Crocs and Gouldians Experience

19/08/2024

Some of the birds from recent trips. The wedge-tailed eagles have been pretty regular this year.

19/08/2024

Some recent video from trips to Gouldian hole. The quail were a real bonus. They were so good to see.

26/07/2024

I did an overnight run down to Gouldian hole with Ian Morris Wednesday night. We did the overnight trip so we could fit in a spotlighting ramble and Wow!! It’s been a long long time since I have seen Bandicoots(5) water rats (at least 4) and a black-footed Tree-rat all in one session. And next morning while we enjoyed the bird show at the Gouldian waterhole the Antilopine and Agiles were in for a drink.

09/06/2024

I got out to Gouldian creek for the first time this season today. Still quite a bit of water in the creek and so no birds at the main waterhole. They are still along the creek. What was fascinating today was Gouldians foraging in Paperbark trees. They looked to be hunting for insects or lerps for food.

26/08/2023

Gouldian hole was firing this morning with Gouldians and 42 species of birds. We also had visits from a number of macropods, Agile wallabies and Antilopine Kangaroos. Was a pretty special morning showing how these waterholes become more important as the dry season progresses making the wildlife viewing experience even more special.

20/08/2023

20/08/2023

I put out the “portrait gallery” today at Gouldian hole and lots of customers lined up!
There were lots of birds around today, as the dry season progresses it gets better and better.

07/08/2023

The waterhole is starting to fireup now that the Dry is set in. Lots of gouldians coming in every day.

12/07/2023

We are finally seeing Gouldians and other finches congregate on the main waterhole as the creeks dry up. Had a look on Saturday and there were birds at the site for about an hour from 7:40 am.

What was amazing was seeing 47 Antilopine Wallaroos on the drive in at 4:00 pm Friday!! An overnight trip also allowed for a check on the crocodiles at the Camp site and there were lots of freshies in the Billabong. Book a trip at http://crocsandgouldians.com.au

25/06/2023

25/06/2023

Recent trips to Gouldian creek have shown there to be lots of Gouldians around the area and walks have found Gouldians feeding all around the valley. They are still not using the main water hole reliably as there are too many smaller water holes around the area still. We will be starting trips into the area from July 7th. Check the website http://crocsandgouldians.com.au for details.

14/06/2023

Had a wonderful weekend out at Gouldian Creek and a multi day stay meant we could have a great look around. The very late rains mean there is still water in many of the creeks and so Gouldians are not congregating yet. Many birds seem to be still nesting with Masked finches still nesting as well as some others. We saw the full range of nest sizes !

22/05/2023

Well it has taken forever but its finally dry enough to access the site at Gouldian Creek. Had a fantastic trip in there on Friday Night and Saturday morning. Lots of birds around and the Gouldians were around, but not coming to the main water hole yet as there are lots of water points all over the area. We will be able to start tours soon, but you will need to walk the creek for the best chance to see Gouldians.

29/08/2022

Had a great trip to Gouldian Hole on Friday, the birds are really starting to build in numbers. So nice to sit and take in the rhythms of nature at special places like this.

09/08/2022

This was a new one for me. Don't know how many times I have sat on a waterhole early in the morning but it is a lot. This is the first time I have seen Quail walk down for a drink.

02/08/2022

A documentary crew has been filming the Gouldians at Gouldian creek this week giving me a chance to take a few shots. With the hotter weather they are having fun at the waterhole.

29/07/2022

The Northern Rosella is an occasional visitor to the site.

29/07/2022

Gouldian Hole was in fine form today with a couple of uncommon visitors as Northern Rosellas paid a visit.

07/07/2022

An update on the camera we put out on the spot the Dingo pups were born. As expected the Dingo mother shifted her pups to a new den. Some interesting visitors to the spot in the dry creek bed over the following 10 days.

17/06/2022

The Gouldians are starting to congregate and there are lots of them. I took Ian Morris, the NT's most experienced naturalist, out the the site today and the Gouldians really turned it on. As Ian said "That is the most Gouldians I have ever seen in one day"

As you can see from the attached video and stills getting a count is impossible but there were more a lot more than 1000 birds through the site in a fascinating morning.

With flocks on the ground and more arriving it was hard to know where to point the camera!

17/06/2022

2022 is really shaping up as the year of the Gouldian. We are starting trips for this year from Monday. The Gouldians were very impressive today with birds arriving from 7:30 am until lunchtime. The most birds at the site we have ever seen and its early in the season and other water points are still holding water. The main action was between 7:30 and 9:00 with constant bird arrivals. There were well over 1000 Gouldians through the site today.

16/05/2022

Finally got out to Gouldian creek and the site after delays due to late rains. There is still a lot of water along the creek so the birds are spread out and do not need to come to the main site for water. They are using the smaller holes along Gouldian Creek. We will be a bit later before we get started with the overnight trips but it is perfect for Essence of the Top-end day trips which will start soon.

26/10/2021

05/09/2021

Got a bit distracted from the Gouldians again this week. Agile Wallabies and Dingo pups were pretty cute. As the dry season progresses more and more wildlife come to the waterholes.

01/09/2021

A Butcherbird putting their all into early morning calls.

01/09/2021

The last few trips have been really interesting in the diversity of wildlife we have had a great experience with. Some shots from the past 3 weeks.

14/07/2021

Was great to get out after the lockdown to Gouldian Creek. There was a few different animals around as well as the usual ones. The Gouldians are building up in number with over 50 birds at the site.

05/06/2021

While we wait for the start of our tourism venture in a few weeks ( the good wet season means the birds are still breeding and spred out along the creeks) we are currently doing our day trips featuring a walk along the Gouldian creek. Some pictures from this week. http://crocsandgouldians.com.au

03/05/2021

Male gouldian at nesting hollow last week. Still in breeding mode