BASNA runs birding tours for Birds Australia members. These tours provide a service to our members enabling them to access many remote areas of Australia, which often are only reachable by extended 4WD expeditions. Many of our members then have the opportunity to experience these unique areas and the wonderful birds that inhabit there. Whilst camping trips are frequently used for the more remote areas, accommodated tours are also available for those who prefer this style. For many Birds Australia members an organised trip is the only way they can access these areas.

The tours also play an important role in bird conservation as a proportion of the price for each trip goes to BASNA, which is then used for a variety of conservation purposes within the organisation. Since these tours began in 2004, hundreds of Birds Australia members have participated and thousands of dollars have been raised for conservation as a result. The BA projects that have benefited from the tours include the Cowra Woodland Birds Project, Regent Honeyeater Recovery Project, North Head Bird Monitoring and Port Botany surveys. To download any of the tour brochures visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding Corner Country & Red Centre 2010

Departing 14 May 2010 for a 14 day 4WD Camping Tour: Being arranged in conjunction with Birds Australia and Birding NSW, join us for a 14-day birdwatching tour through Nyngan, Tilpa, White Cliffs, Tibooburra, Strzelecki Track and Coober Pedy to Alice Springs. There is an option to extend the tour and join our 6 day tour to Newhaven, staying in deluxe tents (29th May - 3rd June).

We will see the opal mines set in the richly coloured hills around White Cliffs, the sparse saltpans of the Sturt National Park, the red sand-dunes of the Corner Country. Take a refreshing dip at a natural waterhole at Muloorina Station. Look out over Lake Eyre from the Oodnadatta Track. Stay in an underground bunkhouse at Coober Pedy. Travelling along the back roads will take us through many different habitats allowing lots of opportunities for birdwatching. In the mixed woodland around Nyngan and Tilpa, we will start to see the first of the inland species such as Major Mitchell and Red-tailed Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Budgerigars, White-winged and Splendid Fairy-wrens and Red-capped Robin.

Around the Corner Country we will be looking for Red-browed Pardalote, Gibber Chat, Cinnamon Quail-thrush and White-backed Swallow. There will be several opportunities to find Eyrean Grasswren on the sand-dunes along the Strzelecki. We will visit Coongie Lakes which is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. At Mt Lyndhurst station we will search for Thick-billed Grasswren, Chestnut-breasted Whiteface and Rufous Fieldwren. As we move on northwards, we will have the chance of seeing Inland Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Banded Whiteface, Red-backed Kingfisher, Crested Bellbird and Black and Pied Honeyeaters. As travel along we will see lots of raptors including Wedge-tailed Eagles and Brown Falcons but we will be on the lookout for rarer species such as Black and Grey Falcon, Spotted Harrier and the majestic Black-breasted Buzzard. There is even a remote chance of seeing the rare and elusive Letter-winged Kite. For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding Canning Stock Route

Departing 22 May ex - Alice Springs for a 24-day 4WD trip, returning on 14 June 2010. Experience the full length of the Canning Stock Route with our highly experienced crew - Phil and Klara. Travelling in 4WD Vehicles, we will trek along the full length of the Canning Stock Route. It also includes a visit to the semi-permanent Camp at Newhaven Reserve.

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding Newhaven 2010

Departing 29 May and 5 June 2010 for a 6 Day 4WD Accommodated Tour: Experience our semi-permanent camp set up at Newhaven Station for a limited time. For those who experiences our luxury camp this year at Lake Eyre, we will be setting up in 2010 at Newhaven. Our luxurious tents are extra spacious, including camp beds with sleeping bags and liners included. The camp includes a dining marquee.

Newhaven Station has many of the characteristics of the remote Great Sandy Desert and yet it is very accessible. The area is extensive, complex and intact. It is home to at least 15 nationally threatened species of animals and plants. It boasts ten vegetation communities and a wide array of landforms, none of which are well represented in existing reserves.

Most intriguingly, however, Newhaven is also the site of one of the latest sightings of a pair of Night Parrots. Habitat suitable for the parrots remains intact and abundant because of the unusually conservative stocking rates and careful management in the past. It is essential that this habitat, which is also favoured by grazing stock, is protected for Australia's most enigmatic bird. If the property were sold elsewhere, we could not be certain of continued good management.

BIRDS THAT WE HOPE TO SEE:
Grey Falcon, Black-breasted Kite, Bustard, Banded Lapwing, Inland Dotterel, Spinifex Pigeon, Flock Pigeon, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Princess Parrot, Bourkes Parrot, Budgerigar, White-backed Swallow, Ground Cuckoo-Shrike, Hall's Babbler, Spinifex Bird, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Dusky Grasswren, Grey Honeyeater, Pied Honeyeater and many others.

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding in the Kimberley 2010

Departing 26 June – 12 July, 2010 join us for a Birding Adventure to the Kimberley Area. Departing Broome we visit the Broome Bird Observatory, Windjana Gorge Mornington Station, King Edward River, Mitchell Falls, Kununurra before travelling back to Broome via the Bungle Bungles and Geikie Gorge.  Birds we hope to see at Broome will be migratory shorebirds that are overwintering. The birds of the mangroves such as White-breasted and Mangrove Golden Whistlers, Broad-billed Flycatcher and Red-headed Honeyeater are present throughout the year. While exploring the gorges and savannah woodland of the Kimberleys we will see the species that occur throughout this spectacular rocky terrain. We will visit Mornington Station owned and managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy. A haven for wildlife, the endangered Gouldian Finch is regularly seen at Mornington. There will be time to search in the pandanas along the rivers for Crimson Finch and Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens. We must always be alert for the Red Goshawk or Grey Falcon. Of special interest will be the Mitchell Plateau where we will be after the elusive Black Grasswren. Other species of the escarpment are White-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Sandstone Shrike-thrush. Around Kununurra different species will be found in the lush irrigation areas such as Yellow-rumped Mannikins. We will also have an opportunity to add many waterbirds on a relaxing cruise on Lake Argyle where Yellow Chats are often recorded.

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding Cape York 2010

Departing 17 July 2010 for a 14 Day 4WD Camping Tour: Join us for a birding tour leaving from Cairns travelling up to the tip of Cape York. Highlights include Lakefield National Park and Iron Range National Park. We spend time exploring the track with its historic Aboriginal Art and swimming holes. There will be plenty of time to birdwatch along the track. Includes flight back from Horn Island to Cairns on Day 14 so you get more time birding.

The itinerary includes plenty of time to explore the Lakefield National Park and the Iron Range National Park:
Day 1/ Depart Cairns for Cooktown via the Daintree River and explore Cape Tribulation before travelling onto Cooktown O/N Cooktown (LD)
Day 2/ AM Explore Cooktown and learn about the Palmer River goldfields with a visit to the Museum and Grassy Hill lookout. Travel to Lakefield National Park O/N Lakefield National Park (BLD).
Day 3/ From Lakefield to Musgrave the afternoon will allow time to search for the Golden Shoulder Parrot O/N Musgrave (BLD).
Day 4/ O/N Archer River (BLD).
Day 5-8/ Iron Range National Park is a remote coastal park in northern Cape York Peninsula, protecting the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Australia. Rainforest, eucalypt and paperbark forests and heath-shrouded hills provide a backdrop to long sweeping beaches, rocky outcrops and mangrove forests. We will be keeping lookout for eclectus parrots and palm cockatoos. Iron Range Nat Park (BLD)
Day 9/ Continuing North see the historic site of the Overland Telegraph repeater station with frequent birding stops along the way O/N Weipa (BLD)
Day 10/ Tour the township and Bauxite Mine. Afternoon free to explore O/N Weipa (BLD)
Day 11/ Join the old telegraph track passing through remote cattle stations before reaching the Wenlock River Crossing. Once over the crossing the country opens up and we start seeing giant Termite mounds O/N Wenlock River (BLD)
Day 12/ Pass through light rainforest on our way to the Jardine River ferry crossing. Enter the northern settlement of Bamaga and travel further onto our beach side camp Seisia. O/N Seisia (BLD)
Day 13/ Stand on the most Northern Point of mainland Australia O/N Seisia (BLD)
Day 14/ An early morning cruise through the islands of the Torres Strait. A tour of Thursday Island is included. Transfer to Horn Island before flying along over the Great Barrier Reef on our return to Cairns. (Flight is included and strictly based on availability.) (B)

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding Mighty Darling 2010

Departing 2 – 12 October 2010, Ex Sydney - An 11 Day tour to visit Warrumbungles, Brewarina, Bourke and the Darling River. Menindee Lakes, Mungo National Park and Darlington Park. More details will be available soon.

Birding Western Victoria 2010

Departing 23 Oct – 2 Nov 2010, Ex Sydney - join us for a relaxing fully-accommodated 11-day tour birdwatching along the Great Ocean Road, in the Grampians and at Little Desert National Park in Western Victoria. Fully Accommodated in 3.5 Star Motels/Lodges. At Geelong,  we will have two nights with a full day for birdwatching around the Bellarine Peninsula visiting various habitats including wetlands and coastal heathlands. Along the Great Ocean Road, many of the stops for the spectacular scenic attractions are also great spots for birdwatching but we will also visit some key sites for birds in the Otway Ranges. A great opportunity for finding the birds of the open oceans, coastal cliffs and beaches and the mountain forests. The Grampians National Park is renowned for its wildflowers but the area is also good for birdwatching. Over 200 species have been recorded in the dry sclerophyll forests where koalas are often seen. Another highlight of the trip will be our two nights at Little Desert Lodge near Nhill. Set in 117 hectares of natural bushland next to Little Desert National Park, it is a great area for birdwatching. We will have a full day to look for the specialties of the mallee including Malleefowl.

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.

Birding South Coast 2010

Departing 13 -21 November 2010, Ex Sydney. A popular favourite, 9 Day accommodated tour to Jindabyne, Gipsy Point Lodge near Mallacoota. The Lodge is set on extensive grounds and is a highlight on this tour. We also make a day trip to Montague Island.

For further details and prices visit the Outback Track Tours website.