Hello to all,
The Broome Bird Observatory has some vacancies on each of the five five, day
courses it is conducting this year so if you are quick enough you still may
be able to find yourself at Australia's premier birdwatching destination for
five days and four nights of pure birding pleasure.
The Observatory is a not for profit, self-funded facility opened under the
auspices of Birds Australia in 1988 as a research and education facility.
The principle aim of the observatory is the conservation of the migratory
shorebirds that use Roebuck Bay along with the many birds of the Broome
region.
Located on the shores of beautiful Roebuck Bay, course participants will
share the amazing story of Broome's migratory shorebirds from Siberia. The
North West is regarded as the most significant viewing site in Australia for
shorebirds and the fourth most significant in the world. In excess of
800,000 birds use the area annually.
Broome has five distinctly different habitats ranging from huge inter-tidal
mudflats, through dry Pindan scrub to freshwater lakes and marshes and open
grassy plains. This range of habitats has resulted in an abundance of bird
life being present.
Over 310 bird species have been recorded in and around Broome. This is more
than one third of Australia's total species and includes 50 species of
waders, which is nearly a quarter of the world's total, with more than
800,000 shorebirds migrating annually to the Broome area from as far away as
the Arctic Tundra. Raptors are always present, with 22 of the 24 Australian
raptor species being recorded around Broome.
The area is also well known for the number of scarce migrants and vagrants
that periodically arrive here from the Northern Hemisphere.
With sunny weather and clear conditions for most of the year the conditions
for bird watching are almost always ideal.
A brief description of each course is below:
Wave the Waders Goodbye (19 - 23 March or 3 - 7 April) 2004
Leaders: The Wardens
Share in the natural peak of shorebird migration. Bird identification is
made easy as the waders depart the shores of Roebuck Bay in vibrant breeding
plumage. Participate in daily visible migration, as you learn about all
aspects of shorebird ecology and conservation.
Bird Research Techniques 7 - 11 June 2004
Leaders: Perry de Rebeira and the Wardens
Increase your knowledge and skills of the various methods used to study bird
behaviour, distribution, demographics, etc. Get hands-on-experience by
participating in on-going BBO research.
Birds of the Broome Region (13-17 September or 11-15 October) 2004
Leaders: The Wardens
Be part of the welcoming party as the waders return to Roebuck Bay in their
thousands after breeding in the northern hemisphere. There is plenty of
time to observe shorebirds at high tide roosts and identification is made
easy with many shorebirds still dressed in their finest breeding plumage. We
will also explore as many habitats as possible to see as many species of the
Broome Region as we can. Birds such as Yellow chat, Little Curlew and
Oriental Plovers are all in the area at this time of year.
The Broome Bird Observatory on Roebuck Bay and its surrounds provide the
perfect setting for birdwatching, and with an emphasis on enjoyment, is an
ideal environment to relax and learn.
Courses include accommodation, all meals, tuition, guiding and use of
optical equipment (including binoculars and telescopes).
For further information and bookings please contact the Warden
Joy Tansey
on
Phone: (08) 9193 5600
Fax: (08) 91923364
E-mail:
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