Brolgas at Fogg Dam

Fogg Dam is a gem of a place for the wildlife enthusiast and it’s just a short drive south of Darwin.

We were there on October at the end of the dry season when water levels were low. In the dry, the area is a bird watching heaven, when the wetland species come in close to make the most of the last remaining water. You can easily see jacanas, sometimes called the “Jesus birds” that walk on water. Other common species there are egrets, magpie geese, jabirus, and the colourful little rainbow pitas that scurry along the rain forest floor. Brolgas are more illusive, although on our visit we had been told brolgas had been around in the last few days

You can drive across the Fogg dam wall and see birds on either side. We were desperate to get our first look at broglas late in the day, before the light faded. We drove across the dam wall and scanned the horizon. Finally, when we had really given up, there they were, a group of three brolgas, right in front of our noses. We’d missed them before as they all had their heads down and were busily feeding in the mud. It was like an African safari experience as we watched them, just metres away from the car. The birds were so intent on getting grubs from the mud that they ignored us completely. It was worth it putting up with the oppressive heat to see that sight, and we happily then headed back to the air-conditioned comfort of Darwin.