Western Australia

Western Australia is a wonderful place for wildlife spotting. The Broome Bird Observatory is world renowned for the huge numbers of visiting shorebirds and the easy access to them. I actually found it overwhelming to see so many birds. Where on earth do you start? I am used to being on a small beach with around 20 assorted shorebirds each summer. However, with patience and energy, there are some wonderful sights here. Many rarities are reported from the observatory and you can even stay here. At the campground, there are purpose built areas to observe not only the shorebirds but also a wide range of bush birds and raptors. The area is often referred to as the best bird watching location in Australia. 

I have a real soft spot for Busselton. It is the only place I know where Banded Lapwing sit on corner plots of land and where a wide variety of birds can be seen from the road in ephemeral ponds. Even the feral pigeons have a certain elegance about them. If terns on the beautiful beach or colourful ducks by the roadside don't do it for you, then there is Malbup hide which provides a fabulous walk around through the bush to a lake. There is even a dedicated night spotlighting route. The locals are pretty friendly too. 

The Derby Wetlands are a testament to what people can do when they decide to take action. These first class wetlands are adjacent to the local water treatment plant (and who doesn't love a good sewage farm?). They have been developed specifically to support local wildlife. A purpose built hide sits on a raised area, from which you get a great view of the small ponds and reeds. Looking further afield, you can see large paddocks and woodland. Get your camera ready and be prepared to spend the day!

Dryandra Woodlands are so fantastic for wildlife that this small patch of woodland has 4 different posts in my blog. There are 2 campgrounds on the edge of the park. Congelin Dam is one of the best places that I have been to for watching Carnaby's Black Cockatoo drinking and hooning around in the mornings and Gnaala Mia was the only spot I found to photograph the incredible Numbat. Just wandering around! The Old Mill Dam is in the centre of the woodlands and from there you can access the walking trails through the woods. Alternatively, you can just sit at the dam and watch a myriad of honeyeaters come to drink. Lastly, the Darwinia Drive Trail is a 23km winding track through the woods and along the edges. From frogmouth to bobtails and echidna, there is no telling what you might see here.

In between Kunuurra and Wyndham is Parry Lagoons, a stretch of open marshland and wetlands. I only visited Marlgu Billabong and couldn't get enough of it. All the birds you might expect to see were here - Jabiru, Brolga, terns, ducks, shorebirds, finches and raptors. But there were also some wonderful surprises like the Black Falcon and best of all, huge numbers of Flock Bronzewing. Imagine standing in a field and having wave after wave of them flying around you. That is Parry Lagoons.

Just off shore from Rockingham is Penguin Island. Supposedly, you can see Fairy Penguin here but they must have all been out fishing when I visited. Nonetheless, the chance of seeing them is enough reason to visit here and if you miss them, there are plenty of other animals to find. From King Skinks on the walkways to pelican chicks with their short, stubby bills, there is a lot to see. My personal favourite and great photography subjects were the Bridled Tern that were nesting on the island. These elegant birds were wonderful to spend time with. 

For me, Shark Bay is one of the best wildlife areas in the country. Some animals, like the dolphins, Dugong (yes, Dugong!) and turtles of Monkey Mia are pretty easy to see, believe it or not! Other species need a little persistence and energy like the rays or Fairy Tern of Francois Peron National Park. Then, there are the animals along the roads in and out of Denham. During the day, you might find Thorny Devils or Blue-tongued Lizards but at night, you may come across all manner of strange snakes, lizards, gecko and echindna.  

The caravan park in the Stirling Ranges is a mecca for wildlife watchers. I particularly love the abundance of birdlife here, with a number of resident parrot species. Elegant, Regent, Red-capped and Ringneck Parrots, Purple-crowned Lorikeet are all found easily here. One of the most interesting of the park natives is an Owlet-nightjar that suns itself in the dead trees near the office. All manner of bush birds circulate through the scrub around the pool and you can walk further out into the National Park to see more interesting animals. This is definitely my kind of caravan park.