Like any job, there are a set of questions/ concerns/ queries that we are asked almost daily, on what seems to be a set roster!

We really do get great enjoyment in answering all your questions about the BBO and Broome’s amazing bird life. We love our regular emails and phone calls asking us to identify a bird, so we thought let’s roll these questions into one place. Hopefully this answers some of your questions - if there’s a burning question we left unanswered you can call us on (08) 9193 5600 email: broome@birdlife.org.au.

Here we go:

How long have you been here?

The BBO was established by the RAOU (which is now BirdLife Australia) in 1988. The current wardens are Jane and Nyil, we have been at the BBO since January 2019. Our Assistant Warden Mattea has been at the BBO since August 2019.

How long have you been birding? Are you an ‘ornithologist’?

Both of the warden’s, Jane and Nyil, have been birding since childhood.

Jane has a background in Environmental Science – Wildlife and Conservation Biology and has worked on varying birding projects in Wales, Edinburgh and New Zealand. Nyil’s undergraduate degree in Zoology was followed up with a PhD in behavioural ecology at the University of Sheffield (UK). Mattea’s interest in birding has formed recently since her double degree in science and journalism and has quickly solidified since volunteering at the BBO (check out Mattea’s blog about her Red Goshawk encounter!).

What happens to that road in the Wet?

It gets wet. And flooded. The Shire of Broome’s website is the best source to see if Crab Creek road is closed. We keep this information updated as best we can on our website. The Warden’s usually leave over the Wet season and on-site care-takers manage the BBO during that time (see our ‘volunteering and employment’ tab on our website if this interests you). The rest of the year our road is sandy and corrugated, and usually dry.

Our road is usually pretty wet from December until March-ish (but this year we got 100ml in May!)

When do the shorebirds migrate?

The migratory shorebirds of Roebuck Bay migrate from early March until mid-late May. The first birds to leave are Eastern Curlews, and most migration occurs from 4pm until 6pm. The shorebirds return to Roebuck Bay from mid-August until the bay is overflowing with waders in November – February. The shorebirds leave in a spectacular event (which is worth coming up for) but they return in a trickle over the months.

So, if the shorebirds have gone – is there any point visiting mid-year?

Absolutely! Not all shorebirds leave. In fact, we usually have around 20,000 shorebirds in the bay during the Dry season and we continue to run our shorebird tours with great success! Pretty much all species are represented throughout the year, with Common Redshanks and Asian Dowitcher’s particularly sought-after by our guests.

Ok then, so when’s the best time to visit the BBO?

We know it sounds like blatant marketing but really, anytime of year is fantastic. It also depends on what you’re after. Here’s a basic rundown:

Do you have hot showers and flushing toilets?

Sure do! In fact we recently just had our campground toilets re-furbished so our guests often refer to it as ‘glamping’. We only have ten campsites at the BBO, with one large group site.

Why is there a frog in my toilet and what do I do?

So, you’ve been visited by the Green Tree Frog of good toilet fortune. The Green Tree Frogs and Desert Tree Frogs love our loos, we try to encourage them out with our ‘Frog Hotels’ that are placed in the bathroom. If you feel comfortable you can gently relocate the frog. In fact - previous warden Jaime Jackett wrote a song about it you can watch the award-winning clip here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0raUa7xlZs

Do you have air-con?

Yes, we certainly do in our accommodation and our camp-kitchen (the Shadehouse) is pretty cool during the day with ceiling fans to help out.

I’m not really a bird-watcher, can I still come to the BBO?

Yes! This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the BBO. Yes, we are here to research shorebirds and educate the public about the wonderful birds of the Broome region, however, you can also: camp, go fishing, walk our trails, watch the Milky Way in the Dry season skies, borrow a telescope, do some photography, set up a hammock and relax, use us as a base as you travel into Broome, have a picnic, use our BBQ, walk along the beach, look at the 130 million year-old dinosaur footprints on the rocks, go mud-crabbing, take out the boat, use our library etc etc etc etc.

Just some of the things you can do at BBO:

Do I have to know heaps about birds to come on a tour or a course?

Of course not! That’s the whole point of joining a BBO tour or coming along on a course – they are opportunities to learn. We take pride in tailoring our language, presentations and tour routes to our guests needs. It’s a great joy for us to take novice birders of tours as it is so special to see people begin to connect with the world of birding and gain confidence as they begin to recognise what’s around them. We take pride in our ability to tailor the tour to your needs and abilities. Highly experienced birders and novices are catered for in our tours and both leave with valuable experiences.

Our tours are available to birders of all stages and ages

Can you pick me up from town?

We can pick you up from Broome (including your accommodation airport!) for $60 for the first person and $15 for each person on the booking thereafter. This fare includes return to Broome. We can do transfers for accommodation guests staying more than one night, and for all tour guests. Transfer costs are covered in the cost of the course. We are also happy to drop you off at the supermarket and we can bring cool bags along so you don’t need to worry about your food on the 30-minute journey back to the BBO.

Do you have caged birds?

No, we observe wild birds in their natural habitat.

No cages here, just birds in their natural habitat. You can watch them closely at our bird baths.

Can we bring pets to the BBO?

Much to the dismay of this warden, no, pets are not allowed at the BBO.

Can I just come out for a day?

Yes, you just come out for the day to walk the trails, watch the birds at the birdbath and head down to the beach. We have a donation box out the front of our office where you can drop a gold coin donation if you wish.

One of our walking trails, the Spinifex Trail

Where does the BBO get its funding?

From you! Funding is raised from our shop sales, tours, courses, accommodation, camping, donations, market sales and transfers. We also apply for grants and are especially grateful to Water Corp who have awarded us several grants over the past couple of years. So you can feel good about shopping online or taking the weekend to camp with us.

How can I support the BBO?

You can apply to be a campground host (cleaning/ booking guests for one-month free campsite). Keep an eye out on the volunteer opportunities page on our website. You could buy a shirt from our shop. You can send us an email about a bird ID query you have. Tell a friend about us. Come and camp. Bring a friend along on a tour. Like us on Facebook. Or, if you can’t manage any of that you can simply head out bird-watching in your patch!

We hope this has answered some of your questions.If you have any queries that weren’t answered here, send us an email. We love your feedback and hearing your thoughts about your BBO.

FAQ BBO