Sullivan Campground

Visited: very late dry season

Recommendation: With over 50 bird species found in this tiny space, a permanent waterhole and camping facilities, I would recommend a stay here even in brutally hot conditions.

As you can see from the map below, this campground is pretty much in the middle of nowhere in between Katherine and Timber Creek. I found it because I am always looking for rest areas and free camping sites on my journeys. They have, time after time, proved to be the best places to see wildlife. I knew there was a permanent waterhole here and that bodes very well.

Despite being brutally hot when I arrived in the afternoon, there was lots of activity around the waterhole. It was long and thin and you can walk out of the campground along the edge of the water. It was dusty and the ground uneven so all in all, not that pleasant. But then you don't care much about that when there are so many birds around. Here is a gallery of my best shots from my short time at this wonderful spot.

Grey-fronted Honeyeater (Ptilotula plumula)

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris)

Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)

Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

The Dollarbird is a fascinating and distinctive bird that's the only member of the roller family (Coraciidae) to reach Australia. It's known for its acrobatic flight. It's a medium-sized, stocky bird, around 27-31 cm long. Its plumage is predominantly dark green/brown, but with a striking iridescent blue-green sheen on its back and wings. The throat is a glossy bright violet. It has a relatively large head, a short neck, and a short, thick, bright orange-red bill tipped with black.

Dollarbirds are often seen perched conspicuously on high, exposed branches of dead trees, power lines, or TV antennas. They are primarily aerial insectivores, meaning they sally forth from their perch to catch flying insects (like cicadas, moths, and beetles) in mid-air with their broad bill, often performing impressive dives, glides, and even rolls. This 'rolling' display in flight is characteristic of the wider roller family. They are quite vocal, especially during the breeding season, with a harsh, cackling "kak-kak-kak" call.

Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)

Little Woodswallow (Artamus minor)

Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis)

An interesting and perhaps not widely known fact about the Red-backed Fairywren is their sophisticated strategy to outwit brood parasites, specifically cuckoos like the Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo.

Female Red-backed Fairywrens sing a unique 'vocal password' to their eggs in the days leading up to hatching. When the chicks hatch, they incorporate these specific, learned notes into their begging calls. The parents then use this 'password' to identify their own biological young.

Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus)

Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor)

The Varied Lorikeet is a striking bird, and its prominent white eye-ring is a very distinctive feature. While the exact purpose of every specific plumage detail in birds can be complex and multi-faceted, here's what is generally understood about such markings, particularly in lorikeets and other parrots. In the dense foliage where lorikeets feed, being able to quickly identify others of your own species is crucial for flock cohesion, finding mates, and avoiding accidental interbreeding with similar-looking species. The white eye-ring makes the Varied Lorikeet instantly recognizable.