The Kimberley Tour 2010

Sunday 26th September 2010 - Saturday 9th October 2010

ITINERARY

Saturday 25 September - Broome - Evening Drinks and Introductions

DAY 1 : Sunday 26 September
Broome
To begin our tour we concentrate our efforts on the birds of Broome. We will search through mangroves for some special species before driving along the rugged coastline to the world famous Broome Bird Observatory where we will get some good views of shore birds. We will also visit one of Australia's most beautiful beaches, Cable Beach.
Target Birds: White-breasted Whistler - Mangrove Golden Whistler - Red-headed Honeyeater - Yellow Silvereye - Mangrove Fantail - Dusky Warbler - Broad-billed Flycatcher - Kimberley Flycatcher - Various waders at bird observatory
Overnight: Camp (with facilities)

DAY 2 : Monday 27 September
Broome to Windjana Gorge
This morning we leave Broome and head for Windjana Gorge, passing through open savannah woodland and getting a great look at the strange bottle-shaped Boab trees. Before beginning our journey along the Gibb River Road, we visit the Boab Prison Tree, which is believed to be over 1000 years old. In the afternoon we turn off Gibb River Road and visit Tunnel Creek - an amazing cave tunnel that runs for hundreds of metres, certainly a place you will never forget.
Target Birds: Kimberley Flycatcher - Mangrove Warbler - Broad-billed Flycatcher - Silver-crowned Friarbird - White-gaped Honeyeater - Yellow-tinted Honeyeater - Masked Finch - Pictorella Mannikin - Spotted Harrier
Overnight: Windjana Gorge Campground (with facilities)

DAY 3 : Tuesday 28 September
Windjana Gorge to Bell Gorge
Day 2 along the Gibb River Road takes us through open woodland, suitable for Silver-crowned Friarbirds and many finch species, and brings us to King Leopold Conservation area, remote Mt Hart Station, and Bell Gorge. At our camp there is a great walk down to a very scenic waterhole where you can enjoy a swim.
Target Birds: White-quilled Rock-Pigeon - Peregrine Falcon - Sandstone Shrike-thrush - Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Overnight: Silent Grove Campground (with facilities)

DAY 4: Wednesday 29 September
Bell Gorge to Manning Gorge
Another intensive day of scenery and birdwatching as we continue along the Gibb River Road before reaching Manning Gorge. After dark the local Barking Owls should keep us entertained.
Target Birds: Purple-crowned Fairy-wren - Barking Owl - Buff-sided Robin
Overnight: Manning Gorge (with facilities)

DAY 5: Thursday 30 September
Manning Gorge to King Edward River
We leave the Gibb River Road and head northward, taking in the magnificent scenery and keeping an eye out for Varied Sitellas, Silver-crowned Friarbirds, Yellow-tinted Honeyeaters, Golden-backed Honeyeaters and the Silver-backed Butcherbird before stopping for the night at the King Edward River.
Target Birds: Partridge Pigeons - Masked Finch - Bustard - Various Honeyeaters
Overnight: King Edward River (with basic facilities)

DAY 6: Friday 01 October
Drysdale River to Mitchell Plateau
Today we continue to venture towards the coast to Western Australia's last frontier - the Mitchell Plateau. This area is one of the richest for birdlife, flora and other fauna, and boasts spectacular waterfalls, rock pools, gorges, and Aboriginal art. If you're into birds, this place will knock your socks off!
Target Birds: Varied Lorikeet - Northern Rosella - Black-tailed Treecreeper - Varied Sittella
Overnight: Mitchell Falls Campground (with facilities)

DAY 7: Saturday 02 October
Mitchell Plateau
Today is dedicated to exploring the Mitchell Plateau in search of rare and native bird species, and enjoying a relaxing swim and opportunities for photography and walks.
Target Birds: Black Grasswren - Lavender-flanked Fairywren (rogersi) - Sandstone Shrike-thrush - White-quilled Rock-Pigeon - White-lined Honeyeater - Green-backed Gerygone - Partridge Pigeon - Northern Rosella - Rainbow Pitta - Buff-sided Robin
Overnight: Mitchell Falls Campground (with facilities)

DAY 8: Sunday 03 October
Mitchell Plateau to Drysdale River Campground
We say goodbye to the Mitchell Plateau and return to the Drysdale River Campground.
Target Birds: Grey Butcherbird (silver-backed form) - Masked Finch - Long-tailed Finch - Star Finch - Crimson Finch - Pictorella Mannikin - Gouldian Finch - Yellow-tinted Honeyeater
Overnight: Drysdale River Campground (with facilities)

DAY 9: Monday 04 October
Drysdale Campground to El Questro Campground
We continue south and rejoin the Gibb River Road and continue our eastbound passage to El Questro Campground. Today we'll see some of the most beautiful scenery along the Pentecost River such as massive walls of cliffs and rock escarpments. When we reach El Questro we will take a trip in some small boats beneath the incredible cliffs, seeing White-quilled Rock-pigeons and Rock Wallabies, before arriving at a wall of beautiful rock art.
Target Birds: Various Finches - Northern Rosellas - Black-tailed Treecreeper
Overnight: El Questro Campground (with facilities)

DAY 10: Tuesday 05 October
El Questro Campground to Kununurra
The journey towards Kakadu provides us with more breathtaking scenery as we pass stunning escarpments and gorges. We visit a small rocky waterhole to search for Masked Finches, Black-rumped Double-barred Finches, Long-tailed Finches and Gouldian Finches and nearby we may catch a glimpse of some Freshwater Crocodiles.
Target Birds: Purple-crowned Fairy-wren – Yellow-rumped Mannikin - Banded Honeyeater - Buff-sided Robin
Overnight: Kununurra (with facilities)

DAY 11: Wednesday 06 October
Kununurra to Edith Falls
Today we leave Kunanurra and head towards the beautiful Edith Falls. At the base of Edith Falls is a large waterhole surrounded by Pandanus palms - the perfect place for a quick dip to cool off. We explore the environment around Edith Falls, viewing the great variety of bird species including the Hooded Parrot.
Target Birds: Red Goshawk - Yellow-rumped Mannikin - Purple-crowned Fairy-wren - Hooded Parrot
Overnight: Edith Falls Campground (with facilities)

DAY 12: Thursday 07 October
Edith Falls to Kakadu
We finally arrive at the world famous Kakadu National Park where we will spend the next two nights and try to see as much of the park and its wildlife as possible. Before we arrive we visit a breeding pair of Red Gowhawks.
Target Birds: Hooded Parrot - Northern Rosella - Golden-backed Honeyeater - Masked Finch - Pictorella Mannikin
Overnight: Camp (with facilities)

DAY 13: Friday 08 October
Kakadu
To start the day we take an early morning cruise through the Yellow Water Wetlands where will get an up close view of many species of birds and large crocodiles. The rest of the day is spent visiting a variety of locations in Kakadu such as Nourlangie Rock, famous for its magnificent Aboriginal artwork.
Target Birds: Banded Fruit-Dove - Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon - White-lined Honeyeater - Partridge Pigeon - Golden Backed Honeyeater - Bar-breasted Honeyeater - Rufous-banded Honeyeater - Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
Overnight: Camp (with facilities)

DAY 14: Saturday 09 October
Kakadu to Darwin
On our last day we look for any other birds we may have missed in Kakadu, then travel on to Howard Springs before making our way back to Darwin where the tour comes to an end and we say goodbye to our friends.
Target Birds: Rainbow Pitta - Brown Whistler - Pacific Baza
Overnight: Make own arrangement

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