The eagerly anticipated results of the birding TOP10 destinations … it’s a bit like Masterchef .. you’ll have to wait for the final. For now, just a teaser.
We’ve had responses here, through Bird-O (http://bird-o.com), emails and Facebook. Read the original posting at http://bird-o.com/2011/08/09/bird-os-top10-aussie-birding-destinations/
The current contenders for the TOP 10 (drum roll please) are:
Position ; number of votes ; place name
#1 7 Werribee Sewage Farm #2 5 Capertee Valley #2 5 Gluepot #2 5 Hattah/Kulkyne National Park #3 4 Bowra Station #3 4 Broome (incl BBO & Roebuck Bay) #3 4 Cairns #4 3 Bruny Island #4 3 Cheyne Beach #4 3 Iron Range #4 3 Lamington NP, Queensland #4 3 Royal National Park
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Australian birders have put poo ponds down as their favourite. There are 12 locations in first, plus joint second and third places, so I think it only fair to have 12 Top 10s, unless you’re yet to cast your vote – your’s could just tip the balance ; )
Close contenders, just pipped to the mark (in no particular order … well, alphabetical …) are:
Alice Poo Ponds Atherton Tablelands Chiltern (& Mt Pilot) Darwin area Hobart Kakadu Kingfisher Park Kununurra Round Hill Strzlecki Track Sundown and Girraween Nps
[Frank’s second and third Top10s were disqualified. Frank, you were just being a bit greedy : ) so we only included your first top 10, not the second or third … hehehe ]
Thanks to everyone who responded. It’s a great little exercise and much fun. It’ll take us a while to condense all of this into something sensible and useful though, so be patient. Thanks also for those who left comments with their suggestions – a nice added extra and splendid testimonial to our wonderful country.
Regards,
Simon.
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Simon Mustoe Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email simonmustoe@ecology-solutions.com.au
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It’s not that hard Tony. I drove up and down the escarpment in a Subaru without difficulty almost 10 years ago, so you shouldn’t have any problems in a full-time 4WD.
Regards, Laurie.
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Few people actually drive down the escarpment. It is not that difficult to drive along the track if you have a 4WD, but excessive traffic movements along it are discouraged because of the risk of churning up the sandy track through the mallee. Visitors usually leave their vehicles in a secure parking area at the top of the escarpment and are transported down to the observatory by the volunteer caretaker at an arranged time.
It is important for visitors to Eyre to notify the volunteer caretakers of their intended arrival and departure times, rather than call in unannounced. The observatory may be closed to casual visitors when observatory courses and workshops are being run or when the volunteer caretakers are engaged in major maintenance work. Visitor bookings ahead of time also ensure that the volunteer caretakers have time to order sufficient food for their guests (groceries have to be ordered from Norseman or Perth).
Contact details are:
Eyre Bird Observatory PMB 32 Cocklebiddy via Norseman WA 6443 Tel: +61 8 9039 3450 Fax: +61 8 9039 3440 Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.com
It may be a bit of an adventure to get to Eyre, but once you have been there you will see why it is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
Few people actually drive down the escarpment. It is not that difficult to drive along the track if you have a 4WD, but excessive traffic movements along it are discouraged because of the risk of churning up the sandy track through the mallee. Visitors usually leave their vehicles in a secure parking area at the top of the escarpment and are transported down to the observatory by the volunteer caretaker at an arranged time.
It is important for visitors to Eyre to notify the volunteer caretakers of their intended arrival and departure times, rather than call in unannounced. The observatory may be closed to casual visitors when observatory courses and workshops are being run or when the volunteer caretakers are engaged in major maintenance work. Visitor bookings ahead of time also ensure that the volunteer caretakers have time to order sufficient food for their guests (groceries have to be ordered from Norseman or Perth).
Contact details are:
Eyre Bird Observatory PMB 32 Cocklebiddy via Norseman WA 6443 Tel: +61 8 9039 3450 Fax: +61 8 9039 3440 Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.com
It may be a bit of an adventure to get to Eyre, but once you have been there you will see why it is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
Few people actually drive down the escarpment. It is not that difficult to drive along the track if you have a 4WD, but excessive traffic movements along it are discouraged because of the risk of churning up the sandy track through the mallee. Visitors usually leave their vehicles in a secure parking area at the top of the escarpment and are transported down to the observatory by the volunteer caretaker at an arranged time.
It is important for visitors to Eyre to notify the volunteer caretakers of their intended arrival and departure times, rather than call in unannounced. The observatory may be closed to casual visitors when observatory courses and workshops are being run or when the volunteer caretakers are engaged in major maintenance work. Visitor bookings ahead of time also ensure that the volunteer caretakers have time to order sufficient food for their guests (groceries have to be ordered from Norseman or Perth).
Contact details are:
Eyre Bird Observatory PMB 32 Cocklebiddy via Norseman WA 6443 Tel: +61 8 9039 3450 Fax: +61 8 9039 3440 Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.com
It may be a bit of an adventure to get to Eyre, but once you have been there you will see why it is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
Few people actually drive down the escarpment. It is not that difficult to drive along the track if you have a 4WD, but excessive traffic movements along it are discouraged because of the risk of churning up the sandy track through the mallee. Visitors usually leave their vehicles in a secure parking area at the top of the escarpment and are transported down to the observatory by the volunteer caretaker at an arranged time.
It is important for visitors to Eyre to notify the volunteer caretakers of their intended arrival and departure times, rather than call in unannounced. The observatory may be closed to casual visitors when observatory courses and workshops are being run or when the volunteer caretakers are engaged in major maintenance work. Visitor bookings ahead of time also ensure that the volunteer caretakers have time to order sufficient food for their guests (groceries have to be ordered from Norseman or Perth).
Contact details are:
Eyre Bird Observatory PMB 32 Cocklebiddy via Norseman WA 6443 Tel: +61 8 9039 3450 Fax: +61 8 9039 3440 Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.com
It may be a bit of an adventure to get to Eyre, but once you have been there you will see why it is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
I agree David. I’ve been to the top of the escarpment a couple of times but baulked at going down – apparently getting back up can be difficult, even with a 4×4.
Tony
Maybe – but it is so isolated that I for one have yet to make it there – the other places mentioned are much easier to visit and thus probably attract a lot more birders.
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I’m surprised that no one has nominated the Eyre Bird Observatory. I’ve been a serious bird-watcher for 44 years and it is one of my favourite places. It’s a great place for seabirds, waders, mallee and coastal dune species, arid and semi-arid species. Stay there long enough, or visit there often enough, and you will observe rarities and irruptions of more common species. And Eyre provides comfortable accommodation and good company.
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW