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Overview
The Eyre Bird Observatory is located in the Nuytsland Nature Reserve, on the south coast of Western Australia. It is approximately 1200km east of Perth, WA's capital city. It was established in 1977 and is the most isolated research facility in Australia, requiring a 4WD vehicle to get there. The total number of species recorded is now approaching 250.
Photo by Tiger1
Birds
Notable Species
Perhaps the highlight for many visitors are the Major Mitchell Cockatoos that flock in to the bird baths during the dry summer months.
Rarities
"to do"
Check-list
This list is taken from my personal observations and includes sightings between EBO-Twilight Cove, EBO-Burnabbie Station ruins, EBO and Cocklebiddy Roadhouse and 'Crystal Ponds' (Cocklebiddy Sewerage ponds) There are many more birds and I will try to obtain details.
Birds you can see here include:
Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Budgerigar, Galah, Mulga Parrot, Emu, Malleefowl, Australian Raven, Grey Currawong, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Black-eared Cuckoo, Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-backed Swallow, Welcome Swallow, Dusky Woodswallow, Tree Martin, Red-capped Robin, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Blue-breasted Fairywren, White-browed Scrubwren, Spotted Harrier, Brown Falcon, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Collared Sparrowhawk, Australian Hobby, Nankeen Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Chestnut Quail Thrush, Australian Pipit, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, White-winged Triller, Southern Scrub Robin, Jacky Winter, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike Thrush, Crested Bellbird, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, White-browed Babbler, Weebill, Inland Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Mistletoebird, White-fronted Chat, Shy Hylacola, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, White-cheeked Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Silvereye, Spotted Nightjar, Southern Boobook Owl, Red-capped Plover, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Pied Cormorant, Eastern Reef Egret, White-faced Heron, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Avocet, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Australian Pelican
Other Wildlife
Seals are often seen on the beach and whales offshore during their annual migration. Snakes include Pythons and Dugites and Death Adders come in to the bird baths. Kangaroos are reasonably common. Scorpions are common.
Site Information
History and Use
In 1841, the explorer, Edward John Eyre, his friend John Baxter and three Aborigines set off to cross the southern part of Australia. One of the major obstacles they faced was lack of water as there were no rivers or streams en-route. They reached a point on the coast south of what is now Cocklebiddy Roadhouse where they dug into the sand dunes and found water. This became known as Eyre's Sand patch. They stayed there for about one month then set off west again. Two days later Baxter was murdered by two of the Aborigines. Eyre and the other Aborigine continued and became the first people to make the east to west crossing. Because of the available water supply, Eyre's Sand Patch was chosen as the site of a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line linking Western Australia to the rest of the world. The station was opened in 1877 but it took another 20 years for the old weatherboard building to be replaced by a more substantial limestone building. The Telegraph Station operated for 50 years until the overland line was moved along the Trans Australian Railway and the building was abandoned until 1976. In that year, The Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (now Birds Australia) and the Post Office Historical Society got together and decided to restore the building and open it as a Bird Observatory. Funds were raised and work commenced in 1977 and a full time warden took up residence in 1978. The building is still threatened by large, constantly moving sand dunes and regular work parties plant seed and spread seaweed to slow this down.
Areas of Interest
- Twilight Cove and Nullarbor Cliffs
- The ruins of Burnabbie Station
- Explore the massive sand dune system
- Look for active Malleefowl mounds
Access and Facilities
EBO is located in the Nuytsland Nature Reserve and is approximately 1200km from Perth, Western Australia's capital city. Unfortunately the bus service between Perth and Adelaide was withdrawn some years ago so visitors must have their own transport. Travel approx 15km east from Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, turn right on to wide gravel road-signposted Eyre. Continue until you reach the Microwave tower. Bear right and follow the narrow rocky track to the parking area beside the lookout sign. Non 4wd vehicles should park here. The last 10km is a narrow sand track suitable for four wheel drive vehicles only. The observatory has full time caretakers and can accommodate up to eight guests - advance booking is recommended. At present (2011) the cost of full board is approximately A$90. For visitors without 4WD vehicles, the caretakers will pick up from the car park at the top of the escarpment. Regular bush bird surveys are done and being only 1km from the Southern Ocean twice weekly beach counts are carried out and guests are encouraged to take part in all activities.
Contact Details
Eyre Bird Observatory
PMB 32
Cocklebiddy via Norseman WA 6443
- Tel: +61 8 9039 3450
- Fax: +61 8 9039 3440
- Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.com
Content and images originally posted by Tiger1
