The Top End is one of Australia’s most exciting birding regions, with over 350 species recorded including five endemics. Tropical woodlands dominate, with world famous wetlands, extensive mangroves, monsoon forest and sandstone escarpments featured.
Many tropical Australian species are more easily seen in the region, while the Kakadu wetlands can hold huge numbers of waterfowl. Combine this with some rainforest and sandstone specials, rare migrants, lots of other wildlife, and you have the ingredients for a birding and nature experience of a lifetime.
On this tour we hope to see all five of the Top End endemics, Partridge Pigeon, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Banded Fruit-dove, Hooded Parrot, and White-throated Grasswren.
There are also a lot of other special birds possible including, Radjah Shelduck, Great-billed Heron, Pied Heron, Red Goshawk (rare), Black Falcon, Chestnut Rail, Chestnut-backed Button-quail, Little Curlew, Oriental Plover, Oriental Pratincole, Northern Rosella, Rainbow Pitta, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Green-backed Gerygone, White-lined Honeyeater, Red-headed Honeyeater, Buff-sided Robin, Mangrove Golden Whistler, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, Paperbark Flycatcher, Long-tailed Finch, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Gouldian Finch, and Yellow White-eye.
The tour starts with birding at the hot spots around Darwin, including the Botanical Gardens for Rufous Owl, Lee Point for waders, and Buffalo Creek for mangrove species. Overnight at a Darwin motel.
There are some excellent monsoon forest areas to visit in search of species such as the Rainbow Pitta. We will bird our way to the Fogg Dam area by late afternoon, and then do some night spotting. Stay at Eden at Fogg Dam.
Dawn birding at Fogg Dam, where waterbirds are abundant, before open country birding during the day. Later we reach Mary River Park and take an evening boat tour in search of Great-billed Heron. Overnight Mary River Park.
Early morning birding around the Park before heading east into Kakadu. In the afternoon we visit Nourlangie for Banded Fruit-dove, and then make our way to the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda where we stay for two nights.
This morning we take the famous Yellow Water Cruise for aquatic birds and other wildlife e.g Crocs. During the day there will be birding in a variety of habitats, followed by some night spotting. Overnight Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.
We leave early for Gunlom where birders can access the sandstone escarpment and search for Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and White-throated Grasswren. Later we reach Pine Creek where we stay one night at the Pine Creek Hotel.
Early morning we visit the best sites for Gouldian Finch and Hooded Parrot. Later we travel back to Darwin exploring many good birding spots along the way. The tour ends in Darwin in the late afternoon
Accommodation is in comfortable hotel/ motels on a twin share basis, except at Eden at Fogg Dam which is boutique B&B style. All meals are provided. Travel is in an air conditioned vehicle fitted with satellite phone.
Conditions can be extremely hot and dry. It is recommended that you bring a water bottle, hat, sturdy covered footwear, insect repellent and sun block. Long sleaved shirts and trousers give good protection from the sun and also from biting insects.
Shining Flycatcher
Azure Kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher
Black Necked Stork
Rofous Owl
Banded Fruit Dove
Pied Heron
