Gavin Bieber on his recently concluded tour to South Australia and Northern Territory

The Central Australia tour was excellent this year. Our first leg around Adelaide took in Birdlife Australia's Gluepot Reserve, with its Emus and Galahs (below) as well as a great selection of coastal and wetland birding around the city. Then we traveled to the heart of the outback in the MacDonnell Ranges around Alice Springs, where Port Lincoln Parrots (below), jewel-like Western Bowerbirds (below) and the unlikely looking Spinifex Pigeon (below) were all favorites. 

Emu

Galah

Port Lincoln Parrot

Western Bowerbird 

Spinifex Pigeon

We wrapped up with a great five days around the tropical Top End. Based in Darwin, and timed to coincide with the end of the dry season we found throngs of waterbirds stuffed into the remaining ponds and lakes. Huge Black-necked Storks (below) and fields full of Magpie Geese (below) were particularly well enjoyed. One real highlight this year was furnished by two Rufous Owls (below) that were roosting behind a private home a little out of Darwin. And of course, this being the tropics, and Australia, I would be remiss in mentioning the dazzling Red-collared Lorikeets (below) that are common even around downtown Darwin, or the stunning and generally confiding Rainbow Pittas (below) that lurk in the rainforest patches around town. It was  great way to end a trip that covers such a wide array of habitats, and tallied just a tad under 300 species of birds!

Black-necked Stork

Magpie Geese

Rufous Owl

Red-collared Lorikeet

Rainbow Pitta