Mary River Habitats

Coastal / mangroves – River boats & walks are the best way to venture deep into this vast & remote habitat. The Sampan & Tommy cut estuaries & tributaries are endless. Many bird species are found including the Chestnut Rail, Mangrove Grey Fantail, Brahminy Kite, Striated Heron, Mangrove Gerygone, Black Butcherbird, & Great Billed Heron.

Osprey	Pied Heron	White-bellied Sea Eagle	Saltwater Mangroves

Monsoon forests – Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge is nestled beside Jimmy Creek Monsoon forest. A natural spring flows through the forest creating a habitat in which some animals cannot survive outside its protection. The cool environment provides a  relaxing way to view Rainbow Pitta’s, Rose Crowned Fruit Dove, Figbird, Imperial Pigeons, & Orange Footed Scrub Fowl which make huge earth & leave mound nests which are passed on by generation of these birds.

Black Flying-fox	Pied Imperial Pigeon	Koel	Yellow Oriole	Orange-footed Scrubfowl

Open woodlands – Eucalypt woodlands is the most dominant in the Top End with the highest bird diversity.  4wd vehicles and walks are very rewarding ways of viewing the parrots, Honey eaters & Finches that make seasonal movements through these areas following flowering trees & seeding grasses.

Brown Falcon	Double-barred Finch	Grey Goshawk	Common Koel

Grasslands / fringing forests – In the dryer month’s grasses start to seed & the ground begins to dry. Access becomes easier & birders can traverse the grasslands & fringes to study Blue Winged Kookaburras, Butcherbirds, Cockatoo, Rosella, Pratincole & Australian Bustards, Finches & Honeyeaters.

Crimson Finch	Gouldian Finch	Shining Flycatcher	Barking Owl

Wetlands – The Mary River wetlands comprises of permanent billabongs, lagoons, paperbark swamps, floodplains & channels, & are a very important breeding habitat for the abundant of bird species which inhabit the wetlands.
Airboats & river boats allow access to the massive habitat. The spectacle of large populations of birds is inspiring. Some common water birds include; Black Necked Stork, Brolga, Royal Spoonbill, Ibis, Rainbow Bee-eater, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Darter, Rufous Night Heron, Comb Crested Jacana, Kingfishers & many more.

Rufous Night Heron	Azure Kingfisher	Black-winged Stilt	Comb-crested Jacana	Pied Heron