BIRD TOURS with a sense of place
Do you love to watch birds? Do you particularly love to learn about them, watch their behaviour and understand their lives – by appreciating their habitat, their history, and the other animals and plants that share their world?
Do you love to watch birds ethically, with little disturbance to their natural behaviour?
Join us for an ethical bird tour with a sense of place. We love to take time to watch the birds, and time to enjoy the spirit of a place. Because a bird is not alone – it needs an ecosystem to support it. Watching leads to understanding, and understanding leads to better protection for our birds.
Our style of bird watching is comfortable. Early morning and late afternoon walks and drives are high on our list of things to do; middle of the day is for relaxing over lunch and (sometimes) for taking a siesta. We allow time for looking at plants, scenery, other animals, people, culture and history where it is relevant and important. As much as possible we give you options so you can bird your way.
We don’t really do ‘targets’ to the exclusion of all else. However, we do know what birds are likely each day, what is rare and high-profile, and we love to show you as many birds as possible. Our Bird Guides do extensive research before each tour, checking recent sightings of high priority species. We won’t drive past the Wilkins Rock-wallaby for a slim chance of seeing a Yellow Chat. We can’t ignore the breaching Long-finned Pilot Whales to get back to ‘proper birding’. Because birds are part of nature, and nature is not our servant.
Anyway, often you find what you want when you are relaxed, well-rested and happy and when everyone around you is happy too.
We do lists, and our lists include mammals, reptiles, birds and often, dragonflies and butterflies.
Read on about our in depth, ethical bird tours.
Maximum Wildlife
7 to 21 days of birds, mammals & reptiles across the continent – from the lyrebirds of the rainforest, parrots of the desert Outback, kookaburras of the coast, to the brolgas of the Top End.
Tawny Frogmouths & Sandpipers
2 days near Melbourne birding in the Australian Bush of the You Yangs and the coastal wetlands of the Western Treatment Plant. Private or group tour.
Lyrebirds & Cockatoos of the forest
4 days in the rainforests, mountains and coastlines of East Gippsland
Parrots & Emus of the Desert
4 days of desert birding in the Mungo Outback, on the border of Victoria, New South Wales & South Australia
Bristlebirds & Kookaburras of the coast
3 days of coastal birding on the famous Great Ocean Road
5 Amazing Facts: Tawny Frogmouth Behaviour
Bird or branch? When we introduce travellers to their first Tawny Frogmouth there is a moment of disbelief. “Where?” they ask. “Right there, on the branch,” we reply. “All I can see is a branch.” “Yes, that branch is a bird.” The branch opens it’s eyes. “Oooohhhh!”...
Night sounds of the Northern Territory
At night, the Northern Territory Top End is for listening. There’s a special tropical hum in the air – the wonderful sound of healthy insect populations, particularly crickets and katydids, that come to life after dark in the Top End. But there’s another sound, a...
Interesting Rainbow Pitta behaviour
The track through Kakadu beside the East Alligator River is narrow, short and walked by many. It is also one of the most reliable places to see a glorious top end bird: the Rainbow Pitta. Rainbow Pittas Pitta iris live in the monsoon forests of Australia’s Top End...
Our Bird Guides
Martin Maderthaner
Senior Bird Guide
Martin is a serious birder with quick eyes. He has watched birds all over the world, particularly in his home continent Africa.
eBird top birder ranking:
#2 East Gippsland: 240 species (out of 330)
#48 Victoria: 357 species (out of 487)
Australia: 425 species (out of 864)
#55 South Africa: 575 species (out of 824)
Total birds seen: 1400
eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/NDk5NzMw/world
Janine Duffy
Senior Bird Guide
Janine is a serious birder with a good ear, and a particular love of small bush birds. She also adores pelagic trips!
eBird top birder ranking:
#5 East Gippsland, VIC: 229 species (out of 330)
#64 Victoria: 342 species (out of 487)
#9 North-east Top End, NT: 171 species (out of 295)
#75 Northern Territory: 247 species (out of 416)
#251 Australia: 528 species (out of 864)
Total birds seen: 1238
eBird profile: https://ebird.org/australia/profile/Mzc0NjU0/world
Roger Smith
Senior Bird Guide
Roger has been watching birds his whole life, and has a particular love for raptors and birds of the inland, where he grew up. He also loves the native pigeons and doves.
Roger’s eBird lists are included here: https://ebird.org/profile/MTE1OTM5OA/AU
Brett Howell
Bird Guide
In just 3 years Brett has become a very skilled birder, with a great eye and quick recall. His recent trip to South America added a new dimension to his birding experience. Watch this space!
eBird top birder ranking:
#36 East Gippsland: 152 species (out of 330)
#193 Victoria: 262 species (out of 487)
Australia: 363 species (out of 864)
Total birds seen: 766
eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/NzUzMTg5/world
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Contact us
Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours
T: +613 9646 8249
Fax: +613 9681 9177
E: enquiries@echidnawalkabout.com.au