Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater in the beautiful late afternoon light |
I have just returned from a birding trip to the Alice Springs area in the Northern Territory of Australia. It was a totally new area for me and I was unfamiliar with the birds and where to find them.
Western Bowebird at Olive Pink Botanic Gardens One of my lifers I found for myself |
So I studied my field guide and checked out all the hotspots and recent sightings on eBird . Still not satisfied that I knew enough about the area I hired a guide with a vehicle. This gave me all the advantage of local knowledge and not having to drive in an unfamiliar area and look for birds!
Redthroat |
My guide, Mark Carter, knew exactly where to find the birds and at what time of day they where lightly to be there. It saved a lot of time that would otherwise have been wasted waiting around for or missing out on a new species.
Red-capped Robin (female) quickly identified for me by my local guide - Mark Carter |
Spinifexbird in its natural habitat! My local guide set me up nicely for this photo! |
When visiting a new area I always use the local guides who know the best spots, have access to private property's and know the best time of day to visit. We even managed to locate a Bourke's Parrot in day light and then watch them coming in to drink after sunset. Thanks mark for a wonderful 3 days birding and the wealth of local knowledge - not only about the birds!
Bourke's Parrot. Not a perfect photo but a memorable sighting. |
By Doug Herrington of Birdwatching Tropical Australia in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, Australia.
HI Doug Remember me from Northern Ireland? Iam glad you did hire a guide and sae many new life birds. Hope you adn your family are well. I do miss going to Austraia, my (Aus.)family are now (for the present) in Malawi
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