More than 240 bird species are found in the Shark Bay area. From the 10cm Zebra Finch to the six foot Emu, bird watchers will not be disappointed.
Each spring, more than 65 species visit during their migration from the northern hemisphere, while most seabirds are here year-round. Shark Bay provides spectacular coastal scenery and rich waters for many sea and shore birds. Mangroves around the area provide habitats for waders, and many of the islands around Shark Bay provide shelter for breeding birds.
Hamelin Bay
Both Hamelin Pool Caravan Park and Hamelin Station Stay provide excellent places for bird watching. Along the road look out for Hooded Robins, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills, Southern Whiteface and varied Sittella. Check the salt marsh for white-winged Fairy Wren and Brown Songlark. At the Hamelin Pool Caravan Park and the Hamelin Outback Station Stay, look out for various Honey-Eaters, Black-Eared Cuckoos, Little Crow and the Chiming Wedgebill. Whilst visiting the stromatolites, you may be able to spot waders and Pied Cormorants.
Denham Hamelin Road
There are a number of salt lakes along this road that are worth stopping at to look for waders, and in the salt marsh you may find Rufous Fieldwren and Orange Chat. In the summer, there may be White-backed Swallow, Nankeen Kestrel, and Fork-tailed Swifts flying overhead. In low areas of vegetation you may find the Zebra Finch.
Little Lagoon
Walking north from the car park along the beach, takes you around the Lagoon to the creek. Here you’ll be able to spot waders and terns. Then follow the creek as it turns into mangroves, look out for Common Sandpiper, Mangrove Grey Fantail, Yellow White-eye and Sacred Kingfisher. The shrubs around the Lagoon provide habitat for smaller birds such as White-browed Scrubwren, Splendid Fairy Wren, Variegated Fairy Wren and White-winged Fairy Wren.
Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park is accessible only by high clearance 4WD. Look out for Emus, Banded Lapwing, Chiming Wedgebill, White-browed Scrubwren, Little Crow and Honey-eaters. Malleefowl have also been reintroduced on this peninsula.
Monkey Mia
In the car park of Monkey Mia search for Thick- billed Grasswren and White-browed Babbler. Along the beach there are plenty of opportunities to see the Australian Pelican and Emus. The Wulyibidi Yanayina walking trail includes a bird hide where, if you’re patient, you may be able to spot Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Zebra Finch and Emu. Further along the trail in the low scrub, you can spot the Southern Scrub-robin and the Crested Bellbird. When you get to the beach, you will see a sand spit which is great for spotting waders and terns, including Bar- tailed Godwit, Common Greenshank, Plovers, Curlews and Sandpipers.
The Islands of Shark Bay
Dirk Hartog, Dorre and Bernier Islands are protected nature reserves for several species of critically endangered mammals. They also have large colonies of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and are breeding grounds for tern. Dirk Hartog Island is home to the black and white form of the White-winged Fairy Wren. The island also has a variety of raptors including White-bellied Sea Eagle, Spotted Harrier, Brown Goshawk, Brown Falcon, and Nankeen Kestrel.
Image Credits: Toursim Western Australia