Bird Watching Tours Australia, Darwin Northern Territory » Testimonials

“Our guide was excellent” 2 August 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 09:46:59 +0000

“The expertise and patience of our guide was excellent. The choice of sites seemed (to a novice birder) very good, and beautiful as well. I loved the most active pieces of the daily schedule, along with the sightings.” Marianne, Oregan,…

“I would recommend this tour to anyone” (10 days, July 2017)

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:13:41 +0000

“I have been on many guided tours throughout the world and this one was absolutely stunning an outstanding in comparison. Luke was friendly; endlessly obliging; his ability in bird-spotting was amazing; everything was well organised; attention to detail extraordinary and food excellent and abundant. Luke’s kindness and thoughtfulness in making sure everyone was ok and seeing the birds (and we saw way more than expected) was great. Luke was endlessly knowledgable but modest in sharing his expertise and a great sense of warm humour. I would recommend this tour to anyone!”

Amaryll, Victoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

“My eyes were opened to this ancient landscape through bird watching’, July 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:06:30 +0000

“My eyes were opened to this ancient landscape through the lens of watching birds – what a fabulous way to have ones eyes opened. Our guide Luke Paterson provided a superb blend of knowledge, skill and enthusiasm. His people skills and patience were as well developed as his bird knowledge – exceptional at times and breath-taking. this is a holiday to be remembered for the rest of our lives – a stand out!”

Cathy, Victoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

“An exceptional (10 day) tour!” July 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:02:25 +0000

“Luke’s level of skill and knowledge was brilliant – great depth, he was patient, friendly and cheerful throughout the tour. the range of habitats and destinations were beautiful and varied. Boat tours, walking, driving and stopping with perfect picnic spots every day. The itinerary was really good – well paced and planned. The catering was all good, healthy but tasty. Luke was very flexible and responsive. It would be difficult to fault, I enjoyed it all. Really brilliant and I would thoroughly recommend NT Bird Specialists and Luke as a guide. Thank you so much for your very hard work these past 10 days – much appreciated.”

Hanna, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

“Good ethics and responsibility to the environment” July 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:57:15 +0000

“Luke’s incredible knowledge of bird, country and willingness to include those of us less capable at spotting was enjoyed most. What was also really special is Luke’s care and thoughtfulness. Also good ethics and responsibility to the environment. While Luke was a true professional he has a warm and fun attitude – also great for those of us less experienced in birds. I also enjoyed the healthy food and great care taken to food preparation. I also appreciated the respect shown to traditional owners.”

Fiona, Victoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

“Exceeded Expectations”

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:52:14 +0000

“I enjoyed absolutely everything! The tour was well thought-through and researched and Luke’s knowledge, enthusiasm, ability to spot birds and flexibility were greatly appreciated. We saw so many amazing birds and stunning locations, often got well away from the crowds into wild and unique places and had wonderful breakfasts and lunches in beautiful environments. Lots of fun and a memorable experience.”

Carol, Victoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure “highly skilled professional”

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:48:48 +0000

“Luke is a highly skilled professional with the interpersonal skills to be able to share that expertise with bird watchers of all levels of experience and knowledge. Our favourite day four was all fun, with many sightings of birds we would never have found, nor identified without Luke’s guidance. Luke’s approach to meals, snacks and accommodation was spot on. I highly recommend Luke to any serious bird watcher.”

Jenny, Victoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

3 Day Luxury Gouldian Finch Charter May 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 23:30:04 +0000

Luke was excellent in every way including going out of his way to find an optometrist for me on a Sunday so that we could find out if I could go forward with the tour (which thanks heavens I could). The 2+ days birding with Luke was the highlight of my trip to Australia. Luke persisted and found my most wanted bird, the Gouldian finch, as well as one I hadn’t even shared with him, Rainbow Pitta! Plus we saw so many more.

Luke’s ability to communicate interesting information about where we were traveling and what we were seeing and his interaction with us that made us feel at ease and allowed us to get to know him a bit. (This is in contrast to other guides we have experienced that lecture on topics and act as if they were full professors speaking to junior students).

Myrlene & Richard, Virginia USA, May 2017

3 Day tailored charter “More than met our expectations” May 2017

NT Bird Specialists — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:10:44 +0000

Firstly, the tour more than met our expectations. Great birding over three days. You (Luke) made every effort to locate the birds and you usually did. Your acute hearing and bird habitat and behaviour knowledge was admired by both of us. We thank you for sharing your bird knowledge with us. We will certainly recommend you to our friends. Many thanks for a great experience. A number were ticket for us. Highlights were many but for Celia a pair of barking owls roosting head height only 3 metres away and as if on command they both softly barked. For John the Red Goshawk (male) at nest was a splendid sight. For both of us the sight of Gouldian Finches (black & red headed) also will be remembered for years to come. This was a well run tour with an excellent bird guide. We can certainly recommend him.

Darwin – Pine Creek/Adelaide River and environs 3 days – John and Celia Saw May 2017

Bird List: Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Magpie Goose, Radjah Shelduck, Plumed Whistling-duck, Wandering Whistling-duck, Hardhead, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Green Pygmy-goose, Pink-eared Duck, Aus Grebe, Partridge Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Aus. Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-necked Stork (Jabiru), Cattle Egret, Eastern Reef Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret, White-faced Heron, Pied Heron, Nankeen Night Heron, Striated Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Aus. White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Brown Goshawk, Red Goshawk, Black Kite, Square-tailed Kite, Whistling Kite, Black-breasted Buzzard, Brahminy Kite, Eastern Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Brolga, Bush Stone-curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Red-capped Plover,Greater Sand Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Msked Lapwing Comb-crested Jacana, Whimbrel, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Ruddy Turnstone, Great Knot, Aus. Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Red-tailed black-Cockatoo, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet (red collared), Varied Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Northern rosella, Hooded Parrot, Pheasant Coucal, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Barking Owl, Azure Kingfisher, Forest Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher (Teresian), Blue-winged Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Rainbow Pitta, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Great Bowerbird, Mangrove Gerygone, Large-billed Gerygone, Green-backed Gerygone, Red-browed Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, White-gaped Honeyeater, Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Dusky Honeyeater, Red-headed Honeyeater, Banded Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Helmeted Friar Bird, Little Friarbird, Yellow-throated Miner, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged riller, Varied Triller, Grey Whister, Rufous Whistler, Little Shrike-thrush, aus. Figbird, Yellow Oriole, White-breasted Woodswllow, Black-faced Wooddswallow, Little Woodswallow, Silver-backed Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Spangled Drongo, Arafura Fantail, Northern Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Broad-billed Flycatcher, Leaden Flycatcher, Shining Flycatcher, Paperbark Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Mangrove Robin, Rufous Songlark, Yellow White-eye (Canary), Fairy Martin, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Long-tailed Finch, Masked Finch, Crimson Finch, Gouldian Finch (red & black head), Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.

Other sitings: Agile Wallaby, Northern Water Dragon, Northern brush-tailed possom, Antilopine Wallaroo, Frill-necked lizard, Black flying fox, Freshwater crocodile, Golden Tree Snake, Feral pigs.

“Unmissable bird photography day tour”, Chris, 2 Day Parrot and Finch Paradise Tour, June 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:51:16 +0000

We wanted to take exceptional bird photos in Darwin and Luke knew the right place to take us identifying birds by their calls without fail. He could spot a bird at half a mile and managed to get us close to just about everything. He took us to Fogg Dam for a half day tour which was excellent. We saw a large variety of birds in the area and Luke positioned the vehicle so we could do some shots with the big (600mm) lens it was perfect and no request was too much trouble. Being a photographer too, Luke understands light and angles and was extremely helpful in positioning.

The vehicle is clean, comfortable and has plenty of space if you want to take heaps of camera gear and is well,sealed from the dust. Luke is cheerful, friendly, warm and amazingly informative about birds, trees, mammals and the local area. He is also safety conscious so no risks were taken in saltwater croc territory.
If you want to see or photograph NT birds this is the way to do it. We will definitely return at a different time of year to catch different species.

“Unbeatable bird expertise”, Alec Brennan, 2 Day Parrot and Finch Paradise private charter, 27 July 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:47:54 +0000

I had a limited amount of time but wanted to catch as many of NT’s unique birds as possible during my visit. Luke took me to a range of spots round Darwin and was able to produce some fantastic sightings simply because he knows so much about how each bird lives and where in particular to look for it. In some cases he even knows their calls and is able to bring them closer. I ended the day out at Fogg Dam and it really produced some wonderful birds and some wonderful photographs. I am a keen bird photographer so it is great being with someone who understands both birds and photography in terms of getting the best shots. I would rate it right up at the top of my birdwatching experiences.

Alec Brennan, 2 Day Parrot and Finch Paradise private charter, 27 July 2015

“fantastic birding Day”, Penny M, Half day birding tour, 30 July 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:46:26 +0000

Just had the most wonderful day around Darwin bird watching with Luke. We saw 80 different birds thanks to Luke’s incredible knowledge of birds and their calls. He could tell what bird it was from the call. Not only that he was highly organised – and we had a yummy picnic lunch. The four wheel drive was very comfortable and clean and Luke is a very careful driver. Certainly this day ticked all the boxes for me. Thanks Luke.

Penny M, Half day birding tour, 30 July 2015

“This does what it says on the tin” Greg Flint, 1 Day 70th Birthday birding trip, 7 October 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:44:40 +0000

5 members of my family went for a tour with Luke and Sarah for my mum’s 70th birthday. This tour was exactly what I had pictured in my mind, and hooray we even saw a Gouldian Finch on the day (which made up for not seeing a Rainbow Pitta).

It wasn’t a Family (teens) trip. It was a Family (all adults) trip.
I have no complaints about value for money from this day trip.

Chris Stewart, 2 Day Quick Loop, 19 October 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:42:15 +0000

We spent two days with Luke & Sarah in Kakadu and had a great time as well as being a successful birding outing. They are so friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to satisfy their client’s wishes. They are obliging – Luke & Sarah constructed a tour to meet our time constraints, preferred locations, and particular birds we were after. The food was top quality, generous and well presented. Luke’s birding skills are impressive and they both have so much knowledge of the cultural significance of the area and the history and all the wildlife and plants.

Chris Stewart, 2 Day Quick Loop, 19 October 2015

Anthony Nimbs – (6 Day Kakadu Bird Week Birding Trip of a Lifetime Competition Winner) 15-20 October 2015

NT Bird Specialists — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:40:22 +0000

Oh wow where do I begin?? I just spent 6 days travelling Kakadu with NT Bird Specialists……..Words like Wonderful, Fantastic and Mind Blowing enter my head in summing up my time and experiences spent with Luke and Sarah. From first meeting them at the airport I found them both instantly likeable and as it turns out are the best birding hosts/buddies you could ever ask for. There is nothing that is to much of an effort for either of them, the food they offered was excellent and the drinks were always cold. Luke and Sarah are very kind, caring and courteous and often asked as to how we are going (given the heat).

When out and about driving or walking Luke has an extrasensory ability to detect the smallest movement or sound, immediately training his spotting scope on the bird or animal for an intimate view and explanation of what is to be viewed in the scope.

Luke and Sarahs depth of knowledge not only about birds but also the vast cultural and natural landscape of Kakadu as a whole is quite extraordinary, I found my time with them deeply rewarding and at times a very moving experience, particularly in relation to their rock art interpretation. They both effortlessly shared with myself and my son this wealth of knowledge, interpretive signage found at the rock art sites just doesn’t come close to having a personal guide like Luke and Sarah.

I’m so indebted to them for showing so us many unique, beautiful and amazing birds animals and cultural sites in what is one of the most incredible landscapes on earth.

I highly recommend NT Bird Specialists for your next outdoor birding experience, you will walk away with so many wonderful memories and photos, that you will be talking about it for years to come. This is one Top End experience that I personally will never forget.
Thank you so much Luke and Sarah, your both so awesome, Riley and I are missing your company so much……..!!!!

Anthony Nimbs – (6 Day Kakadu Bird Week Birding Trip of a Lifetime Competition Winner) 15-20 October 2015

Bill Turner, USA (2013)

NT Bird Specialists — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 05:00:15 +0000

We did have a wonderful holiday and lots of wonderful memories and I got lots of lovely photos of different bird that I had never seen. Luke did know where to take us to see the best birds also for me to get the best photos 2013

I just wanted to send you our belated thanks for arranging the trip to Kakadu Nat Park with Luke Paterson in September. It was just amazing, and Luke was a fantastic guide. We saw so much and learned more. He looked after us so well, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company, as well as his birding and client care skills.

BillTurner.USA (2012)

NT Bird Specialists — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:59:31 +0000

I’m home this week after a delightful sojourn in Oz with my birding group. We had a wonderful four days with Luke on our Top End segment. As you probably hear a lot, he is a great birding guide – knowledgeable, conscientious, energetic, good sense of humor, caring; everyone liked him.

The weather was good with only one heavy shower at Howard Springs while we were eating lunch. The trip logistics – coach, accommodations, food – all were excellent. And, by and large, we did well with the birds, sighting such species as the Gouldian finch, hooded parrot, great-billed heron, and black bittern.

Thank you for arranging this part of my tour… I hope to be back next year.

Barb& Jim, Arlington, USA

NT Bird Specialists — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:58:56 +0000

Great Birding – Black Bittern, Gouldian Finches, Great-Billed Heron, Barking Owl and many more. Friendly place- wonderful activities.

Susan, Queensland

NT Bird Specialists — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:56:07 +0000

GOULDIAN FINCH (lifetime dream) readily obliged (c100) one early morning 4WD Safari. Topped off with (among others) Aust Bustard, Spotted Harrier, Brown Falcon, Black Shouldered Kite, Partridge Pigeon & White-Browed Robin, Black-tailed Treecreeper.

Jim, New Zealand

NT Bird Specialists — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:54:53 +0000

Mary River Park- mecca for birds, Agile Wallabies, crocs and genuine Top End hospitality.