Lord Howe Island is 570 km east of New South Wales, Australia. (31.33
south, 159.05 east) It is a popular tourist destination, and of interest to
birdwatchers, has an endemic rail, and is the breeding ground of several
species of seabird. Only 400 visitors are allowed at any time.
The island is 11 km long, maximum 2.8 km wide, is sub-tropical, and has a
highest peak, Mt. Gower 875m. Ball's Pyramid, a volcanic spire is 551m and
is 23 km to the south-east. There are two distinct bird breeding periods
and some birds only breed on Ball's Pyramid.
Accommodation must be arranged before arrival, there are daily flights from
Sydney and Brisbane, shops and restaurants abound. The return flight from
Sydney, Australia plus one week's accommodation was $1500(Aus) each(high
season). The commonest method of transport was bicycle which, with helmet
was $4 per day.
Birdwatching: About 130 species have been recorded.
The island is excellent for photography.
Weather permitting, daily activities e.g boat trips are organised which
permit good views of the birds.
We took a boat trip around the island, a glass bottom boat trip inside the
reef, and a day trip to a picnic area. There is a fishing boat to Ball's
Pyramid ($100) which is an all day trip. We climbed Mt. Gower and did
several walks. We snorkelled the coral reefs regularly.
Many well made walking tracks go through the dry rainforest often to
lookouts. We recommend the Malabar and Muttonbird Point (both Grade 3)
before you attempt to climb Mount Gower (grade 10)
In the rear of Simpson & Day's Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, there
is a section listing every species, its measure of abundance and time of
year. Some of the subspecies may well be elevated to full species.
Birds of Interest:
Lord Howe Island Woodhen (Lord Howe Rail Gallirallus sylvestris) Once one
of the most endangered species in the world, down to 30 birds, now readily
seen
Black-winged Petrel. A truly beautiful Pterodroma seen wheeling above Ned's
Beach and other areas. Often flying spectacularly in pairs. Summer resident
Providence Petrel. Common winter breeding bird.
Kermadec Petrel. Ball's Pyramid. Summer Breeding resident
Flesh-footed Shearwater. Nests in burrows in lowland forest during summer.
Can be seen easily with a torch along the paths at night
Little Shearwater. Common winter breeding bird
White Bellied Storm-Petrel. Breeding summer resident. We did not see this
bird, but we did not go on the sea journey to Ball's Pyramid
Red Tailed Tropicbird. Breeding resident. Spectacular "backwards" flying
displays from many lookouts.
Masked Booby. Breeding resident. Common on small islands close to shore
Buff-banded Rail. Easily seen in gardens & on lawns by roadside.
Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone and Asian Golden-Plover all
over the airfield when one disembarks. Several good waders have been
recorded over the years.
Black Noddy. Nesting in trees (Brown Noddy is a ground nester). Seen at
Muttonbird Point and on the around island cruise
Grey Noddy (Ternlet). Delicate beautiful bird flew around us on the around
island cruise. Seen in flocks sitting on rocks.
Common White-tern. This exquisite bird nests on a bare branch sometimes at
eye level during the summer. Pair flying can be seen from most beaches.
Emerald Dove. Rainforest pigeon is quite tame and can be seen walking
along many of the tracks.
Golden Whistler could be a split as could the White Eye
Pied Currawong. Has a barred tail and calls very differently to mainland
bird.
A list of the species seen by us are as follows
F Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis
Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus
Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda
F Masked Booby Sula dactylatra
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
F Lord Howe Rail Gallirallus sylvestris
Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Asian Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva
Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles
Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata
Gray Noddy Procelsterna albivitta
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus
Black Noddy Anous minutus
Common White-Tern Gygis alba
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Sacred Kingfisher Todirhamphus sanctus
Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis
Pied Currawong Strepera graculina
Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
Silver-eye Zosterops lateralis
32 SPECIES
Conclusions. This island is a seabird paradise. It is an excellent place
for a holiday and to see some easy new birds in beautiful relaxed
surroundings.
Trevor & Annie Quested
Sydney, Australia
Phone +61 2 9955 6266
Fax + 61 2 9959 4005
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