Lord Howe Island is a World Heritage Site and is Australia’s premier seabird island with more seabird species breeding here than any other part of Australia. Fourteen different seabird species breed on Lord Howe Island each year with birds numbering several hundred thousand. This all takes place in the setting of one of the most beautiful islands in the world with rainforest clad mountains almost 900m high and the world’s most southerly coral reef enclosing a lagoon fringed with white sandy beaches. The island has an unusual mix of both tropical and temperate seabird species including the most southerly breeding location for Sooty Terns, Black and Brown Noddies and White Terns and also boasts the world’s largest breeding colony of Red-tailed tropicbirds. November is chosen for this Bird-Photo-Tour as this coincides with the height of the seabird breeding season with a frenzy of birds courting, egg laying and feeding chicks, all happening within easy access of your accommodation. There are no native mammal predators on the island and so all of the birds have evolved without danger making it possible for an exceptionally close approach to observe and capture their beauty in stunning photographic detail.
Breeding Seabirds: Black-winged Petrel / Providence Petrel / Kermadec Petrel / Wedge-tailed Shearwater / Flesh-footed Shearwater / Little Shearwater / White-bellied Storm Petrel / Red-tailed Tropicbird / Masked Booby / Sooty Tern / Common Noddy / Black Noddy / Grey Ternlet / White Tern
Others: Lord Howe Woodhen / Lord Howe Silvereye / Lord Howe Currawong / Double-banded Plover / Pacific Emerald Dove / Pacific Black Duck / Sacred Kingfisher / Masked Lapwing
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-8 Lord Howe Island [7N, 6D, 13S]. Arrive on Lord Howe Island and transfer to your hotel. Photographic Targets: Black-winged Petrel / Providence Petrel / Kermadec Petrel / Wedge-tailed Shearwater / Flesh-footed Shearwater / Little Shearwater / White-bellied Storm Petrel / Red-tailed Tropicbird / Masked Booby / Sooty Tern / Common Noddy / Black Noddy / Grey Ternlet / White Tern / Lord Howe Woodhen / Lord Howe Silvereye / Lord Howe Currawong / Double-banded Plover / Pacific Emerald Dove / Pacific Black Duck / Sacred Kingfisher / Masked Lapwing
Day 8 Sydney [0N, 0D, 0S]. Transfer to Lord Howe Island Airport for a domestic flight to Sydney and then ongoing International Departures [END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping.
: Lord Howe Island
