Broome Bird Observatory—18 to 21 April 2022 Drew Davison   I recently returned from six nights with my father in the Kimberley, three of which were spent at the Broome Bird Observatory. During my time at the BBO, I recorded a total of 120 species. We arrived on a flight from Perth at around 10h00 on the 18 April, whereupon Assistant Warden Carolyn kindly drove us to the BBO.  We unpacked our bags in ‘The Cottage’ (formerly ‘The Chalet’), and proceeded to the ‘Shadehouse’, a communal kitchen and dining facility with bird baths placed outside—also where the Bird Log takes place each ni ..read more

17 December The Common Ringed Plover was again found roosting between the BBO and boat ramp at high tide, before returning to its usual foraging location near the sandspit on the BBO Beach as the tide receded (JG and SF). A Swinhoe’s Snipe (call recorded - first confirmed this year), two Green Pygmy-geese, seven Wandering Whistling-Ducks and two White-browed Crakes were at Nimalarragun (NJ, JG and SF). 16 December A Common Ringed Plover continues to be seen on the BBO Beach, where a Barn Swallow and several Broad-billed Sandpipers were also present (AB). 15 December Two Black-breasted Buzzards ..read more

I’m sure anyone from Broome or those keeping an eye on the wet season up here have heard we had a bit of rain recently! A Low made it’s way across from the Northern Territory and ever so kindly dropped about 700ml of rain right on top of Broome. When there has been heavy rainfall all at once like this, we get to see the incredible migration of the mangrove crabs (Neosarmatium australiense). Not every wet season elicits such a response from the crabs but every so often when that quantity of rain is dropped so quickly these crabs are flooded out of their burrows onto Roebuck Plains and begin the ..read more

After a couple months away from Broome we were on our way back to begin our new role as Wardens at the BBO! Our Last stop driving back was at Sandfire Roadhouse. The mercury was in the forties and our cars aircon had given up a few weeks ago. So, first thing on the agenda at Sandfire was an ice cream and some time in the airconditioned roadhouse. After filling up with fuel we decided to have a quick bird throughout the watered gardens on either side of the Roadhouse before continuing on our way. It began with Brown Honeyeaters galore, Rainbow Bee Eaters and a Spotted Harrier cruising overhead ..read more

30 October A Little Ringed Plover continues to be seen at Lake Eda along with good numbers of Long-toed Stint and other shorebirds (CJH and KH). An Arctic migrant Peregrine Falcon was seen at Lake Campion (NJ). A Leaden Flycatcher and Hooded Robin were seen in woodland north of Tagarana Bore, while a Cattle Egret was seen among large numbers of Australian White Ibis at the bore itself. 28 October A Little Ringed Plover and Oriental Pratincole were seen at Lake Eda. 26 October An Eastern Koel continues to call on Lullfitz Drive. 23 October An Eastern Koel continues to call on Lullfitz Drive (AB ..read more

28 November A Black-tailed Native-hen was seen at Lake Eda (CJH). 27 November A male Orange Chat continues to be seen at Taylor’s Lagoon. 26 November Loose passage of Fork-tailed Swifts was observed over Roebuck Estate this morning (BG). Several large seabird feeding flocks featuring a handful of Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, 20+ Brown Noddy, 300+ Brown Booby, 500+ Common Tern and 1,000+ Roseate Tern were observed at sea off the lower Dampier Peninsula. 25 November The Arafura Fantail at Nimalarragun was heard calling briefly this morning (AB). 21 November A Gallinago snipe (first of the season) and ..read more

Lachie and I started volunteering at the BBO just over 2 weeks ago and we’ve already experienced so much here. We were given the position here on very short notice and luckily escaped Melbourne a few days before the lockdown began. Coming from a very cold, grey, rainy winter and landing here was probably the most extreme difference in landscape we could’ve gotten. Driving down the bumpy pindan track from the airport we were just staring out the window in awe. I’ve slowly become more and more aware of the myriad of bird calls which form the soundtrack to our day to day life in the BBO. Daily l ..read more

Ben looking out over Roebuck Bay Hi, my name is Ben. About a month ago I stayed at the Broome Bird Observatory and Ben, the Assistant Warden, suggested that I send in some cool bird sightings from my trip around Australia. Here’s my first one: I was sitting in the shade house at Broome Bird Observatory where you can see a series of bird baths. Small birds such as the Australian White-eye, Double-barred Finch and the Peaceful Dove come down to have a drink as well as having a bath. In the Shadehouse While I was sitting there a White -eye came down for a bath. Thirty seconds later a Collared S ..read more

We have been travelling around Australia in a van and along our journey we stopped in at the Broome Bird Observatory. Our birdwatching began in Adelaide a few months earlier, where we bought our first pair of binoculars. But it wasn't until we got to the BBO that we really started to see how enjoyable birding could be! Steph and Jarrad began birding in Adelaide - but the BBO took their birding to the next level. In our first week we booked a bush & plains and shore bird tour. With the expertise of Ben and his team, it made all the difference. Having no real clue about birds ourselves, the ..read more

30 September The first returned Oriental Dollarbird of the season was seen at the Nimalarragun wetland, where at least a dozen singing Little Grassbirds were also present. At nearby Crescent Lake were two Baillon’s Crakes, five Long-toed Stints and four Marsh Sandpipers. 29 September Yellow Chats continue to be seen on the plains around Kidneybean Claypan. 28 September The first juvenile Whimbrel of the season was seen in Roebuck Bay (CJH). A Flock Bronzewing and four Black-breasted Buzzards continue to be seen around Lake Campion. Over 500 Brolgas were again seen at Lake Eda, where a Little C ..read more