Kirrama Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours - Australia & New Guinea

South-Western Endemics Tour

12 Day Tour

8 birdwatchers maximum
Perth - Rottness Island - Armadale - Dryandra - Stirling Range - Two People Bay - Armadale

This tour concentrates on the endemics and specialties of this region, which include some of the most beautiful parrots and cockatoos, and in the south-west the three difficult birds (Western Bristlebird, Noisy Scrubbird and Western Whipbird). In regard to parrots, lorikeets and cockatoos we have the chance of seeing 17 species. We also look for the introduced birds, which can’t be found easily anywhere else. Numbats and Bilbies have also been seen on this tour.

The itinerary is set out to give us a chance of multiple sightings, as some species can be difficult to find, depending on water and food supply, which are unpredictable. The tour does not concentrate on waders, shorebirds and pelagics, but of course when encountered we don't ignore them.

Day 1

Arrival and meeting at Perth. Very close to our motel is a park, where some interesting birds, including the Red-capped Parrot can be seen. The tour starts with dinner at the hotel, but if guests are in Perth already we might visit one of the many lakes in Perth for some afternoon birdwatching.

Accommodation: The Marque Hotel, Perth

Day 2

Early morning departure for Rottness Island, which is a famous place to see the almost tame Quokkas. Our main purpose to visit this beautiful island is to look for Rock Parrots. Other interesting birds include White-fronted Chats, Red-capped Robin and the introduced Pheasant and Peafowl. Later on we check the local beaches and salt marshes for other birds like Roseate Terns, Fairy Terns and Banded Stilts. We return in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: The Marque Hotel, Perth

Day 3

We leave Perth and drive to east to look for another introduced bird, the Mute Swan. Armadale is then our next stop. The local area has plenty of interesting birds recorded, including Long-billed and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos, Western Rosellas, Red-capped Parrots, Red-eared Firetails, White-breasted Robins, Red-winged Fairy-Wrens and many more. Most of these birds can also be seen in other areas, but it’s a great introduction to the endemics of Western Australia.

Accommodation: Heritage Country Motel, Armadale

Day 4 & 5

After early morning birdwatching we drive from Armadale to Dryandra, where we spend 2 nights. Dryandra is an open woodland reserve with plenty of birds and some famous marsupials like the Numbats. Birding highlights are Elegant Parrots, Australian Ringnecks, Western Rosellas, Red- capped Parrots, Rufous Treecreepers, Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens, Western Spinebills and a variety of Honeyeaters. At night we go spotlighting for nocturnal birds and mammals.

Accommodation: Albert Facey Motor Inn, Narrogin

Day 6

After checking the local area for birds we leave Narrogin and drive three hours south to the Stirling Range. We stay at the Retreat and walk the established walking tracks, looking for Short-billed Black-Cockatoos and a chance of Western Whipbirds and Western Fieldwrens amongst many others. Late afternoon we spend some time looking for Regent and Elegant Parrots.

Accommodation : Stirling Range Retreat, Stirling Range

Day 7

After an early morning walk, looking for the elusive Western Shrike-tit we travel a short distance north to a private property, which has active Malleefowl mounds. These endangered birds are only found at very few places, but here we have a good chance. It is the same location where David Attenborough was filmed with the birds. In the afternoon we do more birding around the Retreat.

Accommodation : Stirling Range Retreat, Stirling Range

Day 8 - 10

It's only a short distance from the Retreat to Albany, where we'll arrive about noon. The main destination is ‘Two Peoples Bay', where three difficult endemic birds can be found. Western Whipbird, Western Bristlebird and the elusive Noisy Scrubbird are found in the coastal heath. Also present are Rock Parrots, Southern Emu-wrens and Red-eared Firetails, and the best time for all of these birds is early morning and late afternoon. We visit this beautiful area several times plus other hot spot areas for these difficult endemics. Another area we check out is Lake Seppings, where we should see Musk and Blue-billed Ducks amongst other birds.

Accommodation: Le Grande Motel, Albany

Day 11

On the way north today we visit the main area along a highway for Long-billed Black Cockatoos and Western Corellas. Today is our main push towards Perth, which involves a drive of about 450 km. We stay again at Armadale.

Accommodation: Heritage Country Motel, Armadale

Day 12

After a final birdwatching walk in the morning we check out at 10.00 am and return to Perth. The tour finishes around midday.