22 Jul 2023

Birding Down Under at the Kimberley's Lacepede Islands

Heritage Adventurer arrived this morning to the Lacepede Islands, a group of four coral cays approximately 20 kilometres off the Dampier Peninsula. The wind was blowing 30 knots so a good decision was made by our Expedition Leader to wait on our anchorage for the forecasted winds to abate, making our Zodiac cruise to the islands possible and considerably more comfortable. The area is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) and A-class Reserve and many guest enjoyed observations of a female Humpback Whale and her calf and the huge wingspan of a Manta Ray gliding beneath one of our Zodiacs as we made our way to the islands.   

A fast-moving tide through the channel of the Lacepede's two largest islands - West Island and Middle Island - stirred up a prolific feeding zone for turtles which popped their heads up all around us.  A crocodile spotted on the beach confirmed that swimming was not an option, and above us the sky was filled with birdlife - most common were the beautiful Brown Booby birds that loved to glide above our heads, inquisitively making eye contact, before continuing on with their day.

Image (c) by: C.Finch