Big Zigzag Birding – Bird Families of the World

week 048 | around Broome | trip list 541 – 545

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

The Shorebird (and Mozzy!) Capital of Australia

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 545 (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 138 (+1 this week: Dusky Gerygone)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 191 (+3 this week)
eBird AU year list: 375 (21st eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 334
Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

Dusky Gerygone, ticked on Streeter’s Jetty Broom, photographed on Crab Creek mangroves, near Broom Bird Observatory.

White-breasted Whistler, another mangrove specialist seen much easier in WA vs. NT. From Streeter’s Jetty Broom.

Some of the thousands Pied Stilt near Broome Bird Observatory.

Non-bird image(s)

, Streeter’s Jetty Broom, just next to cafes and shopping center, seems much birdyer in high tide: Dusky Gerygone ticked, and better views compare to NT on Mangrove Golden & White-breasted Whistlers.

Mudskipper at low tide mangroves. Near BBO.

Week's Key location(s)

Dusky Gerygone site, close to Broome’s cafes and shops

Crab Creek near BBO

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 41600 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1853. 14 Jun 2025 11:36 AM South Hedland Wastewater Treatment Plant

1852. 14 Jun 2025 8:56 AM De Grey River (Great Northern Hwy)

1851. 13 Jun 2025 5:30 PM De Grey River (Great Northern Hwy)

1850. 12 Jun 2025 12:06 PM Streeters Jetty (Broome)

1849. 11 Jun 2025 11:01 AM Streeters Jetty (Broome)

1848. 11 Jun 2025 5:53 AM Crab Creek Mangroves (Roebuck Bay)

1847. 10 Jun 2025 7:08 AM Broome Bird Observatory–Viewing Platform

1846. 09 Jun 2025 8:42 AM Streeters Jetty (Broome)

1845. 08 Jun 2025 5:11 PM Broome’s Gateway Caravan Park

1844. 08 Jun 2025 12:07 PM Streeters Jetty (Broome)

1843. 08 Jun 2025 9:35 AM James Price Point

Big Zigzag Birding

week 047 | Kimberley – Broome | trip list 539 – 541

Posted on June, 2025June, 2025

Great Northern Highway to Broome

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 541 (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 137 (+1 this week: Mangrove Fantail)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 188 (+1 this week)
eBird AU year list: 368 (21st eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 327
Week’s special milestones: Earth’s circumference travelled so far – over 40000 km!

Bird(s) of the Week

Mangrove Fantail – seems an easy WA bird – not as in NT. Lifer from the mangroves near Derby Jetty.

Red-browed Pardalote (Pardalotus rubricatus), ticked in October at Queensland outback (Boulia), seen again in NT, and photographed for the first time near Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia

Non-bird image(s)

Bungle Bungle helicopter flight view

James Price Point

Derby Jetty

Week's Key location(s)

Derby Jetty, Mangrove Fantail site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 40600 km (this week 1300 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1842. 07 Jun 2025 4:13 PM James Price Point

1841. 06 Jun 2025 1:45 PM Entrance Point and Port (Broome)

1840. 06 Jun 2025 10:07 AM Town Beach (Broome)

1839. 05 Jun 2025 9:08 AM Derby Jetty

1838. 04 Jun 2025 1:10 PM Derby Jetty

1837. 04 Jun 2025 11:54 AM Joon Joo Botanical Trail (Derby)

1836. 03 Jun 2025 6:31 PM Ellendale Rest Area, Great Northern Hwy (restricted access)

1835. 03 Jun 2025 12:56 PM Geikie Gorge National Park, Derby-West Kimberley

1834. 03 Jun 2025 12:07 PM Yurabi Road, Saint George Ranges, Western Australia, AU (-18.181, 125.598)

1833. 03 Jun 2025 6:52 AM Mary Pool Road, Mueller Mary Pool Rest Area, Ranges, Western Australia, AU (-18.727, 126.871)

1832. 02 Jun 2025 9:49 AM Warmun Roadhouse

1831. 01 Jun 2025 8:08 AM Spring Creek Rest Area

Big Zigzag Birding

week 046 | Kimberley, WA | trip list 539 – 539

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

some common birds around El Questro and Bungle Bungle

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 539 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 136 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 187 (+0this week)
eBird AU year list: 363 (22nd eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 320
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Red-collared Lorikeet.

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Silver-crowned Friarbird

Non-bird image(s)

not a bird

Week's Key location(s)

Bow River as in the song by Cold Chisel. Cool birding as well

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 39300 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1830. 31 May 2025 4:33 PM Spring Creek Rest Area

1829. 31 May 2025 7:12 AM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley

1828. 30 May 2025 2:34 PM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley

1827. 30 May 2025 8:53 AM Bungle Bungle Caravan Park, Mabel Downs Station

1826. 29 May 2025 8:00 AM Bow River at -16.79468, 128.2798, Wyndham-East Kimberley

1825. 28 May 2025 10:28 AM Emma Gorge, Wyndham-East Kimberley

1824. 28 May 2025 8:03 AM El Questro Station–Zebedee Springs

1823. 27 May 2025 10:14 AM El Questro Station

1822. 26 May 2025 12:37 PM Pentecost River crossing (Gibb River Rd)

1821. 25 May 2025 11:22 AM King River Road, Wyndham, Western Australia, AU (-15.555, 128.148)

1820. 25 May 2025 8:22 AM Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve–Marglu Billabong

Big Zigzag Birding

week 045 | Crossing Northern Territory – Western Australia border | trip list 534 – 539

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

Farewell NT while collecting lifers along Victoria Highway heading WA

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 539 (+5 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 136 (+4 this week: Star Finch, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Buff-sided Robin, White-quilled Rock-Pigeon)
Campsite Lifers 27 (+1 this week: White-quilled Rock-Pigeon)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 187 (+5 this week)
eBird AU year list: 360 (20th eBirder in Australia by species, 2025)
eBird days of checklist streak: 313
Week’s special milestones: 20th eBirder in Australia by species, 2025

Bird(s) of the Week

Star Finch, ticked next to Noel Buntine Memorial, at Victoria Hwy/Buntine Hwy junction. Photographed better in Lions Park, near Kununurra, WA.

Purple-crowned Fairywren from Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp

Buff-sided Robin from Timber Creek Caravan Park

White-quilled Rock-Pigeon from Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk

Non-bird image(s)

Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp – Purple-crowned Fairywren site

Timber Creek Caravan Park – Buff-sided Robin site

Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk – White-quilled Rock-Pigeon site.

Ivanhoe Crossing, Western Australia

Week's Key location(s)

Star Finch site

Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp – Purple-crowned Fairywren site

Timber Creek Caravan Park – Buff-sided Robin site

Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Rock Walk – White-quilled Rock-Pigeon site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 38300 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1818. 24 May 2025 8:40 AM Lake Argyle Village

1817. 23 May 2025 12:15 PM Lake Argyle, Ord River Picnic Area

1816. 22 May 2025 8:47 AM Lions Park, Diversion Dam, Kununurra, Western Australia

1815. 21 May 2025 12:32 PM Keep River Access, Baines, Northern Territory, AU (-15.922, 129.057)

1814. 21 May 2025 10:36 AM Keep River National Park

1813. 21 May 2025 10:08 AM Gurrandalng, Baines, Northern Territory, AU (-15.878, 129.056)

1812. 20 May 2025 1:27 PM Keep River National Park–Gurrandalng Camp Ground

1811. 19 May 2025 12:55 PM Timber Creek Caravan Park

1810. 19 May 2025 10:08 AM Victoria River Crossing–boat ramp

1809. 19 May 2025 8:25 AM Victoria Highway, Delamere, Northern Territory, AU (-15.603, 131.181)

1808. 18 May 2025 1:44 PM Victoria Hwy at Buntine Hwy

1807. 18 May 2025 8:58 AM Edith Falls Rd at -14.18405, 132.03819

Big Zigzag Birding

week 044 | Top End Relaxing | trip list 534 – 534

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

Mainly resting in lovely family property near Coolalinga, and leaving Top End

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 534 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 132 (+0 this week, excluding 7 lifers in Singapore)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 182 (+0 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 306
Week’s special milestones: over 300 eBird days of checklist streak!

Bird(s) of the Week

Rainbow Pitta, the star of the campsite yard.

Family of 4 Forest Kingfishers is here as well

Non-bird image(s)

Camping in lovely family property near Coolalinga

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 37300 km (this week 500 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1806. 17 May 2025 5:31 PM Pine Creek Water Gardens

1805. 17 May 2025 4:13 PM Stuart Highway, Robin Falls, Northern Territory, AU (-13.283, 131.173)

1804. 17 May 2025 3:01 PM Riverside Park Adelaide River, Coomalie

1803. 17 May 2025 2:09 PM Pell Airstrip at -13.13889, 131.10694

1802. 16 May 2025 12:22 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1801. 15 May 2025 5:03 PM East Point–far end, Darwin

1800. 14 May 2025 9:29 AM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1799. 13 May 2025 1:44 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1798. 12 May 2025 11:26 AM Charles Darwin National Park

1797. 11 May 2025 1:52 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park

Big Zigzag Birding

week 043 | mainly Darwin’s Mangroves 2 | trip list 529 – 534

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

Around Darwin, mainly Buffalo Creek

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 534 (+5 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 132 (+1 this week: Chestnut Rail, excluding 7 lifers in Singapore)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 182 (+2 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 299
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Chestnut Rail (Gallirallus castaneoventris), heard only last week a few times on Buffalo Creek, near Darwin NT, and on the same place, again this week. So a boat trip with Christopher Spooner makes the difference! These rails ignore the boat, and this might be the best way to see them.

Little Kingfisher from Buffalo Creek boat trip.

Great-billed Heron from Buffalo Creek boat trip.

Terek Sandpiper. new for my Aussie list, from a low tide walk along Buffalo Creek.

Non-bird image(s)

Buffalo Creek, always at low tide. Upstream with a boat to get photos of Chestnut Rail, Little Kingfisher and many other birds. Walk downstream , or stay near the boat ramp to hear Chestnut Rail and see many other birds,

Tons of tiny crabs parades.

Week's Key location(s)

Buffalo Creek boat trip, mainly for Chestnut Rail

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 36800 km (this week 250 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1796. 10 May 2025 12:13 PM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1795. 09 May 2025 10:18 AM Coolalinga Caravan Park

1794. 08 May 2025 10:00 AM East Point Reserve–White Rocks, Darwin

1793. 08 May 2025 7:54 AM Buffalo Creek

1792. 07 May 2025 8:29 AM Buffalo Creek Point

1791. 06 May 2025 5:01 PM 3760 Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills Campground

1790. 06 May 2025 2:42 AM Longwood Ave., Leanyer Darwin

** 5 days only due short visit to Singapore

Big Zigzag Birding

week 042 | mainly Darwin’s Mangroves | trip list 525 – 529

Posted on May, 2025May, 2025

Around Darwin

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 529 (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 131 (+1 this week: White-breasted Whistler)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 180 (+1 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 291
Week’s special milestones: ON Top 30 eBirders in Australia by species, 2025

Bird(s) of the Week

White-breasted Whistler (Pachycephala lanioides) on typical mangrove habitat. Huge strong beak used to crash crabs collected from the send. Low tide is essential for access. Thanks to local experts, Peter & Dave helped. Make sure you know your way back!

Black-tailed Whistler aka Mangrove Golden Whistler

Non-bird image(s)

Low tide mangrove. The perfect habitat for White-breasted Whistler

Our Explorer Motorhome # – as WBW on my Australian life list 🙂

Week's Key location(s)

White-breasted Whistler location – flooded on high tide, perfect on low.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 36550 km (this week 590 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1783. 02 May 2025 8:11 AM 3760 Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills Campground, Northern Territory, AU (-12.799, 131.121)

1782. 01 May 2025 9:27 AM 3760 Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills Campground, Northern Territory, AU (-12.799, 131.121)

1781. 30 Apr 2025 1:16 PM Buffalo Creek Shore, Darwin

1780. 30 Apr 2025 11:58 AM 7 Winston Avenue, Stuart Park, Northern Territory, AU (-12.449, 130.844)

1779. 30 Apr 2025 9:51 AM 10 Keleson Road, Noonamah, Northern Territory, AU (-12.657, 131.077)

1778. 30 Apr 2025 8:30 AM 3760 Stuart Highway, Acacia Hills Campground, Northern Territory, AU (-12.799, 131.121)

1777. 29 Apr 20253:16 PM 7 Winston Avenue, Stuart Park, Northern Territory, AU (-12.449, 130.844)

1776. 28 Apr 202510:03 AM Mangroves near Orchard Rd (Coconut Grove), Darwin

1775. 27 Apr 20253:39 PM Batchelor Holiday Park

** 6 days only due short visit to Singapore

Big Zigzag Birding

week 041 | Kakadu National Park | trip list 521 – 525

Posted on April, 2025May, 2025

Most of Kakadu National Park is seasonally closed - Luckily Nourlangie Rock is accessible

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 525 (+4 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 130 (+4 this week: White-lined Honeyeater, Black-banded Fruit-Dove, Sandstone Shrikethrush, Partridge Pigeon)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 179 (+4 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 285
Week’s special milestones: Bird #600 on my Australia list!

Bird(s) of the Week

Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii) a great lifer from Kakado NP, NT. Also my #600 on my Australian list! and cleanup genus Geophaps (with Spinifex Pigeon (Geophaps plumifera) and Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta))

Black-banded Fruit-Doveת one of there lifers from Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock.

Sandstone Shrikethrush, far distance lifer from the lookout in Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock.

White-lined Honeyeater, also from the lookout in Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock.

Non-bird image(s)

At the lookout in Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock, The Sandstone Shrikethrushs are on the far left rocks.

Yellow Water, Kakadu NP sunrise

Week's Key location(s)

Arnhem Hwy/Kakadu Hwy. Partridge Pigeon site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 35960 km (this week 1140 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1774. 26 Apr 2025 11:33 AM Kakadu National Park–Mamukala Billabong

1773. 25 Apr 2025 6:44 AM Kakadu National Park–Yellow Water

1772. 24 Apr 2025 9:17 AM Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock

1771. 24 Apr 2025 7:36 AM Kakadu Lodge (Jabiru)

1770. 24 Apr 202 57:22 AM 18371 Arnhem Road, Kakadu, Northern Territory, AU (-12.655, 132.829)

1769. 23 Apr 2025 5:59 PM Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock

1768. 23 Apr 2025 9:10 AM Kakadu National Park–Nourlangie Rock

1767. 23 Apr 2025 8:23 AM 18371 Arnhem Road, Kakadu, Northern Territory, AU (-12.655, 132.829)

1766. 23 Apr 2025 6:57 AM Arnhem Highway/Oenpelli Road, Kakadu, Northern Territory, AU (-12.65, 132.817)

1765. 22 Apr 2025 6:00 PM Kakadu Lodge (Jabiru)

1764. 22 Apr 2025 2:23 PM Kakadu National Park–South Alligator boatram

1763. 22 Apr 2025 12:22 PM Adelaide River Bridge,Arnhem Hwy, Litchfield

1762. 21 Apr 2025 3:20 PM Batchelor Holiday Park

1761. 20 Apr 2025 11:02 AM 89 Affleck Road, Acacia Hills, Northern Territory, AU (-12.708, 131.092)

Big Zigzag Birding

week 040 | Around Darwin | trip list 506 – 521

Posted on April, 2025April, 2025

Tropic heat and humidity with tons of birds..

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 521 (+15 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 126 (+4 this week:
Arafura Shrikethrush, Silver-backed Butcherbird,
Siberian Sand-Plover, Black-tailed Whistler)
Campsite Lifers 26 (+1 this week: Silver-backed Butcherbird)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 175 (+6 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 278
Week’s special milestones: 40 weeks!

Bird(s) of the Week

Silver-backed Butcherbird

Arafura Shrikethrush

Introduced, but a local RBA: Eurasian Tree Sparrow (at Bunnings Palmerston carpark)

One the common beauties – Rainbow Bee-eater

Non-bird image(s)

East Point, Darwin

Week's Key location(s)

Arafura Shrikethrush site

Batchelor Holiday Park – Silber-backed Butcherbird site

Buffalo Creek, Siberian Sand-Plover site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 34820 km (this week 879 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1760. 19 Apr 2025 10:14 AM Litchfield National Park–Florence Falls

1759. 18 Apr 2025 5:42 PM Batchelor Holiday Park

1758. 17 Apr 2025 3:46 PM Buffalo Creek

1757. 17 Apr 2025 12:21 PM East Point Mangrove Boardwalk

1756. 17 Apr 2025 10:34 AM East Point Reserve–White Rocks

1755. 16 Apr 2025 4:13 PM Ludmilla Creek

1754. 16 Apr 2025 3:09 PM Howard Springs Hunting Reserve

1753. 16 Apr 2025 1:39 PM 8 Pierssene Road, Yarrawonga, Bunnings parking Entry . Northern Territory, AU (-12.47, 130.991), Palmerston

1752. 16 Apr 2025 7:01 AM Buffalo Creek Shore, Darwin

1751. 15 Apr 2025 6:41 PM Saddle Park (Saddle Ct, Leanyer), Darwin

1750. 14 Apr 2025 8:41 AM Batchelor Holiday Park

1749. 13 Apr 20257:08 PM Batchelor Holiday Park

1748. 13 Apr 2025 11:07 AM Adelaide River Wartime Cemetery

Big Zigzag Birding

week 039 | Heading north on Stuart Hwy | trip list 494 – 506

Posted on April, 2025April, 2025

from the Red Centre to the Top End

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 506 (+12 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 122 (+4 this week: Northern Shrike-tit, Yellow-rumped Munia, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Hooded Parrot)
Campsite Lifers 25 (+1 this week: Bar-breasted Honeyeater )
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 169 (+4 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 271
Week’s special milestones: Zigzag #500 species! over 50% species seen in Shrike-tits family.