• Discover Nature at its Best!
    On Roebuck Bay
    BirdLife Australia's Broome Bird Observatory is a centre for shorebird education & conservation More »
  • Stay Amid the Beauty & Splendour of Nature!
    BBO Accommodation
    We have accommodation packages for most tastes and budgets. More »
  • Sharpen Your Skills. Experience the Wonder!
    BBO Courses
    We run regular courses which will improve your birding knowledge and field skills. More »
  • Committed to Their Future.
    Supporting Research
    The BBO supports a variety of Shorebird and Bush Bird research and conservation work in the Broome region. More »
  • Experience Massive Diversity & Abundance!
    Birdwatching Tours
    On a BBO tour you will witness some of nature's greatest spectacles. More »
  • Explore the Wonders of Roebuck Bay!
    Books & DVDs
    Visit our shop and experience the magnificence of Roebuck Bay in your home. More »

Broome Bird Observatory Courses

Sharpen your birding skills and experience the varied birdlife of the Broome Region with our courses.

THE OBSERVATORY conducts at least two sessions of courses each year. Courses are scheduled according to the seasonal movements of the birds and the suitability of prevailing weather and conditions. Our friendly and expert Wardens will guide you to the best birding sites, where you will experience the unique and diverse birdlife of the region and the migratory shorebirds for which Roebuck Bay is known.

Many people are intimidated by shorebird viewing and rarely spend time watching these wonderful birds because of perceived difficulties with identification. Our courses will open up this world of birding for you to explore by helping you hone your shorebird viewing skills. If you are already an avid shorebird watcher, you will surely be impressed with the viewing opportunities provided by Roebuck Bay.

All courses include:

  • daily tours and activities
  • accommodation at the Observatory
  • transfers to and from Broome
  • all meals
  • use of BBO scopes and binoculars, if required

Prices

$1290 including fully catered 5-day course, transfers & accommodation

Wave goodbye to the waders

This course offers the best means to experience the colour, fascination, diversity and abundance of migratory shorebirds in Broome. Image: © 2008 Adrian Boyle.

Roebuck Bay is among the top five migratory shorebird destinations in the world. The bay is an ideal area for observing daily shorebird movements on and between mudflat feeding areas and high tide roosts along the shoreline. It is also a perfect setting to witness departure of shorebirds as they embark on their long annual migration to northern Asia and Siberia, which is the focus of this course. During the course, you will have an opportunity to witness large numbers of birds in departing flocks, as well as observe the beautiful and diverse breeding plumages of these shorebirds against the spectacular backdrop of the bay.

Discourses on shorebird identification, feeding ecology, and migration are presented during this course. Subject to post-wet season accessibility, we also tour the bush and plains to the east of the Observatory and other local birding sites where we’ll find a variety of bush birds and waterbirds, in addition to shorebirds that favour fresh water habitats.

Dates for this course in 2014

  • TBA

Birds of the Broome region

The diversity and abundance of birdlife in this stunning locality is a delight for all nature lovers. Image: © 2006 Ricki Coughlan.

What makes Broome one of the most exciting birding regions in Australia? Join us for this course and discover the incredible diversity and abundance of birds that reside in the Broome region. We will visits a variety of habitats, including the shores and mangroves of Roebuck Bay; lakes, bush and plains of Roebuck Plains Stations east of the Observatory, and creeks and mangroves of the lower Dampier Peninsula north of Broome. You will have the opportunity to observe a wide range of species, including bush birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey.

The course also includes discourses on bird identification and ecology. We will help improve your birdwatching skills, thereby enhancing your birdwatching experiences and appreciation of birds wherever you travel.

Dates for this course in 2013

  • September 16 – 21 – FULLY BOOKED
  • October 15 – 20