Birdwatchers are invited to flock to Norfolk Island this November to help run its biggest ever survey of feathered fauna, including the search for some of the world’s rarest birds.

One of the endangered local species, the Norfolk boobook owl, was down to just one lonely female named Miamiti – the name of Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian’s Tahitian lover - before being successfully bred in 1987 with a closely related NZ male called Tintoela – a Norfolk word for sweetheart. The family of Norfolk owls now numbers 40.

Another endangered endemic bird, the white-breasted white-eye was last spotted two years ago and has never been photographed, with survey organisers describing it as the ‘holy grail’ of the November study which will determine if the bird is extinct or not.

For the first time, discounted holiday packages have been released to lure volunteer birdwatchers and partners to Norfolk Island for the survey from November 27-December 2, 2005.

The seven-night deals are available from $1079 per person from Brisbane and $1159 per person from Sydney including return flights, airfare taxes, accommodation, car hire and entry to the island’s ‘Walk in the Wild’ eco attraction. Conditions apply. Contact the Travel Centre on Norfolk Island toll-free on 1800 1400 66 or visit www.travelcentre.nf.

Of the 15 endemic bird species present at the time of European settlement in 1788, eight remain, including the colourful Norfolk Island green parrot which has rebounded in numbers since 1983 when only 16 were left.

Conservation programs have helped maintain Norfolk Island as a bird lovers’ paradise. Although smaller than most mainland suburbs and without any predators, Norfolk’s 40 square kilometres of bush, rocks and pastures are home to more than 115 local and migratory bird species. Tens of thousands of birds can be readily seen near Norfolk’s pine-lined cliffs, national park, offshore rock stacks and on surrounding islets. Birdwatching tours are available year-round.

Echoing through the pines between November and May are the sounds of thousands of wedge-tailed shearwaters or ghost birds as they are locally known because of their eerie call.

Spring also brings to Norfolk the ‘bird of providence’, a large seabird named after its role in saving the former convict settlement from starvation after the sinking of the supply ship, Sirius, nearby in 1790. Hunting parties killed more than 170,000 of the birds in their burrows in just four months, almost eating the species into extinction.

The November survey will be the first time Norfolk’s birds have been systematically counted since Birds Australia’s study on the island in 1978. The new survey will be coordinated by the Norfolk Island Flora and Fauna Society with assistance from Birds Australia, the Birds Observers Club of Australia and the Ornithological Society of New Zealand.

Around two hours flying time from Australia, Norfolk Island boasts spectacular coastal scenery, pristine beaches, a coral lagoon, colourful history, fine dining, stylish bars, boutique accommodation, tax-free shopping and new adventure activities and eco experiences.

For more information on the bird survey, contact Margaret Christian on Norfolk Island via birdsurvey@norfolk.nf. For general information on Norfolk, visit www.norfolkisland.nf.