Broome Bird Observatory

Visited: late dry season

Recommendation: Visiting is a must but you should consider when to go carefully. Late in the year brings the shorebirds in massive numbers but the heat can be intolerable.

The Broome Bird Observatory has a fascinating history. It was established in 1988, founded by scientists who recognized the immense ecological value of Roebuck Bay as a crucial stopover point for migratory shorebirds.

Roebuck Bay hosts a remarkable diversity of shorebird species, and the observatory has played a vital role in studying their migration patterns, population trends, and ecological interactions. Over the years, the observatory has expanded its facilities and programs, offering accommodation, guided tours, educational courses, and opportunities for both researchers and bird enthusiasts. It is widely regarded as one of the best bird watching locations in Australia.

Of course, the main problem of the BBO is that it is huge and there are thousands of birds. It is quite daunting to stand on the beach and see thousands and thousands of birds on the beach and flying past. The beach is (obviously) exposed and this makes it not only hot but also difficult to get close to the birds. Finding a spot, sitting and waiting was the best way for me to watch them. And so, I did. Here are some of the waders I saw.

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

Greater Sand Plover (Charadrius leschenaultii)

Grey-tailed Tattler (Heteroscelus brevipes)

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

The BBO boasts over 330 bird species in the area and many rare shorebirds turn up here every year. When I was there, a guy was scanning the many groups of birds looking for a single vagrant dowitcher. I'm not sure that is my idea of fun. Just take these photos below. On the left, there are just 5 species and on the right, who knows? How many can you find?

Sitting above the shorebird melee were a few gorgeous raptors.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Australasian Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)

At the centre itself, there are several areas where you can watch birds and other critters that visit. My favourite was a little garden next to the communal area. Sitting in a relatively cool space with access to drinks was very pleasant. The windows overlooked a small, cultured area with water running through it. No shorebirds here, but lots of honeyeaters and bush birds. My favourite was a family of Brown Goshawk. An adult pair with a juvenile would swoop in every now and again. Whilst they cleared out the other birds, they were great to watch.

Here are some of the birds I saw in this area.

White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacea)

Grey Shrikethrush (Colluricincla harmonica)

Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)

Australian Yellow White-eye (Zosterops luteus)

Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)

Double-barred Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii)

Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis)

Singing Honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens)

I only ended up visiting the observatory once. It was just too brutally hot to stay there and we had other places to go. However, in that one morning, I saw 60 species of birds and thousands of individuals. I will be back in a cooler time, when I can explore thoroughly. Here is a full list of the species I saw:

Australian Ibis Australian Yellow White-eye Bar-shouldered Dove

Bar-tailed Godwit Black-faced Cuckooshrike Black-tailed Godwit

Brown Goshawk Brown Honeyeater Channel-billed Cuckoo

Common Greenshank Common Sandpiper Crested Pigeon

Curlew Sandpiper Double-barred Finch Far Eastern Curlew

Great Bowerbird Great Knot Great White Egret

Greater Sand Plover Grey Plover Grey Shrikethrush

Grey-crowned Babbler Grey-headed Honeyeater Grey-tailed Tattler

Little Bronze-Cuckoo Little Friarbird Little Tern

Magpie-lark Mistletoebird Osprey

Pacific Golden Plover Pacific Reef-Heron Paperbark Flycatcher

Peaceful Dove Pied Butcherbird Pied Oystercatcher

Purple-backed Fairywren Rainbow Bee-eater Red Knot

Red-capped Plover Red-collared Lorikeet Red-necked Stint

Red-winged Parrot Ruddy Turnstone Rufous Whistler

Rufous-throated Honeyeater Sahul Brush Cuckoo Siberian Sand Plover

Silver Gull Singing Honeyeater Striated Heron

Terek Sandpiper Torresian Crow Whimbrel

Whiskered Tern Whistling Kite White-bellied Sea-Eagle

White-gaped Honeyeater White-throated Gerygone Zebra Finch

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