Broome Bird Observatory in Broome, Western Australia | Park

Broome Bird Observatory

Locality: Broome, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9193 5600

Address: Crab Creek Rd 6725 Broome, WA, Australia

Website: http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com

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25.01.2022 This event is supported by the WA Parks Foundation as part of Spring into Parks. We cant wait to show you Broomes birds on 26th September. Remember please book if you wish to camp or stay the night before.

25.01.2022 Sea mist this morning on Roebuck Bays western shores.

25.01.2022 How 'Broome' is this? We're here on the northern shores of Roebuck Bay, add a beautiful sunset and a few thousand happily feeding shorebirds for this beautiufl scene.

24.01.2022 Whopping tide today - look at all that Pindan washed in from tide. Did you get any good pics of the tide around Broome today?

24.01.2022 Another step on our Discovery Centre, we’ve out our storm covers up. Seems like there’s a decent Wet season heading our way, fingers crossed for lots of rain but less of those mozzies please!

24.01.2022 Mattea and Milena are at the Courthouse market today! Its great to see how busy the market is. Drop by and they can answer your birding questions, have a look through our telescope and browse our wares.

23.01.2022 We've been counting the shorebirds on Eighty Mile Beach and Roebuck Bay this week as a part of the summer Monitoring Yellow Sea Migrants in Australia (MYSMA) annual counts. We'll bring you more information and photos of some of the incredible sights we've had over the past few days once our counting is complete. In the meantime, enjoy this snippet from today One Tree, we recorded 15,000 Oriental Pratincole swarming from the bay to Roebuck Plains.

22.01.2022 A mudskipper moment by Mattea

21.01.2022 Kollie joined in on one of our full day Lakes tours and got this beautiful shot of a Wood Sandpiper.

21.01.2022 Its true that during the Wet the bay is bursting at the seams with shorebirds. However, thats not to say theyre not here in the Dry. We still see flocks of thousands on the northern shores of Roebuck Bay. This year weve noticed more shorebirds in the bay during the Dry than in previous years. This suggests a good breeding season for 2019. Asian Dowitchers have been pleasantly reliable and weve had some happy guests tick them off as a lifer. What lifer did you get on a BBO tour? (photo: Ric Else)

20.01.2022 A lot of folk come to do a BBO Mangrove Tour just to tick this bird off their list - the White-breasted Whistler. But its not only twitchers who appreciate this beautiful bird, the male White-breasted Whistler is a show-stopper for all tour guests with their reclusive nature, beautiful auburn band and that ringing Whistler call. Did you see White-breasted Whistler on a Mangrove Tour? (video: Assistant Warden Mattea Taylor)

20.01.2022 6 am on the shores of Roebuck Bay. One of our guests is out fishing, and was visited by a White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Whistling Kites. We reckon the BBO is a beautiful place to stay the night, just out of town and with this bay about a 200m walk from where you roll out your swag.

20.01.2022 As it is National Bird Week, BBO warden Jane chatted on ABC Kimberley with Vanessa Mills about how you can get involved with the AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT and of course, Roebuck Bay's migratory shorebirds. https://www.abc.net.au//pr/breakfast/birds-galore/12789310

20.01.2022 This fantastic shot of a Red-winged Parrot was taken by our guest, Patrick Kelly. It's also a pretty good representation of how we're feeling in Broome at the moment, waiting on the rain.

19.01.2022 Over 12,000km non-stop. A new world record. THIS is why we need to respect the space on shorebirds in Roebuck bay, it’s an epic journey they make and while on our mudflats it’s their well earned time to rest and feed. https://www.google.com.au//jet-fighter-godwit-breaks-world

19.01.2022 Little Coco was pleased with her familys purchase from the BBO market stall this morning!

19.01.2022 The BBOs new Troopy has handled the red dirt well and has taken plenty of happy guests on tour already this year.

19.01.2022 Our campground host Larry headed down to the bay at high tide yesterday and enjoyed the amazing shorebird flocks. So many species in the one flock...can you spot the Asian Dowitchers? Again, the bay still has tens of thousands of shorebirds in the Dry season. One of the great parts of being a campground host is that youll get to join in on tours when available and well let you in on our super birding spots. Thanks Larry!

18.01.2022 Martins galore!

18.01.2022 Our first cannon-netting catch up of the year. Chris from the Global Flyway Network talked us through a few of the changes in the process and refreshed our knowledge of feather moults. Topped off with a lovely morning tea and some leg-flag construction. Fingers crossed September 6th well be in Roebuck Bay for our first catch. Well let you know details When we get closer to the date. Hope to see you there!

18.01.2022 One of our mangrove specialists, Mangrove Grey Fantail. Just as active and bold as a Grey Fantail, but with more buff on the breast and a slightly different call. Amazingly, Mattea saw this Fantail sitting in the one place for a moment and took this great pic during her latest mangrove survey.

18.01.2022 Earlier this year our warden Jane was sent a copy of this beautiful new book from her Dad. We were so impressed with this story that weve decided to stock it in our shop! You may have also heard the author Andrew Darby discussing this odyssey of the Grey Plover on Conversations with Richard Fidler. Worth a listen and a read. Flight Lines can be purchased from the BBO here: http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/shop?category=Books And listen to this lovely conversation with R...ichard Fidler here: https://www.abc.net.au//conversations/andrew-darby/12004812 See more

17.01.2022 A female Red-winged Parrot in the pindan scrub around the BBO. Photo: Mattea Taylor

17.01.2022 We love living on the shores of Roebuck Bay, Snubbies are a common sight particularly on calm days. Our last couple of shorebird tours have provided us with great views of Snubfin Dolphins.

16.01.2022 A Wallaby Highway!

15.01.2022 Check out this beautiful pic of a Broad-billed Flycatcher that Ellen took while staying at the BBO! A mangrove tour speciality

15.01.2022 A quick stroll around the BBO

15.01.2022 There's a lot happening here and we can't wait to share it with you in 2021. This is one of the biggest things to be developed at the BBO for decades and of course it's in the name of helping YOU to connect and learn about migratory shorebirds and the work the BBO does. http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com//m9vl1hrnj5gut44holsy

15.01.2022 Beautiful Black-necked Stork, a real icon of northern Australia. Patrick joined the BBO for private photography tours this year and captured some amazing moments. We started very early on this morning and staked out the bore where I'd chanced upon a stork the previous day. Patrick was keen for a photo of the stork as his camera had faulted in the previous session. The pressure was on, the temperature crept up, we had Brolgas take to the bore and thankfully after hours of wa...tching a young stork came in. Not exactly a beauty as a juvenile we thought we'd have to make do with its scruffy plumage and lack of sheen, however about half an hour later this beautiful adult female came gliding in and provided some classic shots. Photo: Patrick Kelly

14.01.2022 We're about to hand over the keys to the BBO to our care-taker for the Wet season but before we head off we just had to share some photos from the marvelous few days of MYSMA. Some absolutely cracking birds and I've even included some non-bird pics. Enjoy and see you in 2021! http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com//5dl1d6h7nuqmta4zj6vc

14.01.2022 Well Male Oval in Broome is looking a little different! The BBO has received rain too, although I think a bit less than this it’s such a treat to see!

14.01.2022 The BBOs very own Assistant Warden has written this lovely blog about the springtime return of Roebuck Bays shorebirds. Learn all about it here: http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com//how-we-know-the-bird

14.01.2022 The Yellow Chat shirt goes to Birdsville! Thanks Mary Jane for your far-flung BBO pic. Mary Jane wore her Chat shirt to look for Orange Chats. Thanks to all our supporters from all over the country!

14.01.2022 We love the posters weve received. Were always so impressed when we visit schools how much the local Broome students know about our migratory shorebirds.

14.01.2022 The beautiful Brolgas of Roebuck Plains, just behind the BBO. Photo: Mattea Taylor

13.01.2022 Thats right, we have a few spaces left of our Sep and Oct Birds of the Broome Regions course. This course offers the greatest diversity of birds, we visit a wide range of habitats in the Broome region, all while being supported by our expert guides AND fully-catered for, healthy meals. Cant make it over here just yet? Have a look at our 2021 Wave the Waders Goodbye schedule - dates have just been announced. http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/courses

12.01.2022 Something is afoot at the BBO that we cant wait to share with you..

12.01.2022 We're excited to say the popular Wave the Waders Goodbye courses are now open for bookings for 2021! http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/co/wave-waders-goodbye Join us in Australia's shorebird capital to learn about shorebird ecology, identification and to see some of Australia's harder-to-see shorebirds. Oh - and we'll be watching the amazing migration nightly as we wave our waders off on their journey north.... Want to join in? Email or call the BBO. Prices include catering, accommodation, guides, use of scopes, presentations and transfers from Broome. We understand that COIVID-19 has made everything a bit uncertain so we will refund in the event of COVID-19 restrictions cancelling travel. Photos: courtesy of Wave the Waders Goodbye guest Pauline Arnold

12.01.2022 We were gifted a hanging bird bath and it has already attracted fourteen species in the past week or so. Grab a cuppa and transport yourself to the relaxing surroundings of the BBO for a moment.

12.01.2022 Learn how identify where a shorebird is from by its leg flag colour, what the East Asian Australasian Flyway is, how to read a tide chart and how we name shorebirds! This resource is multi-disciplinary, combining maths, art, design, geography, English all through the lens of science and migratory shorebirds. The BBO developed this resource for those of you teaching from home, we hope you enjoy it. Find the PDF here: https://static1.squarespace.com//Home+School+Lesson+Plan+M

12.01.2022 Not many other places you can see thousands of roosting shorebirds, with this diversity and have a safe vantage point where they won’t be spooked. Can’t wait to see the pics our visiting photographers will get over the next few months!

11.01.2022 The BirdLife Australia Aussie Backyard Bird Count is on again soon. From October 19th to 25th you can contribute to this massive effort to see what's in our backyards. We reckon we're pretty lucky at the BBO to have a Ramsar listed backyard and with almost 40% of Australia's bird species recorded in Australia...but you can join in wherever your backyard is. Doesn't matter if it's a cattle station or an inner-city apartment, it all counts! For more info and to see what the results from previous years have been head to: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au

11.01.2022 Starting to do some Christmas shopping? We have some goodies on the BBO shop that will make ideal presents AND help support the BBO to keep doing what we do - shorebird research and education! http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/shop

10.01.2022 Weve had a bit of cloud cover the past couple of days, making Roebuck Bay blue maybe even more beautiful.

10.01.2022 Diamond Doves; Australias smallest dove with fine white spots and a distinctive red eye ring. We find Diamond Dove at the BBO bird baths and calling softly in the scrub during the Dry. Do you get a seasonal visitor at your favourite birding spot? (photo: Larry OBrien)

10.01.2022 Containers for Change starts today! Keep our state beautiful AND if you quote I.D: C10288503 you can help fund the BBO. We so appreciate your support. For more info on Containers for Change have a look here: https://www.containersforchange.com.au/wa/

10.01.2022 Which do one do you prefer? Toondah Harbour is a part of a Ramsar site, essential for critically endangered migratory shorebirds. The other one is a retail and residential complex built on top of those internationally recognised mudflats - where our shorebirds forage and roost. If you're in QLD you can sign the petition to protect this Ramsar site: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au//petit/petition-details

09.01.2022 The Jigal (Bauhinia cunninghamii) pods are now red and the days and nights are warming up. Reckon weve made our way to Wilburu? For more information about the Yawuru seasons visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/iwk/calendars/yawuru.shtml

09.01.2022 We've been plenty lucky the past few months with breezy westerlies throughout the day and cool(ish) nights. That'll probably change soon with fesh growth, fruiting and the return of greenery on our deciduous trees are hinting at the impending Wet - and we can't wait!

09.01.2022 Yikes! We've already filled half the spaces on both our March & April Wave the Waders Goodbye courses for 2021. A lot of people are keen to see shorebird migration. Have you been on a BBO course and what did you enjoy most? Get in quick to book! We understand planning ahead can be difficult at the moment, so any cancellations due to COVID travel restrictions will be refunded. More info and booking details here: http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/courses

08.01.2022 Its great when locals come out and join our tours, learn about the birds in your own backyard. We reckon this Bush and Plains tour was probably a record with our little guests doing pretty well to tick off Yellow Chat at just age four! Talk about a lifer!

08.01.2022 Life in the mud! Our assistant warden volunteered with Broome Community Seagrass Monitoring Project Group the other day. This mud has the richest benthic invertebrates (aka critters in the mud) of any mudflat studied in the world! This is what supports not only hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds but the fine balance of Roebuck Bay’s ecosystem - from jellyfish to dugongs. How fantastic that we live in a community that supports conservation, driven by volunteers from all walks of life.

07.01.2022 Well, as the Jigal tree (Lysiphyllum cunninghamii) pods are ripening and the Mistletoebirds start to call loudly we know therell be another change happening. During Wilburu the Blue-tongues begin to mate, often given away with rustling in the dead leaves. This pair have been seen around the wardens house, with another pair living under the office building and a big fella who likes to lounge in the Shadehouse recycling bin.

07.01.2022 Sending some Broome warmth your way from our shorebird tour just the other day

06.01.2022 Wed love to show-off the birdlife and other fauna of Roebuck Bay. Starting at dawn on 26th September, this free event highlights the unique environments around the Broome Bird Observatory. Let our expert guides show you the incredible birds of the bush and plains, bay and mangroves. Telescopes and binoculars provided, all topped off with a BBQ breakfast. Why not camp the night before and sleep beneath the stars. See you then!

06.01.2022 This hasn’t been edited at all! Just 100% Laja season sky!

06.01.2022 Whiskered Tern Photographer: Patrick Kelly

05.01.2022 It’s that time of year again. Cyclone prep, storm watching, welcoming the rain and tying up the loose ends - metaphorically AND literally!

05.01.2022 Beautiful Roebuck Bay at high tide on a Saturday afternoon

05.01.2022 While the weather in Broome has certainly been heating up (actually with record breaking temperatures) the mornings are still chilly. These White-breasted Woodswallows are making the most of the dawn sun and one anothers body heat.

05.01.2022 Migratory Shorebirds need habitat to rest and feed after their epic migration donate this #GivingTuesday to help #savetoondahharbour! Today is #GivingTuesday,... and millions of people around the world are donating to the causes that matter the most to them. For us, that’s bird conservation! We are proud to share with you this moving video, featuring stunning footage of Toondah Harbour and its shorebirds and just why our migratory shorebirds need your help this #GivingTuesday. International travellers like the Eastern Curlew have just returned home to Australia’s shores after a gruelling long-haul flight from their northern breeding grounds. Each year, they make an epic return journey of up to 26,000 km across the world. In fact, birds like the Critically Endangered Eastern Curlew will fly further than the distance to the moon in its lifetime! But habitat loss and coastal development are pushing migratory shorebirds like these towards extinction. Even if they survive their epic annual flights, they may have nowhere safe to rest and feed when they finally reach Australia. If waterside apartments are built by a private developer on their mudflats at Toondah in Queensland, we fear we could soon lose them altogether. This #GivingTuesday, can you donate to help protect our most threatened birds and their habitats through practical, science-based conservation action? Your support can help protect and restore vital coastal and wetland homes for migratory shorebirds. Thank you for saving birds this #GivingTuesday, and for standing together to prevent extinctions. Donate today at: https://support.birdlife.org.au/donate Video by GoodChat TV https://www.goodchat.tv/ images by Earth Expression Duade Paton and Chris Purnell

04.01.2022 We get some classic frequently asked questions and common misconceptions about the BBO. Have a read of our blog to see if we can clear up any questions for you. If you have some other burning questions, let us know! http://broomebirdobservatory.squarespace.com//misconceptio

04.01.2022 Great work Ellen thanks for visiting and taking some amazing photos!

04.01.2022 When people ask what can you do at the BBO if youre not a bird-watcher....? Boyang is staying with us for about a week especially for our dark skies out of town so he could capture this comet. We love the unspoilt Dry season night sky here at the BBO. Thanks Boyang great work!

02.01.2022 Learning how to be a Brown Falcon takes a bit of practice. Straight out of the nest and plonked on the sand, this Brown Falcon looks a bit dorky but was just learning to find its feet! Photo: Jo Glas

02.01.2022 We have lots of BBO supporters and friends over in Victoria so here is a snapshot of this mornings shorebird tour for you to enjoy. We hope you all stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Well try and keep the bird content coming as a little distraction. And as for this tour: we had 77 Eastern Curlew on this one roost. Cracking morning.

02.01.2022 One mans trash....is a Bowerbirds treasure.

02.01.2022 Check out these beautiful Whiskered Terns in full breeding plumage that Angela photographed at Crab Creek a couple of years back. Were always sure to watch the water closely when there are Whiskered Terns fishing as the Snubfin Dolphins are usually doing the same thing below them!

02.01.2022 What have you seen on a Mangrove Tour? The great thing about this fun tour is that not only do we see plenty of birds (White-breasted Whistlers, Broad-billed Flycatchers, thousands of shorebirds, Dusky Gerygone, perhaps even a Redshank to name a few) is that there are so many other amazing forms of life amongst the mangrove. I've tried to caption what I can, but let's be honest, unless it's a bird this warden can't help you too much beyond that, so please add more information about any of these creatures if you have it!

02.01.2022 This Striated Heron, sneaking its way into spring..

01.01.2022 Another stunning image captured by a guest, Patrick Kelly. Having spent a lot of time photographing at African waterholes, Patrick cleverly suggested we apply the same logic at this bore. The trick was to arrive very early before the Brolgas inevitably would come in for a drink. Using the BBO vehicle as a hide, we waited as the Brolgas calmly approached and drank from the pool completely unaware of our presence. The end result - some fantastic photos and a great morning of unobtrusive birding.

01.01.2022 A long way from Broome but we can feel the excitement from all the way up here. Great work team, what an effort!