Broome and the Dampier Peninsula

Rainbow Bee-eater

We were only back in Sydney a couple of weeks when our good mate Bill received some devastating news. We've always talked about heading up to his uncle's place on the Dampier Peninsula and with things being sadly now or never, it was a great big now!

 Tropical Broome

So off we went to Broome before jumping in a 4x4 and heading a couple of hours north on unmarked and unsealed 'roads' to Bill's uncle Dave's place at Mercedes Cove. It is a truly idyllic spot with whales and turtles frolicking off the beach and somewhere you can just sit still with a beer and soak in the country.

Mercedes Cove

The birds aren't too bad either and without even trying I had 8 new ticks on the list. This is probably the worst time of year to be birding round Broome but the mangroves around the town hold a number of specialities and I was able to pick up a few of them including the Yellow White-eye #492, the wonderful Broad-billed Flycatcher #494, and the spectacular Mangrove Golden Whistler #495.

 Bluebone or Blackspot Tuskfish

The bush birds up at Dave's place were mostly dry country species that I've come across before but the Dampier Peninsula is known for finches and so I was very pleased to add Long-tailed Finch #496 to the list and just as excited to find the understated Rufous-throated Honeyeater #497 one morning outside our cabin.

Above ...

... and below (Bengal Sergeants)

Lined Rabbitfish

Margined Coralfish

  

The fishing's not too bad either and although we didn't manage to get out in a boat, Emily caught us a feed of Bluebone off the rocks. We also got into the water ourselves for a bit of a snorkel before the main event later in the week...

 Anemonefish

Inshore Surgeonfish

Smooth Flutemouth