Broome Bird Observatory

01/10/2026

The Shorebird Ambassadors headed out through the mangroves for our third session to see the birds feeding out in the mud flats and watch the tide rush in and close the Roebuck bay benthic buffet. We then got to go and meet up with Edith Cowan Researchers in the BBO mud lab who are continuing the Benthic Study of Roebuck Bay and we got to see up close what the migratory shorebirds eat out of the mud!

29/09/2026

It’s a sad post for Sebastian and I… but hopefully the start of another couples big adventure! It’s been such a hard decision to step away from this incredible place, but it’s time. If you love birds, nature, conservation and tourism and can handle any challenge that comes your way… then this could be the role for you! Check out our latest blogs for more information, link in Bio!

27/09/2026

Wait! That’s not rocks… it’s Shorebirds! Roost sites change with each high tide. This was a popular spot for a large mixed flock.

25/09/2026

Here are just a few of the 300 Eastern Curlews that we saw on our Birds of the Broome Region Shorebird excursions yesterday. And in the second image there is one just a bit different from the others! It’s an Eurasian Curlew ( in the middle with the white on its flanks). Normally they fly from Europe to Africa… this one was here last year and must like Roebuck Bay so much it came back again! Lovely to see this many Critically Endangered Far Eastern Curlews back in the bay and their vagrant guest!

23/09/2026

It was a foggy morning out over Roebuck Bay. What did the birds get up to?

Some weren’t looking too happy - A Grumpy Pacific golden plover 📸 here.

Some even looked a bit out of sorts…. Fair enough they just flew from the Northern Hemisphere.

Lots of preening and feather straightening ensued.

Meanwhile the Tereks just kept hunting… moving quickly across the mudflats.

This little Red-capped plover a lovely resident shorebird tried to fix the mist in its feathers with a spin cycle.

And it worked.

Photos by Jamie Van Jones in front of BBO

20/09/2026

There are many causes of disturbance of shorebirds. When this photo was taken it was the tide rising that lifted these Red and Great Knots. Birds of Prey can also cause them to lift. Human disturbance is one area where we can all make a difference to these long distance migratory shorebirds. Red knots may have just flown 15,000km and Great Knots 12,000km. By giving these birds space, not walking dogs in Roebuck Bay’s conservation area, and not flying drones… we can give these lovely birds time and space to rest especially at high tide.

19/09/2026

Incoming, a Great Egret puts on the breaks as it comes into land. Only 3 mins walk from the Observatory, you will never fail to be entertained by Roebuck Bay.

19/09/2026

It truly is fantastic getting lots of younger people excited about birds, visiting the Observatory!

The hobby of birdwatching, once pigeonholed as being just for seniors, has ignited the interest of young people globally. Bird enthusiasts hope the pastime raises awareness about the natural world.