Bird Week 2009 at the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge has once again produced some new and interesting records for the Maningrida area.

Three Black Noddies were present on Haul Round Island for the whole week, usually perched in grass above the beach and reefs of this small sand island.The record is significant in being the fifth known for the species in the NT (Ray Chatto saw them only twice during his 10 years of seabird surveys across the Top End); in Australia this species breeds on the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait islands off the Queensland coast, and possibly on some islands off the WA Kimberley coast.

The number of Bridled Terns wheeling over the island was about the same as last year (1,000-2,000), but few nests were evident. Also on the island, four wholly bright red-billed Roseate Terns had us confused for a while (especially given the presence of at least one typically black-billed adult), and one was photographed feeding a chick. Chatto (2001) saw 5,000 Roseate and 5,000 Bridled nesting on this island in May 1994.

The highlight of the sandstone escarpment and rock art trip was a small group of Banded Fruit-doves. The first Atlas greatly extended the northeastern range limits of this species, which at the time was thought to be restricted to the western Arnhem sandstone escarpment (i.e. Kakadu) [see for example, Frith's (1982) “Pigeon's & Doves of Australia”]. HANZAB claims that it has been recorded “east to upper reaches of Mann River” although the author/ observer is not cited.

Gouldian Finches were seen most days at several sites on the Tomkinson floodplains, but the numbers were down on last year, with the largest group being about 30. No sign of recent breeding either. The Hooded Parrot was a new addition to the Barra Lodge list, but whilst a small flock (16) was observed on the first day only 1-2 km (as the parrot flies) from the lodge, they were never seen again. Only a kilometre from this site a pair of Northern Shrike-tits was observed and photographed while foraging in a few isolated paperbarks on a burnt floodplain, 10+ km from the nearest known shrike-tit “territory” (and even closer to the coast).

A Golden-backed Honeyeater nest was a rare and exciting find, and one group of birdwatchers witnessed three adults feeding the nestlings in quick succession (although two other individuals were seen in adjacent trees, but were not seen to feed). Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters were also at various stages of breeding (nest building, feeding young).

As expected, Chestnut Rails were seen well by all on many rivers, and up to seven Great-billed Herons were sighted daily on the Blythe River.

All in all, a great birding week!

Richard Noske