Birds at the Ponds > Index

The popular Alice Springs Sewerage Ponds (also known as the Sewage Ponds or the Ponds) is a great spot for seeing a range of visiting migrant, itinerant and local birds. You can check out some of the birds that have been sighted at the Ponds over the many years (87 species currently listed with more to come).

We like to thank the contributors, especially Dorothy Latimer, who have shared their insights, photographs and passion with their sightings of bird life at the Ponds.

Click on the images to see some of the birds that have been sighted…

Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
Australasian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australasian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis)
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis)
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella), Alice Springs NT
Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella)
Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea)
Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis)
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla)
Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus)
Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus)
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), Alice Springs Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
Black-tailed Native Hen (Tribonyx ventralis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Black-tailed Native Hen (Tribonyx ventralis)
Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), Alice Springs Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
Buff-banded Rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Buff-banded Rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis)
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Crimson Chat (Epthianura tricolor)
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Diamond Dove (Geopelia cuneata)
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)
Male Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica) at Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Flock Bronzewing (Phaps histrionica)
Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa)
Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa)
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Grey Teal (Anas gracilis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
Hardhead (Aythya australis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Hardhead (Aythya australis)
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus)
Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)\
LIttle Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
LIttle Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Little Crow (Corvus bennetti), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Little Crow (Corvus bennetti)
Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus)
Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta)
Long-toed Stint (Calidris subminuta)
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Musk Duck (Biziura lobata), Alice Springs Sewerage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Musk Duck (Biziura lobata)
Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons)
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)
Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)
Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri)
Plumed Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Plumed Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)
Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis)
Red-capped Plover (Anarhynchus ruficapillus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Red-capped Plover (Anarhynchus ruficapillus)
Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus)
Red-necked Avocets (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae)
Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia)
Ruff (Calidris pugnax), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
Sanderling (Calidris alba), Alice Springs Sewerage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)
Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Splendid Fairy-wren (Malurus splendens)
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans)
Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti)
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)
Immature Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)
Male White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
White-winged Fairywren (Malurus leucopterus)
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes)

Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata)

Photographs © Dorothy Latimer / © Ausemade Pty Ltd


The following are one off photos of birds seen at the Alice Springs Sewage Ponds. Click the image to see the photo full screen.

Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius)
Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)
Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta), Jul
Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae), Apr
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia), Nov
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla), Jul
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), Jul
Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Oct
Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), Mar
Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum), Dec
Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva), Oct
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Nov
Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds © Dorothy Latimer
Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), Jun
Plumed Egret (Ardea plumifera), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Plumed Egret (Ardea plumifera), Feb
Spinifexbird (Poodytes carteri), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Spinifexbird (Poodytes carteri), Jan
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis), Dec
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds NT © Dorothy Latimer
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Oct

Photographs © Dorothy Latimer / © Ausemade Pty Ltd


More information on birds sighted throughout Central Australia include:

You can also explore our main section on Birds > Bird Index | Waders | Waders Index


Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer
Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus) – also the Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) and Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus), Alice Springs Sewage Ponds, NT © Dorothy Latimer

Birds at the PondsBirds Index Australasian Darter Australasian Grebe Australasian Shoveler Australian Hobby Australian Pelican Australian Pratincole Australian Reed Warbler Australian Shelduck Australian Spotted Crake Australian White Ibis Baillon’s Crake Banded Stilt Black-faced Woodswallow Black-shouldered Kite Black-tailed Godwit Black-tailed Native Hen Black Kite Black Swan Brown Falcon Budgerigar Buff-banded Rail Caspian Tern Common Sandpiper Crimson Chat Curlew Sandpiper Diamond Dove Emu Fairy Martin Flock Bronzewing Freckled Duck Glossy Ibis Grey Teal Gull-billed Tern Hardhead Hoary-headed Grebe Latham’s Snipe Little Black Cormorant Little Corella Little Crow Little Grassbird Long-toed Stint Marsh Sandpiper Masked Lapwing Musk Duck Orange Chat Pectoral Sandpiper Pied Stilt Pink Cockatoo Plumed Whistling-Duck Purple-backed Fairywren Red-capped Plover Red-kneed Dotterel Red-necked Avocet Red-necked Stint Ruff Sanderling Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Splendid Fairy-wren Straw-necked Ibis Royal Spoonbill Tree Martin Variegated Fairywren Wedge-tailed Eagle Whiskered Tern Whistling Kite White-faced Heron White-winged Fairywren Willie Wagtail Yellow-billed Spoonbill Zebra Finch

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