Australia July-August 2014 list

Red=world lifer
Itallics=Australia lifer (previously seen elsewhere) 

1. Emu- it took a ridiculously long time to see one, but they finally put in an appearance in Exmouth, where they were very common
2. Australian Brushturkey- very common between Byron Bay and Noosa, including in Brisbane's suburbs.
3. Wandering Albatross- one offshore at Kiama, NSW
4. Black-browed Albatross- decent numbers offshore at Kiama and four off Bondi Beach, Sydney
5. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross- one offshore at Kiama
6. Fluttering Shearwater- very common off Byron Bay, NSW and one Hutton's/Fluttering/Little Shearwater off Kiama.
7. Australasian Gannet- very common off the NSW coast
8. Australian Pelican- very common on most bodies of water (salt and fresh water) encountered during the trip
9. Brown Booby- one flew past Cable Beach in Broome
10. Lesser Frigatebird- one over Cable Beach in Broome
11. Australasian Darter- common on most inland water bodies except for in Victoria, including on the rivers in Perth and Brisbane. One seen on the sea at Yamma, NSW.
12. Great Cormorant- common on most waterbodies (salt and fresh water)
13. Pied Cormorant- common on most waterbodies (salt and fresh water). One underneath the waterfall at Cathedral Gorge in the Kimberley was unexpected.
14. Little Pied Cormorant- common on most waterbodies (salt and fresh water)
15. Little Black Cormorant- abundant on most waterbodies (salt and fresh water), the most common Cormorant of the trip.
16. Australasian Grebe- two in Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne and several on a small urban pond in Perth.
17. Magpie-goose- seen regularly in flooded fields in north New South Wales and Queensland and a large number seen at Lake Kununurra
18. Black Swan- common on most inland waterbodies
19. Australian Shelduck- two seen in north Victoria and common in Perth
20. Pacific Black Duck- undoubtedly the most common duck of the trip- very common on all pieces of freshwater
21. Mallard- one in the City Botanical Gardens, Brisbane
22. Grey Teal- one at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
23. Chestnut Teal- first seen at Potato Point, NSW (about eight), common from then on along the east coast, including one in Sydney's Botanical Gardens
24. Australasian Shoveler- a pair on a small urban pond in Perth
25. Hardhead- first seen at Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne and then at Noosa, Brisbane and Perth
26. Australian Wood Duck- very common in most places during the trip, including in all four major cities
27. Green Pygmy-goose- about a dozen on Lake Kununurra
28. Blue-billed Duck- two on a small urban pond in Perth
29. Buff-banded Rail- quite common in the City Botanical Gardens, Brisbane
30. Purple Swamphen- quite common around most inland waterbodies
31. Dusky Moorhen- abundant on all inland waterbodies
32. Eurasian Coot- abundant on all inland waterbodies
33. White-necked Heron- common near freshwater throughout the trip
34. White-faced Heron- common near freshwater throughout the trip  
35. Pied Heron- one at Lake Kununurra
36. Eastern Cattle Egret- very common in a variety on mainly farmland habitats throughout the trip
37. Great Egret- common near freshwater throughout the trip
38. Little Egret- common along the Victorian and New South Wales coastlines
39. Intermediate Egret- generally common along the east coast near waterbodies, including in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
40. Eastern Reef Egret- very common around Broome Bird Observatory
41. Nankeen Night-heron- seen regularly near waterbodies, including at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
42. Striated Heron- one at Eden, New South Wales, but not seen again until Broome, where the species was abundant
43. Australian White Ibis- one of the most common birds of the trip- abundant virtually everywhere, especially in city centres and in farmland, as well as at the rubbish dump in Broome
44. Straw-necked Ibis- very common in most places outside of the major cities
45. Royal Spoonbill- several seen near Yamma, NSW
46. Black-necked Stork- one in flight near Newcastle, NSW and then several at El Questro on the Gibb River Road
47. Brolga- sadly only one and that was seen by my sister! Near Kununurra
48. Australian Bustard- one at Bell Gorge on the Gibb and one later quite nearby
49. Ruddy Turnstone- several at Broome Bird Observatory
50. Far Eastern Curlew- three at Broome BO
51. Whimbrel- abundant at Broome BO
52. Grey-tailed Tattler- a group of c.12 at Broome BO
53. Common Sandpiper- one at Broome BO
54. Common Greenshank- common at Broome BO
55. Marsh Sandpiper- c.10 at Broome BO
56. Terek Sandpiper- quite common at Broome BO
57. Red Knot- a large flock flew past the beach at Broome BO
58. Red-necked Stint- very common at Broome BO
59. Curlew Sandpiper- a few at Broome BO
60. Comb-crested Jacana- one at Lake Kununurra
61. Bush Stone-curlew- a group of three at Kununurra Airport
62. Pied Oystercatcher- common at most coastal sites
63. Sooty Oystercatcher- two at Kiama
64. Black-winged Stilt- common on freshwater in Victoria and NSW and very common at Broome BO
65. Masked Lapwing- abundant throughout the trip in most grassy habitats, including in city centres
66. Red-capped Plover- common at Broome BO
67. Black-fronted Dotterel- one at Windjana Gorge, WA
68. Silver Gull- absolutely abundant at virtually all waterbodies, in cities and at the dump in Broome
69. Pacific Gull- several on the Victorian coast
70. Whiskered Tern- very common on Lake Kununurra
71. Gull-billed Tern- common in Brisbane and at Broome BO
72. Caspian Tern- common in Brisbane, Perth and along the WA coast
73. Fairy Tern- two on the beach at Exmouth
74. Crested Tern- very common at most coastal locations
75. Lesser Crested Tern- several offshore from Exmouth
76. Black-shouldered Kite- a common roadside bird in north NSW and Queensland and abundant around Exmouth, WA
77. Eastern Osprey- common at most coastal locations
78. Black-breasted Buzzard- strangely only two seen along the Gibb
79. Black(-eared) Kite- first seen at a dump near Brisbane, then remarkably abundant from Darwin to Exmouth
80. Whistling Kite- common in Victoria and NSW and the odd bird seen along the Gibb
81. Brahminy Kite- unexpectedly common, from Byron Bay to Noosa and then at Darwin and Broome BO
82. White-breasted Sea-Eagle- fantastically common, particularly in Victoria and NSW and then at Exmouth, WA
83. Wedge-tailed Eagle- generally common away from human settlements
84. Little Eagle- very common away from human settlements, especially along the Gibb
85. Brown Goshawk- two at El Questro and one in Kununurra
86. Collared Sparrowhawk- first seen in Sydney and then rather common in Kununurra and along the Gibb
87. Grey Goshawk- one seen fantastically well near Brisbane
88. Spotted Harrier- one flew over our hotel in Exmouth
89. Peregrine Falcon- several seen well from our hotel in Sydney CBD 
90. Australian Hobby- two in Perth
91. Brown Falcon- common along the Gibb and very common in Broome 
92. Nankeen Kestrel- generally common throughout
93. Torresian Imperial-Pigeon- common in Darwin
94. Topknot Pigeon- several near Brisbane
95. White-headed Pigeon- seen very well at Mallacoota and common near Byron Bay, NSW
96. Laughing Dove- very common in Perth
97. Spotted Dove- abundant in urban areas along the east coast and in Perth
98. Feral Pigeon- abundant in most urban areas
99. Peaceful Dove- abundant from Darwin to Broome
100. Bar-shouldered Dove- very common from Darwin to Broome
101. Common Bronzewing- one at Mallacoota and common at the Bungle Bungle
102. Spinifex Pigeon- common along the Gibb
103. Crested Pigeon- common in most urban areas
104. Partridge Pigeon- one in Darwin
105. Wonga Pigeon- two at Mallacoota
106. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo- common from Kununurra to Broome
107. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo- two seen well in Manly, Sydney
108. Galah- generally common throughout
109. Long-billed Corella- feral populations common in Sydney and surrounding towns
110. Little Corella- very common in Sydney (introduced) and surrounding towns, then truly abundant from Kununurra to Exmouth
111. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo- very common throughout, especially in Sydney
112. Rainbow Lorikeet- abundant along the east coast
113. Red-collared Lorikeet- very common from Darwin to Broome
114. Scaly-breasted Lorikeet- common from Byron Bay to Brisbane
115. Varied Lorikeet- two flocks seen at Ellenbrae on the Gibb
116. Australian King Parrot- common along the southeast coast, especially in Mallacoota
117. Red-winged Parrot- common from Darwin to Broome
118. Budgerigar- common along the Gibb
119. Crimson Rosella- very common at Mallacoota
120. Eastern Rosella- common in north New South Wales
121. Red-rumped Parrot- one in Sydney
122. Australian Ringneck- very common in Perth
123. Little Bronze-Cuckoo- one at Broome BO
124. Pheasant Coucal- common along the Gibb
125. Tawny Frogmouth- the bird of the trip. One roosting in the Sydney Botanical Gardens, one awake at night in Kununurra and one roosting at Broome BO
126. Spotted Nightjar- one on the road at night at El Questro, WA
127. Laughing Kookaburra- common along the east coast
128. Blue-winged Kookaburra- common from Kununurra to Broome
129. Sacred Kingfisher- generally quite common
130. Rainbow Bee-eater- first seen at Noosa and then very common from Kununurra to Exmouth, especially at Broome
131. Superb Fairywren- common along the east coast
132. Variegated Fairywren- common in most areas
133. Red-backed Fairywren- four at El Questro, WA
134. Striated Pardalote- one of race melanocephalus in Brisbane and one of race uropygialis at Ellenbrae (Black-headed Pardalote)
135. White-browed Scrubwren- several at Mallacoota, Vic
136. Weebill- common along the Gibb
137. Brown Thornbill- several in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
138. Red Wattlebird- very common from Melbourne to Sydney in most urban areas and in Perth
139. Little Wattlebird- very common from Melbourne to Brisbane
140. Silver-crowned Friarbird- common along the Gibb
141. Noisy Friarbird- quite common at Noosa and in Brisbane
142. Little Friarbird- very common along the Gibb
143. Blue-faced Honeyeater- common from Yamma, NSW northwards, but absent from Exmouth, WA
144. Bell Miner- three at Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
145. Noisy Miner- abundant along the east coast
146. Yellow-throated Miner- abundant from the start of the Gibb to Exmouth and Perth
147. Lewin's Honeyeater- common in Byron Bay, NSW
148. Singing Honeyeater- common from the Gibb to Exmouth and Perth
149. White-gaped Honeyeater- common from Darwin to Broome
150. Yellow-tinted Honeyeater- very common from Kununurra to Broome
151. White-plumed Honeyeater- one seen in the middle of Melbourne
152. White-chinned Honeyeater- common along the Gibb
153. New Holland Honeyeater- common along the east coast
154. White-cheeked Honeyeater- common along the northern part of the east coast
155. Brown Honeyeater- I quite simply cannot understand how I had never seen one before we arrived in Byron Bay. After that this species was really abundant everywhere we went, including in Perth and especially along the Gibb and in Broome.
156. Bar-breasted Honeyeater- several seen at Ellenbrae, WA
157. Rufous-throated Honeyeater- common in Kununurra and along the Gibb
158. Banded Honeyeater- first seen at Ellenbrae, WA, where common and then several more times along the Gibb and at Broome
159. Grey-crowned Babbler- common at Kununurra and along the Gibb
160. Eastern Yellow Robin- two at Mallacoota         
161. Jacky Winter- one at Bell Gorge on the Gibb
162. Sandstone Shrikethrush- common in Windjana Gorge on the Gibb
163. Rufous Whistler- common on the Gibb and at Broome
164. Northern Fantail- several seen along the Gibb
165. Grey Fantai- very common throughout
166. Mangrove Fantail- common and easy to find at Broome BO
167. Willie Wagtail- abundant virtually everywhere
168. Broad-billed Flycatcher- one at Broome BO
169. Leaden Flycatcher- one in the carpark at Bell Gorge on the Gibb
170. Paperbark Flycatcher- common from Kununurra to Broome
171. Spangled Drongo- common from Port Macquarie, NSW to Noosa
172. Magpie-lark- abundant virtually everywhere. Perhaps the most common bird of the trip?
173. Olive-backed Oriole- several at Kununurra and Broome BO
174. Australasian Figbird- race vielloti (Green Figbird) seen once in Sydney and in Noosa and Brisbane and race ashbyi (Yellow Figbird) seen several times from Darwin to Broome
175. Satin Bowerbird- a pair at Mallacoota, Vic
176. Great Bowerbird- abundant from Kununurra to Broome
177. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike- very common from Port Macquarie to Brisbane and then from Darwin to Exmouth
178. White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike- common from Darwin to Broome
179. Varied Triller- three in Darwin
180. White-winged Triller- seen regularly from Kununurra to Broome
181. White-breasted Woodswallow- first seen at Noosa and common between Darwin and Exmouth
182. Black-faced Woodswallow- common along the Gibb
183. Little Woodswallow- common along the Gibb
184. Grey Butcherbird- common along the east coast
185. Pied Butcherbird- generally common everywhere
186. Australian Magpie- very common virtually everywhere
187. Pied Currawong- common along the east coast, especially in Mallacoota, Sydney and Brisbane
188. Little Raven- very common in Melbourne
189. Australian Raven- very common in and around Sydney and in Perth
190. Torresian Crow- very common from Byron Bay, NSW to Brisbane and truly abundant from Darwin to Exmouth
191. Welcome Swallow- very common along the east coast
192. Tree Martin- common between Byron Bay, NSW and Brisbane and in Perth
193. Fairy Martin- common everywhere
194. Australian Pipit- two seen- one near Brisbane and one on the Gibb
195. Australian Reed Warbler- common at Lake Kununurra
196. House Sparrow- abundant along the southeast coast and in Melbourne
197. Double-barred Finch- abundant from Darwin to Broome
198. Zebra Finch- at least two at Windjana, WA on the Gibb
199. Long-tailed Finch- one at Bell Gorge on the Gibb
200. Crimson Finch- common at Kununurra and at Ellenbrae
201. Red-browed Finch- very common at Mallacoota
202. Mistletoebird- common between Kununurra and Broome
203. Silvereye- a large group at Yamma, NSW
204. Canary White-eye- very common at Broome BO
205. Common Starling- very common in the southeast, some huge flocks were seen
206. Common Myna- abundant in urban areas along the east coast  
207. Eurasian Blackbird- common in Melbourne and Mallacoota                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Total number of world life additions: 53  
     Total number of Australia life additions: 61

A rather disappointingly-low total, which was caused by a great lack of time spent birding. Most birding was done opportunistically- either from the car, or at our occasional stops. There was, however, a number of standout species and 53 lifers was a decent effort. The trip certainly did its job though- it has confirmed my desire to move to Australia permanently and there are certainly many more birds to see!

The same can be said for the mammal list. Lifers are in red.

1. Little Red Flying Fox- common in Brisbane
2. Black Flying Fox- colony at Bell Gorge, WA
3. Grey-headed Flying Fox- common in Sydney
4. Long-nosed Bandicoot- fantastic views of one at Mallacoota
5. Eastern Grey Kangaroo- common along the east coast
6. Western Red Kangaroo-seen once along the Gibb, but very common at Exmouth
7. Northern Nailtail Wallaby- most common native mammal on the Gibb, especially at El Questro
8. Short-eared Rock Wallaby- one at Windjama Gorge   
9. Red-necked Wallaby- common along the east coast
10. Agile Wallaby- one at Broome BO
11. Common Brushtail Possum- several at Mallacoota
12. Red Fox- one feeding on a roadkill Grey Kangaroo near Mallacoota
13. Dingo- seen several times along the Gibb River Road
14. Feral Cat- one seen on the Gibb, far from civilisation so almost certainly feral
15. Brumby (feral horse)- common along the Gibb
16. European Rabbit- several at Mallacoota
17. Killer Whale- two offshore at Lennox Head, NSW
18. Bottlenose Dolphin- several offshore at Byron Bay
19. Humpback Whale- very common not far offshore at Exmouth- awesome! 

 Total number of world life additions: 10
Also a rat species taking advantage of birdseed at Mallacoota.

Other notable species:
Brown Tree Snake- one at Cathedral Gorge, WA- the only land snake seen on the trip!
Olive Sea Snake- one that scared the sh*t out of me while fishing at Exmouth! It came out of the water and headed straight for me! Thankfully, I got out of the way rapidly....
Freshwater Crocodile- one tiny beasty at El Questro and numerous much larger ones at Winjana Gorge
Green Turtle- common on Ningaloo Reef
Black Frog- several at Cathedral Gorge, WA- found by swimming under a ledge where dozens of these big frogs were hiding. A different frog species was seen at the nearby El Questro and another at Zebedee Springs, but I really am not any sort of an expert when it comes to amphibians
Perentie (species of Goanna)- one at Exmouth. Several other unidentifiable lizzards were seen

Fish caught:
Only one fishing trip,with:
Gold-spotted Trevally
Spangled Emperor
Lizardfish
Queensland Grouper
Barracuda
Also seen were Bonefish, Permit and Giant Trevally among numerous others.


Dubai stopovers list:
Red- new life species

1. Grey Francolin
2. Greater Flamingo
3. Grey Heron
4. Western Reef Heron
5. Socotra Cormorant
6. Shikra
7. Black-winged Stilt
8. Red-wattled Lapwing
9. Kentish Plover
10. Caspian Tern
11. White-cheeked Tern
12. Feral Pigeon
13. Collared Dove
14. Laughing Dove
15. Indian Roller
16. Eurasian Hoopoe
17. Barn Swallow
18. Pale Crag Martin
19. House Crow
20. Red-vented Bulbul
21. White-eared Bulbul
22. House Sparrow
23. Indian Silverbill
24. Common Myna 
25. Pied Myna             

Total number of world lifers: 9

A decent total of lifers, considering that most birding was done from our hotel and that our attempted visits to Ras Al'Khor were thwarted by Ramadan first time around and by it being a Friday the second time. One unidentified bat was the only mammal seen.