Hi Jan,
I have been to Norfolk many times and am going again soon. As I'm sure
you are aware it is very small, 8kms x 5kms but, surprisingly, in spite
of that some birds can be hard to find. There are many introduced birds
and they are the ones you will see most often particularly Blackbirds
and Song Thrushes. Goldfinches are present but hard to find and
Greenfinches are a real challenge but are present in the south-eastern
corner in my experience. California Quail are best seen near Anson bay.
The real birds, ie natives, can be more elusive. The endemic Gerygone
(subsp) is common and widespread as is the Sacred Kingfisher (subsp) and
Fantail (subsp) but the Pacific Robin (sp), Golden Whistler (subsp),
Long-billed Whiteye (sp) and the Red-fronted Parakeet (sp) locally
called Green Parrot are mainly confined to the national park which is
easily accessible and has good tracks. Take the track down from Mt Pitt
towards Mt Bates and you should see these birds. Wild Green Parrots
often hang around the aviary in the Botanic Garden. White-breasted
White-eye has been reported in recent years but not confirmed. There are
also Welcome Swallows, Crimson Rosellas (Red Parrots), Nankeen Kestrels,
Emerald Doves, Swamphens and feral chooks, ducks and geese. Masked
Woodswallows are present but hard to find. I've only had one fleeting
glimpse of them.
Sea birds are what you go to Norfolk to see. What you see depends on the
time of the year. At present there are large numbers of Black-winged
Petrels, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Sooty Terns,
Common and Black Noddys, Grey Ternlets and Masked Booby. You may also
see White-necked and Kermedec Petrels, Frigatebirds and other species.
Go to Puppy's Point at night and the Shearwaters will be sitting on the
grass in front of their nests. The Hundred Acre reserve is probably the
best mainland site for seeing nesting seabirds. Whilst all of these
birds can be seen from the main island I recommend a trip to Philip Is
for the best view. It is a bit tricky getting off the boat and the climb
looks daunting but it is only steep at the beginning. If you are fit
enough to do the Philip Is trek it is a must do trip.
Most of the seabirds can be seen in winter but it far fewer numbers.
Providence Petrels and Little Shearwaters are more likely in winter.
On the foreshore at Kingston look for Pacific Golden Plover,
Double-banded Plover, Wandering Tattler and other waders.
If you want a birding guide contact Margaret Christian at
Good luck and have a good time.
Regards,
Barry Davies
Gondwana Guides
Beechmont Qld.
Jan England wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I hope to go to Norfolk Island soon and was wondering if anyone had been there
recently and could give me uptodate information on places to go and birds to
see. I know that there is an updated section in Pizzey (still waiting for my
copy) and in Morcombe but I was looking for current information and a bird
contact if possible.
Thanks
Jan
============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
============================
--
===============================
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
===============================
|
