Kay Parkin Birding: Port Augusta - Arid Lands Botanical Gardens

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Port Augusta - Arid Lands Botanical Gardens

This morning I visited the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens in Port Augusta. This is a great location and excellent for birding. They recently produced a bird book, 48 pages on the birds you may see while visiting the park. Many of the photos were provided by the photographers of www.bushpea.com and you can obtain it at the visitor centre for a gold coin donation.

This place is well worth a visit next time you are passing through, but be sure to allow enough time to explore!

White-fronted Honeyeater

There are a variety of tracks to explore on foot and great birding opportunities occur on all of them!

Visitor Centre

Zebra Finch

Singing Honeyeater

White-plumed Honeyeater

Do you want to start bird watching?

Birding is a great hobby and can be done easily and without much expense. You can simply go for a walk and take note of the birds you see! If you are new to birding you may not know what the birds are called so I'd suggest carrying a note book so you can make some notes on their colour, size and markings so you can then identify them when you get home.

To identify them you can use an Australian Bird Field Guide - I'd suggest Pizzey, otherwise you can use a website which has photos of Australian birds such as www.bushpea.com

You can start listing every species of bird that you see. You will be surprised at how quickly your total increases. It is so much fun and you could encourage your family and friends to join you.

You will need a pair of binoculars - 10 x 40 is a good size. I use Nikon Monarch but try them out in the shop to get a light pair that suits you.

BIRDER

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Port Augusta - Arid Lands Botanical Gardens