Norfolk Island Trip Rap Up

Here is a snapshop of some images from our September 2025 visit. Our bird list was fairly limited. eBird records shows 132 species have been observed. We visited before the main migrating shorebirds, but we still saw lots of interesting new birds. The Island is an important stopover point on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway look here as is Lord Howe Island.

The Norfolk Island Gerygone is a very busy bird and difficult to get a clear image of it. This one was at St Barnabas Church yard.

The Sacred Kingfishers are common and very easy to photograph. They seemed quite used to people being nearby. They nest in sandy or volcanic tuff embankments (behind the graves here) or roadside cuttings on the island. Unfortunately they are under threat from introduced species like Starlings and (Australian) Crimson Rosellas which take over their nesting hollows and make them larger for their own purposes.

NI Golden Whistler with a spider for lunch. This species is much duller and smaller than our Australian Whistler.

A European Greenfinch close to the airport runway. There are a number of this introduced species, probably arrived with the British.

ruins of the old stables/grain store

St Barnabas church was built by missionaries from the Pacific Islands in the 1800’s. It isa beautiful building made from limestone blocks (as is the convict buildings at Kingston nearby).

Interesting unknown fungi.

The small cemetery at the rear of St Barnabas church, mostly south pacific islanders buried here. A very large Moreton Bay Fig at the back casts its protective branches over the site.

Crimson Rosella is becoming a threat to a number of NI endemic species due to its raucious behaviour. It is real treat to the Green Parrot (Norfolk Island Parakeet) as Rosellas can be quite bossy. The Green Parrot is rather timid and easily disturbed when nesting, both species use the Norfolk Pine.

We had a great time with so much to see. Good food, coffee and accomodation options with wonderful landscapes and wildlife.

Sea stacks at Captain Cook Point.

Phillip Island is 5km south now a rabbit and rat free place for nesting shorebirds. I tried to visit but was told that it is limited to National Park rangers and reseachers as its too dangerous for tourists.