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You will enjoy the advantage of all the attention you get in a small group, for the same price or perhaps even less, than you will pay if you travel with the large tour groups from other countries.
Boosting the local economy by hiring a local guide through Birdingpaltours also promotes the importance of protecting birds and
their habitat in many countries around the world.
Remember, the next time you travel you do not have to miss the birdwatching, if your partner or travel companions are non birders; a local guide is flexible, and will easily accommodate other needs too.
Birdwatching in Australia
Australia is an ancient land of stark contrasts. Scenery in many places is spectacular, representing some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.
Rainforest is confined to small areas along the east coast, while large tracts of the inland are now desert or semi-desert. These support stunted vegetation and spinifex, well-adapted to these conditions. Much of the desert and semi-desert is sparsely inhabited by humans and their stock. Large parts of the centre of the continent are uninhabited.
Australia has a diverse mix of bird species, supporting about 750 species, the majority of which are land birds. Almost half are endemic. Several families are endemic. About 100 species of seabirds (including rare vagrants) have been recorded, as well as about 50 species of migratory waders.
"Birding in the hills"
"© P Waanders"
Many of our birds are highly colourful - hence Australia's attraction to international birders. Notable amongst these are the 53 species of cockatoos and parrots. Australia has no woodpeckers or hummingbirds, the latter niche being filled by the honeyeaters, an Australo-Papuan family of which we have 66 species. To cope with Australia's relatively dry conditions, some inland/desert birds have evolved into highly nomadic specialists with the ability to move vast distances to take advantage of rare bountiful seasons. When such seasons occur, birds such as Pied and Black Honeyeaters or Orange and Crimson Chats may travel almost the breadth of the continent to areas where they have not been seen for many years.
Some waterbird species are casually migratory or nomadic, following the extremes of wet seasons across the continent. Vast numbers congregate about floodwaters and usually breed when conditions are suitable. In dry times and seasons, populations congregate in spectacular numbers about drying lagoons, swamps and other wetlands.
Migration into and out of Australia and within is reasonably strong though not as spectacular as that which occurs in the Northern Hemisphere. Small numbers of some Asian birds (Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, swifts, Oriental Cuckoo and wagtails) regularly reach Australia as they move southward to escape the harsh Northern Hemisphere winter, a phenomenon which sometimes gives rise to rare sightings or adds new species to the Australian list.
Huge numbers of Asiatic waders arrive during September and October for the southern summer to take advantage of numerous food-rich estuaries and wetlands. They depart in March and April, but considerable numbers of some species remain to overwinter. Many
thousands of waders can be found at the river Murray estuary (Coorong) and surrounding coastal flats in SA At Roebuck Bay near
Broome (WA) large numbers of birds gather before leaving Australia to breed in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are altitudinal migrants (eg Flame Robin, Golden Whistler) which leave the higher, colder altitudes to winter in the warmer lowlands or move from Tasmania to the southern Australian mainland..
"Murray River birding"
"© P Waanders"
At the approach of the southern winter when ice sheets extend across the seas around Antarctica and blizzards and darkness occur, many seabirds move northward into warmer waters around the Australian coastline.
Access by birders to the continental shelf in recent years has resulted in an upsurge in seabirding, and as this bonanza has been realised, even more species have been added to the Australian list.
South Australia birding tour.
South Australia offers some 450 species of birds. Habitats range from the dry red interior to the lush and green Mt Lofty Ranges; wetlands and mangroves around Adelaide and estuaries in the Coorong, floodplains along the Murray River, vast expanses of the famous semi-arid mallee, and outback deserts with spectacular mountain ranges.
Some unique bird species including a small number of endemics can be found here. Over recent years an increasing number of
Australian and international visitors have discovered the birding secrets SA has to offer. This birding tour takes in a variety of habitats thereby maximizing the species list – expect around 200 species, including some highly sought-after species.
Start & Finish
• Adelaide, South Australia
Summary
• River Murray
• Gluepot Reserve
• Flinders Ranges
• Outback desert
• Coastal areas
Featured Birds
• Black-eared Miner
• Red-lored Whistler
• Regent Parrot
• Malleefowl
• Chestnut-breasted Whiteface
• Gibber Chat
• Inland Dotterel
• 4 species of Grasswren
• 2 species of Quail-Thrush
• Neophema parrots
"Trip map"
Electronic map of Australia
Tour I
6 day birdwatching tour to South Australia
Itinerary
Day 1.
We commence the trip at 8am in Adelaide. While most of South Australia’s landscapes are arid, the Adelaide Hills are an exception. Tall, dense eucalypt forests provide habitat for many species otherwise only found in Australia’s eastern states. We will look for Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, the adelaideae subspecies of Crimson Rosella (often regarded as a full species: Adelaide Rosella), Yellow-faced, White-naped and Crescent Honeyeater, and the endangered Mount Lofty Ranges subspecies parkeri of Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, White-throated Treecreeper, Flame Robin and the localised maculatus subspecies of White-throated Scrubwren. We also have
a good chance of seeing a Koala. A scenic drive through the hills leads us to a small but excellent wetland where Baillon's, Australian Spotted and Spotless Crake are often seen. Late morning we get our first taste of the low, dry eucalypt scrub known as 'mallee'. We look for the ground-dwelling Southern Scrubrobin and Shy Heathwren, as well as Purple-gaped Honeyeater and the elusive Painted Button-quail. We have lunch on the banks of the Murray river where Purple-crowned Lorikeet is often found, after which we follow the river checking out a number of wetlands en-route for species as Cape Barren Goose, Freckled Duck, Baillon's, Australian Spotted and Spotless Crake, Little Grassbird and Golden-headed Cisticola. We spend the night in Waikerie.
"Little Corella"
"© P Waanders"
Day 2.
We leave Waikerie very early in the morning for the drive of less than an hour to Birds Australia’s Gluepot reserve, home of the critically endangered Black-eared Miner. We arrive at Gluepot just before sunrise. The next three or four hours is when Gluepot's critical species are most active. While the sun rises over centuries-old mallee eucalypts and sand dunes covered in spinifex grass, we look for Malleefowl, Red-lored Whistler, Gilbert's Whistler, Hooded Robin, Southern Scrubrobin, Black-eared Miner, Striated Grasswren, Shy Heathwren, White-browed Treecreeper and Major Mitchell Cockatoo. As the bird activity slows down, so do we, and focus on the easier species such as Chestnut Quail-thrush, Crested Bellbird, Splendid Fairy-wren, and Striped Honeyeater. Depending on the season we may also look for White-winged Triller, Pied and Black Honeyeater and Crimson and Orange Chat. From one of the bird hides that overlook a watering through, we have a chance of seeing the eastern race monarchoides of Regent Parrot and many of Gluepot's 10 species of Honeyeater. We leave the reserve late in the afternoon to be back at your accommodation in Waikerie around dusk.
Day 3.
Today we will travel some 400 km to the Flinders Ranges, an impressive range of steep hills and soaring rock formations on the edge of Australia’s outback. During the morning we visit a Regent Parrot breeding site, and search for semi-open country specialists such as Redthroat and Black-eared Cuckoo. Once we arrive in the Flinders Ranges we search the spinifex-grass covered slopes for the elusive Short-tailed Grasswren, a recent split from the Striated Grasswren and one of SA's endemic species. We will certainly see plenty of Red, Western Grey and Euro Kangaroos. Overnight at the Wilpena Pound resort.
Day 4.
Early mornings in the outback can get pretty chilly as we check nearby rocky outcrops for Southern Scrubrobin and Grey-headed Honeyeater. Once the sun starts to warm things up a little, the grasswrens become active and we head back to the spinifex slopes to search for Short-tailed Grasswren again. Mid-morning we proceed along creekbeds and through narrow gorges cut deeply into geological layers that date back 800 million years. Here we search for Elegant Parrot and Grey-headed Honeyeater. We visit the fossil site of the Ediacaran fauna, which lived a little before the great explosion of multicellular life at the beginning of the Cambrian Period. Here we’re also likely to encounter the endangered Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. We will arrive at Mt Lyndhurst, on the edge of the Strzelecki desert, later in the day and will search for Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, another SA endemic, as well as Inland Dotterel, Thick-billed Grasswren, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Chirruping Wedgebill and Rufous Fieldwren. Overnight at the Lyndhurst Hotel, a
typical outback pub.
"Short-tailed Grass Wren"
"© G Etherington"
Day 5.
We start with another visit to Mt Lyndhurst where we search for any species still needed after yesterday. The endless open stony plains of the Strzelecki desert are traversed by the Strzelecki Track which we will follow for most of the day, looking for species such as Budgerigar, Crimson, Orange and Gibber Chat, Eyrean Grasswren, and if we’re lucky, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Letter-winged Kite and Black-breasted Buzzard. We will spend the night again at Lyndhurst.
Day 6.
Today we’ll travel the almost 700 km back to Adelaide. Our first stop will be the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens with White-winged Fairy-wren, Chirruping Wedgebill, Rufous Fieldwren and Redthroat. A nearby coastal lake usually has Banded Stilt. Further south
along the coast we look for the rosinae race of Slender-billed Thornbill, the rosina race of White-browed Scrubwren, Elegant and Blue-winged Parrot and if we’re lucky, Rock Parrot. Time (and tide) permitting we pull in at the saltfields near St Kilda to scan through flocks of migratory waders and another chance of Banded Stilt. Arrival back in Adelaide will be late afternoon.
6 Days tour price is: 2 pax Aus$2625 per person. 4 pax Aus$2000 per person.
Included:
We'd been to Gluepot twice before, but despite three days of searching and following tips, we missed a number of crucial birds.
Peter did an excellent job of finding all five lifers on our list, and then found us another 4 lifers we hadn't expected to see! More facts about Australia. Need more information please email us.
Thank you for considering a local Birdingpal guide for your next trip.
Convert your tour cost into your currency of choice.
All meals, Accommodation, Transport, Guiding, Entry fees.
Excluded:
Pre- & post trip accommodation, Breakfast on Day 1, Dinner on Day 6, Drinks.
Notes:
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Minimum lead time 3 weeks.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
I don't do this tour during January, February and March as it is too hot & dry then.
Fitness:
Moderate but quite a bit of walking involved on mostly flat terrain.
Equipment:
I will provide a spotting scope, bird ID books, GPS, bird calls etc. As a minimum, people need to bring their own binoculars (of course), camera gear if they wish, as well as their own personal drink bottle, sunscreen, sun hat etc.
In some outback areas, during the warmer months, bush flies can be annoying. I'm not bothered by them but some people prefer to
bring a facial fly screen that can be attached to their hat. These can be readily bought in Australia if necessary.
Clothing - even in summer (Nov - Mar) expect cool early mornings (close to freezing) but temperatures can rise quickly in
the morning and from late morning onwards it can be quite hot in the outback. Best clothing is ligthweight long pants that can be worn all day, and a thin long-sleeved shirt over the top of which you can wear various layers that can be taken off as temperature increases. A thick jumper or reasonably wind proof jacket recommended. Sunhat a necessity.
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
Peter Waanders, your local Birdingpal guide
Peter Waanders has been an avid birdwatcher since age 10. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Peter obtained a B Sc degree in Environmental Management and has worked in National Park management planning in the Czech Republic, ecological research in the Netherlands and Australia, and natural resource management planning and project management in Australia.
Peter has travelled extensively to over 30 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Pacific in pursuit of his main interests: birdwatching and nature photography. His life list of bird species currently totals 1,800 and his collection of images is over 10,000. In 1996 Peter moved permanently to Australia and with wife Natasha purchased a property in South Australia consisting
of mallee eucalypt scrubland and small orchards. Peter is currently employed by a semi-government catchment management authority and manages large environmental projects with a focus on floodplains, wetlands and biodiversity. He has initiated and undertaken
numerous bird surveys. Peter has been conducting professional bird guiding trips throughout South Australia since 2000.
Testimonials.
Neil Boyle, Canada, November 2005
Many thanks for a great day birding, 22 trip ticks including 12 lifers, it will take some beating! The most pleasurable thing was being able to get great views of all the birds.
Richard Banham, UK/Spain, November 2006
Thanks for doing such a good job of guiding us - yes, I do know who to recommend as a bird guide in South Australia!
Stephen F. Bailey, Rockjumper birding tour guide, USA, December 2006
Peter Waanders is a long time Birdingpal guide, well known in his own country and by myself or birders from around the world.
Knud Rasmussen
Birdingpal
Some facts about Australia.
Lying between 10 and 44 S latitude, Australia experiences a climate of great extremes. On the same day, it can snow in southern
parts and swelter in the tropics, or there can be a cold desert wind in the Red Centre and floods in other parts of the continent. Australia is prone to extensive, widespread droughts which can have a dramatic effect on birdlife.
The seasons over the southern two-tliirds of Australia are -
Summer - December to February.
Autumn - March to May.
Winter - June to August.
Spring - September to November.
However, seasonal change in tropical Australia (that part north of a line from about Townsville in the east to Broome in the west)
is quite different. Here the seasons are measured by rainfall or lack of it. The four seasons are replaced by two - The annual Wet season occurs from January to March/April The rest of the year (The Dry) is usually quite dry with warm to hot, sunny weather
Tropical cyclones forming offnorth-western Australia occasionally cross the coast and sweep south-easterly across southern Australia as rain depressions, bringing extensive flooding often triggering breeding in Banded Stilt at remote salt lakes. Rainfall in the southern half of the continent occurs mostly through winter.
Guide books and CD’s recommended:
Michael Morcombe Field Guide to Australian Birds. This is a fairly large book for a field guide, I also use Simpson and Day Field
Guide as well. This is a bit smaller.
Somewhere people can go if they are on the internet is the Bird Observers Club of Australia information@birdobservers.org.au
CD 1 starts with Ostrich to Brown Booby, CD2 Darter to Red know, CD 3 Red-necked stint to Cockatiel and so on.
Where to find birds !! Lloyd Nielsen's "Birding Australia" contains information on the best birding regions in Australia, Key
species and where to find them, itineries, giuding services, pelagic trips, and accomm at bird-friendly places.
Find lowest prices here
Bird Recordings from Australia
Nature Sound by David Stewart
http://www.naturesound.com.au/index.htm
Note: To ascertain tour/seat availability and best pricing, select a week for departure date. e.g. Sep 01 - 07
