A variety of eco-systems from monsoon woodlands, mangrove forests, flood plains and coastal shorelines encourages a large range of bird species.
When to visit?
The best period for optimum bird watching is from May to December. This is based on access to the floodplains and billabongs and allows for a period if time for the area to dry out a bit after the wet season.
For migrating waders the optimum times are during March to April and August to October. This means that birders must visit tidal seashores, where the waders stop over. Arnhem Land Baramundi Nature lodge has comfortable sea-going boats for this purpose.
Birds in Nhulunbuy
The Gayngaru Wetlands interpretive walk is located in the town of Nhulunbuy and is the ideal location to spot birds.
The lagoon is an important site of Aboriginal cultural significance and home to over 200 species of birds.
The path surrounding the lagoon offers 2 separate viewing platforms and a bird hide offering the intrepid birdwatcher an unforgettable experience. Sightings include the northern fantail, blue-faced honeyeater, white-bellied cuckoo-shrike and the brown falcon.
Island migratory breeding
The Northern Territory has three coastlines adjacent to different oceanographic water masses. The Territory has a total of 398 islands and a large proportion of these islands occur within four major archipelagos.
Arnhem Land, itself, has a large number of islands scattered off the coast with some of the most important migratory locations for seabird breeding.
Higginson island, in particular, off the coast of Nhulunbuy support internationally important numbers of Bridled and Roseate Terns. Other islands of significant breeding include East Bremer, Veronica and Forlsche Rock.
Arnhem Land Bird Week
Each year Arnhem Land hosts a bird week at the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge.
Birding specialist takes you on an extended guiding tour of the area to spot some of the more elusive birds of the NT as well as some of the spectacular ones. Sightings include the Red Gosshawk, Northern Crested Shrike-tit, Gouldian Finch and the Chestnut Rail.