8 Days Ex Alice Springs Fully Accommodated
The Red Centre combines spectacular arid landscapes with superb birding opportunities. This 8 day tour starts in Alice Springs and will visit many of the best birding areas and iconic sites in the region, including the West Macdonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon, and Uluru.
There are many interesting habitats to explore including arid shrubland with Mulga, Spinifex ranges, waterways lined with River Red Gums, gibber plains, and also incredible gorges, canyons and giant red dunes.
Many of the birds of the region are seasonal nomads but there are also some very special residents. Some of the interesting species we hope to see on this tour include - Black-breasted Buzzard, Black Falcon, Australian Pratincole, Inland Dotterel, Spinifex Pigeon, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Bourke's Parrot, Australian Ringneck, Mulga Parrot, Budgerigar, Black-eared Cuckoo, Splendid Fairy-wren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren, Dusky Grasswren, Red-browed Pardalote, Redthroat, Western Gerygone, Slaty-backed Thornbill, Banded Whiteface, Grey-headed Honeyeater, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater, Grey Honeyeater, Crimson Chat, Orange Chat, Gibberbird, Chiming Wedgebill, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Little Woodswallow, Western Bowerbird, Painted Finch, White-backed Swallow and Spinifexbird.
In addition there is a chance of some of the rare and nomadic species, such as Letter-winged Kite, Grey Falcon, Flock Bronzewing, Black Honeyeater, and Pied Honeyeater.
Morning birding around Alice Springs including the Telegraph Station which has a good range of inland species possible. Later we explore different habitats to the east including gorges and gibber plains. Stay at Alice Springs.
Very early we make our way to Kunoth Well on the edge of the Tanami, this can be a good spot for specials such as Grey Honeyeater, Bourke's Parrot and Slaty-backed Thornbill. In the afternoon we visit the Sewage Ponds which usually hold a good number of waterbirds. Stay another night in The Alice.
Today we explore the West Macdonnell Ranges for interesting resident species including Dusky Grasswren and Painted Finch. There is spectacular scenery at places like Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. We will stay two nights at Glen Helen Lodge.
We visit some of the best birding sites in the West Macdonnell's including Ormiston Gorge and Pound where we can search for Western Bowerbird, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren and many others. Overnight Glen Helen Lodge.
There will be birding around the Lodge before we head south west and make our way to Kings Canyon. The drive through the arid landscapes is fascinating and we will be on the lookout for any birding action. Later we will take a walk in the inspiring Kings Canyon. Stay Kings Canyon Resort.
In the morning we can take a walk along the top of Kings Canyon for a different experience. During the heat of the day we travel south west to Yulara, watching for Major Mitchell's Cockatoo along the way. There will be a sunset viewing of the giant red rock...Uluru. Stay Yulara.
Up early for the spectacular sunrise view of Uluru then birding the red dunes and exploring the sights. After visiting Kata Tjuta we drive east to Erldunda where we can do some birding in the late afternoon. Stay Desert Oaks Erldunda Motel and Roadhouse.
We can bird around Erldunda in the morning and as we travel north search for species such as Chiming Wedgebill, and Cinnamon Quail-thrush. There may be another chance of Bourke's Parrot on the Giles Road. Later we reach Alice Springs and the tour ends late afternoon.
Accommodation is in lodges or motels, on a twin share basis. All meals are included. Travel is in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle fitted with satellite phone.
Splendid Fairy-wren
Uluru
Galah
Major Mitchell
Mulga Parrot
Spinifex Pigeon
