'S FINAL BIRDING FRONTIER - ARNHEMLAND
Due to popular demand, bird watchers can now visit the Maningrida region as guest of the Arnhem Land Barramundi Nature Lodge. This is the first time this area is been opened to birders and there are surprises in store as few bird studies have been done in this part of Arnhem Land.
List of birds sighted as of September 2009
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Pictures of some of the signifcant species sighted at the lodge.
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Photos of birds
The bird groupsbelow are taken from the list by Dr Richard Noske. Links are given where we have photos available
COCKATOOS, PARROTS
CRANES, RAILS, BUTTONQUAIL
CUCKOOS, COUCAL
CUCKOO-SHRIKES, ORIOLES
DUCKS AND GEESE
EMU, MEGAPODES, QUAILS
FINCHES
GREBES, PETRELS, CORMORANTS, PELICAN
GULL, TERNS
HERONS, STORK
HONEYEATERS
KINGFISHERS and ALLIES
LARK, PIPITS, WAGTAILS, MARTINS
MISTLETOEBIRD, WHITE-EYES
OLD WORLD WARBLERS
OWLS, FROGMOUTH, NIGHTJARS, SWIFTS
PARDALOTE, GERYGONES
PIGEONS, DOVES
PITTA, TREECREEPER, FAIRY-WRENS
RAPTORS
ROBINS, BABBLERS, SITTELLA
WADERS
WHISTLERS, SHRIKE-THRUSH, FANTAILS, DRONGO
WOODSWALLOWS, BUTCHERBIRDS, CROWS, BOWERBIRD
NOTE: Several migrating vagrants, mostly waders and seabirds, are sighted along the Arnhem Land coast, islands, and the estuaries, each season.
WHEN TO VISIT
The best period for optimum-time bird watching is from May to December. This is based on access to the floodplains and billabongs (allowing for a drying out period after the wet season).
For migrating waders optimum times are during the March-April period and August to October. This of course means that birders must visit tidal seashores, Entrance and Haularound Islands, where the waders stop over. However, this is no problem as the lodge has comfortable sea-going boats for this purpose.
Nesting birds can be avoided on Haularound Island by not intruding into the grassy nesting sites and making observations strictly from afar, or from the boat. This is in line with similar viewing practices done in the Great Barrier Reef National Park. Generally, the birds have finished nesting and feeding by September.
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