birding in Western Australia

Day 1. We begin this 4 day / 3 night private tour with a quick visit to one of Perth's magnificent wetlands where we can see Blue-billed and Musk Ducks along with many other water birds and quite possibly, coiled Tiger Snakes sunning themselves in the grassy margins.

From there it's up into the Darling Ranges where we will stop along the way to look for endemic birds such as Baudin's Black-cockatoo, Red-capped Parrot, Western Rosella, Western Spinebill and White-breasted Robin. Most likely we’ll come across our first marsupials, the large Western Grey Kangaroo or the diminutive Western Brush-wallaby.

The Dryandra Woodlands are our destination and it is here that we will look for the endangered Carnaby's Black-cockatoo, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Western Thornbill, and Purple-crowned Lorikeet. We’ll also look out for native animals such as the termite-eating Numbat, Western Australia’s faunal emblem, and the charming, hedgehog-like Echidna, both species unusual in being diurnal in habit. In the evening we’ll return to try or own fortunes with the spotlight, hoping to see Tammar Wallabies, Woylies, Possums, Phascogales, and nocturnal birds such as the Bush Stone-curlew and Tawny Frogmouth.

Overnight, we’ll stay in motel accommodation in nearby Narrogin

Day 2. Heading south we pass through the beautiful Stirling Ranges where we'll stop for lunch and search for Western Yellow Robin, Purple-gaped and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters and Elegant Parrot. Late afternoon brings us to the South Coast where we will begin our search for the notorious and often elusive trio of Noisy Scrub-bird, Western Bristle-bird and Western Whipbird.

Overnight we’ll stay in chalet-style accommodation with ensuite facilities at Cheynes Beach Caravan Park where we'll also find Brush Bronzewing and Western Spinebill are quite common.

Day 3. We continue our search for the elusive trio and hope to also add Southern Emu-wren, Red-winged Fairy-wren and Red-eared Firetail to our tally. We may even see the marsupial Quenda or Brown Bandicoot, which is sometimes active during the day.

Later in the morning we head westwards towards the tall forest country around Pemberton and Manjimup but enroute, we'll stop to look at Lake Muir, a Ramsar listed wetland, where we'll find the geographically limited population of the Western Corella (known as Muir's Corella).

In Pemberton itself we'll visit one of the fire look-out trees, the Gloucester Tree, where we'll find Western Rosella, White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren and Common Bronzewing are all fairly tame and not at all camera-shy! As evening approaches we may be lucky enough to see the unusual rat-like Quokka.

Overnight in motel accommodation in Pemberton.

Day 4. Our final day and a longish drive back to Perth but not without a quick stop off at Penguin Island along the way. Here we’ll visit the Discovery Centre where injured or orphaned Little Penguins are rehabilitated and released back to the wild. The island is also home to nesting Pelicans and Bridled Terns as well as the imposing King’s Skink and the not-so-shy Buff-banded Rail. We may even see Arctic Jaegers harassing the terns as we take the short ferry ride across to the island.

We arrive back in Perth late in the afternoon.

This 4 day/3 night tour is fully accommodated in 3-4 star motel style accommodation except for Cheynes Beach where comfortable cabins with ensuite facilities are available.

Tour Cost: On application. Tour departs on request. Pick Up from Perth & Fremantle hotels and Perth Airport. (Holiday surcharges apply)

Tour Code: BP4SW

To Book or Enquire: Email (Please include Tour Code)