Greetings,
This monthly newsletter (No. 76) includes: shorebirds festival, Lee Point housing, assault case, quiz, plants-fungi-wildlife.
1.0 Shorebird festival 20-27 Sept
Darwin-Garramilla Shorebird Festival is a community celebration of the remarkable migratory shorebirds that visit northern Australia each year. Not to be missed.
Not in Darwin? Try the national webinar – Birds bring us together.
Fig 1. Shorebird Festival Art Exhibition in 2023 – painting by David Percival
Fig 2. Migratory shorebirds at Lee Point beach – 11 Sept 2026
Lee Point is an internationally significant migratory shorebird site.
2.0 Lee Point housing project
Build at Berrimah
Ask your MLA whether they support shifting the defence housing project to Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB). The Lee Point housing project remains one of the most controversial and unpopular housing projects in Darwin’s history refer Build at Berrimah not Lee Point.
Senate Inquiry
The Senate inquiry into Management of Defence estate assets (includes DEB) has been extended. To make a submission, refer terms of reference and email submission to:fadt.sen@aph.gov.au
FLP provided this submission. The Inquiry is due to be reported on 27 February 2027.
City of Darwin has called for a Senate inquiry into the Lee Point housing project …read more.
Sign the SENATE PETITION to help make this happen.
3.0 Alleged assault case at Lee Point settled
Fig 3. Neptune NT shoving Ms Laidlaw into a paddy wagon on the morning 30 Apr 2024.
Darwin security firm Neptune NT has paid an out-of-court settlement sum (for damages and legal costs) to Ms Laidlaw over an alleged assault at Lee Point in Apr 2024.
At the time of the alleged assault, Ms Laidlaw was asking about the absence of fauna spotters on the DHA site…read more
4.0 Quiz
Approximately 20 species of migratory shorebirds use Lee Point. How many are listed as endangered under Australia’s EPBC Act? Answer at the end.
Fig 4. Far Eastern Curlew and Great Knots – Lee Point Feb 2023.
5.0 Plants-fungi-wildlife
Images from Lee Point Sept 2026.
Fig 5. Mistletoe
Fig 6. Fruit from fungi – showing top and underside
Favourite food: dead organic matter
Fig 7. Great Carpenter Bee on a River Mangrove flower
Favourite food: nectar
Fig 8. Hummingbird Hawk-moth drinking nectar from a Syzygium spp flower
Favourite food: nectar
These day-flying moths, hover and drink nectar similar to hummingbirds.
Fig 9. Jumping Spider on a pandanus fruit
Favourite food: insects
Fig 10. Grey Goshawk – white morph.
Favourite food: birds, however, possums, bats and even herons are on the menu.
Wilderness Walks
Fig 11. People on a Wilderness Walk – late Aug 2026
Wilderness Walks have been recording 30-46 bird species – 46 bird species were recorded on the 26 July morning walk, refer ebird for latest sightings. Please check Friends of Lee Point Facebook for walk times.
Enjoy the last of the dry season
Answer to Quiz
Of the approx. 20 migratory species that use Lee Point, five are listed under the EPBC Act as endangered:
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Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) – Critically Endangered
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Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) – Critically Endangered
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Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) – Critically Endangered
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Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus) – Endangered
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Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) – Endangered