NT Bird Specialists, Australian Birding & Photography Tours

23/10/2024

An old shot of a cool Accipiter photographed flying above Darwin’s industrial area.
captured by Luke Paterson

20/10/2024

You're not seeing double... Our expert birding guide Luke Paterson photographed this pair of locally endemic White-lined Honeyeaters, Territornis albilineata, in a little patch of monsoon forest in the Kombolgie sandstone escarpment of the Arnhemland Plateau, Kakadu National Park.
They’re perched in one of our favourite trees (Carallia brachiata ‘bush currant’) which provides abundant fruit for birds and sweet flowers for moths.
Their melodious, almost eerie calls rolling around the art-adorned rocks is synonymous with our guided birding sessions experienced during our award-winning Top End birding tours.

14/10/2024

The Aussie Bird Count starts today! 🎉🐦
Each count takes just 20 minutes, and you can do unlimited counts until October 20th.

https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

12/10/2024

Only a couple of hours until I depart for our Borneo Birding & Wildlife Ecotour 2024!! 🦜🦅🦉🦇🦧🐘🐊🐍🐸🕷️🪲🦗

06/10/2024

It’s Spangled Drongo nesting season and every year they vocally take up prominent residence in our garden.
They’re super interesting to have around and we love knowing they feel so comfortable in our shared home environment. We’ve watched them hunting & eating Double-barred Finches & Chestnut-breasted Mannikins, listen to their mimicking calls and love to photograph them at close range. If you look closely you can see our house reflection in this one’s eye.
I’m sure we’ll be adding this species to our BirdLife Australia next week.

29/09/2024

This immature male shining flycatcher was captured confidently calling from his perch on the rail of the boat we were cruising on in Kakadu during a private tour.



Www.ntbirdspecialists.com.au

18/09/2024

Kakadu Bird Week kicks off next week. Hope to see you all out there for another year of birding delights.

Swooping into your feed to remind you that Bird Week is taking flight in one week! ✨

Next Wednesday, 25 September, at 7.30 pm ACST, Luke Paterson from NT Bird Specialists, Australian Birding & Photography Tours will be giving an insightful presentation into birding and Kakadu National Park's biodiverse habitats at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. 🐊

Grab a drink, meet other bird enthusiasts and see what’s instore for Kakadu Bird Week 2024. 🐦

Book now at the link! 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wMLlv

📸 Partridge pigeon ©️ Luke Paterson

17/09/2024

Had a great day today, even with the rain around 🌧️. Had to revert to ‘plan B’ but still got some great results including Red Goshawks, Partridge Pigeon, Little Curlew and a nice shot of a Green (Yellow) Oriole. Got to love Top End surprises 🩷🦅

The Bark Hut Inn

31/08/2024

Quite often becoming a main star of the show, the spectacular ⭐️ Star Finch 💫 have been seen in great numbers in flocks of around 200 during our recent Finch Frenzy missions. The female pictured here isn’t as brightly coloured as the male, however still ornately plumed and a treat for bird appreciators nevertheless.

24/08/2024

The Azure Kingfishers have been behaving nicely for us lately. Love their little black toenails and quite like the dried up tendril of vine in the shot for something a bit different too.

12/08/2024

With this stunning array of tropical birdlife to feast your eyes on, you can see why Luke Paterson can't wait to head back & explore Borneo with guests.
Luke will be teaming up with local Bornean guides to seek the big, the cryptic and the colourful jewels of Borneo's ancient forests and mountains, while staying in some lush & primely located ecolodges across Sarawak & Sabah in Malaysian Borneo.
**LAST MINUTE SPOTS OCT 2024** If you'd like to join our 16 Day Deluxe Borneo Birding & Wildlife Tour 15-30 October 2024, please get in touch today [email protected]

https://ntbirdspecialists.com.au/tours/borneo-birding-ecotours-and-wildlife-safaris/

NT Bird Specialists' wildlife safaris responsibly travel to Borneo's best birding and mammal-watching sites while practising ethical birding & photography guidelines.

05/08/2024

Have been loving the nocturnal wildlife happenings of late… spotted this on our way home from a well-deserved sunset canapé session in the Kimberley. A fittingly familiar for International Owl Awareness Day 🦉


Image captured by Australian Bird & Photography Guide Luke Paterson

24/07/2024

Happy Wrens-Day everyone! We just love a cracking Purple-crowned and are lucky to have them in our big backyard.
These sensitive birds succumb to habitat disturbances from fire and flood so we’re patient with them and give them space to be themselves.

22/07/2024

We’re on the look out for this little cutie. But before that we’re slowly making our way through Kakadu National Park and checking out many incredible birds and habitats of Northern Territory – Australia our way to a stronghold of the Yellow Chat at Lake Argyle in the East Kimberly.

20/07/2024

19/07/2024

Wow! Global Birdfair UK you were definitely worth the journey to promote the fabulous birdlife of the Northern Territory – Australia over 3 action-packed days.
It was our first time back since 2018, so really great to catch up with past & future guests & reunite with fab conservationists & story tellers Katie & Luke Massey Images from Wild Finca & Leica Nature UK - plus the many dedicated teams who provide exceptional tourism experiences while supporting local wildlife and communities across the globe.
Our guide Luke Paterson presented on the Plover Stage to over 100 people.
Thanks so much to Tim Appleton & Penny for the incredible organisation & the great new venue at Lyndon Top Caravan Park

09/07/2024

Our guide John Gitsham's Top End tour season has kicked off to a great start with three 2-day tours this week, plenty of birds & some very happy guests.
Observation highlights include:
Torresian Kingfishers feeding young in a hollow, Striated Pardalote frequenting nesting holes;
Great views of Black Butcherbird, Red-headed Honeyeater, Mistletoebirds feeding on mistletoe fruit, and a nesting Rose-crowned Fruitdove;
A surprise Brown Quail at the Botanic Gardens;
Brolga, Black-necked Stork and Glossy Ibis flock (50+) at Fogg Dam; along with so much more…

If you’re keen to join short Darwin and surrounds birding & photography tours, jump on website to check our group tour dates which you can book instantly online, or email us to open your new group tour dates or book a private tour.
https://ntbirdspecialists.com.au/tour/1-day-darwin-birdwatching-tour-sticky-beak/

We are a fully permitted, licensed & insured local tour operator with Sustainable Eco Star & Accessible Tourism Accreditations & offerings.

We also have a couple of spots left on our longer tours for 2024.
We’d love to have you join us!

02/07/2024

Another cracking shot taken by Russell Pringle Photography on our recent Kimberley Birding & Wilderness Expedition 2024.

Star Finch (male)
'Neochmia ruficauda'
One of the birds that was high on my list on my recent Kimberley's trip with NT Bird Specialists, Australian Birding & Photography Tours
It certainly didn't disapoint.

©️ Russell Pringle Photography 2024

30/06/2024

Global Birdfair is just around the corner & this year NT Bird Specialists, Australian Birding & Photography Tours will be returning to the UK for the mega birdwatching travel & global nature conservation event (12-14 July 2024). We can't wait!!

Join our Director & Specialist Guide Luke Paterson speaking all about the Northern Territory’s incredible birdlife & our 2024-25 tours on the Plover Stage, 12pm Friday 12 July. And be sure to visit us at Stand N20, Nightingale Marquee all weekend.

We're looking forward to catching up with guests & many other amazing exhibitors, as well as learning from incredibly dedicated & inspiring bird conservation initiatives from around the world.
Hope to see you all there 🦅 📸

29/06/2024

Thanks to your Reviews we have won a Tripadvisor 2024 Travellers Choice Award!! 🏆 This award only goes out to the top 10% of attractions globally!! A big shout out to all our wonderful guests who've taken the time to Review Us & share your travel experiences with others.

You can check out our fab guest reviews & photos here: https://rebrand.ly/v4wpai5

28/06/2024

As an added commitment to conserving what we love (birds of course) and responsibly engaging with nature & local communities during our ecotours, we've elevated our sustainability accreditations from Level 2 Sustainable Operator to an EcoStar Business 🌏🌱🌟

EcoStar Accreditation is issued by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) to ecotourism businesses that demonstrate the highest level of environmental management over & above Sustainable Tourism requirements

EcoStar Accredited Business standards include:
⭐️ Managing impact & disturbance on the environment,
⭐️ Contributing to conservation & sustainability,
⭐️ Effective interpretation through the promotion, communication & delivery of product,
⭐️ Establishing an environmental risk management strategy,
⭐️ Supporting & benefiting the local community, and
⭐️ Recognition of the cultural & heritage issues of the area.

28/06/2024

To help more guests have incredible birding, wildlife & photography holidays in the Northern Territory – Australia we've officially accredited our Accessible Tourism offerings & have updated the Accessible Tourism Information on our website https://ntbirdspecialists.com.au/faq/
Get in touch to find out more.

22/06/2024

Come & say G’Day to us at Global Birdfair Rutland, UK from 12-14 July!
NT Bird Specialists, Australian Birding & Photography Tours (& kids) will be exhibiting at Stand N20 in the Nightingale Marquee (orange marquee just near the main entrance on the map).

Our specialist bird & photography guide Luke Paterson will be presenting a lecture all about the Northern Territory’s incredible birdlife & our tours on the Plover Stage at 12pm Friday 12 July.

It’s our first time exhibiting just for our business & first time back since 2018 when we used to promote the Northern Territory – Australia for Tourism NT at the British Birdfair!

Can’t wait to see Global Birdfair’s new location Lyndon Top Caravan Park
Hope to see you all there 🦅 📸

*See the map in comments for our location.

Start planning your visit to Global Birdfair!

Full exhibitor list with stand numbers now online
https://globalbirdfair.org/find-exhibitors

Early bird tickets just £15.00 for a one day pass, £40 for 3 days
Under 18s FREE with ticket holding adult
https://gbf.yourticketpurchase.com/p/globalbirdfair

Friday and Saturday evening events until 9pm - your valid day ticket means you can stay on with catering and bar open til 9pm

FREE Car Parking on site, FREE Shuttle bus to Oakham Station

Full information for lectures, workshops, events, authors, podcasting station, Younger Visitors Discovery Zone and Young Conservationists Hub in our What's on section https://globalbirdfair.org



BirdLife International Lyndon Top Caravan Park BirdGuides.com SWAROVSKI OPTIK Birding RSPB Cornell Lab of Ornithology Viking Optical Kowa Sporting Optics Leica Camera Sony OM System Nikon Thomas Jacks Limited Park Cameras Bird Watching BBC Wildlife Magazine ZEISS Birding Canon Photography UK Outdoor Photographer Magazine WILD Sounds & Books Vive Andalucía Roaming Giraffe Sigma UK Opticron OSME Oriental Bird Club African Bird Club community Neotropical Birding and Conservation Cambridge University Ornithology Society