Wildlife on Lord Howe Island

Photo: Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island is a paradise for birders. Although it's small, measuring just 10 km long and between 2.0 km and 0.3 km wide, 202 different bird species have been recorded on the island.

 Photo: Ian Hutton guiding a Coates Wildlife Tours group

Coates Wildlife Tours offer an eight day, accommodated tour of the island in early November each year. The tour is guided by Lord Howe Island's resident naturalist, Ian Hutton. Enjoy the fascinating sights, sounds and remarkable wildlife of the island in a small group of like-minded people. Below are just some of the highlights you can expect to enjoy on the tour. 

Photo: Red-tailed Tropicbird with chick

Eighteen species of land birds breed on the island and many more migratory species occur on the island. Many of these birds are so tame that humans can get quite close without bothering them. In early November Black-winged Petrels return to the island. A highlight is watching their courting displays, as they circle around the rock faces. Also in November, Masked Booby chicks are present in all stages of growth. On tour you'll visit the Masked Booby colony at Mutton Bird Point to see the fluffy chicks. Click to view footage of a Masked Booby chick on Lord Howe Island. Lord Howe Island is also home to its own species of woodhen.

 Photo: Sooty Tern nesting on Lord Howe Island

Another birding highlight will be your walk to Mt Eliza to see Sooty Terns, Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Black Noddys nesting. You'll also visit Balls Pyramid, a spectacular volcanic spire rising 557 m above the ocean. This is a haven for sea birds and is the only breeding location in Australia for the Kermadec Petrel.

Photo: Ficus macrophylla trees on Lord Howe Island

There's also plenty of botanical highlights to see on Lord Howe Island in November. In the mountains the colourful island plants will be beginning to bloom. The Pumpkin Tree (Negria rhabdothamnoides), a relative of the African Violet, will be in bloom. The Mountain Rose will be looking specacular, with its deep red, ‘powder puff’ flowers in dense clusters. Palms are common throughout the island, and endemic species include the Kentia (Howea forsteriana) and Curly (Howea belmoreana) palm. Banyan (Ficus macrophylla) and Panadanus trees are also very common.

 Photo: Lord Howe Island sunset

Why not join us on Lord Howe Island in 2012 to see these wildlife highlights and more? Places are limited, so book now or click to find out more.

Interview with Lord Howe Island expert, Ian Hutton

Ian Hutton on Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island is situated approximately 700 km north east of Sydney in the South Pacific Ocean. The island was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1982. The listing was for its outstanding natural universal values.

European rats were introduced to the island when a ship ran aground there in 1918. They quickly spread, hunting native animals and insects and threatening their food supply. This rat population have caused significant damage to the wildlife populations on the island, as well as the endemic plant life.

Ian Hutton, resident Lord Howe Island expert and tour guide recently spoke with Robyn Williams on Radio National. During the interview they discuss the history of the island, Ian's view on how to best deal with the island's introduced rat population, threats to the birds that breed on the island and information about their breeding cycles and habits. Listen to the interview on the Radio National website.

For more information about the rodent problem on the island and the proposal to eradicate them, visit  the New South Wales Department of Environment website.

Join Ian Hutton on Lord Howe Island for a comfortably accommodated tour. Ian will be your guide as you visit the many wildlife hot-spots on the island, including the bird breeding colonies and Ball's Pyramid. A glass-bottom boat cruise is also included to allow you to see the abundant marine life around the island group. Places are limited on this fascinating tour, which should be on the 'must do' list for all nature enthusiasts. Reserve your place today!

What do you think of the proposal to reduce the introduced rat population on Lord Howe Island?