The annual birding trip to Ashmore Reef run by Kimberley Birdwatching Tours was particularly successful this year with no less than four BARC (Birds Australia Rarities Committee) rarities found on the island, including a first for Australia, as well as the full suite of northwest Australian seabird specialities. This trip report lists seabirds and shorebirds recorded breeding or roosting on Ashmore Reef (Middle and West Islands). A total of 70 species, including 32 species of seabird were also recorded over 374 Nm of transect in 61 hours (366 person hours) of observation during the five days sailing to and from Ashmore Reef. Notes and maps showing the location of sightings are provided for all seabirds recorded during the trip, as well as details on marine turtles and cetaceans.

Particular thanks must go to Mike Carter for his extraordinary ornithological input and for leading the trip with George Swann, the official finder of the Island Monarch. Thanks also to the Willie and its crew, particular the skipper Dave, and Rick and Sally for the fantastic food, service and hospitality they offered throughout the trip.

Sightings were recorded during the trip in an event logging database with an attached GPS receiver. To access this file right click <here> and choose 'save as'. The file is a comma separated text file with species, number, data, latitude and longitude (WGS 84 Datum). Note, the data is only for birds at sea and some observations that appear in the table below, may not have been recorded.