Northern Territory – Bird Families of the World

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.

Bird(s) of the Week

Northern Shrike-tit from Centre Arnhem road.

Hooded Parrot, Pine Creek

Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Edith Falls road

Gouldian Finch, Edith Falls road

Yellow-rumped Munia from Katherine Showgrounds drainline. Hard to get lifer, mixed mainly with Chestnut-breasted Munia and also with Crimson Finch.

Crimson Finch from Katherine Showgrounds drainline.

Chestnut-breasted Munia from Katherine Showgrounds drainline.

Non-bird image(s)

Alice Springs Desert Park Entrance

Prime location for Hooded Parrot.

Devil Marbles

Week's Key location(s)

Alice Springs Desert Park Entrance.

Central Arnhem Rd. Northern Shrike-tit site.

Katherine Showgrounds drainline, Yellow-rumped Munia site.

Campsite at Edith Falls Rd. Bar-breasted Honeyeater (and Gouldian Finch) site.

Pine Creek Railway Museum, Hooded parrot site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 33941 km (this week 1818 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1747. 12 Apr 2025 4:16 PM Pine Creek Railway Museum

1746. 12 Apr 2025 9:14 AM Nitmiluk National Park — Edith Falls Upper (track)

1745. 12 Apr 2025 7:03 AM Edith Falls Rd at -14.18405, 132.03819

1744. 11 Apr 2025 4:27 PM Katherine Showgrounds drainline

1743. 11 Apr 2025 9:01 AM Katherine Showgrounds drainline

1742. 11 Apr 2025 7:00 AM Central Arnhem Rd at -14.60250, 132.71172

1741. 10 Apr 2025 11:04 AM Daly Waters

1740. 10 Apr 2025 9:15 AM Stuart Hwy Rest Stop at 17 22 33S 133 26 23E

1739. 09 Apr 2025 7:30 PM Stuart Hwy Rest Stop at 17 22 33S 133 26 23E, Barkly

1738. 09 Apr 2025 8:18 AM Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve

1737. 08 Apr 2025 7:04 AM Alice Springs Desert Park Entrance

1736. 07 Apr 2025 9:34 AM Alice Springs Desert Park Entrance

1735. 07 Apr 2025 8:17 AM John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve

1734. 06 Apr 2025 9:20 AM Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park–Ellery Creek Big Hole

Big Zigzag Birding

week 038 | From SA to NT | trip list 486 – 494

Posted on April, 2025April, 2025

Along Stuart Highway, Uluru area and MacDonnell Ranges

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 494 (+8 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 89 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 118 (+6 this week: Chiming Wedgebill, Bourke’s Parrot, Sandhill Grasswren, Banded Whitehead, Dusky Grasswren, Gray Honeyeater)
Campsite Lifers 24 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 165 (+6 this week)
eBird days of checklist streak: 264
Week’s special milestones: Grasswren #8 & #9!, over 50% species in Whipbirds and Wedgebills

Bird(s) of the Week

Dusky Grasswren, GW #9! Serpentine Gorge, West MacDonnell

Sandhill Grasswren! My 8th GW, Near Uluru, NT

Bourke’s Parrot, lefer just before leaving South Australia

Banded Whitehead, along Stuart Hwy

Chiming Wedgebill, first seen north to Coober Pedy, SA. Later seen and heard a few time while heading north in both SA & NT.

Non-bird image(s)

Ayris Rock from Sandhill Grasswren site

Ayris Rock – Uluru

Serpentine Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges, Dusky Grasswren site (you can see it on the closer rock!)

Week's Key location(s)

2 lifers location along Stuart Highway! Unnamed Road, Mount Willoughby, South Australia, AU (-28.259, 134.15)

Dunefield east of Yulara airport and north of Lasseter Hwy – Sandhill Grasswren site

Banded Whiteface site, along Stuart Highway, 21km north to A4 junction

Serpentine Gorge, west MacDonnell, Dusky Grasswren site

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 32123 km (this week 1651 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1732. 05 Apr 2025 2:23 PM Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park–Glen Helen Gorge

1731. 05 Apr 2025 12:16 PM Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park–Ormiston Gorge

1730. 05 Apr 2025 9:10 AM Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park–Serpentine Gorge

1729. 04 Apr 2025 5:00 PM Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park–Hugh River at -23.80917, 133.37472

1728. 04 Apr 2025 7:36 AM Stuarts Well

1727. 03 Apr 2025 2:41 PM Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve

1726. 03 Apr 2025 1:25 PM Stuart Hwy, 21km north of 1725. 02 Apr 2025 10:25 AM Walpa Gorge

1724. 02 Apr 2025 8:00 AM Dunefield east of Yulara airport and north of Lasseter Hwy

1723. 02 Apr 2025 6:46 AM Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park–Talinguru Nyakunytjaku

1722. 01 Apr 2025 11:13 AM Curtin Springs Station

1721. 31 Mar 2025 8:14 AM South Australia, AU (-27.084, 133.463), Anangu Pitjantjatjara, South Australia

1720. 30 Mar 2025 1:49 PM Unnamed Road, Mount Willoughby, South Australia, AU (-28.259, 134.15)

1719. 30 Mar 2025 8:28 AM Unnamed Road, Coober Pedy, South Australia, AU (-29.073, 134.784)