[njlarsen]

I expect to be going to Australia for a visit next year, starting in Brisbane and hopefully getting to Cairns, bu not expecting to stray outside Queensland. I already have Pizzey and Knight, but not a location guide. Browsing NHBS, there seem to be multiple available, including one that probably only covers Cairns of the areas I will be interested in. Which book do you prefer, either for Queensland only, or for all of Australia with the hopes of seing other parts at another time.

Thank you in advance :)
Niels

[Edward woodwood]

best is by Richard Thomas - a brit! I used it in 2000 and found it far better than any of the others. Has sites for most of the top stuff.

if you can't find it send me a PM and i can put you in touch with Rich who can perhaps sell you one privately if you wish

[Edward]

Originally Posted by njlarsen

I expect to be going to Australia for a visit next year, starting in Brisbane and hopefully getting to Cairns, bu not expecting to stray outside Queensland. I already have Pizzey and Knight, but not a location guide. Browsing NHBS, there seem to be multiple available, including one that probably only covers Cairns of the areas I will be interested in. Which book do you prefer, either for Queensland only, or for all of Australia with the hopes of seing other parts at another time.

Thank you in advance :)
Niels

Davs Niels!

You're doing just what I'm doing this October, starting in Brisbane and going up to Cairns. I'll be taking Pizzey and Knight (my favourite Aussie guide) and also John Bransbury's site guide. It looks well set out and covers the whole of Australia but I've never used it in the field and some Aussie birders have told me that it may be a bit outdated. But now Tim has recommended Thomas I may just have to buy that. There's also plenty of info on the net and I'll be taking a few print outs of trip reports with me. I'll let you know how I get on.

Med venlig hilsen fra Island!

E

[njlarsen]

Davs Edward,
My trip is likely to take place in August of next year, so a slightly different time of year. Even so, it will be interesting to see your notes when you return, looking forward to that.

And Tim, thank you for your recommendation. I suspect that the book officially is by Thomas & Thomas?

thanks
Niels

[Edward woodwood]

yes
Richard and Sarah
i'll be in trouble for omitting Sarah's name if she ever see this......

[njlarsen]

Tim thank you for your answer. As you point out at some stage, you have personal knowledge of the authors, and could therefore be biased. I would therefore kindly ask for more responces, especially if you agree with Thomas & Thomas being the top of the pile.

thanks
Niels

[Swissboy]

I found this old thread on "Where to watch" books for Australia. However, to me it sounds more like info for insiders who already know the books. And also, some or all may have gone out of print or may be outdated. So here is my question: Which site guide or "Where to watch" book for birdwatching would you buy now? I am thinking both about a book for the whole continent or for a restricted part. I am mainly interested in the eastern "half", with the western delimitation being about from Darwin south to Melbourne. Thanks.

This is not a question about field guides, and I already know and own the LonelyPlanet book Watching Wildlife Australia.

[Edward woodwood]

hiya

i recently saw one by Niven McCrie who lives up in Darwin i think. It should be the dog's for visiting that area

in addition to the Thomas + Thomas guide there's one i have at home by John Brandsbury. It's also excellent. I think the Thomas guide just wins though as it has sites for the top birds with maps and directions... abit like the old birders reports.

in addition, Nick Gardner and Tim Andrews (who was sadly killed birding in Peru) wrote an excellent report from a long while back but i think i've got a copy upstairs. I used it out there and it will still be great for some of the target birds... You should be able to get it from Steve Whitehouse's FBRIS. Let me know if you can't and i might be able to get a copy to you...

Tim

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by Tim Allwood

hiya

i recently saw one by Niven McCrie who lives up in Darwin i think. It should be the dog's for visiting that area

in addition to the Thomas + Thomas guide there's one i have at home by John Brandsbury. It's also excellent. I think the Thomas guide just wins though as it has sites for the top birds with maps and directions... abit like the old birders reports.

in addition, Nick Gardner and Tim Andrews (who was sadly killed birding in Peru) wrote an excellent report from a long while back but i think i've got a copy upstairs. I used it out there and it will still be great for some of the target birds... You should be able to get it from Steve Whitehouse's FBRIS. Let me know if you can't and i might be able to get a copy to you...

Tim

Thanks, Tim, for your quick reply. I have just ordered the McCrie book and the one by Thomas & Thomas. I think that should do for the moment as I am only just beginning with my planning. And the trip, if I am actually able to do it, will still be a while off. (Fall 2007 at the earliest.)

Nevertheless, thanks for your offer. But just in case, "Steve Whitehouse's FBRIS" does not sound familiar to me. Can you give me more specifics, in case I want to try there, please?

[Edward woodwood]

http://www.ukbis.net/fbris/index.htm

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by Tim Allwood

http://www.ukbis.net/fbris/index.htm

Wow, how fast can you be! Thanks again!

[MikeMules]

If you're heading up to Cairns way, Lloyd Nielson has a guide for the Wet tropics that I found very useful; more comprehensive and up to date for that area than Branbury or Thomas.

[OriolusAU]

Originally Posted by MikeMules

If you're heading up to Cairns way, Lloyd Nielson has a guide for the Wet tropics that I found very useful; more comprehensive and up to date for that area than Branbury or Thomas.

There are two guides that cover north east Queensland (between Townsville & Cairns):

Lloyd Nielson - "Birds of Queensland's Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef" 1996

Jo Wieneke - "Where to Find Birds in North-east Queensland" 3rd edition 2000

I can recommend both.

[leovb]

Hi Niels,

I did the almost the same trip last year in August and early September. You'll be in for a treat!!! Astonishing birdlife and other wildlife as well! Check out the Humpback-whales in Hervey Bay and do at least snorkel around Fitzroy Island (easy accesible and cheap from Cairns) that coral reef is a really magical world. At Fitzroy you only get a tiny impression but even that will amaze you well it did amaze me)

On the Fieldguides; The simpson and Daily and the Morecomb I found apretty satisfactory combination.

The booklet by Jo wieneke is very thorough but indeed only covers tropical nort-queensland. Other books I used were the "where to watch birds in... by Nigel Wheatly(?)". These in combination with services from a few guides brought me a good list.

Niels ,enjoy planning your trip further and I wish you an exciting time over there. You'll love it!

Cheers,
Leo

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by leovb

Hi Niels,

I did the almost the same trip last year in August and early September. You'll be in for a treat!!! Astonishing birdlife and other wildlife as well! Check out the Humpback-whales in Hervey Bay and do at least snorkel around Fitzroy Island (easy accesible and cheap from Cairns) that coral reef is a really magical world. At Fitzroy you only get a tiny impression but even that will amaze you well it did amaze me)

On the Fieldguides; The simpson and Daily and the Morecomb I found apretty satisfactory combination.

The booklet by Jo wieneke is very thorough but indeed only covers tropical nort-queensland. Other books I used were the "where to watch birds in... by Nigel Wheatly(?)". These in combination with services from a few guides brought me a good list.

Niels ,enjoy planning your trip further and I wish you an exciting time over there. You'll love it!

Cheers,
Leo

Leo,
I'm sure you did not realize that the start of this thread was in 2004! I recently reactivated it with my post. But thanks for the info, it has also been of interest to me.

[leovb]

hmmm, than this trip is already history I suppose. Ah well a goo dreason to take more time to read all data in threads!

Would be nice to know what choices were made eventually and how they worked out.

Cheers,
Leo

[njlarsen]

Well, I had to postpone my trip ): , and therefore do not have additional data to share. However, I am hoping perhaps to get going this year, and therefore am still following the thread with interest!

Thanks to everyone!

Niels

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by OriolusAU

There are two guides that cover north east Queensland (between Townsville & Cairns):

Lloyd Nielson - "Birds of Queensland's Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef" 1996

Jo Wieneke - "Where to Find Birds in North-east Queensland" 3rd edition 2000

I can recommend both.

Does anyone know Birding Australia by Lloyd Nielson? Is that an extension of the other book?

[njlarsen]

Originally Posted by Swissboy

Does anyone know Birding Australia by Lloyd Nielson? Is that an extension of the other book?

I do not know the book, but Lloyd Nielson's web page http://www.birdingaustralia.com.au/shop.html has some more informations, including a link to a rather thorough review http://www.birdingaustralia.com.au/review.html.

HTH
Niels

PS my travel plans just received approval, so it looks like the trip is on for this year! Any additional information that anyone has will be appreciated. :)

[Pluvius]

I met an aussie birder today in Belfast he told me if I was ever out there again to go to www.broomebirdobservatory.com and also to look up www.birdsaustralia.com.au/

www.peregrinesbirdblog.blogspot.com

[Swissboy]

Originally Posted by njlarsen

I do not know the book, but Lloyd Nielson's web page http://www.birdingaustralia.com.au/shop.html has some more informations, including a link to a rather thorough review http://www.birdingaustralia.com.au/review.html.

HTH
Niels

Thanks, Niels, I have since ordered that book from Lloyd, together with some other books. Very courteous, and speedy delivery!

[njlarsen]

Just an update: Thomas & Thomas is going out of print, and there is no plans for a reprint, according to what I have been told (I did secure a copy for myself).

Niels

[rainbowpitta]

Originally Posted by njlarsen

Just an update: Thomas & Thomas is going out of print, and there is no plans for a reprint, according to what I have been told (I did secure a copy for myself).

Niels

If you are intending to visit Darwin in the NT then talk to me, I've lived there on and off for years and know the place well. As far as guide books go, Slater's is as good as any. The wet season is diabolical for bugs and humidity but wonderful for birds.

[njlarsen]

At least for now, I am going to Queensland, not to NT. However, I am sure that other travelers that might stumble across this thread will want to take your offer of info.

thanks
Niels