Wetland Wonders - NT Bird Specialists

 2 Day -­‐ Darwin and surrounds to Mary River Region Wetland Wonders Water dramatically shapes the wetlands and bird life of the Top End, which annually sees flood and fire every wet and dry monsoonal cycle. Opportunistic wetland birds busily feed and breed when the water levels are just right, all the while surveying for hungry predators, it’s a sight that excites the senses. Over two days we will tour around Darwin, Adelaide River, Margaret River and Mary River floodplain regions by foot, car and boat. Day one -­‐ Darwin to Mary River (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) We start our “Wetland Wonders” tour by scoping out a selection of the best birding sites in Darwin and it’s surrounding region. By picking you up early and visiting a variety of sites in Darwin’s urban and rural areas, we maximise our bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. Our guide will choose sites such as East Point, Nightcliff, Lee Point and Buffalo Creek, which provide the best birding conditions to suit the eight metre tidal range and weather conditions on the day. We’ll then drive through tropical woodlands in rural Darwin for a picnic lunch at Howard Springs, the first nature reserve to be established in the Northern Territory and home to a spring-­‐fed monsoon forest. These dense and lush areas provide relief and shelter for birds and other wildlife, like elusive forest birds including Rainbow Pitta, Emerald Dove, Grey Whistler, Large-­‐billed Gerygone and wandering colonies of Black Flying Foxes. We continue east along the Arnhem Highway, crossing the floodplains of the Adelaide River where we stop in search of mangrove and riverine bird species such as Mangrove Golden Whistler, Buff-­‐sided Robin and Arafura Fantail, before turning south down the unsealed Marrakai Track. The tropical woodlands and upper reaches of the Margaret and Adelaide Rivers we travel through on the Marrakai Track are ideal places to look for finches (Long-­‐tailed, Double-­‐barred, Masked and the much sought after Gouldian) and birds of prey (Swamp Harrier, Black-­‐breasted Buzzard, Brown Falcon and the occasional sighting of Little Eagle). We get back onto the Arnhem Highway and continue east scouring the granite hills of the Mt. Bundey Range looking for Red-­‐backed Kingfisher on the power lines and Wedge-­‐tailed Eagles soaring above. After checking in to our accommodation at Mary River Wilderness Retreat, we will have time to recall our day’s highlights and fill in our daily bird list before our two course dinner in the restaurant. Making your way back to your room after dinner, listen and look out for nocturnal birds such as Bush-­‐stone Curlew, Barking and Rufous Owl. 1 Day two -­‐ Mary River to Darwin (Breakfast, Lunch) We welcome the day with a dawn boat cruise along the fresh water reaches of the paperbark-­‐lined Mary River. Searching for elusive riverine birds (Black Bittern and Great-­‐billed Heron) can be advantageous as we gently putter through their territory. Busy honeyeaters to keep an eye out for include Rufous-­‐banded, Bar-­‐breasted, White-­‐gaped and Dusky Honeyeater, as well as the Freshwater and Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodiles, which call the Mary River home. After a picnic breakfast (we don’t want to miss a birding opportunity), we head for Mary River National Park and observe the activity around rocky ridges and the Mary River Billabong, another location to look for Masked, Long-­‐
tailed and Gouldian Finches. It’s also a great location to look for Antilopine Wallaroo and Agile Wallaby. We return west along the Arnhem Highway to have a picnic lunch and investigate the renowned wetlands of Fogg Dam, located on the edge of the Adelaide River Floodplain. Fogg Dam is an absolute must for bird watchers visiting the Top End. Keep your eyes peeled as we cross the man-­‐made dam wall, surrounded by paperbark swamp, wetlands and floodplains. Geese, Ducks, Ibis, Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills, Kingfishers, Finches, Cisticolas, Crakes, Flycatchers, Doves, Stork, Cranes, Kites, Jacanas, Bee-­‐eaters are just some of the regulars seen at this amazing site. So often we are provided with amazing photographic opportunities at this Heritage-­‐listed site. Our last stop will be at one of Darwin’s rural lagoons, where we will fill in our daily bird list before saying goodbye and dropping you off at your accommodation in Darwin. Inclusions: • Hotel pick up and drop off (from Darwin) • Experienced and professional guide • Transport in a modern 4WD vehicle • Small groups (maximum 4 guests) • All Meals (please notify us of allergies at time of booking) and accommodation on tour •
Cold water, tea and coffee (alcoholic beverages to be purchased at guest’s own expense) •
•
•
•
•
Take home bird list A spotting scope and field guides to share Satellite phone First Aid kit Assurance of an Australian Accredited Tourism Business rating and Licensed Commercial Tour Operator and Vehicle 2 Day “Wetland Wonders” Price List 2015 Tour Code: NTBS2WW 2 Minimum payment of two persons applies for departure. Maximum 4 Guests. Prices per Person No. of Guests (Twin Share $AUD) 1 $1,680.00 2 $1,680.00 3 $1,230.00 4 $975.00 Single Supplement Price = $60 per person Please enquire for larger group bookings or private charter prices (Maximum 12 guests) Night 1 Optional accommodation upgrade rates if available on date of travel Twin share per person Single supplement per person $40.00 $75.00 Book with us today at: e. [email protected] w. www.ntbirdspecialists.com.au p. (+61) 0421 651 122 p. (+61) 0455 921 092 Locations and itineraries may vary according to environmental conditions, availability and guide's best discretion on the day. 3