March 2007
G’day all, welcome to another newsletter.
What a year it’s been, the second half of 2006 was very busy, and 2007 has started out very well also.
In July 06 I joined Andy Anderson and a small group for another training misson in PNG. This set me up to co-guide with Andy in September when we took the Danish Ornithological Fellowship on a 16 day tour of PNG. Wow! The birds are just incredible, we saw 20+ species of Birds of Paradise.
The Cape York\Iron Range tour has become the most popular of our trips. In July, John Crowhurst joined again and we had a great time. If you like humour and birds then check Johns trip report for that trip (trip reports page). This tour ran again in August, November, and December. Highlights include, Golden-shouldered Parrot, especially for Barry Hutchinson of S.Aus, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, and Magnificent Riflebird.
In October there was an epic private tour for Mike Carpenter and Karen Anderson from the States. We birded Lamington, Darwin and Kakadu, The Red Centre, Cairns and the Wet Tropics, and Cape York. From Regent Bowerbird, to Bourke’s Parrot, to Gouldian Finch, and Victoria’s Riflebird. The diversity on this trip was fantastic.
There was time in February 07 for a break, so we headed off to Lord Howe Island for a family holiday. What a place, great birds and many other activities, from adventure to laid back. A highlight for me was the boat trip to Ball’s Pyramid with Jack Schick, the sea was rough but we got the Kermadec Petrel.
Back to work in March with the Cairns, Wet Tropics and Outback tour, this time with four people. Jim O’Shea from Barren Grounds joined this trip and was searching for his 500th Australian species. We steadily worked towards this milestone and late on the 2nd last afternoon I was able to present Jim with Number 500 …….. a Laughing Gull on the Cairns Esplanade, magic!
White Tern
There is plenty coming up for the rest of this year. The Kalkadoon Grasswren tour is going in July, the East Coast trip in October, and plenty of Cape York\ Iron Range tours booked. Of course I can still fill in time with the day tour which produces great birds all year round.
In 2008 I really do hope to run to PNG, so if anyone was wondering this trip is still being planned and set up. Also we will offer the trip to Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End.
Thanks again for all the support, Cassowary Tours is growing strongly and looking to provide quality birding tours well into the future.
Regards, Ben.
Other Newsletters:
Royal Spoonbill
Victoria's Riflebird
Toothbilled Bowerbird
Latham's Snipe
