Download 2014 Brochure (.pdf) - Ornitholidays

ORNITHOLIDAYS 

2014 

49 

Our Forty-Ninth Year

Ornitholidays at a glance 

JANUARY 

Sri Lanka – Teardrop of the Indian Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

France – Wallcreeper Tour at Leisure – Mountains & Marshes . . . . 126 

Mexico – Western Mexican Endemics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

St Lucia at Leisure – Pitons & Parrots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Sierra de Andújar – 

Iberian Lynx & Eagles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

FEBRUARY 

The Gambia – A Taste of West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Tanzania – Photographic Tour – Rift Valley, Crater & Plains . . . . . . . . 48 

Iceland – Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 

Spain – The Canary Islands – Winter Sunshine Break . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

Cuba – Endemic Birds & Winter Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

MARCH 

Bhutan – Birds & Buddhism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 

Guyana – Rainforests, Waterfalls & Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Ghana – In search of Picathartes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Trinidad & Tobago at Leisure – Caribbean Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 

Costa Rica – Classic Neotropical Birding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Jordan – Birds & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

APRIL 

Kuwait – Birding in the Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Extremadura – Spring Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 

Morocco – High Atlas & Sahara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Italy – Sicily at Leisure – Heart of the Mediterranean . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 

Taiwan – Island Endemics & Migrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 

Belarus – Europe's Last Great Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 

Hungary – Spring Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 

Turkey – Turkish Delight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 

MAY 

Spain – The Island of Menorca at Leisure – 

Mediterranean Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 

Greece – The Island of Lesvos at Leisure – 

Spring Migration Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 

Portugal at Leisure – Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . 116 

Italy – Po Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 

Greece – The Island of Kos at Leisure – Eleonora’s Island . . . . . . . . 96 

USA – Utah & Arizona – Scenic Splendour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Finland – Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 

Spain – Southern Catalonia – Birds, Butterflies & Bouquets . . . . . . . 106 

France – The Camargue, the Cévennes & Causses at Leisure – 

Birds & Butterflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 

Iceland – Land of Ice & Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 


JUNE 

Spain – Catalonia – Photographic Tour – 

Lammergeiers, Bonelli’s Eagle & Ree-eaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 

Mongolia – Eastern Steppe & Gobi Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 

Italy at Leisure – Birds & Wine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 

Spain – The Pyrenees – Montane Raptorfest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 

JULY 

Uganda – Birds & Primates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 

Brazil – Atlantic Forest Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

AUGUST 

South Africa – Natural History Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 

SEPTEMBER 

Brazil – Atlantic Forest Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Romania – Danube Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 

Bulgaria at Leisure – The Black Sea Flyway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 

USA – Utah & Wyoming – Yellowstone & Grand Teton in the Fall . . . . 14 

Brazil – Photographic Tour – 

The Pantanal & Chapada dos Guimaraes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Portugal at Leisure – Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . 118 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Tarifa – Autumn Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 

Papua New Guinea – Birds of Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 

Ethiopia – Undiscovered Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

OCTOBER 

Borneo – Island in the Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 

Ecuador – Tumbesian & Andean Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

USA – New England – Photographic Tour – 

Birds & colours in the Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

Egypt – Birds & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

Morocco – Atlantic Coast & Southern Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 

NOVEMBER 

Vietnam – Land of the Dragon People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 

Hungary at Leisure – Crane Spectacular & Wild Goose Chase . . . . . 144 

New Zealand – Kiwis, Kakas & Keas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

Namibia – Etosha & the Skeleton Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

The Gambia – A Taste of West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Spain – Aragon – Cranes, Lammergeiers & Wallcreepers . . . . . . . . . 114 


India – Goa at Leisure – Birds, Beaches & Bhajees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 

Colombia – Birding’s Final Frontier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

South Africa & Botswana – Kruger, Limpopo & Tuli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

Netherlands – Winter Birding Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 

Iceland – Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 

O R N I T H O L I D AY S AT A G L A N C E 

2015 

JANUARY 

Sri Lanka – Teardrop of the Indian Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Mexico – Western Mexican Endemics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

France – Wallcreeper Tour at Leisure – Mountains & Marshes . . . . 126 

USA – Florida – Winter Birding in the Sunshine State . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

St Lucia at Leisure – Pitons & Parrots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Sierra de Andújar – 

Iberian Lynx & Eagles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

FEBRUARY 

Spain – The Canary Islands – Winter Sunshine Break . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

MARCH 

Cuba – Endemic Birds & Winter Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Tanzania – Rift Valley, Crater & Plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Nepal – Chitwan, Koshi & Phulchowki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 

Ghana – In search of Picathartes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 


Trinidad & Tobago at Leisure – Caribbean Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

APRIL 

USA – Hawaii – Iiwis, Omaos & Nenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Front cover photograph: Red-throated Bee-eater, Uganda by Richard Coomber 

Back cover photograph: Common Kingfisher, UK by Nigel Jones 

To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445

49 

Our Forty-Ninth Year 

ORNITHOLIDAYS 


Welcome to the 2014 Ornitholidays’ brochure which marks our 49 th year of operation. Our 

tours for 2014 include some new and exciting destinations, with holidays to Mongolia, 

Kuwait, Italy (both Sicily and the Po Delta), USA – New England, Spain (for Lynx) and St 

Lucia. We can also offer some new itineraries to Costa Rica, Ecuador, South Africa & 

Botswana, The Netherlands, and Spain – Tarifa & Coto Donana, Once again we have many 

of our old favourites in the programme, with the likes of Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, Lesvos, 

Morocco, Namibia and Menorca. We have found that our tours with a photographic slant 

proved popular over the last 12 months, so for 2014 we now have Photographic Tours to 

Tanzania, Spain, Brazil (Pantanal) and USA (New England in the fall). 

The Pound is managing to hold its ground against many of the major currencies, but 

continues to be weak against the New Zealand and Australian Dollars. Air fares are still 

creeping higher, with the potential for higher price increases if the value of oil continues to 

rise. As we are a large company we have made the decision to absorb any fluctuations due 

to currencies changes or aviation fuel changes. For the 2014 programme we guarantee 

that there will be no surcharge made on any of our holidays – the prices you see for these 

tours in 2014 will be the ones you pay. 

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird 

Looking ahead to 2015 we shall be celebrating Ornitholidays’ 50 th year of operations. To 

mark this event we intend to hold a reunion in Iceland from the 19 th to the 23 rd February. 

Hopefully we shall have a large group of loyal clients who would like to come along and 

help us celebrate this special occasion – we are the oldest bird tour company in the world! 

Andy Jones will be our host, but many of the regular Ornitholidays’ leaders will be in 

attendance as well. We would hope to have some great birding at this time of year with Gyr 

Falcon, Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye high on the “wanted-list”. But there will 

also be talks and a themed dinner! If you’re interested in joining us then please contact us 

at the office and we can send you further details. 

Our tree planting for the REGUA project continues apace and if you look at pages 8 and 9 

you will see the progress that has been made with the restoration of some degraded areas 

of the endangered Atlantic rainforest. In 2014 we have three tours to this part of Brazil, 

where you can enjoy the fabulous lodge and also get the chance to visit the Ornitholidays’ 

forest. 

Finally, we would now like to invite you to read through our colourful brochure and choose 

a holiday. Feel free to call us at the office and discuss any tours that might interest you – we 

are always more than happy to help answer any questions that might arise. 

Giant Kingfisher 

Nigel R Jones 

August 2013 

All the flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. 

When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that 

everything you booked (flights, hotels, and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking 

conditions for more information or for more information about financial protection and the 

ATOL Certificate go to www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. 

Our ATOL number is 0743. 

Indian Peafowl 

ORNITHOLIDAYS 

29 Straight Mile Romsey Hampshire England SO51 9BB 

Tel: 01794 519445 Email: info@ornitholidays.co.uk www.ornitholidays.co.uk

Contents 

THE AMERICAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

USA – Utah & Arizona – Scenic Splendour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

USA – Utah & Wyoming – Yellowstone & Grand Teton in the Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

USA – New England – Photographic Tour – Birds and the colours in the Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 

USA – Florida 2015 – Winter Birding in the Sunshine State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

USA – Hawaii 2015 – Iiwis, Omaos & Nenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Mexico – Western Mexican Endemics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Costa Rica – Classic Neotropical Birding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Cuba – Endemic Birds & Winter Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

Trinidad & Tobago at Leisure – Caribbean Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

St Lucia at Leisure – Pitons & Parrots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Guyana – Rainforests, Watercourses & Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 

Colombia – Birding’s Final Frontier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

Brazil – Atlantic Forest Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

Brazil – Photographic Tour – The Pantanal & Chapada dos Guimaraes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Ecuador – Tumbesian & Andean Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

Rufous-breasted Hermit 

C O N T E N T S 

AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 

South Africa – Natural History Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 

South Africa & Botswana – Kruger, Limpopo & Tuli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 

Tanzania – Photographic Tour – Rift Valley, Crater & Plains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Ghana – In search of Picathartes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 

Ethiopia – Undiscovered Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 

Uganda – Birds & Primates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 

Namibia – Etosha & the Skeleton Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 

The Gambia – A Taste of West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Egypt – Birds & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 

Morocco – High Atlas & Sahara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 

Morocco – Atlantic Coast & Southern Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 

White-tailed Shrike 

THE MIDDLE EAST, ASIA & AUSTRALASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 

Jordan – Birds & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 

Kuwait – Birding in the Gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 

India – Goa – Birds, Beaches & Bhajees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 

Sri Lanka – Teardrop of the Indian Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 

Mongolia – Eastern Steppe & Gobi Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 

Taiwan – Island Endemics & Migrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 

Bhutan – Birds & Buddhism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 

Nepal – 2015 – Chitwan, Koshi & Phulchowki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 

Vietnam – Land of the Dragon People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 

Borneo – Island in the Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 

Papua New Guinea – Birds of Paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 

New Zealand – Kiwis, Kakas & Keas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

Eclectus Parrot 

EUROPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 

Greece – The Island of Lesvos at Leisure – Spring Migration Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 

Greece – The Island of Kos at Leisure – Eleonora’s Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Sierra de Andújar – Iberian Lynx & Eagles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 

Spain – The Canary Islands – Winter Sunshine Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Extremadura – Spring Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 

Spain – The Island of Menorca at Leisure – Mediterranean Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 

Spain – Southern Catalonia – Birds, Butterflies & Bouquets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 

Spain – Catalonia – Photographic Tour – Lammergeiers, Bonelli’s Eagle & Bee-eaters . . . . . . . 108 

Spain – The Pyrenees – Montane Raptorfest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Tarifa – Autumn Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 

Spain – Aragon – Cranes, Lammergeiers & Wallcreepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 

Portugal at Leisure – Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 

Portugal at Leisure – Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 

Italy – Sicily – Heart of the Mediterranean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 

Italy – Po Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 

Italy at Leisure – Birds & Wine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 

France – Wallcreeper Tour at Leisure – Mountains & Marshes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 

France – The Camargue, the Cévennes & Causses at Leisure – Birds & Butterflies . . . . . . . . . 128 

Netherlands – Winter Birding Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 

Iceland – Winter Wonderland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 

Iceland – Land of Ice & Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 

Turkey – Turkish Delight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 

Belarus – Europe’s Last Great Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 

Finland – Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 

Hungary – Spring Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 

Hungary at Leisure – Crane Spectacular & Wild Goose Chase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 

Romania – Danube Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 

Bulgaria at Leisure – The Black Sea Flyway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 

Bearded Reedling 

1

I S O R N I T H O L I D AY S R I G H T F O R M E 

Is Ornitholidays Right For Me 

There are a large number of factors that have to be considered 

when booking an escorted holiday, especially one that 

involves birdwatching. The first must be whether you are 

dealing with a reputable company and will your money be 

safe. Ornitholidays is the longest established birding company 

in the world, having started in 1965. It has grown gradually 

over this period to offering around 70 tours a year. We have 

held an ATOL licence (0743) for over 30 years, which shows 

we have the necessary financial bond to safeguard all of your 

money. 

Our tours range from short breaks in Europe to three week 

holidays further afield. To enjoy these holidays to the full, all 

you need is a love of birds and wildlife and the desire to travel. 

The vast majority of our holidays are run at a relaxed pace, but 

each tour has been given gradings to help you make sure you 

choose the right one. 

Our tours are escorted, so your leader is a very important 

ingredient of the holiday. There are many companies offering 

escorted holidays, but few use full-time leaders. Ornitholidays 

has a group of professional guides who spend their whole 

year taking birding parties around the world – most of them 

have led over 150 tours and some over 250. Their job is to 

make sure you enjoy your holiday and see the wildlife. They 

are not taking their annual holiday, but are well paid, highly 

motivated and dedicated leaders who are there for you and 

you alone. When booking a holiday consider the advantages 

of being led by such a leader – there is no choice really! On 

many holidays we also employ local guides to accompany the 

group, providing valuable insight into their country, its history 

and traditions, as well as its birds and wildlife. 

What about the cost of the holiday – why are some companies 

cheaper than others for a similar itinerary When you compare 

holidays think about what each company is providing. We 

tend to use scheduled airlines with the least number of 

connections. Where possible we try to allow for clients to 

travel from regional airports, as well as London, to their 

destination. The accommodation we use is often the best 

available and the price we quote for the holiday includes 

virtually everything, even tips and airport taxes (cruises may 

be different). We have been organising holidays for a long 

time, so we know the best ground agents to use and the best 

areas to visit. How many other companies can boast they 

have been visiting many destinations for over 40 years 

What about group size 

We state our maximum group size on each tour, with a 

maximum of 14 on most tours. Each tour is different in the 

number of participants we carry – however, please note that 

the numbers given are maxima and the average is obviously 

less than this. We reserve the right, where there is one space 

left on a tour, to take a couple as the last booking. The 

maximum group size on any land-based tour though will never 

exceed 15 clients. On our cruises we may take larger parties. 

Over the last 20 years we have run over 90% of our advertised 

programme and had to disappoint very few people by 

cancelling tours. 

What about the company’s ethos 

Petra, Jordan 

We try to run a range of holidays to suit all needs. We operate 

our tours as holidays, not as 24 hours a day marathons. 

However, please note that bird activity is often at its best early 

in the morning, so some early starts may be required on some 

of our holidays. We are there to enjoy, not annoy, the birds. In 

some circumstances our leaders use tape recorders in order 

to attract birds, but they do so sparingly. We try to operate 

holidays which do not damage the environment and which 

focus on local environmental issues. We donate money to 

organisations to encourage conservation throughout the 

world, and we sponsor projects to help protect particular 

species. We are concerned about the impact of air travel on 

the environment, so we subscribe to a well-known forest 

regeneration project in South America to help offset our 

carbon footprints. 

Abu Simbel, Egypt 

Are Ornitholidays’ tours suitable for a beginner 

We always carry a range of ages and abilities on any tour. We 

hope that our holidays will be an enjoyable experience, where 

we nurture both the beginner and expert alike. The age range 

we cater for is from 18 to over 80, but the average is probably 

around 60. You are always made to feel welcome whatever 

your age or birding experience. Most of our tours have some 

“first timers” but you may be rubbing shoulders with some of 

our “old hands” who have travelled with us over 40 times. The 

fact that we have a number of clients with this tally of 

Ornitholidays is a great endorsement of our product. The 

record now stands at 83 tours! 

At the end of the day you can always speak to us in the office 

to discuss any queries that you may have, and we have a large 

stock of reports and diaries from past tours to give you a real 

flavour of what to expect on an Ornitholiday. Why not ring us 

on 01794 519445 and ask to speak to Nigel or Sandy 

2 

For a previous tour report or further information please call: 01794 519445

Brochure Entries & Booking Policy 

Brochure entries: We make every effort to ensure our 

brochure entries are as accurate as possible. However, it 

needs to be pointed out that some of the ground 

arrangements for our tours are made at least 18 months prior 

to departure. Inevitably there are occasions when changing 

circumstances require us to alter published itineraries and 

hotel bookings. Normally we are able to advise clients of such 

changes before departure. Similarly, weather patterns in 

many parts of the world are not wholly predictable and it is 

virtually impossible to accurately predict the temperatures 

you will encounter while on tour. Thus it is necessary for there 

to be a degree of flexibility in our programmes that allows 

some freedom to do what is best in the particular 

circumstances. The chances of seeing certain species may 

also be affected by the vagaries of the weather. It is unlikely 

that a group will see all the species mentioned in the 

brochure text. We accept bookings on the understanding that 

these points are fully understood. 

Sharing rooms: Many of our clients prefer to book places on 

a sharing basis, in the interests of both company and 

economy. However, please note that your booking for a 

shared room is only accepted on the understanding that, 

should no room-mate be available, you will accept single 

accommodation and pay the appropriate single-room 

supplement (not applicable for cruises). Allocation of roommates 

will be made on the basis of the date on which 

bookings are received. Therefore, the earlier you book the 

greater the likelihood of being able to share. 

REGUA, Brazil 

Insurance: It is a prerequisite of joining any tour that you have 

sufficient insurance cover in case of illness or repatriation. 

Smoking: If you wish to smoke while on holiday, then please 

refrain from smoking in the coaches and minibuses, as well as 

when close to the group in the field. Please do not smoke at 

the table while the group is eating. Also please note that 

smoking in public places and hotel rooms is now forbidden in 

some of the countries we visit. 

Provisional bookings: Occasionally we take names for tours 

before the brochure is produced. The policy is that these have 

to be confirmed with a booking form and deposit within 14 days 

of receipt of the new brochure, otherwise the booking will lapse. 

B R O C H U R E E N T R I E S & B O O K I N G P O L I C Y 

Single rooms: Many of our clients require single rooms on 

tours. The single rooms, which we advertise are occasionally 

not always available in the quantity we need when the tour is 

run. If you have booked and paid for a single room and it is not 

available, then a pro rata refund will be made to you post-tour 

for any nights of such accommodation lost. It should be noted 

that very occasionally the standard and location of single 

rooms can be inferior to those of some twin/double rooms. 

Hotels: We try to choose hotels that are comfortable, friendly, 

efficient and well situated. All rooms have a private bath or 

shower and W.C. unless otherwise stated in the text for a specific 

tour. Please see the accommodation grading for each tour. 

To make a booking: We suggest that you phone us at the 

office to ascertain whether there are places left on the tour. If 

there are, then we shall reserve you that place. You should 

then complete a booking form and send it with a deposit to 

confirm the booking. We ask that this is done within seven 

days, otherwise the reservation will lapse. We then issue a 

confirmation account. Later, we shall issue you with 

comprehensive party instructions, bird lists and a past report. 

About ten days before the tour we will send you the tickets, the 

party list and final joining instructions. 

Booking Conditions: Please note our booking conditions laid 

out at the end of this brochure, pages 155 to 158. 

Ambua Lodge, Paua New Guinee 

To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445 

3

L AT E 2 0 1 3 T O U R S 

Summary of Late 2013 Tours 

If you are still interested in taking a holiday in 2013 why not look below and see what we still have to offer 

Reports are available for these tours – so please call us on 01794 519445 if you want more information. Most 

of these tours already have enough bookings to make them 'Guaranteed Departures'. 

South Africa – The Cape, Flowers & 

Penguins 

06 September – 24 September (19 days) 

Tour cost: £4,699 Single Supplement: £300 

Mariana Delport will once again be guiding an Ornitholidays’ 

tour to South Africa, visiting Simon’s Town, Augrabies Falls 

National Park and Skilipad Wildflower Reserve. Expect over 

300 species of birds. 

Please send for full details if interested – Guaranteed 

departure and price. 

Brazil – Atlantic Rainforest Special 



Mike Witherick will be leading this One Centre tour to the 

south-east Atlantic rainforest. Over 280 species can be 

expected on this tour. 

For full details of the itinerary see page 36 of this brochure – 

Guaranteed departure and price. 

Borneo – Island in the Clouds 

05 October – 18 October (14 days) 

Tour cost: £4,999 Single Supplement £490 

Travel to Borneo to see pittas, gibbons, Orang-utans and 

many fascinating plants and insects. 



Morocco – Atlantic Coast & Southern 

Desert 

26 October – 02 November (8 days) 


David Walsh will lead this tour, his 13th visit to Morocco. This 

holiday will be based at the Hotel Anezi and the Bald Ibis will 

be the main target species. We would hope to see about 140 

species as well as some interesting reptiles, butterflies and 

dragonflies. 



USA – Utah & Wyoming – Yellowstone & 

Grand Teton in the Fall – Photographic Tour 



Travel with Richard and Paul to visit some of the great 

National Parks of the United States. The birdlife, mammals 

and scenery will all be spectacular. 



Australia – Tropical North & Red Centre 

20 September – 05 October (16 days) 


A visit to Australia with Luke Paterson as the local guide. 

Expect some amazing birding and great boat trips. Red 

Goshawk, Black Falcon and Gouldian Finch are all hoped for 

on this new itinerary. 



Ethiopia – Undiscovered Africa 

27 September – 11 October (15 days) 


Gabor Orban and Simon Boyes will be revisiting this bird-rich 

country to see the endemic Spot-breasted Plover, Bluewinged 

Goose, Simien Wolf and lots more beside. 



Vietnam – Land of the Dragon People 

02 November – 19 November (18 days) 


Uthai Treesucon will be the main tour leader on this, 

Ornitholidays' fifth tour to Vietnam. Habitat and bird-wise the 

country is diverse. Vietnam has recorded over 800 bird 

species and holds 10 endemic species as well as many 

fascinating and colourful families. 


Guaranteed price. 

Hungary at Leisure – Crane Spectacular & 

Wild Goose Chase ONE STOP 



Gabor and Colin are leading this trip to see thousands of 

cranes on the Hortobágy – one of the great wildlife spectacles 

of Europe. 



New Zealand – Kiwis, Kakas & Keas 



Mark Ayre will once again be leading our annual tour to these 

islands – Kiwis almost guaranteed! 



4 


Chile – Land of the Condor 



Our tour to this interesting country will hope to see Andean 

Condor, Diademed Sandpiper-Plover and Inca Tern to 

mention just a few of the 250 species to be expected. 



Spain – Aragon – Cranes, Lammergeiers & 

Wallcreepers 



Steve West will be leading this week long tour to see the 

wonders of wintering Cranes and the chance to find that 

elusive denizen of the mountains, the Wallcreeper. 



Colombia – Birding’s Final Frontier 

23 November – 08 December (16 days) 


Colin Bushell will be leading our tour to this bird-rich country. 

Colombia boasts more bird species than any other country 

and we hope to see over 500 on this holiday. Please note that 

single rooms are now available throughout the tour. 



India – Goa at Leisure 



Journey with Mike on this holiday to see exotic birds in an 

exotic location. Our superb hotel is renowned for its cuisine 

and there are excursions each day to look for birds such as 

Indian Pitta, Blyth's Pipit and much more. This tour also 

includes a three-night stay at Backwoods Camp. 



Iceland – Winter Wonderland 



Andy Jones will be leading this winter tour to see the island's 

dramatic scenery. Hopefully conditions will be favourable for 

viewing the Aurora Borealis. 



L AT E 2 0 1 3 T O U R S / P L A N S F O R 2 0 1 5 

White Pelicans and Great Egrets, Danube Delta, Romania 

Plans for 2015 

As you can see from the brochure we have already included a number of tours for the early part of 2015. However, our plans 

are at a stage now that we can give you an indication of some of the other tours we shall be running later in the year. Most of 

our European programme will be repeated, so if you see a tour in 2014 that takes your fancy you can be pretty sure we will 

be running it in 2015. Some of our long haul tours we run every year, such as Trinidad and Tobago and New Zealand, but 

others tend to be changed and are rotated on a two or three year basis. 

March April May June July 

Guyana Panama France – Corsica Mongolia Uganda 

Nepal USA – Hawaiil Poland Arctic Norway Brazil 

August September October November December 

Kenya South Africa Botswana Australia India 

USA – Washington Brazil Canada Chile Colombia 

Of course there will also be some new destinations that we shall include, as well as other old favourites – but for those you’ll 

have to wait for the 2015 brochure! 


5

T O U R G R A D I N G 

Tour Grading 

To try and give you further insight into each of our tours, we have attempted to define some categories that 

cannot always be ascertained just by reading a brochure entry. Obviously it is difficult to pigeon-hole every 

tour with just one definition, so these should be taken only as a guide. Every tour now carries this set of 

gradings, as defined below: 

Accommodation FINE Includes lodges and hotels rated highly for their facilities, comfort and service. 

GOOD Includes lodges and hotels typical of the international average. They may vary somewhat in 

standard, but typically they are among the best available for the sites visited. 

BASIC 

TENTED 

Includes lodges and hotels which are normally clean and comfortable and are used when little 

or nothing else is available at the sites visited. They may not have electricity or hot water. 

Includes permanent tent sites at some localities and/or temporary sites where the outfitters erect 

and carry the tents with them for each locality. 

Birds 

Number of species to be expected on the tour (approximate). 

Climate HOT Maximum daytime shade temperatures higher than 80 Fahrenheit (27 Centigrade). 

WARM Maximum daytime shade temperatures frequently in the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit (21 to 27 

Centigrade). 

COOL 

COLD 

Maximum temperatures typically in the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit (10 to 20 Centigrade). 

Minimum temperatures down to the 40s Fahrenheit (4 Centigrade) and sometimes less. 

Elevation HIGH Maximum elevations to above 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) for one or more full days and nights. 

MODERATE 

LOW 

Maximum elevations from 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) to 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) for one or 

more full days and nights. 

From sea-level to 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) for one or more full days and nights. 

Health Precautions NORMAL Insect repellent and bottled water. 

SPECIAL As above, plus vaccinations needed – see pages 153 and 154. 

Pace RELAXED Normally less than 10 hours per day in the field and/or in transit. Normally optional pre-breakfast 

and occasionally post-dinner birding walks. 

MODERATE 

INTENSE 

Normally about 8 to 14 hours in the field and/or in transit. 

Includes some days in excess of 14 hours per day in the field and/or in transit. 

Photography EXCELLENT Much of the wildlife is tame and approachable. Normally good light conditions. 

Good scenic shots available. 

GOOD 

Only some areas visited will produce opportunities for wildlife photography. 

Good scenic shots available. 

Walking EASY Short distances (less than 4 km per walk) over fairly level ground. 

MODERATE 

DIFFICULT 

No difficulties for clients in reasonable health, but some walks may involve slopes and/or 

moderate distances (4 to 10 km). 

To be undertaken only by clients in good physical condition; may include steep and rocky 

sections to reach important bird watching sites, and/or walks longer than 6 km. 

Airline 

SCHEDULED 

CHARTER 

6 


Our Green Policy 

Ornitholidays is one of a growing number of tour operators 

keen to promote a ‘greener’ and ‘more responsible’ brand 

of tourism. We recognise that most forms of modern travel 

inevitably involve the consumption of non-renewable 

resources. There is no realistic way round that and its 

associated environmental costs. However, we are 

convinced that at our destinations, there are vital 

responsibilities that we should and do accept: 

• Protect the environment, particularly its landscape, flora 

and fauna, and minimise environmental damage by 

touring in small groups. 

• Respect local cultures, namely their traditions, religions 

and heritage. 

• Benefit local communities by using locally-owned and 

run accommodation, by consuming local products and 

by using, wherever possible, local guides. To ensure 

that local people receive a fair share of the benefits of 

our tours. 

• Conserve natural resources by eliminating waste and, 

where possible, consuming renewable rather than nonrenewable 

ones. 

• Minimise environmental pollution caused by waste 

disposal, noise and litter. 

• Educate clients by keeping them well-informed about 

wildlife conservation issues, endangered species and 

threatened habitats. 

O U R G R E E N P O L I C Y, O N E S T O P & AT L E I S U R E 

Local guides and canoe, Ecuador 

One Stop & At Leisure 

Our brochure this year contains a number of tours with the 

ONE STOP logo or else the term At Leisure, or indeed both. In order 

to clarify what these terms mean a few lines are included here. 

ONE STOP is self-explanatory in that it means the holiday has one base for the 

duration. That is we arrive at one hotel and stay there for the entire tour. We 

have found that our clients have been increasingly demanding this style of 

holiday, so for this year we have included a number of tours that fit this criterion. 

Matchani Gran 

At Leisure is slightly more subjective but has been applied to tours where the 

pace is relaxed and the leaders will ensure that the group does not spend all 

their time in the field. Therefore, you should return in ample time for a wash and 

brush up before the evening meal and there should be time for a sundowner. 

Also, the leaders will endeavour to give some relaxation time during the heat of 

the afternoon. These tours will not be dawn to dusk affairs. However, as every 

tour is different the make up of each group will be taken into consideration. 

Hotel Trofea 


7

G R E E N TA X E S A N D C A R B O N O F F S E T T I N G 

Green Taxes and Carbon Offsetting 

There can be little doubt that something is happening to our 

climate. In the UK, birds are nesting earlier and many aspects of 

animal behaviour point towards a warming of the climate. The 

finger of suspicion is currently pointed at a previously innocuous 

gas, carbon dioxide. Without a doubt, air travel produces 

1987 

pollution and one of the outcomes of burning aviation fuel is 

carbon dioxide. All flight tickets include a Green Tax to help stop 

this pollution – so each time you travel, you are already paying 

towards mitigating your ‘carbon footprint’. 

2005 

2010 

8 


Seedlings for planting out 

Recently planted area 

However, at Ornitholidays we have taken this a step further. We 

are trying to alleviate even more of the gases we produce in our 

travels by using a natural soak for the gas – that is trees. Both 

plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide when they 

photosynthesize and fix the gas with water to make sugars and 

life-giving oxygen. We have teamed up with the staff at REGUA 

(Reserva Ecologica de Guapiaçu) in Brazil to plant a tree for 

everyone who travels with us each year. REGUA protects one of 

the last stands of tropical rainforest left in the severely depleted 

Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica) in Brazil. REGUA is a nongovernmental 

organisation with a mission to save the forests of 

the upper catchment of the Guapiaçu River basin located within 

the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu in Rio de Janeiro 

State. The majority of the initial funding and direction for the 

project came from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Trust (BART), 

a UK-based charity. In 1996, however, the REGUA Association 

was registered under Brazilian law and is now responsible for the 

management and development of the project. Although BART 

maintains a close involvement in its management and funding, 

the Association is now made up of local landowners and 

members of the local community. Please look at the website at 

www.regua.co.uk 

Scientists estimate that, depending on the soil and climate, a 

hectare of 1,000 trees can process between five and 10 tons of 

carbon dioxide each year. The removal of unwanted carbon 

dioxide is but one benefit of this tree planting. A second is the 

reforestation of some of the lost tropical forests of this part of 

south-east Brazil. This Atlantic Forest system has suffered from 

large-scale logging and the result has been the loss of many 

birds, plants, mammals and insects species from complex 

ecosystems. We aim to help with the re-planting of many species 

of indigenous hardwood to try and make good some of this loss. 

We are also offering an additional voluntary contribution to be 

made when paying the deposit for your tour. A space has been 

left on the booking form for this. We pledge that 100% of the 

money you donate will go towards the replanting programme. 

Many schemes adopted by other companies have no regulation 

and a large chunk (often over 30%) of the donated money is 

taken to meet running costs. This will NOT be the case with our 

exciting REGUA project. 

A big thank you to all who have made extra contributions; so far 

we have planted many thousands of trees and continue to add 

more each year. In the photos on the previous page you can see 

the amazing transformation of a landscape that was almost 

barren to one that is a haven for birds. The Ornitholidays’ forest 

is close to this amazing scenery. 

For 2014 we have included three tours to REGUA so you can visit 

our woodland while you are there. Please see pages 36 & 37. 

G R E E N TA X E S A N D C A R B O N O F F S E T T I N G 

REGUA tree project 

Regrowth after just a few years 


9

Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

The 

Americas 

North America 

USA 12-21 

Central America & 

the Caribbean 

Costa Rica 24-25 

Cuba 26-27 

Mexico 22-23 

St Lucia 30-31 

Trinidad & Tobago 28-29 

South America 

Brazil 36-39 

Colombia 34-35 

Guyana 32-33 

Ecuador 40-41 

11

U S A – U TA H & A R I Z O N A 

USA – Utah & Arizona 

Scenic Splendour 

Thursday 15 May – Friday 30 May 2014 

Principal Leader: Richard Coomber 

2014 Cost £4,199 single room supplement £490 

T 

his will be Ornitholidays’ seventh tour to the magnificent national parks of southern Utah and north-eastern 

Arizona. This holiday will appeal to those who have joined any of our birding and photographic tours for on this 

trip the scenery is superlative. Starting at the Great Salt Lake, where we should encounter a large number of wetland 

species, we head south towards the canyons and Indian country of the Colorado Plateau. Zion National Park is the 

first of five national parks and monuments included in this tour, not to mention several state parks as well. We stay at 

colourful Bryce Canyon with its thousands of pillars and pinnacles, after which we head into Arizona to the North Rim 

of the Grand Canyon. The North Rim is about 300 metres higher than the southern side, offering a different 

perspective of that awesome abyss through which the Colorado River flows far below. Next on our route is the 

spectacular Monument Valley, featured in many John Wayne movies, and we shall visit the nearby Navajo National 

Monument to view the ruined cliff dwellings of Betatakin. Returning to Utah we stay at Moab, from where we visit the 

dramatic Arches National Park before returning to Salt Lake City for our homeward flight. If you like to combine your 

birding with epic landscapes, a fascinating flora and ecology as well as plenty of unique photographic opportunities, 

then this is the tour for you! 

Zion 

National 

Park 

Salt Lake City 

UTAH 

Bryce Canyon 

Grand Canyon 

ARIZONA 

Moab 

Kayenta 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We catch a flight from London to Salt Lake City 

and we arrive in the evening. We transfer to our 

hotel near the airport where we stay for two 

nights. In the morning we explore the Great Salt 

Lake area starting with a look along the 

causeway to Antelope Island, where we hope to 

find some of the migrating species that pause 

here on their way to their Arctic breeding 

grounds. These might include peeps, 

Sanderlings and phalaropes, along with the local 

Black-necked Grebes, and their numbers could 

be in the thousands in a good year. Amongst the 

sage-covered hillsides of Antelope Island we will 

look for Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher and the 

introduced Chukar. Later we explore the Bear 

River Refuge where, depending on prevailing 

water levels, a variety of shorebirds and wildfowl 

as well as other wetland and grassland species 

are to be found. Species to be looked for during 

the day include Western and Clark’s Grebes, 

American White Pelican, White-faced Ibis, 

Cinnamon Teal, Virginia Rail, Sora, Sandhill 

Crane, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, 

Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, Marsh 

Wren and Yellow-headed Blackbird. 

Days 3 & 4 

Today we leave the Salt Lake conurbation behind 

and head south to our first taste of the splendid 

scenery for which southern Utah is renowned – 

Bryce Canyon, where we stay nearby for the next 

two nights. In the Bryce Canyon National Park the 

combination of winter frosts and summer rains 

have cut the rock into thousands of pillars and 

pinnacles creating scenery quite unlike that 

encountered anywhere else on the tour. The Rim 

Trail overlooks natural Bryce Amphitheatre, an 

eroded basin that covers six square miles. During 

the day we explore the park, perhaps ending 

appropriately at Sunset Point! Birds here include 

White-throated Swift, Violet-green Swallow, 

Townsend's Solitaire, Western and Mountain 

Bluebirds, Mountain Chickadee, Grace's Warbler 

and Green-tailed Towhee. Watching the sunrise 

from the canyon rim can be magical! 

Days 5 to 7 

After a last look around Bryce it will be time to 

move on to Zion National Park, our base for the 

next three nights. The road into the park is quite a 

civil engineering feat that includes a winding milelong 

tunnel through the mountains. We will stop to 

bird and take photographs on the way at a number 

of sites including Checkerboard Mesa. As we 

approach Zion Canyon, we have our first views of 

the massive ramparts that overlook the stands of 

cottonwoods below. Zion National Park, which 

covers almost 60,000 hectares, was once a desert, 

where the winds blew red and white sand to form 

one dune above another to create layers of Navajo 

Sandstone. Since then it has been eroded by the 

elements ever since. It is hard to imagine the 

power of the Virgin River to carve such a place. In 

the canyon bottom cottonwoods and willows, and 

nearby cactus and mesquite, provide a change of 

habitat. At higher elevations we encounter the 

piñyon-juniper belt that will become such a feature 

of the high country during this tour. In these diverse 

habitats we will be looking for California Condor, 

Golden Eagle, Wild Turkey, Rock and Canyon 

Wrens, American Dipper, Gray and Warbling 

Vireos, Black-throated Gray and Virginia's 

Warblers, Western Tanager, Black-headed and 

Blue Grosbeaks and the beautiful Lazuli Bunting. 

The scenery is tremendous with many distinctive 

features such as the Court of the Patriarchs, 

Western Temple, the White Throne and Weeping 

Rock. 

Days 8 & 9 

This morning we continue south and cross into 

Arizona to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon 

Zion Canyon 

12 


Arches National Park 

National Park for two nights’ stay, as we explore 

one of the Wonders of the Natural World. An 

advantage of being based at the North Rim is 

that more than 90% of the Grand Canyon’s 

visitors will be on the South Rim – up to 18 miles 

away in places! The views are awesome and, like 

so many of the places we will be visiting, are not 

to be rushed. With our accommodation being 

close to the Canyon’s rim there is once again the 

opportunity for ‘personal prime time’. One can 

stroll, sit and view at will. The more adventurous 

might consider a mule ride down into the 

Canyon itself. This is Golden Eagle country and 

we shall be on the lookout for eagles and 

Peregrines when we are exploring the rim from 

the various overlooks during our stay. Ponderosa 

Pines and spruce forests line the edges, mixing 

with fresh green-leafed aspen away from the 

brink. This habitat leads to a diversity of bird 

species such as Northern Goshawk, Blue 

Grouse, Wild Turkey, Red-naped and 

Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Hermit Thrush, 

Mountain Bluebird, Pygmy Nuthatch, Grace’s 

Warbler and Western Tanager. Among the 

mammals are Mule Deer, which are quite 

common and may be very confiding, and we 

also hope to see the endemic Kaibab Squirrel. 

Days 10 & 11 

After a last sunrise at the Canyon we drive east to 

pass beneath the aptly-named Vermilion Cliffs, 

which is one of the California Condor reintroduction 

release sites and on our previous 

visits we have been fortunate to see free-flying 

condors. After a lunch stop by the Colorado River 

we enter Navajo country, but probably the only 

Indian ponies we see will be in fields, for the 21st 

century Navajo prefers a pickup from Detroit! By 

late afternoon we reach Kayenta, and our motel 

for the next two nights. During our stay we visit 

the magnificent Monument Valley, which to many 

epitomises the West as portrayed in films and 

advertisements. With the help of a Navajo guide 

we explore the backcountry tracks that wander 

among the buttes and mesas, visiting quieter, 

less-visited areas only accessible to the Navajo. 

Some of the most well-known features are The 

Mittens, rising like fingers from the valley floor. 

Others are the Three Sisters, Camel Butte, Artist’s 

Point and John Ford’s Point, named after the 

filmmaker, who featured so much of the area in 

his Western movies. Photographic opportunities 

abound. A few miles away at Betatakin are the 

ruins of the Anazasi cliff dwellings in the Navajo 

National Monument. We wander through piñyonjuniper 

scrub on our way to the overlook, where 

the flowers form a natural rock garden as they 

seek shelter beneath the gnarled tree trunks. 

Below us, are square houses that nestle in a huge 

alcove in the canyon wall, which were built 

around 1250 AD and abandoned within 50 years 

as climatic change, resulting in poor crop yields, 

forced the inhabitants to move elsewhere. Birds 

to look out for here include Western Scrub-Jay, 

Bushtit and Juniper Titmouse. 

Day 12 & 13 

This morning we head north, returning to Utah and 

transferring to Moab for the Arches National Park – 

a fitting climax to this tour of scenic superlatives. 

Birding on the way might produce Prairie Falcon 

and Golden Eagle, as well as some woodland 

species such as Plumbeous Vireo and Blackheaded 

Grosbeak when we stop for a picnic by a 

cottonwood-lined stream. Nearby we will look for 

the elusive Sage Sparrow. As with so many of the 

tour’s transfers we shall be passing through more 

magnificent scenery. Once checked into our motel 

at Moab, where we spend two nights, we will take 

our first look at Arches National Park during the 

latter part of the afternoon. Our last full day of 

exploration will be amongst the sandstone natural 

arches, buttes and trails of Arches National Park, 

where we will combine driving and walking to see 

the best that the park has to offer. This is a place for 

those early and late photographs as the rocks glow, 

illuminated by the low sun. The trail through the 

Devil’s Garden leads to the graceful span of 

Landscape Arch that, with a width of 92 metres, is 

one of the world’s widest natural freestanding 

arches. Birds today could include Red-tailed Hawk, 

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, Canyon 

and Rock Wrens, Bushtit, Juniper Titmouse and 

Black-throated and Brewer’s Sparrows. 

Day 14 

Before we leave for Salt Lake City we visit one 

more park – Dead Horse Point State Park to view 

the meandering Colorado River cutting through 

the canyons below. On the way we shall be 

looking for Horned Lark, Western Scrub-Jay and 

Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Sage Thrasher 

and Spotted Towhee. If the last rains were good 

then the grasslands on top of the plateau may 

hold some of the best displays of spring flowers 

seen anywhere on the tour. We finally head north 

to Salt Lake City, where we stay overnight. 

Days 15 & 16 

The next day we head to the airport to catch our 

return flight which arrives into London early the 

following morning. 

California Condor 

Outline Itinerary 

Day 1 Fly to Salt Lake City 

Day 2 Salt Lake City 

Days 3-4 Bryce Canyon National 

Park 

Days 5-7 Zion National Park 

Days 8-9 Grand Canyon North Rim 

Days 10-11 Kayenta 

Days 12-13 Moab 

Day 14 Salt Lake City 

Day 15 Depart Salt Lake City 

Day 16 Arrive London 

Party Size 

Maximum of 14 clients (two leaders with 

more than eight clients). 

Accommodation 

Comfortable accommodation in twin/double 

and single rooms, with private facilities. 

Transport 

By minibuses driven by the leaders. 

Includes 

All flights, meals, accommodation, transport, 

entry fees, services of the leaders, airport 

taxes and tips. 

Gradings 

Good 

150 

Warm 

Moderate 

Normal 

Moderate 

Excellent 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Sage Sparrow 

U S A – U TA H & A R I Z O N A 


13

U S A – U TA H & W YO M I N G 

USA – Utah & Wyoming 

Yellowstone & Grand Teton in the Fall 

Thursday 11 September – Saturday 27 September 2014 

Principal Leader: Paul Rogers 


e have already made 14 tours to these great North American National Parks, four during the summer and 

Wten in the autumn. The area is a Mecca for photographers at the latter time of the year, offering the rich 

colours of the Fall, the first snows on the jagged peaks of the Tetons, the steaming geysers and alpine meadows of Yellowstone and of course the 

mighty Bison, Moose and Elk, which should all be rutting. The tour starts with the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake, where numbers of wintering wildfowl 

and migrating shorebirds should satisfy both birders and photographers alike. Then we head north into the dramatic scenery of Grand Teton National 

Park for five nights before moving into Yellowstone National Park for a further five nights, staying close to the world-famous geyser itself. Many species 

of bird will be migrating through the area at this time, and we can expect to see good numbers of ducks, geese and perhaps shorebirds. This tour will 

be full of opportunities for some great photographs. 

Ogden 

Salt Lake City 

UTAH 

Yellowstone National Park 

Grand Teton National Park 

Montpelier 

WYOMING 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We depart from London on flights to Salt Lake 

City, Utah. On arrival we transfer to Ogden for a 

stay of two nights. The next day we visit the 

nearby Bear River Refuge, home to thousands of 

water birds. American White Pelican, Whitefaced 

Ibis, geese, ducks, rails, shorebirds, gulls 

and terns could all be found. Some, such as 

American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt, will 

have bred locally, but others such as ‘peeps’, 

dowitchers, yellowlegs and phalaropes are 

migrants on their way south. 

Days 3 to 7 

This morning we drive north, passing through the 

beautiful wooded Logan Canyon, where we might 

find our first American Dipper, before heading up 

into Wyoming and the grandeur of the Teton 

Mountains. Our base for the next five nights will be 

near to Jackson Lake and the Grand Teton 

Mountains beyond. We have four full days to 

explore the lakes, rivers, canyons and forests of this 

magnificent park, through which flows the Snake 

River lined with cottonwood trees. There will be 

plenty of opportunities to birdwatch and 

photograph at a relaxed pace as we discover such 

areas as Jenny Lake, Schwabacher Landing and 

Cattleman’s Bridge. The habitats vary from 

cascading streams to slow-moving rivers and still 

lakes; from willow flatlands through a whole range 

of deciduous woodlands to coniferous forests, and 

from sagebrush to meadows. Birds in the area 

include Trumpeter Swan, Bald Eagle, Blue and 

Ruffed Grouse, Great Horned Owl, Mountain 

Bison and Old Faithful 

14 


Trumpeter Swan 


Day 1 Fly to Salt Lake City and 

transfer to Ogden 

Day 2 Ogden 

Days 3-7 Grand Teton National Park 

Days 8-12 Yellowstone National Park 

Day 13 Montpelier 

Days 14-15 Ogden 

Day 16 Depart Salt Lake City 


U S A – U TA H & W YO M I N G 

Chickadee, Townsend’s Solitaire, Mountain 

Bluebird and American Dipper. It is a good area for 

mammals and many, both here and later in 

Yellowstone, should present excellent opportunities 

for photography. Smaller species such as 

chipmunks, ground-squirrels and Pika will be 

preparing for hibernation, the latter harvesting 

stacks of vegetation amongst rock-piles to see 

them through to next spring. The lakes hold Beaver 

and we shall look for Coyote on the sagebrush 

plains, where we should also find the Pronghorn 

Antelope - the fastest North American mammal. 

One of the key species here is the Moose, which 

should be rutting at this time of the year. 

Days 8 to 12 

Today we drive north into neighbouring 

Yellowstone. This National Park must be one of 

the jewels in the crown of the United States 

National Parks system. It became the world’s first 

national park in 1872 and now extends for almost 

one million hectares! Our stay is split between 

Gardiner in the northwestern corner of the park 

and Grant Village in the southern part of the park. 

While we are staying at Gardiner we will explore 

the local thermal areas and the Lamar Valley 

where our previous September tours have seen 

Gray Wolf. A visit to Old Faithful, probably the 

world’s most famous geyser, is a must. We 

explore this and several other thermal areas 

during the course of our stay, including the 

bubbling mud pools of the Fountain Paintpots 

and the amazing terraces at Mammoth. Most of 

Yellowstone’s forests are Lodgepole Pine and 

American Three-toed Woodpecker and 

Williamson’s Sapsucker may be found here. 

These forests are home to Red Crossbills and we 

shall also look for the enigmatic Great Gray Owl 

perched on dead snags around the edges of 

conifer-fringed grassy meadows. It is in the 

Hayden Valley, through which the Yellowstone 

River flows, where we shall be looking for large 

mammals. In particular, heavy-headed Bison and 

Black Bear cub 

Moose should both present excellent 

photographic opportunities here. Grizzly Bears 

also occur, but are rarely seen; however, we 

might just be lucky, for at this time of the year 

they are feeding up in anticipation of the winter 

months ahead. The river should still hold 

wildfowl including Canada Geese, Bufflehead, 

Barrow’s Goldeneye and perhaps a late 

Harlequin Duck. Further downstream is the 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a photogenic 

and colourful canyon deeply cut by the river after 

it leaves the Lower Falls. Raptors to be looked for 

include Osprey, Bald Eagle and Prairie Falcon. 

Other species to be sought during the course of 

our stay in the park will include Trumpeter Swan, 

Dusky Grouse, Green-tailed Towhee, Clark’s 

Nutcracker, Gray and Steller’s Jays and, of 

course, migrants passing through the area as 

they head back southwards once more. 

Day 13 

Our return route south will take us back through 

Grand Teton National Park for an overnight 

stop at Montpelier, birding and photographing 

on the way. 

Days 14 & 15 

Birding during the morning will be centred on the 

Bear Lake Refuge, where we shall be looking for 

migratory wildfowl, shorebirds and perhaps 

Sandhill Cranes before we, too, continue south 

to our motel at Ogden for two nights. Our final 

day will be spent exploring Antelope Island and 

the causeway thet connects it to the mainland. 

Migrants are attracted to the area could range 

from shorebirds to such vagrants as Sabine’s 

Gull. On the island we will look for Rock Wren, 

Chukar and migrant passerines. 

Days 16 & 17 

This morning we transfer to Salt Lake City Airport 

for our return flights to London, where we arrive 

early the next morning. 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

130 

Cool to Warm 

Moderate 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Sora Rail 


15

U S A – N E W E N G L A N D 

USA – New England – 

Photographic Tour 

Birds & the colours in the Fall 

Thursday 09 October – Wednesday 22 October 2014 

Leaders: Richard Coomber and local guide 


lorious autumn colours are synonymous with New England and on this new Ornitholidays’ tour we 

Gare combining birding along the coast of Massachusetts with the colours of the trees inland and 

in the neighbouring state of Vermont. We start the tour at Cape Cod, having flown into Boston, and 

there we should find southbound migrants especially harriers, hawks and eagles, shorebirds and 

wildfowl and perhaps passerines such as Blackpoll, Pine and Palm Warblers as well as Cedar Waxwing, 

Evening Grosbeak and a variety of sparrows. Whilst there we will take a whale-watching cruise, 

hopefully seeing shearwaters, petrels and skuas as well as cetaceans at close range. Further northeast 

we stay at Cape Ann, an important area on the Eastern Flyway for migrants. From there we head 

inland to Montpelier, the state capital of Vermont, which will be our base to explore the small towns 

and colourful picturesque landscape of the countryside. They even have old rustic covered bridges for 

the photographers in the party. The Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, the last area we visit, is 

also well-known to ‘leaf peepers’ for its colours. We return to Boston and our return flight home. If 

you've never visited North America before then this would be a good tour to ease you into the New 

World. You've seen pictures of the legendary ‘fall’ colours of New England, so why not join Richard and 

combine the colours of the maples with birding around old Cape Cod and see them for yourself. 

VERMONT 

Montpelier 

Berkshire Hills 

Providence 

RHODE 

ISLAND 

NEW 

HAMPSHIRE 

Concord 

Boston 

MASSACHUSETTS 

Cape 

Ann 

Augusta 

MAINE 

Cape 

Cod 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We fly from London on a morning flight to Boston, 

arriving in the early afternoon and transferring to 

Wellfleet on Cape Cod where we stay for three 

nights. If time permits we will be able to enjoy our 

first birding in the area before dinner. At this time 

of year, the raptor migration is under way on 

Cape Cod, and the wintering waterfowl are 

arriving en masse, along with shorebirds. 

Although most of the song birds have already 

departed, there are still some for us to see. 

Passing raptors could include Northern Harriers, 

Northern Goshawks as well as the two smaller 

accipiter species – Sharp-shinned and Cooper's 

Hawks – that may be snacking on the migrant 

passerines still around, whilst both Merlin and 

Peregrine also pass through. Along the sandy 

and muddy beaches shorebirds will be refuelling 

on their way south as ‘peeps’, Dunlin, Sanderling 

and both Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers 

often mingle with resident American 

Oystercatchers and perhaps a Piping Plover or 

two. We shall also be looking for wildfowl, not just 

those that come for the winter, but migrants as 

well such as Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck 

and Surf Scoter, There are a number of good 

sites in the area including Monomoy National 

Wildlife Refuge and Wellfleet Bay Wildlife 

Sanctuary. 

The next day we join a whale watching cruise 

from Provincetown on the northern tip of Cape 

South Woodbury Church, Vermont 

Cod out into the nutrient-rich waters offshore, 

where we should see Humpback and Fin Whales, 

as well as dolphins, and pelagic seabirds, that 

may well include skuas, Great Shearwaters, 

Wilson's Storm-petrels and perhaps passing 

divers and wildfowl. If time permits we will enjoy 

further birding and exploration of Cape Cod, 

looking for migrants, sparrows and other 

landbirds we might have missed so far. 

Days 4 to 7 

A boat trip this morning should offer more 

opportunities for a variety of shorebirds and 

seals around Orleans and Chatham. Cruising in 

more sheltered waterways we'll be looking for 

landbirds such as Salt-marsh Sharp-tailed 

Sparrow as well as shorebirds, wildfowl and 

Clapper Rails. Later we transfer north-eastwards 

to the North Shore of Massachusetts and our 

base for the next four nights at Cape Ann, on the 

coast between Boston and New Hampshire. 

This area offers some of the best birding in the 

state. During our time here we visit Parker River 

National Wildlife Refuge, a strategic link in the 

chain of refuges along the Eastern Flyway. Its 

habitats range from sandy beaches and dunes, 

to cranberry bog, maritime forest and freshwater 

marshes, although the largest single habitat on 

the refuge is salt marsh. There should be great 

opportunities for birding and photography as we 

explore this rich area, looking for the distinctive 

Ipswich race of Savannah Sparrow in the dunes, 

shorebirds on the flats, whilst the wildfowl should 

include American Black Duck, Greater Scaup, 

Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck and White-winged 

Scoter. 

Along the rocky coasts we can look for Harlequin 

Duck as well as Purple Sandpipers and passing 

sea ducks. Given favourable conditions a sea 

watch should produce shearwaters, Northern 

Gannets and auks, which may include Thickbilled 

Murre and Little Auk. In the harbours of the 

area seals, Common Eiders and a variety of 

gulls, including Bonaparte's may be found. 

Inland we can visit Quabbin Reservoir, the 

16 


Ruffed Grouse 


Day 1 Fly to Boston and transfer 

to Cape Cod 

Days 2-3 Cape Cod 

Days 4-7 Cape Ann 

Days 8-10 Montpelier 

Days 11-12 Berkshire Hills 

Day 13 Depart Boston 


U S A – N E W E N G L A N D 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

Wild Turkey 

largest lake in Massachusetts, and stop in 

historic Concord where in 1775 the first shots of 

the American War of Independence were fired. 

Nearby Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge 

is a good place for herons, egrets and wildfowl, 

where we might also see Ruffed Grouse, 

Northern Harriers, flickers, woodpeckers, 

Eastern Towhee and sparrows. 

Days 8 to 10 

This morning we leave for Vermont and its state 

capital of Montpelier where we stay for the next 

three nights. There should be wonderful 

opportunities to photograph the fall foliage as well 

as taking in numerous small towns and villages with 

their picturesque wooden churches, reflections in 

ponds and iconic covered bridges, such as the one 

across the Winooski River at Coburn that dates 

back to 1851. There will of course be birds to see as 

well, although a change from the variety we will have 

seen along the coast. Birds may include Wild 

Turkey, Brown Creeper, nuthatches, both Rubycrowned 

and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Cedar 

Waxwings, Evening Grosbeak and perhaps even 

Northern Saw-whet Owl. 

Days 11 & 12 

With a last look at the colours in Vermont we 

head westwards to the Berkshire Hills of 

Massachusetts, where we stay for two nights and 

explore more small picturesque New England 

towns and villages, with their apple orchards, 

and picturesque landscapes, keeping an eye 

open for raptors, Wild Turkeys, Northern 

Bobwhite, Eastern Meadowlark and other 

species along the way. 

We have a whole day to explore and photograph 

in the Berkshires. The Berkshires reach 3,491 

feet with the summit of Mount Greylock, the 

highest point in Massachusetts. As we head for 

the top of the mountain we pass through a series 

of ‘life-zones’, Northern Hardwood, Boreal and 

Subalpine, for the rise in altitude of a few 

hundred feet has the same effect as going further 

north by several hundred miles. Needless to say 

the birdlife will subtly change as one climbs 

upwards. However the top of the mountain is one 

of the prime spots in the state for watching 

migrating raptors at this time of the year, so we 

hope to see passing some of the larger, and 

perhaps less common raptors, including 

Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered 

Hawks, both Golden and Bald Eagles, as well as 

Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. Passerines may 

include Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper 

Dark-eyed Juncos, and perhaps a lingering 

wood-warbler or two. 

Days 13 & 14 

We spend our final morning exploring the 

Berkshires further before heading for Boston to 

catch our overnight flight back to London, where 

we arrive the next morning. 

140 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 

American Robin 


17

U S A – F LO R I D A 

USA – Florida 

Winter Birding in the Sunshine State 

Wednesday 14 January – Tuesday 27 January 2015 

Principal Leader: Richard Coomber 

2015 Cost: £3,399 single room supplement £400 

lorida in late January will provide some excellent birding for the start of the year, in a climate that will help the winter at 

F home pass rather more quickly. There is far more to this part of the United States than the concrete high-rise blocks of 

Miami, as this tour will show. We start at the famous Everglades National Park, before working our way north to the Gulf Coast 

and the delights of Sanibel Island, before crossing the state to end up at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge on the state’s Atlantic 

FLORIDA 

Fort Myers 

Naples Park 

Orlando 

Titusville 

Everglades 

coast, where thousands of wildfowl winter. The tameness of the birds ensures excellent viewing and makes this an ideal tour for those 

visiting the New World for the first time and provides photographers with many opportunities for wildlife portraiture. We can expect to find a wealth of 

egrets, herons, wildfowl, waders and wintering warblers. Richard will be giving some workshops on shorebird identification, as well as helping you 

get to grips with American warblers and sparrows! This will be Ornitholidays’ 10th tour to Florida at this time of year. 

Sebring 

Miami 

Florida 

City 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on a flight to Miami and transfer 

to Florida City, where we stay for the next three 

nights. We have three whole days to explore the 

southern part of the Everglades National Park, 

which will provide us with some excellent birding 

and photographic opportunities. At Royal Park 

Hammock, the Anhinga Trail leads us past various 

herons and egrets (including the white form of 

Great Blue Heron), and with luck we might find a 

confiding American Bittern or see Purple Gallinule 

at close range. American Alligators bask on the 

sides of the water channels and a number of 

turtles will be hauled out on the dead tree trunks 

in the water. The Anhingas, after which the trail is 

appropriately named, are a conspicuous feature 

and will probably be well into their breeding 

season. Amongst the swamps are ‘hammocks’ - 

ridges of slightly higher and therefore drier ground 

where large deciduous trees, including West 

Indian species such as Gumbo Limbo, grow. Here 

we might find a number of passerines and 

perhaps Barred Owl. Passing through the 

Everglades, looking for Short-tailed Hawk, we 

notice habitat changes as we approach the coast. 

Sawgrass and Dwarf Cypresses give way to 

mangroves and tidal flats, on which a variety of 

shorebirds feed and Black Skimmers roost at low 

tide and where Ospreys are often fishing. 

Days 4 & 5 

Today we drive round the northern side of the 

national park to reach our hotel near Naples Park 

on the Gulf coast where we stay for two nights, 

with birding en route in the Big Cypress Preserve 

area. Species we shall be looking for include 

Snail Kite and Limpkin. 

The following day Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 

is our main birding area. We explore the National 

Audubon Society Reserve from the boardwalk, 

which meanders for two miles through lofty 

stands of Cypress trees and where, if we are 

lucky, we could see a Barred Owl or two. 

Limpkin, Green Heron and Yellow-bellied 

Sapsucker may also be seen as well as a 

number of passerines, including Tufted 

Titmouse, Carolina Wren, White-eyed Vireo, 

Black-and-white Warbler and the very colourful 

Painted Bunting. 

Days 6 to 8 

We transfer to Fort Myers, for the next three 

nights. During our stay we will spend some time 

birding around J. N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife 

Refuge, one of the best-known birding sites in 

Anhinga 

18 


the United States. Jay Darling was a famous 

cartoonist and the instigator of the duck stamp 

scheme that helps finance the network of wildlife 

refuges. It is an area of controlled and tidal 

lagoons with mangroves. Most of the herons are 

well represented here and we should also expect 

White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill. Wintering 

wildfowl and shorebirds are present and 

Ospreys are very much a feature of the area and 

nest on platforms erected on poles. At low-tide 

Racoons are sometimes seen along the edges of 

the mangroves searching for crabs, where we 

will also look for Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. 

The Gulf Coast shores of Sanibel and 

neighbouring Captiva provide beachcombers 

with a rich harvest of shells at every high tide, 

where parties of Fish Crow join them at this time 

of the year. Wintering shorebirds, Laughing Gull, 

Royal and Forster’s Terns are used to people and 

often provide good photographic opportunities. 

Offshore Magnificent Frigatebird and Northern 

Gannet can also be seen as Brown Pelican ply 

between roosting and fishing sites. We may also 

see Bottle-nosed Dolphins along the Gulf Coast. 

We also birdwatch on the mainland to look for 

Wilson’s and Piping Plovers, Short-billed 

Dowitcher and American Oystercatcher on the 

beaches near Fort Myers. Six Mile Cypress 

Preserve often holds flocks of warblers and 

perhaps we may find Black-and-white and 

Yellow-throated amongst the commoner Yellowrumped. 

The Lee County Manatee Park on the 

Orange River provides us with a chance to see 

the endangered West Indian Manatee; if 

conditions are favourable in the Gulf we can 

watch these gentle giants at close range. 

Days 9 & 10 

This morning we transfer to the Sebring and 

Lake Placid area for a two-night stay, visiting 

Myakka River State Park en route and where, if 

the water levels are favourable, we may see a 

variety of waders along with Blue-winged Teal 

and Pied-billed Grebe on the open water. 

Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle are regularly 

seen hunting the duck. Birds to be looked for 

include Red-shouldered Hawk, Mottled Duck, 

Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Bluebird, Rubycrowned 

Kinglet, White-eyed Vireo and Blue Jay. 

Pairs of Sandhill Cranes often strut around the 

orchards and gardens and with luck we should 

see Whooping Crane, which are part of a reintroduction 

programme currently being carried 

out in the eastern United States. We visit a variety 

of habitats during our stay, including the cattle 

rearing prairies where we may find Crested 

Caracara, Wild Turkey and perhaps Burrowing 

Owl. It is a good area for woodpeckers and we 

can expect to see several species ranging from 

the tiny Downy to the very large Pileated. The 

striking Red-headed occurs as does the Redcockaded 

Woodpecker but the latter can be 

difficult to locate at this time of the year. In the 

open pine woods Pine Warblers and Eastern 

Bluebirds are found. It is also likely we can see 

our first Florida Scrub-Jays. 

Days 11 & 12 

After breakfast we head eastwards, birding en 

route around Kissimmee and St. Cloud, to 

Florida's Atlantic coast for some birding and 

exploration of Merritt Island National Wildlife 

Refuge from our base for the next two nights at 

Titusville. This refuge, adjacent to the Kennedy 

Space Centre, covers 34,000 hectares of scrub, 

marsh and lagoons, where many wintering 

wildfowl and, to a lesser extent, shorebirds 

occur. The network of roads along embankments 

offers excellent vantage points to look for such 

species as Reddish Egret, Little Blue and 

Tricolored Herons, Wood Stork, Canvasback, 

Redhead, Hooded Merganser, American Coot, 

Willet, American Avocet, Glossy Ibis, Caspian 

Tern, Clapper and King Rails and Savannah 

Sparrow. With its large numbers of wintering 

waterbirds and close proximity to our hotel this is 

a great place to end the tour. 

Days 13 & 14 

We have time for some last birding around the 

Merritt Island area before heading west to 

Orlando to catch our afternoon scheduled flight 

to London, where we arrive early in the morning 

of the next day. 

Barred Owl 


Day 1 Fly to Miami and transfer 

to Florida City 

Days 2-3 Florida City 

Days 4-5 Naples Park 

Days 6-8 Fort Myers 

Days 9-10 Sebring 

Days 11-12 Titusville 

Day 13 Depart Orlando 


Party Size 



Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities in 

good quality motels and lodges. 

Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

U S A – F LO R I D A 

Good 

150 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Florida Scrub-Jay 

Roseate Spoonbills 


19

U S A – H A W A I I 

USA – Hawaii 

Iiwis, Omaos & Nenes 

Thursday 16 April – Wednesday 29 April 2015 

Leaders: David Kuhn and Nigel Jones 

2015 Cost £4,799 single room supplement £600 

awaii may be famous for Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour, but it hosts an interesting variety of endemic birds. Spring is the 

Hbest time for birding the Hawaiian Archipelago - the forest birds are most vocal and active, and large numbers of seabird 

species are present. We visit the four main Islands of the group: Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai, in a geographical progression 

beginning in the south-east with the oldest island, and working our way north-west, to the newest. The accommodation and 

transportation during our tour have been selected to optimize comfort and the efficient use of our time and, as armies and bird tours “travel on their 

stomachs”, to afford access to some of the best restaurants to be found, many serving Hawaii’s fabulous seafood delicacies – Ahi, Ono, Opah, 

Opakapaka, to name a few. While it must be said that many of our target birds are difficult to find and sometimes don’t easily give lingering looks, our 

goal is to obtain the best views for as many of our party as our skills, preparation and luck allow. 

KAUAI 

OAHU 

Honolulu 

MAUI 

HAWAII 

(Big Island) 

The single most salient biological feature in Hawaii is the degree of endemism encountered in birds and in all forms of life - a feature that follows 

directly from the Islands’ isolation from other landmasses. The best known example is that some 20 million years ago the first North American finches 

arrived to find an abundance of vacant ecologic niches and the absence of competition, and through the process of adaptive radiation evolved as 

many as 75 species of the group known as Drepanids, or Hawaiian Honeycreepers - the brilliant jewels of the native forests. Some 20 of these species 

remain. Each island is home to a unique cohort of “Dreps” as well as other native forest bird species, and we can focus on these throughout the 

Islands. Along our way we can expect to encounter many of the non-native species introduced in the Islands. Other salient natural features on our 

tour include the active Kilauea Volcano, splendid native forests unique to each island, tropical palm-lined beaches, lava flows, and much, much water, 

from thundering waterfalls to the surrounding great wilderness of the Pacific Ocean. 

Throughout the tour Nigel will have the expert guidance of David Kuhn, Hawaii’s most experienced bird guide. There is the option of extending your 

holiday at either end of the tour by staying in Honolulu for extra nights. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We leave London on a morning flight bound for 

Los Angeles, which connects with an onward flight 

to Hilo, where we arrive later the same day. On our 

descent into Hilo, we may see the peaks of Mauna 

Kea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii’s highest mountains. 

Hilo is on the east side of the island of Hawaii, 

(always known as the Big Island). We meet our 

leader, David Kuhn, and transfer to our hotel for a 

four night stay. From our base in Hilo we venture 

out to windward Mauna Kea and the splendid 

Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, the first U.S. 

Refuge created especially for forest birds. Our 

target species here are the very scarce Io (Hawaiian 

Hawk), Omao (Hawaiian Thrush), Akiapolaau, 

Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Amakihi and the Akepa. 

During our time on Big Island we visit Puu Laau 

leeward of Mauna Kea, which is a drier forest 

ecosystem where we look for Palila, the last 

remaining finch-billed Drepanid. Another area we 

visit is the kipukas, which are pockets of forest 

surrounded by fairly recent lava flows. These are 

found on the slopes of Mauna Kea along the 

Saddle Road and support a variety of endemic 

Hawaiian birds, such as several species of 

Hawaiian honeycreepers and Hawaiian Elepaio (a 

monarch flycatcher). The two most conspicuous 

honeycreepers are the impressive Iiwi and the 

Apapane, both scarlet all over. One day we visit the 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where a good 

network of roads gives us the opportunity to 

explore the natural wonders of the park, including 

the scenic Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile road that 

Nene 

20 


Apapane 

U S A – H A W A I I 


Day 1 Fly to Hawaii (the ‘Big Island’) 

Days 2-4 Hawaii 

Days 5-6 Maui 

Days 7-8 Oahu 

Days 9-12 Kauai 

Day 13 Depart Kauai 


Party Size 


more than five clients). 

Accommodation 



encircles the summit caldera, passing through 

desert and lush tropical rainforest, and provides 

access to well-marked scenic stops, Kilauea 

Caldera, Thurston Lava Tubes, Halemaumau 

Crater, and possibly flowing lava from the Puu Oo 

Vent. If time and birding success allows, we may 

drive up Mauna Kea, an enormous dormant peak 

which rises to over 4,200 metres (over 13,000ft) 

above sea level and is the world’s highest mountain 

as measured from its base on the sea floor. 

Days 5 & 6 

We leave the Island of Hawaii in the morning, and 

fly to Maui, where we stay for two nights. We spend 

most of our time on the island’s most prominent 

topographic feature, the extinct volcano Haleakala, 

meaning “House of the Sun”. Dressed for possible 

cold winds at the 3,050 metres (10,000 ft) summit, 

we can enjoy a most spectacular sunset. Our one 

full day on Maui is to be spent in The Nature 

Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve, at 1,900 metres 

(6,000 ft) just inside Haleakala National Park. Our 

most-wanted species here are the Alauahio (Maui 

Creeper), plus the endangered Drepanids, 

Akohekohe (Crested Honeycreeper) and Kikekoa 

(Maui Parrotbill), two birds that require our keenest 

birding skills! We also visit Kealia Refuge, one of 

Hawaii's best open-water wetlands, where 

Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Stilt (the endemic 

subspecies of Black-necked Stilt), and various 

migrant shorebirds will be of interest. 

Days 7 & 8 

Taking an early flight out of Maui, we soon arrive in 

Oahu, where we have a two-night stay. On our 

descent into Honolulu Airport, we are likely to fly 

over Pearl Harbour. Oahu is the most populous of 

the islands. The important avian attractions here 

are the Oahu Amakihi, Oahu Elepaio, White (or 

Fairy) Tern, and Bristle-thighed Curlew. We look 

offshore for seabirds including Sooty and Greybacked 

Terns and Christmas Shearwater, which 

nest on offshore islets. We may have close looks at 

Red-tailed Tropicbirds which nest on Oahu’s rocky 

Waipoo 

sea-cliffs. En route to various birding sites we may 

encounter many of the introduced bird species 

such as Red-vented and Red-whiskered Bulbuls 

and Common Mynas. Of more interest are 

wintering Pacific Golden Plover and, when we visit 

the coast, the chance to find the rare Hawaiian 

Monk Seal or perhaps a Humpback Whale. 

Days 9 to 12 

We take a flight to Kauai, the Garden Island, and the 

last island on our tour which reveals some of the 

most memorable scenery - historic Kilauea Point 

Lighthouse for observing spectacular seabirds 

such as Laysan Albatross, Wedge-tailed 

Shearwater, Red-footed Booby and Red-tailed 

Tropicbird; Hanalei Wetland Refuge and Taro 

ponds for such endangered species as Koloa 

(Hawaiian Duck); the beautiful tropical white-sand 

beaches of the windward North Shore, backed by 

lush waterfall-laced vertiginous mountains; Waimea 

Canyon on the leeward side, with distant views of 

Mt. Waialeale, referred to as the wettest spot on 

earth; and the Alakai Wilderness, which harbour the 

rare forest endemic birds that we will be seeking 

including Iiwi, Akekee, Apapane, Kauai Elepaio, 

Anianiau and Kauai Amakihi amongst others. The 

Nene (Hawaiian Goose) flourishes most on Kauai 

as there is no introduced mongoose. A pelagic 

birding trip from the south side of Kauai affords our 

best chance of the endangered Newell’s 

Shearwater and Hawaiian Petrel, Christmas 

Shearwater, Mottled Petrel, Black-footed Albatross, 

and some exciting and unpredictable trans-Pacific 

migrants. Also possible are some of the several 

whale species that inhabit the deep waters around 

the Islands, as well as the migratory giant 

Humpback Whales. We may also find Spinner and 

Rough-toothed Dolphins. We stay on Kauai for four 

nights. 

Days 13 to 14 

We catch a midday flight back direct to Los 

Angeles, where we connect with our evening flight 

to London, arriving the next day. 

Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

90 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Kauai Amakihi 


21

M E X I C O 

Mexico 

Western Mexican Endemics 

Friday 17 January – Monday 27 January 2014 

Leaders: Colin Bushell and local guides 

2014 Cost: £3,499 single room supplement £240 

Puerto Vallarta 

MEXICO 

San Blas 

Friday 23 January – Monday 02 February 2015 



Mexico City 

he small Mexican west coast fishing town of San Blas, once the scene of almost total devastation after Hurricane Kenna in 2002, is rightly famous 

T as a top class birding destination. Recovery from one of the strongest hurricanes ever to hit the Pacific coast of Mexico has been both swift and 

impressive (the entire town was virtually in ruins) and thankfully the local bird populations, apart from a few species, remain intact too. With a variety of 

Mexican habitats close at hand, ranging from open ocean, mangrove swamps, tropical dry and semi-deciduous forests to pine-oak woodlands in the 

nearby mountains, San Blas is a perfect base for a birding tour to Western Mexico. Within this suite of habitats we can hope to find many interesting 

species such as Collared Forest-Falcon, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Northern Potoo, Russet-crowned Motmot and White-striped Woodcreeper. Around 

thirty Mexican endemic bird species can be found in the environs of San Blas, some within walking distance of our hotel which, by the way, is 

accustomed to birding groups and of a very comfortable standard. Whilst many of the tropical birds (at their northernmost limit here in San Blas) will 

be of utmost importance, we will not be ignoring the plethora of migrants that spend their winter in the dry thorn forests, coffee fincas, coastal lagoons 

and beaches in the area. The beauty of all this is that most birding sites are only a short distance from San Blas that holds records for number of species 

seen for Christmas Bird Counts and "Big Day" totals. We have also included a short pelagic to see whales and dolphins. Travel with Colin, on our 

second and third tours to San Blas, and see why this tour to this small area of Mexico is such a great addition to the Ornitholidays’ suite of holidays. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We leave London in the morning on a flight to 

Mexico City, arriving later the same day. We transfer 

to a hotel near the airport where we stay overnight. 

Days 2 to 9 

We return to the airport for our early morning flight 

to Puerto Vallarta, where we enjoy a three hour 

boat trip in Banderas Bay looking for Humpback 

Whales, plus Bottle-nosed, Spinner and Spotted 

Dolphins. Our agents here have been studying 

the whales since 1996 and are founder members 

of a conservation group dedicated to research, 

conservation and protection of these 

Humpbacks. Our guide will explain the behaviour 

of these magnificent creatures as we watch them 

breach, slap their tails, travel or play or fight. We 

return to Puerto Vallarta for lunch before travelling 

to our hotel in San Blas where we stay for the 

remainder of the tour. 

During our stay in the state of Nayarit at San Blas 

we will have many birding options available to 

us, mostly within a short distance of San Blas. 

Typical birds close at hand include Common 

Black-Hawk, Mexican Parrotlet, Citreoline 

Trogon, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Sinaloa 

Crow, Black-throated Magpie-Jay, San Blas Jay, 

Happy Wren, Yellow-winged Cacique and 

Rufous-backed Thrush. 

The San Blas area is dotted with lagoons and 

pools allowing us to take a break from birding 

the forest and arid scrub. At this time of year we 

should see a variety of shorebirds having arrived 

from the north and spending the winter on the 

Pacific coast of Mexico. Great Blue and 

Tricolored Herons, Reddish Egret, Limpkin, 

Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Northern 

Jacana, Semipalmated Plover, Black-necked 

Stilt, Marbled Godwit, Western and Least 

Sandpipers and Long-billed Dowitcher can all be 

expected at this time of year. Blue-winged Teal 

loaf around on islands in the lagoons while Ringnecked 

Duck and Lesser Scaup can be found in 

the deeper channels. 

Weedy fields and scrubby woodland patches are 

worthy of inspection around town (especially if 

there are any fruiting trees) with Rufous-bellied 

Chachalaca, Elegant Quail, Russet-crowned 

Motmot, Lineated Woodpecker, Purplish-backed 

Jay, Happy Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Rosy 

Thrush-Tanager and Painted Buntings all possible. 

Russet-crowned Motmot 

By way of a change we have the opportunity to 

explore the nearby mangrove forests by boat. 

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-billed Heron, 

Muscovy Duck and two species of whistlingducks 

should be seen as we coast quietly along 

the channels watching out for crocodiles as we 

go. Raptors here include Great and Common 

Black-Hawks as well as Crane Hawk and 

Laughing Falcon. Collared Forest-Falcons can 

even be seen here as well. By mooring in a likely 

spot we may be able to lure Mangrove (Yellow) 

Warblers into view by imitating the rather 

monotonous call of a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (a 

species that may also appear of course). 

Patience and diligence will be required to find 

the "San Blas Mangrove Specialities" - the 

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail or Mangrove Cuckoo 

however. We will make sure that one of our 

mangrove trips is in the evening so that we may 

do a bit of spotlighting as Northern Potoo 

appears at dusk. This strange nocturnal species 

can often be found on a stump in the middle of 

the mangroves, easily located by its "eye shine" 

in the beam of the lamp. Pauraque and maybe 

Mottled Owl can be seen on an evening trip too. 

Another boat trip takes us offshore with Brown 

Pelicans and many Magnificent Frigatebirds for 

company as we make our way out of the mouth 

of the Estero in search of Brown and Blue-footed 

Boobies. The rocky shores are a good place to 

find Yellow-crowned Night-Herons and the 

handsome Heermann's Gull should be located 

with Ring-billed Gulls on the beaches. 

A couple of short excursions take us to the wellknown 

birding sites of Singayta and La Bajada. 

Scrub with marshland and tropical palm and 

semi-deciduous forest-covered hillsides 

dominates, with coffee plantations providing 

extra cover lower down. The marsh at Singayta is 

a good site for White-throated Flycatcher that 

winters here in some numbers, but Willow and 

Least Flycatchers are also present so prepare for 

an identification headache! Open fields should 

be checked for Stripe-headed Sparrows and the 

sky checked for raptors such as Hook-billed Kite 

and Crane and Zone-tailed Hawks before 

22 


Bare-throated Tiger-Heron 

M E X I C O 


Day 1 Fly to Mexico City 

Days 2-9 San Blas 

Day 10 Depart Puerto Vallarta 


Party Size 

Maximum of eight clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibus. 

Includes 




Green Jay 

venturing into the forests. White-fronted Parrot is 

fairly regular here, especially if there are any 

fruiting trees locally. Elegant Trogons provide a 

splash of colour amongst the dowdier (but no 

less important) Ivory-billed Woodcreepers and 

Bright-rumped Attilas that occur here. Singayta is 

also a reliable site for Fan-tailed Warbler and Redbreasted 

Chat, both Mexican endemic species, 

while Lesser Ground-Cuckoos can often be 

heard calling from the thickets. 

La Bajada is a coffee-growing village in the 

foothills and the forested slopes host a variety of 

species hard to find around San Blas. Colima 

Pygmy-Owl, Mexican Hermit, Mexican 

Woodnymph, Grey-crowned Woodpecker, 

Golden Vireo and Rusty-crowned Ground- 

Sparrow (all endemics) can be seen here. The 

scarce Grey-collared Becard can also be found 

here, so we will have to inspect any passing 

mixed-species flocks as we make our way down 

the track from the top of the hill. Warbler flocks at 

La Bajada can contain Nashville, Black-throated 

Grey, Crescent-chested, Black-and-white, 

Wilson’s and Rufous-capped Warblers, 

American Redstarts, as well as Plumbeous, 

Warbling and Cassin’s Vireos. 

On one day we travel away from San Blas, calling 

at Mirador del Aguila, en route to Cerro de San 

Juan. The viewpoint here overlooking the canyon 

is one of the most reliable sites for Military Macaw 

in north-western Mexico as well as a good place 

to see Black-throated Magpie-Jays (and Great 

Swallow-tailed Swift has been seen here). The 

cool pine-oak forests of Cerro de San Juan make 

a pleasant change from the lowlands of San Blas. 

The road climbs through brushy thickets into the 

woodlands and stopping from time-to-time along 

this road allows us to see a good selection of 

upper elevation birds. Mixed species flocks are of 

course a good indicator of when to pull-over and 

may include Arizona Woodpeckers, Olivaceous 

and White-striped Woodcreepers, Rose-throated 

Becard, Green Jay, Crescent-chested and Redfaced 

Warblers, Flame-coloured and Red-headed 

Tanagers and Audubon's Oriole. 

Blue Mockingbird may be found skulking in the 

roadside undergrowth where, if in flower, up to 

ten species of hummingbird can be found in 

winter. Ruby-throated, Costa's and Calliope 

Hummingbirds are often found in a bank of 

flowers along a stretch of road, but we will be 

hoping to see Mexican Woodnymph and 

Bumblebee Hummingbird here. Reaching the 

plateau (checking the grasslands for Lesser 

Roadrunner) just before the road winds back 

down through semi-deciduous forest, we will 

check the treetops for Grey Silky-Flycatchers, 

Black-headed Siskins and Eastern Bluebirds that 

can often be found here. White-eared and 

Berryline Hummingbirds, Rufous-capped 

Warbler, Painted and Slate-throated Redstarts 

and Tufted Flycatcher are just a few of the other 

special birds we may see at Cerro de San Juan. 

Days 10 & 11 

In the afternoon we leave for the airport at Puerto 

Vallarta, where we catch our return flight to 

London, via Dallas Fort Worth, arriving the 


Gradings 

Good 

220 

Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Heermann’s Gull 


23

C O S TA R I C A 

Costa Rica 

Classic Neotropical Birding 

Monday 17 March – Monday 31 March 2014 

Leaders: Simon Boyes and local guides 

Monday 17 November – Monday 01 December 2014 

Leaders: Paul Rogers and local guides 


Arenal Volcano 

National Park 

Puerto Viejo 

de Sarapiqui 

Punta 

Leona 

San José 

Rancho 

Naturalista 

COSTA RICA 

Savegre 

Highlands 

Monday 16 March – Monday 30 March 2015 

Leaders: Nigel Jones and local guides 


rnitholidays has been visiting Costa Rica for over 20 years now, and we have run over 30 tours to this bird-rich country. We have now put together 

Oa new itinerary, visiting many new sites, and increasing the number of species to be found in this 15-day tour. We stay at some fantastic lodges, 

including the world-famous Rancho Naturalista. This should entice those who have already visited to think again about coming back to this 

Neotropical paradise for birds. We are also running the tour twice a year, once in March and again in November. 

Costa Rica is only the size of Wales, but it has an astonishing range of habitats and birdlife. Ten per cent of the land area comprises national parks 

and a further ten per cent is protected as biological or forest reserves. Cloud forest, lowland tropical forest, dry savannah, mangroves and freshwater 

marshes are all covered and this new itinerary takes in lodges with a wider range of altitudes, giving us greater bird diversity. Some of the star birds 

we would hope to see include Resplendent Quetzal, Sunbittern, Snowcap, Black-crested Coquette, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Scarlet and Great 

Green Macaws, Baird’s Trogon, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan and Snowy Cotinga to mention just a few. 

Distances are comparatively short, allowing more time in the field. Several factors make this an especially attractive tour, including the friendliness of 

the local people, the peaceful stability of the country (it is a democracy with no standing army), the great profusion of wildlife and the government’s 

enlightened attitude towards it. In addition, our agents provide a highly efficient, expert and personal service, and supply very experienced naturalist 

guides. As is usual on tropical tours we will be up early most mornings to take advantage of the coolest and clearest time of day. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We leave London in the morning, and arrive into 

San José in the evening and make the short 

transfer to our hotel for a stay of one night. 

Days 2 to 4 

After some morning birding in the grounds of the 

hotel, where we should find our first Rufouscollared 

Sparrows and Great-tailed Grackles, we 

move via the Orosi Valley, to the premier birding 

lodge in the country, Rancho Naturalista where 

we stay for three nights. This lodge is a birding 

paradise, with lovely rooms and food and great 

birding right on its doorstep, set in the premontane 

rainforest zone of the Caribbean Slope. 

From the balcony we can see Grey-headed 

Chachalaca, Passerini’s and Crimson-collared 

Tanagers and Montezuma’s Oropendola. We can 

spend part of the next two days watching the 

hummingbird feeders and the bathing pools – 

each evening Violet-crowned Woodnymph and 

the amazing Purple-crowned Fairy come in to 

bathe as they keep their bodies clean from the 

debris of their hectic lives. Other species visiting 

here include the Tawny-throated Leaftosser and 

Great Tinamou. The lodge hosts a large list of 

birds seen from its trails and some of its 

specialities include: Tawny-chested Flycatcher, 

Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, White-crowned 

Manakin, White-throated Flycatcher, Dull-mantled 

and Spotted Antbirds, Thicket Antpitta and Blackthroated 

Wren. Certainly two species that 

everyone wants to see here are the diminutive 

Snowcap hummer and the delightful Sunbittern 

and we shall make sure that we make a special 

effort to have good views of both of these species. 

Keel-billed Toucan 

Days 5 & 6 

After some final birding around the lodge we briefly 

visit Tapanti National Park. Here we may find some 

highland specialities including Golden-browed 

Chlorophonia and Prong-billed and Red-headed 

24 


Sunbittern 

C O S TA R I C A 

Coati 

Barbets. We then move to the oak highlands of the 

Savegre Valley, staying at the lovely Savegre 

Mountain Lodge for two nights, set in the Cerro de 

la Muerte region of the Cordillera de Talamanca. 

This is another beautiful setting, next to a swiftly 

tumbling montane river. The surrounding 

vegetation includes lilies, fuchsias, mauve 

melastoma, wild dahlia and gunnera. At the 

hummingbird feeders we can look for Whitethroated 

Mountain-gem, Green Violet-ears and 

Magnificent, Volcano and Fiery-throated 

Hummingbirds. In the tall pines around the lodge 

we may find Yellow-bellied Siskins and Sulphurwinged 

Parakeets. We shall make a short excursion 

to look for one of the key birds of the country – the 

amazing Resplendent Quetzal. The males are 

dazzling with their iridescent green plumage and 

elongated tails (over two feet in length). Here there 

are also Black-and-yellow and Long-tailed Silky- 

Flycatchers, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, 

Barred Becard, Collared Redstarts, Flame-throated 

Warbler, Acorn and Hairy Woodpeckers, Ruddy 

Treerunner and Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager. The 

cool air of the mountains here is very refreshing and 

the food (and the coffee) excellent. 

Days 7 to 9 

Today we head for the Pacific Coast and spend the 

next three nights at the Punta Leona Beach Resort, 

near Carara. The emphasis on our stay here will be 

to enjoy the lovely beach setting (and the resort’s 

swimming pool) but also visit the Carara National 

Park. In the warm tropical air we may find groups 

of raucous Scarlet Macaws, Chestnut-mandibled 

Toucan, Baird’s Trogon, Turquoise-browed 

Motmot and male Orange-collared Manikins 

snapping at their lek. There will also be Boat-billed 

Heron, Pale-billed Woodpecker and Streakchested 

Antpitta. We also take an afternoon boat 

ride on the Rio Tarcoles. Here, the density of 

herons, egrets and kingfishers is remarkable. In 

particular, we can look for American Pygmy 

Kingfisher, Mangrove Hummingbird, Southern 

Lapwing and Double-striped Thick-knee. Flocks of 

White Ibis fly up ahead of the boat, and Royal 

Terns, Laughing Gulls and various waders rest on 

the beach. Raptors include Osprey, Mangrove 

Black Hawk, Crested and Yellow-headed 

Caracaras. Enormous American Crocodiles haul 

out on the muddy banks. 

Days 10 & 11 

After breakfast we transfer to the Arenal 

Observatory Lodge, where we stay for two nights, 

with great views of the smoking volcano and 

Arenal Lake. The lodge is located within the 

Arenal Conservation Area and offers the chance to 

explore the Caribbean Slope's rainforest. Its 

strategic location and elevation of 2,400 feet 

produces a combination of lowland and middle 

elevation species. Birding around the observatory 

can produce Green and Shinning Honeycreepers, 

Hepatic Tanager, Orange-bellied Trogon, Blackcrested 

Coquette, Green Thorntail, Violet-headed 

Hummingbird, Smoky-brown and Golden-olive 

Woodpeckers, Grey-headed Kite, White Hawk, 

Crested Guan, Great Curassow, Gray-headed 

Chachalaca and Montezuma’s Oropendola. The 

trails into the primary forest often produce species 

such as Spotted and Bicoloured Antbirds, 

Nightingale and Striped-breasted Wrens, Plainbrown 

Woodcreeper, Streak-crowned Antvireo 

and Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush. 

Days 12 & 13 

We spend the morning at the Arenal Hanging 

Bridges, which are a circuit of trails and elevated 

walkways, allowing views over the dense 

canopy of some areas of primary forest. Mixed 

flocks may contain Streak-crowned Antvireo, 

Slaty Antwren, Spotted Woodcreeper, Northern 

Barred-Woodcreeper, White-fronted Nunbird and 

Scarlet-rumped Cacique. Other birds to be found 

here include Keel-billed, Rufous and Broad-billed 

Motmots, Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Shorttailed, 

Grey and White Hawks and occasionally 

Ornate Hawk-Eagle. There are also Howler, 

Spider and White-faced Monkeys. Later, we 

transfer to La Quinta at Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui 

for a stay of two nights. The next day we visit the 

wooded trails of the research station of La Selva, 

where we will be spoilt for choice: Great 

Curassow, Crested Owl, Tiny Hawk, Slatybreasted 

Tinamou, Red-footed Plumeleteer, 

Crowned Woodnymph, Broad-billed Motmot, 

Black-throated Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Whitefronted 

Nunbird, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, 

Snowy Cotinga, Rufous Piha, Rufous Mourner, 

White-collared Manakin and Shining 

Honeycreeper can all be found here. 

Days 14 & 15 

This morning we can visit the La Paz Waterfall 

Garden, a park with lots of feeders and a 

hummingbird garden where we might hope to 

find Coppery-headed Emerald, Magenta 

throated Woodstar, Sooty-faced Finch and 

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. After lunch we 

transfer to San Jose where we catch our return 

flight, where we arrive in London next day. 


Day 1 Fly to San José 

Days 2-4 Rancho Naturalista 

Days 5-6 Savegre Highlands 

Days 7-9 Punta Leona 

Days 10-11 Arenal Volcano National Park 

Days 12-13 Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui 

Day 14 Depart San José 


Party Size 

Maximum of 12 clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By private coach and minibus 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

410 

Cool to Hot 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

American Pygmy Kingfisher 


25

C U B A 

Cuba 

Endemic Birds & Winter Visitors 

Monday 17 February – Friday 28 February 2014 

Leaders: Mike Witherick and local guides 


Monday 02 March – Friday 13 March 2015 



Viñales 

Havana 

Playa Larga 

CUBA 

Cayo Coco 

La Belen 

hen Columbus landed in the New World on this, the Caribbean’s largest island, he described it as the most beautiful that eyes have ever seen. 

WSince then its history has fostered the names of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, and the world has watched this last bastion of Communism from 

afar. Now, as it slowly embraces some capitalist ideals, tourism is becoming an integral part (if not a mainstay) of Cuba’s economy, as the money 

derived from tourism is used to help maintain the communist system. To this end the country is investing money in the tourist infrastructure, and hotels 

are being upgraded to Western standards; beds are comfortable, rooms have all amenities, the food is a mix of the international and the endemic, 

and the service generally is of a high standard. Cuba is one of the hot spots of island endemism with 25 unique species and with ongoing research 

surely more will yet be added. Names like Zapata Wren, Cuban Tody, Cuban Solitaire, Cuban Trogon and Zapata Sparrow are just some of the 

interesting birds to be found. We have timed our stay to coincide with the movement of migrants going from their wintering grounds in the south to 

their breeding grounds in North America. We will find many of the colourful wood warblers, such as American Redstart, Northern Parula and Prairie, 

Black-and-White, Yellow-throated and Black-throated Blue Warblers. Link this great birdlife with the interest of a communist regime, lovely beaches, 

friendly people and some superb scenery and you have the makings of a marvellous holiday. Also, there are few places in the Caribbean that offer 

such great value for money than Cuba. Over the last 15 years we have refined our itinerary, which now includes an all-inclusive hotel in the package, 

so for two nights most of the drinks are free! Arrangements can be made if you want to extend your stay on the island. Travel with us now and see 

why we think Cuba is possibly our most exciting Caribbean destination – we feel sure that you won’t be disappointed. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We fly on a scheduled morning flight directly from 

London to Havana, arriving in the afternoon. Here 

we transfer to our hotel in the beautiful Viñales 

valley, dominated by mogotes (limestone knolls), 

for dinner and a stay of two nights. Our first birds 

should include Antillean Palm Swift, Cave Swallow, 

Cuban Martin, Greater Antillean Grackle, 

Loggerhead Kingbird, Cuban Bullfinch, Cuban 

Grassquit, Cuban Blackbird and the tiny Cuban 

Tody. We shall hear the haunting song of the 

Cuban Solitaire and, with luck, be able to find it at 

its song post. There is a good chance of seeing the 

threatened Gundlach’s Hawk. We shall drive to 

Viñales National Park where we hope to find Olivecapped 

Warbler, Cuban Green Woodpecker, 

Yellow-headed Warbler and Western Spindalis. 

We can check out some wetland areas for herons, 

egrets, gallinules and grebes. 

Days 3 to 6 

We transfer this morning to Playa Larga, near to 

the ill-famed Bay of Pigs. We stay here on the 

south coast for four nights. Around the hotel 

we may find the enigmatic Stygian Owl, 

Cuban Tody 

26 


Bare-legged Owl 

C U B A 


Day 1 Fly to Havana 

Day 2 Viñales 

Days 3-6 Playa Larga 

Days 7-8 La Belen 

Days 9-10 Cayo Coco 

Day 11 Depart Havana 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Caribbean Flamingo 

Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds, Yellow-bellied 

Sapsuckers and plenty of wood warblers 

passing through. This area is probably the 

richest in Cuba for birdlife as we are near the 

Montemar National Park, and the famous Zapata 

swamp. Our main excursions will focus on forest, 

coastal and swamp habitats. In the former, we 

will be especially keen to find Fernandina’s 

Flicker, Cuban Vireo, Bare-legged Owl and the 

diminutive Bee Hummingbird, as well as the 

elusive quail-doves, particularly the endemic 

Blue-headed Quail-dove. At this time of the year, 

the coastal lagoons hold Caribbean Flamingo 

(so much brighter than their Western Palearctic 

relatives), Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Stork and 

White Ibis, as well as waders on passage. These 

lagoons offer our best chance of finding the 

increasingly rare Wilson’s Plover. Raptors 

hereabouts include Gundlach’s and Common 

Black Hawks. In the National Park itself, we shall 

search for Zapata Sparrow and the skulking 

Zapata Wren. In addition there are plenty of other 

species to see and enjoy, including Red-tailed 

Hawk, Snail Kite and Red-shouldered Blackbird. 

Days 7 & 8 

We now move to our hotel at La Belen for a stay 

of two nights. We will spend most of our time in 

and around La Belen Reserve. This area is one of 

dry forest where they have been trying to 

increase the number of nesting parrots by 

selectively killing a small number of Royal Palms 

each year. Once they have died the West Indian 

Woodpeckers drill out nesting holes, which are 

then used by the parakeets and parrots. This is 

an endemic ‘hot spot’, holding as it does the likes 

of Cuban Palm Crow (perhaps one of the rarest of 

the endemics), Cuban Crow, Cuban Parakeet, 

Cuban Nightjar, Cuban Pygmy-owl and Giant 

Kingbird. Other sought-after species include Plain 

Pigeon and Cuban Parrot, as well as a small 

population of breeding Limpkin. There are also 

wetlands here where we may find West Indian 

Whistling-Duck, Masked Duck, Northern Jacana 

and a number of wintering wood warblers. 

Days 9 & 10 

Today we drive to Cayo Coco on the north coast 

where we stay for two nights. This is a small 

island with woodland, mudflats, beaches and 

wetlands and mudflats. The key species here are 

Cuban Gnatcatcher and Thick-billed Vireo. The 

thickets that fringe the shores are good for 

migrant warblers. The waterbirds of Cayo Coco 

often include Reddish Egret and Clapper Rail as 

well as many waders such as Black-necked Stilt, 

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary 

Sandpiper, Willet, Western and Least 

Sandpipers, Stilt Sandpiper and Short-billed 

Dowitcher. The other delight of the area is our 

hotel, as it is an “all-inclusive”, so we can 

celebrate the ending of our tour with as many 

cocktails as we desire – at no extra charge. The 

hotel has a superb swimming pool, as well as a 

white sandy beach. There will be time for 

relaxing and swimming with the colourful fish 

that can be found here. 

Days 11 & 12 

After an early breakfast, we drive back across the 

causeway looking at the lagoons for Redbreasted 

Mergansers, Reddish Egrets, colourful 

flocks of Caribbean Flamingos, Northern 

Caracaras and even Sandwich Terns resting on 

the parapets. We arrive into Havana in time for 

lunch. The rest of the afternoon will be taken up 

by a tour of the city. This will provide the chance 

to see some of the old English fortifications and 

also some of the lovely architecture that make 

the historic centre such an attractive location. We 

catch the early evening flight home and arrive in 

London the following day. 

Transport 

By private coach. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

140 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Cuban Parrots 


27

T R I N I D A D & T O B A G O 

Trinidad & Tobago at Leisure 

Caribbean Paradise 

Monday 10 March – Sunday 23 March 2014 



Monday 16 March – Sunday 29 March 2015 



T 

rinidad and Tobago – the southernmost pair of islands in the Caribbean – make up one of the 

world’s smallest states. The national language is English and the birds are typically South 

American. These islands provide an easy introduction to a bewildering new set of families that 

confront the first-time visitor to Latin America. We visit a wide range of habitats on these small 

islands, including elfin forest, montane and lowland rainforest, savannah grassland, mangrove, fresh 

and saltwater swamps, ocean beaches and coral reefs. 

Blanchisseuse 

Caroni 

Swamp 

TOBAGO Speyside 

Scarborough 

Roxborough 

Asa Wright Centre 

Port of Spain 

Arima 

TRINIDAD 

Nariva 

Swamp 

Our stay on Trinidad will be based at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre. This is a former coffee, cocoa and citrus plantation where it is a delight to 

stay. The view from the veranda over the Arima Valley is breathtaking, and to be able to see seven species of hummingbird visiting the feeders outside 

the window is something never to be forgotten. The Centre is conveniently situated near the island’s Northern Ranges – essentially a spur of the Andes 

– and is excellent for many montane bird species. Later, our stay on Tobago will enable us to see a few specialities that do not exist on Trinidad, and 

we shall be able to explore an excellent sea-bird island and some beautiful coral reefs. Bring your mask and snorkel – if that takes your fancy! 

Our tours are timed to see some wintering 

migrants from North America, when the weather 

is normally warm and dry. Without a doubt, these 

tours will offer not only excellent birding, but also 

good food and a warm welcome from these 

Caribbean people. We have now run over 60 

tours to the islands, and we are proud to 

announce that Ornitholidays has carried more 

birdwatchers to Trinidad and Tobago than any 

other birding company in the world. Our 

experience here is unrivalled and we believe we 

have the right formula to make sure that this is a 

holiday that you will never forget! 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 8 

We leave London on our flight for Trinidad, where 

we arrive in the evening and transfer to the Asa 

Wright Centre for a stay of eight nights. We awake 

to an early morning bird watch from the Centre's 

veranda and we can expect to see 30 or more 

species before breakfast, as the birds are attracted 

to feeders and fruiting bushes. Our first 

hummingbirds should include White-necked 

Jacobin, Tufted Coquette, Copper-rumped and 

Blue-chinned Sapphire. Crested Oropendolas and 

Orange-winged Parrots will be calling loudly; Palm 

Tanagers and Bananaquits will be everywhere. 

After breakfast we will explore the extensive 

grounds of Asa Wright. Sightings should include 

colourful species like Trinidad Motmot, Channelbilled 

Toucan and Golden-olive Woodpecker as 

well as a range of flycatchers and tanagers. After 

lunch, we will continue bird watching in the 

grounds. The afternoon route will include a visit to 

a White-bearded Manakin lek, where the 

displaying males dance and utter a sound that 

resembles exploding popcorn. Other exciting birds 

we may find include the noisy Bearded Bellbird 

and three species of trogon. 

Trinidad Motmot 

The programme for our stay at the Centre is varied 

and we shall visit a number of habitats. 

On one day we shall drive up to the Northern 

Ranges and pass over the ridge to Brasso Seco. 

Here, we can hope to see trogons, more flycatchers 

28 


Scarlet Ibis 

Tufted Coquette 


Day 1 Fly to Trinidad 

Days 2-8 Trinidad 

Days 9-12 Tobago 

Day 13 Depart Tobago 


T R I N I D A D & T O B A G O 

and maybe a beautiful White Hawk. Turkey and 

Black Vultures will be a common sight as they patrol 

the slopes, and we may spot Magnificent 

Frigatebirds flying with them. Fantastic blue Morpho 

butterflies float between the trees here. 

The savanna at Wallerfield and Aripo is the only 

remaining grassland in Trinidad and provides a 

home to many unusual species of birds. We can 

hope to see Savanna and Zone-tailed Hawks, 

Sulphury Flycatcher and Yellow-rumped Cacique. 

We will visit an area at dusk for Common Potoo, 

Pauraque and White-tailed Nightjar, as well as 

Tropical Screech-Owl. The Aripo area is used for 

raising water buffalo for meat production, and the 

open fields are good for seeing Southern 

Lapwing, Red-breasted and Yellow-hooded 

Blackbirds, Giant and Shiny Cowbirds as well as 

Green-rumped Parrotlet, Yellow-throated Spinetail 

and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater. 

After visiting the Aripo area we reach the east 

coast at Manzanilla for a picnic lunch beneath 

palm trees as Short-tailed Swifts speed overhead. 

We then visit an area of the Nariva Swamp and 

the eastern coast. The nearby mangrove is one of 

the best sites to see Silvered Antbird, Blackcrested 

Antshrike and American Pygmy 

Kingfisher while on Trinidad. The coast here has 

a long fringe of coconut palms and we shall 

search for Gray Hawk, Yellow-headed Caracara 

and Pearl Kite. Water levels within the swamp 

fluctuate and influence the birds recorded which 

may include Pinneated Bittern, Long-winged 

Harrier, gallinules, Limpkin and White-tailed 

Goldenthroat. At dusk, we will witness the Redbellied 

Macaws and Moriche Oriole coming in to 

roost back at Wallerfield. 

One morning will be spent visiting the Oilbird caves 

in the grounds of AWNC where some of these 

unique nocturnal frugivores will be seen at their 

roost. Another will involve exploring parts of the 

Northern Ranges close to the Centre in search of 

rarer species such as Trinidad Euphonia and Sooty 

Grassquit. A morning trip can be taken to the TSTT 

communication tower above Asa Wright, where 

Trinidad Piping-guan has recently been found, 

together with Speckled and Blue-capped Tanagers. 

On another day we visit Waterloo on the west coast 

for shorebirds and a variety of gulls and terns that 

should include Black Skimmer. Later that day we 

will take a boat trip through Caroni Swamp to see 

the spectacle of hundreds of Scarlet Ibis coming to 

roost, setting alight the mangrove bushes with their 

colour. Several species of heron and egret will also 

be seen in great numbers. On the outward part of 

the cruise, we will keep a lookout for Masked 

Cardinal and Common Potoo, whilst during our 

return to the landing stage Boat-billed Heron and 

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron might be seen. 

Days 9 to 12 

After breakfast, we drive to Piarco Airport and 

catch the late-morning flight to Tobago. We will 

eat our picnic lunch in the grounds of the Grafton 

Estate, another former plantation now set aside 

for nature conservation. Here we might see our 

first Blue-backed Manakin, as well as Rufousvented 

Chachalaca and Red-crowned 

Woodpecker. Afterwards, we will spend a little 

time at some wetlands where we hope to find 

White-cheeked Pintail, Black-bellied Whistling- 

Duck and American Purple Gallinule, as well as 

adding to our list of waders. We then transfer to 

Blue Waters Inn (our base for the next four 

nights) with its idyllic beach setting and views 

across to the island of Little Tobago. 

During the three full days the emphasis is very much 

of leisure and having the opportunity to do your own 

thing. A number of half-day excursions will be on 

offer. One afternoon we take the glass-bottomed 

boat to Little Tobago and during the crossing marvel 

at the coral reefs with their multi-coloured fish and 

varied sponges. On the island, we look for Redbilled 

Tropicbird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Audubon’s 

Shearwater, Brown and Red-footed Boobies. Royal 

Terns and Laughing Gulls will be in attendance. 

Other half-day excursions will include a walk along 

the Starwood Trace up behind the hotel. This will 

allow us to catch up with some of Tobago’s special 

birds, such as Scrub Greenlet, Black-faced 

Grassquit, White-fringed Antwren, Ruby-topaz 

Hummingbird and Caribbean Martin. We can also 

visit a hummingbird gallery. There will be one fullday 

excursion and this will be to the rain forested 

hills to the north of Roxborough. We start by walking 

along the Gilpin Trace, where we may find the 

endangered White-tailed Sabrewing. Venezuelan 

and Fuscous Flycatchers, Blue-backed Manakin, 

Plain Antvireo and Yellow-legged Thrush are among 

other species we would hope to see. After a picnic 

lunch at the lookout overlooking Bloody Bay, we will 

walk down part of the Roxborough road. Particular 

species to be sought include Red-legged 

Honeycreeper, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Rufoustailed 

Jacamar and Great Black Hawk. 

Days 13 & 14 

The morning can be spent at leisure, taking a 

last swim or walking along one of the local 

traces. Later, we catch a flight back to London, 

where we arrive early next morning. 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities at the 

Asa Wright Centre and Blue Waters Inn. 

Transport 

By private coach and minibus. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

200 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Bearded Bellbird 


29

S T LU C I A 

St Lucia at Leisure 

Pitons & Parrots 

Friday 24 January – Saturday 01 February 2014 



Castries 

Marigot Bay 

Dennery 

ST LUCIA 

Friday 23 January – Saturday 31 January 2015 



Soufrière 

Micoud 

rnitholidays has been visiting the Caribbean for over 35 years now and we have run a very successful suite of 

Otours to Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Our new tour to the small island of St Lucia 

has a very relaxed feel to it, which will suit those people who want to birdwatch but also relax – or else couples where 

one is a birder and the other just wants a warm, sunny, beachside break. Our holiday is based at a lovely hotel with 

access to the sea, with pools and shady places to spend the hot part of the day. 

Vieux 

Fort 

St Lucia is one of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. It is of volcanic origin and still has some areas that are active. The Pitons, the most 

notable landmark on the island, are two volcanic plugs. Some fine rainforest still exists on the mountain chain that runs from north to south and this 

is the home to much of the bird life. The island has a mixed history of settlement and conquerors. The Arawak Indians were overrun by the Caribs, 

who were later deposed by the British and then the French. Alternating rule finally ended with the island’s independence in 1979. 

The island of St Lucia can boast an impressive 

list of birds, which includes five endemic 

species - these are the St Lucia Parrot, St Lucia 

Oriole, St Lucia Warbler, St Lucia Pewee and St 

Lucia Black Finch. It also has 14 Lesser 

Antillean endemics – so this is a tour that will 

complement the species lists of those clients 

who have already visited Trinidad and Tobago 

or Cuba. We have also included a whale 

watching trip, where you might spot Humpback 

or Sperm Whales, various dolphins plus Redbilled 

Tropicbird and Royal Tern. 

The holiday will be run “At Leisure” with the 

birding mainly taking place in the mornings and 

then the afternoon free to relax. Travel with 

Nigel (a keen snorkeller) and see why St Lucia 

is a great addition to our set of Caribbean tours. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We leave London in the morning on a direct flight 

to St Lucia, where we arrive in the late afternoon. 

We transfer to our hotel, where we spend the next 

seven nights. A rum punch sundowner this 

evening will be the first of many! 

Days 2 to 7 

Each day is designed to be different over the next 

six days, with trips to various locations. Our plan is 

to be active in the morning and return for lunch at 

the hotel and then relax. The grounds of the hotel 

itself will provide our first encounters with some of 

the Lesser Antillean endemic species – in fact at 

the breakfast table, where the Lesser Antillean 

Bullfinch will probably be trying to steal the jam! 

We can also hope to see Zenaida Dove, 

Bananaquit, Carib Grackle, Grey Trembler, Bareeyed 

Thrush, Purple-throated Carib, Antillean 

Crested Hummingbird, Lesser Antillean Saltator 

and Tropical Mockingbird. 

On one day we shall visit the major land mark of 

the area the Pitons. There are birds to be found 

here and we can hope to see Lesser Antillean 

Swift, Caribbean Martin and House Wren 

(regarded by some as an endemic species, St 

Lucia Wren). We can also visit the Sulphur Springs 

while we are in this area – this is an active 

geothermal area, with gaseous vents and sulphur 

Mangrove Cuckoo 

30 


Green Heron 

St Lucia Parrot 

S T LU C I A 


Day 1 Fly to St Lucia 

Days 2-7 St Lucia 

Day 8 Depart St Lucia 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibuses. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

pools. It is possible to partake of a volcanic mud 

bath, which is reputed to have efficacious 

properties. 

The Edmond State Forest preserves a tract of 

rainforest and we shall make sure we are here early 

one day to see some of the islands special birds – 

all five endemic species can be see here, and we 

shall look to the fruiting trees and hope to get a 

close view of the St Lucia Parrot (or Jacquot). This 

species declined severely in the last century due to 

persecution and the taking of birds to be caged, 

but due to a superb educational programme and 

by making it the national bird of St Lucia, the 

species has made a remarkable recovery (ask any 

child on the island the name of the national bird and 

they will say “Jacquot” remarkably quickly!). We 

can walk along the shaded trails and hope to see 

St Lucia Oriole, St Lucia Black Finch, St Lucia 

Warbler, St Lucia Pewee, Broad-winged Hawk, 

Ruddy Quail-Dove, Black-whiskered Vireo, 

Antillean Euphonia, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Lesser 

Antillean Flycatcher, Pearly-eyed and Scalybreasted 

Thrashers, Rufous-throated Solitaire and 

Green-throated Carib. Without a doubt St Lucia is 

one of the best places to see a species that can be 

elusive elsewhere – the Mangrove Cuckoo, and we 

would hope to have a few sightings on the trails in 

this forest. 

At the southern tip of St Lucia lie the Maria Islands 

and, if weather conditions permit, we can take a 

short boat trip to land on these rocky outcrops. 

They are the breeding site for terns, boobies and 

shearwaters, but at this time of the year we shall 

probably only encounter Magnificent Frigatebird, 

Brown Booby and perhaps Red-billed Tropicbird 

and Royal Tern. The islands are also home to five 

endemic reptiles, including two very rare snakes - 

the St Lucia Whiptail and St Lucia Racer. For those 

who care to snorkel from the white sand beach 

you may encounter many colourful fish and 

perhaps a Hawksbill Turtle. 

The eastern side of the island is much drier than 

the western shore and here we shall look for one 

of the island’s declining breeding species, the 

White-breasted Thrasher. Threatened with housing 

developments and perhaps competition from 

other species, the numbers have fallen 

dramatically over the last few decades. We may 

also find Eared Dove, Caribbean Elaenia, Grey 

Kingbird, Common Ground-dove, Black-faced 

Grassquit, American Kestrel and Yellow Warbler. 

Areas of standing fresh water are uncommon on 

the island, but in the south-east we may visit one 

that holds Great and Snowy Egrets, Little Blue, 

Green and Great Blue Herons, Common Gallinule 

and perhaps Blue-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, 

Belted Kingfisher and Osprey. 

An offshore boat trip will allow us to view some of 

the cetaceans that occur around these islands. We 

have the chance to spot both Humpback and 

Sperm Whales and maybe Gray’s Spinner and 

Pantropical Spotted Dolphins. Birds could include 

Royal and Cabot’s Terns, Laughing Gull and 

perhaps both Red-billed and White-tailed 

Tropicbirds. 

We shall make sure we enjoy the beach-side resort 

where we are staying as there is safe snorkelling, 

with some nearby small reefs, shady relaxing 

spots and some good local walks. The beach bar 

is friendly and serves a fine rum punch! 

Days 8 & 9 

After some final local birding, or a last swim, we 

transfer to the airport where we catch the evening 

flight to London, arriving the next morning. 

50 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Easy 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Hawksbill Turtle 


31

G U YA N A 

Guyana 

Rainforests, Watercourses & Wilderness 

Saturday 01 March – Friday 14 March 2014 



T 

GUYANA 

his small country on the northeast shoulder of South America is seldom visited by birdwatchers, yet it offers all the 

avian richness of the lowland forests and savannas of adjacent Venezuela, and a tourist infrastructure that makes it 

accessible in greater comfort. Indeed, tourism in the country is experiencing a rapid development and some new lodges 

provide accommodation in pristine forest settings and interesting savanna habitats. This tour makes an ornithological 

reconnaissance of the country, visiting Guyana’s coastal plain and its wilderness interior of untouched rainforest and 

intermediate and grassland savannas. Not only do these habitats hold over 800 bird species, but they are home to mammals such as the Jaguar, Puma, 

Giant Otter, Giant Anteater and more than six species of monkey. Just over 70 of the country’s bird species are endemic to the Guiana Shield (an area of 

ancient rocks shared with Brazil and Venezuela). Among these, perhaps the most colourful are the Blood-coloured Woodpecker, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, 

White-throated Toucan, Red-shouldered Macaw and Green Aracari. The itinerary includes travel on a number of small watercourses and on the great 

Essequibo River, as well as a visit to Kaieteur Falls, surely one of the world’s most imposing scenic wonders. 

Kaieteur 

Falls 

Surama Iwokrama 

Atta 

Annai 

Karanambu 

Georgetown 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London in the morning and fly, via Port 

of Spain, to Georgetown, arriving in the evening. 

We then make the short journey into Georgetown 

and transfer to Cara Lodge, a lovely old wooden 

hotel built in the colonial style, where we stay for 

two nights. The next morning we travel along the 

coast to the Mahaica River, where a stop may 

produce the resident pair of Rufous Crab Hawks, 

a selection of migrant waders such as yellowlegs 

and Willet, plus the localised White-bellied 

Piculet. After lunch we visit the beautiful Botanic 

Gardens where, if we are lucky, we may see the 

Blood-coloured Woodpecker, an astonishingly 

colourful Veniliornis found only in the Guianas. 

The gardens are also home to a variety of 

macaws, such as Blue-and-Yellow and Redshouldered, 

as well as Festive and 

Yellow-crowned Amazons. There is a fine colony 

of herons and egrets and we can look out for 

Lesser Kiskadee and Common Black Hawk. 

Days 3 & 4 

This morning we take a flight to Karanambu 

Ranch, our base for two nights. This is the home 

of Diane McTurk, widely known for her work 

rehabilitating orphaned Giant Otters. During our 

time at Karanambu we can make a boat 

excursion up the Rupununi River and visit a pond 

full of Royal Lilies with their giant tray-like leaves. 

On the way, we hope to see Cocoi and Capped 

Herons, Green Ibis, Jabiru and Crestless 

Curassow, as well as Ringed, Amazon, Green 

and Green-and-rufous Kingfishers. Nearby, we 

walk in search of Capuchinbird, Bearded Tachuri, 

Blue-backed Manakin, Little Chachalaca, Blackcrested 

Antshrike, White-fringed Antwren, 

Short-crested Flycatcher and Bare-necked 

Fruitcrow. The local savanna also holds Blackcollared 

and Savanna Hawks, Crested Bobwhite 

and Vermilion Flycatcher, while Giant Anteaters 

roam the area in search of termites. After dinner, 

we may venture out onto the airstrip in search of 

nighthawks and nightjars. 

Day 5 

After a final morning at Karanambu, we leave after 

lunch and assuming the water levels in the 

nearby Rupununi River are high enough we 

board motorised canoes for the two hour ride to 

Ginep Landing. Herons and kingfishers will again 

be centre stage, but we can look out for raptors, 

such as White-tailed and Crane Hawks, and for 

Giant Otter and two species of caiman. At Ginep, 

we are met by vehicles and then transported 

across the savanna to Rock View Lodge at Annai, 

where we spend the next night. With its tropical 

gardens and flowering trees, our lodge 

Sunbittern 

32 


G U YA N A 

Giant Otter 

Black Curassow 

resembles an oasis in the savanna, and attracts 

birds such as Glittering-throated Emerald, 

Burnished-buff Tanager, and Pale-breasted 

Thrush. In the late afternoon we set out on the 

road to Camundi Bach, for Cinereous Mourner, 

Reddish Hermit, Rufous-bellied Antwren and 

Yellow-billed Jacamar, Fork-tailed Flycatcher and 

Savannah and Black Collared Hawks as they 

patrol the grassland. At dusk we can look for the 

Nacunda Nighthawk and White-tailed Nightjar. 

Days 6 & 7 

Today we can look for Amethyst Woodstar, Whitechinned 

Sapphire, Long-billed Starthroat and 

several hermits as they patrol the flowers. Nearby 

forest patches are home to Amazonian Scrub 

Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike and a 

variety of antbirds. We then make the short 

journey to Surama where we stay for two nights 

at Surama Eco Lodge. There are an excellent 

range of species at Surama, with one of the 

undoubted specialities of the area being the 

Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo. We also plan to 

do some night birding and will hope to locate the 

recently split Northern Tawny-bellied Screech- 

Owl, as well as Tropical Screech-Owl, Lesser 

Nighthawk, White-tailed Nightjar and both Great 

and Common Potoos. The next morning we can 

look for species such as Red-legged Tinamou, 

Painted Parakeet, Dusky Parrot, Lilac-tailed 

Parrotlet, Pale-throated Barbthroat, Rufousthroated 

Sapphire, Guianan Puffbird, Northern 

Slaty-Antshrike, Rufous-bellied Antwren, Whitebrowed, 

White-bellied and Ferruginous-backed 

Antbirds, Lemon-chested and Ashy-headed 

Greenlets and Finsch’s Euphonia. 

Days 8 & 9 

Today we depart for Corkwood where there is a 

comparatively short trail to a lek of the Guianan 

Cock-of-the-rock. Other birds which can be found 

here include Great Tinamou, Greater Yellowheaded 

Vulture, Spix’s and Marail Guans, 

Thrush-like Antpitta, Chestnut-rumped 

Woodcreeper and Spotted Puffbird. On our journey 

we can look for Crimson and Purple-necked 

Fruitcrows, Crimson Topaz, Green Oropendola, 

Spotted Puffbird, Scarlet and Red-and-green 

Macaws, Blue-cheeked and Orange-winged 

Parrots and Gray-winged Trumpeter. If it is still 

active, we can visit a nearby Harpy Eagle nest. 

Later we drive to Atta, where we stay for two nights. 

A major attraction here is the 154-metre long 

canopy walkway 30 metres above the ground with 

four platforms, close to our accommodation. 

Amongst the likely highlights are Golden-winged 

Parakeet, Caica Parrot, Guianan Puffbird, Waved 

and Golden-collared Woodpeckers, Spot-tailed 

and Todd’s Antwrens, Grey Antbird, Olive-green 

Tyrannulet and Fulvous Shrike-Tanager. 

Days 10 & 11 

We have a final morning to explore the forests 

around Atta Rainforest Lodge and we then head 

north towards the Iwokrama River Lodge, by the 

Essequibo River, where we stay for two nights. We 

plan to make a number of short stops and species 

we could encounter include Blue-cheeked Amazon, 

Red-billed Woodcreeper, Spix’s and Marail Guans, 

Grey-winged Trumpeter and Red-fan Parrot. The 

Iwokrama Forest is in the heart of one of four last 

untouched tropical forests of the world – The 

Guiana Shield of North-Eastern South America. 

Iwokrama is home to many bird species including 

Capuchinbird, Black Nunbird, Chestnut-rumped 

Woodcreeper, Amazonian Antshrike, Brown-bellied 

Antwren, Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Green Aracari, 

Guianan Toucanet, Guianan Red and Pompadour 

Cotingas, Bronzy Jacamar, Chestnut and Waved 

Woodpeckers, Grey Antbird and Strong-billed 

Woodcreeper. Close by the lodge is a Capuchinbird 

lek, while Rufous-winged Ground-Cuckoo is also a 

possibility here. In the evening we can take a river 

trip to look for night-birds and reptiles. The next 

morning we travel to the foot of Turtle Mountain 

where Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Sunbittern, 

Sungrebe, Greater Ani, and Green-and-rufous 

Kingfisher hunt. Later we continue through the 

forest, looking for Red-fan Parrot, Red-throated 

Caracara, Double-toothed Kite, White-plumed and 

Ferruginous-backed Antbirds and Royal Flycatcher. 

We return to the lodge for lunch and later we can 

look for a wide variety of antbirds including 

Cinereous Antshrike, Brown-bellied and Pygmy 

Antwrens, Dusky and Rufous-throated Antbirds, 

Black-faced Antthrush and Spotted Antpitta. 

Days 12 to 14 

This morning we take a charter flight to Kaieteur, 

the world’s highest free-falling waterfall. Though 

Venezuela’s Angel Falls are greater in total 

height, their drop occurs by stages whereas 

Kaieteur is a single, massive, thundering cataract 

100 metres wide, created as the Potaro River 

makes a sheer drop of 228 metres, nearly five 

times the height of Niagara. The spectacle is the 

more impressive for its remoteness: we may be 

the only people viewing it. Here we hope to find 

White-tipped Swifts swirling over the gorge, and 

perhaps we may be lucky enough to see Orangebreasted 

Falcon as it hunts for swifts. After lunch 

we take a flight back to Georgetown and stay 

overnight at Cara Lodge, where we have our 

farewell dinner. The next day we return to the 

airport for our flight to London, where we arrive 

the next morning. 


Day 1 Fly to Georgetown 

Day 2 Georgetown 

Days 3-4 Karanambu 

Day 5 Annai 

Days 6-7 Surama 

Days 8-9 Atta 

Days 10-11 Iwokrama 

Day 12 Georgetown 

Day 13 Depart Georgetown 


Party Size 

Maximum of nine clients. 

Accommodation 


and single rooms at all the hotels/lodges, 

with private facilities. At Surama there are a 

limited number of single rooms. 

Transport 

By minibus, Land Rover and boat. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

280 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Yellow-billed Cacique 


33

C O LO M B I A 

Colombia 

Birding’s Final Frontier 

Saturday 22 November – Sunday 07 December 2014 

Leaders: Trevor Ellery and local guides 


Las Tangaras 

olombia has more bird species than any other country but unlike other species-rich Neotropical 

C destinations such as Peru, Ecuador and Brazil it has been relatively neglected by birders of late. 

However many birding groups have visited Colombia in the recent past, travelling to the western and central 

Andes featured in this tour. Ornitholidays fifth tour to Colombia will concentrate on the Bogotá plateau during the first 

full day with some endemic birds found nowhere else in Colombia such as Bogotá Rail and Apolinar’s Wren. After a brief 

stop in the Cauca Valley we move to the Choco where the humid montane forests hold many avian jewels such as Gold-ringed 

and Purplish-mantled Tanagers that could be amongst the top birds on our “wish lists”. The endangered Yellow-eared Parrot will 

be just one of the rare birds we hope to see in the Andes. A highlight of this exciting tour is the Caribbean coast where we visit the 

Guajira Peninsula and the Santa Marta Mountains and bird the dry forests and humid cloud forests for a wide variety of new birds including Goldenwinged 

Sparrow, White-whiskered Spinetail, Blossomcrown, Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta Toucanet, Santa Marta Antpitta, Santa Marta 

Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Warbler, Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager, and Santa Marta Brush-Finch. In fact just about anything 

with “Santa Marta” in the name! Whilst concentrating much of our effort on the endemic birds we can also take time to search for many of the other 

desirable species that Colombia has to offer – these include Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Barred and Rufous-throated Puffbirds, Whitetipped 

Quetzal, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, Golden-breasted Fruiteater and Lance-tailed Manakin. We are guaranteed a warm welcome in Colombia as this 

diverse South American country opens up and tourism develops. 

Medellin 

Jardin 

Minca 

Santa 

Marta 

Rio Hacha 

Bogatá 

COLOMBIA 

El Dorado 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We leave London in the early morning for 

Colombia arriving in Bogotá in the late afternoon. 

On arrival in the capital we meet our local guide 

and transfer to our hotel where we have dinner 

and stay overnight. 

Santa Marta Parakeet 

Day 2 

Today we visit Parque La Florida, a small park 

near the airport on the high elevation plateau 

where Bogotá sits. This remnant marsh supports 

populations of some very important birds (many 

of them endemics) despite extensive drainage of 

much of the surrounding landscape. Apolinar’s 

Wren and Bogotá Rail (both endemics) can be 

seen here with their home ranges restricted 

solely to swamps on this tableland. This wetland 

is a good site to see Noble Snipe, Spot-flanked 

Gallinule, Pied-billed Grebe, Blue-winged Teal 

and Masked Duck on the pools and in the 

channels, but the tree-lined borders and copses 

are not to be ignored with possibilities including 

the near endemic Rufous-browed Conebill and 

endemic Silvery-throated Spinetail. Subtropical 

Doradito is often seen in the reed-beds here too. 

Later, we head back to Bogotá for a flight to 

Medellin where we stay overnight. 

Days 3 to 5 

We start early this morning dropping down to the 

outskirts of Medellin to visit La Romera. We take 

a field breakfast and search for Yellow-headed 

Manakin, Red-bellied Grackle and some 

commoner Andean species. We will leave La 

Romera in the morning for the Cauca Valley 

where we take lunch and look for Greyish 

Piculet. Continuing to the Choco in the afternoon 

we transfer to jeeps for a short stretch of the 

journey near the lodge. We should have some 

time for some birding around the lodge at Las 

Tangaras where we stay for the next three nights. 

We have two full days to explore the Las 

Tangaras Reserve where we can expect to see a 

good variety of Choco specialities: possibilities 

include Black-and-gold, Glistening-green, 

Rufous-throated, Purplish-mantled and Saffroncrowned 

Tanagers, Yellow-breasted and 

Ochre-breasted Antpittas, Black Solitaire, Cloudforest 

Pygmy-Owl, Uniform Treehunter, Pacific 

Tuftedcheek, Star-chested Treerunner, Choco 

Brush-Finch, Olive Finch, Toucan Barbet, 

Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Choco Vireo, Whiteheaded 

Wren, Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, 

Yellow-collared and Chestnut-breasted 

Chlorophonias, Beautiful Jay, Chestnut Wood 

Quail, Bronze-olive Pygmy Tyrant, Narino 

Tapaculo and Crested Ant-Tanager. The 

hummingbird feeders attract Velvet-purple 

Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, White-tailed Hillstar, 

Empress Brilliant, Tawny-bellied Hermit, 

Greenish Puffleg, Brown Inca, Booted Racket-tail 

and Purple-throated Woodstar. Purple-bibbed 

White-tip and Wedge-billed Hummingbird can be 

found in the forest. It is possible to see Goldringed 

Tanager higher above the lodge and 

foothill species such as Yellow-green Bush- 

Tanager, Ochre-breasted, Grey-and-gold, 

Scarlet-and-white, Emerald, Tawny-crowned and 

Dusky-faced Tanagers, Choco Tapaculo and 

Choco Warbler at lower levels. 

Days 6 & 7 

We leave the lodge early this morning and take 

an almost traffic-free road to a ridge around 

2,500m. Our main target here is the endemic 

Munchique Wood-Wren and we have a chance of 

many quality Andean species too including 

34 


Santa Marta Screech-Owl 

Tanager Finch, Barred and Green-and-black 

Fruiteaters, Lachrymose Mountain-Tanager, 

White-capped Tanager, Slate-crowned and 

Rufous Antpitta, White-browed Spinetail, 

Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, 

Flammulated Treehunter, Black-billed Mountain 

Toucan, Black-throated and Rufous-crowned 

Tody-Tyrants, Rufous-headed Pygmy Tyrant, 

Slaty Brush-Finch and Northern Mountain 

Cacique. Later we head to Jardin where we stay 

for the next two nights. If time permits we may 

visit an Andean Cock-of-the-Rock lek this 

afternoon as well. The next morning we visit the 

Yellow-eared Parrot Reserve to look for this 

endangered species as they leave their roost at 

dawn and then spend the rest of the day birding 

slowly back down the road. We have a second 

chance to look for Tanager Finch as well as 

Chestnut-crested Cotinga, a species with a 

patchy Andean distribution. The mix of 

temperate species is similar to that of the 

previous morning but we will also look out for 

Yellow-vented Woodpecker, Grass-green and 

Metallic-green Tanager, Oleaginous 

Hemispingus, Ocellated and Spillmann’s 

Tapaculos, Speckle-faced Parrot, White-capped 

Dipper, Rusty-winged Barbtail and Buff-breasted 

Mountain -Tanager. We expect to return to Jardin 

in the early evening. 

Day 8 

We leave Jardin early this morning and drive to 

the Cuaca valley. Our main targets here are three 

endemics: Greyish Piculet, Apical Flycatcher and 

Colombian Chachalaca. We can also look out for 

lower elevation species including Barred 

Antshrike, White-whiskered Puffbird, Specklebreasted 

Wren and Pale-eyed Pygmy Tyrant. 

Later we head to Medellin to catch a flight to 

Santa Marta. After lunch, and a siesta at out hotel 

near the airport, we can check a nearby site for 

the endemic Chestnut-winged Chachalaca. 

Days 9 to 11 

Today we head towards the Minca area and start 

looking for the many Santa Marta specialties that 

can be found here. We can take a packed lunch 

to give us flexibility and will work our way 

gradually up to El Dorado Lodge where we stay 

for three nights. Most of the day will be spent 

birding on our way and we aim to arrive in the 

late afternoon for a little more birding from the 

lodge balcony. We have two full days to explore 

the Santa Marta Mountains in search of the many 

endemics that occur there. This will be some of 

the most exciting birding of the whole tour with 

so many endemic species confined to these 

montane forests. Birding at elevations from 

2,300m to 2,700m we look for Santa Marta 

Woodstar, Blossomcrown, Yellow-crowned 

Whitestart, Santa Marta Toucanet, Santa Marta 

Tapaculo, Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Santa 

Marta Warbler and Santa Marta Brush-Finch. 

Further exploration of the San Lorenzo ridge may 

reveal Band-tailed and Sickle-winged Guans, the 

endemic Santa Marta Parakeet, White-tailed 

Starfrontlet, Black-backed Thornbill, Whitetipped 

Quetzal, Streak-capped Spinetail, the 

endemic Rusty-headed Spinetail, Santa Marta 

Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta Mountain-Tanager and 

Santa Marta Brush-Finch. The Santa Marta 

Antpitta can, like the majority of antpittas, be 

difficult to see but feeding techniques like those 

used in Ecuador are being introduced here to 

make this species easier to find. It is worth noting 

some of the distinctive subspecies here like the 

Cinnamon Flycatcher. We spend a full day at the 

higher elevations on the ridge and the one day at 

mid to low elevations nearer the lodge during our 

stay at Santa Marta, but the lodge with its feeders 

and nearby trails is worthy of close inspection. 

Day 12 

We spend the morning birding areas below the 

El Dorado Lodge in search of Santa Marta 

Tapaculo and Rusty-breasted Antpitta before 

returning to the lodge for lunch and making a 

slow descent to Minca birding along the way for 

Rosy Thrush-Tanager and other species. We 

spend the night at Minca. 

Day 13 

In the morning we can bird around Minca, 

watching the hummingbirds and checking out 

the forested roadside before taking an early 

lunch and driving over to the Guajira Peninsula to 

Rio Hacha where we overnight. We finish our day 

in the arid scrub looking for Vermilion Cardinal, 

Chestnut Piculet, Russet-throated Puffbird, 

White-whiskered Spinetail and Glaucous 

Tanager. 

Day 14 

We spend the morning birding the desert scrub 

at Los Flamencos National Park in search of 

species we may have missed yesterday plus 

wetland species such as Reddish Egret, Roseate 

Spoonbills and shorebirds. Later we take a flight 

back to Bogotá and spend the night in the 

capital. 

Days 15 & 16 

This morning we visit Laguna de Tabacal to look 

for the near-endemic Grey-throated Warbler, Barcrested 

Antshrike, Rusty-breasted Antpitta and 

Rosy Thrush-Tanager before ending our tour at 

“The Enchanted Garden” watching 

hummingbirds as we relax with a coffee. The 

endemic Indigo-capped Hummingbird may be 

seen as well as Gorgeted Woodstar and more 

common and widespread species such as 

White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Brown 

Violetear, Black-throated Mango, White-bellied 

Woodstar, White-vented Plumeleteer, Violetcrowned 

Woodnymph and Rufous-tailed 

Hummingbird. We return to Bogotá in the 

afternoon for our evening flight back to London 

which arrives the next day. 

Blossomcrown 


Day 1 Depart London, arrive Bogotá 

Day 2 Medellin 

Days 3-5 Las Tangaras 

Days 6-7 Jardin 

Day 8 Santa Marta 

Days 9-11 El Dorado 

Day 12 Minca 

Day 13 Rio Hacha 

Day 14 Bogotá 

Day 15 Depart Bogotá 


Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms with private facilities. 

Transport 

By small coach, minibus and four-wheel 

drive vehicles. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

500 

Bogotá Rail 

Mainly Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

C O LO M B I A 


35

B R A Z I L 

Brazil 

Atlantic Forest Special 

Saturday 26 July – Monday 04 August 2014 

Leaders: David Walsh and local guides 

Saturday 06 September – Monday 15 September 2014 


Sunday 14 September – Tuesday 23 September 2014 



BRAZIL 

REGUA 

Rio de Janeiro 

São Paulo 

razil is one of the world’s most exciting birding destinations. Its huge size and diverse range of habitats enable it to harbour a staggering 1,700 bird 

B species, nearly 200 of them only found in Brazil. The coastal forests in the southeast of the country have been seriously depleted over the last two 

centuries with less than 7% of the original cover remaining, much of it fragmented. These Atlantic Forests are important refuges for bird species, once 

widespread here before the impact of man on the landscape. REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) protects one of the last stands of tropical 

rainforest left in the severely depleted Atlantic Rainforest, or Mata Atlântica, in Brazil. REGUA’s primary objective is to protect the remaining forest and 

biodiversity from deforestation, hunting and over-extraction of natural resources. We are indeed fortunate to be able to spend our one-centre tour here, 

travelling out to various sites to bolster the impressive list of birds (currently around 435 species) available at the reserve. The Guapiaçu Bird Lodge is 

ideally situated for our requirements with birding on our doorstep. Green-headed and Ruby-crowned Tanagers, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Swallow-tailed 

Hummingbird and Chestnut-backed Antshrike may be found in the borders of the garden. There are many trails accessed by foot or after a short ride in the 

vehicle and we will see a great variety of Atlantic Forest endemic birds which may include White-necked and Mantled Hawks, Crescent-chested Puffbird, 

Rufous-capped Motmot, Pin-tailed Manakin, Bare-throated Bellbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, several dazzling tanagers and with luck the rare Elegant Mourner 

(Shrike-like Cotinga). After a great day in the field we can relax with a Caipirinha (a delicious Brazilian cocktail) outside the lodge with the sound of rails 

and crakes ringing out from the wetland bordering the forest. There is even a swimming pool if you want to cool off that way. In September the holiday can 

be extended, either by taking the two tours back-to-back, or by joining the Pantanal tour. Please ask for a special price. Please note that this area of Brazil 

is non-malarial and has no yellow fever. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 8 

We leave London on a direct flight to Rio de 

Janeiro. We arrive into Rio de Janeiro in the 

evening and we are met by our driver and 

transfer to Guapiaçu Bird Lodge in the REGUA 

reserve. The journey takes approximately an hour 

and a half. Staying at the lodge throughout this 

tour for eight nights our program will be flexible, 

but will include birding in the forest and wetlands 

nearby, as well as some excursions by minibus. 

REGUA boasts a bird-rich wetland within easy 

reach of the lodge, in fact many of the roosting 

egrets can be seen from the lodge grounds and 

rails and crakes can be heard from the garden. 

This habitat provides us with a nice gentle 

introduction to REGUA’s avifauna and quality birds 

may include Masked Duck, Capped Heron, 

Rufescent Tiger-Heron, Slaty-breasted Wood-Rail, 

Blackish Rail, Rufous-sided Crake, three species of 

kingfisher, Wing-banded Hornero, Yellow-chinned 

Spinetail, White-headed Marsh-Tyrant and Masked 

Yellowthroat. The route to the wetland along the 

forest borders provides an opportunity for us to 

become acquainted with some of the more 

common Atlantic Forest endemics such as Yellowlored 

Tody-Flycatcher, Long-billed Wren and the 

stunning Brazilian Tanager. We will linger a while in 

patches of forest, listening intently for the repetitive 

song of the handsome Crescent-chested Puffbird, 

a species found only in the Atlantic Forests of 

Brazil and quite numerous here. In the more open 

areas we will scan the sky for Black Hawk-Eagle or 

Grey-headed Kite and listen for passing flocks of 

Orange-winged Parrots. In the evening we may 

see Pauraque, Tawny-browed Owl or Ferruginous 

Pygmy-Owl near the lodge. 

Some days involve spending a little bit more time 

away from the lodge with a packed lunch. The 

Waterfall Trail is worthy of almost a full day with the 

reward of taking lunch overlooking a spectacular 

waterfall deep in the heart of REGUA’s forest. We 

Blue-winged Macaw 

stop at a few feeders in a clearing on the way, 

where we should see Violet-capped Woodnymph 

and Saw-billed Hermits, before entering the forest 

trail where we may encounter our first Rufousbreasted 

Leaftosser and Blue Manakin. The stands 

of bamboo here are the haunt of the Slaty 

Bristlefront, a strange ground-dwelling tapaculo 

that sometimes struts into view like a miniature 

clockwork chicken. Deep sided banks are the 

breeding sites of Rufous-capped Motmot so we 

can linger a while in any suitable places for this 

rather unobtrusive species. The path passes 

through a few small clearings where Spot-billed 

Toucanets can sometimes be seen and the loud 

clanging song of Bare-throated Bellbirds are heard 

over the distant forest canopy. Slowly but surely 

we can begin to increase our bird list as each 

corner and recess reveals different Atlantic Forest 

specialities. Star-throated Antwrens scold from the 

undergrowth while overhead the distinctive song 

of the Spot-backed Antshrike can be detected as 

this range-restricted species manoeuvres through 

the vine tangles above us. Pin-tailed Manakin, 

Surucua Trogon, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Streakcapped 

Antwren, Plain-winged Woodcreeper and 

Brassy-breasted and Red-necked Tanagers can all 

be seen on this trail if we find a mixed feeding 

flock. Elegant Mourner (Shrike-like Cotinga) is 

almost a REGUA speciality, but it is an altitudinal 

migrant and at this time of the year they have 

moved to the higher part of the reserve which 

requires some physical effort to see them. We try 

to see this rare bird and we are bound to chance 

upon many other spectacular birds here with 

Black-cheeked Gnateater, Buff-bellied Puffbird, 

Scaled Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Pale- 

36 


B R A Z I L 

REGUA 

browed Treehunter, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper 

and Grey-hooded Attila all likely. The rare Russetwinged 

Spadebill is often seen along this trail too. 

We usually arrive back at the lodge in the late 

afternoon after our walk on the Waterfall Trail and 

after dinner and a refreshing Caipirhina there may 

be an optional night walk if the weather permits. 

REGUA is a great place to see the poorly known 

Giant Snipe so we will take a walk out to the 

grasslands nearby. Other birds we may find after 

dark include Scissor-tailed and Spot-tailed 

Nightjars and Striped Owl. 

In order to increase the diversity of species (not to 

mention the scenery) recorded during the tour we 

will make an outing to the highlands near Nova 

Friburgo. Stopping on the way in the foothills of 

the Serra Cachoeiras where there is a good 

opportunity to see Red-necked and Greenheaded 

Tanagers, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia and 

Blue-naped Chlorophonia at a feeding station. 

The feeders also attract some hummingbirds; 

sometimes including the rather uninspiring 

named endemic Sombre Hummingbird. It is the 

only place that we are likely to see this species so 

hopefully we will be lucky. 

On arrival at Pico Caledonia we will transfer to 

another vehicle, so we can drive most of the way 

up the mountain checking the sky for Black 

Hawk-Eagle and roadside posts for White-eared 

Puffbird as we go. Passing through tall Atlantic 

Forest and ascending into the elfin forest we will 

stop in an area dominated by bamboo where the 

scolding song of Rufous-tailed Antbirds can be 

heard and Rufous-capped Spinetails and Baychested 

Warbling-Finches forage in the roadside 

undergrowth. Upland Atlantic Forest species 

such as Serra do Mar Tyrannulet, Shear-tailed 

Grey Tyrant, Diademed Tanager, Brassy-breasted 

Tanager, Blue-billed Black-Tyrant, Highland 

Elaenia and Rufous-backed Antvireo can be 

found here while two highland ‘hummers’, the 

Black-breasted Plovercrest and White-throated 

Hummingbird should be found too. 

The strange song of the Black-and-Gold Cotinga 

will resonate throughout the uplands if conditions 

Surucua Trogon 

are favourable and we will spend some time 

scanning the canopy for this Brazilian endemic. 

Rarer still, the Grey-winged Cotinga has been 

found on the same mountain and although we 

have seen it in the past, it is a tricky bird to see 

here as is the Itatiaia Thistletail in the higher 

section of the forest. 

One trip by minibus will involve visiting a valley 

with dry forest in search of the rare Three-toed 

Jacamar. The arid environment is in stark contrast 

to the more humid forest near our lodge, but 

supports a different suite of birds nonetheless. 

Travelling through the grassland landscape we 

can look for the weird Red-legged Seriemas that 

roam the open areas, sometimes in pairs or small 

groups of three or four birds. Blue-winged 

Macaw, White-eyed Parakeet, White-eared 

Puffbird, Red-eyed Thornbird, Firewood-gatherer 

and White-rumped Monjita can all be seen in 

fields or scrub not too far from the roadside. If we 

find a damper area we will search for the 

spectacular Streamer-tailed Tyrant. 

The Atlantic Forest region is rich in bird 

endemism but they are not all restricted to tall, 

humid forest. The Restinga Antwren is a 

threatened species inhabiting the coastal scrub 

(Restinga) not far from Rio de Janeiro. As with 

other Atlantic Forest habitats Restinga has been 

drastically reduced, with less than 10% of the 

original cover remaining. Urban development, 

for holiday homes is the main threat to the 

survival of this strange habitat with its cacti, 

ferns, bromeliads and palms. During our outing 

we will visit some coastal lagoons where we may 

see a variety of water-associated species like 

White-cheeked Pintail, Roseate Spoonbill and 

maybe some transient waders. Other birds 

frequenting the Restinga apart from the antwren 

include Hangnest Tody-Tyrant and Sooretama 

Slaty-Antshrike. 

Days 9 & 10 

After a final morning birdwatching in the REGUA 

reserve we leave for the airport at Rio de Janerio, 

where we catch our direct evening flight to 

London arriving the following morning. 


Day 1 Depart London and 

transfer to REGUA 

Days 2-8 REGUA 

Day 9 Depart Rio de Janeiro 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibus. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

280 

Mainly Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Three-toed Jacamar 


37

B R A Z I L 

Brazil – Photographic Tour 

The Pantanal & Chapada dos Guimaraes 

Sunday 14 September – Thursday 25 September 2014 

Leaders: Richard Coomber and local guides 


ato Grosso has so much to offer birders as it is blessed with vast wetlands and large tracts of Amazonian 

M rainforest. We will begin our journey in the Pantanal watching Jabirus, Sunbitterns, Hyacinth Macaws (right 

outside one of our lodges) and large gatherings of herons, egrets and storks right next to our hotels in this birding 

paradise. We’ve been visiting the Pantanal for more than 10 years now and in recent years we have encountered 

Jaguars during our birding excursions along the Transpantaneira and from boats on the banks of rivers as we watched 

Bare-faced Curassows, Chestnut-bellied Guans and Nanday Parakeets with Band-tailed Nighthawks gathering to feed 

over the river as dusk fell! We may be lucky again this year but the chances of other mammals like Giant Otters, Giant 

Anteaters or Tapirs are good too. A couple of years ago we even saw a Puma! 

BRAZIL 

Chapada 

Cuiaba 

Pantanal 

São Paulo 

But it’s not all wetland birding in the Pantanal as we will also spend some time in gallery forest in search of Helmeted Manakin, Rufous Casiornis, 

Pale-crested Woodpeckers and much more before our stay at the spectacular tablelands of Chapada dos Guimaraes where Cerrado birds take centre 

stage. Red-legged Seriema, Horned Sungem, White-rumped Tanager, Collared Crescent-chest and White-eared Puffbird are just a few of the birds 

typical of this rarely visited habitat and we will make a special effort to see these during our stay here as well as experiencing the marvellous scenery 

this spectacular part of Brazil has to offer. 

Richard Coomber will be running this holiday as a Photographic Tour and he will make sure there are plenty of opportunities to photograph some of 

the outstanding wildlife to be found on this special Brazilian itinerary. This tour can be taken in conjunction with our other Brazilian itinerary to REGUA. 

Please ask us for a costing. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London on a scheduled flight to Sao 

Paulo arriving the following day. We then catch a 

flight to Cuiaba and transfer to our comfortable 

hotel for an overnight stay. 

Days 3 & 4 

We leave Cuiaba this morning but we will be in no 

hurry to get to our lodge, where we stay for the 

next two nights. Our journey will take us into the 

Pantanal and we will have plenty of excuses to 

stop on the way. Any pools of water will be worthy 

of inspection as we have seen Southern 

Screamer, Brazilian Teal, Muscovy Duck, Jabirus, 

Roseate Spoonbill and Plumbeous Ibis not far 

from Cuiaba. Birds are seemingly everywhere in 

the Pantanal with Snail Kites on fence posts and 

White Woodpeckers and Campo Flickers prolific 

in the borders of the fields. We shall be alert for the 

raucous calls of the magnificent Hyacinth Macaw 

as we near our lodge as they are quite common in 

this area. Small birds will not go unnoticed though 

as the roadside ponds are good places to find 

Chotoy and Yellow-chinned Spinetails. Scanning 

across the tall vegetation may reveal the presence 

of the superb Scarlet-headed Blackbird. After 

lunch at the lodge at Pouso Alegre we will take a 

walk across the ranch into an area of dry 

woodland and check any pools for birds coming 

to drink in the dry conditions. We may get time to 

look for Tropical Screech-Owl or Common 

Pauraque in the evening. 

Hyacinth Macaws call noisily as we stir this 

morning and after early morning coffee we will 

take a pre-breakfast stroll around the Pantanal 

ranch. The yard of the ranch is a good spot to 

see the impressive Great Rufous Woodcreeper 

as well as Grey-crested Cachalote. Greater 

Rheas strut across the open grasslands and 

flocks of whistling-ducks and Brazilian Teal fly 

around in the distance. Naturally the focus will be 

on waterbirds here in the Pantanal, however the 

arid forests are worthy of attention with Greenbacked 

Becard, Blue-crowned Trogon, 

Rufous-tailed Jacamar, the bizarre Pale-crested 

Nanday Parakeet 

Woodpecker, Planalto Woodcreeper, Rufous 

Casiornis, Planalto Slaty-Antshrike and 

Chestnut-vented Conebill all possible not too far 

from the lodge. 

Days 5 to 7 

We have a final morning to explore the property 

of Pouso Alegre, maybe taking some time to 

photograph the magnificent Hyacinth Macaws, 

checking the pools near the lodge or taking 

another walk amongst the dry forest patches for 

anything we may have missed over the last 

couple of days. We will return to the lodge for 

lunch and have time to prepare for the journey 

along the Transpantaneira to our next 

accommodation on the banks of the Rio Pixaim, 

where we have a three night stay. There should 

be a few migrant shorebirds on the move at this 

time of year and we have seen Solitary 

Sandpipers, American Golden Plovers and even 

Upland Sandpipers in the pools and fields from 

the Transpantaneira. As we travel to our second 

lodge, Large-billed Terns fish nearby, while 

Whistling Herons, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, 

Snowy and Great Egrets and the giant Jabirus 

are present on roadside pools and we will 

hopefully locate Southern Screamer, Maguari 

Stork and Sunbittern during our journey as well. 

Amazon and Ringed Kingfishers perch on the 

cables as we keep a close eye on the road 

ahead for the rare Chestnut-bellied Guan that 

often ventures out as the afternoon turns to 

evening. As dusk approaches the huge Nacunda 

Nighthawk can be seen hunting over the 

savannahs. 

Using our comfortable lodge as a base we will 

explore gallery forest on foot and take a boat ride 

38 


White-eared Puffbird 

B R A Z I L 

along the Rio Pixaim. Black-collared Hawk, 

Sungrebe, Rusty-backed Spinetail, Mato Grosso 

Antbird, Rusty-fronted Tody-Flycatcher and the 

incredible Helmeted Manakin are among our 

targets today. A diligent search may reveal Redbilled 

Scythebill, Large-billed Antwren, 

Fawn-breasted Wren, Band-tailed Antbird or 

maybe an American Pygmy-Kingfisher. Toco 

Toucan, Golden-collared Macaw and the scarce 

Nanday Parakeet can be seen in the more open 

areas and as we cruise along in our boats we 

may see Common Piping-Guans (both the red 

and blue-wattled varieties), Green-and-Rufous 

Kingfisher, whilst Giant Otters are also a distinct 

possibility here. As we make our way back to the 

dock Band-tailed Nighthawks can often be seen 

hunting over the water at dusk. Recent night 

excursions here have produced Great Horned 

Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Common Potoo, 

Scissor-tailed Nightjar and Ferruginous Pygmy- 

Owl. Capybaras are plentiful here and 

Crab-eating Foxes are often unbelievably tame. 

Days 8 to 10 

We will finish the Pantanal section of our tour 

today. Heading back towards Cuiaba we will 

certainly want to stop for birds on the way so 

don’t expect an uninterrupted journey! Then it’s 

off to Chapada dos Guimaraes, and the scenery 

becomes more and more spectacular as we 

approach the tablelands. Our hotel sits at the 

periphery of the plateau with a breathtaking view 

across the Cerrado and we stay here for three 

nights. We should get time for some Cerrado 

birding before heading for the viewpoint to watch 

the pre-roost gathering of Blue-winged and Redand-green 

Macaws, as well as Great Dusky and 

Biscutate Swifts. 

We have two full days to explore the Cerrado and 

woodlands near Chapada. In the transition 

between the Cerrado and the Amazon rainforest, 

the Guimaraes plateau acts as the dividing line 

between the Paraguay and Amazon River basins. 

It forms an ecosystem of great ecological interest 

and fascinating geological formations. The 

Jaguar 

Cerrado is one of the South American lowland 

endemic centres for birds and we shall spend the 

first day mostly in this habitat. Some Cerrado 

specialties here at Chapada include White-eared 

Puffbird, Curl-crested Jay, Grey Monjita, Rufouswinged 

Antshrike, White-rumped and 

White-banded Tanagers, Black-throated Saltator, 

Coal-crested and Blue Finches. The monotonous 

song of the Collared Crescentchest will attract us 

to this charming relative of the tapaculos and we 

will cover the area in search of the tiny, long-tailed 

Horned Sungem. Recently we have found 

Rufous-sided Pygmy-Tyrant here but these seem 

to be sporadic in their occurrence at Chapada. 

Lunchtimes will be relaxing but there are often 

Swallow-tailed Kites over town and it’s quite 

possible we will see White Hawk, King Vulture or 

Bat Falcons near the hotel too. More “raptor 

action” may come in the form of the brutish Blackchested 

Buzzard-Eagle but it’s more likely we will 

see that over the Cerrado. The Amazonian 

influence is evident with our records of Pavonine 

and Pheasant Cuckoos, White-backed Fire-eye, 

Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Swallow-wing and Redbellied 

Macaw but understandably these birds 

are scarce here at the southern edge of their 

range. We will visit a lek of the gaudy Band-tailed 

Manakin and hopefully find the Fiery-capped 

Manakin too. Raptors are more of a challenge to 

find in these forested environments but we have 

had some luck with Ornate Hawk-Eagle in the 

past. Birding in the semi-deciduous and gallery 

forest we may be rewarded with Cinnamonthroated 

Hermit, Yellow-ridged Toucan, Lettered 

Aracari, Blue-crowned Motmot, Ochre-cheeked 

Spinetail, Plain Antvireo, Southern Antpipit, 

Sirystes, Fiery-capped, Planalto Tyrannulet, 

White-lined, Guira and Grey-headed Tanagers, 

Saffron-billed Sparrow and Sharp-tailed 

Streamcreeper. 

Days 11 & 12 

This morning we will take the short journey back 

to Cuiaba for our flights to Sao Paulo to connect 

with our homebound international departures. 

We arrive back in London the following day. 


Day 1 Depart London 

Day 2 Cuiaba 

Days 3-4 Pouso Alegre 

Days 5-7 Rio Pixaim 

Days 8-10 Chapada dos Guimaraes 

Day 11 Depart Sao Paulo 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibus. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

300 

Mainly Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Amazon Kingfisher 


39

E C U A D O R 

Ecuador 

Tumbesian & Andean Specialties 

Saturday 04 October – Sunday 19 October 2014 

Leaders: Trevor Ellery and local guides 


Guayaquil 

Cuenca 

ECUADOR 

Buenaventura 

ith a diverse combination of habitats and a mouth-watering list of specialties it is no 

Vilcabamba 

Jorupe 

W surprise that the southern Ecuador circuit has become very popular in recent years. This 

Copalinga 

tour will take in everything from lowland marshes to high elevation paramos while offering the chance to 

Tapichalaca Reserve 

see some of the rarest birds in the world. Species we will target will include the recently re-discovered 

Pale-headed Brush-Finch, the incredibly rare El Oro Parakeet and the iconic Jocotoco Antpitta. We will also 

concentrate on the tumbesian endemics, those species only found in the dry tumbes forests that cover southern Ecuador and northern Peru. 

The tour begins in the humid marshes that surround the city of Guayaquil, where we look for the ungainly Horned Screamer, before quickly moving 

on to the cloud forests of the Buenaventura Reserve. The verdant hillsides here represent one of the most southerly outposts of the great Choco 

bioregion that covers much of western Colombia and Ecuador. They offer a unique opportunity to see Choco specialties such Long-wattled 

Umbrellabird and Club-winged Manakin, alongside Tumbesian specialities such as Rufous-headed Chachalaca. We then strike south into the dry 

forests that so characterise the tumbes region where we spend several days. Following this we head up into the cool temperate highlands of Cerro 

Toledo and the Tapichalca reserve where we can search out a small suite of rare and exciting species including Jocotoco Antpitta, Neblina Metaltail 

and Masked Mountain-Tanager. The last few days see us drop down to the edge of the Amazon for some foothill birding around the very pleasant 

Copalinga Lodge, before once again ascending to the wild and windswept paramos of El Cajas National Park. We also find time to squeeze in a visit 

to the small Yungillas reserve situated in an arid inter-Andean valley and finish the tour with a final visit to a dry scrub reserve right on the edge of 

Guayaquil where we can hope to enjoy our final few hours, once again enjoying some of the Tumbesian specialties. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We depart from London and fly to Guayaquil 

where we arrive later the same day. On arrival we 

meet up with Trevor and then transfer to our hotel 

where we have dinner and stay overnight. 

Days 2 & 3 

We spend the morning birding at the Manglares 

Churute Reserve on the outskirts of Guayaquil. 

We should enjoy good views of Horned 

Screamer and a selection of wetland birds, while 

the nearby scrub may hold Pacific Royal 

Flycatcher, Jet Antbird and Orange-crowned 

White-tailed Jay 

Euphonia. We will also look out for our first 

Tumbesian specialities such as Pacific Pygmy 

Owl and Pacific Hornero. We will leave the site 

mid-morning and undertake a fairly long drive 

south to the Buenaventura Reserve. In the early 

evening we arrive our lodge at Buenaventura 

where we spend two nights. We will spend one 

full day exploring the trails at Buenaventura. Our 

main target will be the critically endangered El 

Oro Parakeet but we will also look for Longwattled 

Umbrellabird, Esmeraldas Antbird and 

Club-winged Manakin. We will also take some 

time out to enjoy the spectacular hummingbird 

feeders which can hold 50 or more individual 

hummingbirds at any one time, including such 

species as Violet-bellied Hummingbird, Green 

Thorntail and Green-crowned Woodnymph. 

Days 4 to 6 

We spend a final morning at Buenaventura 

before making a fairly long drive south to Jorupe 

where we stay for three nights at Jorupe Lodge. 

We can break the journey up by stopping in the 

El Empalme area where we hope to find such 

species as Baird’s Flycatcher, Tumbes 

Hummingbird and White-headed Brush-Finch. 

The next day we bird the trails and feeding 

stations around Jorupe Lodge. Targets include 

Henna-hooded and Rufous-necked Foliagegleaners, 

Blackish-headed Spinetail, 

Pale-browed Tinamou (visiting the feeders!), 

Watkin’s Antpitta, Slaty Becard and White-edged 

Oriole. On our last full day we visit the higher 

elevation Sozoranaga and Utana areas where we 

can look for Chapman’s Antshrike, Black-cowled 

Saltator, Puira Hemispingus, Bay-crowned 

Brush-Finch, Jelski’s Chat-Tyrant and Blackcrested 

Tit-Tyrant. We also hope to enjoy 

Rainbow Starfrontlet and Purple-throated 

Sunangel at the hummingbird feeders. 

Day 7 

We spend a final morning in the Utana Reserve 

looking for Grey-headed Antbird and any 

species we did not see on the previous day. We 

then drive to Vilcabamba where we overnight. 

On route we can stop in the Catayamo Valley 

where we will look for such specialties as Drab and 

Parrot-billed Seedeaters and Tumbes Sparrow. 

Days 8 & 9 

We spend the morning birding at Cerro Toledo 

near Vilcabamba where we hope to see such 

high Andean specialties as the endemic Neblina 

Metaltail and the scarce Masked Mountain- 

Tanager. We will also look out for Grey-breasted 

Mountain-Toucan, Red-hooded Tanager and 

Mouse-coloured Thistletail In the afternoon we 

drive to the Tapichalaca Reserve where we stay 

for two nights. The next day we visit the famous 

Jocotoco Antpitta worm feeding station where 

we hope to enjoy close up views of this 

spectacular species. We spend the rest of the 

40 


Violet-throated Metaltail 

E C U A D O R 


Day 1 Depart London, 

arrive Guayaquil 

Days 2-3 Buenaventura 

Days 4-6 Jorupe 

Day 7 Vilcabamba 

Days 8-9 Tapichalaca 

Days 10-11 Copalinga 

Days 12-13 Cuenca 

Day 14 Guayaquil 

Day 15 Depart Guayaquil 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By small coach, minibus and 4-wheel drive 

vehicles. 

Includes 




Gradings 

day birding the trails looking for Golden-plumed 

Parakeet, Orange-banded Flycatcher, Whitethroated 

Quail-Dove and Chusquea Tapaculo. 

We also visit the hummingbird feeders where we 

will look for Chestnut-breasted Coronet and 

Flame-throated Sunangel. 

Days 10 & 11 

After a final morning birding at Tapichalaca we 

drop down into the foothills where we spend two 

nights at Copalinga Lodge. We spend the 

afternoon in the grounds of the lodge where we 

can concentrate on the hummingbirds that visit 

the flowering bushes and which can include Wirecrested 

Thorntail and Spangled Coquette. The 

next morning we can bird the Rio Bombuscaro 

entrance to Podocarpus National Park. We hope 

to find Foothill Eleania, White-breasted Parakeet, 

Equatorial Graytail, Amazonian Umbrellabird and 

Black-streaked Puffbird We will return to 

Copalinga for lunch and then bird watch in the 

immediate area in the afternoon where we hope 

to find a selection of tanagers. 

Days 12 & 13 

We look for birds along the old Loja-Zamora road 

and we hope to find Coppery-chested Jacamar, 

Vermilion Tanager and Ecuadorian Tyrannulet. In 

the afternoon we drive to Cuenca where we spend 

Jocotoco Antpitta 

two nights. From Cuenca we visit the Yungillas 

Reserve where we hope to find the critically 

endangered Pale-headed Brush-Finch and a suite 

of commoner species and have an outside 

chance of locating the rare Little Woodstar. 

Day 14 

We spend most of the day birding in the high 

elevation El Cajas National Park. We can look for 

Violet-throated Metaltail, Tit-like Dacnis and Giant 

Conebill. We hope to find a good mix of 

commoner paramo and temperate forest birds 

including Tawny Antpitta, Stout-billed Cinclodes 

and Andean Tit-spinetail. In the afternoon we 

drive down to Guayaquil where we spend our 

last night. 

Days 15 & 16 

Our final morning is spent in the small Cerro 

Blanco Reserve on the outskirts of Guayaquil. 

This offers us a last chance to look for any 

Tumbesian species we may have missed 

including White-tailed Jay, Black-capped 

Sparrow and Superciliated Wren. We then have 

time to return to the hotel to shower and change 

before transferring to the airport for our early 

evening flight to London, where we arrive the 

next day. 

Good 

450 

Mainly warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Hummingbirds at feeder 


41

Waterhole at Etosha, Namibia

Africa 

North Africa 

Egypt 60-61 

Morocco 62-65 

Sub-Saharan Africa 

Botswana 46-47 

Ethiopia 52-53 

Gambia 58-59 

Ghana 50-51 

Namibia 56-57 

South Africa 44-47 

Tanzania 48-49 

Uganda 54-55 

43

S O U T H A F R I C A 

South Africa at Leisure 

The Cape – Natural History Tour 

Tuesday 05 August – Sunday 17 August 2014 

Leader: Bert Palthe 


Johannesburg 

SOUTH AFRICA 

LESOTHO 

Langebaan 

CapeTown 

Hermanus 

e journey to the Cape of Good Hope to an area of outstanding beauty, and visit at a time Simon’s Town 

W when we have the chance to see a bounty of wondrous natural events. Firstly, the 

Southern Right Whales will be coming to the warm waters of Hermanus to mate and calve, and we shall be able to watch them from our bedroom 

windows, as well as taking walks along the cliff paths, for close views of these great creatures as they spyhop, sail and lobtail. This is the premier site 

in the world to see these rare giants. Secondly, the Great White Sharks are still patrolling the Fur Seal colonies a little way down the coast. We can 

take a short boat ride and have these powerful predators following the boat and feeding on bait – a fantastic and thrilling sight. Lastly, if our timing is 

right, we have the chance to view the flowering of the Namaqualand flora. Of course, there will be penguins, dolphins, fur seals, flamingos, baboons, 

eagles, lizards, ostriches, gazelles, tortoises and much more besides. This holiday will examine all aspects of the natural history of the area, and 

throughout the tour Bert Palthe, a local naturalist guide, will lead our group. 

African Penguins, Simon’s Town 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 5 

We leave London on an evening scheduled flight 

and we arrive into Cape Town early next morning 

where our guides will meet us. We then transfer 

to Hermanus on the southern Cape coast, where 

we stay at the Windsor Hotel in sea-facing rooms 

for four nights. 

Southern Right Whales come inshore to breed at 

this time of year and wonderful views can be 

obtained along this section of coast. They come 

very close inshore at times. We will spend some 

time walking along the rocky shore locating whales 

and watching their antics. Walker Bay at Hermanus 

offers the best shore-based whale watching in the 

world. Bryde’s and Humpback Whales also visit 

this section of coast on occasions and perhaps we 

can get a glimpse of these species as well, but they 

are not regular and do not breed in these waters. 

Apart from whales we should also see dolphins in 

the breakers. There are a number of species and 

these include Common, Bottlenosed and 

Humpback Dolphins, with a slight chance of also 

viewing Dusky Dolphin, although it is only 

occasionally seen near Hermanus. 

On one of the three full days we spend at 

Hermanus we have an excursion out to sea in 

search of Great White Sharks. We launch at 

Gansbaai not far from our hotel and will have a 

marine biologist on board with us who is 

researching this impressive large shark. It is a 

thrilling experience to see these sharks at very 

close quarters as they rise to take the bait our 

scientist will be offering. We stay out all day and 

will also view a large breeding colony of Cape 

Fur Seals and learn about other marine life. For 

those of us who are interested there will be an 

opportunity to dive down in a specially 

constructed steel cage to view the sharks under 

water. On rare occasions Killer Whales (Orcas) 

have been sighted from this area as well and if 

luck is our way this impressive mammal could 

also be on our list. 

During our stay at Hermanus we will also have 

time to walk in a botanical garden reserve nearby. 

Here we can examine and identify numerous 

flowering plants from the Fynbos habitat unique 

to the South West Cape. There will be proteas, 

leucospermums, leucodendrons, restios, ericas 

and many others. The Cape Floristic Kingdom 

(Fynbos) is the richest known flora in the world 

with over 2,600 species of flowering plants in an 

area under 200 sq miles. This is more than the 

total number of species found in the British Isles. 

This area is also very good for viewing tortoises, 

lizards and even Puff Adders! 

44 


Days 6 to 9 

After breakfast we depart for the Cape Peninsula 

looking for Rockjumper. En route, at Pringle Bay 

we stop for a walk and light lunch at a unique fish 

restaurant. 

Our drive to Simon’s Town takes us along the 

coast through a scenically beautiful area. We 

pass rugged mountains that slope steeply into 

the sea, with a narrow coastal plain in some 

places. Several mountain peaks tower above the 

road and Kogelberg, the highest peak at 1,268 

metres has the distinction of being the highest 

mountain in Africa next to the sea. 

We arrive at Simon’s Town for a stay of four 

nights at Boulder’s Beach, which overlooks a 

section of False Bay. Here, there is a large 

breeding colony of African Penguins. This is 

one of only two mainland breeding localities of 

this endangered endemic species. We will see 

them at close quarters as they often wander 

right into the hotel grounds. We will also visit 

them in the rookery where they nest in burrows 

amongst the shrubbery above the high tide 

mark. From here we will make excursions to 

various places of interest. These will include the 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden 

(wonderful for birds, botany and scenery), a trip 

up Table Mountain by cable car (weather 

permitting), and also weather dependant to 

Robben Island where past President Nelson 

Mandela was imprisoned during the apartheid 

regime. The island and prison are now a 

historical monument and there is a move afoot 

to declare the island as a national park. We also 

visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve 

and Cape Point where the Atlantic and Indian 

Cape Sugarbird 

Oceans supposedly meet. Apart from 

wonderful scenery and flora, this reserve has 

mammals endemic to the Cape including 

Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra and Cape 

Grysbok. We should also see Eland, the largest 

antelope and Ostrich, the largest bird. 

Days 10 & 11 

We now move to Langebaan on the west coast 

and stay for two nights at a private guesthouse, 

on the boundary of West Coast National Park. 

This national park surrounds an enormous tidal 

lagoon and at this time of year will be teeming 

with birds. Apart from Palearctic waders arriving 

from the north there will be flocks of Lesser and 

Greater Flamingos. En route to this destination 

we may see Blue Crane, the national bird of 

South Africa. This area is also the southern 

extension of the Namaqualand spring flower 

region. It is difficult to predict peak season in 

the short period the flowers mature, but if our 

timing is right we should see the spectacle of 

carpets of wildflowers in bloom. These will be 

mainly species representative of Compositeae, 

Asteraceae, Liliaceae and Geraniaceae but many 

others as well. In a good season (dependant on 

the amount and timing of winter rainfall and 

temperatures) the transformation of a barren 

scene is almost unimaginable. 

Days 12 & 13 

We have the last full morning for further 

sightseeing at Langebaan and will visit a 

Verreaux’s Eagle nest on a man-made cliff in a 

quarry. There should be a young chick on the 

nest at this time. We then make our way back to 

Cape Town for an evening scheduled flight to 

London where we arrive early next morning. 

Kirstenbosch 



Days 2-5 Hermanus 

Days 6-9 Simon’s Town 

Days 10-11 Langebaan 

Day 12 Depart Cape Town 


Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms with private facilities at 

hotels and guest-houses. 

Transport 


Includes 




S O U T H A F R I C A 

Gradings 

Good 

220 

Warm 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Verreaux’s Eagle 


45

S O U T H A F R I C A & B O T S W A N A 

South Africa & Botswana 

Kruger, Limpopo & Tuli 

Saturday 22 November – Saturday 06 December 2014 

Principal Leader: Bert Palthe 


BOTSWANA 

Mapungubwe 

Tuli Block 

National Park 

Punda Maria, 

Magoebaskloof 

Kruger National Park 

Letaba, 

Polokwane 


Johannesburg 

SOUTH AFRICA 

ell described in The Elephant’s Child by Rudyard Kipling, the famously ‘great grey, 

W green, greasy Limpopo River’ marks the border between South Africa and its northern 

neighbours of Botswana and Zimbabwe, forming a great arch from its humble beginnings in 

the south-west to its merger with the Indian Ocean at Xai-Xai in Mozambique. It’s an enigmatic 

river, sometimes barely more than a dirty trickle and at other times spreading out to be several 

kilometres wide on the floodplains of its lower course. All along its 1,750 kilometre length it is 

the life blood of the surrounding areas, providing precious water for both humans and animals, 

especially in the west where conditions are harsh; where a birds-eye-view will show a strip of green along the riverbanks contrasting with the dusty 

brown of the surrounding veld. Our journey takes us upstream, from the wildlife-rich far northern Kruger to the primordial Sandstone and Baobab 

dominated landscapes of the Mapungubwe/Tuli Game Reserve region of South Africa and Botswana. Wildlife is abundant in the areas we visit, 

including big game such as Lion, Leopard and Elephant. Smaller mammals are also plentiful, including the endearing Rock Hyrax, Klipspringer, 

Bat-eared Fox, African Wild Cat, Brown Hyena, Springhare and, with some luck, Aardvark or even Pangolin. Birds to be seen include a fantastic range 

of savannah species, such as a variety of shrikes, rollers, bee-eaters and hornbills; forest specials such as Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Cape Parrot, 

Knysna Turaco and Chorister Robin-Chat; and raptors such as Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle, Bateleur and perhaps even the elusive Bat Hawk. In 

addition to the fauna and flora, the landscapes are simply spectacular, and the photographic opportunities are superb. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 


and we arrive into Johannesburg early next 

morning where we meet our guide. We then 

drive northwards into Limpopo Province and into 

the escarpment, where we spend the first night 

at a quaint little hotel in the forest. We can visit 

Woodbush Forest for a birding walk to look for 

Black-fronted Bush-Shrike, Cape Parrot, Bat 

Hawk, Chorister Robin-Chat, Knysna Turaco, 

African Emerald Cuckoo, Square-tailed Drongo 

and Orange Ground Thrush before returning to 

the hotel in time to freshen up before dinner. 

Martial Eagle 

Days 3 & 4 

Moving on from Magoebaskloof, we enter the 

Kruger National Park about half way up, via 

Phalaborwa Gate, and make our way to Letaba 

Rest Camp. Situated on a bend in the Letaba 

River, this camp has an incredibly scenic setting 

and allows us to experience one of the classical 

rest camps of the Kruger. We have from sunrise 

to sunset to explore the area, embarking on 

morning and afternoon game drives with restperiods 

during the heat of the day, perhaps 

spending time enjoying the view of the river and 

watching animals come down to bathe and 

drink. Birds we can look out for include Redwinged 

Pratincole, Greater Flamingo, Verreaux’s 

Eagle-Owl, Red-headed Weaver, African Palm- 

Swift, a host of flycatchers and Green-capped 

Eremomela, while we can also hope for sightings 

of Lion, Leopard and other big game. 

Days 5 to 7 

Our next port-of-call is the northern-most public 

camp, Punda Maria Rest Camp. Punda Maria is 

situated at the base of a large rocky ridge, which 

rises up behind the camp, while in front there’s a 

small waterhole which attracts game species 

such as Buffalo and Elephant. It’s a small camp, 

especially popular among birders as it offers 

access to the famous Pafuri region, which is 

rated as the top birding spot in the park due to 

the presence of a handful of species which are 

not found further south in the Kruger, such as 

Meves’s Starling, Grey-headed Parrot, Blackthroated 

Wattle-eye, Tropical Boubou and 

Böhm’s Spinetail. We should arrive in the midafternoon, 

and after getting settled in we can 

head out on a game drive, probably doing the 

Mahonie Loop, which circles around the ridge 

behind the camp. On our full day we can visit the 

Pafuri region, where game viewing and birding 

along the banks of the Levhuvu River can be 

fantastic. If it is accessible, we might push on to 

Crook’s Corner, where the countries of South 

Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique come 

together. Later we head back to the camp, and if 

time allows, we can take a short afternoon drive 

followed by some time to freshen up before 

dinner. 

Days 8 & 9 

After an early breakfast we continue with our 

journey, making our way to Mapungubwe 

National Park. This arid park is located along the 

Limpopo River where the countries of South 

Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana converge at the 

junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, the 

former immortalised in Rudyard Kipling’s tale The 

Elephant’s Child, when the Kolokolo Bird said, 

with a mournful cry, 'Go to the banks of the great 

grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about 

with fever-trees, and find out'. Mapungubwe is 

also a World Heritage Site, where the remains of 

an African Civilization are to be found on 

Mapungubwe Hill. This particular civilization was 

at its peak between 1200 and 1270 AD, while the 

46 


general area was inhabited by iron-age peoples 

from 900 AD, who were even trading with the East 

at that time. The park is divided into eastern and 

western sections, with the eastern section 

dominated by spectacular orange sandstone 

formations, while the west has some spectacular 

gallery forest along the banks of the Limpopo 

River. Birds we will be on the lookout for include 

Meyer’s Parrot, Tropical Boubou, Meves’s 

Starling, Grey-backed Camaroptera, 

Monotonous Lark, Kori Bustard, Temminck’s and 

Three-banded Coursers, Freckled Nightjar and 

Southern White-faced Scops-Owl. Mammals in 

the national park include Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, 

Klipspringer, the desert-adapted Gemsbok and 

Eland and, if we are lucky, the scare African Wild 

Dog. We have two nights at Leokwe Camp, and 

spend our time out on morning and afternoon 

game drives, interspersed with some rest and 

relaxation in the camp. 

Days 10 to 12 

Moving on from Mapungubwe we cross over the 

Limpopo at Pontdrift Border Post and head into 

the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana, 

one of the most spectacular of Southern Africa’s 

wildlife regions. We have three nights at Mashatu 

Tented Camp which adds up to a relaxed but 

species-rich birding experience. We partake in 

open-vehicle game drives which take us along 

the river, where the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl is 

known to occur, as well as into the arid hinterland 

away from the river. Other birds we can look for 

include Three-banded and Bronze-winged 

Coursers, Bateleur, Kori Bustard, Pearl-spotted 

Owlet, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle, 

Yellow-bellied Eremomela and Swallow-tailed 

Bee-Eater. The mammal component is equally 

interesting and we can look out for Elephant, 

Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Bat-eared and 

Cape Foxes, African Wild Cat, Aardwolf, Brown 

Hyena plus small mammals such as Lesser 

Bushbaby, Banded Mongoose, Springhare and 

Large-spotted Genet. With the lunar-like 

weathered sandstone formations, primordial 

Baobabs and incredible wildlife, this should be 

the cherry-on-the-top experience of this fantastic 

safari. 

Day 13 

After some final bird watching at Mashatu we 

head back across the Limpopo and we bid 

farewell to Kipling’s river. We drive through the 

city of Polokwane, our last port-of-call for the tour 

and if time allows in the afternoon we can drive 

through the Polokwane Nature Reserve, best 

known as one of the bests spots for finding 

Short-clawed Lark, while the arid busveld habitat 

holds a plethora of exciting bird species, such as 

Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-eared and 

Black-cheeked Waxbills, Green Wood-hoopoe, 

Acacia Pied Barbet and many others. There’s 

also a wide range of antelope to be seen in the 

reserve, including Tsessebe, Red Hartebeest, 

Roan and Sable. 

Days 14 & 15 

After breakfast we plan on a last few birding 

sessions before the tour comes to an end. We 

may have time for another visit to the Polokwane 

Nature Reserve, in case the Short-clawed Lark 

eluded us the previous day, while the 

Zaagkuisdrift Road can provide several hours of 

birding. Later we drive to the airport where we 

catch our flight to London, which arrives the 


Southern Ground Hornbill 



Day 2 Magoebaskloof, 

Days 3-4 Letaba, Kruger National Park 

Days 5-7 Punda Maria, 


Days 8-9 Mapungubwe National Park 

Days 10-12 Northern Tuli Game Reserve, 

Botswana 

Day 13 Polokwane 

Day 14 Depart Johannesburg 


Party Size 

Maximum of 12 clients (two leaders with more 

than six clients). 

Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities in 

lodges, hotels and National Park restcamps. 

Transport 

By minibus. 

S O U T H A F R I C A & B O T S W A N A 

Crested Guineafowl 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good/Tented 

300 

Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Bateleur 


47

TA N Z A N I A 

Tanzania – Photographic Tour 

Rift Valley, Crater & Plains 

Saturday 08 February – Sunday 23 February 2014 



Thursday 05 March – Friday 20 March 2015 

Leaders: Paul Rogers and local guides 


Lake 

Victoria 

Serengeti 

National Park 

Kilimanjaro 

Ngorongoro 

Arusha 

Crater Lake Manyara 

Tarangire 

National Park 

TANZANIA 

he Ngorongoro Crater, the plains of the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro – 

T these are all well known areas, frequently seen on wildlife programmes and dreamed about since childhood 

stories of adventures in darkest Africa. We have already visited this country at least a dozen times, and now it’s your chance 

to see all of these sites at first-hand. Few areas of East Africa can surpass Tanzania for grandeur of scenery, variety of 

mammals and spectacular birdlife. The Serengeti has the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth – perhaps in 

excess of two million. It is likely that we shall encounter Lion, Cheetah, Leopard and Black Rhinoceros during our visit, as 

well as about 40 other species. The Wildebeest should be migrating in vast herds, accompanied by their attendant 

predators, and this tour has been designed to give us the best chance of finding these vast herds. Overhead fly squadrons of vultures, while Bateleurs 

plane for mile upon mile looking for prey. Vast Kori Bustards display like exploding powder puffs, while diminutive sunbirds bustle from one brightly 

coloured flower to another, as they search for nectar. We visit a wide variety of habitats to ensure a good diversity of birds and game – from the dry 

acacia woodland of Tarangire and the dramatic cliffs of the Rift Valley to the vast open plains of the Serengeti. This tour is a birdwatcher’s dream and 

the opportunities for photography will be fantastic. We visit Tanzania in “High Season” when the game viewing should be at its best and there should 

be many birds that are winter visitors to the area. Tanzania can still give you the thrill of the really wild East Africa – visit it now. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We leave London in the evening on our 

scheduled flight to Kilimanjaro, via Nairobi. We 

meet our transport at the airport and drive 

through superb scenery to Tarangire where we 

stay for the next three nights. Tarangire National 

Park has a mixture of habitats, which we can 

explore during our time here: there is the dry, 

open acacia woodland beloved by rollers, beeeaters 

and shrikes, where Secretarybirds stalk 

through the long grass and between the spiky 

shrubs looking for a small lizard or snake. The 

common birds here include Black-winged Kite, 

White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Tawny Eagle, 

Helmeted Guineafowl, Blacksmith Plover, 

Laughing Dove, Speckled Mousebird, Lilacbreasted 

Roller, Common Bulbul, Common 

Fiscal, Grey-headed Sparrow and Red-billed 

Quelea. Giant baobabs stand as though planted 

upside down, and the grassy areas often hold 

secretive pairs of Heuglin’s Coursers. Spotflanked, 

D’Arnaud’s and White-headed Barbets 

all occur here, together with Brown and Orangebellied 

Parrots. The areas of open water and 

swamp around the Tarangire River hold 

Hamerkop, African Darter, Goliath Heron, African 

Spoonbill and Three-banded Plover. An endemic 

speciality of the area is the Ashy Starling. Game 

will be common and we can hope to see herds 

of Elephant, together with Giraffe, Waterbuck 

and the delightful Kirk’s Dikdik. 

Bronze Sunbird 

Days 5 & 6 

We leave Tarangire, and travel to Kirurumu 

Camp, overlooking Lake Manyara, where we 

stay for two nights. This tented camp has a small 

drinking pool next to the dining tables and we 

can look for Cut-throat Finch and Green-winged 

Pytilia amongst a host of other birds and small 

mammals that come to bathe and refresh 

themselves. We shall also visit the lake itself 

looking for Silvery-cheeked Hornbills and Syke’s 

Monkey, both Lesser and Greater Flamingos, 

White and Pink-backed Pelicans, and perhaps 

finding the famous tree climbing lions. The 

lakeside is often teeming with waterbirds and we 

can spend some time here identifying the many 

storks, herons, egrets, waders and ducks. 

48 


Further along the shore, rocky escarpments hold 

Klipspringer, while bushes along the tracks are 

home to the elusive Peter’s Twin-spot. 

Days 7 to 9 

We leave Lake Manyara and head towards the 

vast natural amphitheatre of the Ngorongoro 

Crater. On the way we pass through dry country 

where we look for sandgrouse, finch-larks and 

Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, before arriving at our 

lodge, where we stay for three nights. The Crater 

is perhaps one of the most famous game areas 

in the world, as well as being one of the biggest 

calderas, covering an area of over 250 sq kms 

and varying between 600 and 750 metres in 

depth. The bottom is mainly grassy plains with 

much fresh and brackish standing water in 

areas. One large sheet of water, called Lake 

Magadi, plays host to Greater and Lesser 

Flamingos, waterfowl and shorebirds; the 

numbers, which fluctuate from one year to the 

next, may run into many thousands of birds. 

Animals include Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Black 

Rhinoceros, Zebra, Hartebeest and 

Hippopotamus. The Elephants include many 

large-tusked bulls that may be over 50 years old. 

The bird list is long and includes Ostrich, African 

Harrier-Hawk, Verreaux’s Eagle, Black-winged 

Plover, Olive Pigeon, Lilac-breasted Roller and 

Rosy-breasted Longclaw. Birding around the 

camp is not to be ignored and we might well 

encounter Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Cape Robin- 

Chat, Tropical Boubou and the beautiful Tacazze 

and Golden-winged Sunbirds. 

Days 10 to 12 

This morning we leave Ngorongoro and head for 

N’dutu, just on the edge of the Serengeti National 

Park. The birds are rewarding and range from 

bulky Kori Bustards to tiny Red-throated Tits. We 

will be looking for migrating raptors, wheatears 

and shrikes amongst the resident Martial Eagles, 

Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Von der Decken’s 

Hornbill, White-tailed Lark, Yellow-throated 

Longclaw and Magpie Shrike to name but a few. 

All the vulture species are represented here – 

Rüppell’s, African White-backed, Lappet-faced, 

White-headed, Egyptian and Hooded. The 

endemic Rufous-tailed Weaver and Grey-breasted 

Spurfowl are both easily seen around the lodge. 

Days 13 & 14 

Later, we head northwards into the Serengeti 

National Park and then stay for two nights at the 

Serengeti Sopa Lodge. The lodge is set on a 

hillside with views across the plains and 

woodlands. Hildebrandt’s Starlings are common 

in the grounds, and the morning chorus resounds 

with calls of hornbills, thrushes and weavers. The 

Serengeti National Park covers some 12,000 sq 

km of grassy plains in northern Tanzania and 

forms a super wildlife sanctuary with the Masai 

Mara on the Kenyan side of the border. In our 

time here we can only scratch the surface of this 

truly remarkable area, but thankfully our local 

guides visit the area many times during the year 

and have the best places staked out. Many 

species are creatures of habit, but with any 

wildlife viewing nothing can be guaranteed. At 

this time of the year over two million Wildebeest 

should be on their migration in this area, and we 

can hope to see Lion and Cheetah, as they attend 

the moving herds. Being the Serengeti, there will 

be many animals present and one of our quarry 

species will be the Leopard – perhaps with its tail 

hung from a branch like a bell-pull. The Serengeti 

is always an adventure, and the photographer 

and birder will literally have a field day. 

Days 15 & 16 

We have some time in the morning to further 

sample the delights of the Serengeti, before we 

make our way to Serenera where we catch our 

return flight to Arusha (thus eliminating a long, 

dusty return drive). We transfer from Arusha to Kia 

Lodge where we stay overnight. The next day we 

transfer to nearby Kilimanjaro Airport for the flight 

to London, via Nairobi, arriving the same day. 

Golden-winged Sunbird 



Days 2-4 Tarangire National Park 

Days 5-6 Lake Manyara 

Days 7-9 Ngorongoro 

Days 10-12 N’dutu 

Days 13-14 Serengeti National Park 

Day 15 Kilimanjaro 

Day 16 Depart Kilimanjaro 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms with private facilities at 

camps, lodges, and hotels. 

Transport 

By land-cruisers, land-rovers and minibuses. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good/Tented 

350 

TA N Z A N I A 

Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Burchell’s Zebras fighting in Ngorongoro Crater 

Grey-breasted Francolin 


49

G H A N A 

Ghana 

In search of Picathartes 

Saturday 08 March – Saturday 22 March 2014 

Leaders: Robert Ntakor and Paul Rogers 


Saturday 07 March – Saturday 21 March 2015 

Leaders: Robert Ntakor and Richard Coomber 


Mole National Park 

GHANA 

Kumasi 

Koforidua 

Kakum National Park 

Accra 

rnitholidays has been visiting West Africa for many years and our holidays to The Gambia have been 

O enjoyed by hundreds of birdwatchers. We now have an additional tour to a stable country in this region. 

Ghana is an independent republic with a democratic government, lying on the Gulf of Guinea. The people are friendly and their main language is 

English. The country has a great system of National Parks and they have just begun to realise the importance of tourism, and in particular eco-tourism, 

to add another income stream to their economy. What makes the country special for us is the variety of habitats that it encompasses: there is the 

coastal wetland zone, the dry Sahelian savannah, the Upper Guinea Forest and some pristine broad-leaved Guinea Woodland. Our 15-day tour gives 

us the chance to explore these habitats, as well as visiting the famous Kakum canopy walkway. For those who have visited The Gambia there will be 

many new and exciting species here, such as Yellow-headed Picathartes, Congo Serpent Eagle, Black and Blue-headed Bee-eaters, Pel’s Fishing Owl, 

Standard-winged Nightjar, African Finfoot, Spotted Creeper and Blue Cuckoo-shrike – to name just a few! The birds of this country will not be the only 

focus of our attention, as the other fauna and flora are excellent. The sheer number of butterfly species to be found here is outstanding. Couple this 

with a colourful backdrop of Ghanaian life and a visit to some of the costal forts made infamous during the slave-trading period and you have the 

basis for a fascinating holiday. Throughout this tour, we will be in the company of Robert Ntakor who is Ghana's premier birding guide. Join us in 

Ghana to see why we think this country makes a great addition to the Ornitholidays’ suite of African holidays. These will be Ornitholidays’ sixth and 

seventh tours to Ghana. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We take a scheduled direct flight from London (or 

regional airports via Amsterdam) to Accra. We 

arrive in the evening and transfer to our hotel on 

the coast for the night. 

Days 2 to 6 

We can begin our West African birding adventure 

in the hotel’s grounds, looking for Doubletoothed 

Barbet, African Thrush, Splendid Sunbird 

and Ethiopian Swallow. We then head a short 

distance eastwards to the Sakumona Lagoons 

where Black Heron, Intermediate Egret, Marsh 

Sandpiper, African Wattled Plover and many 

other shorebirds gather to feed. Offshore should 

be many wintering terns, perhaps being harassed 

by both Pomarine and Arctic Skuas. Later, we 

transfer to our hotel near Kakum, for a stay of five 

nights. We make some early starts over the next 

few days so we can enter Kakum National Park, 

where the Kakum canopy walkway gives us a 

unique chance to find some amazing rainforest 

species. Overhead we may hear Grey Parrots 

shrieking and from the walkway we can look for 

Red-headed and Red-vented Malimbes, Nakedfaced 

and Hairy-breasted Barbets, White-crested 

and Black-casqued Hornbills, Yellow-billed 

Turaco, Sabine’s Puffback, Blue Cuckoo-shrike, 

Sharpe’s Apalis, Collared and Olive-bellied 

Sunbirds and Honeyguide Greenbul. Without a 

doubt this area will yield many exciting birds for 

Yellow-headed Picathartes 

50 


Black Bee-eater 

the group. During the heat of the day we can rest, 

but we can return to the walkway during the 

afternoon as the bird life becomes more active as 

the heat drops. At Kakum we will also visit the 

forest trails where we might find Black Bee-eater, 

Red-billed Dwarf and Piping Hornbills, Redbellied 

Paradise Flycatcher, Red-fronted Parrot, 

Olive Sunbird and Levaillant’s Cuckoo. Rainforest 

mammals are not obvious, but we may find 

various squirrels, Geoffroy’s Pied Colobus 

Monkey, Potto and maybe even an arboreal 

Pangolin. Both African and Rufous-sided 

Broadbills are possible in the forest close by, 

while birds of prey may include African Goshawk, 

Crowned Eagle and Cassin’s Hawk Eagle. 

Preuss’s Swallows are common near some 

roadside culverts, so we should obtain some 

good views of this localised species. A small 

reservoir is home to African Finfoot. We shall also 

visit the Elmina Slave Fort, built by the 

Portuguese and run by the Dutch; this was one of 

the main centres for trade in African slaves and 

serves as a reminder of the European influence 

on this inhuman practice. Nearby, we can also 

visit the Cape Coast Fort, built by the British. 

Day 7 

After a morning birding in the Kakum area, we 

drive north and stop in some remnant forest at 

Aboabo. Here we can look for Black Dwarf 

Hornbill, Speckled Tinkerbird, Western Nicator, 

Green Hylia and a suite of greenbuls, including 

Swamp Palm, Slender-billed and Western 

Bearded. In the afternoon we reach a village 

where local guides will take us along a narrow 

forest track to a nesting site of the enigmatic 

Yellow-headed Picathartes. Here we sit quietly on 

rocky outcrops and wait for these strange birds to 

bound into view. They are not nesting at this time 

of year but return here to roost. Hopefully, we shall 

see three or more birds as they perch nearby – so 

far, nobody has ever missed seeing this species 

here! This is a truly magical experience. Later, we 

retrace our steps back to the village and drive to 

Kumasi, where we stay overnight. 

Days 8 to 11 

We head northwards towards Mole National Park 

today and pass into a new habitat. The drive will 

take most of the day and we arrive at our lodge in 

the late afternoon, where we stay for four nights. 

The park is large and covers an area of 4,840 sq 

km of undulating terrain with steep escarpments. 

The vegetation is pristine Guinea savanna 

woodland with gallery forests along the rivers and 

streams. Most of our time will be spent relatively 

close to the lodge as the vast majority of the bird 

species we are looking for occur here. The park 

boasts some mammal species and we should 

see Elephant, Kob, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, 

Warthogs, Patas and Green Monkeys, Olive 

Baboons and perhaps Roan Antelope. We plan to 

be out early and then return to relax during the 

heat of the day before venturing out again as the 

day cools off. Birds of prey are a feature here and 

we can look for Grasshopper, Lizard and Rednecked 

Buzzards, Lanner Falcon, Bateleur, 

Martial, Long-crested and Short-toed Eagles, 

Brown Snake and Ayres’ Hawk and African Hawk 

Eagles. Seedeaters are common and we look for 

Yellow-fronted Canary, Orange-cheeked and 

Lavender Waxbills, Bar-breasted and Red-billed 

Firefinches and Red-winged Pytilia. The 

woodlands here hold many colourful species and 

we shall look for Northern Carmine Bee-eater, 

Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Violet Turaco, Scarletchested 

and Splendid Sunbirds, African Blue 

Flycatcher, Broad-billed, Abyssinian, Rufouscrowned 

and Blue-bellied Rollers, African Golden 

Oriole, Red-headed Weaver and Oriole Warbler to 

name a few. More sombre birds include Stone 

Partridge, Double-spurred Francolin, African 

Thrush and Northern Black Flycatcher. 

Specialities we shall look for include Pel’s Fishing 

Owl, Standard-winged Nightjar, Greyish Eagle 

Owl, Forbes’s Plover and Spotted Creeper. The 

lodge has a lovely pool for cooling off during the 

heat of the day. 

Day 12 

After breakfast we leave Mole and can visit the 

500 year old mosque at Larabanga. Later, we 

head southwards, stopping en route to look for 

any savannah birds we may have missed. We 

will also pay a short visit to the scenic Kintampo 

Waterfall, near to our lunch stop. We stay 

overnight in Kumasi. 

Day 13 

We spend the morning in Bobiri which is famous 

for its abundance of butterflies and birds. Along 

the forest paths we will look for specialities 

including Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, African 

Piculet, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Red-chested 

Goshawk, Narina’s Trogon, Blue-headed Wood 

Dove, Afep Pigeon, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, 

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher and Red-billed 

Helmet-shrike. In the afternoon we drive to a 

small clearing at the foot of the Atewa range and 

bird around some cultivated fields and streams. 

Here we look for African Hobby, White-spotted 

Flufftail, Buff-spotted Woodpecker and the tiny 

Tit-hylia. We stay overnight near Koforidua. 

Days 14 & 15 

In the morning we visit the Atewa Mountains 

where we can bird along the cool forest trails 

here, looking for Blue-headed Bee-eaters, this 

being the only place in Ghana where they are 

found. We hope to see many of the following 

birds: Blue-headed Wood Dove, Yellow-billed 

Turaco, Yellowbill, Yellow-spotted and Hairybreasted 

Barbets, Red-tailed, Icterine and 

Spotted Greenbuls, Yellow-browed 

Camaroptera, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Blackand-white 

Flycatcher, Grey Longbill, Western 

Black-headed Oriole, Maxwell’s Black, Yellowmantled 

and Grosbeak Weavers, Crested, 

Red-vented and Red-headed Malimbes, Greyheaded 

and White-breasted Negrofinches, 

White-tailed Ant Thrush and Forest Robin. After 

lunch, we return to our hotel for packing and then 

leave for the drive to Accra. After dinner, we drive 

to the airport to catch our direct return flight to 

London (or regional airports via Amsterdam) which 

arrive into the UK the next morning. 

Gradings 

Good 

340 

Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Oriole Warbler 


Day 1 Fly to Accra 

Days 2-6 Kakum National Park 

Day 7 Kumasi 

Days 8-11 Mole National Park 

Day 12 Kumasi 

Day 13 Koforidua 

Day 14 Depart Accra 


Party Size 


more than six clients). 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By coach and minivan. 

Includes 




Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill 

G H A N A 


51

E T H I O P I A 

Ethiopia 

Undiscovered Africa 

Friday 26 September – Friday 10 October 2014 

Leaders: Gabor Orban and Nigel Jones 


ETHIOPIA 

Addis Ababa 

Awasa 

Yabello 

Wondo 

Guenet 

Awash 

National 

Park 

Lake Langano 

Goba 

T 

he first Ornitholidays’ group visited Ethiopia in 1971, and we have been adding to our expertise in leading tours here ever since. Our present 

itinerary is remarkably similar to our earlier ones and succeeds in covering a wide range of habitats. We visit the highland plateau around Addis, 

the Rift Valley lakes and acacia forests, the Bale Mountain National Park and finally the savannah of the Awash National Park. In all areas the scenery 

is spectacular, the birdlife plentiful and unusually approachable – a photographer’s dream. Many of the bird species will be familiar to those who have 

visited other parts of East Africa, but we will also be concentrating on the endemics that we could encounter on this itinerary. Ethiopia has emerged 

well from its recent political problems with the tourist infrastructure intact, yet we will generally find that we have our birding areas to ourselves! The 

country has a wonderful climate with plenty of sunshine and cool breezes, even in the Rift Valley. One particular advantage of Ethiopia is that, (due 

to the absence of dangerous animals), we are allowed to wander through the national parks on foot. This will be Ornitholidays’ 23rd tour to the country. 

Travel with Gabor and Nigel and see why Ornitholidays led the pioneering birdwatching tours to explore this fascinating country. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 


for Addis Ababa, where we arrive the next 

morning and transfer to our hotel for a stay of two 

nights. Addis is situated at 2,400m (8,000ft) and 

has a delightful, refreshing climate. The city's 

gardens attract such species as Dusky Turtle and 

Red-eyed Doves, Nyanza Swift, Common Fiscal, 

Olive Thrush, Tacazze Sunbird and Baglafecht 

Weaver. In the afternoon, we visit Gefarsa 

Reservoir, on whose shores we may encounter 

our first Ethiopian endemics, such as Whitecollared 

Pigeon and Black-headed Siskin. The 

next full day is spent visiting the Blue Nile Gorge 

at Debre Libanos. We climb north out of the city 

and cross the Solulta Plateau. We stop among 

the grasslands that are attractive to a variety of 

passerines, such as Red-throated Pipit, 

Isabelline and Red-breasted Wheatears. We 

hope to see two special endemics, the Wattled 

Ibis and the Blue-winged Goose. The wagtail-like 

Abyssinian Longclaw is likely here too. At Debre 

Libanos, the plateau comes to an abrupt halt as 

the vast vista of a deep gorge opens up below 

us. Lammergeiers, White-backed and Rüppell's 

Vultures and Lanner Falcons all occur here. On 

the crags, we will look for the endemic Rüppell's 

Chat and White-billed Starling. Family groups of 

Gelada Baboons are also a feature of the gorge. 

The little-known Erckel’s Francolin is also found 

here. The large monastery at Debre Libanos 

owns and protects a patch of interesting old 

evergreen forest, where such species as African 

Paradise and Abyssinian Slaty Flycatchers, 

Golden-backed Woodpecker and Whitecheeked 

Turaco can be found. 

Days 4 & 5 

Today we head towards Lake Langano. We may 

see the Afar tribesmen herding their camels or 

the first flocks of Common Cranes now arriving 

to winter in the harvested pastures of the local 

grain, tef. We stop by shallow lakes where 

nesting Kittlitz’s Plovers are joined by various 

wintering Palearctic waders. At Lake Zwai, we 

stop for lunch and a birding extravaganza on the 

shore. Large numbers of White Pelican, Marabou 

Stork, Spur-winged Geese, White-faced 

Whistling-Duck, African Fish-Eagle and African 

Jacana are likely, together with lesser numbers 

of Grey-headed Gull, African Pygmy-Goose and 

Yellow-billed Stork. Lesser Jacanas are 

sometimes seen here. For two nights we stay 

near the shores of Lake Langano, a beautiful 

Wattled Crane 

52 


Simien Wolf 

E T H I O P I A 

Spot-breasted Plover 

place to watch the squadrons of pelicans 

passing overhead in formation. The acacia 

woodland attract a great number of rollers, 

hornbills, go-away birds, barbets, shrikes and 

glossy starlings. Our travels here are again very 

local, giving less time in the vehicles and 

maximum field time. We visit Lake Abiata where 

the migrant flocks of Barn Swallows can be 

enormous. This lake is famous for its large flock 

of flamingos but water abstraction for the local 

community has made the lake recede over the 

last decade. 

Days 6 to 8 

We now pass through part of the Bale Mountains 

National Park on our way to Goba, our base for 

exploring the park where we stay for three nights. 

The park was designated to protect the Mountain 

Nyala, an antelope that we hope to see during the 

next two days, along with Bohor Reedbuck, the 

endemic subspecies of Bushbuck, and Grey 

Duiker. In the upland grasslands and marshes of 

the Bale Mountains, we will look for the rare Spotbreasted 

Plover. The moorland is dotted with vast 

spikes of flowering Giant Lobelia, like the upper 

slopes of Mount Kenya. Wattled Crane, Ruddy 

Shelduck, African Snipe, Verreaux’s Eagle, 

Lammergeier, Red-throated Pipit, Abyssinian 

Longclaw, Yellow Bishop and the endemic Simien 

Wolf may be seen here. At lower altitudes the 

park protects fine Harrena forest, the home of 

Mountain Buzzard, Rufous-breasted 

Sparrowhawk, Abyssinian Parisoma, and three 

more endemics: White-backed Black Tit, Goldenbacked 

Woodpecker and Abyssinian Catbird. We 

also visit Sof Omar and look for Brown-tailed 

Rock Chat, Bristle-crowned Starling and 

Salvadori’s Serin. 

Day 9 

Today we make the drive to Wondo Genet where 

we stay for one night. The Wondo Genet gardens 

and hot springs are a tourist attraction for local 

visitors. But for us the forest is more important. 

The Black-and-White Colobus, is common here 

and endemic birds species that we hope to see 

include Yellow-fronted Parrot, Black-winged 

Lovebird, Banded Barbet, Golden-backed 

Woodpecker and Black-headed Forest Oriole. 

We look for skulking African Black Duck, Halfcollared 

Kingfisher and Mountain Wagtail on a 

quiet forest stream. Other inhabitants of the 

forest include Ayres’ Hawk Eagle, Olive Pigeon, 

White-cheeked Turaco, Blue-headed Coucal, 

Lesser Honeyguide, Black Saw-wing and Yellowbellied 

Waxbill. 

Days 10 & 11 

After some more birding around Wondo Genet 

we make the drive to Yabello where we stay for 

two nights. We visit the Yabello Wildlife 

Sanctuary, home to some key species including 

Stresemann’s Bush-Crow and White-tailed 

Swallow. We can also search for Pygmy Falcon, 

Somali Courser, White-bellied and Buff-crested 

Bustards, Foxy Lark, Red-naped and Rosypatched 

Bush-shrikes, and Golden-breasted and 

Shelley’s Starlings. 

Day 12 

Today we leave Yabello and drive to Lake 

Awassa where we can look for Allen’s Gallinule, 

Blue-headed Coucal, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, 

Red-breasted Wryneck, Spotted Creeper and 

White-browed Robin-Chat. We stay for one night 

at Awassa. 

Day 13 

We make the drive to Awash National Park, with 

its lowland savannah. Awash is big game 

country, where we will see Beisa Oryx, Swayne’s 

Dikdik, and with luck, the localised Swayne's 

Hartebeest and Soemmering's Gazelle. In the 

golden grasslands, Northern Carmine Beeeaters 

use gazelles and even Kori Bustards (the 

world's heaviest flying bird), as roaming perches 

for their aerial sallies. Raptors are conspicuous 

and include all seven vulture species. There are 

five species of bustard in the park and Hartlaub’s 

is the commonest of them. Later we move to 

Bilen Lodge where we stay for the night. 

Days 14 & 15 

After some birding around the lodge we leave 

Bilen and make the drive back to Addis. If time 

permits we may stop at Fantele Crater and Lake 

Beseka, where we can look for Boran Cisticola, 

Sombre Rock Chat, Bristle-crowned Starling and 

perhaps find the elusive Gillett’s Lark. After a final 

dinner we catch our late evening flight from 

Addis Ababa arriving in London the next 

morning. 



Days 2-3 Addis Ababa 

Days 4-5 Langano 

Days 6-8 Goba 

Day 9 Wondo Genet 

Days 10-11 Yabello 

Day 12 Awassa 

Day 13 Bilen 

Day 14 Depart Addis Ababa 


Party Size 



Accommodation 

Accommodation in twin/double and single 

rooms with private facilities at lodges and 

hotels. In some areas, the accommodation 

will be of a lesser quality than can be 

expected in the West. It can be basic and hot 

water may not always be available. 

Transport 

By coach. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good to Basic 

340 

Mainly Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Black-winged Lovebird 


53

U G A N D A 

Uganda 

Birds & Primates 

Sunday 06 July – Friday 18 July 2014 

Leaders: Nigel Jones and Harriet Kemigisha 


Queen Elizabeth 

National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable 

Forest 

Fort Portal 

Kibale Forest 

National Park 

Lake Mburo 

National Park 

UGANDA 

Kampala 

Entebbe 

Lake 

Victoria 

T 

his country of forests, lakes and mountains sits astride the Equator and combines influences from 

eastern and central Africa. The great beauty of Uganda led Sir Winston Churchill to call it “the Pearl of Africa”. On this tour we travel to the forests 

of Kibale, then to the open savannah of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, and finally visit the great Impenetrable Forest of the south-west. For a small 

country, Uganda holds an unrivalled variety of primates and is currently one of the few places in the world where Mountain Gorillas can be seen fairly 

easily. Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest is home to these magnificent creatures and (for those who wish to) we can spend a day tracking them through 

the dense forest. To observe them from just a few metres, as they go about their daily routine of sleeping, grooming and feeding is probably the 

ultimate thrill of a lifetime. During our time at Kibale we may also have a chance to see our other close relative – the Chimpanzee. Our itinerary this 

year allows for a longer stay in the Kibale area so we can track down more of the Albertine Rift endemic species. Throughout the tour we shall have 

the services of Harriet Kemigisha, who has co-led our last few tours to this country and whose assistance has proved invaluable with her extensive 

knowledge of the calls and habits of many of Uganda’s more elusive species. This will be Ornitholidays ninth tour to Uganda. 

Mountain Gorilla 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We take an evening flight from London to 

Entebbe where we arrive the next morning. We 

visit the Mabamba Swamp where we start to see 

our first African birds. We take small boats into 

the reed-fringed channels and look for the 

diminutive but colourful Malachite Kingfisher, 

Swamp Flycatcher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater and 

White-winged Warbler. This swamp also gives us 

the chance to see one of Africa’s most soughtafter 

birds – the Shoebill. This large bird with an 

enormous beak is uncommon throughout its 

restricted range but we hope to be lucky here 

today (as we have always been on previous 

trips). We then travel to Fort Portal where we 

stay overnight. 

Days 3 & 4 

We can spend the morning birding in the 

Semuliki National Park, an area of lowland 

rainforest and excellent for birding – interestingly 

it holds many species which are also commonly 

found in West Africa, and we can look for Black 

Dwarf and Piping Hornbills, African Piculet, 

Rufous-sided Broadbill, Maxwell’s Weaver and 

Blue-throated Roller. We then make the drive to 

the Kibale National Park rainforests. We have two 

nights here and on one morning we will track the 

Chimpanzees in this forest; the Kibale Forest is 

an extensive forest block of 560 sq kms and it is 

here that we could see Yellow-billed, Hairybreasted 

and Yellow-spotted Barbets, Yellowbill, 

Nahan’s Francolin, White-bellied Crested 

Flycatcher, Masked and Black-capped Apalis, 

White-naped Pigeon and perhaps a Greenbreasted 

Pitta. Here, also, the local community 

runs Bigodi wetland, an excellent place for 

seeing White-spotted Flufftail, Papyrus Gonolek, 

the elusive White-winged Warbler and Papyrus 

Canary. Other birds that we are likely to 

encounter include Purple-headed Glossy 

Starling, Blue-headed Coucal, Petit’s Cuckoo- 

Shrike, Green-headed and Green-throated 

Sunbirds, Black Bee-eater and perhaps the 

majestic African Crowned-Eagle. Kibale is a 

good place for Red Colobus Monkey as well as 

Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Black-and-White 

Colobus, and Blue and Peter’s Forest Duikers 

are infrequently encountered. 

Days 5 & 6 

Today we transfer to the Queen Elizabeth 

(Ruwenzori) National Park for a two-night stay. 

The QENP is a relatively small park, only 2,000 

sq kms, but due to its diversity of habitats, an 

astounding 535 bird species have been 

recorded here. The park has a wide range of 

habitat types, including an extensive area of 

crater lakes. Giant Forest Hog are frequently 

encountered during the day and Topi, Spotted 

Hyena, Leopard and Lion are all found here. On 

our launch trip on the Kasinga channel we may 

find Gull-billed Tern, African Skimmer, Spurwinged 

Lapwing, the majestic Goliath Heron and 

the brightly coloured Yellow-billed Stork, aside 

from numerous waders and Whiskered Tern. 

Hippopotamus are common here and along the 

shore we should also see Buffalo, Elephant and 

Uganda Kob. On our game drives we hope to 

see Papyrus Gonolek, Red-headed Lovebird, 

54 


White-throated Bee-eater, Angola and Redrumped 

Swallows, Brown Babbler, Black Coucal, 

Black-headed Gonolek, Rüppell’s Glossy 

Starling, Blue-naped Mousebird, Swamp 

Flycatcher, Trilling Cisticola, Sooty Chat, Goldenbacked, 

Slender-billed and Black-headed 

Weavers and Red-chested Sunbirds. 

Days 7 to 9 

Our destination today is the Bwindi Impenetrable 

Forest at Buhoma, where we have a three-night 

stay. Although the Bwindi National Park is small, 

only 321 sq kms, ranging in altitude from 1,160 

to 2,650 metres above sea-level, it is home to 

over 330 species of birds including a number of 

the Albertine Rift endemics. Black-billed and 

Great Blue Turacos, Yellow-billed Barbet, Whiteheaded 

Wood-hoopoe, Speckled Tinkerbird, 

White-browed Crombec, Short-tailed Warbler, 

White-collared Oliveback, Black and Cinnamonchested 

Bee-eaters, Yellow-eyed Black 

Flycatcher, Narrow-tailed Starling, Black-billed 

Weaver, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Tullberg’s, Elliot’s, 

Brown-eared and Olive Woodpeckers, Blackand-white 

Shrike-Flycatcher, White-breasted 

Negrofinch and Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush to 

name but a few of those that spring to mind. This 

is currently one of the few sites where one can 

get close to habituated Mountain Gorillas and 

watch them go about their daily business. 

Groups of eight people, along with forest guides, 

follow the Gorillas tracks through head-high 

nettles until a suitable vantage point is found. All 

party members that wish will have an opportunity 

to try to see these magnificent beasts. The 

remainder of our time will be spent birding and 

searching for other primates including L’Hoest’s, 

Red-tailed, Blue and Black-and-White Colobus 

Monkeys. Colourful butterflies flitting through the 

forest canopy often distract one’s attention, while 

columns of ants are food for some ground 

dwelling birds, and the varying colours of leaves 

and flowers of hundreds of species of plants all 

add to make our time spent here a wonderful 

experience. 

Days 10 & 11 

Today we move to a higher section of Bwindi at 

Ruhija, which is the highest section of the park, 

at around 2,300m. We stay for two nights at 

Gorilla Mist Camp, where the view over the forest 

is spectacular. From here we can search for 

some of the most elusive of the Albertine Rift 

endemics as well as other highland species. The 

potential bird list is large and we can look for 

Grauer`s Warbler, African Green Broadbill, 

Regal, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and 

Northern Double-collared Sunbirds, Red-faced 

Woodland Warbler, Rwenzori Batis, Rwenzori 

Apalis, Rwenzori (African) Hill Barbler, Rwenzori 

Nightjar, Dwarf Honeyguide, Handsome 

Francolin, Stripe-breasted Tit, Stuhlmann`s and 

Waller`s Starlings, Archer`s Ground Robin, 

Lagden`s and Luhder`s Bush-Shrikes, Redfaced 

Crimsonwing, Dusky Twinsport and Barred 

Long-tailed Cuckoo to mention just a few. 

Days 12 & 13 

We have some time for some final birding in the 

morning, before we drive to Entebbe stopping 

along the way for lunch. Our final night will be 

spent in Entebbe. The next morning we catch 

our flight to London, arriving later the same 

afternoon. 

Grey-crowned Crane 



Day 2 Fort Portal 

Days 3-4 Kibale Forest National Park 

Days 5-6 Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Days 7-11 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 

Day 12 Entebbe 

Day 13 Depart Entebbe 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms has been arranged at the 

hotels, lodges and camps. All rooms have 

private facilities. 

Transport 

By 4 x 4 safari vehicles/minibuses. 

Includes 


entry fees, services of the leaders, boat trips, 

airport taxes, Chimpanzee tracking permits 

and tips. 

U G A N D A 

Excludes 

Optional Gorilla tracking permits. The 

permits for Gorilla trekking must be 

requested and paid for at time of booking 

and are currently US$500. 

Gradings 

Good/Tented 

300 

Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Shoebill 

African Finfoot 


55

N A M I B I A 

Namibia 

Etosha & the Skeleton Coast 

Thursday 06 November – Thursday 20 November 2014 

Leaders: Orlando Haraseb and Richard Coomber 


Etosha 

National Park 

Damaraland 

Erongo 

Swakopmund 

Windhoek 

Sossusvlei 

NAMIBIA 

amibia is a country of contrasts straddled between two deserts – the Namib Desert along its coastline, and 

N the Kalahari in the eastern interior. It is a wild arid country offering superb birding and a whole host of 

Southern African endemics, many of which can be found relatively easily in Namibia, but nowhere else in Africa. 

Included amongst these are exciting species such as Damara and Monteiro’s Hornbills, Herero Chat, White-tailed 

Shrike, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Rüppell’s Parrot and many more. There are over 100 Southern African endemics in the country. There is a wide diversity 

of habitats and some spectacular scenery, ranging from the Namib Desert, isolated inselbergs and mountainous escarpments to open desert plains, 

woodland savanna and the flat expanse of the enormous Etosha Pan. There is also the Atlantic coastline and shallow tidal lagoons which attract vast 

numbers of waders, Greater and Lesser Flamingos and Great White Pelican. We will look for African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Lion, Giraffe and 

antelope such as Oryx, Black-faced Impala, Damara Dik-dik and other dry region specialists. Close encounters with many of these mammals should 

provide some exciting moments. 

Throughout the tour you will have the expertise of our local guide Orlando Haraseb, an expert on the areas we shall be visiting as well as Richard 

Coomber, an excellent birder and all-round naturalist. For this tour we shall use a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser, which has been specially modified with 

pop-top roof, and selected for comfort, safety and reliability. It has been specially modified so that every guest has a comfortable window seat with 

good support Travel with us to see the delights of Namibia! 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London on an early evening flight to 

Windhoek (via Johannesburg), where we arrive in 

the late morning and meet our specialist bird 

guide. We transfer to our hotel where we stay 

overnight. 

Dunes at Sossusvlei, Namibia 

Days 3 & 4 

After breakfast we set off southwards through the 

scenic Khomas Hochland Highlands before 

heading down the Great Escarpment into the 

Namib Desert. After a picnic lunch at a scenic 

location, we continue on to Sossus Dune Lodge, 

where we stay for two nights, birding en route, 

arriving in the afternoon. On arrival we can relax and 

soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at our 

lodge. Birds we could see in the Namib Desert 

include Burchell’s Courser, Dune Lark, Grey-backed 

Sparrow-lark, Lark-like Bunting, Greater Kestrel, 

Double-banded and Namaqua Sandgrouse, 

Rüppell's Korhaan, Lappet-faced and White-backed 

Vultures, Martial, Booted and Verreaux’s Eagles, 

Black-chested Snake-Eagle and Common Ostrich. 

The next day we have a full day, rising early for a 

magical excursion in the park. As we are staying 

inside the park we can enter Sossusvlei before 

everyone else and may even be able to get there in 

time to see the sun rise to capture the dunes whilst 

the light is soft and the shadows accentuate their 

towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some 

of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the 

world. Once we have explored to our hearts’ 

content we can enjoy a relaxing picnic breakfast 

under the shade of a Camelthorn tree. We return to 

our lodge in the afternoon for a late lunch. After a 

siesta we can visit nearby Sesriem Canyon to see 

swifts and other species coming to roost and 

hopefully a sunset over the Namib. 

Days 5 & 6 

We have a fascinating drive today northwest 

through the awesome and ever-changing desert 

landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park 

birding and looking for other wildlife before a picnic 

lunch in a dry riverbed. Continuing north to 

Swakopmund we visit the Welwitschia Plains and an 

area known as Moon Landscape, before reaching 

our base for the next two nights. There may be time 

this afternoon to wander around town and along the 

waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at 

the popular Tug Restaurant by the jetty which 

specializes in fresh seafood and other dishes. The 

following day, after an early breakfast, we take a 

drive along the scenic coastal road back to Walvis 

Bay for a memorable dolphin cruise. This is an ideal 

way of seeing Cape Fur Seals, Heaviside and 

Bottlenose Dolphins, plus plenty of sea birds. If we 

are lucky, there is also a chance of seeing whales, 

Leatherback Turtles and Sunfish. After the cruise, 

snacks will be served along with local sparkling 

wine and fresh oysters. We can look out for Whitechinned 

Petrels, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorant, 

Damara Tern, Chestnut-banded Plovers, African 

Black Oystercatcher and Ruddy Turnstone. During 

the afternoon we visit the local saltworks, whose 

lagoons area a major wintering area for shorebirds 

56 


Rockrunner 

African Elephants 

N A M I B I A 



Day 2 Windhoek 

Days 3-4 Sossusvlei 

Days 5-6 Swakopmund 

Days 7-8 Damaraland 

Days 9-10 Okaukeujo Resort, 

Etosha National Park 

Days 11-12 Mushara Lodge, 

Etosha National Park 

Day 13 Erongo 

Day 14 Depart Windhoek 


Party Size 


from the Palearctic as well as holding local species. 

The gravel plains hold the endemic Gray’s Lark and 

the almost white ‘desert’ form of Tractrac Chat. 

Days 7 & 8 

We depart after breakfast, visiting Swakopmund 

Saltworks and the nearby lichen fields before 

heading into the Damaraland region of northwestern 

Namibia. Inland we pass Namibia’s highest 

mountain, the Brandberg, which peaks at 2,573 m 

and take time to bird watch and absorb the vastness 

of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified 

by displays of colour, magnificent table-topped 

mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking 

vegetation. Birds to see in the Damaraland region 

include White-tailed Shrike, Carp’s Tit, Burchell’s 

Starling, Chestnut Weaver, Violet Wood-hoopoe and 

perhaps Hartlaub’s Spurfowl. The next day, after an 

early breakfast, we take an exciting 4x4 excursion 

along the ephemeral Aba Huab River valley to 

explore this remarkable region and to search for 

game, including the elusive desert-adapted 

Elephants, if they are in the area. Later we can have 

a picnic lunch under the shade of a large Ana Tree 

– ideally watching a herd of elephant browsing 

nearby. Later we can visit the nearby attractions and 

geological sites of Twyfelfontein rock engravings 

(recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site), 

Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes. 

Days 9 & 10 

After breakfast we make our way east, via Khorixas 

and Outjo, to Etosha National Park where we stay 

for two nights at Okaukuejo Resort, stopping off to 

visit the Petrified Forest along the way. We can take 

a game drive to nearby waterholes before reaching 

the camp by sunset. This evening we can relax by 

Okaukuejo’s excellent floodlit waterhole where 

game comes and goes throughout the night. The 

park consists of grassland, woodland and 

savannah and boasts some 114 mammal and over 

340 bird species. Wildlife that we might see 

includes African Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, Blue 

Wildebeest, Eland, Kudu, Oryx (Gemsbok), Zebra, 

both Black and White Rhinoceros, Cheetah, 

Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Honey Badger and 

Warthog, as well as the endemic Black-faced 

Impala. Birds to see in Etosha include Crimsonbreasted 

Shrike, Southern Pied Babbler, 

Rufous-eared Warbler, Red-necked Falcon, Stark’s 

Lark, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Spotted and 

Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls, Pearl-spotted Owlet, 

African Pygmy-Falcon, Barred Wren-Warbler, Violeteared 

Waxbill and Shaft-tailed Whydah, among 

others. Our second day is spent on game drives 

within Etosha National Park, looking at the amazing 

array of birds and animals. As we are inside Etosha 

National Park we have the freedom to game drive 

and return to Okaukeujo for lunch and a siesta 

before going out during the late afternoon. 

Days 11 & 12 

Today we game drive our way across the park in an 

easterly direction to arrive at Mushara Bush Camp in 

the afternoon, visiting more waterholes en route. 

Lunch is taken at Halali Rest Camp. On arrival at 

Mushara we can explore the area around the camp. 

The next day we have a full day of exciting game 

viewing within the eastern section of Etosha 

National Park. Sandy scrub areas nearby are 

frequented by Rufous-naped, Fawn-coloured and 

Monotonous Larks, while Meyer’s Parrot may also 

be in this area as well as the scarce Black-faced 

Babbler. White-headed Vulture, Tawny Eagle, 

Bateleur, Gabar Goshawk and Secretarybird should 

also be seen. We also have a chance of seeing 

Leopard here, as well as perhaps Cheetah. 

Day 13 

After breakfast we make our way to the Erongo 

Mountains, stopping off to visit the Lake Otjikoto 

along the way. During the afternoon we arrive at 

Erongo Wilderness Lodge, located at the base of 

the granite formations, near the Erongo Mountains. 

Here we can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and 

superb accommodation. We can look for Ruppell’s 

Parrot, White-tailed Shrike and Short-toed Rock- 

Thrush, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Violet Wood-hoopoe, 

Rockrunner and Damara Hornbill, among others. 

The late afternoon game drive will be a great finalé 

to a superb tour and on our return for dinner 

Freckled Nightjars should be calling. 

Days 14 & 15 

In the early morning we can look for Hartlaub’s 

Spurfowl. After breakfast we return to Windhoek 

Airport for our return flight to London (via Jo’burg), 

where we arrive next day. 

Accommodation 


and single rooms with private facilities has 

been arranged at all hotels, lodges and 

guesthouses. 

Transport 

By minibus 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

210 

Cool to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Excellent 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Sociable Weavers 


57

T H E G A M B I A 

The Gambia 

A Taste of West Africa 

Friday 07 February – Friday 14 February 2014 



Friday 07 November – Friday 21 November 2014 



Banjul 

Tendaba 

GAMBIA 

Georgetown 

e have two tours to the sun-drenched Gambia, which Ornitholidays has previously visited over 30 times. The one in February is a one-week tour 

Wbased at the Senegambia Hotel; the other in November is our “standard” two-week tour with a week on the coast and a week up-river. These 

holidays to The Gambia provide an excellent opportunity to explore the avifauna of a range of different habitats contained within this small West African 

state. Not only do they provide an exciting introduction to the birds of Africa, but they also provide the chance to see many Western Palearctic 

breeding species on their wintering ground. The first week of the tours is spent on the coast, where we stay at the Senegambia Hotel. Its beautiful 

grounds constitute a bird reserve in their own right and provide a first-class introduction to the commoner West African species. The stretch of sandy 

shore belonging to the hotel provides a chance to observe at least five species of tern, as well as passing gulls and waders. The programme of local 

excursions will take us to different habitats within the coastal zone from mangrove swamp and estuarine wetland through savannah to rainforest and 

rice fields. During the second week of the November tour, we move 'up river', staying in two different camps, each located on the banks of the Gambia 

River. As we travel eastwards, so we encounter drier and more open variants of savannah, which should allow us to see nearly 300 species of bird. 

One of the beauties of travel to The Gambia is that it is on the same time zone as the UK – therefore there is no jetlag after the six-hour flight. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 7 

We leave London in the morning by a direct 

charter flight, arriving at Yundum Airport near 

Banjul in the late afternoon. We transfer by coach 

to the Senegambia Hotel for a stay of seven 

nights. During our time here we shall make 

various excursions. 

A lovely introduction to the birds of The Gambia 

is to explore the grounds of the hotel and its 

foreshore, as the area holds an astonishing 

diversity of birds. There will be many sunbirds, 

doves, weavers and finches to identify, but the 

most striking bird we should find is the gaudy 

Yellow-crowned Gonolek. Overhead we may find 

Broad-billed Rollers, in the shady corners of the 

gardens there are White-crowned Robin-Chats 

and noisy Oriole Warblers, while Long-tailed 

Glossy Starlings are quite common. The hotel 

feeds Hooded Vultures, so there are always a few 

present in the grounds. The foreshore holds 

waders, and passing terns can include Gullbilled, 

Royal, Caspian, Lesser Crested, Sandwich 

and Little. The Community Bird Project Reserve 

at Marakissa is an area of protected woodland, 

with scattered fields, where we can look for Fanti 

Saw-wings, Lavender Waxbills and large flocks of 

Red-cheeked Cordonbleus. Rollers are a feature 

here, with Abyssinian, Rufous-crowned and Bluebellied 

all being found. Other birds we may spot 

include White-crested Helmet Shrike and both 

Leaflove and Yellow-throated Leaflove. After 

visiting Marakissa we can take lunch at the River 

Lodge where we have time to relax and take cool 

drinks, while we watch Piapiacs coming to slake 

their thirst. 

We need to have an early breakfast one day to 

ensure that we are at Abuko Reserve when the 

gates are opened. This reserve comprises a 

small relic of the forest that once prevailed in the 

coastal zone of The Gambia, together with a 

savannah extension. It is difficult to single out 

species for particular mention, so rich is the 

avifauna. For those impressed by size, there is 

the Palm-nut Vulture, Black-headed Heron and 

Hamerkop; but for colour the Green Turaco, Redbellied 

Paradise-Flycatcher, Abyssinian Roller 

Northern Red Bishop 

and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater take a lot of 

beating. The shady paths provide a welcome 

escape from the heat and we can wander the 

tracks looking for Western Bluebill, Ahanta 

Francolin, Black Crake, Giant Kingfisher, 

Common Wattle-eye, Little Greenbul and African 

Thrush. Other animals may include Red Colobus 

Monkey, Gambian Sun Squirrel, Monitor Lizard 

and Bell’s Hinged Tortoise. 

We can visit the Bijillo Forest Reserve where we 

hope to find Little Bee-eaters, as well as Grey 

Hornbill, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Tawnyflanked 

Prinia, Black-crowned Tchagra and 

Shikra. An afternoon walk near the Fajara Golf 

Course should provide encounters with such 

species as Black-headed and Wattled Plovers, 

Green Wood-Hoopoe, Senegal Coucal, Piapiac, 

Brown Babbler and Yellow-billed Shrike. The 

58 


mudflats at Kotu Creek can be relied upon to 

hold a good suite of waders, whilst the electricity 

poles and wires provide perches for Pied 

Kingfisher, Red-chested Swallow, Grey Kestrel 

and Broad-billed and Blue-bellied Rollers. 

The woodlands at Farabanta hold an interesting 

selection of birds and we can search for some of 

the areas specialities. High on our list will be 

Greyish Eagle Owl, which can often be found 

roosting in the scrub. Another exciting owl is the 

Northern White-faced Scops and we hope to see 

a pair of these at roost in a small orchard. We 

can walk the tracks here and look for Short-toed, 

Beaudouin’s and Bateleur Eagles, Dark Chanting 

Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, Violet Turaco, 

Striped Kingfisher, Yellow White-eye, Brubru, 

Namaqua Dove, Little Weaver, Yellow-fronted 

Tinkerbird, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Senegal 

Batis and Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike. 

The small reserve at Brufut has sandy tracks and 

we can spot Bearded Barbet, Red-checked 

Cordonbleu, Lavender Waxbill, African Pied 

Hornbill, African Green Pigeon, Black-winged 

Red Bishop, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Yellowfronted 

Canary and Grey-headed Kingfisher. One 

of the rare birds here is the diminutive Green 

Crombec and we shall make a special effort to 

find this bird. 

If you want to take time out from the birding there 

is always the pool and the beach at the 

Senegambia Hotel and you are always 

surrounded by birds. 

Day 8 

For those on the February tour we have the 

chance to revisit one of the local reserves before 

returning to the hotel for lunch and then 

departing to the airport for our return flight to 

London, where we arrive in the evening. 

Days 8 & 9 

For those on the two week tour we transfer 

westwards to Tendaba, where we stay for two 

nights. The camp is located on the south bank of 

the Gambia River and close to the borders of the 

Kiang West National Park. It affords a good level of 

comfort in an away-from-it-all setting. While here, 

we shall take a pirogue trip to the other side of the 

river and up the Kisi Bolon. Many birds occupy the 

creek's mudflats and mangrove fringe, ranging 

from African Fish Eagle and Goliath Heron to 

Mouse-brown Sunbird and African Blue Flycatcher. 

The boatmen often know where birds roost, so we 

can look out for African Scops Owls. Dry country 

birding can take us past the old Peanut Factory, 

where the fields hold Rose-ringed Parakeet, 

Brubru, Brown-rumped Bunting, Eurasian Hoopoe 

and Black Wood-hoopoe. There is always much to 

see around the camp and the dry thorn scrub hold 

a diverse range of species from Abyssinian Ground 

Hornbill to Long-tailed Paradise Whydah. 

Days 10 to 12 

Today we make an early start for our journey to 

Georgetown. En route we pass the Soma 

wetlands where we should find our first Egyptian 

Plover. We then cross the Gambia River by the 

ferry at Farafenni and we can make more stops to 

check out various wetlands and ponds. The Kaur 

wetlands are the most extensive and we should 

find more Egyptian Plovers as well as flocks of 

Collared Pratincoles, along with Senegal Thickknees 

and Kittlitz’s Plovers. We then make the 

last short crossing of the river at Georgetown, 

onto the island that was chosen as the site for the 

colonial settlement, where our lodge is situated, 

and where we stay for three nights. Birding near 

the camp we should find Oriole Warbler, African 

Golden Oriole, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Pearlspotted 

Owlet, African Scops Owl, Levaillant’s 

Cuckoo, Banded Snake-Eagle, Snowy-crowned 

Robin Chat and Swamp Flycatcher, as well as 

Village Indigobird and Black-rumped Waxbill. 

This is also a good area for vultures – Hooded, 

White-backed and Rüppell's Griffon. We shall 

make a boat trip to Kuntaur and Baboon Island – 

birds here may include African Finfoot, Shining 

Blue Kingfisher, Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Collared 

Pratincole, African Skimmer, Woodland and Greyheaded 

Kingfishers and Woolly-necked Stork. We 

can also see a colony of Red-throated Beeeaters, 

where we may also find Northern Carmine 

Bee-eater and Northern Anteater Chats. 

Day 13 

This morning we make our way back eastwards 

towards Tendaba, where we arrive in time for 

lunch. In the afternoon we take another pirogue 

trip across the river where we will explore a 

different creek, looking for some of the rarer 

species, such as White-backed Night Heron, or if 

we are very lucky we might see an African 

Finfoot or a Pel's Fishing Owl. We stay for one 

night at Tendaba. 

Day 14 

After some final birding around the camp, 

perhaps spotting Four-banded Sandgrouse, 

Shikra, Stone Partridge, Western Bonelli’s 

Warbler or Yellow-crowned Bishop, we return 

westwards back to the coast and the Hotel 

Senegambia, where we can relax and birdwatch 

in the grounds and on the beach. We have our 

final farewell dinner tonight. 

Day 15 

We have a final morning around the coast, 

revisiting one or two areas, and then return to the 

hotel for lunch. Later we transfer to the airport for 

our return flight to London arriving there late in 

the evening. 

Violet Turaco 

Outline Itinerary – one week tour 

Day 1 Fly to Banjul 

Days 2-7 Banjul 

Days 8 Depart Banjul 

Outline Itinerary – two week tour 

Day 1 Fly to Banjul 

Days 2-7 Banjul 

Days 8-9 Tendaba 

Days 10-12 Georgetown 

Day 13 Tendaba 

Day 14 Banjul 

Day 15 Depart Banjul 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities and 

air-conditioning in the Senegambia Hotel. 

The up-river accommodation (at Boabolong 

and Tendaba Camps) is basic but all rooms 

have private facilities. 

Transport 

By small coach and boat. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good/Basic 

190/280 

Hot 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Good 

T H E G A M B I A 

Egyptian Plovers 

Easy 

Charter 

Malachite Kingfisher 


59

E GY P T 

Egypt 

Birds & History 

Friday 24 October – Tuesday 04 November 2014 



EGYPT 

Cairo 

Giza 

Luxor 

Aswan 

Lake Nasser 

Abu Simbel 

ur “Land of the Pharaohs” tour has been designed with just the right combination of bird watching 

O and sightseeing. We will visit all the key habitats to find birds of the deserts, wetlands and marine and coastal environments. Given Egypt’s strategic 

location, it is one of the best places to see a number of species found nowhere else in the Western Palearctic, such as Senegal Thick-knee, Nile Valley 

Sunbird, Senegal Coucal and perhaps Kittlitz’s Plover. We will watch birds while exploring Egypt’s world famous antiquities, which have inspired and 

awed man through the ages. The Ancient Egyptians were among the world’s first natural historians and vividly documented the wildlife of their times on 

the walls of tombs and temples. No other country allows us the opportunity to bird watch in the past, as over 75 species of birds have been identified 

from the wall paintings and countless other artefacts. The life of Egypt will be well observed – from the modern skyscrapers of Cairo to the lowly mudwalled 

villages of the Nile. We will spend four nights on a Nile cruise, the ideal way to sightsee and bird watch Upper Egypt, as at this time of year the 

Nile will be teeming with wintering waterbirds and the weather should be superb. This will be Ornitholidays’ 12th tour to Egypt. 

Great Pyramid and Sphinx 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We fly from London on a scheduled flight to 

Cairo. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel in 

Giza near the pyramids, where we stay for two 

nights. Next morning we drive into town where 

we see our first Nile Valley birds, such as 

Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Bulbul, Palm Dove, 

Yellow-billed Kite and Ring-necked Parakeet. We 

take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum 

where we will see the fabulous treasures of 

Tutankhamun and the Geese of Medium, a 

masterpiece of ancient Egyptian bird art. We 

then drive south along the Nile Valley to 

Saqqara, the cemetery of Memphis, located on 

the desert fringe, where we will see the Steppe 

Pyramid, considered the first successful attempt 

at pyramid building. We then visit the tombs of 

Saqqara with their wonderful scenes of every 

day life and depictions of Egyptian wildlife. 

Day 3 

We drive south through the Western Desert to 

Lake Qarun in the El Fayoum Oasis. This 

picturesque lake is home to Slender-billed Gull 

and the surrounding reed beds are one of the 

best sites to see Clamorous Reed Warbler and 

Little Bittern. Wintering waterbirds that frequent 

the lake include Great Black-headed Gull as a 

regular visitor and Marsh Sandpiper, Jack Snipe 

and Temminck’s Stint are just some of the 

waders that can be found around the shores. In 

the surrounding farmlands we see 

characteristic agricultural species, such as 

Cattle Egret, Crested Lark, Spur-winged 

Lapwing and Graceful Warbler. In the afternoon 

we visit the pyramids and Sphinx, one of the 

wonders of the ancient world. Here, we see the 

Solar Boat, a completely preserved mortuary 

boat, unearthed next to the Great Pyramid and 

restored to its former grandeur. We return to 

Cairo and spend the night at our hotel. 

Day 4 

An early morning flight takes us to Abu Simbel 

on the shores of Lake Nasser, a huge reservoir 

formed after the construction of the Aswan High 

Dam. We spend the morning birding in the hotel 

gardens and the lakeshores, looking for African 

specialities, such as Egyptian Goose, Kittlitz’s 

Plover and African Pied Wagtail. Interesting 

winter visitors can be found in the surrounding 

deserts such as Desert and Pied Wheatears. 

Given Abu Simbel’s strategic location near the 

border with Sudan, it is one of the best sites to 

find a Western Palearctic rarity. After lunch at the 

hotel we will visit Abu Simbel Temple, built in 

honour of Ramses II and his beautiful wife, 

Nefertari. This magnificent construction is 

amazing, not only for the structure itself, but for 

the fact that the temple was taken apart block by 

block and moved to higher ground to save it 

from the rising waters resulting from the dam. 

Afterwards we return to the hotel for some 

optional birding until dusk. In the evening we will 

60 


eturn to the temple to attend the Sound and 

Light Show, a high tech extravaganza where we 

might catch a glimpse of an Egyptian Nightjar 

hawking insects in the lights. 

Days 5 to 8 

After some optional local pre-breakfast birding we 

drive north through the Western Desert to Aswan. 

Upon arrival in Aswan we will check onto the cruise 

ship where we stay for four nights. Later, we take a 

boat around the First Cataract Islands. Sailing on 

the Nile is a relaxing way to end the day, watching 

birds flying to roost while the sun sets. Early next 

morning we take a tour of the Granite Quarries 

where we will see the Unfinished Obelisk, followed 

by a brief visit to the massive Aswan High Dam. 

Then we will take a motorboat to the enchanting 

Temple of Philae, located on an island between the 

Old and New Dams. This Ptolemaic Temple is 

considered one of the most beautiful in Egypt. We 

return to the cruise boat for lunch, and begin our 

cruise down the Nile, watching birds from the 

comfort of the deck of the ship as we float past 

farmlands, islands, reed beds, towns and villages. 

We will see resident waterbirds such as Pied 

Kingfisher, Purple Swamphen and Senegal Thickknee 

and winter visitors including grebes, ducks, 

gulls, terns, herons and waders. Barbary Falcon is 

an uncommon resident, while wintering raptors 

may include Western Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Longlegged 

Buzzard and Greater Spotted Eagle. In the 

afternoon we visit Kom Ombo Temple, the only 

temple dedicated to two Gods, Sobek, the 

Crocodile God and Horus, the Falcon God. The 

next morning we visit Edfu Temple, which is 

dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God – a favourite of 

birders! In the afternoon we continue to cruise 

down river, birding en route. There will be rafts of 

ducks on the open water and waders and herons 

along the shore, while terns such as Whiskered 

and White-winged will fly past. We scan the Nile for 

wintering specialities, such as Ferruginous Duck, 

White-tailed Plover and Glossy Ibis. In the midafternoon 

we reach the city of Essna, where we will 

join the queue to cross the lock. In the evening we 

will visit the Temple of Luxor, which is magical 

when lit at night. Early next morning we visit the 

West Bank and see the beautifully painted tombs 

of the Valley of the Kings and Queens, 

as well as the impressive Temple of Queen 

Hapshepsut and the Colossi of Memmon. In the 

afternoon we return to the West Bank and have a 

guided tour of Karnak Temple, a marvel of Ancient 

Egyptian engineering with its huge pillars and 

obelisks. 

Day 9 

We disembark from the ship and spend the day 

at Crocodile Island, one of Upper Egypt’s great 

birding sites. A wide variety of birds can be found 

in the lush gardens, farmlands and reed beds 

around the island, including residents, such as 

Nile Valley Sunbird, Green Bee-eater and 

Egyptian Yellow Wagtail and winter visitors like 

Bluethroat, Red-throated Pipit and Sardinian 

Warbler. We will have a delicious lunch at the 

Crocodile Island hotel followed by further birding 

until we depart for the airport and our flight back 

to Cairo. Upon arrival we transfer to a hotel near 

the airport. 

Day 10 

We can spend a more relaxing day visiting the 

Citadel, the Mohammad Ali Mosque and the 

centre of the city’s market area, Khan El Khalili, 

where we thread our way through the narrow 

alleyways, passing small shops filled with 

ornaments, leatherwork and jewellery, until we 

reach a restaurant for lunch. Later, we return to 

the hotel where we can birdwatch in the hotel’s 

grounds. 

Day 11 

In the early morning we travel east through the 

Eastern Desert to the coast of the Gulf of Suez. 

We bird en route, looking for desert species, 

such as Hoopoe and Desert Larks, Mourning 

Wheatear, Brown-necked Raven, Scrub Warbler 

and wintering Spectacled Warbler. At Ain Sukhna 

we will have the opportunity to look for Red Sea 

birds, such as White-eyed Gull and Lesser 

Crested Tern. At midday we drive north to Suez, 

an industrial port at the head of the Gulf. Here 

there will be more gulls and another chance to 

see Red Sea birds, including Western Reef- 

Heron. We visit the Suez Canal, a modern 

engineering wonder, where we can watch Indian 

House Crows in the gardens and seabirds flying 

along the canal. In the late afternoon we return to 

our hotel in Cairo for a farewell dinner. 

Day 12 

We visit the rural Eastern Delta area to the northeast 

of Cairo, where we should see 

White-throated Kingfisher, a Middle Eastern and 

Asiatic species, whose African distribution is 

limited to the Cairo area. We hope also to find 

some of the other local specialities including 

Senegal Coucal and perhaps Painted Snipe. We 

return to our hotel for lunch prior to transferring 

to the airport and our flight back to London. 

Tutankhamun’s mask 


Day 1 Fly to Cairo and transfer 

to Giza 

Day 2 Giza 

Day 3 Cairo 

Day 4 Abu Simbel 

Days 5-8 Nile cruise Aswan – Luxor 

Days 9-11 Cairo 

Day 12 Depart Cairo 

Party Size 


Accommodation 

Good quality accommodation in twin/double 


Transport 

By private coach and boat. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

130 

Hot 

E GY P T 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Crowned Sandgrouse 

River Nile and Felucca 


61

M O R O C C O 

Morocco 

High Atlas & Sahara 

Tuesday 08 April – Thursday 17 April 2014 

Leaders: David Walsh and local guides 


Marrakech 

Ourika Valley 

Casablanca 

Ouarzazate 

Boumalne 

du Dadès 

Merzouga 

MOROCCO 

orocco is just a short flight from the UK but has birds, culture and scenery which 

M seem a world away! Our spring tour focuses on the mountains and deserts of 

inland Morocco, avoiding the long drives to and from the coast, and as such it provides a perfect complement to our annual autumn trip based in 

Agadir. April is an excellent time to visit the country, as we will not only see a superb array of sought-after resident species, but also a range of migrants 

heading north from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. The variety of scenery on this trip is truly awe-inspiring! During our stay we will visit a wide range 

of habitats: high mountains, inland lakes, pine forests, spectacular gorges, stony desert and, perhaps most exciting of all, breathtaking sand dunes 

on the very edge of the Sahara. We hope to see some real specialities including Crimson-winged Finch, Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, Blue-cheeked 

Bee-eater, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Egyptian Nightjar, Spotted Sandgrouse, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Cream-coloured Courser, Fulvous 

Babbler, Moussier’s Redstart and several wheatears and larks. Ornitholidays has now visited this country over 25 times, and the tour will be led by 

David Walsh who has been to Morocco on more than a dozen occasions. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We fly from London direct to Marrakech where 

we meet our driver and transfer to our hotel in the 

Ourika Valley where we stay for two nights. From 

the hotel terrace we have a grandstand view 

towards the Atlas Mountains and we are likely to 

see Little Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Sardinian 

Warbler, House Bunting, Common Bulbul, 

African Blue Tit and perhaps even a Hawfinch. 

The distinctive North African race of Common 

Chaffinch is common in the valley, whilst the 

songs of Common Nightingale and European 

Serin will become very familiar sounds. 

The following day we head for the alpine area 

around the ski resort of Oukaimeden, marvelling 

at the superb mountain scenery with its snowcovered 

peaks. Here we hope to find 

Crimson-winged Finch, Horned Lark, Common 

Rock Sparrow, and the recently split Seebohm’s 

Wheatear. Large flocks of Alpine and Red-billed 

Choughs frequent the area, whilst other likely 

species for us to enjoy include Black Redstart, 

Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Water Pipit 

and White-throated Dipper. After the first of many 

fine tagine lunches, we will drift down to an area 

of orchards and woodland hoping to find 

Common Crossbill, Firecrest and Rock Bunting 

alongside Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker and 

Moussier’s Redstart, two species endemic to the 

Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia). 

Moroccan Orange Tip and Scarce Swallowtail 

are among the butterfly possibilities. 

Day 3 

This morning we have another chance to see the 

special birds of the Ourika Valley before crossing 

an area of plains south-east of Marrakech. We 

then head south-east, travelling uphill through 

some of the most spectacular landscapes in 

Morocco. Our route takes us over the Tizi-n- 

Tichka Pass at around 2,260m. By the roadside, 

boys attend stalls crowded with gems and fossils, 

products of the local mountainsides and valleys. 

Our journey should provide opportunities to view 

Common Raven, Thekla Lark, Barbary Partridge, 

migrant European Bee-eaters and Woodchat 

Shrikes and several raptors, including perhaps 

Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Tristram’s Warbler 

favours the stunted vegetation of the dry slopes 

and we will search for it, but it can sometimes be 

a difficult species to locate. From the dizzy 

heights of the High Atlas, we drop down into the 

fertile oasis around Ouarzazate and to our hotel, 

around which we might find flocks of White 

Storks and Cattle Egrets. 

Days 4 & 5 

To the east of Ouarzazate lies the Mansour Lake, 

a magnet for both resident and migrant species 

including Ruddy Shelduck, Eurasian Spoonbill, 

Purple Heron and both Gull-billed and Black 

Terns. The Saharan race of Eastern Olivaceous 

Warbler breeds here, whilst we have our first 

chance of seeing Fulvous Babbler, the colourful 

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and the long-billed race 

of Crested Lark. After spending much of the 

morning around the lake, our journey will 

continue eastwards along the picturesque Dadès 

valley, aptly named both the ‘Valley of a thousand 

Kasbahs’ and the ‘Valley of Roses’: the beautiful 

pink roses are harvested annually to make 

scented rose water. We should start to notice 

smart White-crowned Wheatears along the way 

and have our first opportunity to locate the elusive 

Maghreb Wheatear, a recent split from Mourning. 

After lunch in shade by the river, we reach our 

impressive hotel in Boumalne, our base for the 

next two nights, where Moroccans dressed in 

local costume may well serenade us on arrival! 

The following morning should be one of the most 

exciting of the trip! We make an early start for the 

short drive to the arid plain to the south-east of 

the town, the “Tagdilt Track”. Species to be 

anticipated include Great Grey Shrike of the 

Lanner Falcon 

62 


Moussier’s Redstart 

M O R O C C O 

Barbary Partridge 

desert race elegans, Trumpeter Finch, Creamcoloured 

Courser, Desert and Red-rumped 

Wheatears as well as an amazing array of larks 

including Thick-billed, Temminck's, Greater Shorttoed, 

Greater Hoopoe and Bar-tailed. We will take 

time to watch these closely and enjoy noting how 

different they are from each other! This area also 

holds Black-bellied and, from time to time, 

Crowned Sandgrouse which we may see as they 

fly to and from their watering holes. Lanner 

Falcons often prey on these sandgrouse and we 

may well see them hunting in pairs. We will return 

for a late breakfast before heading to the 

magnificent Todra Gorge. Eurasian Crag Martin 

and Desert Lark breed here and we will scan the 

high cliffs for the local pair of Bonelli’s Eagle. 

Migrants might include Eurasian Wryneck and 

Subalpine Warbler. After lunch we will drift back 

westwards, looking for migrating flocks of raptors 

seeking roosting sites in the late afternoon as well 

as further passerine migrants; if we are lucky we 

may find a feeding Eurasian Hoopoe, or a Rufous 

Bush Robin strutting between the bushes. 

Days 6 & 7 

This morning we leave Boumalne; the drive today 

will be relatively long but with fine scenery and 

birds to enjoy throughout the journey. We 

gradually descend and, as we do so, the desert 

will become sandy rather than stony. We can 

search for Scrub and Spectacled Warblers en 

route before, beyond the town of Ar-Rachidia, 

turning off the main road and heading south 

along the wonderful Ziz valley towards the edge 

of the Sahara. We should see Brown-necked 

Raven and Long-legged Buzzard overhead 

before, having passed through the oasis towns of 

Erfoud and Rissani, we reach the oasis auberge 

which will be our home for the next two nights. 

The following day will undoubtedly live long in 

the memory! Using 4x4 vehicles, we head 

towards the gateway settlement of Merzouga 

which is on the edge of Erg Chebbi, famous both 

for its classic Saharan sand dunes and for being 

the place where part of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ was 

filmed! Target species in this area include the 

beautiful African Desert Warbler and the very 

local Desert Sparrow. The most likely 

sandgrouse in this area is Spotted, whilst falcons 

here include Barbary and the brookei race of 

Peregrine. If we are lucky, our local guide may be 

able to show us Egyptian Nightjar and Pharaoh 

Eagle Owl at their daytime roosts. If time allows, 

in the afternoon we visit a desert lake where we 

may encounter flocks of Greater Flamingos and 

Marbled Ducks as well as groups of waders and 

hirundines. 

Day 8 

Before breakfast we have the opportunity to do 

some final birding in the desert where Western 

Orphean Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff and 

Bluethroat are amongst the migrant possibilities 

near our auberge. Then we head westwards via 

Jorf and Tinejdad through Boumalne and 

onwards to Ouarzazate for a one night stay. We 

have another chance to see some of the special 

desert birds, whilst migrants could be found 

almost anywhere, seeking verdant oases in the 

otherwise dry habitat. Hopefully we will bump into 

resident ‘Moroccan’ White Wagtails as well as 

groups of Yellow Wagtails, giving us the chance 

to separate the various distinctive subspecies. 

Warblers could include Isabelline and Western 

Bonelli’s, whilst yet more flocks of European Beeeaters 

are likely to pass overhead. 

Day 9 

In the morning, we have a second opportunity to 

look for waterbirds at Mansour Lake, where there 

are likely to be a number of different migrants for 

us to enjoy. Black Kites or Montagu’s Harriers 

might be seen passing overhead, whilst waders 

could include Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed 

Plover, Wood Sandpiper and perhaps even a 

group of Collared Pratincoles. We then head 

north-west through a beautiful valley and over 

the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, stopping first to enjoy 

another wonderful lunch at a well-positioned 

restaurant. In the afternoon we pause in the pine 

forest where we hope to locate the Moroccan 

race of Short-toed Treecreeper, and have 

another chance to find Levaillant’s Green 

Woodpecker. Eventually we descend into 

Marrakech, arriving in time to enjoy the 

atmosphere of this special Moroccan city as well 

as see Pallid Swifts and the distinctive local 

subspecies of Common Magpie. We may even 

hear a Tawny Owl hooting in our hotel grounds. 

Day 10 

There may be time for some final sightseeing 

before we fly from Marrakech to London. 


Day 1 Fly to Marrakech and 

transfer to Ourika Valley 

Day 2 Ourika Valley 

Day 3 Ouarzazate 

Days 4-5 Boumalne du Dadès 

Days 6-7 Merzouga 

Day 8 Ouarzazate 

Day 9 Marrakech 

Day 10 Depart Marrakech 

Party Size 


Accommodation 

Comfortable accommodation in twin-bedded 


Transport 

By minibus (and 4x4 vehicle on day 7). 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

150 

Cool to Hot 

Moderate 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

White-crowned Wheatear 


63

M O R O C C O 

Morocco 

Atlantic Coast & Southern Desert 

Saturday 25 October – Saturday 01 November 2014 

Leader: David Walsh 


Guelmim 

Agadir 

Casablanca 

MOROCCO 

orocco is a country of startling contrasts, a long history, fascinating cultural 

M traditions and a varied topography. For the birdwatcher, there is a mixture of the familiar, the unfamiliar and the very rare. Our week-long holiday 

to this country will be based by the coast at Agadir, staying at a hotel we have used on numerous occasions where all rooms have a sea view. We 

have the opportunity to visit a variety of habitats from this base, seeing tidal lagoons, sandy estuaries, dry desert, palm oases, irrigated farmland and 

the green foothills of the Atlas Mountains. We also spend one night away from Agadir in Guelmim allowing us to explore the nearby desert with its 

sought-after birds. The bird life at this time of year is very varied and we hope to find many of the local specialities including: Northern Bald Ibis, 

Moussier’s Redstart, Cream-coloured Courser, Barbary Partridge, Tristram’s Warbler, Fulvous Babbler, Black-crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck, Thickbilled 

Lark, White-crowned Wheatear and Black-winged Kite to name a few. 

We shall make sure we have time not only to birdwatch but also witness the daily lives of Moroccan villagers, for example seeing ladies in traditional 

dress riding on donkeys between the fields and their homes. There will be an opportunity for those who wish to buy souvenirs from local stalls away 

from Agadir. The main tour leader will be David Walsh, who has been leading regular autumn trips to Morocco since 1998, a country he rates as his 

favourite destination for a week’s holiday! 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave on a direct flight from London to Agadir 

and make the 40 minute transfer to our hotel, where 

we stay for the first three nights. Depending on the 

time of the flight, there may be time for some local 

birding on our first afternoon. On our first morning, 

we start our birdwatching on Agadir Kasbah 

(Castle), a short drive from our hotel. Here we 

expect to find the delightful Moussier's Redstart 

along with Black Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Great 

Grey Shrike (of a desert race) and Blue Rock 

Thrush. We also have our first opportunity to find 

the vocal but elusive Black-crowned Tchagra. We 

then head along the Atlantic coast north of Agadir, 

en route to Tamri, where we search roadside fields 

and cliffs hoping to find one of the world’s rarest 

birds, the Northern Bald Ibis. Due to the efforts of 

BirdLife International, numbers of this species 

have increased, so nowadays there is more 

chance of seeing it. On the outskirts of Tamri we 

Black-crowned Tchagra 

can enjoy our first picnic and take a walk at the 

lagoon, where we should find Zitting Cisticola, 

Eurasian Spoonbill, Ruddy Shelduck and 

Audouin’s Gull. We may also encounter an 

interesting raptor, with Barbary Falcon amongst 

the possibilities. Here, or at Agadir itself, if the 

winds are onshore we are likely to find Cory’s 

Shearwater and Northern Gannet; other 

possibilities include Balearic Shearwater, 

Common Scoter and Arctic Skua and, if we are 

lucky, a Lesser Crested or Royal Tern. 

The next day we drive south for about an hour to 

explore the riches of the Massa estuary, an 

exceptional place for birds with a wide variety of 

habitats. En route we will look for Little Swift, House 

Bunting and Spotless Starling in the towns. The 

Massa area is now a National Park, which befits its 

important status as a haven for both migrants and 

indigenous birds. Our explorations will be by bus, 

then on foot, as we proceed westwards along the 

section of the river nearest the sea. We can expect 

Marbled Duck and Squacco Heron from the 

roadside, whilst Cetti’s Warbler will be singing 

loudly in the reeds or small shrubs - spot one if you 

can! We should see Western Marsh Harrier and 

Osprey, whilst other raptor possibilities include 

Bonelli’s Eagle. Beyond the reserve entrance there 

are usually large numbers of Greater Flamingo as 

well as a variety of ducks and waders including 

Ferruginous Duck, Kentish Plover and Blackwinged 

Stilt. After lunch in the shade we may take 

advantage of a new road to explore the nearby 

desert and coast before heading upstream to a 

bridge near Massa village. Here the local Brownthroated 

Martins can sometimes be seen in 

numbers, whilst there are likely to be formation flypasts 

of Glossy Ibis. If we are lucky, a Black-winged 

Kite will be spotted hovering overhead. Sahara 

Bluetail is amongst the dragonfly possibilities here, 

with African Grass Blue for the butterfly enthusiasts. 

Day 4 

We depart for the desert today for our one-night 

stop in Guelmim, a wonderful north African town 

dubbed the “Gateway to the Sahara”. Our drive 

south will take about four hours; en route we will 

stop in the rugged Anti-atlas Mountains to look 

for Rock Bunting and Barbary Partridge before 

descending towards Guelmim itself. After a short 

break at the hotel, our desert exploration begins 

a few miles south-east at Asrir, where we hope to 

find White-crowned Wheatear and Spanish 

64 


Northern Bald Ibis 

M O R O C C O 


Day 1 Fly to Agadir 

Days 2-3 Agadir 

Day 4 Guelmim 

Days 5-7 Agadir 

Day 8 Depart Agadir 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities (the 

accommodation for our one night stay away 

from Agadir will be more basic but will still 

have private facilities). 

Transport 

By minibus or small coach. 

Cream-coloured Courser 

Sparrow in the village and perhaps Fulvous 

Babbler amongst the Prickly Pears. Nearby, we 

will look for Desert and Red-rumped Wheatears, 

whilst lark possibilities here include Thick-billed 

and Bar-tailed. We end the day exploring a rocky 

area for Desert Lark; with luck we will witness a 

fine sunset over the desert. 

Days 5 to 7 

We have an early breakfast before heading 

south-west of Guelmim along the Tan-Tan road 

which leads all the way to Mauritania. Whilst the 

most sought-after desert species can occur 

almost anywhere, we have a number of specific 

sites to visit and hope to find Cream-coloured 

Courser and Greater Hoopoe Lark in the sandier 

areas and Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, 

Greater and Lesser Short-toed Larks in the 

cultivated plains. If we are lucky we may find 

Scrub and Spectacled Warblers in a roadside 

wadi and Temminck’s Lark in the stony desert. 

After a picnic lunch in a verdant oasis, where we 

may find Trumpeter Finch coming to drink, it will 

be time to reluctantly leave the desert and return 

to Agadir where we stay for the next three nights. 

The following day after a leisurely breakfast, we 

set off north-east along the mountain road 

towards Immouzzer. This road passes through 

some awe-inspiring scenery. We head first to the 

furthest spot, just over an hour from the coast, 

where in the bushes and pines we may be lucky 

and find Tristram’s Warbler in its breeding habitat 

as well as Crossbill (of the distinctive Atlas race) 

and Cirl Bunting. We drift back and have a tagine 

lunch in a restaurant with a panoramic view, 

before descending into the aptly named 

Paradise Valley, a truly beautiful spot. Here we 

can expect Eurasian Crag Martin and African 

Blue Tit. It is a wonderful spot for dragonflies 

including the exotic Ringed Cascader, Violet, 

Orange-winged and Red-veined Dropwings and 

Epaulet Skimmer. Spanish Terrapin and Barbary 

Ground Squirrel add to the variety on offer. We 

return to the hotel via a wonderfully positioned 

roadside shop in the hills selling plates and 

ammonites. Then, after a short break, in the late 

afternoon those who wish to continue birding will 

head to the fabulous Souss estuary with its large 

numbers of gulls, terns, waders and flamingos. 

There will be plenty for everyone to look at and 

we will patiently scan the flocks hoping in 

particular for Slender-billed and Mediterranean 

Gulls or a rare shorebird. The Moroccan race of 

Magpie is common in the eucalyptus trees. 

On our final full day we can either look again for 

Northern Bald Ibis or, if we have seen it already, 

head south towards Massa once more and, if so, 

our first destination is likely to be the area around 

Barrage Youssef-ben-Tachfine. Having turned off 

the main southbound road, we start scanning the 

fields by an irrigation channel and have a good 

chance of seeing Black-bellied Sandgrouse at 

close range, whilst Alpine Swift is a possibility. We 

then return to Massa and explore a different area 

to the south of the village where the long-billed 

race of Crested Lark is likely in the small fields; at 

the river itself we may find Bluethroat and the 

Spanish race of Yellow Wagtail, whilst Purple 

Heron and Little Bittern are both possibilities in 

the reeds. This area has often produced rarities 

on previous trips. During the afternoon, some will 

doubtless continue to scan for raptors, others for 

more dragonflies and butterflies. There may be 

time to briefly revisit the parts of the Massa 

estuary we have seen previously. 

Day 8 

If there is time, we shall take one last look at the 

Souss Estuary, just to see if there is anything new 

for us, before we catch the return flight to London. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good/Basic 

140 

Warm/Hot 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Tristram’s Warbler 


65

Sing-sing with Huli, Papua New Guinea

The Middle 

East, Asia & 

Australasia 

The Middle East 

Jordan 68-69 

Kuwait 70-71 

Asia 

Bhutan 80-81 

Borneo 86-87 

India 72-73 

Mongolia 76-77 

Nepal 82-83 

Sri Lanka 74-75 

Taiwan 78-79 

Vietnam 84-85 

Australasia 

New Zealand 90-91 

Papua New Guinea 88-89 

67

J O R D A N 

Jordan 

Birds & History 

Wednesday 26 March – Friday 04 April 2014 

Leaders: Mitko Petrakiev and Colin Bushell 


Amman 

Azraq 

Dead Sea 

Dana 

JORDAN 

Petra 

Aqaba 

he Middle East has seen much turbulence and political strife in recent years, but Jordan remains a 

Tsafe venue for those interested in the area’s fascinating history and rich birdlife. The rose-red city of 

Petra carved from the bedrock remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world; we also visit the Islamic castles at Azraq, and Jerash 

which holds a superbly preserved Roman city. The landscape of the tour is diverse, from the green northern forests, to the spectacular desert of Lawrence 

of Arabia at Wadi Rum, and from the verdant oases to the marine wonders of Aqaba. Jordan offers many interesting and scarce resident species, such as 

Sinai Rosefinch, Verreaux's Eagle and Tristram's Starling, as well as many migrants moving from Africa to their northern breeding grounds. Our tour is timed 

to coincide with this migration and we should witness large flocks of Steppe Buzzard, with smaller numbers of Lesser Spotted, Steppe and Eastern Imperial 

Eagles. Levant Sparrowhawks will also be moving north, and flocks of swallows, larks, warblers, bee-eaters and wagtails will continually be passing as we 

journey through this fascinating country. The itinerary has been designed to see the best areas of the country, both for the wildlife and the ancient sites. 

This will be Ornitholidays' 10th visit to Jordan – why not join us on this tour which will provide some great birding and superb photographic opportunities. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We catch the morning flight from London and 

arrive in the mid afternoon into Amman. We 

transfer to our hotel in Amman for a stay of two 

nights. We have a full day birding in areas north 

of Amman, visiting Jerash and Aljub. We can 

begin to get used to the common birds of the 

area, and also to look for some of the migrant 

warblers, including Spectacled, Ruppell’s, 

Eastern Orphean and Bonelli’s. At the Zarqa 

River we will have a look for the Long-billed 

Pipit. We can also visit Jerash to view the wellpreserved 

remains of this Roman city. 

Days 3 & 4 

In the morning we transfer from Amman, to the 

desert oasis of Azraq, some 60 kilometres to the 

east, where we stay for two nights. Our main 

areas of attention here will be the Wetland 

Wildlife Reserve and the Shaumari Wildlife 

Reserve, both of which have a number of pools 

and semi-desert habitat. These areas are a 

focal point for vast numbers of migrants, which 

refuel and rest here on their northward 

migration. Species which might be expected 

include: Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night- 

Heron, Squacco and Purple Herons, Garganey, 

Pallid Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Greater 

Sand Plover, White-tailed Plover, Temminck's 

Stint, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns, Eurasian 

Crag Martin, Savi's and Olivaceous Warblers 

and Greater Hoopoe Lark. Birds are constantly 

arriving and leaving, and there will be much of 

great interest here. We can also visit the unique 

Greater Hoopoe Lark 

68 


Petra 

Sand Partridge 

J O R D A N 

Outline itinerary 

Day 1 Fly to Amman 

Day 2 Amman 

Days 3-4 Azraq 

Day 5 Dead Sea 

Days 6-7 Petra 

Days 8-9 Aqaba 

Day 10 Depart Amman 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 

By small coach or minibus. 

Basalt Desert at Safawi, where we look for the 

dark morph of Mourning Wheatear (known as 

Basalt Wheatear), Thick-billed and Bar-tailed 

Desert Larks and Trumpeter Finch. We shall also 

visit Azraq Castle, which has been involved in 

wars since the Roman times. 

Day 5 

In the morning we will leave Azraq and head 

west, towards the Dead Sea. On the way we shall 

visit Mount Nebo, Wadi Midjub and the shores of 

the Dead Sea. Highlights today may include 

Dead Sea Sparrow, Palestine Sunbird, Whitespectacled 

Bulbul, Little Green Bee-eater, 

Mourning Wheatear, Arabian Warbler, Arabian 

Babbler, Sand Partridge, Greater Hoopoe and 

Dunn’s Larks and Blackstart. We stay overnight 

at a hotel near to the Dead Sea. 

Days 6 & 7 

Today we drive further south and we will explore 

the Wadi Dana reserve. Here we can expect to 

find Tristram’s Starling, Syrian Serin, Chukar, 

Rock Martin, Scrub Warbler and raptors 

including Bonelli’s Eagle, Barbary Falcon and 

Eurasian Griffon Vulture. 

Later we make the short drive to Petra where we 

stay for two nights. Petra is one of the wonders of 

the Middle Eastern World, a gigantic natural 

amphitheatre, hidden in the rocks, out of which a 

delicately coloured city, with immense façades, 

has been carved. The temples and caves of 

Petra rest high up above a chasm, with huge 

white rocks forming the Bab, or gate, of the Siq, 

the narrow entrance towering more than 20 

metres high. Bird life here in the desert is scarce, 

but we would hope to see Barbary Falcon, 

Blackstart, Palestine Sunbird, Sinai Rosefinch, 

Striolated Bunting, White-crowned Wheatear and 

Fan-tailed Raven. In the evening we will look for 

the elusive Hume’s Owl. 

Days 8 & 9 

This morning we leave Petra and drive to Wadi Rum. 

In this gorge we have our best chance of seeing the 

very scarce Verreaux's Eagle. Other species of note 

here include Hooded Wheatear, Brown-necked 

Raven, Trumpeter Finch, Blackstart, Long-legged 

Buzzard, Rock Martin, Masked Shrike and Tristram's 

Starling. We then move on to the Red Sea and our 

final destination, Aqaba, where we stay for two 

nights. This coastal resort overlooks the Israeli town 

of Eilat – whereas Eilat has managed to degrade 

much of the good birding habitat, Aqaba has kept 

much of its cover, influencing the migrating birds to 

move from Israel to Jordan! 

In the Gulf we may see Brown Booby, Western 

Reef Heron and perhaps a lingering Great Blackheaded 

Gull. The shore often holds Indian 

House Crows, Greater Sand Plover and Whiteeyed 

Gull. The Gulf is a great flyway for migrating 

birds, and if conditions are right, we may find 

many grounded migrants in Aqaba. No 

Ornitholidays’ tour is complete without a sewage 

works visit, and Aqaba can provide this! The 

area is thronged with waterbirds and migrants 

and we can look for Little Green Bee-eater, 

Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Collared 

and Semi-collared Flycatchers, Red-throated 

Pipit, Black-headed Wagtail, Common Quail, and 

many species of lark, swallow and pipit. 

The drier habitats hold Striolated Bunting, Sand 

Partridge, White-crowned and Hooded Wheatears 

and overhead we can always be on the lookout 

for migrating flocks of herons, storks or waders, 

or the numerous birds of prey such as Black Kite, 

Lesser Spotted Eagle and Steppe Buzzards. 

Day 10 

We drive to Amman, with a few stops for birding 

en route. Later, we catch our flight home and 

arrive into London in the early evening. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

150 

Blackstart 

Mainly Warm 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 


69

K U W A I T 

Kuwait 

Birding in the Gulf 

Tuesday 01 April – Tuesday 08 April 2014 

Leaders: Nigel Jones and Dobromir Domuschiev 


KUWAIT 

Kuwait 

City 

he small state of Kuwait, situated on the north-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, lies at the 

Tvery south-eastern edge of the Western Palearctic but also on two major migration routes – Eurasia 

to Africa and Turkey to India. Due to these flyways, and despite its landscape being mainly a sandy desert, Kuwait is a great place to go birding. For certain 

species Kuwait is often the only place within the western Palearctic where you may find the following – Grey Hypocolius, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-vented 

and White-eared Bulbuls, Bank Myna, and Afghan Babbler. Beside these, many other highlights are here: Crab Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Socotra 

Cormorant, Red-wattled Lapwing, Greater Crested, Bridled and White-cheeked Terns, Egyptian Nightjar, Grey-headed Swamphen, Dunn’s Lark, Blackcrowned 

Sparrow-lark, Common Babbler, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Menetries’s and Upcher’s Warblers, Daurian, Turkestan and Steppe Grey Shrikes, 

Semi-collared Flycatcher, Pale Rock Sparrow, Cinereous Bunting, Persian Wheatear and many more. 

The coastline holds a considerable number of waders with Terek, Marsh and Broad-billed Sandpipers and Red-necked Phalarope all possible in addition 

to those already mentioned. We can also find many species of gulls including Great Black-headed, Armenian, Slender-billed and various races of the Lesser 

Black-backed as well as Bridled, White-cheeked, Lesser and Greater Crested Terns. Even small reedbeds can reveal virtually anything alongside views of 

Great, Clamorous and Basra Reed Warblers. On our recent recce trip we found over 15 crakes of three species (plus Water Rail) within 50 sq. metres. The 

oases and small farms scattered throughout the adjacent deserts also hold exciting species such as White-throated Robin, Persian, Desert and Pied 

Wheatears and numerous other passerines. Raptors may include Levant Sparrowhawk and Shikra, Pallid Harrier and Great Spotted Eagle. Plus there is 

always a chance for the Pallid Scops Owl. 

There is always the possibility of something really unusual to turn up, both for Kuwait and the Western Palearctic, and we can expect over 150 species in 

just a week. The beginning of April is the time when the migration is in full force, while we may still catch up with some of the wintering birds which are still 

in the area. It will already be warm, but not too hot, around 30 Celsius or so. This will require early starts, but we can return to the hotel for a siesta on some 

of the days. The hotel we have chosen is located at the edge of the city and to reach most the sites we will have very little driving through the traffic. We 

will spend the entire holiday in one hotel only, and it is not only perfectly situated near one of the major wetlands, but also has a swimming pool – a valuable 

asset in the middle of the day and in between excellent morning and afternoon birding sessions. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 7 

We take a flight to Kuwait City where we arrive in 

the evening and transfer to our hotel where we 

stay for seven nights. We will have six full days to 

explore Kuwait and each day we will go to 

different areas, but some of the sites along the 

coast and wetlands near the hotel we will visit 

more than once and it also depends on the tides 

times. The furthest site requires no more than a 

90 minute drive to be reached. 

The city itself is a place where we will look for the 

Grey Hypocolius, Red-vented Bulbul and the 

Bank Myna, plus there will be many other 

migrating birds – Pied Wheatear, various 

subspecies of Yellow Wagtails, Red-throated 

Pipits and Ortolan Bunting which can be seen 

feeding on every tiny patch of green grass. All 

these can be found at the Green Island, Jahra 

City Park and Jahra Fields. 

The coast will produce most of the birds we will 

see during the holiday – Sulaibikhat Bay, Jahra 

pools, Jahra east outfalls, Doha spit and Doha 

south are all excellent spots for birding, 

especially during migration. Gulls, waders – 

Terek, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, also Rednecked 

Phalaropes, Gull-billed Terns, even 

raptors migrating through such as Greater 

Spotted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel and Levant 

Sparrowhawk. The few fresh water wetlands and 

the outfalls will add even more species – 

warblers, crakes and more waders. The 

adjacent fields should reveal Upcher’s Warbler, 

Steppe Grey and Daurian Shrikes, Eastern 

Grey Hypocolius 

70 


Crab Plovers 

K U W A I T 

Outline itinerary 

Day 1 Fly to Kuwait City 

Days 2-7 Kuwait City 

Day 8 Depart Kuwait City 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms with private facilities 

Transport 

By minibuses driven by the leaders. Also 4x4 

vehicles when required. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

150 

Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Socotra Cormorants 

Orphean Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat and 

more raptors. 

We will also visit the small Abdali farms further 

north, near to the Iraq border, and here we will be 

looking for Afgan and Common Babblers, as well 

as many migrants – White-throated Robin, 

Masked Shrike, Semi-collared and Red-breasted 

Flycatchers, Rufous Bushchat, Pallid Harrier, 

Graceful Prinia and both Daurian and Turkestan 

Shrikes. 

A trip to the south will allow us to see Socotra 

Cormorant, as well as a few tern species – 

Bridled, White-cheeked, Greater and Lesser 

Crested. 

On another day we will drive westwards into the 

desert and visit another small farm (Wafra) 

nestled among the sands – it is amazing to see 

such a variety of birds clustered in such a small 

piece of greenery – Montagu’s and Pallid 

Harriers will glide gracefully above small onion 

plantations, Shikra and Levant Sparrowhawks 

will dash into the larger trees, where Pallid Scops 

Owl can sometimes be found. Here we can also 

look for the ‘waxwing of the south’ - Grey 

Hypocolios and the bushes around can hold an 

amazing variety of birds – from White-throated 

Robin to Siberian Chiffchaff. We will also check 

the adjacent deserts for various larks, Common 

Quail and Blue-cheeked Bea-eaters. The desert 

itself supports an amazing number of grazing 

animals which appear to be feeding on sand, as 

there is almost no vegetation. Camels, sheep 

and goats, as well as some good Arab horses 

can be seen almost everywhere. Relatively 

recently some large areas have been fenced so 

no grazing is allowed and the vegetation there is 

recovering – a green and yellow carpet as far as 

you can see. 

Unfortunately some of the locals still shoot birds, 

but we hope that ecotourism and birdwatching 

will become one of the best tools to diminish and 

perhaps actually stop such practices – as there 

are already signs that it is working in Kuwait itself. 

Day 8 

After some further birding in the area, we transfer 

to Kuwait City Airport where we catch the flight 

back to London. 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Macqueen’s Bustard 


71

I N D I A 

India – Goa 

Birds, Beaches & Bhajees 

Thursday 20 November – Tuesday 02 December 2014 

Leaders: MIke Witherick and local guides 


Bombay 

India 

T 

he State of Goa is situated on the west coast of India, bordered by Maharashtra to the north and Karnakata Goa 

to the south and east. It is a former Portuguese colony, but has the style of a Mediterranean enclave in an 

Indian setting. We visit at the best time of year for birding, as many Palearctic visitors are wintering and the forests 

will produce many mixed feeding flocks for us to sort through. This thirteen-day itinerary will be taken at a leisurely 

pace, which befits the time of year and the temperatures. The distance travelled is never great, but as in most of India, 

the road system is quite slow and in need of repair! The birds to be encountered include many new species for those 

who have previously visited Northern India, and we also have many interesting waders and gulls to sort through on each 

high tide. Our three-centre tour provides comprehensive coverage of Goa’s primary habitats, with our stay along the coast complemented by two nights 

at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and three nights in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary at Backwoods Camp, where we can experience birding in 

distinct settings, and search for some local specialities. We have now visited Goa over 25 times and we thoroughly recommend our choice of hotel and 

the local birding guides we use. All of our groups have found that the locals are friendly and the beaches and birding are superb. The cuisine is a mixture 

of western and eastern, but the seafood is amongst the best available anywhere in the world. Travel with us to this delightful area and see why this 

destination is becoming increasingly popular with the well travelled birdwatcher. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 to 3 

We leave London on an evening flight to Goa 

where we arrive in the afternoon of the next day. 

We meet our local guide and set out on a drive 

of around an hour and a half to Cotigao Wildlife 

Sanctuary in southern Goa. The drive, and the 

area near to our hotel, will produce the first birds 

of the trip and initially we can begin to acquaint 

ourselves with the common species. Our first 

birds should include Black and Brahminy Kites, 

Black-winged Kite, Asian Openbill, Woollynecked 

Stork, Red-wattled Lapwing, 

White-throated Kingfisher, Indian Roller, Black 

Drongo, Jungle Myna, and Paddyfield Pipit. We 

have a full day to explore the Cotigao Wildlife 

Sanctuary, one of Goa’s quieter forest reserves 

at the foot of the Western Ghats, where a 

network of forest trails provides easy access to 

the mixed deciduous forest. The vegetation here 

is noticeably drier than that of Goa’s other 

forested reserves, and we will look for species 

associated with this habitat type, including our 

first regional endemics. Key species here include 

Forest Wagtail, Malabar Woodshrike, Velvetfronted 

Nuthatch, White-bellied Woodpecker, 

Malabar Pied and Great Pied Hornbills, Emerald 

Dove and Green Imperial Pigeon. 

Days 4 to 7 

Today we visit Curtorim and Velim Lakes, their 

surrounding paddyfields and marshes. These 

are some of Goa’s largest wetlands and here we 

will find a good selection of wetland species 

such as River Tern, Great Cormorant, Oriental 

Darter, Indian Spot-billed and Comb Ducks, 

Ruddy Shelduck, and if we are lucky a Greyheaded 

Lapwing. Later we continue to 

Backwoods Camp where we spend four nights. 

This camp is now large enough to 

accommodate our groups and each tent or 

cottage has its own private facilities. It is 

surrounded by the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife 

Sanctuary and National Park (also called 

Mollem). It covers about 240 sq km of monsoon 

forest of both deciduous and evergreen 

vegetation. The main species we hope to find 

here in the early morning and late evening are 

Indian Pitta, Sri Lankan Frogmouth, the elusive 

Malabar Trogon, Blue-eared and Oriental Dwarf 

Kingfishers, Black and Grey-headed Bulbuls, 

Rufous-bellied and Black Eagles, Mountain 

Rufous Treepie 

72 


Imperial-Pigeon, Indian Blue Robin, Malabar 

Whistling Thrush, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, 

Malabar Parakeet and Malabar Barbet. Birding 

here will be exciting; the forest also holds a few 

mammals although most are wary of humans but 

troops of Common Langurs are normally 

inquisitive enough to put in an appearance and 

the sharp-eyed should spot a Malabar Giant 

Squirrel. Throughout our stay we shall try and 

birdwatch in the cool morning and late 

afternoon, giving us time around the hot midday 

period to eat and take a siesta. The distances 

travelled will, on average, not be great, and the 

leader will strive to make this a relaxing holiday, 

filled with great birdwatching. 

Days 8 to 11 

Today we visit the reserve at Bondla which is just 

over half an hour’s journey away from 

Backwoods Camp. This is the smallest of Goa’s 

three forest reserves, but it often produces the 

best birding. Much of the vegetation is mixed 

deciduous and evergreen forest and there is 

normally water present throughout the year. The 

terrain is hilly as it lies in the foothills of the 

Western Ghats. Some of the species to look for 

here are Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Brown Fish- 

Owl, White-rumped Shama, Blue-faced Malkoha, 

Malabar Grey Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker, Barwinged 

Flycatcher-shrike, Small and Scarlet 

Minivets, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher and 

Black-naped Monarch. We continue on to 

coastal north Goa and check-in to our hotel for a 

four-night stay. Our time here will be spent 

making a leisurely exploration of many good 

sites for birding in this region. The area near to 

the hotel is a mosaic of scrub, dry grass, salt 

pans and tidal creeks, and this afternoon we will 

explore these, where birds should include Whitebreasted 

Waterhen, Common and Black-capped 

Kingfishers, Asian Koel, Common Tailorbird, 

White-bellied Drongo, Common Myna, and 

Yellow Wagtail. 

The majority of the excursions we make in the 

following three days will be within 45 minutes 

drive of the hotel. Carambolim Lake is close by 

and normally filled with hundreds, if not 

thousands, of water birds. Many egrets and 

herons are present and we may find Asian 

Openbill, Lesser Adjutant and Woolly-necked 

Storks, Lesser Whistling-duck, Cotton Pygmygoose, 

Purple Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed and 

Bronze-winged Jacanas and Small Pratincole. 

The sandy beaches that make the area famous 

are excellent for watching waders at strategic 

times, depending on the tides. Both Lesser and 

Greater Sandplovers will be present, along with 

Pacific Golden and Grey Plovers, Whimbrel, 

Common Redshank and Terek Sandpiper. The 

sand banks in the estuary at Morjim are a 

roosting place for many seabirds and if 

conditions are right we can sift through the large 

flock to pick out both Lesser and Great Crested 

Terns, Pallas’s, Heuglin’s, Slender-billed, Black 

and Brown-headed Gulls. The sand dunes and 

fields behind the beach often hold migrant pipits 

to challenge our identification skills. 

We can take one of the boat trips up the Zuari 

River, as this will allow us close views of many of 

the water birds. White-bellied Sea Eagles will be 

sailing overhead, and kingfishers include Lesser 

Pied, Stork-billed, White-throated, Black-capped 

and the rare Collared. Both Green and Bluetailed 

Bee-eaters should be perched along the 

riverbank and we may be lucky enough to see a 

Slaty-breasted Rail scurrying through the twisted 

roots of the mangroves. Then of course there will 

also be the Mugger Crocodiles! Fort Aguada, 

built in 1612, stands on the top of a headland. 

There is water on three sides, with a river creek, 

the River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea, where 

we look for the resident pods of Indo-pacific 

Humpbacked Dolphins. The area around the fort 

is often a site for Indian Peafowl and Blue Rock- 

Thrush. We shall search some drier areas for 

Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Rosy Starling, Eurasian 

Hoopoe, Indian Robin, Ashy-crowned Sparrow 

Lark and Small Skylark. House Swifts feed over 

these areas in large numbers and the flocks are 

worth checking for Indian Swiftlet and a variety of 

hirundines. 

Water plays a key role in birding around Goa and 

there are many areas near to the hotel where we 

can look for water birds. Greater Painted-snipe, 

Cinnamon Bittern, Pintail Snipe, Clamorous 

Reed Warbler and Ruddy-breasted Crake are all 

present. Freshwater pools can have Indian Shag, 

Little Cormorant, Green-backed Heron, Indian 

Pond Heron, Great, Intermediate, Little and 

Cattle Egrets and Stork-billed Kingfisher. Even 

small areas of woodland can provide such 

spectacular species as Oriental Magpie Robin, 

Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Coppersmith Barbet, 

Purple-rumped and Crimson-backed Sunbirds 

and Black-rumped Flameback. 

Days 12 & 13 

We depart Goa in the late afternoon and arrive 

into London the next day. 

Brown Hawk-Owl 



Days 2-3 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary 

Days 4-7 Backwoods Camp 

Days 8-11 Baga Beach 

Day 12 Depart Goa 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Tented accommodation with private facilities 

at Backwoods Camp. 

Transport 

By coach. 

Includes 




Excludes 

Video and camera fees charged at many 

parks. 

Gradings 

Good/Tented 

240 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

I N D I A 

Special 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Pheasant-tailed Jacana 

Common Langur 


73

S R I L A N K A 

Sri Lanka 

Teardrop of the Indian Ocean 

Tuesday 07 January – Tuesday 21 January 2014 

Leader: Deepal Warakagoda 


SRI LANKA 

Tuesday 06 January – Tuesday 20 January 2015 

Leader: Deepal Warakagoda 


Embilipitiya 

ri Lanka was one of the most popular destinations for Ornitholidays’ groups in the 70s and 80s and this 

Tissamaharama 

S will be our 20th visit to the island. There can be no more attractive destination in the middle of a British 

winter. An abundant birdlife flourishes in a great variety of beautiful tropical habitats – from palm-fringed coasts 

to relic patches of lowland rainforest; from the cool, mountainous tea-estates to the sun-baked lagoons of the arid 

southeast. We will re-discover all these delights in an itinerary that is based upon our previous experiences plus upto-date 

input from our experts on the island. In addition to the wildlife, we will learn something of the rich culture and history of the fascinating and 

friendly country by visiting ancient sites (often excellent for birds too). Nature conservation has an ancient history in Sri Lanka, since King Devanampiya 

Tissa became a convert to Buddhism over 2,000 years ago and joyfully declared his hunting preserve a wildlife sanctuary. Now one-tenth of the island 

is set aside as national parks, nature reserves and other sanctuaries. There have been exciting taxonomic changes here recently, resulting in the island 

now having 33 endemic birds, almost all of which we should find. Many others from northern climes visit the country during November to March, so 

we can be sure of both an avian and cultural feast. We have been fortunate in obtaining the services of Deepal Warakagoda, the country’s foremost 

ornithological guide (and author of the new Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka), who led our last seven holidays. 

Colombo 

Ratnapura 

ITINERARY 

Kitulgala 

Kandy 

Nuwara Eliya 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London on a scheduled evening 

flight to Colombo, where we arrive early in 

the afternoon of the next day. We transfer 

the short distance to our hotel, where we 

can freshen up and then have dinner and 


Days 3 & 4 

In the morning we head south-east and 

transfer to our hotel at Kitulgala, where we 

stay for two nights. We are near to an area 

of lowland forest, by the Kelani River, 

where “Bridge over the River Kwai” was 

filmed. This is virtually all that remains of 

formerly vast tracts of the original wet zone 

low altitude forest. Species that our 

groups have seen on previous tours 

include Mountain Hawk Eagle, Ceylon 

Hanging Parrot, Green-billed Coucal, 

Chestnut-backed Owlet, Brown-throated 

Needletail, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, 

Dollarbird, Yellow-fronted and Ceylon 

Small Barbets, Ceylon Crested Drongo, 

White-faced Starling, Ceylon Hill Myna, 

Ceylon Magpie, Ceylon Rufous Babbler, 

Ashy-headed Laughingthrush and 

Legge’s Flowerpecker. These forests are 

also excellent for butterflies and plants, 

and we may even see Toque Macaque or 

a Giant Squirrel. 

Sri Lanka Frogmouths 

Days 5 to 7 

We proceed to Ratnapura, the centre of 

the Sri Lankan gem industry, for a threenight 

stay. Again this area is one of low 

elevation forests – we are only 30 metres 

above sea level. Birding around the hotel 

area could produce Green Imperial 

Pigeon, Plum-headed Parakeet, Browncapped 

Woodpecker and even the chance 

to find Indian Pitta. We shall also visit 

Gilimale Forest, where we can look for 

Ceylon Spurfowl, Pompadour Green 

Pigeon, Brown-breasted Flycatcher and 

Ceylon Hill Myna. Sinharaja Forest is one 

of the best remaining forests on the island 

with many endemic birds including Ceylon 

74 


Sri Lanka Junglefowl 

S R I L A N K A 

Asian Elephant 

Junglefowl, Red-faced Malkoha, Ashy-headed 

Laughingthrush, White-faced Starling, and the 

beautiful Ceylon Magpie. Also to be looked for 

are Black, Rufous-bellied and Mountain Hawk 

Eagles, Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, 

Brown-throated Needletail and Ceylon Scaly 

Thrush. Mammals we may encounter include the 

endemic Purple-faced Leaf Monkey. 

Day 8 

Today we move to Embilipitiya, where we stay for 

one night. After lunch we visit Udawalawe 

National Park, an area of grassland and waterassociated 

forest. Here we may find Spot-billed 

Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Grey-headed Fish 

Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Brown Fish Owl, Ceylon 

Junglefowl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Forest 

Wagtail and Blyth’s Pipit. The park is especially 

good for Asian Elephant. 

Days 9 to 11 

After breakfast we can visit Udawalawe again or 

bird around some of the “tanks”. These tanks or 

irrigation reservoirs are a prominent feature of 

the island’s landscape. It is a reminder of the 

antiquity of Sri Lanka’s civilization that over 5,000 

such tanks had been built by the 12th century to 

boost the agricultural economy. We have lunch 

at Embilipitiya, before we proceed to 

Tissamaharama for a three-night stay. There are 

many interesting tanks in this area, some with 

reedy margins suitable for Streaked Weaver and 

for bitterns (Black, Yellow and Cinnamon are all 

possible), others with bare muddy banks, which 

attract large numbers of migrant waders. Longtoed 

is a possibility among the Little and 

Temminck’s Stints; Marsh, Wood and Curlew 

Sandpipers are common and the Broad-billed 

Sandpiper turns up occasionally. 

Large shady trees provide roosting sites for 

Brown Fish Owl and in stands of palm trees we 

will look for the beautiful White-naped 

Flameback. We also visit Yala National Park, 

which comprises scrubland, grass flats, 

monsoon forest and rock outcrops with waterholes. 

We shall search for Great Thick-knee, 

Jacobin Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha and Baya 

Weaver. Mammals may include Indian Elephant, 

Spotted Deer, Golden Jackal, Ruddy Mongoose, 

Sloth Bear and we even stand a chance of 

seeing Leopard, since in Sri Lanka this species is 

less nocturnal than in Africa. 

Days 12 & 13 

After breakfast we proceed to Nuwara Eliya town 

at a cool 1,800 metres (6,000 ft), where we stay 

for two nights. After lunch a walk in nearby forest 

should produce several more endemic species 

including Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Yellow-eared 

Bulbul, Sri Lanka Bush Warbler and Ceylon 

White-eye. In the montane forests that surround 

Horton Plains National Park we shall look for 

local species including Ceylon Whistling Thrush 

and Dusky-blue Flycatcher. Victoria Park is a 

good site for an afternoon stroll, where the bird 

list includes Pied Ground Thrush, Bar-winged 

Flycatcher-shrike, Indian Blue Robin, Kashmir 

Flycatcher and the endemics, Yellow-eared 

Bulbul and Ceylon White-eye. Here we may also 

find Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher, Squaretailed 

Black Bulbul, Black-throated Munia and 

Hill Swallow. Familiar breeding birds include 

Indian Blackbird (only recently split from ‘our’ 

Blackbird), Great Tit and Grey Wagtail, while the 

engaging Bear Monkey can often be watched 

and photographed. In the past we have found 

Spot-winged Ground Thrush, Black Eagle and 

Mountain Hawk Eagle. 

Day 14 

After an early breakfast we proceed to Kandy 

where we can visit the Udawettekele Bird 

Sanctuary that adjoins the city. It is secondary 

rainforest with vast liana-covered trees, full of 

strange sounds and birds we may see here 

include Gold-fronted Leafbird, White-rumped 

Shama, Indian Blue Robin, Ceylon Scimitar 

Babbler, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Orange Minivet, 

Crimson-backed Flameback and Brownbreasted 

Flycatcher. Later we continue to 

Colombo where we overnight in a hotel and have 

our farewell dinner. 

Day 15 

In the morning we transfer to the airport and 

catch our flight to London, which arrives later the 

same day. 



Day 2 Colombo 

Days 3-4 Kitulgala 

Days 5-7 Ratnapura 

Day 8 Embilipitiya 

Days 9-11 Tissamaharama 

Days 12-13 Nuwara Eliya 

Day 14 Colombo 

Day 15 Depart Colombo, 

arrive London 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms at all the hotels and rest 

houses, with private facilities. 

Transport 

By coach. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

220 

Mainly Warm 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Green Garden Lizard 


75

M O N G O L I A 

Mongolia 

Eastern Steppe & Gobi Desert 

Wednesday 11 June – Wednesday 25 June 2014 

Leaders: Dobromir Domuschiev, Simon Boyes and local guides 


MONGOLIA 

Ulaanbaatar 

Tereji National Park 

Ogii Lake 

Hustai 

National 

Park 

Baga Bogol 

Gobi Desert 

Yoliin Am 

Dalanzadgad 

ongolia is situated in the heart of the great continent of Asia, sandwiched between China in the south and Russia in the north and it shares a short 

Mborder with Kazakhstan to the west. With its size of 1.5 million sq. kms and population of 2.5 million people (with 1.5 million living in Ulaanbaatar), 

it is one of the least densely populated countries on the planet. The vast open spaces give a wonderful feeling of freedom and loneliness, but also of 

true wilderness. The nature here is shaped by the climate which, except in the spring, is nothing but harsh. Bitterly cold winters with temperatures as 

low as -50°C and baking hot summers at over 50°C have resulted in huge deserts and steppes with little vegetation. Mongolia is home to a great variety 

of wildlife and some of the rarest animals in the world are found here – Snow Leopard, the only true wild camels, Argali Sheep, Wild Ass and the recently 

re-introduced Przewalski's Horse. But we are here for the birds and what birds they are – Greater Sand and Oriental Plovers, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Greater 

Black-headed Gull, Altai Snowcock, Asiatic Dowitcher, Henderson’s Ground Jay, Saxaul Sparrow, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Azure Tit, Citrine Wagtail, Saker 

and Amur Falcons, Demoiselle and White-naped Cranes and many more. To see all this variety we visit various habitats – the vast steppe, some steppe 

lakes, taiga forests, sand dunes, saxaul forest and some rocky gorges. This itinerary has been designed so it is not too strenuous but will give a real 

insight into the wilderness of the country and we stay mainly in ger camps to experience the true Mongolian lifestyle. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on a scheduled flight to 

Ulaanbaatar, where we arrive the following 

morning. We then transfer to Terelj National Park, 

east of the capital city, where we stay for two 

nights. On the way we can visit a couple of 

wetlands where we could find Demoiselle and 

White-naped Cranes, Bar-headed Goose, Velvet 

Scoter and White-winged Tern. Macqueen’s 

Bustard may also be seen and if we are lucky 

enough we can spot the rare Argail sheep. We 

can go birding in the forest behind the hotel – 

here we can find Red-breasted Flycatcher, Redthroated 

and Eye-browed Thrushes, Daurian and 

Common Redstarts, Daurian Jackdaw, Olivebacked 

Pipit, Long-tailed Tit (the white-headed 

form) and Black-faced Bunting. Terelj National 

Park lies at the edge of the tundra and is in fact 

the only forest habitat we will be visiting during 

the tour. The next day we can explore the 

surroundings looking for Siberian Rubythroat, 

Swinhoe’s Snipe, Chinese Bush Warbler, 

woodpeckers (Wryneck, Grey-headed, Black, 

White-backed, Lesser Spotted and possibly 

Three-toed), Olive-backed Pipit and Oriental 

Cuckoo. Black-billed Capercaillie occurs here but 

is very difficult to see. 

Days 4 & 5 

After breakfast we drive west and our destination 

is another national park – Hustai. On the way we 

can stop at a couple of sites where we can look 

for Azure Tit, Hill Pigeon, both Meadow and Pine 

Buntings, Fork-tailed Swift, some warblers (Twobarred, 

Yellow-browed, Pallas’s Leaf, Arctic and 

Dusky), Brown Shrike and Red-billed Chough. 

We arrive in the national park in the late 

afternoon and we stay here for two nights in a 

ger camp. Unlike Terelj, Hustai National Park 

consists mainly of vast open spaces, with very 

few trees, low and wide open valleys and small 

creeks. Tuul River also runs through the park 

where Long-tailed Rosefinch and White-crowned 

Penduline Tit can be found. We have a full day to 

explore the park driving and walking on the trails 

looking for raptors including Crested Honey 

Buzzard, Amur and Saker Falcons, Upland and 

Long-legged Buzzards and both Black and 

Bearded Vultures. Other birds we can look for 

include Great Bustard, Yellow-browed and Dusky 

Warblers, Daurian Redstart, Red-throated and 

Dusky Thrushes, Mongolian Lark and many 

more. We shall see the recently re-introduced 

Przewalski's Horse and with luck Mongolian 

Gazelle and perhaps even a Wolf. 

Days 6 & 7 

Today we continue further west towards the large 

Ogii Lake and on the way we visit a few smaller 

steppe lakes. Birds we may see include Whitenaped 

Crane, Asiatic Dowitcher, Eastern Marsh 

Harrier, Citrine Wagtail, Mongolian Gull, Blyth’s 

Pipit, Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Paddyfield Warbler 

plus many familiar ducks, grebes and terns. With 

some luck we will find the smart Falcated Duck. 

Along the roads we will see Eurasian Black and 

Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Black-eared Kite, Rock 

Sparrow, Pere David’s Snowfinch and Hill 

Pigeon. We arrive at Ogii Lake in the evening and 

stay in a ger camp for two nights. We have a full 

Demoiselle Cranes 

76 


Pallas’s Sandgrouse 

Edge of Gobi Desert 

M O N G O L I A 

day to explore the lake which is our best site for 

Pallas’s Fish Eagle – one of Mongolia’s special 

birds. White-tailed Eagle might also turn up, and 

Steppe Eagles and Upland Buzzards will be 

everywhere. The lake supports many Swan and 

Bar-headed Geese as well as gulls and terns. 

Desert Wheatear breed by the ger camp and 

Horned Larks are numerous. 

Day 8 

Today we drive back to Ulaanbaatar, checking 

some of the sites we visited on our outward 

journey looking for any species we might have 

missed. We stay overnight in Ulaanbaatar. 

Days 9 & 10 

We take a morning flight to Dalanzangad in the 

south of Mongolia, in the great Gobi Desert. 

From here we drive to one of the Altai ridges – 

Baga Bogd. We drive for most of the day to get 

there but break the journey with a few birding 

stops – here we can see the beautiful Pallas’s 

Sandgrouse virtually everywhere and we can 

carefully look for the even more beautiful Oriental 

Plover and for Greater Sand Plover. We reach our 

ger camp, where we stay for two nights, in the 

evening. The next day we have an early start as 

it is about an hour’s drive to reach our main area 

today – a picturesque gorge and the home of the 

Altai Snowcock – another Mongolian highlight. 

We can normally see the calling males from the 

point where our vehicles drop us, but after a bit 

of a climb, and a half a mile walk, we come 

nearer to the displaying males and we can enjoy 

their gentle whistling calls, watch them feeding 

and eventually see one fly above us, crossing the 

narrow gorge and landing on the opposite slope. 

Other birds we can look for in the gorge are 

Wallcreeper, White-winged and Mongolian 

Finches, Common Rosefinch, Brown and Alpine 

Accentors, Godlewski’s Bunting, Golden Eagle, 

Hill Pigeon, Rock Sparrow and Rufous-tailed 

Rock Thrush. Later we can descend a little and 

look for another of our targets – Henderson’s 

Ground Jay. The rest of the day is spent in the 

area of our camp, or we may visit another 

wetland situated some 25 km away. 

Days 11 & 12 

Today we have a long drive to our destination, 

the famous Gobi’s sand dunes. On the way we 

can see numerous sandgrouse, Pied and Desert 

Wheatears, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Ortolan 

Bunting, Saker, Long-legged and Upland 

Buzzards and Eurasian Griffon and Eurasian 

Black Vultures. We can look for Henderson’s 

Ground Jay and also hope for our first encounter 

with the handsome Saxaul Sparrow. Goiterred 

Gazelles are also found in the area but we have 

to be quick to spot them as they disappear 

quickly. We stay for two nights in a ger camp in 

front of the amazing sand dunes. After the long 

drive yesterday we have a more relaxing day 

today, enjoying the view of the sand dunes and 

we can look for Saxaul Sparrow along the river, 

where they usually come to drink. There are also 

a few more pairs of the Henderson’s Ground Jay 

around, plus sandgrouse, Desert Wheatear, 

Isabelline Shrike, Ruddy Shelduck and Horned 

Lark. Later, a short drive brings us back to the 

camp with its nice restaurant for cold drinks and 

dinner. 

Day 13 

We depart after breakfast and after a few hours’ 

drive, with a couple of short stops, we arrive at 

Yoliin Am – the valley of the Lammergeiers. Here 

we can see these magnificent raptors as well as 

Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk 

and Upland Buzzard. Mongolia’s only endemic 

bird, Kozlov’s Accentor, is found here as well as 

Brown Accentor, Common and Beautiful 

Rosefinches, Godlewski’s Bunting, Whitewinged 

Snowfinch and Wallcreeper. Great 

Rosefinch is much rarer but we also have a 

chance to find this too. The gorge itself is a 

spectacular formation and being here is a 

privilege. Towards its lower end the gorge 

becomes less narrow and turns into a wide 

valley. Here we can find Barred Warbler and 

wheatears. We stay overnight in a nearby camp. 

Days 14 & 15 

We make an early start in order to catch our 

return flight to Ulaanbaatar, where we stay 

overnight. We can continue birding and look for 

species such as Azure Tit, Azure-winged Magpie, 

Baikal Wagtail, Pine and Meadow Buntings, Twobarred, 

Yellow-browed, Pallas’s and Dusky 

Warblers, Taiga Flycatcher and Brown Shrike. 

The capital city of Ulaanbaatar is strikingly 

different compared with the traditional life in the 

countryside gers and small settlements. There 

are a couple of historical and cultural sites we 

can visit and we can also buy some fine 

cashmere products to bring home as presents. 

In the morning we catch our return flight to 

London where we arrive later that evening. 



Day 2 Arrive Ulaanbaatar and 

transfer to Terelj National Park 

Day 3 Terelj National Park 

Days 4-5 Hustai National Park 

Days 6-7 Ogii Lake 

Day 8 Ulaanbaatar 

Days 9-10 Baga Bogd 

Days 11-12 Gobi Desert 

Day 13 Yoliin Am 

Day 14 Ulaanbaatar 

Day 15 Depart Ulaanbaatar, 

arrive London 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms throughout the tour. The 

hotel at Ulaanbaatar has private facilities. 

Outside of the capital we will be staying in 

traditional ger camps. The gers have proper 

beds. There are separate toilets and wash 

rooms and meals will be served in a 

restaurant/converted ger. 

Transport 

By small coach and 4 x 4 vehicles. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Ger camp 

Good/Tented 

230 

Hot to Cool 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 


77

TA I W A N 

Taiwan 

Island Endemics 

Sunday 13 April – Friday 25 April 2014 

Leaders: Simon Boyes and Chiang Kuen-Dar 


W 

hen the Portuguese first saw this subtropical island, situated just 100 miles off mainland China, they called it 

Ilha Formosa, or the ‘beautiful island.’ Taiwan is relatively small but it has a spine of mountains, where more than 

Kenting 

one hundred peaks are over 3,000m high. Its east coast is rugged, while the west side of the island is flat and fertile 

with many areas put over to agriculture, including fish farms and rice paddies. Most imagine the country to be heavily industrialized, as indeed it is 

around the major cities; though there is also excellent primary forest, rushing rivers, coastal vegetation and an envied extensive national park 

structure. Taiwan’s bird list now exceeds 500 species, including 24 endemics (though new splits are on the cards). The central mountains contain 

most of these, and we will spend much of our time here, where the scenery is glorious and the air fresh. We will search for star attractions such as 

the breathtaking Swinhoe’s and Mikado Pheasants, and the dazzling Taiwan Blue Magpie. We can look for the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill, 

which has a world population of about 2,700, at its key wintering site on the west coast. We should see most of the endemic birds, and many other 

resident species. By visiting in mid April, we should encounter drier conditions than occur in later months; and migration of many species will be in 

progress. We will encounter neither the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, nor the extreme cold (in the mountains) of mid-winter. 

Douliou 

Tainan 

Dasyueshan 

Kaoshing 

City 

Taipei 

TAIWAN 

Huisun 

The experience of birding in Taiwan is now enhanced by the recent publication of the excellent Field Guide to the Birds of East Asia, by Mark Brazil. 

Also, if you enjoy good Chinese food then this is a great holiday to choose! Travel with Simon to find out why Taiwan is such a popular Asian 

destination. This will be Ornitholidays fourth tour to Taiwan. 

Mikado Pheasant 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on a scheduled evening flight 

to Taipei, where we arrive the following evening 

and transfer to our hotel in the city, for a twonight 

stay. The next morning we visit Wulai, a 

resort village (with hot springs) in a spectacular 

forested valley. Here we seek Taiwan Whistling 

Thrush, Plumbeous Redstart, Silver-backed 

Needletail and White-bellied Green Pigeon. It is 

also a good area for raptors: Crested Goshawk, 

Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle and Oriental 

Honey-buzzard are all possible. Later we visit 

Taipei’s Botanical Gardens, where we hope to 

find the endemic Taiwan Barbet and Taiwan 

Scimitar-Babbler. Malayan Night Heron, 

uncommon and secretive over much of its range, 

is comparatively easy to find on the island, and is 

often in these gardens. Other birds could include 

Grey Treepie, Black-naped Monarch and 

Japanese White-eye. 

Days 4 to 6 

We head south from the capital, and climb into 

the mountains. Basing ourselves at Dasyueshan 

Forest Recreation Area, we will begin our search 

for many of Taiwan's more spectacular 

endemics. This area, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 

metres in elevation, features both temperate 

mixed forest and boreal conifer forest of fir, 

hemlock and cypress. Top among these 

endemics are Mikado and Swinhoe's Pheasants, 

but we will also be alert for Flamecrest, Rufouscrowned 

and Rusty Laughingthrushes, Taiwan 

Barwing and Taiwan Sibia. Steere's Liocichla and 

Taiwan Yuhina will become familiar birds here. 

We will also climb (in our vehicle) for higher 

altitude species, such as White-whiskered 

Laughingthrush, Johnstone's Robin, Yellowbellied 

Bush-Warbler, Ashy Woodpigeon and 

Vinaceous Rosefinch. We also have good 

chances for White-bellied Green Pigeon, 

Bronzed Drongo, Scaly Thrush, Rufous-faced 

Warbler, Snowy-browed Flycatcher and Vivid 

Niltava. Taiwan Whistling Thrush and Little 

Forktails occur along the mountain streams. We 

will keep an eye on the treetops for the distinctive 

island subspecies of Spotted Nutcracker, 

(owstoni), which are the least spotted of all forms 

and a candidate for a future split. With patience, 

78 


Swinhoe’s Pheasant 

Maroon 

Oriole 

TA I W A N 



Days 2-3 Taipei 

Days 4-6 Dasyueshan 

Day 7 Huisun 

Day 8 Douliou 

Days 9-10 Tainan 

Day 11 Kenting 

Day 12 Kaoshing City 

Day 13 Depart Taipei, arrive London 

we may come across some of the more tricky 

endemics, such as Taiwan Shortwing, Taiwan 

Fulvetta, Taiwan Wren-Babbler, and Taiwan Bush- 

Warbler. If we are very lucky we may find either 

Brown or Beavan’s Bullfinches. As for mammals, 

we are likely to see troupes of Formosan 

Macaques and various species of squirrels. We 

stay three nights at Dasyueshan. 

Day 7 

We leave Dasyueshan and return down the 

snaking mountain road, stopping to look at a 

colony of Asian House Martins, before searching 

for Taiwan Hwamei, a small laughingthrush. We 

then drive south and visit the foothill forests at 

Huisun, where we stay for one night. Here we 

hope to find two spectacular endemics, Taiwan 

Blue Magpie and Yellow Tit, as well as Chinese 

Bamboo Partridge (likely to be split soon, as the 

Taiwan form differs from the mainland form in 

voice and plumage), Maroon Oriole, Varied Tit, 

Grey-cheeked and Dusky Fulvettas and Greycapped 

Pygmy Woodpecker. Striated Swallows, 

recently split from Red-rumped, breed in the 

area. We also have a further chance of Swinhoe's 

Pheasant, and Malayan Night Heron. Whitebellied 

Erpornis (until recently believed to be a 

yuhina) and both Fire-breasted and Plain 

Flowerpeckers are also possible. In the evening 

we can listen for calling owls. 

Day 8 

Today we drive south to Douliou where we stay 

overnight. We visit the Huben Ecovillage which is 

a fascinating area of lowland forest and 

cultivation. It is not a formal nature reserve, but is 

government land, managed by local farmers for 

the benefit of wildlife, thanks to the excellent 

input of conservationists resident in the area. 

Species to look for include: Swinhoe's Pheasant, 

Taiwan Hill Partridge, Chinese Bamboo 

Partridge, both Taiwan and Black-necklaced 

Scimitar-Babblers, Maroon Oriole, Collared 

Finchbill, Dusky Fulvetta, Rufous-capped 

Babbler and Grey-chinned Minivet. Small groups 

of Vinous-throated Parrotbills may sometimes be 

found in roadside verges; while rice fields in the 

area may turn up Greater Painted-snipe, and a 

variety of egrets and migrant waders. We will 

also keep an eye on the sky, as a soaring raptor 

could be a Crested Serpent Eagle, Besra or 

Grey-faced Buzzard. We can return after dinner 

to look for Mountain Scops Owl. 

Days 9 & 10 

In the morning we return to Huben Ecovillage to 

look for any species we may have missed 

yesterday. Later we can visit the Guntain 

Wetlands, where a small wetland reserve has 

been established to try to increase numbers of 

the spectacular Pheasant-tailed Jacana. We then 

continue to Tainan City, where we stay two nights. 

This is our base for visits to the nearby Cigu 

Wetlands and the Zengwen Estuary. This is the 

main wintering ground for the endangered Blackfaced 

Spoonbill, and some should still be present 

when we visit. A great variety of duck, waders and 

terns should also be present in April, such as 

Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Terek, Marsh 

and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Grey-tailed Tattler, 

Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, Pacific Golden 

Plover, Greater Crested, Caspian, Black-naped 

and Little Terns, Oriental Pratincole and, if we are 

lucky, Far Eastern Curlew or Black-tailed Gull. 

Day 11 

This morning we drive south to Kenting, where 

we shall visit some of the coastal wetland sites to 

look for any wader species we may have missed, 

as well as searching for Chinese Egret and 

Asiatic Dowitchers, which can be found here in 

small numbers at this time of year. We shall also 

look for our last endemic species, the Taiwan 

Bulbul, which is restricted to this southern tip of 

Taiwan. There is also a slim chance of finding 

Taiwan Green Pigeon here. We stay for one night 

in Kenting. 

Day 12 

We have the whole morning to further explore the 

Kenting area before we drive northwards to 

Kaoshing City where we stay overnight and have 

our farewell dinner. 

Day 13 

The flight from Koashing City to London (via 

Hong Kong) departs in the morning and arrives 

at Heathrow in the early evening of the same day. 

Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By coach. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

170 

Cool to Warm 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Malayan Night Heron 


79

B H U TA N 

Bhutan 

Birds & Buddhism 

Saturday 01 March – Friday 14 March 2014 



I 

n 2014 we make our eleventh tour to Bhutan to visit the high altitude forests 

of the Bhutanese Himalayas – a land of rhododendron forests, stunning 

panoramas and friendly Buddhist culture. Bhutan is a small sparsely populated 

Himalayan kingdom, situated in the north-east of the Indian subcontinent, bordered to the north 

by the great Himalayan range and Tibet (Xizang). Most people of this country are dependent on subsistence agriculture; so this is a land little changed 

by the ravages of time: if Shangri-la exists, it is surely here. The Buddhist culture of the country broadens the experience of Bhutanese travel 

immensely; and although birding is naturally our main priority, we shall take time to appreciate this aspect. In particular we shall have several 

opportunities to look at the Dzongs, which blend the role of both fortress and monastery, playing a central part in Bhutanese life. They powerfully 

illustrate the overwhelming influence of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutanese society. We shall see several of these enormous buildings, many of which are 

astonishing feats of construction. 

Thimpu 

Paro 

Punakha 

Wangdue 

BHUTAN 

Trongsa 

Birdwatching in Bhutan is a sublime experience. Towns are very small and frequently surrounded by untouched habitat. There is often little traffic and 

the roads provide excellent opportunities to walk, without difficulty, through what are surely the best-preserved forests anywhere in the Himalayas. In 

the valleys below, the wide rivers provide excellent wintering habitat for the Ibisbill - that strange and enigmatic wader from the Tibetan plateau. On 

the upland mires, Black-necked Cranes (the world's least-known crane species) may still be encountered, prior to their northward departure to their 

breeding grounds in Tibet. Other species we will seek include Wallcreeper, Crested Kingfisher, Great Barbet, and Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. We 

should come across many colourful minivets, fulvettas, minlas, yuhinas and sunbirds; and three species of forktails are possible. At this time of year 

the forests of Bhutan are world-renowned for the burst of colour created by flowering magnolia and numerous species of rhododendron. Naturally, 

this phenomenon will command our photographic attention! 

Bhutan has taken measures to preserve her forests and to try to develop a sustainable tourist industry. To this end it has restricted the number of 

tourists allowed to enter the country each year and it charges a high price for the privilege of entering. This is one of the factors that makes tours to 

Bhutan expensive, but it should ensure that future generations will be able to visit a country that has much to offer in the way of pristine landscapes, 

as well as being uncluttered by large numbers of tourists. Our tour has been designed to see the best of the country, with a minimum of long-distance 

travelling and removing the need to use tents. Bhutan hotel food is excellent and varied, catering for both western and Oriental palates. This proved 

to be an especially popular feature on our previous tours. Travel with Richard on this tour, designed to see Bhutan in the best possible way. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We catch our scheduled flight from London, and 

we arrive in Delhi next day, in the early hours. 

After a restful morning, we will take an afternoon 

outing for birding in Delhi. 

Days 3 & 4 

We fly from Delhi to Paro in Bhutan. The Druk Air 

flight visits Kathmandu en route - if the weather is 

clear, there are stunning views of Chumulhari, 

Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other 

Himalayan peaks. We land in the picturesque 

Paro Valley at 2,150 metres. The valley, with its 

scattering of interesting half-timbered 

farmhouses and paddy fields, is dominated by 

the snow-clad peak of Cholhari. We transfer to 

Paro, where we stay for the next two nights. From 

our hotel we can see Paro Dzong, which 

dominates the view and is the centre of religious 

activity. We will have our first introduction to the 

Bhutanese birds, including the riverine 

Himalayan species such as White-capped and 

Plumbeous Redstarts, Brown Dipper and (we 

hope) our first Ibisbills. These unique waders 

migrate from their breeding grounds in the 

mountains surrounding the nearby Tibetan 

Plateau, to winter on the shingle banks of these 

wide rivers at lower altitudes. We will drive along 

the Paro Chu River towards Drukyel Dzong (now 

in ruins). On the way we will see the Tiger's Nest 

Monastery, perhaps the holiest monastery in 

Bhutan, which has recently been rebuilt after a 

fire. Birds to be seen in the valley include Blue 

Whistling Thrush, Hodgson's and Blue-fronted 

Redstart, Eurasian Hoopoe, Rufous Sibia, Whitecollared 

Blackbird, Rufous-breasted Accentor, 

Long-tailed and Grey-backed Shrikes, and 

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. During our time here 

Paro Dzong 

we plan to drive one of the highest mountain 

passes in Bhutan, at 3800 metres, where 

Himalayan Monals and Blood Pheasants can be 

found, walking the undisturbed forest trails. 

Day 5 

After breakfast we drive to Thimpu, the capital of 

Bhutan, for an overnight stay. En route there are 

opportunities for photo stops to see different 

80 


Black-necked Cranes 

B H U TA N 

Rhododendron 

architectural styles of chortens on the confluence 

of rivers. On arrival in Thimpu we will visit the 

colourful and very photogenic local market and 

the town’s archery fields to watch a little practice 

in the national sport; also perhaps a nunnery, 

from which there are wonderful views of Thimpu 

Dzong, the seat of the Bhutanese Government. 

Thimpu has excellent shopping opportunities. 

Days 6 to 8 

We depart east, crossing over the Dochu La Pass 

from where on a clear day panoramic views of the 

Himalayan peaks can be seen. As we climb, we 

pass through forests of Blue Pine and, as the 

habitat changes in response to the greater 

precipitation on the higher slopes, we begin to 

encounter more new species. The forests of oak, 

hemlock, rhododendron and magnolia are a 

delight to the eye. We walk down a track looking 

for species such as Green-tailed and Mrs Gould’s 

Sunbirds, Ashy-throated Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted 

Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Babbler, Chestnuttailed 

Minla, White-browed and Rufous-winged 

Fulvettas, Rufous-vented and Stripe-throated 

Yuhinas, Green Shrike-Babbler, Dark-breasted 

Rosefinch and Spotted Nutcracker. Because of the 

phenomenon of altitudinal migration, it is hard to 

predict which species will have reached the upper 

slopes of the pass. Lower down, we may meet 

such birds as Grey-hooded and Chestnutcrowned 

Warblers, White-tailed Nuthatch, 

Black-throated Tit, Ultramarine Flycatcher and 

Great Barbet. The first Golden-throated Barbets, 

Oriental and Large Hawk Cuckoos may just be 

arriving from lower altitudes. We descend into the 

Punakha Valley for a three-night stay. During these 

days we visit the Tashitang Valley section of the 

Jigme Dorji National Park. Once we reach the 

broad-leaved forest, at 1,600m, we hope to see 

White-throated and Striated Laughingthrushes, 

Small Niltava, Maroon Oriole, Orange-bellied 

Leafbird and Whiskered Yuhina. Raptors may 

include Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and 

Besra. The restricted Yellow-vented Warbler is 

common in these forests, and we hope to find both 

Little and Slaty-backed Forktails. There is also the 

chance of seeing the critically endangered Whitebellied 

Heron. One afternoon, on our return from 

birding, we will visit the magnificent Punakha 

Dzong, built at the confluence of two rivers. 

Days 9 & 10 

Today we head for Trongsa, possibly visiting the 

Phobjikha Valley on our way, considered to be 

one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. It is 

encircled by mixed oak, rhododendron and 

coniferous forest, while its floor is covered with a 

huge mire, together with a patchwork of potato 

fields. This valley is the wintering home of the rare 

and little-known Black-necked Crane. Driven off 

the vast open plateau of Tibet by the ferocity of its 

high altitude winter, the cranes find refuge here 

from November until April. We hope to be able to 

find a few birds that have not yet departed for 

their breeding grounds. If we know that the 

cranes have left, then the time may be used more 

productively elsewhere. We continue east, over 

the pass of Pele La, where Himalayan Griffons 

may be seen. We will look for mixed flocks, which 

may include a variety of warblers, fulvettas, tits 

and sunbirds. We will also stop at Chendibji, the 

site of a classical Nepalese-style chorten, which 

is surrounded by a scarlet forest, thanks to the 

rhododendrons. We stay at Trongsa, for two 

nights. Today we drive along the quiet, forest 

road towards Zhemgang. Blue Whistling 

Thrushes fly off the road at regular intervals; and 

we keep a sharp lookout for Spotted Forktails at 

the beautiful mossy waterfalls that are a feature of 

the journey. Between here and Trongsa, the 

forests hold raptors such as Crested Serpent, 

Rufous-bellied and Mountain Hawk Eagles, and 

are good for minivets and sunbirds. Mammals 

may include the local, long-furred subspecies of 

the Common Langur, and Assamese Macaque. 

Day 11 

We begin our journey back west and can bird 

watch near Trongsa, where there is some good 

forest. We will cross Pele La again, and, during 

early morning, it is worth spending time along an 

old disused road, a site for Satyr Tragopan. The 

beautiful and bird-filled valley east of Wangdue 

holds Blue-capped Rock-Thrush, Mountain 

Bulbul, Blue-winged and Red-tailed Minlas. The 

forests ring with the mewing chorus of Great 

Barbets. We stay overnight just outside 

Wangdue near the River Punakha. 

Day 12 

We continue west, concentrating on the 

magnificent forests of Dochu La. Along the road, 

we will see a different part of the forest today as 

during this last week new species will surely 

have arrived from lower altitudes: a form of 

migration that is fascinating to us, since it does 

not occur in Britain. After lunch in Thimpu, we 

continue to our hotel in Paro. 

Days 13 & 14 

We fly from Paro, via Kathmandu, to Delhi. We 

meet up for our final dinner and stay overnight in 

the hotel. Our flight leaves in the morning arriving 

into London in the afternoon. 



Day 2 Delhi 

Days 3-4 Paro 

Day 5 Thimpu 

Days 6-8 Punakha 

Days 9-10 Trongsa 

Day 11 Wangdue 

Day 12 Paro 

Day 13 Delhi 

Day 14 Depart Delhi, arrive London 

Party Size 


Accommodation 


and single rooms, with private facilities and 

is normally the best available in the areas 

visited. 

Transport 


Includes 




Excludes 

Video and camera fees charged at many 

parks. 

Gradings 

Ibisbill 

Good 

200 

Warm to Cool 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Excellent 

Moderate 

Scheduled 


81

N E PA L 

Nepal 

Chitwan, Koshi & Phulchowki 

NEPAL 

Saturday 07 March – Friday 20 March 2015 



Chitwan 

National Park 

Kathmandu 

Koshi Tappu 

Wildlife Reserve 

epal and Kathmandu – the names conjure up images of pagodas, Buddhist and Hindu temples and a panorama of snow-capped Himalayan 

N peaks. This will be Ornitholidays’ tenth visit to this magical region and although it may not be Shangri-la, it is a holiday that will provide some 

unforgettable sights, sounds and experiences. Kathmandu lies in a wide valley-basin, at about 1,300m in the mid-Himalayas, and the city is an 

interesting mix of the ancient and modern, with thousand-year-old temples juxtaposed with Internet cafés! For a small country (the size of England 

and Wales), Nepal has recorded an amazing proportion (almost 10 per cent) of the world’s bird species. A particular thrill will be to search for species, 

which are winter visitors here from their Siberian breeding grounds – such as Falcated Duck, White’s Thrush and Siberian Rubythroat. The Koshi Tappu 

Wildlife Reserve is one of Asia’s finest wetland sites. Nepal also possesses one of the world’s great natural parks – Chitwan, a fine example of lowland 

grassland and forest, and home to the world’s densest concentration of the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Riding on elephant back we should have 

good views of these vast myopic creatures and perhaps also glimpse the lord of the elephant grass – the Tiger. Most of our explorations will be in the 

lowlands, but we have allocated two days to visit the special birding site on the mountain above Kathmandu – Phulchowki. Here, the variety of 

colourful babblers is impressive; and stunning Himalayan views are often possible, with scarlet-flowering rhododendrons in the foreground. 

Indian Rhinoceros 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We depart this evening from London on a 

scheduled flight to Kathmandu. We arrive in 

Kathmandu the next day and transfer to our 

hotel in Thamel, a colourful and friendly 

shopping area close to the main city centre, 

where we stay for two nights. Those who prefer 

not to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing 

may have time for a little sightseeing prior to our 

welcome Nepali dinner this evening. 

The next day a short drive brings us to the lower 

slopes of Phulchowki, where we will spend 

most of the day, with a picnic lunch. Phulchowki 

(2,500m) is the highest peak in the valley: a 

wonderful birding spot. The variety of laughingthrushes, 

babblers, yuhinas, bulbuls, 

flowerpeckers, flycatchers, sunbirds, tits and 

warblers is tremendous. Today we will 

concentrate on the lower slopes and we hope 

to find birds such as Kalij Pheasant, Red-billed 

Blue Magpie, Nepal Fulvetta, Spotted Forktail 

and Fire-tailed Sunbird. We will look up for 

Black and Mountain Hawk-Eagles and scan the 

leafless trees for Great Barbets. The following 

day will be spent bird watching on the upper 

slopes of Phulchowki. By driving to about 

2,400m (as high as is now permitted) in the 

early morning, we should get a good view of the 

snow-clad Great Himalayas. Manaslu (the 

world’s seventh highest peak), Langtang and 

part of the Annapurna Range are visible, when 

the weather is clear! We shall then spend the 

rest of the day walking down the mountain 

through its fine temperate and subtropical 

forest, with a picnic lunch en route. Commonest 

birds here are Rufous Sibia and Buff-barred 

Warbler; Orange-flanked Bush Robins can often 

be seen on the track. Among the colourful 

Himalayan babblers, we will keep eyes open for 

Chestnut-tailed Siva, White-browed Fulvetta, 

Stripe-throated and Whiskered Yuhinas and the 

rare Cutia, a specialist of mossy trunks. 

Days 4 to 7 

We leave the Kathmandu Valley and take our 

time descending the steep and winding road 

towards the lowlands. Well-chosen stops may 

produce species such as Brown Dipper, 

Wallcreeper, and (if we are very lucky) Ibisbill. 

Our destination is Chitwan National Park, which 

comprises mainly sal forest and riverine 

grasslands, a magnificent environment with a 

greater variety of wildlife than any other area of 

Nepal. Over 480 species of birds have been 

recorded here, and we can expect to see nearly 

one third of these, as well as many mammals 

and reptiles. Red Junglefowl will be scratching 

for food on the jungle floor, while Oriental Pied 

Hornbills glide overhead. Crested Serpent- 

Eagles hunt over the forest, while Ruddy 

Shelduck and Open-bill Storks feed on the 

marshy margins. Birds of prey are found here in 

good numbers and we can hope to see Osprey, 

Grey-headed Fishing-Eagle, Crested Honeybuzzard, 

White-eyed Buzzard and perhaps a 

Collared Falconet. Mammals include the 

endangered Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Boar, 

Sambar, Muntjac, Spotted and Hog Deer, 

Rhesus and Grey Langur Monkeys. Tiger, 

Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Gaur (wild bison) are all 

present and regularly seen by the lucky ones! 

We stay in Machan Paradise View Lodge for four 

82 


N E PA L 

Elephant ride 

Brown Fish Owl 

nights. We can explore on foot in the afternoon 

and visit the elephant stables close to the lodge. 

At dusk we look out for Brown Hawk-Owl, Brown 

Wood-Owl, and Jungle Owlet. While in Chitwan 

we will have two elephant-rides and from this 

silent and elevated transport, we search the forest 

and grasslands for Tiger, Rhino and other animals. 

We shall also make excursions on foot and by 

jeep, allowing us to appreciate the park's varied 

habitats. In the dry sal forest, we should find a 

variety of woodpeckers, drongos, cuckoos, 

minivets, parakeets and perhaps such rarities as 

Blue-bearded Bee-eater or Red-headed Trogon. 

The grasslands have their own important birdlife, 

including many babblers of limited distribution, 

and White-tailed Stonechat. These should be 

outstanding days. 

Days 8 to 11 

It is a daylong journey on the east-west highway 

from Chitwan to Koshi. Driving through the ‘terai’ 

of lowland Nepal, we pass through many villages 

and towns that give a unique insight into the 

Nepalese way of life. By making an early start we 

aim to reach Koshi Camp by late afternoon, 

where we stay for four nights. Koshi Tappu 

Wildlife Reserve is situated in the Sapta-Koshi 

River plain in the far eastern corner of Nepal, 

close to the country's southern border with India. 

The vast expanse of open water created by the 

barrage and the marshes, lagoons, sandbanks, 

mudflats and arable land that lie around it offer an 

outstanding wetland habitat and is one of the 

finest bird watching sites in Asia. Almost all of 

Nepal's long list of wildfowl, waders, storks, 

ibises, egrets, terns and gulls occur here, plus a 

great variety of landbirds, especially warblers and 

birds of prey. Over 100 species should be seen 

each day in this wonderful area, among them 

such local specialities as Swamp Francolin, 

Greater Painted-snipe and Striated Grassbird. 

Lesser Adjutant and Black-necked Storks, both 

now globally threatened, feed in the wetlands. 

Raptors include Eastern Imperial, Greater 

Spotted, Steppe and White-tailed Eagles, various 

vultures and harriers, including Pied. The heart of 

the reserve lies north of the barrage, where 

seasonally inundated grasslands, lagoons and 

remnant patches of khair and sissoo forest lie 

alongside the eastern bank of the broad Koshi 

River. This region is the last refuge of the wild 

Water Buffalo in Nepal, and we may also see 

Jungle Cat, Asiatic Jackal, and Bengal Fox. The 

sharp-eyed may also be lucky enough to see 

some of the endangered Gangetic River Dolphins 

that live here. Our most regular and rewarding 

wildlife outings will be on foot, exploring the 

grasslands, river, lagoons and woodlands close 

to the camp, and the vicinity of the barrage, a 

short drive away. We will also take you by silent, 

unmotorized zodiac onto the wide waters of the 

Koshi River to enjoy the birdlife of the otherwise 

inaccessible sandbanks and islands. 

Days 12 to 14 

This morning we drive to Biratnagar Airport, from 

where we catch our return flight to Kathmandu, 

past Mounts Everest, Makalu and Langtang. 

There will be a city tour this afternoon, including 

the Buddhist stupa (shrine) and Tibetan 

settlement at Bodhnath and the temples and old 

royal palace in Kathmandu's Durbar Square. On 

our last full day we return to Phulchowki and look 

for any species we may have missed on our 

earlier visit. Our final night in Nepal will be spent 

in Kathmandu. In the morning we transfer to 

Kathmandu Airport for our return flight to 

London, arriving in the evening. 



Days 2-3 Kathmandu 

Days 4-7 Chitwan National Park 

Days 8-11 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 

Days 12-13 Kathmandu 

Day 14 Depart Kathmandu, 

arrive London 

Party Size 


Accommodation 

The accommodation we use is normally the 

best available in the area. Both of the 

Machan Camps have private facilities, but at 

Koshi Camp the facilities are shared. Both 

camps provide hot water. The tents are 

permanent and are walk-in safari style. 

Transport 

By coach, jeep, zodiac and elephant. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good/Tented 

300 

Warm to Cool 

Low 

Special 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Tiger 


83

V I E T N A M 

Vietnam 

Land of the Dragon People 

Saturday 01 November – Tuesday 18 November 2014 

Leader: Uthai Treesucon 


Tam Dao 

Cuc Phuong 

National Park 

Hanoi 

VIETNAM 

ietnam lies in South-eastern Asia, bordering Cambodia, Laos and China and has a large coastline of over 2,100 miles 

Dalat 

V (3,400 kms). It has a well-known and chequered history. It was ruled by the French from 1884, until defeated by the 

Di Linh 

communist forces under Ho Chi Minh in 1954, when the Geneva Accords split the country into a pro-communist north 

and an anti-communist south. In 1975 the country was reunited and over the following 35 years it has finally opened up Ho Chi Minh 

to tourism. The hotel infrastructure, cuisine and road systems now make it suitable for us to visit. Habitat and bird-wise 

the country is diverse. Vietnam has recorded over 800 bird species and holds 10 endemic species as well as many 

fascinating and colourful families. The moist evergreen forests of Cuc Phuong are home to pheasants, pittas, fulvettas, 

barbets, minivets, malkohas, bulbuls and ioras. We shall search both the north and the south of the country for specialities such as Germain’s 

Peacock-Pheasant, Green Peafowl, Bar-bellied Pitta, White-winged Magpie and many other mouth-watering species. This tour sees us reunited with 

an old friend, Uthai Treesucon who has led many of our holidays to Thailand and Vietnam. This will be Ornitholidays sixth tour to Vietnam. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We take a flight from London to Hanoi arriving 

the next day and meet our guide, Uthai 

Treesucon. We drive to Cuc Phuong National 

Park for a stay of three nights. We will start 

birding in this park as soon as we have finished 

checking in to our rooms. This national park 

was the first park to be created in Vietnam and 

is situated about 75 miles (120 kms) south of 

Hanoi. It is lowland to mid-elevation forest and 

there are many birds for us to find such as 

Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Silver Pheasant, 

Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Red-vented Barbet, 

Brown Hornbill, Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Pied 

Falconet, Bar-bellied, Eared and Blue-rumped 

Pittas, Racket-tailed Treepie, White-winged 

Magpie, White-tailed Flycatcher, Spotted 

Forktail, Asian Stubtail, Puff-throated Bulbul, 

Limestone Wren-Babbler, Sulphur-breasted 

Warbler, Rufous-throated and Black-browed 

Fulvettas. Other birds including Wedge-tailed 

Green-Pigeon, Rufous Woodpecker, Greater 

Yellownape, Common Green Magpie, Crowbilled 

Drongo and Hainan Blue Flycatcher may 

be seen along the road. Common birds such 

as Green-eared Barbet, White-rumped Shama, 

Great Iora, Green-billed Malkoha, Redwhiskered 

and Black-crested Bulbuls, Scarlet 

Minivet and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike can 

be found in more open areas. With luck we 

may find a rare Red-collared Woodpecker 

along the road. 

Days 5 to 7 

We transfer to Tam Dao, an old French hill station 

about 60 miles (90 kms) north-west of Hanoi, for 

a three night stay. We have two full days to 

explore the area; it is easy going here, as the 

weather is usually cool on this mountain and the 

best birding site (the ‘water tank trail’) is just five 

minutes’ drive from our hotel. We hope to see a 

wide variety of species including three local 

specialities, Grey Laughingthrush, Chestnut 

Bulbul and the tiny Short-tailed Parrotbill. 

Crested Serpent-Eagles will be calling 

evocatively overhead, whilst Fork-tailed Sunbird, 

Golden-throated Barbet, Silver-eared Mesia, Hill 

Blue Flycatcher, Chestnut-collared and Blackchinned 

Yuhinas, Schaeffer’s Fulvetta, 

Ratchet-tailed Treepie and Spot-necked, Greythroated 

and Golden Babblers provide an 

impressive supporting cast. Streaked and 

Eyebrowed Wren-babblers can be found 

Grey Peacock-Pheasant 

foraging nearby whilst calling Streak-breasted, 

Coral-billed and Orange-billed Scimitar-babblers 

will keep us busy. If we are lucky we may 

encounter some of the more elusive species 

including Green Cochoa in the forest, Greater 

Rufous-headed Parrotbill alongside Collared 

Babbler in the bamboo, or perhaps Blue-naped 

Pitta on the steps to the nearby transmitter tower. 

Days 8 to 11 

After a final morning in Tam Dao we drive to 

Hanoi Airport and catch a flight to Dalat where 

we stay for four nights. The Dalat Plateau is the 

home of Indochinese endemic species and 

some subspecies with Himalayan affinities. The 

town of Dalat itself is a traditional hill resort for 

the inhabitants of Saigon and was a major 

destination for bird collecting expeditions during 

French colonial times. Dalat is an important town 

for the production of large quantities of fruit, 

vegetables and flowers. One morning we will 

drive to Tanung Valley to search for the endemic 

Grey-crowned Crocias and Orange-breasted 

Laughingthrush and the near endemic Blackhooded 

Laughingthrush. Other birds here 

include Orange-headed Thrush, Grey-bellied 

Tesia and Streaked Spiderhunter. In the 

afternoon we will spend some time in areas 

around Dalat looking for Brown Prinia, Burmese 

Shrike, Mountain Imperial-Pigeon and 

Vietnamese Greenfinch. 

One day will be spent mainly on Mt. Lang Biang. 

We drive to about 6,000ft (1,800m) and then walk 

to the hill evergreen forest to look for the 

endemic Collared Laughingthrush, the near 

endemic Indochinese Wren-Babbler, Vietnamese 

Cutia, White-spectacled and Grey-cheeked 

Warblers, Grey-bellied Tesia, Lesser Shortwing, 

Mountain Fulvetta, Maroon and Slender-billed 

Orioles, Little Pied Flycatcher, Green-backed Tit 

and the endemic Vietnamese Greenfinch. We 

have lunch in town and return to the mountain 

again in the late afternoon. 

84 


V I E T N A M 

Siamese Fireback 

Grey-chinned Minivet 

On one morning we will take a boat across Ho 

Tuyen Lam to bird in the forest above the lake. (Ho 

means lake in Vietnamese.) We spend a day in the 

mixed forest surrounding Ho Tuyen Lam where 

the native pine forests abound with species such 

as Large and Indochinese Cuckooshrikes, Longtailed 

Minivet, Ashy Drongo, Slender-billed Oriole, 

Grey Bushchat, White-tailed Leaf Warbler, Greenbacked 

Tit, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch and the 

endemic Grey-crowned Crocias and Vietnamese 

Greenfinch, Spotted Forktail and the near 

endemic Yellow-billed Nuthatch. Interesting local 

forms of Eurasian Jay and Red Crossbill can also 

be found here. In the open areas we should see 

Black-collared Starling and winter visitors 

including Grey-faced Buzzard, Blue Rock Thrush 

and Olive-backed Pipit. In the evergreen scrub 

running through the pine forest and along the 

evergreen forest edge we should see Chinese 

Francolin, Golden-throated Barbet, Burmese 

Shrike, Black-crested, Red-whiskered, Flavescent 

and Sooty-headed Bulbuls, Brown and Hill 

Prinias, Verditer Flycatcher and Scaly-breasted 

Munia. Regular scanning of the skyline should 

produce Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Black-winged 

Kite, House Swift and Striated Swallow. Other 

birds such as Bay Woodpecker, Greater and 

Lesser Yellownapes, Greater Flameback, Barwinged 

Flycatcher-shrike, Grey-chinned Minivet, 

Ashy Bulbul, Rufous-capped Babbler, Silver-eared 

Mesia, Blue-winged Siva, Mountain Fulvetta, 

Yellow-browed, Blyth's Leaf, Grey-cheeked and 

Chestnut-crowned Warblers, Mountain Tailorbird, 

Little Pied and Mugimaki Flycatchers, Greyheaded 

Canary-Flycatcher, White-throated 

Fantail, Hume’s Treecreeper, Fire-breasted 

Flowerpecker and Mrs Gould's Sunbird. We will 

return to the town in the afternoon for a late lunch. 

The afternoon is at leisure for shopping, 

sightseeing or birdwatching. 

Day 12 

Today we drive to Di Linh for a one night stay and 

en route we can bird on the Phan Thiet road. This 

area offers us the chance to see many birds from 

the good surfaced road including the endemic 

Orange-breasted Laughingthrush, the near 

endemic Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Whitecheeked 

Laughingthrush, Yellow-vented Green- 

Pigeon, Vietnamese Cutia, Long-tailed Broadbill, 

Grey-eyed Bulbul, Bronzed and Lesser Rackettailed 

Drongos, as well as Black-browed Barbet, 

Black-throated Tit, Indochinese Green Magpie, 

Vietnamese Greenfinch, Black-crowned Parrotbill, 

Black-throated Sunbird and Streaked Spiderhunter. 

Days 13 to 16 

After breakfast, we drive to Nam Cat Tien 

National Park, where we stay in air-conditioned 

park bungalows for four nights. Nam Cat Tien 

National Park has extensive lowland semievergreen 

and some mixed deciduous forest 

and bamboo, which makes this park a must for 

visiting birdwatchers. We start our birdwatching 

around the park headquarters. We should find 

some of the park’s special birds here such as the 

endemic Orange-necked Partridge, the 

Indochina endemic Germain's Peacock- 

Pheasant, Pale-headed Woodpecker, Grey-faced 

Tit Babbler and Siamese Fireback. Green 

Peafowl are also found in this park, to see them 

we need to hike for about three miles (five kms) 

to Crocodile Lake where we will also look for 

birds in the wetlands. Other birds we should find 

at the lake and along the trail to the lake are 

Scaly-breasted Partridge, Banded Kingfisher, 

Red-vented and Green-eared Barbets, Redheaded 

and Orange-breasted Trogons, Great 

Slaty, Laced and White-bellied Woodpeckers, 

Black Baza, Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas, 

Black-and-red Broadbill, Golden-crested Myna, 

Asian Golden Weaver and Vinous-breasted 

Myna. Other species such as Collared Falconet, 

Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, Banded Bay, Asian 

Emerald and Drongo Cuckoos, Green-billed 

Malkoha, Great and Wreathed Hornbills, Blacknaped 

Oriole, Greater Flameback, Banded 

Broadbill, Rosy Minivet, Coppersmith Barbet, 

Ashy and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos, 

Racket-tailed Treepie, Oriental Magpie-Robin, 

Blue-winged and Golden-fronted Leafbirds, 

Common Iora, Olive-backed Sunbird and 

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker are found here. 

With luck we may find Tawny Fish-Owl or Spotbellied 

Eagle-Owl during one of the evenings 

and we may see other owls such as Collared 

Scops-Owl, Brown Boobook or Blyth’s 

Frogmouth during our night birding. 

Days 17 & 18 

After a final morning birding in Nam Cat Tien 

National Park we return to Ho Chi Minh City to 

catch our flight to London where we arrive the 

next day. 



Days 2-4 Cuc Phuong National Park 

Days 5-7 Tam Dao 

Days 8-11 Dalat 

Day 12 Di Linh 

Days 13-16 Nam Cat Tien National Park 

Day 17 Depart Ho Chi Minh City 


Party Size 

Maximum of ten clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

300 

Cool to Hot 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Vietnamese Cutia 


85

B O R N E O 

Borneo 

Island in the Clouds 

Saturday 04 October – Friday 17 October 2014 

Leader: Mano Tharmalingam 


MALAYA 

Kuala 

Lumpur 

Kota Kinabalu 

Sukau 

Danum 

BORNEO 

Lahad Datu 

he Bornean forests protect one of the most exotic and diverse faunas in the world. They constitute the greatest remaining area of rainforest outside 

T Amazonia. Characteristic of these forests are families such as serpent eagles, malkohas, hornbills, barbets, broadbills, pittas, bulbuls, babblers, 

spiderhunters, and a great variety of primates and other mammals. The flora includes a great wealth of rhododendrons and pitcher-plants, and Mount 

Kinabalu in Borneo holds an incredible 1,200 species of orchids. Borneo is the world's third largest island, and used to be associated with horrific 

stories of barefoot head-hunters running through the jungles with spears. The island was also the workshop of the intrepid naturalist-explorer Alfred 

Russell Wallace, who almost beat Darwin to publishing his (almost identical) theory of evolution. Borneo is a wonderful place to study evolution and 

endemism. On the towering heights of Mount Kinabalu can be found many of the Bornean endemic birds, plus many unique plants and mammals. 

Our visit to Borneo includes a three night stay in the park at Kinabalu, as well as four nights in the famous Danum Valley in the Rainforest Lodge on 

the Danum River, and two nights at Sakau Rainforest Lodge, where we have a chance to visit the famous bat-caves, where the essential ingredient of 

birds' nest soup is commercially harvested from thousands of pairs of swiftlets. Here we may well find wild Orang-utan and Proboscis Monkey. 

Throughout the tour, you will be led by one of Borneo’s leading birdwatchers, Mano Tharmalingam. This will be Ornitholidays’ eighth tour to Borneo. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London on a scheduled evening 

flight bound non-stop for Kuala Lumpur. 

We arrive at Kuala Lumpur in the morning 

and catch the connecting flight to Kota Kinabalu 

in Sabah, where we arrive at midday. 

We transfer to Kinabalu Park, where we stay for 

four nights. 

Days 3 to 5 

Kinabalu National Park is overlooked by the 

rugged peak of Mount Kinabalu, rising to 

4,100m (13,500ft) and overlooking vast tracts of 

wonderful montane forest. We can begin 

exploring this special place, where the 

temperate climate has hastened the evolution 

of many local endemic birds and plants. The 

park contains eight species of pitcher-plant, 26 

rhododendron species and an incredible 1,200 

orchid species. Brightly coloured butterflies, 

many of them huge (such as the birdwings), are 

another feature of this extremely diverse park. 

We will look for flowering and fruiting trees, 

acting as magnets for the more retiring and 

camouflaged birds like barbets and 

leafbirds. Around the park headquarters we will 

look for species such as Indigo Flycatcher, 

Black-capped White-eye, Temminck's Sunbird, 

Sunda Treepie, Short-tailed Magpie, Sunda 

Laughingthrush and Sunda Whistling-thrush. 

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush and Whitethroated 

Fantail are common; background 

melody is provided by the endemic Bornean 

Whistler and Golden-naped Barbet. Other 

endemics include Kinabalu Serpent Eagle, Redbreasted 

and Crimson-headed Partridges 

(elusive!), Whitehead's Trogon, Whitehead's 

Broadbill, Chestnut-crested Yuhina, Bornean 

Stubtail, Whitehead's Spiderhunter, Black-sided 

Flowerpecker and Mountain Black-eye. Higher 

up, at around 2,500m (8,200ft), the flowering 

orchids and rhododendrons and the views over 

the west coast are spectacular. Here we will 

look for Sunda and Friendly Bush-Warblers, 

Mountain Wren-babbler, Flavescent Bulbul, 

White-browed Shortwing and Snowy-browed 

Flycatcher. We may also visit Poring Hot 

Springs, situated at a lower altitude. This tourist 

attraction also has some lovely forest where we 

may find Bornean and Grey-breasted 

Spiderhunters, Rufous and Maroon 

Buffy Fish-Owl 

Woodpeckers, Everett’s White-eye and Orangebellied 

Flowerpecker. There are also some 

ponds where we may see Black Bittern. 

Days 6 & 7 

After an early breakfast walk we depart for Kota 

Kinabalu, where we catch the flight to 

Sandakan. We drive towards our rainforest 

lodge at Sukau, but en route stop at the famous 

caves in the Gomantong Forest Reserve, where 

many thousands of swiftlets nest. This is an 

enormous cave system, penetrating deep into a 

limestone outcrop. The main cave is enormous 

and we should be able to find Edible-nest, 

Black-nest, Mossy-nest and Glossy Swiflets, 

often identifiable only by the type of nest they 

build. Licences are given to locals to harvest the 

nests, with the help of huge, alarmingly curved 

rattan ladders. Inside the temperature is cool 

and the floor is littered with centipedes, spiders 

86 


B O R N E O 

Borneo Rainforest Lodge 



Day 2 Arrive Kuala Lumpur and 

fly to Kota Kinabalu 

Days 3-5 Kinabalu National Park 

Days 6-7 Sukau 

Days 8-12 Lahad Datu/Danum 

Conservation Area 

Day 13 Depart Kuala Lumpur 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By coach/minibuses. 

and mites. As dusk approaches thousands of 

bats emerge and we may be lucky to see one of 

the Bat Hawks trying to catch its evening meal. 

We then move to our lodge where we stay for the 

next two nights. While here, we can take a boat 

trip on the Menanggol River to look for Storm's 

Stork, Oriental Darter, White-fronted Falconet and 

Wrinkled Hornbill. Sometimes Asian Paradise 

Flycatcher and Black-naped Monarch feed over 

the quiet water, and Blue-eared Kingfisher flash 

past. Our main quest is for the strange Proboscis 

Monkey, whose idea of beauty is a little different 

from ours. We hope to see family groups, quietly 

feeding in the riverside trees or making 

spectacular leaps through the canopy. Each 

group is presided over by a white-tailed, potbellied 

male with a flattened circus-clown nose. 

Also, we have the chance here to find wild Orangutans. 

A previous group had wonderful views of 

an adult building a sleeping platform high in one 

of the riverside trees. The surrounding forest may 

produce Buffy Fish-Owl, Black-and-yellow, 

Banded and Green Broadbills, and various 

woodpeckers, barbets, hornbills, trogons, 

minivets, bulbuls and sunbirds. 

Days 8 to 12 

We leave our lodge this morning and have 

another visit to the amazing Gomantong Caves. 

Later, we drive through Lahad Datu to the Danum 

Conservation Area, and transfer to the Borneo 

Rainforest Lodge for the next five nights. Our time 

here is spent in the heart of untouched lowland 

rainforest and hill dipterocarp forest. The 

rainforests of south-east Asia are incredibly 

diverse and there are more trees here than in 

Amazonia. We wake to the calls of Bornean 

Gibbons calling, as each family group greets 

Crested Serpent-Eagle 

others in the forest. White-crowned Shama is an 

early morning songster, which is soon joined by 

bulbuls and babblers. One of the key families of 

Borneo is the pittas – we shall be looking for 

Garnet Pitta and the marvellous Blue-headed 

Pitta. The hornbills are also well represented and 

the amazing Rhinoceros Hornbill will be frequently 

heard as they give their trumpeting call. There are 

also Helmeted, Bushy-crested, Asian Black and 

Wreathed here. The forest holds a number of 

pheasants and partridges, but none as 

spectacular as the Great Argus Pheasant. This is 

the largest of the pheasants and we can hope to 

see one of the males, which are frequently seen 

on one of the trails we take. Our time here will be 

spent moving slowly along the cleared trails and 

exploring these superb forests. Some of the trees 

are gigantic and are festooned with orchids and 

bromeliads. Enormous butterflies flit through 

dappled glades and overhead Oriental Honey 

Buzzard and Crested Serpent Eagle soar. We 

shall look for some of the other special species 

here, which include Red-naped and Scarletrumped 

Trogons, Crested Wood-Partridge, 

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, White-fronted Falconet, 

Red-bearded Bee-eater, Short-toed Coucal, 

Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker, Bornean Blue 

Flycatcher, Bornean Bristlehead and Bornean and 

Black-throated Wren-Babblers. The mammal list 

includes Asiatic Elephants, Orang-utans, Red 

Langurs, Slow Loris and even Clouded Leopard. 

Days 13 & 14 

The final morning may be spent either at leisure 

or birding in the park. We then return to Lahad 

Datu airport, where we catch our flight to Kuala 

Lumpur. We then connect with our evening flight 

to London, where we arrive early next morning. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Mainly Good 

230 

Hot 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Rhinoceros Hornbill 


87

PA P U A N E W G U I N E A 

Papua New Guinea 

Birds of Paradise 

Wednesday 17 September – Friday 03 October 2014 



Karawari Lodge 

Ambua Lodge 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA 

Kumu Lodge 

Port Moresby 

or many people, New Guinea represents the ultimate birding goal. Certainly Sir David Attenborough regards the country as ‘the greatest 

F unclaimed prize in ornithological filming.’ His classic programme about the splendours of the birds of paradise and bowerbirds has created a 

widespread public interest in experiencing New Guinea at first hand. Until recently, the island’s remoteness and lack of tourist infrastructure prevented 

this dream from becoming reality. Now, with the help of some well-located lodges, we can explore the best Papuan habitats and their unique birdlife 

in comfort and safety. We will divide our time between one lowland lodge (Karawari) and two highland lodges (Kumul Lodge and Ambua Lodge) before 

finishing our tour in the capital Port Moresby. This should give us a wonderful opportunity to watch many species of birds of paradise (which possess 

some of the world’s most exotic plumages and displays), as well as a wide variety of pigeons and fruit-doves, parrots, cuckoo-shrikes, kingfishers and 

bowerbirds. Less familiar groups include fairy-wrens, whistlers, berrypeckers, butcherbirds and honeyeaters. We will also be able to observe some of 

Papua’s colourful peoples, with their distinctive tribal dress and customs. There is an option of breaking the outward or return journeys in Singapore 

for those who wish. This will be Ornitholidays’ third tour to Papua New Guinea 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London Heathrow on a scheduled 

flight to Singapore, arriving the next day. We 

then catch the connecting flight to Port Moresby. 

Day 3 

Arriving in the morning, we are welcomed by our 

hosts and transferred to our hotel. We have time 

to freshen up, relax and have lunch. In the 

afternoon we begin with a gentle introduction to 

the birds of PNG with a visit to the grounds of the 

Pacific Adventists’ University, where the ponds 

attract a good selection of waterbirds. In 

particular, we will look for Blue-winged 

Kookaburra, Rufous Night Heron, Black Bittern, 

Wandering, Plumed and Spotted Whistlingducks, 

Comb-crested Jacana, Brown Oriole, 

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Rufous-banded 

Honeyeater, Black-backed Butcherbird, 

Torresian Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Orangebreasted 

Fruit-Dove, Singing Starling and 

Grey-headed Munia. 

Days 4 to 6 

The next morning we transfer to the airport and 

take a short domestic flight to Mount Hagen, in 

the Central Highlands. From here, a 90 minute 

drive brings us to Kumul Lodge, set at 2,800m 

just over the border in Enga Province, where we 

stay for three nights. The accommodation is 

simple and rustic, but you will love the setting – 

as you can relax in a comfortable chair and 

watch the well-stocked bird table laden with 

fruits and have your first close-up experience of 

Birds of Paradise! Notable visitors to the garden 

feeder are Brown Sicklebill and Ribbon-tailed 

Astrapia, Brehm’s Tiger-Parrot, and with luck the 

shy Bronze Ground Dove and Archbold’s 

Bowerbird. The photographic opportunities are 

wonderful. We also hope for Plum-faced and 

Papuan Lorikeets, Regent, Brown-backed and 

Rufous-naped Whistlers, White-winged Robin 

and Mountain Firetail. We can walk the trails 

below the lodge and look for Lesser Melampitta, 

as well as Blue-capped Ifrita, a bird with a 

poisonous plumage. Excursions we can take 

from the lodge may enable us to find 

Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Torrent Flycatcher 

and with luck Torrent-lark. 

Days 7 to 9 

This morning we say goodbye to the staff at 

Kumul and make the return journey to Mt Hagen 

where we catch a charter flight to Karawari 

Airstrip over impressive mountain scenery. We 

drop down into the lowlands of the Sepik Valley. 

The journey from airstrip to lodge is by boat, the 

only practical transport in such an isolated 

region. Karawari Lodge is perched on a ridge, 

with spectacular views over endless tropical 

forest. It is built in the style of a traditional spirit 

house, decorated with local artefacts and boldly 

carved furniture. Here we can watch from the 

balcony for species such as Blyth’s Hornbill and 

Glossy-mantled Manucode. The gardens attract 

Orange-bellied and Coroneted Fruit Doves, 

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Variable Pitohui, Streakheaded 

Honeyeater and Black Sunbird (to name 

a few). Much of the birding will be done from 

stable boats which can be tied to the bank to 

allow scope use. In this way we will look for King 

Raggiana Bird of Paradise 

88 


Huli Wigman 



Day 2 In transit, Singapore 

Day 3 Port Moresby 

Days 4-6 Kumul Lodge 

Days 7-9 Karawari Lodge 

Days 10-13 Ambua Lodge 

Days 14-15 Port Moresby 

Day 16 Depart Port Moresby 


Party Size 


Room at Ambua Lodge 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By coach, minibus, boat and small charter 

plane. 

PA P U A N E W G U I N E A 

and Twelve-wired Birds of Paradise, Great-billed 

and Pied Herons, Pacific Baza, Long-tailed 

Buzzard, the huge Victoria Crowned Pigeon, 

Pinon and Collared Imperial Pigeons, Palm 

Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Dusky and Western 

Black-capped Lories, the scarce Edwards’ Fig- 

Parrot, Azure and Variable Dwarf Kingfishers, 

Hooded Butcherbird and much else. Our days at 

Karawari will be especially exciting. 

Days 10 to 13 

A short charter-flight takes us from Mount Hagen 

to Ambua Lodge, over intact forests and alpine 

grasslands. Western influences have only 

recently arrived in the area, and some of the local 

population, the Huli, still wear traditional dress 

and ceremonial wigs decorated with exotic 

plumes. Ambua’s thatched chalets have 

commanding views over the Tari Valley. Common 

species include Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove, Large 

and Buff-faced Scrubwrens, Blue-grey Robin, 

Sclater’s Whistler, Great Woodswallow, Mountain 

Peltops and Common Smoky Honeyeater. Seven 

species of bird of paradise (Black and Brown 

Sicklebills, Loria’s and Blue Birds of Paradise, 

Short-tailed Paradigalla, Lawes’ Parotia and 

Stephanie’s Astrapia) regularly come into the 

gardens. During our three full days here, we will 

walk along the road up to Tari Gap at different 

altitudes, looking for species such as Brehm’s 

Tiger-Parrot, Papuan Lorikeet, Blue-capped Ifrita, 

Dimorphic Fantail, Belford’s Melidectes and both 

Crested and Tit Berrypeckers. Again, birds of 

paradise will be a focus of our expeditions: King 

of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed 

Astrapia and Brown Sicklebill are usual above the 

lodge. If we are lucky and find some fruiting trees 

we may see Crested Satinbird, Macgregor’s 

Bowerbird and Mid-mountain Berrypeckers 

coming to feed. Many other rarely seen mountain 

species are possible too, such as New Guinea 

Harpy Eagle or Painted Tiger-Parrot. One 

morning we will go down into the Tari Valley to 

attend a Huli sing-sing, a traditional and 

spectacular war-dance and a superb photoopportunity. 

At these lower elevations we can 

look for Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Red-collared 

Myzomela, Marbled Honeyeater and Great 

Cuckoo-Dove. In the evenings the Papuan 

Boobooks should be calling near the restaurant. 

Days 14 & 15 

We leave Ambua in the morning and drive the 

short distance to Tari, where we catch a 

scheduled flight to Port Moresby. We transfer back 

to our hotel, where we have two more nights. In 

the afternoon we can take a city tour, which 

should include the impressive National Museum, 

Parliament House, Zoological Gardens and the 

docks. The next day, we start early for a morning 

in Varirata National Park, which occupies an 

escarpment visible from the hotel. Along the trails 

we will hear more than we see, but possibilities 

include Wompoo and Pink-spotted Fruit-Doves, 

Red-cheeked Parrot, Barred Owlet-nightjar, the 

exquisite Brown-headed Paradise-Kingfisher, 

Frilled Monarch, various honeyeaters, Blackfronted 

White-eye, Hooded Pitohui, Magnificent 

Riflebird and Raggiana Bird of Paradise. In the 

afternoon we can concentrate more on the dry 

eucalypt savanna typical of the park’s buffer zone, 

which is the habitat of Eclectus Parrot, Rainbow 

Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Blue-winged Kookaburra, 

Helmeted Friarbird, Rufous-banded Honeyeater 

and Hooded Butcherbird. 

Days 16 & 17 

The morning will be at leisure, until we depart for 

the airport around midday. Our flight to 

Singapore departs in mid-afternoon, arriving in 

the early evening. This connects with the London 

flight, where we arrive early the next morning. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

200 

Cold to Hot 

Moderate 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Victoria Crowned Pigeon 


89

N E W Z E A L A N D 

New Zealand 

Kiwis, Kakas & Keas 

Sunday 02 November – Saturday 22 November 2014 

Leader: Mark Ayre 


he islands of New Zealand have been isolated for almost 80 million years, resulting in the evolution Milford 

T of a fascinating array of unique plants and wildlife. The islands’ avifauna evolved in the virtual Sound 

absence of mammals; consequently the birds occupied niches, which on other land areas were taken 

up by browsing mammals, squirrels and mice. It is these unique birds for which New Zealand is renowned 

– the flightless Kiwi, the endangered Takahe, and perhaps the most enthralling, the Kokako. The waters 

around New Zealand are home to a wide array of oceanic species; seven species of albatross and two-thirds 

of the world's penguins breed here. With the arrival of people came rats and stoats, and the island haven that 

Arthur’s Pass 

Franz Josef 

had served ground-dwelling vertebrates and invertebrates for so long was destroyed. Many species became extinct; many more continue to be at risk 

and are steadily declining in number. Despite this, the human impact has fortunately been less than in most other comparable countries. Nowhere 

else in the world is there such a rich diversity concentrated in so small an area. Over half of the flora and more than 70 bird species are endemic. 

They include some of the rarest in the world – Takahe, Kakapo, Black Stilt and the world's rarest penguins, the Yellow-eyed and the Fjordland. 

So, there is nothing quite like New Zealand – its birds, its scenic diversity and grandeur, its character, its equable climate and its friendly people. 

All of these make it one of the most pleasurable and rewarding countries to explore. Ornitholidays has travelled to New Zealand on over 22 previous 

occasions and our local guide for 2014 will be Mark Ayre, an ornithologist and naturalist, who has led our tours for many years. Our airfare will allow 

you to make various stopovers or extensions to this holiday. 

Lake 

Ohau 

Lake 

Te Anau 

Auckland 

Tongariro 

National Park 

Lake 

Taupo 

NEW ZEALAND 

Paraparaumu 

Picton 

Dunedin 

Stewart Island 

Kaikoura 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We leave London in the evening arriving into 

Auckland on the morning of the third day, where 

we are met by our guide and then travel a short 

distance to our hotel, where we stay for two 

nights. Here we can rest and freshen up after the 

long flight. We escape from the city to enjoy a 

gentle introduction to New Zealand birds. We shall 

watch Australian Gannets soaring towards their 

rock stack colonies, then stroll through the Kauri 

forests on the Waitakere Ranges. Here a range of 

introduced and native birds co-exist including 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eastern Rosella, New 

Zealand Pigeon and Grey Fantail. The next day we 

take a trip to Tiritiri Matangi, an island sanctuary in 

the Hauraki Gulf, just north of Auckland. Sailing by 

ferry to the island we may be passed by Australian 

Gannets, Parkinson’s and Cook’s Petrels, and 

Buller’s Shearwater. Many of New Zealand’s rare 

and endangered species now only remain on 

islands such as this, as the habitat can be 

protected from introduced predators such as rats 

and possums. Re-introduced rare species such 

as the Saddleback, Stitchbird, Whitehead and 

Red-fronted Parakeet occur here as well as the 

unique Takahe and Brown Teal. 

Day 5 

Within an hour’s drive southeast of Auckland lies 

Miranda Wildlife Sanctuary, a fine feeding 

ground for many wading birds, which migrate 

from the tundra of the arctic regions for the 

northern winter. Among the thousands of Bartailed 

Godwits on the shellbanks or silt flats, we 

may view Red Knot and South Island 

Oystercatchers, the rare endemic Wrybill, the 

endangered Red-breasted Dotterel, Far Eastern 

Curlew, Whimbrel, several sandpipers, Caspian 

and Little Terns and Sacred Kingfisher. Later this 

morning, we travel towards Lake Rotorua, where 

New Zealand Grebe, New Zealand Scaup and 

Little Black Cormorant are often feeding or 

roosting. Rotorua is situated in the central 

plateau of the North Island, a region of much 

geothermal activity. We stay overnight at Taupo. 

Day 6 

We have a dawn start this morning, in order to 

experience the haunting call of the endangered 

Kokako in its natural, misty rainforest 

environment. Pureora Forest Park contains one 

of the finest areas of podocarp forest in the 

country, as well as a large variety of native 

invertebrates, like the curious Peripatus, and 

numerous birds. We will have most of today to 

gain more insight into the nature and 

conservation of this special forest, and to enjoy 

the sounds of the New Zealand Kaka, Yellowfronted 

Parakeet, Tomtit, New Zealand Robin, 

Long-tailed Koel, New Zealand Falcon, 

Whitehead and Grey Gerygone. Later, our day 

winds up in Tongariro National Park where we 


Day 7 

This morning we head for the tributaries of the 

Wanganui River to look for the endangered Blue 

Duck. Later we may see the endemic Fernbird 

and Rifleman against spectacular mountain 

backdrops. Our journey continues southwards 

to Wellington, where we will embark on a ferry 

crossing to the South Island. Three hours, 

however, is at times not enough for all the 

Blue Duck 

90 


Kaka 

wildlife watching to be done! Wandering and Shy 

Albatrosses often pass by, as do giant petrels, 

and many shearwaters. Towards the entrance to 

the Marlborough Sounds Little Penguins, Spotted 

Shags, and sometimes dolphins can often be 

seen. A short evening drive will take us to Picton 

where we stay overnight. 

Days 8 & 9 

The waters and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds 

will be our playground this morning. A charter 

vessel will carry us through Queen Charlotte 

Sound to a small rocky islet, where a small colony 

of the rare King Shag breeds and roosts. Close by 

lies a meeting place of the Tasman Sea and the 

Pacific Ocean, where we will be able to see several 

pelagic species at close quarters as they swarm 

around this rich feeding ground. Before returning 

to Picton, we will land to introduce ourselves to the 

curious Weka. Later we drive to Kaikoura, where 

we stay for two nights. Kaikoura is a breath-taking 

place where the continental shelf drops abruptly 

very close to shore, resulting in upwellings of 

nutrients from the sea’s depths, attracting a rich 

and abundant marine life. Marine mammal options 

include seeking out Sperm Whales, or Common 

and Dusky Dolphins. An excellent opportunity for 

birdlovers and generalists alike is a seabird 

excursion, where we can see flocks of cawing 

albatrosses, and numerous petrels and 

shearwaters, just metres from the boat. The 

afternoon will be at leisure to stroll on Kaikoura 

Peninsula. 

Day 10 

Our journey carries us across the vastness of the 

Canterbury Plains, and over the main divide via 

Arthur’s Pass, a route once used by Maori. Blackfronted 

Terns are regularly seen on the flats 

leading up to the pass, and in Arthur’s Pass 

National Park we may encounter the cheeky Kea. 

We stay in Arthur’s Pass region this evening and 

search for Great Spotted Kiwi tonight. 

Days 11 & 12 

This morning we will travel down the wild and wet 

West Coast on avenues framed by the green 

lushness of rainforest. Amongst this landscape is 

our next stop, the Okarito Lagoon, where in 

gentle wetlands Fernbirds may be found, as may 

the striking White-faced Heron, or Great Egret. 

We may also venture into the forest, to enjoy its 

greenness and perhaps see the New Zealand 

Brown Creeper. We stay at Franz Josef two 

nights. The next day we have the chance to relax 

in the vicinity of the renowned Franz Josef 

Glacier with an evening excursion to look for the 

endangered Okarito Brown Kiwi. 

Days 13 & 14 

The next day we travel to Lake Moeraki where a 

delightful walk to the coast brings us onto a golden 

beach, where a northern colony of the rare 

Fiordland Penguin breeds. Later, we leave the 

West Coast to travel to Lake Ohau, where we stay 

for two nights. The southern beech forests of Haast 

Pass may provide us with further opportunities to 

view forest species such as the endangered 

Yellowhead. Thereafter we leave the forest behind, 

journeying through the vast rolling Otago 

landscape of schist rock, and the tussock land and 

clear turquoise lakes of the MacKenzie Basin. The 

braided rivers in this region are the habitat of the 

endangered Black Stilt, and we will look also for 

Wrybill and a range of inland waterfowl. 

Day 15 

We have further opportunities to enjoy the inland 

waders before the drive down to the east coast 

and Dunedin where we stay overnight. We take a 

late afternoon cruise down Otago Harbour to 

Taiaroa Head. Here at Taiaroa is the only 

mainland colony of an albatross species. The 

Royal Albatross, one of the world's largest flying 

birds, has a small colony. Just below them is a 

colony of several thousand Bronze Shags and 

near them smaller colonies of Spotted Shags 

and Little Pied Cormorants. 

Days 16 & 17 

We leave Dunedin for Invercargill travelling via the 

Catlins coast. We stop at the Tautuku Estuary to 

look for Fernbird. In the mid afternoon we take a 

flight across to Stewart Island where we stay for 

two nights. In the evening we make a trip to view 

Stewart Island Brown Kiwi. The next day we take a 

charter cruise around the coast of Stewart Island 

then out into the Pacific Ocean to look for Shy 

Albatross, Sooty Shearwater, Broad-billed Prion, 

Mottled Petrel and Brown Skua. The rare Yelloweyed 

Penguin may be seen before we return to the 

more sheltered waters of Paterson Inlet. We land 

on Ulva Island for excellent viewing of most of the 

South Island forest birds such as Weka, New 

Zealand Kaka, Yellow-fronted and Red-fronted 

Parakeets and New Zealand Brown Creeper. 

Days 18 & 19 

After an early morning flight back to Invercargill 

we depart for Fiordland National Park, New 

Zealand's largest and grandest national park. The 

landscapes are unrivalled in New Zealand and the 

Red Beech forests of northern Fiordland are home 

to an excellent array of forest birds. They are the 

last stronghold of the Yellowhead, while we may 

also see an early arriving Shining Bronze-Cuckoo. 

We stay at Te Anau Downs for the next two nights. 

The next day, weather and snow permitting, we 

visit the Upper Hollyford Valley through which the 

famed Milford Road passes, which contains 

superb subalpine herbfields and boulderfields. 

We will look for Rock Wren, one of New Zealand's 

more secretive birds, which inhabits the 

boulderfields and cirque basins. These are home 

to the threatened Kea. There will also be time 

today for an optional cruise on Milford Sound. 

Days 20 & 21 

We return across the southern South Island to 

Dunedin Airport for our flight to Auckland where 

we connect with the evening flight to London, 

where we arrive the next morning. 



Day 2 In transit 

Day 3 Arrive Auckland 

Day 4 Auckland 

Day 5 Taupo 

Day 6 Tongariro National Park 

Day 7 Picton 

Days 8-9 Kaikoura 

Day 10 Arthur’s Pass 

Days 11-12 Franz Josef 

Days 13-14 Lake Ohau 

Day 15 Dunedin 

Days 16-17 Stewart Island 

Days 18-19 Lake Te Anau Downs 

Day 20 Depart Dunedin 


Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By small coach driven by the leader. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Wrybill 

Good 

120 

Cool to Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

New Zealand Pigeon 

N E W Z E A L A N D 


91

Boating on the Danube Delta, Romania

Europe 

Belarus 138-139 

Bulgaria 148-149 

Canary Islands 100-101 

Finland 140-141 

France 126-129 

Hungary 142-145 

Iceland 132-135 

Italy 120-125 

Kos 96-97 

Lesvos 94-95 

Menorca 104-105 

Netherlands 130-131 

Portugal 116-119 

Romania 146-147 

Sicily 120-121 

Spain 98-115 

Turkey 136-137 

93

G R E E C E 

Greece – The Island of Lesvos at Leisure 

Spring Migration Magic 

Saturday 03 May – Saturday 10 May 2014 



GREECE 

Although Lesvos is the third largest of the Greek Islands it is still 

relatively small, being 70km long and 45km wide, making the whole 

area easily accessible from one centre. Since it is only a long stone’s throw 

from Turkey, the island’s flora and fauna have a distinct Eastern Mediterranean flavour about 

them. The island has a friendly and easy-going atmosphere. In early spring, the land is still clad in a 

cloth of green punctuated by splashes of vivid red poppies and washed by the golden yellow of 

Spanish Broom. 

Athens 

Skala 

Kalloni 

LESVOS 

Mytilini 

In early May, the migration should be in full flow with large numbers of birds heading north. European Roller, 

Eurasian Hoopoe, Yellow Wagtail and European Bee-eater appear to be alight in the brilliant sunshine. The resident 

birds are well into their breeding cycle with the air full of song, Cinereous and Cretzschmar’s Buntings in the spectacular 

scenery of the west, and Krüper’s Nuthatch in the pine woods. There are over eleven million olive trees on Lesvos so it is no surprise that Olive-tree 

Warbler is another speciality to seek out. A wide variety of habitats including wetlands, woodlands, saltpans, estuaries, meadows and bare uplands 

are all within reach of our hotel situated at the end of one of the two large bays that penetrate deep into the island. In a good spring the numbers 

of birds can be breathtaking, all amidst splendid surroundings. No wonder Lesvos has much to offer the naturalist and ornithologist. 

One of the delights of our tours is the chance to have a midday break and eat at small tavernas in picturesque settings. Ornitholidays has unrivalled 

experience to Lesvos and this will be our 44th holiday – more than any other company. Come with us in 2014 to see why everyone travels with 

Ornitholidays to Lesvos! 

Glossy Ibis 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We catch our direct flight from London or 

Manchester to Mytilini, the capital on the eastern 

side of the island. The transfer to our 

comfortable hotel in Skala Kalloni should take 

about one hour. This hotel will be our base 

throughout the holiday. 

Days 2 to 7 

Skala Kalloni is a small resort situated at the 

north end of Kalloni Bay, into which empty two 

rivers. Our hotel is situated within walking 

distance of the sea and of the town itself. 

Outside of our hotel is a vegetated area of 

tamarisks and reeds which, when there has been 

good rainfall, floods and attracts migrant ducks, 

waders, wagtails and terns. In some years the 

bird watching is amazing here! The waterside 

shrubs are a safe sanctuary for Spanish Sparrow 

but they usually have to share their haven with 

singing (Eastern) Olivaceous Warblers. 

Also nearby is Kalloni West River with its salt 

marshes and numerous brackish pools. Here 

Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers feed in their 

stop-start fashion; other waders using the area 

as a staging point are Curlew Sandpiper (some 

in brick-red breeding plumage), Pied Avocet and 

on occasions Collared Pratincole. On the other 

side of the town, the Kalloni East River is one of 

the best sites on the island, the raised banks 

making ideal vantage points to check the river. 

The reedy fringes, the willows and the salt 

tolerant tamarisks, with their powder-puff pink 

flowers, all hold migrants. Little Crake, Little 

Bittern and Squacco Heron hide amongst the tall 

reeds, brilliant European Bee-eaters nest in the 

sandy banks and Stone Curlew crouch 

cryptically on the stony spit at the mouth of the 

river. Corn and Black-headed Buntings sing their 

tinny trills from the taller willows, which may also 

harbour roosting Black-crowned Night Heron, 

and Cetti’s Warbler blast out their explosive song 

from deep cover. Kalloni Saltpans, and the area 

known as Derbyshire, also offer the chance for 

more waders and the possibility of White-winged 

Tern, Ruddy Shelduck and Black Stork. Shorttoed 

and Crested Larks, Tawny and 

Red-throated Pipits along with Black-eared 

94 


Wheatear favour the drier sandy fields and we 

will spend some time scanning the area for such 

species. 

The olive groves around Kalloni are rich in plants, 

butterflies and of course birds. The gnarled 

pollarded ancient trees not only provide an 

abundance of fruit but a suitable breeding habitat 

for one of the area’s specialities, the Olive-tree 

Warbler. The harsh repetitive song usually betrays 

its presence but it is a shy and skulking bird, which 

can be difficult to come to grips with, but we will do 

our best. Eastern Orphean Warbler, Sombre Tit 

and Eurasian Hoopoe share the groves along with 

Middle Spotted Woodpecker and the valleys echo 

to the song of Common Nightingale. Above us 

over the rocky crags Short-toed Eagle and 

Common Buzzard hang on the wind searching for 

some unsuspecting lizard or snake. 

In contrast, the western part of Lesvos is wild and 

rugged, ravines and gorges ramify the rocky crags 

and mountains. Spanish Broom covers the 

boulder-strewn slopes with extravagant splashes 

of cadmium yellow and the still air is saturated with 

its heady scent. This is the domain of the bunting. 

Male Cretzschmar’s seem to be singing their 

scratchy song from every single rock. The much 

rarer and sought-after Cinereous Bunting may take 

a little longer to locate, but the area above Errosos 

is one of its strongholds and it shares the rocky 

gullies with Common Rock Sparrow. It is here that 

the flute-like song of the Blue Rock Thrush may 

echo hauntingly from the high points of the crags, 

often patrolled by Long-legged Buzzard. The steep 

slopes of an extinct volcano, on the top of which 

the Ipsilou Monastery perches precariously, are 

home to Woodlark, Northern and Black-eared 

Wheatears and a few pairs of Isabelline Wheatear. 

Western Rock Nuthatch hop from rock to rock, 

whilst Eurasian Crag Martin and Alpine Swift 

scythe through the air with scimitar wings. 

The area around the delightful harbour at Sigri 

offers a chance for watching migrating raptors. 

Flocks of Lesser Kestrel hawk the fields for 

insects often accompanied by Red-footed 

Falcon and maybe an early Eleonora’s Falcon. 

The orchards are often busy with warblers; 

Lesser Grey and Masked Shrikes rest before 

moving off to a more permanent spot. Rufous 

Bush Robin also favour certain sites here and a 

nearby pool boasts a few breeding pairs of 

Sedge and Great Reed Warblers. 

Molyvos at the northern tip of the island not only 

has magnificent coastal scenery with views to Asia 

Minor but scrub-covered slopes and with luck we 

may see Rüppell’s Warbler perched, but keeping 

a wary eye open for the local Peregrine Falcon. 

Offshore Audouin’s Gull, Cory’s (Scopoli’s) and 

Yelkouan Shearwaters are distinct possibilities. 

Finally, the high pinewoods around Agiassos and 

Mount Olympus (968m) will be visited in search of 

the gem in this ornithological crown, Krüper’s 

Nuthatch. Hopefully, at this time they will still be 

vocal, making them a little easier to locate. Other 

inhabitants of the pine forests include European 

Serin, Short-toed Treecreeper, Eurasian Hoopoe 

and European Honey Buzzard, with superb 

Sweet Chestnut woodland nearby having Eastern 

Bonelli’s Warbler and Common Redstart present. 

Add to all this, Red-rumped Swallow nesting in the 

roadside culverts, Red-backed Shrike scattered 

liberally on spiny shrubs, White Stork nesting on 

church towers, European Nightjar and Eurasian 

Scops Owl calling after dusk and it is hardly 

surprising that this delightful Aegean island is 

increasing in popularity with birdwatchers. 

Day 8 

We catch our direct flight from Mytilini to London 

or Manchester, where the tour concludes. 

Rüppell’s Warbler 


Day 1 Fly to Mytilini and transfer 

to Skala Kalloni 

Days 2-7 Skala Kalloni 

Day 8 Depart Mytilini 

Party Size 


than seven clients). 

Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 


entry fees, services of the leaders, VAT, 

airport taxes and tips. 

Please note that if the charter flights are not 

operating we will use scheduled flights via 

Athens. 

G R E E C E 

Gradings 

Good 

150 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Charter 

Krüper’s Nuthatch 

Spanish Sparrow 


95

G R E E C E 

Greece – The Island of Kos at Leisure 

Eleonora’s Island 

Thursday 15 May – Thursday 22 May 2014 

Principal Leader: Mike Witherick 


GREECE 

Athens 

os is a small, rather linear, but fertile and well-watered island located very close to Bodrum, 

K on the Turkish coast. It therefore lies within the breadth of the great migration flyway between 

Africa and Europe. This, our sixth tour to this under-watched island, has been timed so that we can 

enjoy the late spring migration as well as see the summer visitors taking up their breeding territories. 

Kos maybe a popular tourist destination, but it also appeals to a colourful array of birds that includes 

European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Cretzschmar’s and Black-headed Buntings. Our 

previous groups have found, to their amazement, that Eleonora’s Falcon and Lesser Kestrel are the two most 

numerous raptors. On the nearby island of Nisyros, which we will visit on one day, the active colony of Eleonora’s 

Falcons inside the volcanic caldera can be spectacular. Long-legged Buzzards are also common on Kos, and with luck 

we may track down Bonelli’s Eagle. 

KOS 

Throughout the tour we will be staying at a most comfortable family-owned hotel. You could not wish to find a warmer welcome. The food is delicious 

and there is much to choose from. The hotel is located in the middle of Kos and it therefore provides an excellent base for exploring all parts of the 

island. Equally important is its situation close to a large salt lake, which besides attracting Greater Flamingo, acts as a stopover for migrating herons 

and egrets, waders and wildfowl. We will need to run a daily check here on comings and goings. This is the only sizeable stretch of water on the island, 

a fact that strengthens its magnetic effect on passing birds. 

This will be an ‘At Leisure’ tour and conducted at a relaxed pace. Some days we will lunch out at tavernas in contrasting small settlements, such as Mastihari, 

Kamari and on Nisyros. On other days we will return to the hotel for a midday snack and a chance to take a refreshing dip in the hotel’s pool or just chill out 

for a couple of hours. The good thing about Kos is that nowhere is very far, so no long minibus journeys are needed. Add to this, the excitement of both 

colourful and hopefully some unexpected birds, along with excellent accommodation and fine scenery, and you have all the ingredients necessary for a 

memorable tour. One other feature that proved popular in previous years is that flights are available from Manchester and East Midlands as well as Gatwick. 

Our hotel in Kos 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We catch our direct flights from London or 

regional airports to Kos. Our hotel at Marmari is 

only 15 minutes’ drive from the airport. After 

settling into our rooms, we will take a stroll 

outside the hotel, watching out for species such 

as Black-headed Bunting and Zitting Cisticola, 

Lesser Kestrel and Red-rumped Swallow, and 

both Alpine and Pallid Swifts that can be found 

in and over the surrounding fields. 

Days 2 to 7 

During this time, we will make various excursions. 

One of these will be to the wooded slopes of the 

Dikeos Mountain, the highest part of Kos rising to 

over 800m. Here there will be a chance to enjoy 

the scent of the pine trees, the songs of Eurasian 

Turtle Dove, European Serin and Eastern 

Olivaceous Warbler and the sight of Alpine Swift, 

Red-rumped Swallow and Long-legged Buzzard. 

Another day will be spent exploring the rocky 

peninsula at the southern end of the island. The 

rugged terrain here is home to Chukar, the very 

scarce Bonelli’s Eagle and the elegant Eleonora’s 

Falcon, just arrived from a winter in Madagascar. 

One of Kos’ main claims to fame is that it was 

the home of Hippocrates, truly the founder of the 

medical profession. For those interested, there 

will be a chance to visit the extensive remains of 

perhaps the world’s first medical school. 

Indeed, Kos is second only to Rhodes in its 

wealth of archaeological sites. The keener 

birders can visit Cape Psalidi, its wetland 

reserve and the cliffed coastline as far as Cape 

Fokas, a stronghold of Black-eared Wheatear 

and Blue Rock Thrush. 

Kos also contains a fair amount of lowland – much 

of it given over to low-intensive farming. Cut into 

the limestone beneath these lowlands are intricate 

96 


Black-headed Bunting 

G R E E C E 

Squacco Heron 


Day 1 Fly to Kos and transfer 

to Marmari 

Days 2-7 Marmari 

Day 8 Depart Kos 

Party Size 


more than seven clients). 

Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




networks of wadi-like features that provide 

sanctuary areas for tired migrants such as Redfooted 

Falcons, as well as good cover for breeding 

warblers and buntings. The area to the west of 

Mastihari is the least intensively farmed part of the 

lowlands. For this reason, the birding here attracts 

species such as Stone Curlew, European Beeeater, 

Whinchat, wheatears and shrikes. Sardinian 

Warbler and Crested Lark are common, and 

Greater Short-toed Lark may also breed here. Little 

Owls pop up on old stone walls, and European 

Rollers nest in holes in banks. Migrant raptors 

such as Short-toed Eagle, Osprey and European 

Honey Buzzard may turn up anywhere. 

The Tigaki Salt Lake can be especially rewarding 

in the early morning. Whiskered and Whitewinged 

Terns, Slender-billed Gull, Squacco 

Heron, Ruddy Shelduck, Wood and Curlew 

Sandpipers, Ruff, Black-winged Stilt and Little 

and Temminck’s Stints are all likely. Broad-billed 

Sandpipers are also possible. The fringing 

reedbeds hold Great Reed, European Reed and 

Cetti’s Warblers, and both Little Bittern and 

Purple Heron regularly drop in. 

On one day, we will visit the beautiful island of 

Nisyros. During the hour-long crossing, there is a 

chance of seeing Cory’s (Scopoli’s) and 

Yelkouan Shearwaters. Audouin’s Gulls often rest 

in Kardamena Harbour. Besides its birds, Nisyros 

offers fine scenery. It is rather like a doughnut 

ring, the centre being a huge volcanic caldera 

surrounded by a high ridge-like rim. The last 

minor eruption here was in the 19th century, but 

jets of steam, sulphur deposits and the heat of 

the ground underfoot suggest that, although 

presently dormant, this remains an active 

volcano. It also reminds us that this part of the 

world lies at the junction of three tectonic plates. 

Indeed, Nisyros is located on the African Plate. 

The intricately terraced slopes of the island 

indicate that less than 100 years ago it was a 

highly populated area. But there has been a mass 

exodus to Australia and the USA and numbers 

have contracted from thousands to hundreds. 

The wooded slopes are covered in oak, a habitat 

not found much on Kos and more reminiscent of 

Lesvos. They offer breeding opportunities for 

species such as Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared 

Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, and both Subalpine 

and Eastern Orphean Warblers. 

Day 8 

We anticipate a leisurely morning either poolside 

or checking out the salt lake for the very last 

time. This will be our final chance to spot some 

unusual migrants. Later, we will make our way to 

the airport to catch our direct flights to London or 

regional airports. 

Gradings 

Fine 

100 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Charter 

Black-eared Wheatear 


97

S PA I N 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Sierra de Andújar 

Iberian Lynx & Eagles 

Saturday 25 January – Saturday 01 February 2014 

Leader: Cristian Jensen 


SPAIN 

Saturday 24 January – Saturday 31 January 2015 

Leader: Cristian Jensen 


W 

We have travelled to Spain on many occasions over the last 40 years visiting many different 

areas. So far we have never managed to find one of the country’s most endangered mammals, 

the Iberian Lynx. We are hoping to remedy this situation by using the services of Cristian Jensen, who has been guiding groups to see these fascinating 

small cats for a number of years. Our week long, two-centred tour will be a combined birding and mammal holiday, with a special focus on seeing 

the Iberian Lynx in the wild. In January, Lynx are at their most active during the daytime as they seek a mate before becoming nocturnal in the hotter 

months. We shall visit areas where these cats can be viewed from strategic vantage points. The birdlife in this area of rolling mountains and hills is 

also interesting with Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Griffon Vultures and Hawfinch often in view. 

The Coto Doñana will give us some great winter birding with thousands of wildfowl present, as well as egrets, herons and birds of prey. Species 

anticipated on this trip include Red-crested Pochard, Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Teal, White-headed Duck, Golden and Spanish Imperial Eagles, 

Great Spotted Cuckoo, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Blue Rock Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Crested Tit and Cirl Bunting. We can also enjoy the 

mild winter sunshine of southern Spain and visit these two contrasting areas at a relaxed pace. 

Please note that we will be looking for the Lynx in the wild, and although the chances of seeing one are relatively high we cannot guarantee views of 

this species. 

Seville 

El Rocio 

Madrid 

Sierra de 

Andújar 

Iberian Lynx 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We take a morning flight to Seville where we 

meet our local guide Cristian Jensen and 

transfer by minibus to the Coto Doñana National 

Park, where we enjoy a local tapas lunch. 

Doñana is a wonderful place throughout the 

year, but for birdwatchers the winter is a 

particularly attractive time to visit. The famous 

marismas of Doñana usually hold water at this 

time of year and this attracts large quantities of 

Greater Flamingos, Glossy Ibis, ducks, geese, 

gulls, wintering terns and shorebirds, foraging 

side by side with White Storks, Eurasian 

Spoonbills, Purple Swamp-hens and several 

species of herons and egrets. 

In the scrub we shall look for Dartford and 

Sardinian Warblers, and there is the chance to 

compare Crested and Thekla Larks. Some 

98 


S PA I N 

Spanish Imperial Eagle 

Male Red Deer, Andújar 

raptors will be back on territory, whilst others will 

be passing through on their northward migration 

and others in the area for the winter months – we 

can hope to see Spanish Imperial Eagle, Merlin, 

Hen and Western Marsh Harriers and Blackwinged 

and Red Kites; the whole area is just 

teeming with life. Mammals may include Fallow 

and Red Deer, as well as Iberian Hares. We stay 

near the picturesque village of El Rocio, with its 

sandy streets and white buildings, for four nights. 

Days 5 to 7 

Today we transfer to Sierra de Andújar, a wellkept 

secret in terms of wild mountain habitat in 

Spain where we stay in a rural location for three 

nights. Large populations of Mouflon, Red and 

Fallow Deer, Otter and Wild Boar, as well as the 

largest Iberian Lynx population in Spain, can be 

found in this beautiful mountain chain. Lynx used 

to be spread throughout most of Iberian 

Peninsula but they have suffered from 

persecution and hunting for a long time and are 

now said to be the most endangered feline 

species in the world - the total population is 

estimated to be around 200 animals. They are 

now restricted to very small areas in Spain, 

principally in Andújar, with smaller numbers (15 

to 20) around Coto Doñana. The Iberian Lynx is 

a smaller version of the European Lynx and is 

considered a separate species by most 

authorities. The males can weighs up to 18kgs 

(compared to 30kgs for a male Eurasian Lynx). 

We shall scan from various watch points, giving 

us views into valleys, where we can look for 

these lovely cats. At this time of year we may 

hear them calling as they seek out mates to 

breed with. Hopefully, we will spot one walking 

along the sandy tracks, marking their territories 

and sniffing the vegetation for signs of other Lynx 

that may have passed by recently. 

There will also be birds to keep our attention 

focussed with noisy gangs of Azure-winged 

Magpies, small flocks of Hawfinches, Sardinian 

Warblers and Red-legged Partridges constantly 

calling and moving through the scrub, while 

above us we must watch out for both Eurasian 

Griffon and Black Vultures, and both Golden and 

Spanish Imperial Eagles. Small groups of Redbilled 

Chough pass overhead as well and they 

can be seen foraging in distant grassy meadows. 

The calls of Iberian Green Woodpeckers and 

Little Owls are often heard, while Eurasian Serins 

may already be in song. We can also look out for 

Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Eurasian Crag 

Martin, Crested Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper. 

We can drive down to a river which has been 

dammed and where a reservoir has been created. 

Here in one of the tunnels we can find various 

species of roosting bats and on the rock face 

outside we may well find Spanish Ibex. The rock 

face sometimes has wintering Wallcreepers and 

Black Wheatears, but Rock Bunting is a safer bet to 

find more easily! Grassy meadows will have flocks 

of Spotless Starlings and noisy mixed gangs of 

House, Tree and Spanish Sparrows will be around 

farm buildings. Iberian Grey Shrikes should be 

spotted as they watch from their own vantage 

points, scanning the grasslands for small insects. 

Day 8 


to Seville where we catch the flight back to 

London. 


Day 1 Fly to Seville and transfer 

to El Rocio 

Days 2-4 El Rocio 

Day 5-7 Sierra de Andújar 

Day 8 Depart Seville 

Party Size 

Maximum of seven clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibus driven by the leader. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

120 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Red-knobbed Coot 


99

S PA I N 

Spain – The Canary Islands 

Winter Sunshine Break 

Saturday 15 February – Saturday 22 February 2014 

Leaders: David Walsh and Paul Rogers 


Sunday 14 February – Sunday 21 February 2015 

Principal Leader: David Walsh 


La Palma 

La Gomera 

CANARY ISLANDS 

Lanzarote 

Fuerteventura 

Tenerife 

Gran Canaria 

T 

he Canary Islands provide us with the chance of seeing some special birds in welcome late winter sunshine! Remarkable for the wealth of unique 

plant and animal life, this Archipelago has been isolated from the continents for a long period, thus giving rise to an endemic avifauna not found 

in any other part of the world. The Canaries are made up of seven islands and five islets, which fall conveniently into two main groups – the Western 

Islands (Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Gran Canaria) and the Eastern Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and five islets). This natural division 

is based on the physical characteristics which the islands exhibit and we plan to visit three of them during our tour. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary 

Islands and its varied landscapes reflect its volcanic origins. Here, and on the adjacent island of La Gomera, the prevailing winds produce a climate 

conducive to ancient laurel forests and open pines. The eastern island of Fuerteventura is completely different and more like North Africa, being much 

drier with scrubby vegetation, rocky gorges and desert-like scenery. The Canary Islands hold a number of endemic (and near-endemic) species, 

including Fuerteventura Stonechat, Atlantic Canary, Blue Chaffinch and Bolle’s and Laurel Pigeons. In addition there is a healthy population of 

Houbara Bustard and we hope to see this species in its spectacular display alongside Cream-coloured Courser and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. 

Additionally, there is the chance to spot some interesting seabirds and cetaceans. The main tour leader will be David Walsh who has made more than 

10 winter visits to the Canary Islands. 

ITINERARY 

Mountain View on Tenerife 

Days 1 to 4 

We depart from London, or Manchester, to 

Tenerife. Depending on when we arrive, there 

may be time for some late afternoon birding. 

We check-in to our hotel on Tenerife where we 

stay for the next four nights. The wonderfully 

varied island of Tenerife is dominated by the 

volcanic Pico de Teide (3718m), the highest 

mountain in Spain. The north of the island is 

often cloudy and the hills have moist laurel 

forests. The central area consists of open pines 

and a high plateau, whilst the south is in the rain 

shadow and is drier and sunnier. On our first full 

day we will concentrate on the south and 

central areas. In the open pines, which occur 

above 800m, we will visit a well-known picnic 

site in search of the endemic Blue Chaffinch 

and we will hope to have excellent views of this 

species as well as the local races of Goldcrest, 

Great Spotted Woodpecker and African Blue 

Tit. We also have our first opportunity of seeing 

the Atlantic Canary, the symbol of the islands, 

renowned for its distinctive song. Weather 

permitting, we will venture higher and marvel at 

the spectacular volcanic, moon-like, rock 

formations in the centre of the island where the 

excellent display boards will prove informative. 

On the barren plains of southern Tenerife, with 

their prickly pears and euphorbias, we will have 

our first chance of seeing Berthelot’s Pipit and 

Plain Swift; these two species are restricted to 

the Canary Islands and Madeira. On some 

previous trips local information has also helped 

us locate a number of rarities, with American 

ducks and waders amongst the possibilities! 

The next day we will take the inter-island ferry to 

La Gomera. The boat trips will give us the 

opportunity of looking for Macaronesian and 

Cory’s Shearwaters, whilst we will also hope to 

spot groups of Shortfin Pilot Whales or Bottlenosed 

Dolphins. On arrival on Gomera we will 

head for the beautiful laurel forests and find 

good vantage points from where patient 

scanning should produce views of our main 

target species, the endemic Bolle’s and Laurel 

Pigeons. We will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in a 

100 


Blue Chaffinch 

Canary Island Stonechat 

S PA I N 


Day 1 Fly to Tenerife 

Days 2-4 Tenerife 

Days 5-7 Fuerteventura 

Day 8 Depart Fuerteventura 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibus. 

Includes 




picturesque valley in the centre of the island, 

from where we will be able to study another 

endemic, the Canary Islands Chiffchaff, with its 

distinctive song, and search for the local race of 

Chaffinch which looks very different from the one 

we see at home. We will enjoy more of the 

wonderful scenery on the island before 

descending to San Sebastian for our return boat 

trip. There should be time to briefly explore the 

town park, with Monarch, Canary Speckled 

Wood, Indian Red Admiral, Cleopatra, African 

Grass Blue and African Migrant amongst the 

butterfly possibilities. On our last full day on 

Tenerife, we visit the north-west of the island. 

Along the spectacular north coast we will look for 

Yellow-legged Gulls of the race atlantis, whilst on 

the Punto del Teno peninsula we will search for a 

flock of Common Rock Sparrows and, if we are 

lucky, a Barbary Falcon might be found perching 

on its favourite ledge! We may drive into the hills 

where we have second chances to look for the 

species we had targeted on Gomera and will 

also hope to find Sardinian Warbler and the 

distinctive Tenerife race of European Robin, a 

possible future ‘split’. 

Days 5 to 7 

We will take an early morning flight to 

Fuerteventura and transfer to the south of the 

island for a three night stay in a hotel by the sea 

which has proved very popular with previous 

groups. The scenery will provide a complete 

contrast to north and central Tenerife as we will 

immediately notice the desert-like plains and 

rocky gorges, known locally as ‘barrancos’. 

Fuerteventura is the only place in the world where 

the Fuerteventura Stonechat occurs; although it is 

not uncommon, it may take some time to locate, 

but we will enjoy discussing whether it reminds us 

more of a Stonechat or a Whinchat! The other 

main target on this island is Houbara Bustard; this 

species has been hunted to extinction in much of 

North Africa but remains relatively numerous on 

Fuerteventura. We will look for it on the plains 

close to our hotel and have a good chance of 

witnessing a male in full display, something which 

will live long in the memory! By making more than 

one visit to the same habitat we should encounter 

the beautiful Cream-coloured Courser as well as 

Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, 

Spectacled Warbler, Lesser Short-toed Lark, 

Common Raven and the endemic race of Great 

Grey Shrike. From our hotel we will scan the 

beaches and tidal pools for gulls and waders, with 

Kentish Plover and Little Egret likely and a number 

of other species possible; on several previous 

trips we have found Eurasian Spoonbill. In the 

centre of Fuerteventura the hills should produce 

Barbary Ground Squirrel, Egyptian Vulture, 

Barbary Partridge, Trumpeter Finch and the 

eastern islands race of African Blue Tit, different 

from the one on Tenerife and La Gomera, whilst at 

Molinos Reservoir and Catalina Garcia Lake we 

will hope to encounter Ruddy Shelduck and 

perhaps Little Ringed Plover or Black-winged Stilt. 

Nearby we will enjoy lunch in a taverna in a rocky 

cove on the west coast. Spanish Sparrows will be 

numerous in our hotel grounds, Eurasian Hoopoe 

could be found anywhere whilst a short drive from 

our hotel we will look for the introduced Sacred 

Ibis and both Rose-ringed and Monk Parakeets in 

one of the town parks. On several previous trips 

we have found some interesting dragonflies 

including Vagrant Emperor, a wanderer from the 

African mainland. 

Day 8 

Depending on the flight time we may have time 

for some local birwatching prior to flying back to 

London, or Manchester. 

Gradings 

Good 

80 

Mild/Warm 

Low/Medium 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Houbara Bustard 


101

S PA I N 

Spain – Coto Doñana & Extremadura 

Spring Tour 

Sunday 06 April – Sunday 13 April 2014 

Principal Leader: Steve West 


SPAIN 

his tour allows us to explore these two rich and contrasting areas. The Coto Doñana is justifiably 

T famous as one of the major wetlands in Europe. The area around Matalascañas, El Rocío and 

Almonte is a superb complex of open water, reed bed, sand dune and mixed woodland which 

allows a highly diverse range of species to survive here. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Purple Swamphen, 

Marbled Duck (now scarce), Azure-winged Magpie and Red-necked Nightjar all breed in this area, and 

the whole region acts as a staging post for an enormous number of migrant waders and passerines on 

their journey northwards at this time of year. Extremadura holds one of Spain's most interesting national 

parks – Monfragüe. It is one of the best sites for seeing Eurasian Black Vulture and Black Stork. The grasslands of this region are threatened by modern 

agricultural methods, but large areas still remain untouched and we shall be able to enjoy views of both Great and Little Bustards and with luck both 

Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Ornitholidays possesses unrivalled experience in these areas of Spain and we have been running tours here 

since the 1960s. 

Torrejón 

el Rubio 

Seville 

Villamanrique 

de la Condesa 

ITINERARY 

Madrid 

Days 1 to 4 

In the morning we fly from London to Madrid. 

We pick up our minibuses and drive to our hotel 

on the edge of the National Park of Monfragüe, 

where we stay for four nights. 

Uppermost on our list of priorities will be a visit 

to the Monfragüe National Park, where the 

rocky, scrub-covered slopes and steep river 

valleys allow rich hunting for a few pairs of 

Spanish Imperial as well as Golden Eagles, and 

the cliffs hold nests of Black Stork. The rocky 

crag of Penfalcón will allow us to watch 

squadrons of Eurasian Griffon Vultures 

(interspersed with the smaller Egyptian and the 

larger Eurasian Black) patrolling the skies. 

Further on, El Portillo del Tiétar is a well known 

spot for the powerful Eurasian Eagle Owl, 

nesting pairs of Black Stork, and rock-loving 

birds such as Blue Rock Thrush and Rock 

Bunting. The whole park is a superlative site for 

raptors and, if the weather conditions are right, it 

is possible to see all five Spanish eagles in a 

single day – Spanish Imperial, Golden, Booted, 

Short-toed and Bonelli's! 

The beautiful town square of Trujillo still looks 

much as it must have done when the 

Conquistadors built their palaces here. Lesser 

Kestrel soar overhead and White Storks attend 

their rooftop nests and small numbers of Pallid 

Swift mingle with the more abundant Common 

Swift. Trujillo is also well located for exploring 

the surrounding grasslands and mountain 

ridges, as well as the Cork Oak dehesa, which is 

lightly wooded, savannah-like country. This is 

the habitat where we should find Great Spotted 

Cuckoo, Spanish Sparrow, Woodchat Shrike, 

Azure-winged Magpie and Orphean Warbler, 

among others. 

Purple Swamphen 

To the east and west of Trujillo lies the more 

open steppe, where we hope to see Great 

Bustard displaying, looking not unlike a pile of 

snow on sticks! Little Bustard will also be in 

breeding plumage and in addition there are Pintailed 

and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone 

Curlew and European Roller. Montagu's Harrier 

patrol the cultivated fields, Red-rumped Swallow 

hawk the insects, and White Stork are 

everywhere - feeding on the steppe, following 

ploughs, nesting on trees, farmhouses and 

pylons. 

102 


Azure-winged Magpie 

S PA I N 


Day 1 Fly to Madrid and transfer 

to Torrejón el Rubio 

Days 2-4 Torrejón el Rubio 

Days 5-7 Villamanrique de la Condesa 


Party Size 



Accommodation 



Sardinian Warbler 

Although bird-rich wetlands are few and far 

between in Extremadura there is in fact one 

within easy reach of our hotel. A mixture of reedfringed 

wetland, with hides, grazing land and 

cultivated fields offer a number of interesting 

species, not least of which is Black-winged Kite. 

Other species regularly encountered here 

include Great Spotted Cuckoo, Lesser Kestrel, 

Savi’s Warbler, Common Kingfisher, Great Reed 

Warbler and Little Bittern. En-route we will also 

search areas where in the past we have seen 

Hawfinch and Dartford Warbler. 

Days 5 to 7 

After breakfast we begin the drive southwards 

where we transfer to our hotel in Villamanrique 

de la Condesa for a stay of three nights. 

We eagerly begin our exploration of the 

marshes, dunes and woodlands encompassed 

by the Coto Doñana. The ‘Wild West’ town of El 

Rocío, with its white buildings and church, which 

houses the famous "Madonna of the Marshes", 

makes an amazing backdrop to the marismas. 

Here we are likely to encounter horsemen 

cantering through the wide sand streets or a 

mule and cart tied up to the hitching rails outside 

the houses. The marshes here, and the varied 

habitats of El Rocina, teem with birds – European 

Spoonbill, herons and egrets fly over the reed 

beds and Western Marsh Harrier teeter on upturned 

wings, looking for ducklings to feed to 

their growing young. In the shallow water, 

Greater Flamingo and White Stork feed, 

surrounded by passage waders, many of which 

will be in their summer breeding dress. 

Whiskered Terns hawk over open water, 

swooping down to the surface to pick off a small 

insect or tiny fish, and Savi's Warbler reel from 

great swards of juncus rush. In the more wooded 

areas, European Serin and Common Nightingale 

seem never to stop singing and European Beeeaters 

glide overhead, uttering their liquid 

evocative calls. 

Some time could be well spent in the series of 

hides at the Acebuche Centre which overlooks 

another area of marsh, where Purple Swamphen 

can often be seen and Little Bittern occasionally 

take a brief flight across to another patch of 

reeds. Marbled Duck are now very rare breeders 

in this area and they skulk in these overgrown 

waterways, and male Red-crested Pochard 

display to drabber females on the open water. 

We shall also search the sandy scrub areas for 

Dartford and Melodious Warblers and keep 

looking up for Black and Red Kites and Booted 

Eagle. On the larger lakes there will be flocks of 

pink Greater Flamingos, and we can scan the 

groups of Common Coots for the occasional 

Crested. In the scrub we shall hear the rattling 

calls of Sardinian Warbler and hopefully see one 

of the black masked males perched in a bush. 

Overhead will be large numbers of migrant 

swallows and martins heading northwards. 

A whole day will be spent exploring what is known 

as the ‘pre-park’ zone to the north of the National 

Park. We will aim to reach the remote visitor centre 

Jose Antonio Valverde at Cerrado Garrida by 

lunch where we would hope to find Marbled Duck 

and a range of other waterfowl. The journey there 

and back will provide an opportunity to compare 

four lark species – Crested and Thekla, Short-toed 

and Lesser Short-toed. We would also hope to 

find Crested Coot, a range of waders (including 

Collared Pratincole) as well as Spectacled 

Warbler. One evening at dusk we will go in search 

of Red-necked Nightjar. 

Close to Huelva we can also visit a small lagoon 

where we hope to find the endangered Whiteheaded 

Duck, as well as Black-necked Grebe 

and perhaps Crested Coot. 

Day 8 


to Seville where we catch the flight back to 

London. 

Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

170 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Great Bustard 


103

S PA I N 

Spain – The Island of Menorca at Leisure 

Mediterranean Migration 

Friday 02 May – Friday 09 May 2014 

Principal Leader: Mike Witherick 


MENORCA 

Mahon 

rnitholidays first visited the Balearic island of Mallorca over 40 years ago and we ran almost 50 holidays to this popular 

O destination. However, over the years increased development for the tourist industry has resulted in degradation of habitat and 

closure of many key sites. Therefore, we have now turned our attention to its smaller unspoilt cousin Menorca. The entire island of Menorca is a 

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means that its conservation needs have been placed before commercial development. It is a small island only 

about 30 by 15 miles and a week here from late March to early May offers the chance to explore this beautiful island at its best, clothed in spring 

flowers and attractive to a range of migrant birds heading north. 

Our base for the week is a beautifully restored 

farmhouse, Matchani Gran, situated close to 

the capital Mahon. Our hosts prepare and 

serve excellent meals, with complimentary 

wine. Each room is full of character and there 

is a lovely swimming pool. Breeding birds of 

the 25-acre estate are impressive: Eurasian 

Hoopoe, Common Quail, Woodchat Shrike, 

and both Sardinian and Cetti’s Warblers. After 

dark the springtime sounds are of Common 

Nightingale, European Scops Owl and Stone 

Curlew. 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Northern Wheatear at Matchani Gran 

This will be an ‘At Leisure’ tour. In other words, 

we will allow time for photography, enjoying 

the scenery, the diverse natural history and 

even an archaeological site or two. Distances 

on the island are small, and the road system 

excellent, with little traffic in this early part of 

the year. With our outstanding base at 

Matchani Gran, and a tour scheduled at the 

best time of year, Menorca makes an 

especially attractive destination for a relaxing 

week in spring. Travel with us and see why this 

small Balearic island is such a winner with 

Ornitholidays’ clients. This tour will be our 11th 

visit to Matchani Gran and Menorca. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We catch our direct morning flight from London 

or regional airports (where available), to Mahon, 

the capital situated on the eastern side of 

Menorca. We make the short transfer to 

Matchani Gran, a superbly restored farmhouse, 

which will be our base for the week. 

Days 2 to 7 

Our precise programme during the next six days 

will be largely determined by weather 

conditions. We will be able to visit a number of 

different locations, some more than once. Every 

morning we walk along the pine-fringed drive to 

check what might have changed in terms of 

migrant arrivals and departures. Further afield 

the island offers a variety of habitats. One of the 

most typical is low-intensity hay meadows and 

undulating hillsides, the home of Booted Eagles 

and Red Kites. There are wooded, rocky gorges 

where Egyptian Vultures nest; and saltpans 

which attract many species of passage waders 

in spring. The best of these saltpans is on a 

private reserve to which we have arranged 

access. Among the many wader species, Blackwinged 

Stilts and Little Ringed Plovers remain 

on the island to breed. There are also wetlands 

(such as the coastal site of Son Bou) where 

Purple Herons and Purple Swamphens nest, 

and wintering duck linger on open water. 

104 


S PA I N 

Sawfly Orchid 

Egyptian Vultures 

Coastal scrub is likely to turn up a variety of 

migrant warblers and flycatchers; while 

European Bee-eaters and Golden Orioles may 

arrive during our stay. Woodlands of Aleppo 

Pine, Holm Oak, Olive and Lentisc (a relative of 

Pistachio) hold populations of resident Firecrest, 

with both Wood and Western Bonelli’s Warblers 

passing through. Red-rumped Swallows are 

regular among the other hirundines. The 

seasonal wetlands of Tirant are in the north of the 

island. Since all the migrants filter through 

towards the north it may well repay us to make 

two visits to look for waders, ducks, and perhaps 

the odd stork or unusual raptor. The rocky 

promontaries of the north coast hold good 

populations of Thekla and Greater Short-toed 

Larks. 

Raptors are a special feature of the island. The 

Booted Eagle numbers about 60 pairs, a huge 

number for such a small island. Egyptian Vultures 

have over 30 pairs, and the declining Red Kite 

hangs on, with about 10 pairs. Peregrines nest on 

the cliffs; while Eleonora’s Falcons (which nest on 

nearby Majorca) are sometimes seen passing by 

in spring. A few pairs of Ospreys nest too, and 

often fish offshore. Western Marsh Harriers are a 

regular sight in spring; and we shall keep our 

eyes open for other migrants such as Montagu’s 

Harrier, Eurasian Hobby and Red-footed Falcon. 

Common Ravens are the only corvid on Menorca, 

and share the scavenging duties with kite and 

vulture. Offshore, Cory’s (Scopoli’s) Shearwaters 

wheel over the waves and often join feeding 

frenzies with the gulls. Menorca is a stronghold 

for this large, slow-flying shearwater. The island is 

also important for the rare Balearic Shearwater. 

On Menorca, Pallid Swifts nest in small colonies 

along the cliffs (as well as in some coastal 

towns). Alpine Swifts have a coastal colony too. 

Blue Rock Thrushes also reach their greatest 

density in clifftop sites. The beauty of being a 

small island surrounded by sea is that it 

increases the chance of visits by over-flying 

migrants. If weather conditions are suitable we 

may be treated to some large falls of Pied 

Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Willow 

Warbler, Blackcap, Barn Swallow, Sand Martin 

and perhaps even a Wryneck or two. There is 

always the chance of something unusual turning 

up: perhaps a Collared Pratincole or a Garganey 

in the wetlands; maybe a Spotless Starling or 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush in the rock-strewn 

fields; or perhaps a Dartford Warbler or Western 

Orphean Warbler in the bushes. 

In addition to the birds, flowers and butterflies we 

will spend a little time in the capital Mahon, 

whose natural harbour is reckoned to be the 

finest in the Mediterranean. A short cruise will 

offer good views of the city as well as a chance 

to see Peregrine Falcon. Along the seafront, 

Audouin's Gulls can often be persuaded to feed 

on scraps of bread at our feet – a photographer's 

joy. Menorca also has a unique series of Bronze 

Age sites, left behind by the Talayotic civilization, 

from 1400 BC onwards. They feature many 

talayots (rocky mounds for defence and 

observation), taulas (T-shaped henges that were 

probably astronomical observatories) and 

navetas (burial chambers). These mysterious 

places are always great botanical sites and often 

interesting for birds too. 

Day 8 

Today we have time for further exploration before 

we catch our direct evening flight to London or 

regional airports (where available) where the tour 

ends. 


Day 1 Fly to Mahon and transfer 

to Matchani Gran 

Days 2-7 Matchani Gran 

Day 8 Depart Mahon 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Lunches are mostly picnics, with some 

lunches at Matchani Gran. 

Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

90 

Warm to Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Matchani Gran 


105

S PA I N 

Spain – Southern Catalonia 

Birds, Butterflies & Bouquets 

Saturday 24 May – Saturday 31 May 2014 



e now have several tours to Catalonia and this one is particularly focused on the natural history 

W of the southern area. This tour visits the Montsant range, where lonely hermitages sculpt the 

character of the most beautiful and solitary locations in this surprising massif. Unlikely rock formations 

silently stand guard and small rivers continue their patient work sculpting valleys, gulleys and gorges out 

of sheer rock. According to the Catalan Butterfly Monitoring Scheme no fewer than 86 species of butterfly 

have been recorded at a single site in this area! We can look for birds here too, including Eurasian Griffon 

Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Golden Oriole, European Bee-eater and Eurasian Hoopoe. The Ebro 

Delta in contrast is flat and rather featureless but compensates for its lack of altitude by an exciting array of wetland birds, including gulls, waders, 

herons, terns and much more. We return to the mountains and the els Ports massif which is just as abrupt as Montsant and possibly even more eyeopening. 

It is home to a host of indigenous plants, as well as interesting and varied communities of butterflies including Nettle-tree Butterfly, Cardinal, 

Southern White Admiral, Pale Clouded Yellow as well as amphibians, birds and mammals; among the latter a large population of the Spanish Ibex. A 

walk into the rocky heart of els Ports will reveal astonishing and unexpected landscapes, and will also provide us with many opportunities for an 

inviting dip into the cool clear waters of the Rivers Estrets, or Matarranya, probably the cleanest and most inviting rivers in the whole of northeast 

Spain. The landscapes are unique and unforgettable and the wildlife is abundant and stimulating. 

Throughout the tour you will have the expertise of Steve West, who has been studying the wildlife here since he took up residence in Catalonia, more 

than 20 years ago. 

Madrid 

SPAIN 

Montsant 

National Park 

Els Ports 

Barcelona 

National Park 

Ebro Delta 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We leave London, or regional airports, on a flight 

to Barcelona where we meet our local guide, 

Steve West. Our first stop is on the doorstep of the 

airport, at one of the Llobregat Delta wetland 

reserves. Depending on the water levels we can 

see a variety of wetland species here including 

ducks, herons, gulls, waders and more, as well as 

reedbed passerines and maybe a late migrant or 

two. A short walk down to the nearby beach will 

soon reveal if there is any interesting movement 

of seabirds just off the coast. 

From here it is a relatively short drive, excluding 

any diversions we may make for birding reasons, 

to our welcoming hotel in the little village of 

Morera de Montsant. This is the heart of the 

delightful Montsant range, and we will be staying 

here for four nights. 

The next day we take a short drive to the village of 

Siurana. Here we can delight our senses on a 

walk around the cliffs and the village itself and 

look out for raptors and other birds including the 

Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Blue 

Rock Thrush, Alpine Swift and a local speciality in 

the shape of the attractive Red-rumped Swallow. 

Later we skirt around the edges of the Montsant 

range, passing picturesque villages and rocky 

mountainsides, all the time looking for an 

encounter with interesting birds such as Golden 

Oriole, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, 

Rock Sparrow, Woodchat Shrike, or even the 

localised Black Wheatear. We amble along quiet 

winding roads to discover the little known scenery 

of this Mediterranean massif. Terraced hillsides, 

pinewoods and little streams are dominated by 

imposing rock faces and huge crags. Along the 

way we will take the best opportunities that 

present themselves to stop and search for 

butterflies, plants and birds in these lovely hills. A 

peaceful amble just off the road could reveal a 

good number of the following bird species: 

Crested Tit, Rock Bunting, European Serin, 

Western Bonelli’s, Western Orphean, Sardinian 

and Subalpine Warblers, Common Crossbill, 

Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Cirl Bunting, 

and Grey Wagtail. 

We dedicate the third day to exploring part of the 

natural treasures of the nearest steppeland 

habitat in the Lleida plains. Little Bustard, Stone 

The Roques de Benet, Els Ports Massif 

106 


S PA I N 

Two-tailed Pasha 

Curlew, European Roller, Montagu’s Harrier, Little 

Owl, Calandra Lark and more all add a touch of 

class and colour to the whole experience. While in 

the area we can also do a spot of raptor watching 

at a site where species that are regularly seen 

include Golden, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, 

Red and Black Kites, Eurasian Griffon and 

Egyptian Vultures and even an occasional 

Northern Goshawk. The birding is excellent, but 

this might be the day to finish at a reasonable time 

in order to be able to participate in an earlyevening 

guided visit and wine-tasting at a local 

wine cellar in this land of world-famous wines. 

For our fourth day we head southwards to look for 

the rare and declining Bonelli’s Eagle. Our search 

will take us past sunny slopes and lofty ridges 

where the likes of Black-eared Wheatear, Egyptian 

Vulture, Sardinian Warbler, Woodlark, and more 

can be found. Then we will make our way to 

another interesting limestone massif with sea 

views and good chances of seeing the attractive 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Red-billed Chough, 

Dartford Warbler, and Rock Bunting, among 

others. 

Days 5 to 7 

Today we take leave of our friendly hotel and 

promptly make our way to the Ebro Delta where 

we can look for birds such as Slender-billed and 

Audouin’s Gulls, Whiskered, Gull-billed and 

Caspian Terns, Purple Gallinule, Squacco Heron, 

Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Bittern, Great 

and Cattle Egrets, Glossy Ibis, Black-winged Stilt, 

Pied Avocet, Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola, 

Great Reed Warbler, Red-crested Pochard, 

Collared Pratincole and Lesser Short-toed and 

Greater Short-toed Larks. We will fit as many of 

these birds as we can into the day in the Ebro 

delta before undertaking the hour’s drive to our 

hotel on the northern edge of the picturesque els 

Ports massif, where we stay for three nights. Our 

Common Nightingale 

els Ports accommodation is a renovated 

farmhouse in secluded and extensive grounds, 

just right for wandering around and exploring. 

The next morning we set about slowly discovering 

the marvels of the Ports massif, following the 

course of the River Matarranya upstream towards 

its source. An impressive gorge awaits us at the 

end of the itinerary, but we will take our time to get 

there. That is because we don’t want to miss any 

of the local wildlife, including the Spanish Ibex, 

perhaps a Golden or a Bonelli’s Eagle, Red-billed 

Chough, Western Orphean Warbler, and 

spectacular scenery. Another excursion is one 

which takes us past ancient olive groves, where 

we will admire the gnarled forms of olive trees 

which must be at least several hundred years old. 

We can entertain ourselves looking for 

amphibians and orchids and perhaps just one or 

two more interesting birds. 

On our last full day we plan to visit the Monegros 

steppes. It will be interesting to see the contrasts 

of this arid area with the Lleida plains and to 

compare the birdlife: here in the low scrub, open 

stony fields and patches of dry fallow land there 

are very good chances of seeing both Blackbellied 

and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Greater 

Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks, Lesser 

Kestrel, Spectacled Warbler, and maybe an eagle 

or two flying overhead or above a distant patch of 

pines. We will also have the opportunity to 

investigate a stretch of riverside woodland along 

the banks of the river Ebro to look for birds like 

Penduline Tit, Common Kingfisher and Cetti’s 

Warbler. So there will rarely be a dull moment! 

Day 8 

We take leave of our hotel and after some final 

exploration of the local area we transfer to 

Barcelona Airport to catch our flight to London or 

regional airports. 


Day 1 Fly to Barcelona and 

transfer to Montsant 

Days 2-4 Montsant 

Days 5-7 Els Ports 

Day 8 Depart Barcelona 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Very good 

150 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Blue-spot Hairstreak 


107

S PA I N 

Spain – Catalonia – Photographic Tour 

Lammergeiers, Bonelli’s Eagles & Bee-eaters 

Tuesday 10 June – Tuesday 17 June 2014 

Leaders: Richard Coomber and Steve West 


Madrid 

Boumort 

Montsonís 

Barcelona 

or the photographer one of those “once in a lifetime moments” must be to have a close encounter 

Fwith a Lammergeier. This Bearded Vulture is such a handsome creature close to, with its red 

rimmed pale eye, black facial markings and goatee beard, a tan head shawl and chest, and 

smartly streaked jet black upper body. For 2014 we are running a special photographic trip to 

Catalonia in Spain where we shall be using photographic hides as part of our holiday, to take photos of 

some of the special montane and steppe birds of this region. 

SPAIN 

In the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida we have available a total of three different hides for Lammergeiers and other carrion feeders, which normally include 

scores of Eurasian Griffon Vultures as well as smaller numbers of Eurasian Black and Egyptian Vultures. Red Kites and Common Ravens are also 

regular visitors to at least one of the hides. 

When we transfer to our base near the steppes we will be in a privileged position for using smaller hides for taking photos of European Roller, European 

Bee-eater, Lesser Kestrel, Little Owl and other steppe species. Furthermore we have another marvellous photographic opportunity in the form of the 

Bonelli’s Eagle hide, where in the average morning session up to three photographers can enjoy unbeatable close-up views of the local pair of 

Bonelli’s Eagles that come down to feed. In between this flurry of bird activity it may be hard to find enough time to dedicate to the pool hide: a twoperson 

hide where a large number of songbirds come down to drink and bathe, and just a short walk from our home base at Montsonís. 

Throughout the tour you will have the expert guidance of Richard Coomber, Ornitholidays’ most experienced photographer and past winner of the 

BBC Wildlife’s Photographer of the Year “Dawn to Dusk” section. Of course, the scenery will be spectacular, the food and accommodation good to 

very good, and you will be with like-minded individuals all vying for those fantastic shots of some rarely photographed species. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We fly from London, or regional airports, to 

Barcelona where we meet our local guide, Steve 

West. From here it is approximately a two and a 

half hour drive to our first base at Boumort, in the 

Pre-Pyrenees. 

Days 2 & 3 

Each morning for the next two days the group 

will be distributed around the three hides 

available for the photography of Lammergeiers, 

vultures and other carrion feeders. All of these 

hides have a silvered glass that does not allow 

the birds to see in, so they can come very close 

to the hide without observing what is going on 

inside. The photographic results are excellent, 

as the photos here show, as they were taken in 

this fashion. Lammergeiers will not be the only 

birds to be photographed, as there should also 

be scores of Eurasian Griffon Vultures, as well as 

small but unpredictable numbers of Eurasian 

Black Vultures and smart adult Egyptian 

Vultures. Then there are the beautiful Red Kites 

Lammergeier 

108 


Bonelli’s Eagle 

Raptor hide 

S PA I N 


Day 1 Fly to Barcelona and 

transfer to Boumort 

Days 2-3 Boumort 

Days 4-7 Montsonís 


Party Size 

Maximum of six clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




that are also attracted to the bones and 

carcasses and, of course, Common Ravens are 

likely to be in attendance too. 

Days 4 to 7 

Just as exciting will be the many opportunities for 

photography on the nearby steppes. This is the 

region where there are Calandra Larks, Little 

Bustards, colonies of colourful European Beeeaters 

and European Rollers. In the morning you 

will be taken to a hide to photograph the 

European Bee-eaters, Little Owls, Lesser Kestrels 

or nesting European Rollers and possibly 

Eurasian Hoopoe or Montagu’s Harrier. After you 

have been taking photographs for some hours, 

you will be collected in the late morning and 

taken back to your home base to enjoy lunch and 

a little free time Alternatively, instead of occupying 

one of the steppe hides you can opt for the 

Bonelli’s Eagle hide, and if time permits combine 

this with a short period in the nearby pool hide. 

The afternoon can be spent taking landscape 

shots or photos of other birds in the steppe areas. 

There will also be time for macro-photography of 

flowers, butterflies and other insects 

Richard will be taking a lap-top with him and in a 

relaxed atmosphere photographic critiques can 

be made of some of the photos you have taken 

during the day, plus mini-workshops given to 

help you improve your photographic techniques. 

Day 8 

We return to Barcelona to catch our flight back to 

London, or regional airports. We arrive back in 

the late afternoon, where the tour concludes. 

Gradings 

Good 

70 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Excellent 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Hide on steppe 

Little Bustard 


109

S PA I N 

Spain – The Pyrenees 

Montane Raptorfest 

Wednesday 18 June – Wednesday 25 June 2014 



Madrid 

Bilbao 

Villafranca 

Isaba 

his two centre holiday allows us to explore a wide range of habitats and hopefully find some 

T of the more elusive birds of the Pyrenean ranges, foothills and dry steppe. At this time of year 

the mountains will also have a fine show of butterflies and plants to complement the avifauna. We 

can search oak forest to look for European Honey Buzzard, Iberian Chiffchaff and Middle Spotted 

Woodpecker, while the dry grasslands hold Stone Curlew, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, 

Greater Short-toed, Lesser Short-toed, the rare and elusive Dupont’s, Thekla and Calandra Larks, 

Tawny Pipit, Lesser Kestrel, Black-eared and Black Wheatears, Spectacled Warbler and European Nightjar. 

SPAIN 

Birds of prey are a particular attraction on this holiday, and over 16 species have been recorded, including Lammergeier, Golden, Short-toed and 

Booted Eagles, Northern Goshawk, Red and Black Kites and Montagu's Harrier. At high levels, one can expect other species, such as White-winged 

Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Citril Finch, Alpine Chough, Ring Ouzel and Water Pipit. In the foothills and on the plains, 

White Stork, Black Woodpecker, Alpine Swift, European Bee-eater, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Melodious, Dartford, Sardinian, 

Subalpine and Western Bonelli's Warblers, Crested Tit, Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Rock Sparrow and Cirl, Rock and Ortolan 

Buntings can all be expected. In particular, we will make a special effort to find Wallcreeper, that most sought after of mountain birds. 

We shall make a special effort to look for some of the myriad butterflies found in this region at this time of year. Chamois and Alpine Marmot also make 

for two interesting additions to the mammal list. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on a flight to Bilbao, where we 

meet up with our guide Steve West and collect 

our mini-buses and travel to our hotel near 

Villafranca, where we stay for three nights. We 

make an early start the next morning, as out on 

the steppes it can get quite warm by midday. 

However, our time at the Bardenas Reales 

should be very rewarding, as target birds here 

include both Black-bellied and Pin-tailed 

Sandgrouse, virtually all the Spanish larks 

including even the rare Dupont’s Lark, Blackeared 

and Black Wheatears, Lesser Kestrel, 

Spectacled Warbler, Tawny Pipit and Stone 

Curlew, amongst others. After lunch we will head 

to an inland lake close to our hotel. The open 

cereal fields and dry terrain surrounding the lake 

are home to Montagu’s Harriers and some of the 

birds we may have seen in the morning. The 

lake itself is usually well-stocked with birds, 

which at this time of the year should include 

Red-crested Pochard, Great and Little Bitterns, 

Bearded Reedling, Purple Heron, Western 

Marsh Harrier, Black-necked Grebe, Cetti’s 

Warbler, Penduline Tit and Black-winged Stilt. 

For our second full day in this area we walk 

through a riverside woodland bursting with 

birdsong mainly from Cetti’s Warbler, Common 

Nightingale and Blackcap and look for some 

interesting bird species such as Eurasian 

Wryneck, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Green 

Woodpecker, Common Kingfisher, Melodious 

Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Penduline 

Tit. Nearby there are wide expanses of undulating, 

non-irrigated farmland and rough pastures, ideal 

habitat to house the small remnant populations of 

Great and Little Bustards of Navarra. If we have 

any time left over after birding these areas we can 

investigate a Mediterranean hillside to get to grips 

with its typical warblers and other birdlife. 

Days 4 to 7 

Today we travel north-east from Villafranca into 

the Pyrenees towards our base at Isaba in the 

Roncal Valley, where we stay for five nights. It’s 

Western Pyrenean panorama 

110 


Eurasian Wryneck 

Northern Goshawk 

S PA I N 


Day 1 Fly to Bilbao and transfer 

to Villafranca 

Days 2-3 Villafranca 

Days 4-7 Isaba 

Day 8 Depart Bilbao 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


not a long journey, but we will be taking our time 

to get there. That’s because along the way there 

are plenty of birds to be seen in Mediterranean 

scrubland, riverside woodland, rocky gorges and 

pastureland. Birds today may include Redbacked 

Shrike, Sardinian and Melodious 

Warblers, Golden Oriole, Red and Black Kites, 

Eurasian Griffon Vulture, European Bee-eater, 

Red-rumped Swallow, Red-billed Chough and 

Spotless Starling. 

During the following days we will make a 

selection of excursions, setting out from our 

base at Isaba. One day we will drive along the 

upper reaches of the Roncal Valley, over the 

mountain pass and into France. Our main target 

will be to reach the high altitude birds and enjoy 

the marvellous mountain scenery. In the lower 

reaches the pastures bordered by patches of 

woodland are home to Rock and Cirl Buntings, 

Yellowhammer, Eurasian Bullfinch and Marsh Tit, 

while White-fronted Dippers are quite easy to 

spot at strategic points from the river bank. As 

we ascend towards the French border there are 

areas with extensive woodland, home to Black 

and White-backed Woodpeckers. Water Pipit, 

Alpine Chough, Citril Finch, Common Crossbill, 

Ring Ouzel and Alpine Accentor all feature on the 

interesting list of mountain birds that can be seen 

on the upper reaches of this route, while raptors 

could include Golden Eagle and Lammergeier. 

Chamois and Alpine Marmot can also be found 

here, along with White-winged Snowfinch. 

Time can be spent walking and exploring the 

lush and leafy mixed forests, in search of 

woodland birds. Black Redstart, Firecrest, 

Crested Tit, Rock Sparrow, Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, 

Common Crossbills, Little Owl, Ortolan Bunting, 

Western Orphean Warbler and Rock Bunting are 

all possibilities. Fast-flowing streams are a 

feature of the area, and the riverside forests and 

fields hold European Bee-eater, Eurasian 

Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Melodious Warbler, 

Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Wryneck plus Grey 

Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover and Common 

Kingfisher along the streams. Overhead we must 

keep an open eye for raptors which may include 

Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 

Eurasian Hobby, Red and Black Kites and 

Booted Eagle. The Hecho Valley lies to the east 

in Aragón, and shares much of its mountain birds 

with the Roncal Valley. We hope to see many 

species of raptor, such as Lammergeier, 

Egyptian and Eurasian Griffon Vultures and 

Short-toed and Golden Eagles. We shall explore 

high mountain pastures, woodland and crags to 

find Citril Finch, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill 

and one of the most emblematic birds of the 

region, the Wallcreeper. 

Some of the butterflies we should see during the 

week include Common Swallowtail, Cleopatra, 

Southern Gatekeeper, Spanish Purple 

Hairstreak, Blue-spot Hairstreak, Berger’s 

Clouded Yellow, Camberwell Beauty, Southern 

White Admiral, Large Tortoiseshell, Cardinal and 

Long-tailed Blue, plus a variety of graylings, 

skippers and fritillaries. 

Day 8 

Today we say our fond farewells to the village of 

Isaba and depart towards Bilbao airport. Luckily, 

however, the birding is not yet over, as before 

reaching the airport we travel to the forest 

reserve of Izki to look for Middle Spotted 

Woodpecker, Iberian Chiffchaff and European 

Honey Buzzard. Later we catch our return flight 

to London, arriving in the early evening. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

110 

Cool/Warm 

Moderate 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Lesser Kestrel 


111

S PA I N 

Spain – Tarifa & Coto Doñana 

Autumn Migration 

Sunday 14 September - Sunday 21 September 2014 



SPAIN 

Madrid 

visit to Southern Spain in autumn provides the opportunity to witness many birds moving 

Asouth to their wintering grounds in Africa. We have put together a two-centre tour, where we 

should see some great visible migration at Tarifa, and then on to Coto Doñana where we should 

find many migrant shorebirds and ducks. 

Villamanrique 

de la Condesa 

Tarifa 

Seville 

Malaga 

Geographically Tarifa lies at the southern-most tip of Europe, with the African coast visible just over 10 miles away. This small town with Moorish 

architecture has been a strategic military viewpoint for hundreds of years. Nowadays, in the autumn, this area becomes the focus of attention for 

literally tens of thousands of storks, herons, bee-eaters and birds of prey making their way from their northern breeding areas to their winter quarters 

in Africa. This tip of the Iberian Peninsula gives them the shortest over-sea crossing to Morocco and, given the right wind and climatic conditions, the 

visible migration on the hillsides above Tarifa can be awesome. It is estimated that perhaps 700,000 large soaring birds (raptors and storks) use this 

crossing point each autumn. For the second part of the holiday we drive north-west to the Coto Doñana, an area we have visited before on numerous 

occasions. The area around Matalascañas, El Rocío and Almonte is a superb complex of open water, reed bed, sand dune and mixed woodland which 

allows a highly diverse range of species to survive here. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Purple Swamphen and Azure-winged Magpie are resident species 

here, and the whole region acts as a staging post for an enormous number of migrant waders and passerines on their journey southwards at this time 

of year. Also, there will be numbers of wildfowl beginning to accumulate on the lagoons, with some staying for the winter, while others move further 

south to Africa. 

Throughout the holiday you will have the expertise of Steve West who has been studying the bird life in Spain since he took up residence there, more 

than 20 years ago and has led many Ornitholidays’ tours over the last few years. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We take a morning flight from London (or 

regional airports) to Malaga. We meet our local 

guide Steve here and make the two hour drive to 

Tarifa and check into our hotel, where we stay for 

the next four nights. During our time here we can 

visit some of the migration watch-points on the 

hills above Tarifa. The southern migration is very 

dependent on wind direction. The two winds that 

tend to dominate here are the Poniente, a warm 

dry westerly wind and the Levante which is an 

easterly wind. These two winds produce crosswinds 

for the birds wishing to move south, so 

depending on which direction the wind is 

blowing from may determine where the birds will 

try to depart from on their crossing. We hope to 

witness some large departing flocks of White 

Storks which have bred in Europe. Over 110,000 

have made this crossing in recent years and they 

make an impressive sight as they gain height on 

a thermal and pass southwards. Without a doubt 

we shall also find some small flocks feeding in 

local fields. There should also be a few Black 

Storks making the migration as well. 

Birds of prey are the most exciting species to 

look for and we can hope for some impressive 

numbers of European Honey Buzzards as this 

should be their peak period for migration – often 

over 5,000 birds can move in a single day. 

Eurasian Griffon Vultures are common in 

southern Spain and they have been joined 

recently by a few Rüppell's Vultures from sub- 

Saharan Africa. We shall make sure we check all 

vultures for this rare visitor. Their smaller 

cousins, the Egyptian Vulture can also be seen 

at this time of year. Short-toed and Booted 

Eagles and Black Kites will also be obvious, and 

White Storks 

112 


Eurasian Griffon Vulture 

S PA I N 

Audouin's Gull 

we can hone our identification skills as the birds 

pass overhead. Smaller birds of prey include 

Common and Lesser Kestrels, Eurasian 

Sparrowhawk and Eurasian Hobby. We can also 

hope to see Osprey, Montagu’s and Western 

Marsh Harriers, Peregrine Falcon, Common 

Buzzard and maybe some scarcer species such 

as Northern Goshawk, Long-legged Buzzard, 

Black-winged Kite or perhaps an Eleonora’s 

Falcon or two. 

It is not only storks and raptors that are on the 

move at this time of year. Large numbers of 

colourful European Bee-eaters stream 

southwards, along with thousands of Barn and 

Red-rumped Swallows, Yellow Wagtails and 

Northern Wheatears. We can also search for 

some of the smaller migrants which occur in the 

area, as well as some of the resident species. We 

would hope to see Eurasian Crag Martin, Iberian 

Chiffchaff, European Serin, Sardinian Warbler, 

Thekla Lark, Common Quail, Woodchat Shrike, 

Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Common and 

Black Redstarts, Eurasian Hoopoe, Hawfinch, 

Crested Tit, Cirl Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush and 

Short-toed Treecreeper. 

From Tarifa we can take a boat trip out into the 

Straits of Gibraltar to look for dolphins and 

seabirds. We may find Common, Striped and 

Bottle-nosed Dolphins and the local pod of 

Long-finned Pilot Whales. We should also find 

the larger Scopoli’s (Cory’s) Shearwater as well 

as the smaller Balearic Shearwater, plus some 

Northern Gannets and perhaps Arctic Skua. 

Days 5 to 7 

After breakfast we make the drive north-west 

towards the Coto Doñana, stopping at the 

Bonanza salt pans to check for waders, such as 

Pied Avocet and Kentish Plover. We arrive at our 

hotel in Villamanrique de la Condesa where we 

stay for three nights and can begin our exploration 

of the marshes, dunes and woodlands 

encompassed by the Coto Doñana. The marshes 

by El Rocío, and the varied habitats of El Rocina, 

teem with birds - herons, egrets, coots and geese. 

In the shallow water, Greater Flamingo and White 

Stork feed, surrounded by passage waders, such 

as Ruff, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey 

Plover, Spotted Redshank and Wood and Green 

Sandpipers. Large numbers of ducks will be using 

these lagoons for feeding and as a daytime roost, 

and it is possible that there will be the first flocks 

of Greylag Geese arriving from their northern 

breeding grounds. 

The ‘Wild West’ town of El Rocío, with its white 

buildings and church, which houses the famous 

"Madonna of the Marshes", makes an amazing 

backdrop to the marismas. Here we are likely to 

encounter horsemen cantering through the wide 

sand streets or a mule and cart tied up to the 

hitching rails outside the houses. 

We spend a morning in the series of hides at the 

Acebuche Centre, which overlooks another area 

of marsh, where Purple Swamphen can often be 

seen. Marbled Duck are now rare in this area and 

they skulk in these overgrown waterways and 

Red-crested Pochard dive on the open water. We 

shall also search the sandy scrub areas for 

Dartford Warbler and keep looking up for various 

raptors, such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Red 

Kite, Booted Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and 

Western Marsh and Hen Harriers. We also have 

a chance to find Red-knobbed Coot and Whiteheaded 

Duck. 

Day 8 

After some further bird watching in the area, we 

transfer to Seville to catch the midday flight back 

to London, where we arrive in the early 

afternoon. 


Day 1 Fly to Malaga and transfer 

to Tarifa 

Days 2-4 Tarifa 

Days 5-7 Villamanrique de la Condesa 


Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

140 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Booted Eagle 


113

S PA I N 

Spain – Aragon 

Cranes, Lammergeiers & Wallcreepers 

Saturday 08 November – Saturday 15 November 2014 



Madrid 

Gallocanta 

Lécera 

Loarre 

Barcelona 

ovember sees the gathering of thousands of Common Cranes at their single most important 

SPAIN 

Nstopover site in Western Europe. These birds breed in the swamps and marshes of 

Scandinavia, Finland and Russia. Some will be making a short stop on their southward migration, 

which will take them to the dehesas of Extremadura, while others will stay around Gallocanta to 

benefit from the safe haven provided by the lagoon and the food available in the surrounding fields. 

We shall be treated to one of the world’s great spectacles as these birds fly in large flocks overhead, 

trumpeting as they go. Our local guide Steve West will also help us explore some great habitats where we can look for some of the special birds of 

Spain. Who cannot be tempted when there is mention of Dupont’s Lark, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, Black Woodpecker and Citril 

Finch We stay at three very comfortable and well located hotels. At this time of year the day length is getting shorter and the birds are active, feeding 

up before winter arrives. This tour is packed with some great birds and some little-visited locations. Why not travel with Steve and see why we think 

this itinerary is such a winner. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 


to Madrid, where we collect our mini-buses and 

transfer to our hotel at Gallocanta, where we stay 

for two nights. In the morning we will look for the 

flocks of Common Cranes, and it would take a 

hard-hearted naturalist not be thrilled by the 

sights and sounds of flock after sonorous flock 

of Common Cranes flying overhead to and from 

the lagoon, and etching their slender silhouette 

on the skyline above this high plateau. The 

lagoon of Gallocanta itself doesn’t always 

contain much water, but when it does it is home 

to a variety of ducks and waders, which may 

include Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked 

Grebe and Kentish Plover. The surrounding 

open steppe-type farmland holds a regular 

population of Calandra and Crested Larks and 

the occasional Black-bellied Sandgrouse. 

Raptors are often noteworthy, and in the course 

of a day it would not be unusual to see species 

such as Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Eurasian 

Griffon Vulture, Merlin, Western Marsh Harrier 

and Red Kite. 

Days 3 & 4 

We take leave of Gallocanta and its cranes today 

to make full contact with the best steppes in 

northern Spain. But let’s not rush things: first of 

all we should take a look at some of the relatively 

unknown countryside lying between us and our 

next hotel in Lécera, where we stay for two 

nights. By doing so we increase our chances of 

seeing certain avian gems such as Bonelli’s 

Eagle and Black Wheatear, along with a rich 

supporting cast including the likes of Rock 

Sparrow, Cirl Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag 

Martin, Red-billed Chough and Dartford Warbler, 

to name just a few. Whispers from the past break 

through the solitude of the River Martin area: 

steep-walled gorges hold Neolithic cave 

paintings, rock-loving birds and even small 

numbers of Spanish Ibex. It’s not surprising to 

learn that Eurasian Eagle Owls haunt these 

parts, although it would be more so to actually 

see one of these magnificent birds in the 

daytime! 

The next day we make an early start, which is welljustified, 

as a dawn visit to the steppes of Belchite 

to see the sun rise over the rolling plains is a mustsee 

experience, especially if accompanied by 

good chances of seeing the rare and elusive 

Dupont’s Lark. That can be a difficult undertaking, 

but even if we do not set eyes on this rare bird we 

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse 

114 


Thekla Lark 

S PA I N 


Day 1 Fly to Madrid and transfer 

to Gallocanta 

Day 2 Gallocanta 

Days 3-4 Lécera 

Days 5-7 Loarre 


Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Common Cranes 

still have great opportunities for seeing both Pintailed 

and Black-bellied Sandgrouse and 

Calandra, Thekla and Lesser Short-toed Larks, 

and for working up a healthy appetite for a rather 

more drawn-out breakfast than usual. After 

breakfast we will return to different parts of the 

plains to look at sandgrouse again and perhaps 

encounter additional species like Iberian Grey 

Shrike or Little Owl, before making contact with the 

banks of the River Ebro. A walk along one of the 

Ebro’s meanders will give us opportunities to 

encounter a completely different array of birds, 

including Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Penduline 

Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker (sharpei race) 

and maybe a White Stork or two. 

Days 5 to 7 

Today we head into the hills – after passing 

through the steppes of the Monegros. This is one 

of the most arid regions of Spain, and seemingly 

in its vast expanses very little grows or prospers. 

But we look beyond initial appearances to find 

the characteristic steppeland birds in what is a 

unique habitat in Europe. Just to the north the 

wonderful Sierra de Guara imposes on the 

skyline, with its highest peak reaching just over 

2,000 metres, and with untold expanses of 

vertical rock faces, gorges and fascinating rock 

formations. A ruined castle at its southern edge 

is a good birding spot, where one can usually 

see Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark 

and several birds of prey. However, the main 

attraction of the afternoon will be the next site, 

where Eurasian Griffon Vultures pass us in flight, 

above and below, as we look southwards over 

the countryside of Huesca from our lofty perch at 

Salto del Roldán. Apart from the stunning views 

we should also set eyes on birds like Eurasian 

Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Rock Bunting and 

Firecrest, before we make our way to our hotel at 

Loarre and a three-night stay. 

The village of Loarre takes second place to the 

castle of the same name that dominates the 

hillside above it. It is one of the best conserved 

castles in northern Spain and well-worth a visit, 

even if only for birding around its walls: Blue 

Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Woodlark, Rock 

Bunting, Rock Sparrow and even Alpine 

Accentor can all be found here. However, it is the 

Sierra de Guara and a couple of its very special 

birds that most of us will have been waiting for: 

the Wallcreeper and the Lammergeier. We visit a 

number of sites where both of these emblematic 

species are regularly encountered, and at close 

quarters at this time of the year. Hawfinch is 

another interesting species that can be seen in 

this area, which would add the finishing touches 

to a fine day’s birding. 

Our last full day will be spent at some of the bestknown 

birding sites in this region. Over the years 

Riglos has earned fame as being a good place to 

see wintering Wallcreepers and Alpine 

Accentors, and the woods around the monastery 

of San Juan de la Peña are inhabited by the 

Black Woodpecker. At the top of the same 

plateau it is often possible to see Citril Finches, 

and a gentle walk through its pine woods often 

reveals an interesting variety of woodland birds 

including Crested Tit, Eurasian Bullfinch and 

more. 

Day 8 

After some final birding we transfer to Barcelona 

Airport for our flight back to London, or regional 

airports. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

120 

Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Dartford Warbler 


115

P O R T U G A L 

Portugal at Leisure 

Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Spring 

Sunday 04 May – Sunday 11 May 2014 

Principal Leader: Frank McClintock 


PORTUGAL 

o most tourists, a holiday in Portugal means a week or two spent in the southern Algarve with its rash of modern 

Thotels, apartments and restaurants sprawling along the south coast. This tour reveals an altogether different side Santa Clara 

to the country. Our base for the week, located in the remote and unspoilt countryside that lies in the border zone 

Faro 

between the provinces of the Algarve and Alentejo, is the guest lodge that is owned by Frank and run by his friendly staff. 

In fact, by hard endeavour spread over a period of 20 years, Frank has converted a few rundown buildings, situated on a scrubcovered 

slope, into a comfortable and homely lodge set in a lush terraced garden. The view out over the man-made lake is stunning; so too the silence 

which is disturbed only by the song of Common Nightingales and the less musical outbursts of Sardinian Warblers. The whole ambience of the place 

is warm and welcoming. The food is mainly local produce, home-made and simply delicious. Frank also keeps a modestly priced cellar of Portuguese 

wines. Added to all this, the garden has been planted with birds in mind. Here there are nesting Red-rumped and Barn Swallows, purring European 

Turtle Doves and a profusion of European Goldfinches. Subalpine and Dartford Warblers are also often seen. 

Because we are able to cover a range of habitats from this one centre, our bird list will be equally varied from Great Bustard to Zitting Cisticola, from 

Black-winged Kite to Azure-winged Magpie. So if it is peace and quiet, comfort, fine scenery, a feeling of being off the beaten track and some colourful 

birding, then this is likely to be the tour for you. Its appeal is increased if you are interested in other aspects of natural history, particularly wild flowers 

and butterflies, both of which are abundant at this time of the year. 

This tour will generally be run at a relaxed pace with three full days away from the Quinta with a picnic lunch and three half days when we return for lunch 

when there will be a chance to relax, explore the natural history of the area immediately behind the lodge or perhaps take a refreshing dip in the lake. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 


to Faro on the Algarve coast. We spend a little 

time looking at the lagoons and saltpans in the 

vicinity of the airport with their Greater 

Flamingos, Pied Avocets and Black-winged Stilts 

before we make the 90-minute drive to our base 

near Santa Clara a Velha, where we stay for 

seven nights. Firstly we travel west along the 

relatively built-up Algarve coast and then north 

up into the Alentejo. As we do so, the country 

becomes wilder and more sparsely populated. 

This is highlighted by the remoteness of our 

lodge, which is located some four kilometres off 

the metalled road in a truly idyllic setting. 

Days 2 to 7 

During our stay here we will make three day-long 

excursions. One will explore what is literally the 

extreme south-west corner of mainland Europe. 

Our route takes us first up into the Serra de 

Monchique, a range of hills of volcanic origin. A 

stop at Foia allows us both a wonderful 

panoramic view as well as a suite of birds that 

includes Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, 

Woodlark, Common Stonechat and Winter 

Wren. On our way down to the west coast, we 

will visit some pinewoods in search of Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit and European Robin 

(not an easy species in these parts!). We will eat 

our picnic lunches on a heath-covered cliff-top, 

View from Quinta do Barranco 

116 


European Roller 


Salon View, Quinta do Barranco 

keeping an eye on the sea for passing gulls and 

terns, as well as watching aerobatic Pallid Swifts. 

Suitably refreshed we will drive down to the 

Cabo de Sao Vicente. Besides admiring the 

scenery, we will look for Red-billed Chough, 

Tawny Pipit and perhaps some late migrants 

using this location as a stepping stone in their 

northward journey from Africa. During the 

remainder of the afternoon we will visit two 

lagoonal areas along the south coast. Hopefully, 

they will offer us a range of waders and water 

birds, and some of the local specialities such as 

Purple Swamphen, Little Bittern, Black-winged 

Stilt and Little Tern. 

A second day tour will involve travelling northwest 

to the coast at Santo Andre. Here we will explore 

the Lagoa Santo Andre and extend our list of 

waders and water birds. We would hope to find 

Purple Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Redcrested 

Pochard, as well as Western Marsh 

Harrier. The fringing vegetation holds Great Reed 

and Savi’s Warblers as well as Zitting Cisticola. If 

the water level is good, we will spend much of the 

day exploring the shores of the lagoon and its 

adjacent woodlands and meadows. Failing this, 

we will drive further northwards to the south side 

of the estuary of the Sado River where, in addition 

to marshes and mudflats, there are rice-fields, 

which hold flocks of Common Waxbill. The return 

journey from both locations will take us through 

areas of open cork oak woodland, a habitat 

favoured by Black-winged Kite. Other raptors we 

would hope to see during the day include Booted 

and Short-toed Eagles and Black Kite. 

The third excursion will involve exploring the rolling 

plains of Alentejo that lie to the east. These hold 

good numbers of Great and Little Bustards. Other 

notable species include Black-bellied Sandgrouse, 

Stone Curlew, Iberian Grey Shrike, Montagu’s 

Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and Little Owl. Five species 

of lark – Calandra, Crested, Thekla, Short-toed and 

Wood – can be observed, whilst at the many 

ponds that dot the landscape, we may find 

Collared Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover and Gullbilled 

Tern. As we make our way along the 

traffic-free roads, we will see that most poles, 

masts and chimneys are crowned by White Storks 

nests with Spanish Sparrows often sharing the 

accommodation. 

The three half day excursions will involve some 

gentle walks only a short drive from the lodge. 

They will be much more relaxing than the full days 

and give us the opportunity to pay more attention 

to the wild flowers, butterflies and dragonflies we 

encounter. Clear water streams trickle along valley 

floors inhabited by noisy Iberian and Edible Frogs 

and dragonflies such as Blue Emperor and 

Western Clubtail. The streamside meadows are a 

riot of colour dominated by French Lavender, 

Viper's Bugloss and several Cistus species. The 

abundance of flowers acts as a magnet to a 

variety of butterflies, including Spanish Marbled 

White, Spanish Fritillary, Spanish Gatekeeper, 

Long-tailed Blue, Cleopatra and the striking Twotailed 

Pasha. Recent tours have had the good 

fortune to see the rare Monarch Butterfly, perhaps 

individuals from colonies now established in The 

Azores and on the Canary Islands. 

The valley slopes are dotted with ancient Cork 

Oaks and stands of the recently introduced 

Eucalyptus trees, the latter often favoured by 

Golden Orioles. Birds include Common 

Nightingale, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common 

Cuckoo, Rock, Cirl and Corn Buntings, 

Woodchat Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, 

Spotless Starlings, Cetti's and Melodious 

Warblers and Iberian Chiffchaff. Perhaps the 

most notable feature of these excursions is the 

opportunity to walk in an unspoilt rural 

landscape where the hum of bees replaces the 

drone of traffic. 

After lunch at the Quinta there is the opportunity to 

relax with time to explore the walks around the 

lakes, to catch up on diaries, write postcards or 

read. 

Day 8 

After breakfast we will depart for Faro where we 

catch our return flight to London or regional 

airports. 


Day 1 Fly to Faro and transfer 

to Santa Clara 

Days 2-7 Santa Clara 

Day 8 Depart Faro 

Party size 



Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibuses driven by leaders. 

Includes 


services of leaders, VAT, airport taxes and tips. 

Gradings 

Good 

120 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Black-winged Stilts 


117


Portugal at Leisure 

Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Autumn 

Sunday 14 September – Sunday 21 September 2014 

Principal Leader: Frank McClintock 


PORTUGAL 

o most tourists, a holiday in Portugal means a week or two spent in the southern Algarve with its rash of modern 

T hotels, apartments and restaurants sprawling along the south coast. This tour reveals an altogether different side 

to the country. Our base for the week, located in the remote and unspoilt countryside that lies in the border zone Santa Clara 

between the provinces of the Algarve and Alentejo, is the guest lodge that is owned by Frank and run by his friendly 

Faro 

staff. In fact, by hard endeavour spread over a period of 20 years, Frank has converted a few rundown buildings, 

situated on a scrub-covered slope, into a comfortable and homely lodge set in a lush terraced garden. The view out 

over the man-made lake is stunning; so too the silence. The whole ambience of the place is warm and welcoming. The food is mainly local produce, 

home-made and simply delicious. Frank also keeps a modestly priced cellar of Portuguese wines. Added to all this, the garden has been planted with 

birds in mind. Here at least three species of warbler can be seen at this time of the year: Sardinian, Dartford and Blackcap. 

Because we are able to cover a range of habitats from this one centre, our bird list will be equally varied from Great Bustard to Zitting Cisticola, from 

Black-winged Kite to Azure-winged Magpie. So if it is peace and quiet, comfort, fine scenery, a feeling of being off the beaten track and some colourful 

birding, then this is likely to be the tour for you. Its appeal is increased by the fact that the autumn migration will be under way and that there will be 

opportunities to see both the late departures south as well as the early migrants from the north. Thus we may have Montagu’s and Hen Harriers as 

well as Northern and Black–eared Wheatears and it is an ideal time to pin down those differences in the flesh. 

This tour will generally be run at a relaxed pace with three full days away from the Quinta with a picnic lunch and three half days when we return to 

the lodge for lunch when there will be a chance to relax, explore the natural history of the area immediately behind the lodge or perhaps take a 

refreshing dip in the lake, which is quite warm at this time of year. 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We leave London or regional airports on a 

flight to Faro on the Algarve coast. We spend 

a little time looking at the lagoons and 

saltpans in the vicinity of the airport with their 

Greater Flamingos, Pied Avocets and Blackwinged 

Stilts before we make the 90-minute 

drive to our base near Santa Clara a Velha, 

where we stay for seven nights. Firstly we 

travel west along the relatively built-up Algarve 

coast and then north up into the Alentejo. As 

we do so, the country becomes wilder and 

more sparsely populated. This is highlighted 

by the remoteness of our lodge, which is 

located some four kilometres off the metalled 

road in a truly idyllic setting. 

Days 2 to 7 

During our stay here we will make three day-long 

excursions. One will explore what is literally the 

extreme south-west corner of mainland Europe. 

Our route takes us first up into the Serra de 

Monchique, a range of hills of volcanic origin. 

A stop at Foia allows us both a wonderful 

panoramic view as well as a suite of birds that 

includes Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, 

Woodlark, Common Stonechat and Winter Wren, 

while possibly including an early Ring Ouzel. On 

our way down to the west coast, we will visit 

some pinewoods in search of Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit and European Robin 

Eurasian Hoopoe 

118 



Osprey 

Great Bustards 

(not an easy species in these parts!). We will eat 

our picnic lunches on a heath-covered cliff-top, 

keeping an eye on the sea for passing gulls and 

terns with the chance of a Peregrine Falcon 

stooping on Rock Doves resident on the cliffs. 

Suitably refreshed we will drive down to the Cabo 

de Sao Vicente. Besides admiring the scenery, 

we will look for Black Redstart, Red-billed 

Chough, Tawny Pipit and perhaps some migrants 

using this location as a stepping stone in their 

southward journey to Africa. If we have time, a 

period of sea-watching should allow us to see 

passing Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters, skuas 

and terns. It is here also that we may become 

most aware of the raptor migration pathway that 

cuts across south-western Portugal. Likely 

migrants include Booted and Short-toed Eagles, 

European Honey Buzzard and Osprey. During the 

remainder of the afternoon we will visit two 

lagoonal areas along the south coast. Hopefully, 

they will offer us a range of waders and water 

birds, and some of the local specialities such as 

Purple Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt and terns. 

A second day tour will involve travelling northwest 

to the coast at Santo Andre. Here we will explore 

the Lagoa Santo Andre and extend our list of 

waders and water birds. We would hope to find 

Purple Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Redcrested 

Pochard, as well as Western Marsh 

Harriers. The fringing vegetation may still hold 

Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers as well as Zitting 

Cisticolas. If the water level is good, we will spend 

much of the day exploring the shores of the 

lagoon and its adjacent woodlands and 

meadows, expecting to see Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Eurasian Nuthatch and European 

Green, Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted 

Woodpeckers. Failing this, we will drive further 

northwards to the south side of the estuary of the 

Sado River where, in addition to marshes and 

mudflats, there are rice-fields which hold flocks of 

Common Waxbill. The return journey from both 

locations will take us through areas of open cork 

oak woodland, a habitat favoured by breeding 

Black-winged Kites. Maybe there will still be some 

that have yet to move south. Other raptors we 

would hope to see during the day include Booted 

and Short-toed Eagles and Black Kite. 

The third excursion will involve exploring the rolling 

plains of Alentejo that lie to the north east. These 

hold good numbers of Great and Little Bustards. 

Other notable species include Black-bellied 

Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Iberian Grey Shrike, 

Lesser Kestrel and Little Owl. Five species of lark – 

Calandra, Crested, Thekla, Short-toed and Wood – 

can be observed, whilst at the many ponds that dot 

the landscape, we should find Little Ringed Plover, 

Common and Green Sandpipers, Black-winged 

Stilt and even perhaps a late Collared Pratincole. As 

we make our way along the traffic-free roads, we 

will see that most poles, masts and chimneys are 

crowned by White Storks nests, now empty, but 

with Spanish Sparrows still in residence. 

Our three half-day excursions will involve gentle 

walks near to the lodge. They will take us 

through a range of micro habitats, from closed 

woodland to hillsides newly planted with cork 

oak, from streamside meadows to cottage 

gardens, from thickets to ponds and reed-beds. 

The common species to be found on these walks 

include Eurasian Hoopoe, Rock and Corn 

Buntings, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotless 

Starling, Cetti’s Warbler and Iberian Chiffchaff. It 

is on these walks that we will be able to give 

more attention to the plants and late-flying 

butterflies. Time may also be found to explore 

one or more of the compact villages that typify 

the area and take the opportunity to buy some 

local produce to take home as souvenirs or gifts. 

Day 8 

After breakfast we will depart for Faro where we 

catch return flights to London or regional airports. 


Day 1 Fly to Faro and transfer 

to Santa Clara 

Days 2-7 Santa Clara 

Day 8 Depart Faro 

Party size 



Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibuses driven by leaders. 

Includes 


services of leaders, VAT, airport taxes and tips. 

Gradings 

Little Owl 

Good 

110 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 


119

I TA LY – S I C I LY 

Italy – Sicily at Leisure 

Heart of the Mediterranean 

Tuesday 11 April – Tuesday 18 April 2014 



icily is located in the heart of the Mediterranean, and in many ways it epitomizes its characteristics, with its sunny beaches, a very pleasant climate all 

S year round, gardens and orchards full of flowers and vegetables, and its relaxed way of life. Yet it is hard to put down in words the magic of Sicily: the 

combination of the charm of its ancient Greek ruins with the more recent architectural splendor, as well as the wonderful landscapes combined with the 

wealth of birdlife, make for an unforgettable destination for any nature lover. Add to all of this the world famous quality of Sicilian food and its fantastic wines, 

and well, it's hard to resist! 

SICILY 

Gela 

Mount Etna 

Catania 

Syracuse 

Bird watching in Sicily is very good all year round, but probably April offers some of the best chances of seeing both migrating and breeding species: at 

this time of year the passage of passerines can be spectacular, with many species of warblers on show, including Subalpine, Spectacled and Sardinian, as 

well as larks, shrikes and the first European Bee-eaters and Golden Orioles. Waders and ducks are also numerous, with the more widespread species 

accompanied by less frequent ones, such as Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole and Ferruginous Duck. Other interesting species include Rock Sparrow, 

Sicilian Rock Partridge and Audouin's Gull. Also, Sicily is home to the last Italian population of Bonelli’s Eagles with 20 pairs still remaining and it has a very 

healthy population of Lanner Falcons, with about 100 pairs. 

We will explore the extensive wetlands and rocky areas near Syracuse, where we will be based for the first five nights, including a visit at the foothills of the 

majestic Etna volcano; the last two nights will be spent near Gela, in order to see another interesting wetland and also the famous Valle dei Templi, one of 

the best places to witness ancient Greek architecture. 

Throughout the tour we shall have an Italian bird guide to show us the delights of this beautiful island. Travel with Mike and see why we think Sicily will be 

another great Mediterranean island to add to the Ornitholidays’ suite of tours. 

Collared Pratincole 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 5 

We leave London on a flight to Catania, where 

we meet our local guide. We leave the airport 

and pass near the shores of the Golfo di Catania, 

heading south towards Syracuse, where we 

check-in to our hotel for a stay of five nights. 

During the next four days we can make a variety 

of excursions to different habitats. 

On one day we can visit the impressive Riserva 

Naturale Cava Grande del Cassibile. The 

winding road takes us to various viewpoints 

overlooking the spectacular limestone gorges of 

this nature reserve. Here we can look for the 

endemic Sicilian Rock Partridge, Peregrine, 

Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle and Lanner 

Falcon, and we can hope to spot Blue Rock 

Thrush, as well as the more elusive Rock 

Sparrows. We can look skyward for flocks of 

swifts, which may include Alpine, Common and 

Pallid. Later, we can visit the Capo Murro di 

Porco, at the south-eastern tip of the island. Near 

the lighthouse we can seawatch and try to find 

the Scopoli's and Yelkouan Shearwaters 

amongst the thousands of gulls, which should 

include some Audouin's. After dinner we can 

stroll in the historic centre of Syracuse. 

The Vendicari Reserve protects some important 

coastal wetlands and we can stroll along its paths 

and visit some of the hides where we can hope to 

see flocks of Greater Flamingos, along with diving 

ducks such as Tufted, Pochard and the scarcer 

Ferruginous; there may also be some pairs of 

120 


Bonelli’s Eagle 

Lesser Kestrel 

I TA LY – S I C I LY 


Day 1 Fly to Catania and 

transfer to Syracuse 

Days 2-5 Syracuse 

Days 6-7 Gela 

Day 8 Depart Catania 

Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

150 

Warm 

Garganey. Other birds we hope to find include 

Whiskered Tern, Wood Sandpiper, Slender-billed 

Gull, Western Marsh Harriers, Purple Heron and 

Purple Swamphen, while warblers may include 

the noisy Great Reed, as well as Sedge and Reed. 

We can stroll along the sand dunes and hope to 

see some migration – species may include Redrumped 

Swallow, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow 

Wagtail, European Bee-eater and both Northern 

and Black-eared Wheatears. 

Mount Etna dominates the eastern landscape, 

with its cone at 3,290m high (10,990ft); in Europe 

it is surpassed in size only by Mount Teide on the 

Canary Islands. It is one of the most active 

volcanoes in the world, and is in an almost 

constant state of activity. Black magma covers 

much of the upper slopes, but lower down, 

amongst the rock scree, scrub and oak, we can 

search for Sicilian Rock Partridge, Golden Oriole, 

Cirl Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper, Golden 

Eagle, Peregrine and the local race of Crossbill. 

The spring migration will be in full swing and in 

the vineyards and orchards of the lower slopes 

we can hope for a fall of birds, which may include 

Wood and Subalpine Warblers, Woodchat 

Shrike, Pied and Collared Flycatchers and 

Common Redstart. 

The Syracuse Salinas may hold migrant waders 

and we can look for Curlew and Wood 

Sandpipers, Little Stint, Little Ringed and Kentish 

Plovers, Pied Avocet and Black-winged Stilt. We 

might also find something more interesting, such 

as a Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Squacco Heron or a 

Marsh Sandpiper. At the Priolo saltpans we can 

hope for Ferruginous Duck and Audouin’s Gull 

and at Penisola Magnisi we can look for Stone 

Curlews, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, and 

both Tree and Tawny Pipits. At Bivier de Gela we 

can spot nesting Collared Pratincoles, as this is 

Italy’s most important colony for this species. 

Days 6 & 7 

Today we drive to Gela, on the south-west coast, 

where we stay for two nights. This change of 

location gives us a chance to visit the Valle dei 

Templi near Agrigento. It is one of the most 

outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and 

architecture and the valley includes remains of 

seven temples, all in Doric style. The Temple of 

Concordia is particularly well preserved and we 

will explore the site, as well as checking the 

lemon and orange groves below for migrants. 

We can hope to see a variety of raptors on the 

island and there may well be four species of 

harriers (Western Marsh, Pallid and Montagu’s, 

with a chance of a late Hen), Short-toed and 

Booted Eagles, Osprey, Eleonora’s Falcon, 

Lesser Kestrel and European Honey Buzzard. 

There is always the chance of something more 

interesting such as a Long-legged Buzzard or 

Barbary Falcon. While near Gela, we shall also 

visit some more sites for wetland birds, as well as 

some coastal locations for migrants. 

Day 8 

After some final birding we head towards Catania 

Airport where we catch our return flight to 

London. 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Stone Curlew 


121

I TA LY 

Italy 

Po Delta 

Po Delta 

Palma Bologna 

ITALY 

Tuesday 13 May – Tuesday 20 May 2014 



Rome 

rnitholidays has been travelling to Italy for a number of years, with our holiday to the mountains and 

O the foothills in June. This year we have added another itinerary which takes in the famous Po Delta on Italy’s Adriatic 

coast. The Po Delta has been rated as the area with the highest biodiversity in Europe, ranking it as one of Europe’s greatest 

wetlands. We journey at a time when the breeding birds will be at their nests and there are still migrants to be found passing north on their way to Arctic 

breeding grounds. 

Our first days will be dedicated to the Apennine hills of Emilia, to admire Lesser Kestrel and Red-footed Falcon, and if we are lucky, Eurasian Honey-buzzard 

and Short-toed Eagle. Then we move towards the coast to the huge expanses of reed beds, marshes and rich farmland, with amazing landscapes, where 

we hope to enjoy such species as European Bee-eater, Collared Pratincole, Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Greater Flamingo, Bearded Reedling, 

Montagu’s Harrier, Golden Oriole, all nine species of the European breeding herons, thousands of waterfowls and lots more!! Two relaxing boat trips are a 

special feature of this itinerary, which should get us close to many of the waterbird specialities and be excellent for the photographer. 

Add to this the delicious local food and wine so rightly famous worldwide and the historical villages and abbeys of the area, and you will have the perfect 

setting for an outstanding, unforgettable and extremely enjoyable birding holiday! Travel with Simon and see why this new itinerary should hit the spot for 

an enjoyable week in sunny Italy. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We leave London on a flight to Bologna, where 

we meet our local guide and driver. We then 

make the one hour transfer to our hotel in the 

countryside near the historical town of Parma, 

where we stay for two nights. Depending on our 

arrival time we may have some time to sample 

the local avifauna. This is a unique area in Italy 

with a great rural landscape extremely rich with 

localised species. The Taro riverbed is 

particularly productive for Stone Curlew, which is 

abundant here, while in the rolling hills of the 

countryside we can look for other typical 

species, and some real specialities, such as 

Lesser Grey Shrike, European Roller, Eurasian 

Hoopoe and Red-legged Partridge. 

The next morning we can go bird watching 

looking for other specialities such as breeding 

Lesser Kestrel and Red-footed Falcon as well as 

Short-toed Eagle, and in the afternoon we can 

visit a nearby famous LIPU oasis, which will 

provide exceptional opportunities for 

photographers, with close views of many 

species from the hides, such as Black winged 

Stilt, Squacco Heron and many migrants as well. 

Lunch will be in a nearby great restaurant that 

will not disappoint us: Parma and its 

surroundings are rightly famous world-wide for 

the quality of the food. 

Days 3 to 7 

After a final morning birding in the Parma area for 

any species we might have missed so far, we 

Pygmy Cormorant 

122 



Montagu’s Harrier 

I TA LY 


Day 1 Fly to Bologna and 

transfer to Palma 

Day 2 Palma 

Days 3-7 Comacchio 

Day 8 Depart Bologna 

Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibuses driven by the local leaders. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

130 

make the two hour drive to the Po Delta. We 

spend the next five nights near Comacchio, in 

the centre of one of the best areas for birds. 

Among the highlights here will be a visit (one of 

at least two that we will make) to a famous 

observation tower from where we are sure to get 

stunning views directly on the nests of many 

breeding species, including Pygmy Cormorant, 

Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, all the European 

breeding herons, Penduline Tit, and possibly 

White-winged Tern and many others. 

One day we can visit the Comacchio Valley, a 

huge lagoon particularly rich in waders but in 

general a great area especially during this spring 

migration time for many species. We can explore 

the area with leisurely walks. After a tasty lunch 

in a local ‘agriturismo’ we can visit another area 

with extensive marshlands and more reed beds. 

Birds should include Greater Flamingo, a variety 

of waders including Pied Avocet, Black-winged 

Stilt and Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern and 

Bearded Reedling. Overhead we should look for 

Eurasian Hobbies as they catch soaring 

dragonflies on the wing. 

Another area we can visit is a very large complex 

of wetlands, where from a famous and 

strategically positioned observation tower, we 

can have very close views of many interesting 

species, and where it will be pleasant and 

rewarding to spend a few hours. In the afternoon 

we reach one of the last large flooded plain 

forests in Italy and we explore this fascinating 

wood with more leisurely walks. Birds present 

here include Little Bittern, Red-crested Pochard, 

Ferruginous Duck, Garganey and a variety of 

other ducks, herons and terns, Montagu’s 

Harrier, Little Crake, European Bee-eater and 

Golden Oriole. Woodland birds we can look for 

include Eurasian Wryneck, Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Melodious Warbler, Eurasian Tree 

Sparrow and Common Nightingale. 

On one day we will take a very pleasant and 

rewarding boat trip in a bird rich area, reaching 

the sea and having great chances to add more 

species to our list. Boat rides are always an 

enjoyable part of any tour, as they are relaxing 

and often allow a close approach to the birds. It 

is also an excellent way to explore the area, 

reaching many parts that cannot be seen from 

tracks and paths. We shall keep an eye out for 

the many species of dragonfly that inhabit the 

marshes and waterways. 

On our final full day we can search for birds in 

some saltpans, in the seaside pine woods and 

along the extensive sand beaches. 

Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern, Kentish 

Plover, Slender-billed Gull, Eurasian Scops Owl, 

Italian Sparrow and Fan-tailed Warbler are some 

of the species we will see. In the afternoon there 

will be another highlight of the tour: an exclusive 

boat excursion to the Valli di Campotto Natural 

Reserve usually closed to public. Here we will 

have the opportunity to see Pygmy Cormorant, 

Whiskered and Black Terns, and different 

species of breeding herons, such as Blackcrowned 

Night Heron and Squacco Heron. 

Day 8 

After some final birding in one of the many 

productive areas in the delta we head towards 

Bologna Airport where we catch our return flight 

to London. 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Boat Cruise 


123

I TA LY 

Italy at Leisure 

Birds & Wine 

Gran Paradiso 

National Park 

Valnontey 

Camino Milan 

ITALY 

Thursday 12 June – Thursday 19 June 2014 

Leaders: Nicola Scatassi and Mike Witherick 


Rome 

his will be the fourth Ornitholidays tour to Italy and who better to lead this particular tour than our bird and wine expert, Mike 

T Witherick. We have planned a two-centre holiday, visiting the mountains and valleys of the famous Gran Paradiso National 

Park in northwest corner of Italy, and then descending to the lowlands to explore the rice-fields and woodlands of the Po plain and 

the rolling landscapes of the Piedmont and the Apennine foothills. We visit at a time when there will still be snow lying in the upper valleys of the Alps, 

but many birds will be well into their breeding cycle and the alpine flowers will be producing a glorious show of blue gentians and white pasque flowers. 

There will also be many butterflies on the wing with alpine specialities including Apollo and Alpine Grayling. 

Some of the key species we hope to find in the mountains include Golden and Short-toed Eagles, Alpine Chough, Ring Ouzel, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, 

White-winged Snowfinch and Western Bonelli’s Warbler. As we descend to the lowlands, many birds will have their youngsters either in the nest or just 

fledged and again there will be flowers and butterflies to look for as well. In the lowlands we shall look for Great and Little Bitterns, European Honey Buzzard, 

Montagu’s Harrier, Moltoni’s (Subalpine) Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike and European Roller. 

Throughout the tour we will sample the delights of the local wines which will be included with all meals and Mike will make sure that a great variety will be 

tasted! Travel with Ornitholidays to Italy to savour not just the Birds and Wine of this fascinating region, but also its excellent cuisine. 

View above Valnontey 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London, or regional airports, on our 

flight to Milan where we arrive around midday. 

Here we meet our local guide and driver and 

transfer to our hotel in Valnontey, at the foot of the 

Gran Paradiso National Park. For the next three 

full days, we can explore this delightful park with 

its rugged and ice-capped mountains, forests, 

swift-flowing streams and alpine meadows. On 

the streams we will find White-throated Dippers 

and Grey Wagtails, with Black Redstarts singing 

from the roofs of village buildings. We will drive up 

a number of valleys looking for some of the 

raptors that frequent the area such as Golden 

Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and Northern Goshawk, 

with the chance of a Lammergeier and Eurasian 

Griffon Vulture. The woods hold Spotted 

Nutcracker, Crested Tit, Firecrest and Common 

Redpoll. Most of the areas will now be devoid of 

snow, but some may remain at tops of the valleys. 

Here we have a chance of finding White-winged 

Snowfinch, Ring Ouzel, Rock Bunting and Citril 

Finch, as well as both Alpine and Red-billed 

Choughs. We shall scan the vertical rock faces for 

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Eurasian Crag 

Martin. There is also an outside chance of spotting 

Wallcreeper that nest in these cliffs. 

But there is much more to the wildlife here than 

just birds. Butterflies are particularly abundant and 

our sightings should include Apollo, Black-veined 

White, Green Hairstreak, Mountain Clouded 

Yellow, Mazarine Blue, Piedmont and de 

Prunner’s Ringlets, Shepherd’s Fritillary and 

Alpine Grayling. We will hear the piping call of the 

Alpine Marmots; on the rocky crags we may spot 

the curved-horned Alpine Ibex, while Chamois 

124 


Lesser Grey Shrike 

I TA LY 

Moltoni's Warbler 

seem particularly tame and approachable. The 

floral richness and colours of the meadows are 

truly spectacular. The higher meadows contain 

wonderful spreads of intensely blue gentians, as 

well as clumps of pulsatillas and low spreads of 

pink-headed Hairy Rhododendron. 

While here we will sample some of the local wines 

with our tasty evening meals. We will also visit a 

wine cooperative. The Valle d’Aosta denomination 

covers some 25 different styles of wine, including 

Torrette, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Muller-Thurgau, 

Mayolet, Fumin and Cornalin. 

Days 4 to 7 

This morning we have a last chance to birdwatch 

in the fresh mountain air before we begin our 

descent to the lowlands of the Piedmont region 

made up of the Po valley and the foothills of the 

Apennines. This region produces the largest 

number of world-renowned Italian wines. There will 

be two wine tastings, where Barbera, Grignolino 

and Cortose are likely to figure prominently. 

Over the next three days, we can explore not just 

the wines but also the local countryside. The 

Apennine foothills are home to an interesting 

selection of birds including Moltoni’s Warbler (a 

race of Subalpine, considered by many to be a 

separate species), Red-backed Shrike, Ortolan and 

Cirl Buntings, Black Kite, European Honey Buzzard 

and colourful species such as Eurasian Hoopoe, 

European Bee-eater and European Roller. 

By the River Po we may find Stone Curlew and 

nesting Black-winged Stilts and Little Ringed 

Plovers. European Nightjars roost on the banks of 

shingle. The rice paddies of the Po will be the 

focus of our search for Great and Little Bitterns, 

Squacco and Purple Herons, Black-crowned 

Night-Heron and Little, Great and Cattle Egrets. 

Warblers to be spotted include Great Reed, 

European Reed, Marsh and Cetti’s. 

Day 8 

After some final birding in the Casei Gerola area, 

where we will look for ducks, grebes and terns, as 

well as Lesser Grey Shrike, we make our way back 

to Milan where we catch our return flight to London 

or a regional airport, arriving in the evening. 


Day 1 Fly to Milan and transfer 

to Valnontey 

Days 2-3 Valnontey 

Days 4-7 Camino 

Day 8 Depart Milan 

Party Size 


Accommodation 



Transport 

By minibuses driven by the local leaders. 

Includes 

All flights, meals (including wine), 

accommodation, transport, entry fees, 

services of the leaders, VAT, airport taxes 

and tips. 

Gradings 

Good 

140 

Cool to Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

European Roller 


125

F R A N C E 

France – Wallcreeper Tour at Leisure 

Mountains & Marshes 

Tuesday 14 January – Sunday 19 January 2014 



Tuesday 13 January – Sunday 18 January 2015 



FRANCE 

Beaucaire 

Paris 

Marseille 

uch is the appeal of the Wallcreeper that we have a tour specifically to find it! This denizen of the high mountains, with 

S its red-flash wings and dove-grey back is a difficult bird to get to grips with. There is probably no better spot to find one than in Les Alpilles 

in the winter. They move down from their breeding grounds in the High Alps, with a small number of them wintering on the limestone cliffs of 

Les Baux. If weather conditions are suitable, we should be able to get close views of this gem as it feeds on the steep rock-faces below the Roman 

ruins. On the limestone pavements we may also find small flocks of Alpine Accentor. Winter in Southern France is full of birds. Thousands of ducks 

move down from their northern breeding grounds to the wetlands of the Rhone Delta. Greater Flamingo will still be feeding in the saline waters and 

birds of prey will be numerous, with literally hundreds of Western Marsh Harrier wintering here, together with smaller numbers of Hen Harrier and Red 

Kite. We may also visit Mont Ventoux, which will be mainly snow-covered, but flocks of Citril Finches will have moved down from the heights to feed 

near the roadside. Eurasian Eagle Owls will be calling in the foothills, and Little Bustards will still be in flocks prior to the breeding season on the Crau 

plain. We stay at the Hotel Robinson near Beaucaire, where we have been visiting for over 30 years! We are always fondly welcomed here and the 

food is exceptional (wine being included with the meals). It is possible to walk from your bedrooms into pine forest to watch Red Squirrels and 

secretive Short-toed Treecreepers. This is an exciting time to be in the South of France. 

Wallcreeper 

126 


Pont du Gard 

F R A N C E 


ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We take a flight from London to Marseille. It is a 

90-minute drive to the hotel on the outskirts of 

Beaucaire, where we stay for five nights. 

Days 2 to 5 

We first visit Les Alpilles, a range of limestone hills, to 

the north of the Camargue. We will scan the cliff faces 

for one of the many Wallcreepers that winter here. 

The hills also hold populations of Bonelli’s Eagle, 

Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, Woodlark and Cirl 

Bunting. Common Buzzard and Common Raven are 

a regular sight overhead, and Blue Rock Thrush will 

be singing if the weather is fine. Small numbers of 

Alpine Accentor also winter here on areas of 

limestone pavement. If we are successful with the 

Wallcreeper, we shall visit the village of Les Baux and 

explore the narrow streets (deserted at this time of 

year) and walk to the lookout with views across to the 

Camargue and La Crau. In the evening we will listen 

for the deep call of the magnificent Eurasian Eagle 

Owl, which is very vocal at this time of year 

establishing its territory. If we are unsuccessful at 

finding the Wallcreeper at the first attempt, we will 

return here on more than one occasion. 

Mont Ventoux is an extension of the Basse Alpes 

and a popular destination for skiing at this time of 

year. We drive along cleared roads to Chalet 

Reynard, where we can warm ourselves with 

coffee or hot chocolate. Here we hope to find 

flocks of Citril Finches feeding in cleared areas. If 

the weather is fine we may see Golden Eagles 

soaring over the mountain and Northern 

Goshawks hunting over the forests. At lower 

elevations we search the coniferous forests for 

Crested Tit, Common Crossbill and Firecrest, 

while the vineyards should produce Woodlark and 

Brambling. 

The magnificent Pont du Gard is well worth a 

visit and we can marvel at the amazing skill of 

the Romans as they built this bridge. It has a fall 

of just over two centimetres across the whole 

bridge span to keep the water running in the 

aqueduct. We can scan the bushes and trees 

for Firecrests and Short-toed Treecreepers and 

look for the flocks of Common Rock Sparrows 

that have made this bridge their breeding site 

and a winter roost. 

The wetlands of the Camargue will be full of 

wildfowl. The main species will be Common Teal, 

with smaller numbers of Gadwall, Northern 

Shoveler, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Tufted Duck 

and Pochard. On certain lagoons we can look for 

Bewick’s Swan and Red-crested Pochard. These 

large numbers of waterfowl attract predators, 

and each year a few eagles come to winter – 

normally it will be a Greater Spotted Eagle (or 

two) and in other years it may be a White-tailed. 

Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, Merlin and 

Peregrine Falcon are also present. The reed 

beds have resident Cetti’s Warbler, while 

Eurasian Penduline Tits winter here in small 

numbers, and some may even stay to breed. The 

industrial saltpans hold Greater Flamingo and 

small numbers of waders: Pied Avocet, Dunlin, 

Grey Plover and Little Stint will all be present. 

La Crau is a unique stone desert, in fact a glacial 

outwash plain, and it has a small population of 

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, which will be feeding in 

loose flocks at this time of year. If the weather is 

fine they will be forming pairs, and calling noisily 

in flight. Little Bustards feed in the long grass, and 

occasionally we can find Rock Buntings in the 

bushy areas. Red Kites are now a fairly common 

sight and Iberian Grey Shrike are occasionally 

found. Nearby are small lagoons containing large 

numbers of gulls, Great Cormorant and grebes. 

Day 6 

After breakfast we still have time to do some 

birding in Les Alpilles and we can check on a 

roosting site for Eurasian Eagle Owls and a 

nesting area for Bonelli’s Eagles. We then catch 

our return flight from Marseille to London. 


Day 1 Fly to Marseille and 

transfer to Beaucaire 

Days 2-5 Beaucaire 

Day 6 Depart Marseille 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

100 

Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Alpine Accentor 


127

F R A N C E 

France – The Camargue, 

the Cévennes & Causses at Leisure 

Birds & Butterflies 

Sunday 25 May – Sunday 01 June 2014 

Principal Leader: David Walsh 


FRANCE 

Paris 

Le Pont 

or over 40 years we have been taking birdwatchers to the Camargue in southern France, the delta of the Rhone. de Montvert 

FIt is famous not only for its black bulls and white horses but for its superb birdlife, most notably the large 

Beaucaire 

population of Greater Flamingos. Our excellent knowledge of the accessible marshes, lakes and reedbeds should Montpellier 

help us find an assortment of herons, with all the European species breeding here, as well as colourful favourites such 

as European Bee-eater and European Roller. Just across the Grand Rhone lie the semi-desert plain of La Crau and the 

picturesque limestone hills of Les Alpilles with a very different range of birds from the Camargue including Lesser Kestrel, 

Little Bustard and Short-toed Eagle as well as a variety of other wildlife. For the second part of our holiday we visit the Cévennes 

and Causses, areas we have also visited on many occasions. The Cévennes Mountains form the watershed between the river systems of the Rhone 

and Soane in the east, and the Garonne and the Loire in the west, and we explore hill, valley and woodland areas which harbour species such as Citril 

Finch, Ortolan Bunting and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. A little further west, the Causses (from the French chaux, meaning limestone), were formed in the 

Jurassic period, and are karst plateaux with an impressive array of raptors including re-introduced Eurasian Griffon Vultures. For plants and butterflies the 

Cévennes and Causses is probably one of the best regions of France, with over a quarter of the total species for the country occurring here, including 

numerous orchids. Throughout our trip we will ensure the style is relaxed so that there is plenty of time to enjoy the splendid variety of wildlife and scenery; 

we use two well-chosen hotels with birding on the doorstep and excellent cuisine. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We take a scheduled flight from London to 

Montpellier and transfer to Hotel Robinson in 

Beaucaire, our base for four nights; we have been 

visiting this hotel for over 30 years! The food is 

exceptional, wine being included with the meals. 

With pine forest behind the hotel and riverine 

woodland in front, European Roller, Eurasian 

Golden Oriole, Cirl Bunting, Sardinian, Cetti’s and 

Melodious Warblers, Common Nightingale, 

Common Redstart and Red Squirrel are amongst 

the possibilities as we stroll from our rooms. 

Although in a short visit we cannot hope to see 

all of the Camargue, we shall visit a sufficiently 

wide range of habitats to give a real taster of this 

famous area. The vast reedbeds and shallow 

lakes are home to Western Marsh Harrier, Blackcrowned 

Night Heron, Purple and Squacco 

Herons, Great Egret, Red-crested Pochard, 

Savi’s and Great Reed Warblers and Bearded 

Reedling, and the new visitor centre at 

Scamandre provides an ideal base from which to 

explore before enjoying one of our sumptuous 

hotel picnics! The flooded rice fields near Mas 

d’Agon attract groups of Glossy Ibis as well as 

Mediterranean Gulls, Black-winged Stilts and 

both Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns. The 

spectacular flocks of Common Swifts sometimes 

number several thousand, inevitably attracting 

the attention of the local Eurasian Hobbies! 

Nearby, if we are lucky, we may find a colony of 

Collared Pratincoles on the barren fields or a 

Great Spotted Cuckoo in a roadside copse. 

On the semi-saline Etang de Vaccarès which forms 

the geographical centre of the Camargue we can 

enjoy close views of its iconic bird, the Greater 

Flamingo: thousands occur in this area. As we 

head further south towards the Mediterranean Sea, 

the lakes and saltpans may produce Slender-billed 

Greater Flamingos 

128 


F R A N C E 

White-throated Dipper 

Gull, Little Tern, Pied Avocet and Kentish Plover. 

Careful searching might also give us a rarer gull, 

tern or wader, whilst Spectacled Warbler can be 

found in the Salicornia scrub. As we drive slowly on 

the quiet lanes, we should find the exotic European 

Bee-eater which nests in sandy banks, whilst 

Crested Lark and Black Kite are common 

throughout the area. To the east of the Camargue 

lies the stony plain of La Crau. The former delta of 

the Durance River, it provides a habitat found 

nowhere else in France. Special birds include 

Lesser Kestrel, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Pintailed 

Sandgrouse, Iberian Grey Shrike, Eurasian 

Hoopoe, Greater Short-toed Lark and Tawny Pipit. 

On a calm day a stroll on the reserve of Peau de 

Meau provides an unforgettable experience, with 

the flora and avifauna complemented by a range 

of butterflies including Swallowtail and Western 

Marbled White. The adjacent canal is the top 

dragonfly spot in Provence and we hope to find 

Copper Demoiselle, Norfolk Hawker and 

Mediterranean Damselfly. 

There is much to see in the Camargue, and the 

Crau, but there should also be time for a short 

visit to the nearby range of hills, Les Alpilles. We 

can stop to admire the historic village and castle 

of Les Baux, whilst nearby Subalpine and 

Dartford Warblers breed in the scrub and both 

Bonelli’s and Short-toed Eagles can be found 

soaring along the cliffs. 

Days 5 to 7 

As we transfer to the Cévennes, our route takes 

us via Pont du Gard. The renowned Roman 

aqueduct is worth seeing in its own right, but it 

also provides the opportunity of seeing 

numerous Alpine Swifts and perhaps the 

unobtrusive Common Rock Sparrows or the 

local pair of European Honey Buzzards. From 

there, we head northwards to Alès before 

beginning the climb into the hills through floralrich 

pastures and fine deciduous woodlands. 

Our base for the next three nights is Le Pont de 

Montvert, located in the upper reaches of the 

River Tarn. White-throated Dipper, Grey Wagtail 

European Bee-eater 

and Eurasian Crag Martin can all be seen from 

the balconies of our rooms in Aux Sources du 

Tarn, another hotel noted for its fine cooking, 

whilst within walking distance the woods contain 

Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper and Western 

Bonelli’s Warbler. 

A short drive north of our hotel lies Mont Lozère 

where the open pines support Citril Finch, 

Crested Tit, Tree Pipit and Woodlark. Nearby, 

driving the splendidly deserted side roads will 

give us our first opportunity to see orchids and 

other flowering plants such as Wild Daffodils and 

Tulips. We search meadows in the adjacent 

valleys for butterflies, including numerous 

coppers, blues and fritillaries: exactly which 

species we see will depend on the weather and 

how advanced the season is. Red Kite, Rock 

Bunting and Black Woodpecker are amongst 

other birds within just a few miles of our base. 

West of Florac lies the Causse Méjean, bordered 

by the Gorge du Tarn and the Gorge de la Jonte. 

This rolling limestone upland plateau, 

surrounded by steep cliffs, is unique in France, 

and is noteworthy for its raptors including 

Montagu’s and Hen Harriers. Amongst the 

numerous Eurasian Griffon Vultures drifting up 

from the gorges we hope to find the much rarer 

Eurasian Black Vulture. Flocks of Red-billed 

Chough and pairs of Common Raven patrol the 

skies, whilst we have further chances of finding 

the colourful Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. A stop 

for coffee at a well-positioned auberge will put us 

close to territories of Red-backed Shrike, 

Common Quail, Western Orphean Warbler and 

Eurasian Wryneck. Local knowledge should help 

us locate further interesting orchids, as well as 

yet more butterflies. Indeed, the eye may be so 

drawn to the flora and butterflies that, for a while 

in the middle of the day, the birds may be 

relegated to a back seat! 

Day 8 

We leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to 

Montpellier for our return flight to London. 


Day 1 Fly to Montpellier and 

transfer to Beaucaire 

Days 2-4 Beaucaire 

Days 5-7 Le Pont de Montvert 

Day 8 Depart Montpellier 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

140 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Swallowtail 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 


129

N E T H E R L A N D S 

Netherlands 

Winter Birding Break 

Thursday 27 November – Monday 01 December 2014 

Leaders: Jacob Garvelink and Nigel Jones 


Amsterdam 

NETHERLANDS 

Harderwijk 

rnitholidays first visited the Netherlands over 30 years ago so we have been slow in bringing back 

O such a great birding destination that is right on our doorstep. This tours aims to see some of the 

multitudes of geese, ducks and raptors that winter in the Netherlands. Due to climate change and better 

feeding conditions, many of our wintering geese no longer make the trek across the North Sea, preferring to make the shorter journey and stay in the 

lowlands of the Netherlands. The country is not large and is very flat (70% of the country lies only one metre above sea level), so road journeys do 

not take long from our base at Harderwijk. The country hosts vast numbers of Dark-bellied Brent, White-fronted, Barnacle, Pink-footed and Tundra 

Bean Geese. Amongst them are small numbers of Red-breasted, Pale-bellied Brent, Black Brant and Lesser White-fronted Geese. Wintering duck 

species include Smew, Long-tailed Duck and Velvet Scoter, while wintering raptors include White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard and Hen Harrier. 

Besides the wintering species mentioned above we will try to find some Dutch resident specialities that are scarce or even unknown in this country, 

such as Short-toed Treecreeper, Crested Tit and Black Woodpecker. 

Throughout the tour we shall be using the services of the Dutch birding company Birding Breaks and will have Jacob Garvelink with us, an expert 

birder from the Netherlands. We shall also make sure we take breaks for warming drinks (koffie verkeerd or hot chocolate) and to try some of the 

local snacks during our daily excursions. 

We have designed the tour so that you can also join the group in Amsterdam by taking a train or making a ferry crossing. If you prefer this routing 

we can give you a cost without flights. 

White-fronted and Barnacle Geese 

ITINERARY 

Days 1-4 

We catch a flight from London (or regional 

airports) to Amsterdam where we meet out local 

guide and transfer in minibuses to our hotel near 

Harderwijk, where we stay for the next four 

nights. Depending on the time of arrival we can 

have one or two birding stops along the way 

where we have our first looks at the vast 

numbers of Barnacle and White-fronted Geese 

and possibly a wintering White-tailed Eagle. 

There will also be other species such as Great 

White Egret and Bewick’s Swan. Harderwijk is 

ideally situated between the main birding area’s 

we visit during this tour, allowing us to explore 

provinces such as Flevoland, Friesland and 

Zeeland. It stands at the edge of the Zuiderzee, 

130 


White-tailed Eagle 

N E T H E R L A N D S 

Red-breasted and Brent Geese 

a large area enclosed over 80 years ago to form 

the enormous artificial shallow lake of the 

IJsselmeer. This has now been drained and 

further enclosed to form the well-known Dutch 

“polders” of which the Flevopolder is the largest. 

Depending on the weather (and birds present) 

we can spend the first whole day focussing on 

the wintering birds in the Flevopolder. Besides 

the vast numbers of geese and ducks we will 

focus on finding species like Great White Egret, 

Smew, Red-crested Pochard, White-tailed Eagle, 

Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, Rough-legged 

Buzzard, Merlin, Great Grey Shrike, Water Pipit, 

Bearded Tit and Great Bittern. In the afternoon 

we visit the Veluwe, an extensive area of forest, 

and try to find species like Crested and Willow 

Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper and Black 

Woodpecker. 

On one day we will venture northwards to the 

province of Friesland. This thinly populated area 

of polders, with its characteristic windmills and 

lovely villages, is the wintering ground for tens of 

thousands of geese, including many Pink-footed. 

We will try to find the rare Red-breasted Goose, 

as well as Snow Goose which is also usually 

present here, and which the Dutch treat as a 

genuine vagrant species. Other raptor species 

we will look out for are White-tailed Eagle, 

Rough-legged Buzzard and Peregrine Falcon. If 

they are present this winter we will also search 

out sites for roosting Long-eared and Shorteared 

Owls. 

Depending on what we have seen we will head 

southwest to the bird-filled Dutch ‘Delta’, in 

Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. Being another 

hotspot for wintering ducks and geese, we might 

find Red-breasted Goose and we can look out for 

one of the small wintering parties of Lesser 

White-fronted Goose. The North Sea off 

Brouwersdam usually holds good numbers of 

Red-throated Diver, Common and Velvet Scoter 

and usually a few Long-tailed Ducks are present 

amongst the many Common Goldeneye. 

Greater Scaup is also a possibility here. 

Each year brings some vagrants in the winter 

and depending on where they turn up we may be 

looking for a Gyr Falcon, Ross’s Goose, Spotted 

Nutcracker, Bohemian Waxwing, Caspian Gull or 

an American wader or duck. 

Day 5 

This morning we head for the North Sea coast 

where we try to look for some seabirds, waders 

like Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and Red 

Knot and hopefully one of the rarer wintering gull 

species (Iceland or Glaucous). In the afternoon 

we head back to Amsterdam where we catch the 

flight back to London (or regional airports). 


Day 1 Fly to Amsterdam and 

transfer to Harderwijk 

Days 2-4 Harderwijk 

Day 5 Depart Amsterdam 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

120 

Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Northern Goshawk 

Winter sunset over the polders 


131

I C E L A N D 

Iceland 

Winter Wonderland 

Thursday 13 February – Monday 17 February 2014 

Thursday 27 November – Monday 01 December 2014 

Leader: Andy Jones 


Snæfellsnes 

Peninsula 

ICELAND 

Reykjavik 

Keflavík 

celand’s unique and dramatic landscapes provide a spectacular backdrop for our winter journeys 

I to this remarkable country. Roughly the size of England, Iceland is a land full of wintertime interest with sightings 

of its hardy wildlife complemented by hot springs, geysers, glaciers and volcanoes as well as the chance to see the aurora borealis during the winter 

nights. 

Eyjafjörõur 

Wildlife has to struggle to survive in the harsh conditions and we can no doubt marvel at the adaptations that species have made to exist here. We 

can search for Harlequin Ducks at sea; Barrow’s Goldeneye on the lakes and rivers, Gyrfalcons and White-tailed Eagles in the hills and valleys and, 

even at this time of year, there’s always the chance of seeing seals and cetaceans offshore. We spend time on the coasts looking at the large Common 

Eider flocks and hoping to see King Eiders amongst them. We also have lots of opportunities to sort out our identification of the sometimes confusing 

gull species and are sure of enjoying excellent views of both Glaucous and the eponymous Iceland Gulls. 

Iceland is a very good place to see the northern lights or aurora borealis. We stay near dark areas specifically to increase our chances of seeing this 

amazing atmospheric phenomenon. Solar radiation collides with molecules in the upper atmosphere to release energy as light. The dancing auroral 

displays are a truly remarkable natural sight on clear nights. The low angle of the winter sun also means some lovely sunsets and sunrises. Iceland’s 

vibrant geology is not forgotten and we have the chance to see areas that were affected by the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano as well 

as glaciers, lava fields, craters and coastal landforms. We stay in warm and comfortable small hotels and the trip will be led by Andy Jones, an expert 

on Iceland’s natural history. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 & 2 

We take a flight to Keflavík from London and on 

arrival meet our local guide, Andy Jones. It is 

roughly an hour and a half’s drive to our hotel 

located on the flanks of the mid-Atlantic ridge. 

We can try to fit in a little birdwatching at some 

coastal sites on the way. After dinner on this, and 

each, evening we can hope for an auroral 

display. We stay here for the next two nights. 

The next day we visit the nearby coast and look 

out for Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. There will be 

lots of eider, perhaps Long-tailed Duck and Redbreasted 

Merganser, and, if the weather is calm, 

we have a chance of also seeing seals and 

cetaceans offshore. We can search for the 

Iceland race of Winter Wren near some 

impressive waterfalls. Later we travel to areas 

that were affected by the recent eruptions of 

Eyjafjallajökull and hope to see the new craters 

and lava flows. The evidence of the jökulhlaup or 

glacier burst flood is clearly visible. We shall look 

out for Gyrfalcon in this area and admire the 

great ice caps of this part of Iceland. On our 

return to our hotel there will be a chance to relax 

Aurora Borealis 

132 


I C E L A N D 

Common Raven 


Day 1 Fly to Keflavík and 

transfer Hveragerŏi 

Day 2 Hveragerŏi 

Days 3-4 Snæfellsnes 

Day 5 Depart Kefllavík 

Rock Ptarmigan 

in one of the geothermal swimming pools for 

which Iceland is famous. 

Days 3 & 4 

Today we travel inland to the rivers and lakes of 

southern Iceland in search of Barrow’s 

Goldeneye overwintering in this area. We also 

visit the hot springs and geysers at Geysir and 

the incredible waterfall at Gullfoss. We look out 

for Rock Ptarmigans as we stroll around the 

historically important site of Thingvellir – it was 

here in the 10th century that the Vikings formed a 

Frozen Waterfall 

parliament. Around us is evidence of the 

geological forces at work here – the rift valley is 

world renowned as an example of plate tectonics 

in action. We then travel to the coast at 

Hvalfjörŏur and look out for Long-tailed Ducks 

and Black Guillemots on the sea. There will be 

many more Common and perhaps King Eider as 

well. Occasionally some waders overwinter and 

there is a chance we may see Ruddy Turnstone, 

Purple Sandpiper and Eurasian Oystercatcher 

feeding on the fjord’s shore. We continue our 

journey northwards and westwards across the 

wonderful landscapes of west Iceland until we 

arrive at the north coast of Snæfellsnes and settle 

in to our comfortable hotel for the next two nights. 

We can explore the remarkable peninsula of 

Snæfellsnes today. The scenery is spectacular and 

in winter time it is particularly dramatic. We check 

several coastal locations for Harlequin Ducks 

which spend their winters on the sea. There is 

always a chance of encountering White-tailed 

Eagle in this area as well. We can look for flocks of 

Snow Buntings and Common Ravens in the small 

settlements along the coast. At the very tip of the 

peninsula is the icecap of Snæfellsjökull, famous in 

literature as the place where Jules Verne sent his 

heroes on their journey to the centre of the earth. 

The region has many Arctic Foxes and we shall 

look out for this sturdy mammal on our travels. We 

shall also take a walk around the cliffs at 

Arnarstapi. The rock arches, skerries and stacks 

here are very beautiful and again we can look out 

for more Harlequin Duck in the sea. 

Day 5 

We drive to Borgarnes for a spell of birdwatching 

at the coast. Later we make our way to Iceland’s 

capital Reykjavík. The landscapes are delightful 

and we can keep an eye out for more Rock 

Ptarmigan on the journey. We visit the city centre 

and no doubt find time to do a little birdwatching 

at the famous city pond, where there are great 

views of overwintering Whooper Swans, before 

we drive along the Reykjanes Peninsula on our 

way to Keflavík Airport to catch our late afternoon 

return flight to London. 

Party Size 

Maximum of five clients. 

Accommodation 



Transport 

By 4 x 4 vehicle. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

30 

Cold 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Harlequin Ducks 


133

I C E L A N D 

Iceland 

Land of Ice & Fire 

Wednesday 28 May – Wednesday 04 June 2014 

Leaders: Andy Jones and Simon Boyes 


Eyjafjörõur 

ICELAND 

Snæfellsnes 

Peninsula 

Reykjavik 

Skálholt 

Keflavík 

celand – the very name conjures up thoughts and images of ice, fire, water, legends and sagas! It is not a large country, being slightly smaller than 

I England, but during the Icelandic summer it is a land full of interest and beauty with hot springs, geysers, lakes, waterfalls, virgin meadows and 

snow-capped mountains. Long days and light nights make early June the best time for a birdwatching trip in Iceland. Although the number of bird 

species is relatively small, the abundance of many of the waders and seabirds is tremendous. Northern Fulmars, Common Eiders, European Golden 

Plover, Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Arctic Tern, Arctic Skua and many auks breed in enormous numbers and it’s quite likely that you’ll never have 

seen so many birds in one place before. The island also possesses some breeding specialities – Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Great Northern 

Diver, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Red-necked Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper, White-tailed Eagle, Gyr Falcon, Brünnich’s Guillemot and Snow 

Bunting. Cetaceans are regularly seen offshore and we hope to see White-beaked Dolphin, Killer Whale, Minke Whale and maybe Sperm Whale from 

the shore. The very small human population (about 320,000), slow pace of life and lack of intensive cultivation add to the charm of the island and 

make Iceland a beguilingly different place to visit. Our tour will concentrate on the breeding birds of the island as well as the geological phenomena 

that make Iceland so interesting. Of course, we shall not forget the wild flowers or cultural history as we travel around the amazing landscapes. 

Our trip is a leisurely introduction to Iceland’s birds and natural history. We’ll base ourselves in just two areas and plan gentle days in the field. Our 

accommodation is comfortable and relaxed and there are many opportunities for short walks to explore the surrounding countryside in both places 

we stay. Our leader Andy Jones is an expert on Iceland’s natural history. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 4 

We take the early afternoon flight from London or 

Glasgow to Keflavík. On arrival we meet our local 

guide Andy Jones and then make the one and a 

half hour transfer to Skálholt in south Iceland, 

where we stay in our lovely guesthouse for the 

next four nights. Our first common birds will 

include Red-breasted Merganser, Eurasian 

Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Dunlin, Northern 

Wheatear, White Wagtail, Redwing and Common 

Raven. Majestic landscapes provide an incredible 

backdrop to our gentle birdwatching forays into 

the surrounding countryside. We’ll visit the 

geologically fascinating and historically important 

Þingvellir National Park and expect to find both 

Great Northern and Red-throated Divers. Other 

streams and pools will produce the Barrow’s 

Goldeneyes for which Iceland is so famous. 

Wherever we travel there’ll be breeding waders 

and we’ll enjoy Common Snipe, Whimbrel, 

Common Redshank, Dunlin, Eurasian 

Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit. A favourite 

is, of course, European Golden Plover though it 

has to compete with Red-necked Phalarope and 

we expect great views of these species which 

always delight photographers. We’ll explore the 

volcanic areas near the famous volcano, Hekla 

where we expect to find Harlequin Ducks in the 

fast flowing streams – another photographer’s 

delight. There are Slavonian Grebes on pools, 

Rock Ptarmigan in the moss-covered lava, Merlins 

hunting Meadow Pipits and we’ll keep a special 

look-out for Gyr Falcon as well. 

Of course we’ll see the falls at Gullfoss. This 

“Golden Waterfall” is spectacular and plunges 

over rocks into the River Hvítá, producing a spray 

with beautiful rainbows in the sun. We also visit 

the famous geysers at Geysir. There is a good 

chance of finding another Gyr Falcon or Pinkfooted 

Goose along the way. The infamous 

Eyjafjallajökull glacier provides the backdrop to a 

delightful day along the South Iceland coast. 

Arctic Skuas harass the other seabirds and we’ll 

see our first Atlantic Puffins of the trip. We’ll look 

for cetaceans offshore and will learn more about 

the volcanoes and glaciers that have shaped this 

wonderful part of Iceland. We shall also travel to 

Mýrdalsjökull. The tumbled moraines at the edge 

of the glacier provide much interest for botanists 

and geologists, whilst the birders can find the 

powerful Great Skua here. 

Harlequin Ducks 

134 


I C E L A N D 

Geyser 

Gyr Falcon 

Days 5 to 7 

We travel from south to west Iceland and we’ll 

base ourselves on the North coast of the 

magnificent Snæfellsnes peninsula for the next 

three nights. To get there we’ll make a leisurely 

day’s journey around the wonderful landscapes of 

west Iceland. We’ll spend time birdwatching on the 

coast at Hvalfjörður and we’ll meet the first of the 

Common Eider which will become so familiar to us 

in the days ahead. West Iceland provides 

important habitats for species such as Red Knot, 

Ruddy Turnstone and Brent Goose as they migrate 

along the coast to their breeding grounds in and 

beyond Greenland and we’ll also look out for a real 

Icelandic breeding rarity, Common Shelduck! 

Snæfellsnes is really Iceland in miniature and we’ll 

have a great time exploring the peninsula. We’ll get 

to grips with the differences between Iceland and 

Glaucous Gulls, have close-up views of Common 

and Brünnich's Guillemots and see all five species 

of Iceland’s breeding auks, find Snow Bunting and 

Northern Wheatear, botanise amidst the natural 

rock gardens of the new lava fields and look 

offshore for the several different cetacean species, 

including Killer Whale, that occur here. White-tailed 

Eagles are often seen along the coast and we’ll 

make a special effort to locate this magnificent 

raptor. We’ll take a boat trip on the sheltered 

waters of the fjord and cruise around the islands of 

southern Breiðafjörður where we know we’ll have 

wonderful views of Atlantic Puffin, Black Guillemot, 

Black-legged Kittiwake, European Shag, Arctic 

Tern and with a little luck perhaps White-beaked 

Dolphin and Harbour Porpoise as well. 

Inland the ‘usual suspects’ (the splendid breeding 

waders) are everywhere and doubtless the 

photographers will be busy photographing them. 

We should also get great views of both Great 

Northern and Red-throated Divers here. The icecovered 

volcano of Snæfellsjökull provides us with 

an incredible scenic backdrop as we travel around 

the peninsula and we’ll learn about the volcanic 

activity that has created this part of Iceland. 

Our hotel is on the harbourside of an Icelandic 

fishing village and there’s great birdwatching to be 

had from just outside. The lovely evening light at 

this time of year is gorgeous and as midsummer 

approaches the sun stays above the horizon for 

almost 24 hours and the combination of great 

birds, fine scenery and lovely light is highly 

regarded by photographers. 

Day 8 

It’s a delightful journey back to Keflavík for our return 

flight home. We’ll call at Iceland’s capital Reykjavík 

on the way and look out for another Icelandic rarity – 

Common Blackbird. We’ll travel along the North 

coast of the Reykjanes peninsula and say our 

goodbyes to the waders, Arctic Terns and Common 

Eider that have accompanied us on our travels this 

past week. Our flight departs in the mid-afternoon 

and there’s always a chance of a valedictory song 

from Snow Bunting at the airport itself. 


Day 1 Fly to Keflavík and 

transfer to Skálholt 

Days 2-4 Skálholt 

Days 5-7 Snæfellsnes Peninsula 

Day 8 Depart Keflavík 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Gulfloss 

Good 

65 

Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 


135

T U R K E Y 

Turkey 

Turkish Delight 

Wednesday 30 April – Friday 09 May 2014 

Leaders: Mitko Petrakiev and Colin Bushell 


Tasucu 

TURKEY 

Curkurbag 

Adana 

Gaziantep 

Birecik 

here are very few countries within the Western Palearctic that possess such a diverse array of habitats as can be found within Turkey. Ornitholidays 

T has been visiting Turkey for more than 30 years and now we have an itinerary which brings together some of the country's most interesting birds 

and some fantastic scenery. The timing of this tour will find most species on their breeding territories, but still with some passage waders, birds of 

prey and warblers passing through the country on their way north to their breeding grounds in Russia and Siberia. We shall explore the Göksu Delta 

with its myriad of wading birds, the Demirkazik Mountains where Caspian Snowcock and Radde's Accentor breed and the Euphrates near Birecik with 

its singing Ménétries Warblers, hawking Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters and the possibility of Pallid Scops Owl and Iraq Babbler. Marshes to snow-topped 

mountains, upland salt-lakes to alpine meadows, wadis to dry maquis, and reed-fringed wetlands to semi-desert - we shall visit them all on this holiday. 

Journey with Ornitholidays to see why Turkey has been described as the best country for birdwatching within the Western Palearctic. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on a flight to Istanbul, where 

we connect with our flight to Adana. We meet 

our guide and driver and set off for the two hour 

drive to Tasucu. We stay for three nights at a 

hotel with a sea-view. 

We have an early morning start for the Göksu 

Delta, which is a prime habitat for waterbirds. 

With over 335 species recorded here, it is the 

most famous place for birdwatching in Turkey. 

We explore the wetland and look for some 

specialties here, including Marbled Teal, Purple 

Swamphen and Black Francolin, as well as 

migrating waders. Additionally we should be 

able to find Audouin's Gull, Spur-winged 

Lapwing, Moustached Warbler, Graceful Prinia, 

Pygmy Cormorant, Collared Pratincole, Whitespectacled 

Bulbul, pelicans and many different 

passerines along our route. Keeping our eyes 

on the sky for Eleonora's Falcon, we explore 

the Göksu Delta for the whole day. Next day, we 

will drive to Uzuncaburc – an area covered by 

dry maquis, ancient ruins and pine forests. 

Here we shall look for some eastern 

Mediterranean species, such as Olive-tree and 

Rüppell's Warbler, Cretzschmar's Bunting and 

Krüper's Nuthatch. Later in the afternoon we 

may continue our exploration of the Göksu 

Delta. 

Days 4 & 5 

Today we head north into the Taurus Mountains, 

but first we have two spots to explore in lowlands 

south of Adana. An overgrown watercourse at 

Tabaklar should produce White-throated and 

Pied Kingfishers, along with Little Bittern and 

Squacco Heron. Little Crakes are often seen. 

The coastal lagoon at Tuzla makes an excellent 

picnic spot. A great variety of terns and waders 

can be seen here, especially at migration time. 

We will scan for Black-winged Pratincole, 

Caspian Tern and Slender-billed and Audouin's 

Gulls. Among the many waders, Greater Sand 

Plover is possible. The coastal bushes often 

attract passage migrants such as Masked 

Shrike, Upcher's Warbler or perhaps Rufous 

Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters 

136 


Iraq Babbler 

White-winged Snowfinch 

T U R K E Y 


Day 1 Fly to Adana and transfer 

to Tasucu 

Days 2-3 Tasucu 

Days 4-5 Curkurbag 

Day 6 Gaziantep 

Days 7-9 Birecik 

Day 10 Depart Adana 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Bush Robin. In the afternoon we head into the 

mountains, looking for Golden Eagles flying over 

the ridges. We stay for two nights at our guest 

house, which looks out at the magnificent 

Demircazik Peak. 

We make a very early start this morning for an 

exceptional birding trip. We ascend a rough track 

to 1,500m (and possibly to 2,300m depending 

on the seasonal snow level), by tractor and 

trailer. Getting to our observation point by the 

first light will allow us to find the elusive Caspian 

Snowcock more easily. Here we can enjoy our 

morning tea and coffee and a light breakfast. In 

the area there are many other alpine species, 

including Radde's and Alpine Accentors, Alpine 

and Red-billed Choughs, Crimson-winged Finch 

and White-winged Snowfinch. Later, we descend 

and have a traditional breakfast, or possibly 

lunch, depending on the time and the altitude we 

have reached. Some interesting species can be 

found near our accommodation, including Rosecoloured 

Starlings (if they have returned from 

wintering in India) and Black-headed and Ortolan 

Buntings. In the afternoon, we may visit a 

spectacular gorge which could produce 

Wallcreeper, Red-billed Chough, Ring Ouzel, 

Red-fronted Serin and Chukar. 

Day 6 

If there was unfavourable weather yesterday 

morning, we can go back to the same site and try 

again for Caspian Snowcock and other alpine 

species, otherwise we can visit another valley for 

any missing species. Later, we continue our drive 

south, heading to Osmaniye and the Kirmitli Bird 

Paradise. At a spectacular site, overlooking the 

Seyhan River, famous for its kingfishers, heronry 

and egret colonies, we have an excellent chance 

of seeing all three species of kingfishers in the 

region - namely White-throated, Pied and 

Common - almost at the same spot. We can also 

look for Squacco, Grey and Black-crowned Night 

Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets and Little Bittern. In 

the afternoon we walk in rocky hills and scrubby 

valleys near Gaziantep, where White-throated 

Robin and Kurdish Wheatear are our main targets 

and other species may include Cinereous Bunting, 

both Western Rock and Eastern Rock Nuthatches, 

Bimaculated Lark, Pallid Swift and possibly 

Trumpeter Finch. We stay overnight in Gaziantep. 

Days 7 to 9 

We visit some of the same sites this morning, 

looking for any birds we may have missed 

yesterday. Later, we head for Birecik, home of the 

semi-wild Bald Ibis colony. After lunch, we 

search in the shelter of the pistachio orchards for 

Yellow-throated Sparrow, Rufous Bush Robin 

and Desert Finch. Later we check in at our hotel 

for a three-night stay. The next day we may have 

some pre-breakfast birding near to our hotel, 

where we search for the rare Iraq Babblers. After 

breakfast we continue to explore the area, and 

hope to find Dead Sea Sparrow, Ménétries' and 

Upcher's Warblers, Little Swifts and Pygmy 

Cormorants. In the afternoon we visit a site to the 

north of Birecik, to search for Bonelli's Eagle and 

other species. After dinner, we visit a tea garden, 

where hopefully we can find the pair of Pallid 

Scops Owls that nest here. 

For our last full day we visit a reserve where we 

can look for See-see Partridge, Pin-tailed 

Sandgrouse, Pale Rock Sparrow, Desert and 

Lesser Short-toed Larks and Finch's Wheatear. 

On the way back, we can check a site that holds 

a colony of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters. In the 

evening we have our farewell dinner and last 

night in Birecik. 

Day 10 

This morning we make the transfer back to 

Adana airport, and catch our return flight to 

Istanbul, where we connect with our flight to 

London, arriving in the early evening. 

Transport 

By private coach or minibus. 

Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

200 

Warm 

Low 

Special 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

See-see Partridge 


137

B E L A R U S 

Belarus 

Europe’s Last Great Wilderness 

Saturday 26 April – Sunday 04 May 2014 

Leaders: Gabor Orban and Richard Coomber 


Minsk 

BELARUS 

rnitholidays is happy to include Belarus as one of our destinations this year. 

O Belarus is one of the prime birding and wildlife-watching destinations in 

Europe. This country, neighbouring Poland, is second to none in many ways. The 

variety of birds and mammals including several species very rarely seen in other 

parts of Europe is only one aspect. Imagine roads taking you through ancient 

forests, hundreds of meandering rivers, the biggest marshes and fens of the 

continent, while you hardly meet any traffic or even people. It is truly an unbeatable paradise, remaining intact and wild, so no wonder Belarus 

conserves healthy populations of Lynx and Wolf. We have a good chance to encounter several mammal species including European Bison, Elk, 

Eurasian Beaver, European Otter, Red Deer, Wild Boar, Eastern Hedgehog, Pine Martin, Muskrat and Red Squirrel. 

We use good quality hotels situated on site, or close to the best birding areas. Tasty local cuisine, and antiquated rural life and practices in small 

ancient villages, are part of the appeal of this trip. This country is perfectly safe, yet you can experience an era that has already been left behind in 

most parts of Eastern Europe. 

Our tour visits three key areas: Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park adjoining its smaller counterpart, the world famous Bielowieza National Park 

in Poland, then Sporovo Reserve protecting more than 70% of the world’s Aquatic Warbler population, and finally Pripyatsky National Park that is a 

paradise for sought-after waders, offering a unique variety of primarily Eastern species such as Great Grey Owl, Great Snipe, Terek Sandpiper and 

Azure Tit. Journey with Gabor and Richard and see why we think you will enjoy the untouched wilderness of this part of Eastern Europe. This will be 

Ornitholidays’ third tour to Belarus. 

Sporovo 

Belovezhskaya 

Pushcha 

Turov 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We leave London on an indirect flight to Minsk. 

After landing at the airport we start our journey to 

the famous World Heritage Site, the 

Belovezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. It is 

about a four hour journey, but we can add a 

picnic and birding stops along the road. Our 

comfortable hotel is situated in the National 

Park’s forest, offering birding (right around the 

hotel) with Black, Grey-headed and Middle 

Spotted Woodpeckers, Eurasian Siskin, 

European Serin, Crested Tit, Black and Common 

Redstarts, Hawfinch and much more. We have 

two and a half days to explore the 'fairy-tale'-like 

woods, which hold Great Grey and Eurasian 

Pygmy Owls, all the European woodpeckers, 

Eurasian Hoopoe, Woodlark, Common Crossbill 

and Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers. Ural 

and Tengmalm’s Owls are here too, though not 

easy to find. 

Along Lake Liadskoye Whooper Swan, Wood 

Sandpiper and Savi’s, River and Icterine 

Warblers all occur. Raptors include White-tailed, 

Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, 

European Honey Buzzard, Northern Goshawk 

and both Hen and Montagu’s Harriers. There is a 

good chance for Hazel Grouse and a smaller one 

for Capercaillie, but we will try hard to see both. 

On the mammal front we shall be looking for Elk 

and Wild Boar, and of course, the herds of 

European Bison. 

Azure Tit 

138 


B E L A R U S 

Great Grey Owl 

Bison 

Day 4 

After another half day of birding at Pushcha, we 

travel to Sporovo Reserve, where we stay for one 

night. Lake Sporovo and the surrounding 

marshes are pristine birding areas. We visit the 

main breeding area of one of Europe’s rarest 

songbirds, the Aquatic Warbler, which should 

just have returned from wintering in Africa. 

Corncrake, Great Grey Shrike, Bluethroat, Great 

Bittern, Golden Oriole, Eurasian Penduline Tit, 

Bearded Reedling and Savi’s Warbler are all 

common here. Less common is Citrine Wagtail, 

but a few pairs breed. A variety of raptors can be 

found here including Northern Goshawk and 

Hen and Montagu’s Harriers, but even Greater 

Spotted Eagle can be around. 

Days 5 to 8 

As we leave Sporovo, we will visit the Sielets 

Fishponds. This bird-filled area holds a great 

variety of duck and waders, terns and raptors. In 

particular, we will hope for Gadwall, Garganey, 

White-tailed Eagle, Caspian Gull, Citrine Wagtail, 

Great Reed Warbler and Eurasian Penduline Tit. 

Our last base will be near the famous Pripyatsky 

National Park. We spend four nights in Turov in a 

comfortable hotel located on the bank of the 

river. Several sought-after waders such as Great 

Snipe and Terek Sandpipers breed on the banks 

of the untamed Pripyat River that floods vast 

areas of meadows and forests in spring. Marsh 

Sandpipers are also here though less easy to 

find. 

On Turov Meadow, during migration time, the 

evenings often produce spectacular gatherings 

of hundreds of Ruff including many extremely 

colourful males, while elegant Black-tailed 

Godwits and Spotted Redshanks are also found 

in good numbers. Watching the Ruffs 

skirmishing with their neck-feathers raised is a 

wonderful experience. Various terns search for 

fish and insects, including Little, Whiskered, 

White-winged and Black. Surely one of the 

strongest candidates for bird of the trip will be 

Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe 

where we have a good chance to find this 

stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the 

riparian willow forests of the Pripyat River. This is 

also a good spot for finding the pendulous nests 

of the masked Eurasian Penduline Tits. We 

should be able to spot them by their wheezy 

calls. Spotted Crakes call their repeated whip 

from the marshes, but are less easy to see. 

Mammals we may see here include European 

Bison, Elk, Eurasian Beaver, and Wild Boar, as 

well as Roe and Red Deer and Muskrat. 

Common Swallowtail, Green Hairstreak, 

Camberwell Beauty and Map butterflies may also 

be on the wing. 

We also have time to discover the ancient oak, 

spruce and birch forests too. Easy walks can 

produce Eurasian Wryneck, White-backed, 

Black, Lesser Spotted, Middle Spotted, Greyheaded 

and even Three-toed Woodpeckers, but 

we might also find Collared and Red-breasted 

Flycatchers, Barred Warbler, Short-toed 

Treecreeper, Thrush Nightingale, and Golden 

Oriole. Black Storks and Greater Spotted Eagles 

are relatively easy to see in this magic place 

while Eurasian Woodcock is also a possibility. 

Common Cranes and European Golden Plover 

pause here on their northward migration. 

We can also visit the Beloe Fishponds. This is 

the only location in Belarus where we might find 

the beautiful piebald male Smew, along with his 

red-headed females. Here we can also look for 

the majestic White-tailed Eagle, in a variety of 

plumages, from the dark immatures, through 

sub-adults, to the stunning pale-headed and fully 

white-tailed adults. We shall also look for both 

Caspian Gulls and terns, as well as Black-necked 

and Red-necked Grebes, and “booming” Great 

Bitterns. There is a good population of 

Bluethroats here; and waders may include Terek 

Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Temminck’s 

Stint. 

Day 9 

Today we transfer to the airport, to catch our 

indirect return flight to London, arriving early in 

the evening. 


Day 1 Fly to Minsk and transfer to 

Belovezhskaya Pushcha 

Days 2-3 Belovezhskaya Pushcha 

Day 4 Sporovo 

Days 5-8 Turov 

Day 9 Depart Minsk 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

150 

Cool to Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Common Crossbill 


139

F I N L A N D 

Finland 

Owls, Woodpeckers & Grouse 

Saturday 24 May – Sunday 01 June 2014 

Leaders: Ari Latja and Paul Rogers 


Kuusamo 

Oulu 

rnitholidays has now been visiting Finland since 1999 in search of the boreal specialities of the region. We 

O arrive at a time when the birds will either be establishing their breeding territories or will already have young 

at the nest. The itinerary has been designed not to be too ambitious in the distances we travel and also to 

concentrate on the special birds of the region, especially the grouse, owls and woodpeckers. If rodent populations 

are at a high density this area of Finland is home to the superb Great Grey Owl, as well as Tengmalm’s, Ural and 

Northern Hawk. One other star attraction is the chance to look for Red-flanked Bluetail which nests in small numbers 

in this region. We use just three centres for our stay, and we visit marshes, lakes, vast tracts of coniferous and 

mixed woodlands, river systems and fields. Throughout the tour we have the assistance of local ornithologists 

who know the whereabouts of breeding sites for many key birds. For those willing we can savour a Finnish 

sauna and sample the local cuisine of reindeer, salmon and local berries! Journey with us on our 10th tour to 

this fascinating and beautiful area, at a time when the days are long and the air filled with bird song. 

FINLAND 

Helsinki 

Great Grey Owl and young 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We catch our morning scheduled flight from 

London to Oulu, via Helsinki. We arrive in the late 

afternoon and transfer to our hotel in Oulu for a 

stay of three nights. The marsh of Liminganlahti 

(Liminka for short) is well known as one of the 

best areas near Oulu. During our time here we 

shall look for one of the very special breeding 

birds – Terek Sandpiper. This species has a very 

restricted breeding distribution in the Western 

Palearctic and Oulu is the best area for finding it. 

The Gulf of Bothnia is home to a large range of 

species, some of which will be breeding while 

others will still be on passage to their breeding 

grounds further north. Familiar species such as 

Redwing, Fieldfare and Pied Flycatcher will be in 

song and a visit to one wetland area should offer 

the fantastic sight of lekking Ruff in full breeding 

plumage. The area also holds breeding 

Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Red-necked 

Grebe, Red-necked Phalarope, Goosander, 

Goldeneye, Wood Sandpiper and Little Gull. 

Common Crane is seen regularly. The woods 

here also ring to the calls of many species of 

woodpecker, as well as the songs of Common 

Rosefinch and Ortolan Bunting. The owls 

present in this area and at the next location vary 

from year to year depending on the population of 

rodents, but we hope to find Great Grey as well 

as Northern Hawk, Pygmy, Ural and Tengmalm’s. 

Birds of prey in this area include Western Marsh 

and Hen Harriers, Northern Goshawk and Shorteared 

Owl. Pallid Harrier is now regular in small 

numbers. 

Days 4 to 6 

This morning we transfer northeast to Kuusamo 

for a stay of three nights. Here, close to the 

Russian border, we have the chance to explore 

wetland areas, which hold Black-throated Diver 

and Goosander. Another beautiful bird, which is 

just an unusual winter visitor to our shores, is the 

Smew. We shall search wooded lakes for the 

beautiful piebald male and the red-headed 

females, and on such waters we might also find 

pairs of Velvet Scoter. Spotted Redshank, Jack 

Snipe and Broad-billed Sandpiper breed here in 

small numbers, but are secretive and we would 

be lucky to see them. We visit Oulanka National 

Park, an area of Siberian taiga forest, home to the 

very secretive Brown Bear. Overhead circle 

White-tailed Eagle and European Honey Buzzard 

and the woods resound to the wheezy song of 

140 


eautiful male Bramblings. This is the area where 

we can look for many species of owl – if we are 

lucky we may well find Tengmalm’s, Ural and 

Northern Hawk Owls. Black and Three-toed 

Woodpeckers also haunt these woods, and with 

luck we should find three special birds here, 

Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay and if we are lucky the 

star bird will be Red-flanked Bluetail, an eastern 

species with a toehold in the area. Hazel Grouse 

will be present and both Capercaillie and Black 

Grouse will be displaying. Beautiful Bohemian 

Waxwings can often be heard as they give their 

trilling calls over the forest. Rustic Buntings sing 

from spindly willow bushes, while Little Buntings 

can often be tracked down by their thin “tic” call. 

Magnificent Elk are often seen in the woods, and 

we would also hope to find Reindeer, Red 

Squirrel and both Brown and Arctic Hares in the 

Kuusamo region. 

Days 7 to 9 

Today we take the morning flight to Helsinki, 

where we stay for two nights. Unexpectedly, 

there is some beautiful countryside right on the 

doorstep of this busy city on the edge of the Gulf 

of Finland. To the west of the city we look for 

some of the southern specialities of the area, in 

the forests and on the lakes. These include 

European Honey Buzzard, Red-backed Shrike, 

Wryneck, Three-toed, Black and Grey-headed 

Woodpeckers, Corncrake, Greenish Warbler 

and Red-breasted Flycatcher. Blyth’s Reed, 

Marsh and River Warblers all breed in this area, 

as well as Spotted and Pied Flycatchers and 

Crested Tit. We also have the chance to visit the 

coast to enjoy the last of the Arctic-bound 

migration of divers and wildfowl along the Gulf. 

If weather conditions are suitable we may see 

large numbers of Black-throated Divers, as well 

as smaller numbers of Barnacle and Brent 

Geese and Long-tailed Ducks and Common 

Scoter. The local Common Eiders will already 

have ducklings. On the last day, the morning will 

be spent at Viiki, a vast reedbed area crossed by 

boardwalks linking small wooded islands. Here 

we should see Great Reed Warbler, Thrush 

Nightingale and perhaps find a Citrine Wagtail. 

After lunch, we catch the flight from Helsinki 

back to London, where we arrive in the late 

afternoon. 


Day 1 Fly to Oulu 

Days 2-3 Oulu 

Days 4-6 Kuusamo 

Days 7-8 Helsinki 

Day 9 Depart Helsinki 

Northern Hawk Owl 

F I N L A N D 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

160 

Mainly Cool 

Low 

Normal 

Moderate 

Good 

Moderate 

Scheduled 

Capercaillie 

Black Woodpecker 


141

H U N G A R Y 

Hungary 

Spring Tour 

Saturday 26 April – Saturday 03 May 2014 

Principal Leader: Gabor Simay 


Budapest 

HUNGARY 

Sárospatak 

Hajduszoboszló 

Hortobágy 

National Park 

ungary, once home to the Huns and now the Magyars, is an area of fertile plains through which flows the mighty Danube. Even though the 

H Hortobágy has long been famous, it is only within the last 30 years that birdwatchers from Britain have realised the country’s ornithological riches. 

The country is now moving swiftly into line with Western European ways, and tractors have largely replaced horse-drawn ploughs as the main means 

of working on the fields. However, it is still possible to find fields full of flowering Ragged Robin, and to listen to Corncrake and Common Quail calling 

from roadside pastures. Almost all bird populations in Hungary are stable or increasing, in marked contrast to those of Western Europe. The 

specialities of north-eastern Hungary are Great Bustard, Saker and Red-footed Falcons, Eastern Imperial and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Ural Owl 

Eurasian Eagle Owl, White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers, Aquatic, River, Icterine and Barred Warblers and of course 

Pygmy Cormorants. With luck we should see most of these as well as other interesting animals, such as Beech Marten, Souslik and Fire Salamander. 

Butterflies can include Large Copper, Clouded Apollo and Scarce and Common Swallowtails. The timing of this tour will also coincide with the spring 

migration of many birds moving from their wintering quarters towards northern breeding areas. The hotels we use are excellent, the roads and 

motorways quick and efficient, and the food and wine are all very good. Ornitholidays sends more birdwatchers to Hungary than any other tour 

company in the world, and this is now our 56th holiday to Hungary within the last 25 years. Come with us and see why Hungary offers one of the best 

birding holidays in Eastern Europe. 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 3 

We catch a scheduled flight from London to 

Budapest, where we transfer to the Zemplén Hills. 

We stay at our hotel in Sárospatak for three nights. 

During our stay here we can spend a lot of the time 

exploring the Zemplén Hills. These hills still contain 

vast tracks of forests, mainly of beech, oak and 

conifer, which are largely untouched by 

commercial felling. This area provides a haven for 

breeding birds with very healthy populations of 

Eastern Imperial, Lesser Spotted, Golden and 

Short-toed Eagles, Northern Goshawk and 

Eurasian Hobby. As the sun heats up the hill-sides 

we shall spend some time gazing skywards, 

hoping to see most of these impressive raptors as 

they thermal above their breeding territories. Tree 

holes are used by Black, White-backed and Greyheaded 

Woodpeckers, while old Northern 

Goshawk nests (and nest boxes) provide safe 

breeding places for the beautiful Ural Owl. A few 

pairs of Black Stork can occasionally be seen 

flying to their enormous stick nests from their 

feeding areas in the river valleys. The piebald 

Collared Flycatchers sing from within thick beech 

woods; while in the villages Syrian Woodpeckers 

can be found. On the drier hillsides we look for 

Woodlark, Hawfinch and Red-backed Shrike. 

Ural Owl 

The whole area is thronged with beautiful wild 

flowers and butterflies, and mountain streams 

and ditches are home to Fire Salamander, Yellowbellied 

Toad and Alpine Newt. Near Tokaj there is 

an area of damp grassland and scrub, which is 

managed as a nature reserve. The varied habitats 

provide nesting sites for Golden Oriole, 

Grasshopper, River, Barred and Marsh Warblers, 

as well as that curious bird the Corncrake, which 

can be heard giving its rasping monotonous call 

throughout the night. In quarries nearby we can 

search for Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and 

Eurasian Eagle Owl, as well as look at the newly 

arrived multi-coloured European Bee-eaters as 

they excavate their nesting burrows. Mammals 

include Wild Boar, which are difficult to spot, but 

we should see the delightful dark form of the Red 

Squirrel and possibly Beech Marten. We shall 

have much to occupy our time here and we shall 

also have the opportunity to sample the local 

Tokaj white wine. 

142 


H U N G A R Y 

Little Bittern 


Day 1 Fly to Budapest and 

transfer to Sárospatak 

Days 2-3 Sárospatak 

Days 4-7 Hajduszoboszló 

Day 8 Depart Budapest 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

Aquatic Warbler 

Days 4 to 7 

We transfer to the Hotel Trofea near 

Hajduszoboszló. This will be our base for the next 

four nights for exploring the Hortobágy. The 

grounds of this magnificent hunting lodge include 

a large lake, where Little Bitterns nest, and Blackcrowned 

Night Herons roost during the day. At 

night you can lie in bed and listen to the chorus 

of Great Reed Warblers, Common Nightingale 

and Common Cuckoo, which can sing all night at 

this time of year – kept awake by the song of 

Common Nightingale, what a thought! We begin 

our exploration of this vast national park, which is 

an enormous mosaic of marshes, wooded river 

valleys, wetlands and commercial fishponds, 

interspersed with farmland. This area is home to 

some very specialised species such as Great 

Bustard, Bluethroat (of the white-spotted 

subspecies), Aquatic Warbler, Collared Pratincole 

and the magnificent Saker Falcon. The Halasto 

fishponds and marshes resound to the songs of 

Great Reed, Grasshopper, Savi’s, River and 

Marsh Warblers, while Eurasian Penduline Tit call 

plaintively from hidden sites amongst the 

riverside willows. Black, Whiskered and Whitewinged 

Terns will all be dipping to the water’s 

surface, and Red-necked and Black-necked 

Grebes will be feeding their young. Eurasian 

Spoonbill and many species of heron ply 

between their feeding areas and nesting-sites in 

the reeds, while Ferruginous Ducks are relatively 

common on the marshes here. Great Bitterns 

often fly from one reed bed to another in search 

of frogs. Vast colonies of Great Cormorant 

include smaller numbers of nesting Pygmy 

Cormorant. The ancient puszta is still guarded by 

Csikos horsemen who herd the Grey Cattle and 

Racka sheep, while Montagu’s Harrier fly over the 

flocks of Great Bustard feeding in adjoining fields. 

One highlight will be a visit to a colony of Redfooted 

Falcons, some of which are now nesting in 

boxes, with Long-eared Owls as close 

occupants! In the last few years sightings of 

Long-legged Buzzard have increased and we 

should spot the distinctive outline of this scarce 

raptor which has now established a breeding 

population. We shall spend much of our time 

exploring all these different habitats to make sure 

we see all the specialities. Near Debrecen we visit 

a superb area, which is a classic example of true 

ancient woodland and a delight to explore. These 

woods hold Black, Great Spotted, Middle 

Spotted, Lesser Spotted and European Green 

Woodpeckers, as well as large numbers of 

Collared Flycatcher and the occasional Pied 

Flycatcher. European Honey Buzzard and 

Northern Goshawk are frequently seen soaring 

over the high trees. The elusive Hawfinch is often 

heard as it utters its clipped ‘chip’ note. 

Day 8 

Today, we make the transfer from Hajduszoboszló 

to Budapest, where we catch our return 

scheduled flight to London. 

160 

Warm 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy to Moderate 

Scheduled 

Moustached Warbler 


143

H U N G A R Y 

Hungary at Leisure 

Crane Spectacular & Wild Goose Chase 

Saturday 01 November – Friday 07 November 2014 

Leaders: Gabor Simay and Colin Bushell 


H 

ungary is just a short flight from London, but the country still possesses vast riches for 

the birdwatcher and naturalist, as it is still easy to find those “wild places” that are now 

so rare in Britain. The vast Hortobágy National Park is an enormous mosaic of marshes, wooded 

river valleys, wetlands and commercial fishponds, interspersed with farmland and the ancient 

puszta – the grasslands of the fertile Hungarian plain. We have timed this tour so that we are here 

before the winter snows, but at a time when the Hortobágy teams with birds. The main species to be 

found here at this time is the Common Crane, with perhaps 70,000 present. The evocative calls and the sights of vast flocks flying over our heads to 

roost is one of world’s great wildlife spectacles. We also visit at a time when geese, ducks and raptor numbers are high. During our five full days in 

the Hortobágy, we are likely to see Great Bustard, Saker Falcon, Rough-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial and White-tailed Eagles and Black, Greyheaded, 

Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers. We also witness the return movement of waders and the returning geese, mainly White-fronted, 

Taiga Bean and Greylag, with small flocks of Lesser White-fronted amongst them. By visiting in early November we can also find one of the world’s 

most beautiful geese, the Red-breasted. The hotel we use is excellent, the roads and motorways quick and efficient, and the food and wine are all 

very good. This will be Ornitholidays’ 57th tour of this region – our knowledge of this area is unsurpassed amongst European bird tour operators. 

Budapest 

HUNGARY 

Hajduszoboszló 

Hortobágy 

National Park 

ITINERARY 

Days 1 to 6 

We take the early scheduled flight from London to 

Budapest, and then transfer to our hotel near 

Hajduszoboszló. This will be our base for the next 

six nights for exploring the Hortobágy. The 

grounds of this impressive rural lodge include a 

large lake; so birding around the hotel is often 

exciting, and in the past we have even had 

excellent sightings of Otter, Black Woodpecker 

and roosting Long-eared Owl. We begin our 

exploration of the vast Hortobágy National Park, 

which is a mosaic of marsh, wooded valley, 

wetland and commercial fishpond, interspersed 

with agriculture. Here we shall look for Saker, 

Eastern Imperial Eagles and Rough-legged 

Buzzards that will be learning to hunt in this rich 

feeding area. This area can also hold 70 Whitetailed 

Eagles in the autumn and winter period, so 

we should have frequent sightings of these 

enormous raptors. There is also the chance of 

finding a Greater Spotted Eagle, which is 

becoming an increasingly regular visitor here in 

the early winter period. Rough-legged Buzzards 

and Hen Harriers will have arrived from their 

northern breeding areas to these wintering 

grounds, and we may also see Northern 

Goshawk, Merlin and Common Buzzard. The 

lakes of the Hortobágy provide good feeding 

sites for migrant waders and we shall search for 

Marsh Sandpiper and other rarities amongst the 

more common species. Great Bittern and Great 

Egrets will still be present, and Eurasian 

Penduline Tits and Bearded Reedlings will be 

numerous, as they roam amongst the phragmites 

and typha heads. Black-necked Grebe and 

Ferruginous Duck may be on the open water, and 

we can scan the gulls to see if we can find some 

Common Cranes at sunset 

144 


H U N G A R Y 

Red-breasted and White-fronted Geese 


Day 1 Fly to Budapest and 

transfer to Hajduszoboszló 

Days 2-6 Hajduszoboszló 

Day 7 Depart Budapest 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 




Gradings 

Good 

100 

Cool 

Low 

Long-eared Owl 

Yellow-legged amongst the numerous Caspian. 

The geese will have arrived from their northern 

breeding grounds, travelling in family parties, and 

we shall scan the flocks of White-fronted, Greylag 

and Taiga Bean to look for the rarer Lesser Whitefronted 

Goose, as well as for the small flocks of 

the delightful Red-breasted Goose. If the mixture 

of birds of prey and wildfowl are not enough, then 

the sight and sounds of the enormous numbers 

of Common Cranes will surely be the highlight of 

the tour. We visit at a time when these flocks are 

peaking and one of the best moments of this tour 

will be watching the evening movement of 

perhaps 40,000 birds as they fly overhead on 

their way to their roost. The ancient puszta is still 

guarded by Csikos horsemen, who herd the Grey 

Cattle and Racka sheep. We have the services of 

one of the local wardens who will help us to find 

the Great Bustards that still occur in good numbers 

here. On the puszta we may find flocks of Twite and 

Lapland Buntings depending on weather 

conditions in Northern Europe. The Hortobágy is a 

very exciting place at this time of year, and there is 

always something new to be found on each visit. 

One of the local villages has become a great 

attraction for the visiting birdwatchers in the late 

autumn and early winter as it has a roost of up to 

80 Long-eared Owls. We can watch these 

beautiful birds as they sit in back gardens, 

orchards and willow trees, and gaze back at us, 

at close quarters, with their lovely orange eyes. 

We shall make sure we visit the Debrecen Great 

Forest, where amongst the enormous old oaks 

we can look for Black, Middle Spotted and Great 

Spotted Woodpeckers as well as Short-toed 

Treecreeper and the pale headed race of Longtailed 

Tit. Overhead we often hear the “clip” note 

of Hawfinch, and we may be lucky to see small 

parties feeding on the ground as they look for 

cherry stones. Syrian Woodpeckers are 

expanding their range here and we should find 

them as we take a stroll in one of the local parks. 

Day 7 

After breakfast we transfer from Hajduszoboszló 

to Budapest, where we catch our return flight to 

London. 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Hotel Trofea 


145

R O M A N I A 

Romania 

Danube Delta 

Saturday 06 September – Saturday 13 September 2014 

Principal Leaders: Nigel Jones and local guides 


ROMANIA 

Bucharest 

Danube 

Delta 

T 

he Danube Delta is the second largest in Europe after the Volga. It is a vast wilderness area visited only by fishermen and a few tourists. Our tour 

is based mainly at a new lodge situated near to the Ukrainian border, and in an area that can only be reached by boat. The rooms are large and 

well-appointed, the food good and the staff very friendly. The lodge is set in its own grounds of over 1,000 hectares of pools, reedbeds, sandy tracks, 

tamarisk thickets and riverine woods. It is a wildlife haven and there are numerous photographic hides which can also be used by those keen to take 

a few close-up photographs. We visit at a time when the return migration is in full swing and we should see literally hundreds, if not thousands, of 

pelicans, ducks, herons, egrets and waders. The real beauty of this visit is the solitude of the area, as we shall be the only people staying here for this 

week and will have the whole area to ourselves. At night there is virtually no light pollution so the night sky is beautiful. We can walk the trails, use the 

hides and we shall make various excursions, either by van or by boat. There are also some special mammals here with Wild Cat, Golden Jackal and 

Otter being amongst the best. Throughout the tour we will have the guidance of an ornithologist who lives at the lodge during the peak visiting times. 

It is truly still one of the last wilderness areas in Europe, but with a luxury lodge! 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We take a morning flight from London to 

Bucharest where we arrive after midday. We 

check into our smart new hotel and then take an 

excursion to a local park where, amongst the 

interesting exhibit of old houses taken from all 

over Romania, we can search the woodlands and 

lakeside for resident and migrant species. We 

hope to find both Syrian and Middle Spotted 

Woodpeckers, Common Redstart, Spotted 

Flycatchers and Wood Warblers. Later, we return 

to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. 

Days 2 to 7 

We have an early breakfast and leave through the 

bustle of the Bucharest traffic for Tulcea. En route 

we can stop at an area of steppe where we would 

hope to find Susliks, the small ground squirrels 

that are the prey for Long-legged Buzzard. Here 

we may also find Lesser Grey and Red-backed 

Shrikes, Northern and Isabelline Wheatears and 

European Rollers and European Bee-eaters. We 

arrive into Tulcea and take a high speed water taxi 

on the Danube heading towards our lodge, 

coming close to the Ukrainian border. After about 

90 minutes we arrive at our wharf. It is impossible 

to get here by road, so we are now in an almost 

wilderness area, with thousands of acres of the 

Danube Delta and the Black Sea coast nearby. 

Our new lodge is set amidst old fish ponds, 

abandoned after the fall of Ceausescu, but now a 

wildlife haven. Here the owner, with the help of our 

agents, has fashioned a private reserve, with 

drinking pools and photographic hides. There are 

miles of safe tracks to walk along and watch the 

birds and wildlife from and we will be the only 

group here, so we have over 1,000 hectares of 

pools and reedbeds all to ourselves! 

During our time here we can make a number of 

excursions, but many will be on foot wandering 

along the banks looking at the pools and muddy 

expanses, as there will be much to see. We can 

find both White and Dalmatian Pelicans here, 

Pygmy Cormorants, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy 

Ibis, Great, Little and Cattle Egrets, Grey, Purple 

and Squacco Herons, Little and Great Bitterns, as 

well as Green, Wood and Marsh Sandpipers, Little 

and Temminck’s Stints, Black-tailed Godwit, 

Spotted Redshank and much more besides. 

Western Marsh Harriers are common, at least one 

pair of magnificent White-tailed Eagles is in 

residence and there should be a passage of 

Osprey and perhaps Eurasian Honey Buzzards. 

Dalmatian Pelican 

146 


Penduline Tit 

Wild Cat 

R O M A N I A 


Day 1 Fly to Bucharest 

Days 2-7 Danube Delta 

Day 8 Depart Bucharest 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 


Includes 


services of the leaders, VAT, airport taxes 

and tips. 

Gradings 

Good 

150 

Mainly warm 

Low 

Normal 

White Storks nests are obvious on pylons and 

posts around the pools and we would hope to find 

them, as well as a few Black Storks, feeding 

nearby. There is also the chance of crakes, with 

Spotted, Little and Baillon’s all possible. 

The sandy tracks are good feeding areas for 

Eurasian Hoopoes, and we would hope that we 

will still find good numbers of European Rollers 

and European Bee-eaters about. The reedbeds 

should be alive with noisy family groups of 

Bearded Reedlings and Penduline Tits. There will 

also be migrant warblers and we should look for 

Great Reed, Eurasian Reed, Moustached, 

Paddyfield and Sedge Warblers. The local 

woodlands can hold Black Woodpeckers as well 

as Great, Middle and Lesser Spotted. There may 

also be Eurasian Wrynecks still present as well as 

Icterine and Barred Warblers. 

During our time here we take two boat trips, one 

into the many enormous lakes of the delta itself, to 

try and give you some idea of the vast scale of this 

wilderness area. We should have close 

encounters with White and Dalmatian Pelicans, 

Ferruginous Duck and Red-necked and Blacknecked 

Grebes. There should also still be some 

marsh terns present. Another boat trip takes us 

out of the river mouth and into the Black Sea itself, 

where we may witness some Little Gull migration 

as well as seeing large numbers of Caspian Gulls. 

Inland from the sea are saltings and sand dunes, 

where we may find Pied Avocet, Black-winged 

Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Woodlark and maybe a 

lingering Red-footed Falcon or Eurasian Hobby. 

Let us not forget some of the mammals we may 

find here. During the day it is possible to see 

Otters and at night we can take drives with 

spotlights to look for Wildcat, Muskrat, Badger 

and Golden Jackals. Of course, if there are some 

photographers in the group, they might wish to 

use the photographic hides – these have reflective 

windows and you have the chance to photograph 

the jackals, Bearded Reedling, Pygmy Cormorant 

and many other birds coming to the drinking pool, 

or reedbed hide. Add to this numerous butterflies 

and dragonflies and you have six days that will be 

full of wildlife in a setting away from it all. You will 

not hear any motorways and probably not even 

any planes 

Day 8 

We leave the hotel after an early breakfast and 

retrace our steps back to Bucharest before 

catching our return flight and arriving into London 

in the afternoon. 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

White-tailed Eagle 


147

B U L G A R I A 

Bulgaria at Leisure 

The Black Sea Flyway 

Sunday 07 September – Sunday 14 September 2014 

Principal Leader: Dobromir Domuschiev 


Sofia 

BULGARIA 

Bourgas 

Varna 

Pomorie 

ur early autumn tour to Bulgaria concentrates on the return migration. It exploits the fact that the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria represents a major 

O flyway. We will stay at Pomorie, close to the port city of Burgas, which is widely recognised to be a migration hotspot due to the fact that two 

major southward migration flyways cross each other in the general vicinity. From our base, we will be able to visit key locations within this ‘crossroads’ 

zone and also take in a range of different habitats. Of these, perhaps the most important are the three lakes of differing character – Atanasova, 

Vaya and Mandra – that surround the city of Burgas. They and their adjacent wetlands are host to huge numbers of birds during the autumn migration. 

More than 340 bird species have been recorded in this area. As with all migration watching much depends on weather conditions, but early September 

is widely held to be the prime time for the autumn passage in this part of Europe. Not only should we see a large number of species, but also many 

of those species will be represented by good numbers of birds, from pelicans to pipits, storks to swallows and waders to wagtails. Hopefully, the 

highlight will be vast flocks of White Storks and White Pelicans, which should reach their peak migration at this time of year. We shall also be 

particularly keen to watch the movement of raptors, such as Lesser Spotted Eagle and Levant Sparrowhawk. This will be Ornitholidays’ 15th tour to 

this region in the late summer and it will be run in a relaxed style fitting our ‘at leisure’ and ‘one-stop’ holidays. 

White Pelicans migrating 

ITINERARY 

Day 1 

We take a flight from London and fly directly to 

Bourgas. Here we will be met by our local guide 

and a short drive brings us to Pomorie, our base 

for this one-stop tour. 

Days 2 to 7 

During our stay we will visit a number of different 

sites, some of them probably more than once. 

This will certainly be true of the Pomorie Lake, 

particularly its saltpans and tamarisk scrub that 

are a short walk from the hotel – ideal for those 

who like a spell of pre-breakfast bird watching. 

Duck, wader, gull and tern species will be the 

focus of interest here, as well as looking for 

migrant Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed 

Shrike, Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail. 

Atanasova Lake, on the northern outskirts of 

Burgas, is another area of working saltpans. It 

has also been recognised as a Ramsar site. Huge 

numbers of migrants pass through or over it. The 

lake is renowned as the best place in Bulgaria for 

watching and studying the autumn migration. 

Twelve globally threatened species occur here, 

including Dalmatian Pelican and Ferruginous 

Duck. Apart from the last species, other ducks to 

be seen include Common and Ruddy Shelduck, 

Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon 

and Northern Pintail. Our list of waders here is 

likely to include Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, 

Black-tailed Godwit, Broad-billed, Marsh and 

Curlew Sandpipers, Kentish and Little Ringed 

Plovers as well as Red-necked Phalarope. Here 

we hope to find Caspian and Black Terns, as well 

as Slender-billed, Little and Mediterranean Gulls. 

The reed-fringed dykes of its margins offer 

temporary refuge to a range of migrating birds, 

from Little and Baillon’s Crakes to Bearded 

Reedlings and Eurasian Penduline Tits. 

Lake Vaya is the largest natural lake in Bulgaria. 

It is also a Ramsar site and is a popular staging 

post for thousands of White Pelicans, with 

smaller numbers of Dalmatian Pelicans, as well 

as waders such as Spotted Redshank, Ruff and 

Wood Sandpiper. Here there are thousands of 

Great Cormorant and good numbers of Pygmy 

Cormorant. Herons and egrets, ducks and 

grebes are also well represented. Small flocks of 

Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill are regularly seen here 

at this time of the year. Cetti’s Warbler and Zitting 

148 


B U L G A R I A 

White Stork 


Day 1 Fly to Bourgas and transfer 

to Pomorie 

Days 2-7 Pomorie 

Day 8 Depart Bourgas 

Party Size 



Accommodation 



Transport 

By private coach or minibus. 

Includes 




Montagu’s Harrier 

Cisticola are to be found in the dense reed-beds 

at the western end of the lake. Summer visitor 

breeders, such as Great Reed and European 

Reed Warblers, may still be present. 

Immediately to the south is Lake Mandra, which 

in the 1960s was converted from a brackish 

lagoon into a freshwater reservoir. Despite this 

change, it still contains several areas of high 

conservation value. This lake is perhaps more 

productive in terms of terns (Gull-billed, 

Sandwich, Common and Little) and gulls 

(Caspian and Black-headed). As we complete a 

circuit of its shore, we will spend time on two hills 

that over the years have proved to be excellent 

points from which to watch the migration, not 

only of storks, but particularly raptors. Indeed, 

virtually all of Europe’s raptor species have at 

some time been seen here. There are good 

chances of watching Lesser and Greater 

Spotted, Eastern Imperial and White-tailed 

Eagles, along with four species of harrier (Marsh, 

Hen, Montagu’s and Pallid) as well as Eurasian 

Hobby and Peregrine Falcon. We will also spend 

some time in the areas of woodland and 

scattered shrubs behind Lake Mandra looking 

for woodpeckers and tits, particularly Sombre Tit. 

In the villages, the now empty nests of White 

Stork are still home to large numbers of Spanish 

Sparrows. 

Unfavourable weather can make the hills to the 

north of Pomorie another superb raptor-watching 

area for the likes of Red-footed Falcon, Shorttoed 

and Steppe Eagles, Long-legged and 

Steppe Buzzards, European Honey Buzzard and 

Levant Sparrowhawk. In this steppe-like area, we 

should also see Crested Lark and Woodlarks, 

Tree and Tawny Pipits, Cirl and Corn Buntings 

and most likely some migrants such as 

European Roller, European Bee-eater, shrikes 

and wheatears. 

Lastly, there are three locations which will make a 

welcome break from wetland watching. The area 

around the village of Poroy is good for shrikes 

(Red-backed, Woodchat, Isabelline and even 

Masked) and its woodland holds flycatchers 

(Red-breasted, Collared and Pied), Hawfinch and 

woodpeckers. To the south of Bourgas is the 

Ropotamo Reserve, where the relict riverine 

forest can often attract a wide diversity of migrant 

species. Quite close to this Reserve, at Maslen 

Nos, there is an ancient Thracian ceremonial site. 

The short walk to this site takes us through 

woodland that has a remarkable record for 

woodpeckers, including Lesser Spotted, Middle 

Spotted and Great Spotted, as well as European 

Green, Grey-headed and Black. 

Our hotel at Pomorie is well situated, overlooking 

the sand dunes and the Black Sea. The 

dunes sometimes hold migrant Common 

Redstarts and Eurasian Hoopoes. There will be 

time to do some sea watching, looking out 

particularly for Black-throated Diver and Great 

Crested, Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes. 

Day 8 

We have the morning to spend birdwatching in 

the Pomorie area, with a last chance to check the 

salt pans and bushes for newly arrived migrants, 

before departing to the airport at Bourgas for our 

afternoon flight back to London. 

Gradings 

Good 

150 

Warm to Hot 

Low 

Normal 

Relaxed 

Good 

Easy 

Scheduled 

Pygmy Cormorant 


149

O U R T E A M O F L E A D E R S 

Our Team of Leaders 

MARK AYRE lives on the South Island of New Zealand and has been a 

keen birder for most of his life. He is originally from the UK, where he 

worked as a warden on various bird reserves. Mark is very active in the 

local Royal Forest and Bird Protection Societies and is particularly involved 

in the conservation management of the endangered Mohua (Yellowhead). 

He has led our tour to New Zealand for the past ten years. 

SIMON BOYES was brought up and learnt his birds in the Cotswolds. He 

graduated in Classics (helpful for scientific names of birds!) from Oxford 

University in 1974, and took his Master's Degree in Environmental 

Conservation in Edinburgh. Before leaving college he had already travelled 

round Kenyan and Tanzanian game parks, overland to India and round 

Scandinavia. In 1976 he worked for the RSPB as a summer warden on 

Fetlar and at Minsmere. In 1977 Ornitholidays invited him to co-lead a tour 

to the Seychelles, which turned out to be the first of many international 

tours. Since then he has become one of Ornitholidays' principal leaders 

and has now led over 300 tours to all seven continents. There can be few 

bird tour leaders in the world that rival Simon’s knowledge of world birds. 

He is especially interested in bird-song and taxonomy; and his other 

interests include swimming, snorkelling, wildlife gardening, cricket and 

playing the mandolin. He lives with his family in the Welsh borders. 

COLIN BUSHELL is a principal leader for Ornitholidays and has been a 

birdwatcher for over 30 years. Birding has taken Colin to many different 

parts of the world - throughout Europe and North Africa, Gambia, Thailand, 

India and Nepal: but it is the Neotropics that hold a particular fascination 

for him. Travels over the last 15 years have taken him to Chile, Colombia, 

Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia and many trips to his favourite 

country - Peru. Colin has visited Manu and the north of Peru on many 

occasions. He is an enthusiastic student of bird vocalisation - a very useful 

skill in the tropical Americas where bird diversity is immense. 

KUEN-DAR CHIANG has been the co-leader for our last two tours to 

Taiwan. He has been a licensed tour guide and tour leader since 2006 and 

has led over 30 tours. He has close ties with the Wild Bird Society of Taipei. 

He has a good knowledge of where to find all the island’s endemics and 

he is a master at finding the best restaurants for eating Chinese banquets! 

TREVOR CODLIN is an ecological consultant and is one of the leading 

exponents of digiscoping – using a telescope to take digital photos. During 

the past few years he has led a number of tours within Europe and was a 

very popular leader on our recent spring tours to Spain and Turkey. 

RICHARD COOMBER has been associated with Ornitholidays for over 40 

years as in 1968, as a young bank clerk on the Isles of Scilly, he showed 

Lawrence Holloway and one of our early groups to the islands an Upland 

Sandpiper that he had discovered on St. Mary’s. By 1974 he had given up 

banking to run a guesthouse on the Isle of Mull, where in 1976 he hosted 

our first tour to the island. On moving back to the south in the 1980s he 

joined the Ornitholidays team and has now led over 250 tours covering all 

seven continents, visiting over 50 countries watching birds and wildlife. He 

is a past winner of the Dusk to Dawn section of the BBC Wildlife 

Photographer of the Year competition and willingly shares his knowledge 

of digital photography with clients on tour. In addition to birds and 

photography he is interested in other aspects of wildlife, especially flora, 

butterflies and moths. When not on tour he gives illustrated talks to RSPB 

and other groups. He now lives near the New Forest in Hampshire where 

he is an active member of the Hampshire Moth Group. 

DOBROMIR DOMUSCHIEV is Bulgarian and his interest in birds and 

wildlife began when he was a child. His love of birds and nature is the 

reason for his involvement in their conservation and he is working on a 

number of environmental projects. His true wish is to make the Bulgarian 

people believe that sustainable tourism is a real alternative to poverty and 

quick intensive depletion of natural resources in the beautiful countryside 

of his home country. Beside his native Bulgarian, Dobromir also speaks 

English and Russian. He loves leading birdwatching tours, as this not only 

gives him the opportunity to spend more time with nature, but also to meet 

people and share his passion. 

TREVOR ELLERY is originally from the UK and he spent four years guiding 

and conducting bird surveys across Israel before gaining his first taste of 

Neotropical birding when he first visited Ecuador. Based out of the famous 

Tandayapa valley he spent 18 months birding and guiding throughout the 

country. In 2008 he moved to Colombia where he has combined guiding 

with investigation and exploration work for the conservation NGO ProAves. 

He has made return visits to Ecuador and more recently has made several 

extensive birding trips to Peru. He has co-led several of our recent 

Colombia tours. He is a keen sound-recordist and occasional 

photographer. 

Rufous-tailed Jacamar, REGUA, Brazil 

150 


Brazilian Duck, REGUA, Brazil 

JACOB GARVELINK has been a birder since he was eight years old. Even 

though his parents weren’t avid birders, they did encourage his curiosity 

for nature and took him around the Netherlands looking at nature on a 

regular basis. From his hometown Bloemendaal he explored the superb 

dune habitats at the Kennemerduinen. The Ijmuiden pier was another one 

of his favourite spots to go birdwatching. After his high school years, he 

spent a full year travelling, exploring Australia and New Zealand. It was 

during this trip that a new passion for travelling emerged. During his 

studies (Art History) in Amsterdam he travelled to Southeast Asia, China, 

Morocco, Egypt, Sri Lanka and the USA. After his studies he visited 

Ethiopia, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia several times. The 

magnificent continent of Africa has even further broadened his passion for 

birds. Jacob likes to photograph birds, a new challenge he likes to commit 

himself to! 

ORLANDO HARASEB is a lead guide and guide trainer with Ultimate 

Safaris. Before starting as a safari guide he was the Captain of the 

Namibian National Football Team and is thus a well-known personality with 

lots of friends throughout the country. He then went to work at Hobatere 

Lodge for several years with Steve Braine who is one of the most 

knowledgeable best respected birding guides in Namibia, and it was here 

that Orlando built up the knowledge that allowed him to become a birding 

guide in his own right. Orlando moved to Ultimate Safaris when he left 

Hobatere in 2005 and has increased his experience as a national guide 

over that time while also obtaining the qualifications necessary to become 

a national guide trainer. He now divides his time between leading specialist 

safaris and offering guide training through the prestigious Namibian 

Academy of Tourism and Hospitality (NATH), of which he is Board vice 

Chairman. 

CRISTIAN JENSEN grew up in Barcelona and having a Danish father and 

a Catalan mother, he is fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English as well as 

having basic French and Danish. He has been a keen birdwatcher from the 

age of 12 and is a ringer and is also involved with educational projects for 

schools. He has been a tour guide for many years as well as working on 

the re-introduction of Peregrine Falcons in Barcelona and for the Mauritian 

Wildlife Foundation. 

ANDY JONES is now resident in Iceland but was previously a warden on 

Skomer Island, a ranger with the Pembrokeshire National Park, the RSPB’s 

senior investigator officer and a Wildlife Trust director. A trained geologist 

he guides wildlife holidays all over the world. He regularly writes, lectures 

and broadcasts on wildlife and conservation topics and has proved to be 

a very popular leader on our Iceland holidays. 

NIGEL JONES is the Managing Director of Ornitholidays. His interest in 

birds and natural history led to a degree in Biological Sciences at the 

University of East Anglia, then to employment as Assistant Warden on Fair 

Isle in the Shetlands and as an ornithologist working in the Camargue, 

France. Subsequent posts in teaching and research have finally 

culminated in his position running Ornitholidays since 1990. He has 

travelled extensively to all seven continents in search of birds. His interest 

in other aspects of natural history has been reflected in his establishing 

Quest for Nature, an internet based operation which offers general tours for 

wildlife. 

DAVID KUHN lives on Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. He has been leading 

wildlife tours for over 30 years, with an interest in birds stemming from his 

youth in rural California. He began his leading career in his beloved Sierra 

Nevada, he has since led trips to other parts of North America as well as 

Guatemala, Costa Rica and Fiji, and has travelled widely in the Neotropics. 

Drawn to Hawaii’s endemic avifauna, he moved to Kokee on Kauai in 1989 

and has since been guiding visiting birders throughout the Hawaiian 

archipelago. David is an avid sound recordist with a special focus on 

vocalizations of the forest endemics and the mountain-nesting seabirds. 

His Hawaiian birding tours are influenced by his active interest in 

conservation and environmental education and he co-led our 2010 and 

2013 tours to Hawaii. 

HARRIET KEMIGISHA is a Ugandan who grew up close to Kibale National 

Park and was raised by her grandparents. Her love of birds began at a 

young age as her grandfather taught her to identify and name 

the local forest birds. After school she worked with the Uganda Wildlife 

Authority as a guide based in Kibale National Park. She is undoubtedly one 

of the best bird guides in the country and is Uganda’s only female bird 

guide. She discovered a new species for Uganda, Orange Cheeked 

Waxbill and re-discovered the Green-Breasted Pitta in Kibale Forest 

National Park in 2005. She co-led our previous two tours to Uganda. 

ARI LATJA started watching birds at a young age and especially enjoyed 

migration-watching and for several years made two-week stays to the 

southern headland of Porkkala to see the 'arktika' - the mass migration of 

Arctic waders and waterfowl through the Baltic. In 1978 he moved to 

Joensuu to study geography and biology and has stayed in Northern 

Karelia ever since. For 15 years he concentrated on ringing, mostly at the 

bird observatory at Höytiäinen canal and was the chairman of the Northern 

Karelia Birdwatching Society for a number of years, and is still a member 

of the board. He started tour guiding in 1997, when he attended Finnature's 

eight month International Bird Guide course. In addition to tour leading, he 

also acts as a consultant in other areas requiring ornithological expertise 

including bird inventories for local environmental officials, and lecturing in 

zoology at the University of Joensuu. 

FRANK McCLINTOCK was born in Africa and educated in England. He 

emigrated to Portugal over 20 years ago and bought some scrubland and 

a few ruins overlooking a vast, man-made lake. He has turned this property 

into ‘Paradise in Portugal’, a guest lodge, which, in addition to a view to die 

for, offers excellent eco-friendly accommodation. He has always had a 

passion for nature and has been a professional bird guide for over 10 

years. 

ROBERT NTAKOR was born and raised on a farm surrounded by 

rainforest near Kakum National Park in Ghana. He has spent almost all his 

life exploring the forest and has a passion for Ghana's wildlife and in 

particular its birds. Robert, and many of his brothers, are now the chief bird 

guides in Ghana. He has a great knowledge of his country and this, 

coupled with his amazing ability to identify every song and call of all the 

birds of Ghana, makes him a great guide to have in his native country. 

Robert has led all of the previous Ornitholidays’ tours to Ghana. 

GABOR ORBAN became interested in birding whilst a young boy and later 

widened his interests to botany, geology and zoology. During the 80's and 

90's he led several tours firstly in Hungary, then in other Eastern European 

countries and Western Europe as well. He lived and worked for years in the 

US criss-crossing the continent several times. He became a licensed 

professional birdwatching and nature guide, and since 2006 he has spent 

six months every year in Latin America and six months in Eastern Europe. 

He leads birding, nature, cultural, butterfly and photographic tours 

worldwide. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge of nature and 

the culture of different countries and his hobbies include nature and wildlife 

photography, birding and travelling to hidden places. 

BERT PALTHE is a long-standing registered guide and has many years of 

experience, both in tourism and wildlife conservation. After qualifying as a 

specialist in Nature Conservation, he went on to manage exclusive game 

reserves in the previous Eastern and Northern Transvaal. He is now a full 

time tour leader based in Cape Town. Bert has a passionate interest in 

wildlife, birds and nature conservation, and genuinely enjoys sharing his 

wealth of knowledge with others. He has led our Natural History tours to 

the Cape region for the past few years and he has proved very popular with 

our groups. 

MITKO PETRAKIEV is a Bulgarian who has a passion for the outdoor life. 

He has led many walking and bird tours, and his knowledge of the 

geography, geology, and natural history adds immensely to each holiday 

where he is the guide. He has co-led our previous Jordan and Turkey tours. 



151


Blue-winged Macaws, REGUA, Brazil 

PAUL ROGERS has had a life-long interest in natural history, which is 

underlined by his qualifications in Ecology and Animal Behaviour gained at 

London University. He is a principal leader for Ornitholidays and has led 

over 230 tours. He now has the privilege of living at Shorelands on 

Anglesey, the former home of wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe. He is widely 

travelled in Europe, North America and Africa and lectures on ornithology, 

ecology and all aspects of natural history. 

NICOLA SCATASSI has been interested in birds, and nature in general, 

since he was young. He is an excellent birdwatcher, as well as a very good 

all-round naturalist. His ornithological interest is perfectly combined with 

his great passion for travelling through the Italian Peninsula and to all 

continents. Since 2000 he has worked as ranger for the Po River Natural 

Park in Piedmont and for many years he has been guiding nature and bird 

watching tours. He speaks fluent English and he has co-led our Italy - Birds 

& Wine tours for the past few years. 

GÁBOR SIMAY has been interested in birds and nature conservation since 

his first years in primary school. During his studies at the University of 

Debrecen he deepened his knowledge on birds, carried out research on 

ground-nesting birds of the Hortobágy National Park, spending most of his 

time in the field. His favourite area is the Bihar Plain and the Hortobágy. In 

2008 he started to work for the Hortobágy National Park as a full time 

warden in the Bihar Plain area. He is also a member of the Hungarian 

Rarity Committee. He frequently visits other parts of Hungary as well as 

many sites of the Carpathian Basin to study birds. As a keen birdwatcher 

and photographer, he has visited several different Western Palearctic 

countries (e.g. Turkey, Spain, Egypt, Jordan), as well as Namibia, Mexico, 

Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and India. He speaks perfect 

English and some German. 

MANO THARMALINGHAM is a naturalist who was amongst the first 

Malaysians to venture into nature tourism and has actively pursued a 

career in this field. Mano has travelled extensively within Peninsula 

Malaysia and Sabah, Borneo and the surrounding regions in search of 

birds and is particularly interested in their vocalisations. He is a life 

member of the Malaysian Nature Society and is actively involved with the 

society's bird study group, participating in several field trips. He is a 

director of Kingfisher Tours has been leading bird watching and natural 

history tours throughout the country since 1977. 

UTHAI TREESUCON is undoubtedly the most experienced Thai 

birdwatcher. He has a biological background and his knowledge of bird 

song has helped our previous groups see many elusive species. He has 

led hundreds of birdwatching tours in his native Thailand in addition to the 

many tours he has led to Vietnam. 

DAVID WALSH lives in Suffolk and has been a keen birdwatcher for most of 

his life. Over the last few years he has led many tours to Europe, Africa and 

North America. His other interests include butterflies and dragonflies. David 

has proved very popular with Ornitholidays' clients on the tours he recently 

led to Morocco, Corsica, Camargue and the Canary Islands. He has travelled 

widely in Asia and South America and the countries he has visited include 

China, Tibet, Vietnam, Thailand Indonesia, Peru and Venezuela. 

DEEPAL WARAKAGODA is one of Sri Lanka’s top birdwatching tour 

guides and the author of the new Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka. He 

will be happy to show us virtually all of the country’s endemic birds on our 

tour. He has been the leader on our last seven holidays to Sri Lanka. 

STEVE WEST first started birding on his walks to and from school when he 

was a seven year old schoolboy in Hampshire, England. He had his first 

taste of foreign birding in Spain in 1983 with the UEA bird club while 

studying for his degree in Ecology at the University of East Anglia. Further 

foreign trips led him around different parts of Europe before he settled in 

Spain in 1988. Steve has combined teaching, translating and conducting 

bird surveys with leading bird tours around Spain since 1996. Fluent in both 

Spanish and Catalan, he is also the author of two books, Where the birds 

are in northeast Spain and Flying over the Pyrenees, standing on the plains. 

MIKE WITHERICK is one of Ornitholidays' principal leaders, having taken 

early retirement from the University of Southampton, where he lectured on 

geography. Although particularly interested in the avifauna of the Western 

Palearctic, his record of leading over 200 tours has taken him to all seven 

continents. He served for 10 years on the Council of the RSPB and also 

completed a two-year term on the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory 

Council. When not leading tours for Ornitholidays, he writes college textbooks. 

152 


Photo Credits 

Many thanks are due to the people who provided photographs for this brochure. 

All photos by courtesy of Nigel Jones with the exception of the following: 

Page Photograph Photographer Page Photograph Photographer Page Photograph Photographer 

FC Red-throated Bee-eater R Coomber 

IFC Giant Kingfisher G Orban 

2 Petra, Jordan R Coomber 

3 REGUA, Brazil S Healey 

3 Ambua Lodge, Papua New Guinea Trans New Guinea Tours 

7 Local guides and canoe, Ecuador C Bushell 

7 Matchani Gran, Menorca E P Rogers 

7 Hotel Trofea, Hungary E P Rogers 

8 Regua 1987 Regua 



9 REGUA tree project E P Rogers 

10/11 Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA R Coomber 

12 Zion Canyon R Coomber 

13 Arches National park R Coomber 

13 California Condor R Coomber 

13 Sage Sparrow R Coomber 

14 Bison and Old Faithful R Coomber 

15 Black Bear cub G Ogg 

15 Trumpeter Swan R Coomber 

15 Sora Rail R Coomber 

16 South Woodbury Church, Vermont R Coomber 

17 Wild Turkey R Coomber 

17 Ruffed Grouse R Coomber 

17 American Robin R Coomber 

18 Anhinga R Coomber 

19 Florida Scrub Jay R Coomber 

19 Barred Owl R Coomber 

19 Roseate Spoonbills R Coomber 

20 Nene D Kuhn 

21 Waipoo D Kuhn 

21 Apapane D Kuhn 

21 Kauai Amakihi D Kuhn 

22 Russet-crowned Motmot C Bushell 

23 Green Jay C Bushell 

23 Heermann's Gull C Bushell 

24 Keel-billed Toucan C Bushell 

25 Sunbittern R Coomber 

25 Coati R Coomber 

26 Cuban Tody C Bushell 

27 Caribbean Flamingo R Coomber 

27 Bare-legged Owl R Large 

27 Cuban Parrots R Large 

28 Trinidad Motmot R Coomber 

29 Scarlet Ibis J Taylor 

29 Tufted Coquette R Coomber 

29 Bearded Bellbird R Coomber 

32 Sunbittern Wilderness Explorers 

33 Black Curassow B Farrow 

33 Giant Otter Wilderness Explorers 

33 Yellow-billed Caicique B Farrow 

34 Santa Marta Parakeet ProAves 

35 Santa Marta Screech-Owl ProAves 

35 Blossomcrown ProAves 

35 Bogota Rail ProAves 

36 Blue-winged Macaw C Bushell 

37 Surucua Trogon C Bushell 

37 REGUA C Bushell 

37 Three-toed Jacamar C Bushell 

38 Nanday Parakeet C Bushell 

39 Jaguar C Bushell 

39 White-eared Puffbird C Bushell 

39 Amazon Kingfisher C Bushell 

40 White-tailed Jay J Ilianes 

41 Jocotoco Antpitta J Ilianes 

41 Violet-throated Metaltail T Ellery 

41 Hummingbirds at feeder T Ellery 

42/43 Waterhole at Etosha, Namibia R Coomber 

45 Cape Sugarbird R Coomber 

45 Kirstenbosch Nat Bot Gdns P Lawson 

45 Verreaux’s Eagle L Marais 

46 Martial Eagle L Marais 

47 Crested Guineafowl L Marais 

47 Southern Ground Hornbill L Marais 

47 Bateleur L Marais 

48 Bronze Sunbird B Farrow 

50 Yellow-headed Picathartes R Coomber 

51 Black Bee-eater A Hayden 

51 Oriole Warbler I Fulton 

51 Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill A Hayden 

52 Wattled Crane R Coomber 

53 Spot-breasted Plover R Coomber 

53 Simien Wolf R Coomber 

53 Black-winged Lovebird R Coomber 

54 Mountain Gorilla R Coomber 

55 Shoebill R Coomber 

55 Grey-crowned Crane R Coomber 

55 African Finfoot R Coomber 

56 Dunes at Sossusvlei, Namibia N McCall 

57 Rockrunner R Coomber 

57 African Elephants R Coomber 

58 Northern Red Bishop H Gorringe 

59 Egyptian Plovers R Coomber 

59 Violet Turaco H Gorringe 

59 Malachite Kingfisher R Coomber 

63 Moussier's Redstart G Clark 

63 Barbary Partridge R Coomber 

63 White-crowned Wheatear D Walsh 

64 Black-crowned Tchagra R Coomber 

65 Cream-coloured Courser R Coomber 

65 Northern Bald Ibis D Walsh 

65 Tristram's Warbler R Coomber 

68 Greater Hoopoe Lark M Lane 

69 Petra R Coomber 

69 Sand Partridge M Lane 

69 Blackstart M Lane 

70 Grey Hypocolius M Pope 

71 Socotra Cormorants M Pope 

71 Crab Plovers M Pope 

71 Macqueen’s Bustard M Pope 

72 Rufous Treepie R Coomber 

73 Pheasant-tailed Jacana R Coomber 

73 Brown Hawk-Owl R Coomber 

73 Common Langur R Coomber 

74 Sri Lanka Frogmouths G de Silva Wijeyeratne 

75 Sri Lanka Junglefowl G de Silva Wijeyeratne 

75 Asian Elephant R Coomber 

75 Green Garden Lizard R Coomber 

76 Demoiselle Cranes D Domuschiev 

77 Pallas’s Sandgrouse D Domuschiev 

77 Edge of Gobi Desert D Domuschiev 

77 Ger camp D Domuschiev 

78 Mikado Pheasant H Gorringe 

79 Swinhoe's Pheasant H Gorringe 

79 Maroon Oriole H Gorringe 

79 Malayan Night Heron H Gorringe 

80 Paro Dzong R Coomber 

81 Black-necked Cranes J Kingsland 

81 Rhododendron R Coomber 

81 Ibisbill R Coomber 

82 Indian Rhinoceros R Coomber 

83 Brown Fish Owl B & L Miller 

83 Elephant ride R Coomber 

83 Tiger R Coomber 

84 Grey Peacock-Pheasant World Pheasant Ass'n 

85 Grey-chinned Minivet Chung-Han W 

85 Vietnamese Cutia U Treesucon 

85 Siamese Fireback World Pheasant Ass'n 

87 Crested Serpent-Eagle R Coomber 

87 Borneo Rainforest Lodge Borneo Rainforest Lodge 

88 Raggiana Bird of Paradise M Dozier 

89 Huli Wigman Trans New Guinea Tours 

89 Room at Ambua Lodge Trans New Guinea Tours 

89 Victoria Crowned Pigeon C Roessler 

90 Blue Duck R Coomber 

91 Kaka R Coomber 

91 New Zealand Pigeon R Coomber 

91 Wrybill R Coomber 

92/93 Boating on the Danube Delta, Romania Skua Nature Group 

94 Glossy Ibis C Bushell 

95 Krüper's Nuthatch I Stewart 

95 Rüppell's Warbler I Stewart 

95 Spanish Sparrow I Stewart 

96 Our hotel on Kos E P Rogers 

98 Iberian Lynx C Jensen 

101 Canary Island Stonechat D Walsh 

101 Houbara Bustard D Walsh 

102 Purple Swamphen R Coomber 

103 Azure-winged Magpie R Coomber 

103 Great Bustard G Kovacs 

105 Egyptian Vultures R Coomber 

105 Sawfly Orchid T Codlin 

105 Matchani Gran E P Rogers 

106 The Roques de Benet,Els Ports Massif S West 

107 Two-tailed Pasha E P Rogers 

107 Blue-spot Hairstreak S West 

108 Lammergeier Y Adams 

109 Bonelli’s Eagle J Bas 

109 Little Bustard J Bas 

109 Raptor hide S West 

109 Hide on steppe Y Adams 

110 Pyrenean scene S West 

111 Lesser Kestrel R Coomber 

113 Eurasian Griffon Vulture T Codlin 

114 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse M Mendi 

115 Common Cranes E P Rogers 

116 View from Quinta do Barranco F McClintock 

117 Salon view, Quinta do Barranco F McClintock 

119 Great Bustards G Kovacs 

121 Bonelli’s Eagle M Mendi 

121 Lesser Kestrel M Mendi 

121 Stone Curlew M Mendi 

122 Pygmy Cormorant Skua Nature Group 

123 Bearded Reedling Skua Nature Group 

123 Montagu’s Harrier J Puzo 

123 Boat cruise Skua Nature Group 

124 View above Valnotey P Reynolds 

125 Lesser Grey Shrike M Mendi 

125 Moltoni's Warbler D Walsh 

125 European Roller M Mendi 

126 Wallcreeper G Catley 

128 Greater Flamingos N McCall 

129 European Bee-eater R Coomber 

130 White-fronted and Barnacle Geese M Guyt 

131 Red-breasted and Brent Geese M Guyt 

131 Winter sunset over the polders M Guyt 

131 White-tailed Eagle M Guyt 

131 Northern Goshawk M Guyt 

132 Aurora Borealis A Jones 

133 Rock Ptarmigan A Jones 

133 Frozen waterfall A Jones 

133 Harlequin Ducks A Jones 

134 Harlequin Ducks T Codlin 

135 Geyser T Codlin 

135 Gulfloss T Codlin 

136 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters D Domuschiev 

137 Iraq Babbler M Petrakiev 

137 White-winged Snowfinch D Domuschiev 

137 See-see Partridge M Petrakiev 

138 Azure Tit G Orban 

139 Bison G Orban 

139 Great Grey Owl B Alonso & L Arce 

140 Great Grey Owl and young J Peltomaki 

141 Black Woodpecker J Peltomaki 

141 Hawk Owl J Peltomaki 

143 Aquatic Warbler G Kovacs 

144 Common Cranes at sunset R Large 

145 Long-eared Owl R Large 

145 Red-breasted and White-fronted Geese G Kovacs 

147 Penduline Tit I Maiorano 

147 Wild Cat P Serrano 

147 White-tailed Eagle P Fumagalli 

149 White Stork E P Rogers 

Green-headed Tanager, REGUA, Brazil 

P H O T O C R E D I T S 


153

C A L E N D A R 

Calendar 2014 

JANUARY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

FEBRUARY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 

MARCH 

M T W T F S S 

31 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

APRIL 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 

MAY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

JUNE 

M T W T F S S 

30 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

JULY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

AUGUST 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

SEPTEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 

OCTOBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

NOVEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

DECEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

Calendar 2015 

JANUARY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

FEBRUARY 

M T W T F S S 

1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 

MARCH 

M T W T F S S 

30 31 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

APRIL 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 

MAY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

JUNE 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 

JULY 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

AUGUST 

M T W T F S S 

31 1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

SEPTEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 

OCTOBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

NOVEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

30 1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

DECEMBER 

M T W T F S S 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

154 


Conditions of Booking 

When you book a holiday with ORNITHOLIDAYS, (including QUEST FOR NATURE 

and CRUISES FOR NATURE) you will be looked after by one of the most 

experienced travel organisations, which operates in the field of birdwatching and 

natural history holidays. Our staff try to provide you with a happy and memorable 

holiday and care about keeping it trouble-free. Given below are details concerning 

various aspects of your holiday, explaining the commitments you make to us and 

our obligations to you. 

The conditions below form the contract between you, the customer and ourselves, 

Wessex Travel and Ornitholidays Ltd. The contract is deemed to have been made 

at our registered offices in Chichester and is governed by English law. We both 

agree that any dispute, claim or other matter which arises out of or in connection 

with this contract or your holiday will be dealt with under by arbitration or by the 

English Courts only. No variations to these conditions are permitted unless they 

have been acknowledged by the company in writing. 

Your Commitments to Ornitholidays 

1. BOOKING PROCEDURE 

A Booking Form for ORNITHOLIDAYS tours can be found with this brochure. 

Please complete this in block capitals and return it to our office together with the 

payments referred to in clause 2 below. The Booking Form must be signed by the 

first named person on the booking (“the party leader”). The party leader must be 

at least 18 and must be authorised to make the booking on the basis of these 

Booking Conditions by all persons named on the booking. By sending the 

Booking Form, the party leader confirms that he/she is so authorised and that all 

party members agree to be bound by these booking conditions. The party leader 

is responsible for making all payments due to us. 

On receipt of your Booking Form and all appropriate payments, we will, subject to 

availability, confirm your holiday by issuing our confirmation invoice. At this point 

a binding contract comes into existence between us. This invoice will be sent to 

the party leader. Please check this invoice carefully as soon as you receive it. 

Contact us immediately if any information, which appears on the confirmation 

invoice or any other document appears to be incorrect or incomplete as it may not 

be possible to make changes later. We regret we cannot accept any liability if we 

are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document within 10 days of our sending 

it out; 5 days for tickets. 

2. PAYMENT 

In order to confirm your chosen holiday, a deposit of £600.00 per person for Far- 

Afield Bookings, £300.00 per person for Europe Bookings or 25% per person of 

the total holiday cost for Cruise Bookings (or full payment if booking within 14 

weeks of departure, 16 weeks for cruises) must be paid at the time of booking. 

Occasionally, when an airline requires full payment in order to confirm flight 

bookings, we may require an interim deposit in addition to the tour deposit in 

order to secure your flight. We will let you know immediately should this become 

necessary. 

The balance of the holiday cost is due as follows: 

Far-Afield & Europe 14 weeks before departure 

Cruises 

16 weeks before departure 

The balance due date will be shown on the confirmation invoice. Reminders are 

not sent. If, for any reason, we do not receive all payments due (including any 

surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we reserve the right to treat your 

booking as cancelled by you. In this case the cancellation charges set out in 

clause 3 below will be payable. 

If you fail to arrive at the time and place scheduled for departure, then (unless your 

booking has been validly cancelled by us under this clause or by you under 

clause 3 below) any unpaid balance of the total price including any adjustments 

under clause 9 will be payable in full. 

We have facilities for accepting payment by Visa or MasterCard, but there is a 2% 

handling charge to cover the card company’s charges, if you wish to pay by this 

method. 

3. IF YOU CANCEL YOUR HOLIDAY 

A cancellation can only be accepted in WRITING from the party leader. Such 

cancellations are not effective until received at this office. In the event of a 

cancellation by any or all persons named on the Booking Form we will levy the 

cancellation charges set out below. These charges are based on the estimated 

expenses and losses suffered by us as a result of your cancellation. 

The scale for Far-Afield and Europe is as follows: 

Period before departure 

Cancellation Charge 

within which WRITTEN 

as a % of the total price for the 

cancellation is received: 

person(s) cancelling 

Up to 98 days before departure 

Deposit only 

(includes interim deposit if one was paid) 

98 days – 1 day before departure 100% 

Departure day or after 100% 

The scale for Cruises is as follows: 

Period before departure 

within which WRITTEN 

cancellation is received: 

Cancellation Charge 

as a % of the total price for the 

person(s) cancelling 

Up to 112 days before departure 

Deposit only 

(includes interim deposit if one was paid) 

112 days – 1 day before departure 100% 

Departure day or after 100% 

Please note that if the reason for the cancellation falls within the terms of your 

holiday insurance policy, any such cancellation charges will normally be refunded 

to you by the insurance company, less any excess. 

Where you or any member of your party is prevented from travelling (e.g. as a 

result of personal illness or injury, the serious illness or injury of a close family 

relative, jury service or unavoidable work commitments) that person may transfer 

their place on the booking to someone else subject to the following conditions. 

We must be notified of the need to transfer for the above reason not less than 28 

days before departure. Transfer will not be possible where there is a waiting list of 

other clients who wish to go on the holiday in question. Documentary proof of the 

reason for the transfer must be produced with the request (e.g. a letter from a 

doctor). All costs incurred or imposed by ourselves or our suppliers in making the 

transfer must be met in full before the transfer can be effected. For flight inclusive 

bookings, you must pay the charges levied by the airline concerned. As most 

airlines do not permit name changes after tickets have been issued for any reason, 

these charges are likely to be the full cost of the flight. 

4. OTHER CONDITIONS 

Except as is otherwise provided in these conditions, your booking is subject to the 

conditions of the airlines, hotels, coach operators and other sub-contractors 

involved in providing your holiday, some of which may limit or exclude their liability 

to you usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions (see 

clause 11(4) below). These conditions can be viewed at our offices on request. 

5. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS 

Below are listed the advised health precautions to take for each destination we 

travel to. Also, the visa requirements for British Citizens. Information on health is 

contained in the Department of Health leaflet (Health Advice for Travellers) 

available from your local Department of Health Office and most post offices. For 

European holidays you should obtain an EHIC card prior to departure. Please 

note EHIC cards have expiry dates. Advice should always be sought from your 

own GP and/or Health Centre. The websites at www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk and 

www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm also provide health advice for travellers. 

British citizens require a full ten year British passport (expiring not less than six 

months after the end of the holiday). Non-British citizens and British citizens 

holding non-British passports should obtain the necessary passport and visa 

requirements from the Embassy or Consulate of the country or countries to be 

visited or travelled through in good time before departure. A ten year British 

passport usually takes one month to obtain. 

Health and Visa Checklist 

This alphabetical list shows for each country: 

r = Immunisation or tablets recommended for protection against disease, but 

note that for Yellow Fever, pregnant women and infants under nine months 

should not normally be vaccinated and therefore should avoid being 

exposed to infection. 

E = Immunisation is an essential requirement for entry to the country concerned 

and you will require a certificate. 

E1 = Immunisation essential except for infants under one year (but note the 

advice above). 

E2 = Immunisation essential (except for infants under one year) unless arriving 

from non-infected areas and staying for less than two weeks. The UK is a 

non-infected area, but if travelling via equatorial Africa or South America, 

seek medical advice. 

E3 = Immunisation essential if the traveller arrives from an infected country or 

area (this will not apply if your journey is direct from the UK). The lower age 

limit varies. 

E4 = Immunisation essential if the traveller arriving within 6 days of visiting an 

infected country. This will not apply if your journey is direct from the UK. 

D = Check immunised against diphtheria. 

M = Meningitis, depending on area visited and time of year. 

a) = Depends on area visited. 

C O N D I T I O N S O F B O O K I N G 


155


VISA REQUIREMENT – applicable to British Citizens holding British Passports 

COUNTRY 

HEP. A 

POLIO YELLOW VISA 

TYPHOID MALARIA FEVER OTHER REQS 

BELARUS r YES 

BHUTAN r r a) E3 M YES 

BORNEO r r E3 

BRAZIL r r a) E3 r a) 

BULGARIA 

CANARY ISLANDS 

CHILE 

r 

E3 

COLOMBIA r r E3 

COSTA RICA r r a) E3 M YES 

CUBA r Tourist card 

ECUADOR r r E3 

EGYPT r a) E3 YES 

ETHIOPIA r r a) E3 M YES 

FINLAND 

FRANCE 

GHANA r r E r M YES 

GREECE 

GUYANA r r E3 r 

HUNGARY 

ICELAND 

r 

INDIA r r E4 M YES 

ITALY 

JORDAN r E3 

KUWAIT r YES (on entry) 

MEXICO r r a) 

MONGOLIA r YES 

MOROCCO 

r 

NAMIBIA r r a) E3 M 

NEPAL r r a) E3 YES 

NETHERLANDS 

NEW ZEALAND 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA r r E3 YES 

PORTUGAL 

SOUTH AFRICA r r a) E3 

SPAIN 

SRI LANKA r r E3 

ST LUCIA r E3 

TAIWAN 

r 

r 

TANZANIA r r E3 r M YES 

THE GAMBIA r r E3 r M 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO r E3 r a) 

TURKEY r r a) YES (on entry) 

UGANDA r r E3 r M YES 

USA 

YES 

Visa Waver Scheme see below 

VIETNAM r r E3 YES 

A Visa Waver Scheme exists for the United States of America but there are many 

exceptions. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they comply with the USA’s 

entry requirements. In January 2009 the US Department of Homeland Security 

introduced the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) which applies to 

nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries. Travellers are required to register 

online, at least three days prior to travel and pay a fee of €14 (correct at the time 

of printing). If your flight touches down in the USA you are not allowed to remain 

in transit and visa requirements will apply. 

For all tours you must have a valid a passport with six months unexpired after your 

return date. Some countries also require you to have a passport with at least one 

blank page. Full details of how to obtain visas will be sent out with the Party 

Instructions after a booking has been made. It is the client’s responsibility to make 

sure that they have a valid passport and the necessary visa(s) for their holiday. 

6. COMPLAINTS 

In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any 

problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform a 

representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification 

must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as 

possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to resolve 

it. If your problem is not resolved to your satisfaction on the spot, you must write 

to us as soon as possible, preferably within 28 days of the date of your scheduled 

return from holiday. In any event, we cannot accept liability for any claims, which 

are not notified to ourselves within 3 months of your return to the UK. 

Our Commitment to You 

7. YOUR RESERVATION 

On receipt of your signed Booking Form and deposit we shall reserve your 

holiday. Your booking is taken to be confirmed and accepted in respect of all 

persons travelling when we despatch our confirmation account to the party leader. 

If you are travelling alone and have requested to share with another party member 

of the same sex, your booking is only accepted on the understanding that should 

no room-mate be available you will accept single room accommodation and pay 

the appropriate single room supplement (this only applies to land-based tours not 

cruises). The maximum group size for any group can be increased by one if the 

last booking taken is for a couple. 

The holiday costs include all travel, accommodation and services as per the 

itinerary, and the services of a leader. The inclusive terms do include Airport Taxes 

(for flights included in the itinerary) and duties. Not included in our inclusive terms 

are insurance premiums, visa fees, vaccination charges, excess baggage 

charges, telephone calls, laundry services, additional snacks, drinks and anything 

else of a purely personal nature. All meals are included from arrival in the initial 

destination and up to departure from the final destination. Meals are normally 

include on all long haul flights but some airlines, mainly on short-haul flights and 

within the United States of America, exclude the cost of drinks and meals from 

their ticket price. The cost of these is not included in the price of the tour. We will 

send you details of in-flight meals/snacks in the party instructions. 

8. PRICE FLUCTUATIONS 

The prices in this Programme are calculated as at 28 June 2013, using the 

following exchange rates (as quoted in the Financial Times Guide to World 

Currencies on that date): 

Brazilian Real 3.37 New Zealand Dollar 1.96 

Euro 1.16 South African Rand 15.20 

Indian Rupee 90.40 Taiwan New Dollar 45.70 

Malaysian Ringgit 4.80 US Dollar 1.52 

The price of your holiday is subject to surcharges on the following items: dues, 

taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or 

disembarkation fees at ports and airports, currency fluctuations, transportation 

costs, e.g. fuel, scheduled air fares and any other airline surcharges which are part 

of the contract between airline (and their agents) and the tour operator/organiser, 

and increases in transfer and other transport costs at the holiday destination. Even 

in the above cases, we will absorb increased costs up to a total amount equivalent 

to 2% of the cost of your confirmed holiday (excluding any amendment charges). 

Only if the increased costs exceed this 2% will we levy a surcharge but where a 

surcharge is payable, there will be an administrative charge of 50p per person 

together with an amount to cover agents commission. If this means paying more 

than 10% on the holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel your holiday with a full 

refund of all money paid except for any premium paid to us for amendment 

charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your 

right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on the surcharge invoice. 

Such increases will only be made where they are necessary for reasons beyond 

our control, and will not be made less than 30 clear days before the 

commencement of your holiday. 

In the event of beneficial fluctuation in costs we will consider whether to allow you 

an appropriate credit. 

We reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. We 

will do so as soon as we become aware of the error. Please note, changes and 

errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday at the 

time of booking. 

9. IF WE CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING 

The Company reserves the right to make changes to and correct errors in 

brochure and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed 

and cancel confirmed bookings, subject to the following limitations: 

a) In the rare event of overbooking by a hotel of which we are not aware before 

your departure, you will on arrival be offered alternative accommodation. 

156 


Reasonable compensation for the disturbance will be offered if the location 

and/or facilities of the alternative accommodation can reasonably be regarded 

as inferior to that originally booked. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure 

that holidays are not cancelled or altered as a result of overbooking of 

hotels/lodges/tented camps. 

b) i) We will not cancel your holiday 6 weeks or less before departure unless we 

are forced to do so as a result of circumstances amounting to "force majeure" 

as defined in paragraph e) below or where you have failed to comply with any 

requirement of these booking conditions entitling us to cancel (such as paying 

on time). 

ii) We will not make significant changes to your holiday arrangements 6 weeks 

or less before departure without paying you compensation as set out in this 

paragraph, subject to the exceptions mentioned below. 

iii) We will not make any significant changes to your holiday arrangements 

unless we are able to notify you not later than 14 days before the holiday is due 

to commence (providing you have given us a telephone number by which you 

can be contacted during and out of working hours) unless we are forced to do 

so as a result of circumstances amounting to "force majeure" as defined in 

paragraph e) below or where the balance has not been paid on time in whole 

or part. 

c) If we are compelled to cancel or make a significant change to your holiday 

arrangements, we will inform you without delay. We will then give you the choice 

of either accepting the altered travel arrangements (in case of a significant 

change) or purchasing an alternative holiday of comparable standard if 

available (with you paying or receiving a refund in respect of any price 

difference) or receiving a prompt and full refund of all monies paid to us. The 

choice will be left open to you for seven days and, if you have not made your 

choice by the end of that time, we may assume you have chosen a refund. Any 

refund will then be despatched to you within 10 days of our notifying you of the 

alteration or cancellation. In addition, if we cancel or make a significant change 

to your holiday 6 weeks or less before departure, we will pay you compensation 

in accordance with the following scale except where the cancellation or 

significant change is made as a result of unusual and unforeseeable 

circumstances beyond our control (such as those mentioned in e) “force 

majeure" below, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even 

with all due care or because you have failed to make payment in full by the due 

date or in the case of cancellation only, because where an insufficient number 

of people have booked your chosen holiday - in this case you will be notified not 

less than eight weeks before your scheduled departure date. 

Scale for Compensation 

Period before scheduled departure date within which a significant change or 

cancellation is notified to you 

Compensation per person 

More than 8 weeks 

nil 

Within 8 weeks £10 

Within 2 weeks £ 25 

No compensation is payable for minor changes and save for the compensation 

payments set out above, we will be under no further liability to you. 

d) A significant change to your holiday arrangements is one which is made 

before departure involving a significant change of places of visit or stay, a 

reduction in the category of accommodation provided for the whole, or an 

extended period of the holiday, a change in departure time or length of 

holiday by more than 18 hours, a change of UK departure airport (except 

between Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) to one which is significantly less 

convenient for you or a significant change of itinerary. A change of leader is 

not a significant change. 

e) Force majeure means any event which either we or the supplier of the 

service(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided, even with all due 

care such as, by way of example, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist 

activity, nuclear disaster, natural disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, 

industrial disputes which unavoidably prevent a carrier, hotelier or other 

supplier from performing their contract and all similar events outside our 

control. In these booking conditions except where otherwise expressly 

stated, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay you any compensation 

where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligation 

is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as 

more fully described in clause 11(a) below) as a result of “force majeure”. 

f) Very rarely, we may be forced to curtail your holiday after the date of 

departure where circumstances amounting to force majeure, as defined 

above, occur. In this very unusual situation, we regret we cannot make any 

refunds, except where these are obtained from any supplier, or be 

responsible for the payment of any compensation or other costs of expenses 

incurred by you as a result. 

g) The maximum party size stated for each tour may be exceeded by one 

person if the last booking made is by a couple. 

10. FLIGHT DELAYS AND PROBLEMS 

We accept no responsibility or liability in respect of losses or additional expenses 

incurred as a result of transport delays, flight changes or cancellations, missed 

flight connections, sickness, quarantine, war, riots or political crises, threat of 

terrorist activity, strikes, industrial action, government intervention, natural 

disaster, fire, weather conditions, flood, acts of God or other similar events beyond 

our control. Any additional costs that result, such as extra flights and hotel 

accommodation, will be your responsibility and must be paid for directly at the 

time. 

11. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES 

(1) We promise to make sure that all parts of the holiday we have agreed to 

arrange as part of our contract are provided to a reasonable standard and in 

accordance with that contract. We also accept responsibility for what our 

employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do. We will not, however, be 

responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example, loss of 

enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any description 

whatsoever which results from any of the following:- 

(a) the fault of the person(s) affected or any member(s) of their party or 

(b) the fault of a third party not connected with the provision of your holiday 

which we could not have predicted or avoided or 

(c) an event or circumstances which we or the supplier of the service(s) in 

question could not have predicted or avoided even after taking all reasonable 

care (see clause 9). 

(d) the fault of anyone who was not carrying out work for us (generally or in 

particular) at the time. 

In addition, we will not be responsible where you do not enjoy your holiday 

or suffer any problems because of a reason you did not tell us about when 

you booked your holiday or where any problems you suffer did not result 

from any breach of our contract or other fault of ourselves or, where we were 

responsible for them, our suppliers or agents or where any losses, expenses, 

costs or other sum you have suffered relate to any business. 

Please note, we cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not 

form part of our contract. This includes, for example, any additional services 

or facilities which your hotel or any other supplier agrees to provide for you 

where the services or facilities are not advertised in our brochure and we 

have not agreed to arrange them. 

(2) The promises we make to you about the services we have agreed to provide 

or arrange as part of our contract - and the laws and regulations of the 

country in which your claim or complaint occurred - will be used as the basis 

for deciding whether the services in question had been properly provided. If 

the particular services which gave rise to the claim or complaint complied 

with local laws and regulations applicable to those services at the time, the 

services will be treated as having been properly provided. This will be the 

case even if the services did not comply with the laws and regulations of the 

UK which would have applied had those services been provided in the UK. 

(3) We limit the maximum amount we may have to pay you for any and all claims 

or parts of claims which do not involve personal injury, illness or death. 

Except where loss of and/or damage to luggage or personal possessions is 

concerned or a lower limitation of liability applies to your claim, the maximum 

amount we will have to pay you for such non personal injury claims if we are 

found liable to you on any basis is twice the price (excluding amendment 

charges) paid by or on behalf of the person(s) affected in total. This 

maximum amount will only be payable where everything has gone wrong 

and you have not received any benefit at all from your holiday. 

Where we are found liable for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or 

personal possessions (including money), the maximum amount we will have 

to pay you is £35.00 per person affected as you are assumed to have taken 

out adequate insurance at the time of booking. Please also see clause 11(4) 

below. 

(4) Where any claim or part of a claim concerns or is based on any travel 

arrangements (including the process of getting on and off the transport 

concerned) provided by any air, sea, rail or road carrier or any stay in a hotel, 

the maximum amount of compensation we will have to pay you will be 

limited. The most we will have to pay you for that claim or that part of a claim 

if we are found liable to you on any basis is the most the carrier or hotel 

keeper concerned would have to pay under the international convention 

which applies to the travel arrangements or hotel stay in question (for 

example, the Warsaw Convention as amended for international travel by air 

and/or for airlines with an operating licence granted by an EU country, the EU 

Regulation on Air Carrier Liability for national and international travel by air, 

the Athens convention for international travel by sea). When making any 

payment, we are entitled to deduct any money which you have received or 

are entitled to receive from the transport provider or hotelier for the complaint 

or claim in question. 

(5) You must provide ourselves and our insurers with all assistance we may 

reasonably require. You must also tell us and the supplier concerned about 

your claim or complaint as set out in clause 12 below. If asked to do so, you 

must transfer to us or our insurers any rights you have against the supplier or 

whoever else is responsible for your claim or complaint (if the person 

concerned is under 18, their parent or guardian must do so). You must also 

agree to cooperate fully with us and our insurers if we or our insurers want to 

enforce any rights which are transferred. 



157


If you or any member of your party suffers illness, injury or death, through 

misadventure, as a result of an activity which does not form part of your 

contracted holiday arrangements, we will provide you with all reasonable 

assistance. This assistance may include our making a contribution towards 

your initial legal costs in taking action against the person(s) responsible 

providing you request this within 90 days of the incident in question. All 

assistance (financial or otherwise) is subject to our reasonable discretion and 

a maximum total cost to ourselves of £5,000 per booking form. If you are 

entitled to have any costs and expenses arising from such an incident met by 

or from any insurance policy or if you obtain a costs order against anyone in 

relation to the incident, you must repay to us the costs and expenses we 

spend in assisting you. 

12. LIABILITIES 

Where we have complied with our responsibilities as set out in Condition 11, we 

will accept no liability in respect of: 

a) death or physical injury or illness save as provided for in Condition 11 (b); 

b) loss or damage to goods; 

c) loss, damage, or delay or misdirection of your luggage or effects. 

We strongly recommend that you check that the cover for personal baggage 

under your insurance policy is adequate, in particular if cameras, jewellery or other 

valuable items are to be carried. 

All clients are expected to behave with all due consideration for their fellow 

travellers and accompanying leaders/guides as well as local people. We reserve 

the right to terminate the holiday arrangements of any person who, in our opinion, 

or in the opinion of any accommodation owner or manager, airline pilot or other 

person in authority, is or is likely to cause danger, disruption or annoyance to any 

of our clients, personnel or any third party or to cause damage to property. In 

these circumstances, our responsibilities for your holiday, including any return 

journey, will immediately cease and full cancellation charges will apply. Further, we 

will not be responsible for meeting any costs or expenses you may incur as a 

result or for making any refunds or paying compensation. 

When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused 

by you or any member of your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss 

must be paid direct at the time to the accommodation owner or manager or other 

supplier. If you fail to do so, you will be responsible for meeting any claims 

subsequently made against us (together with our own and the other party’s full 

legal costs) as a result of your actions. 

13. LICENCE 

Bookings are accepted subject, where applicable, to the grant of licences by the 

Civil Aviation Authority and ratification by the Department of Trade and Industry 

14. AIR TRAVEL 

a) The air holidays featured in this brochure are based on services of IATA 

airlines. The conditions of carriage of any airline or other transport operator 

used will apply, some of which may limit or exclude their liability to you, often 

in accordance with international conventions. The responsibility of IATA 

airlines in connection with the tours in this brochure is limited to the carriage 

of passengers and their luggage in accordance with the Conditions of 

Carriage of the participating airlines. In other respects this brochure is issued 

on the sole responsibility of the Tour Operator and not on behalf of, and it 

does not commit, the airline(s) mentioned therein or any airline whose 

services are used in the course of the tours. 

b) Flights are scheduled to be operated by airlines as detailed in the appropriate 

tour details where you will find also the airports of destination. We reserve the 

right to substitute alternative airlines, aircraft and airports of destination, 

subject to Condition 9, which changes will not be significant ones entitling 

you to cancel without penalty. 

c) Surnames and forenames provided must be spelt exactly as they appear in 

your passport. We accept no responsibility and resulting costs involved if air 

tickets are issued for names that do not match those in your passport. 

15. DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS 

Please note that our holidays and tours may not be suitable for people with certain 

disabilities or medical conditions. Should any member of your party suffer from 

any disability or medical condition which may affect their holiday, you must 

provide full details on your booking form including any specific requirements that 

person has. The booking form must additionally be accompanied by written 

confirmation that all assistance that the person concerned requires will be 

provided by other party members as outside assistance may often not be 

available. We regret that we must reserve the right to decline any booking 

whenever we feel unable to accommodate the needs of any particular client. We 

further reserve the right to cancel any holiday and impose cancellation charges if 

we are not fully advised of any relevant disability or medical condition at the time 

the booking is made. 

16. SPECIAL REQUESTS 

Any special request you have (e.g. diet) must be clearly noted on the booking form 

at the time of booking. Whilst we will endeavour to arrange for any reasonable 

request to be met if possible, we regret we cannot guarantee that we will be able 

to do so. Failure to meet any particular request will not be a breach of contract. 

17. FINANCIAL SECURITY 

When you buy an ATOL protected flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive 

an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get 

information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. 

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the 

services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, 

where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an 

alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a 

suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those 

circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you 

agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that 

alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be 

possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to 

make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). 

If your holiday does not include any flights, then in accordance with The Package 

Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992, all United 

Kingdom resident passengers booking with Wessex Travel and Ornitholidays Ltd 

are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all 

monies paid to us, including repatriation if required, arising from cancellation or 

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Wessex Travel 

and Ornitholidays Ltd. Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and 

its panel of insurers. This insurance is only valid for passengers who are resident 

in the United Kingdom and book and pay directly to Wessex Travel and 

Ornitholidays Ltd. For further information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk. This 

Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and 

underwritten by Insurers who are members of the Association of British Insurers & 

Lloyds Syndicates. 

18. PRICES AND BROCHURE ACCURACY 

Please note, the information and prices shown in this brochure may have changed 

by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure 

the accuracy of the brochure and prices at the time of printing, regrettably errors 

do occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your 

chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. 

19. SCHEDULED AIRLINE FAILURE 

If you have booked your own flights we cannot be responsible for scheduled 

airline failure. 

20. TRAVEL INSURANCE 

It is essential that you have adequate travel insurance for your holiday before you 

travel. Your insurance must cover you for all medical care and repatriation should 

you not be able to continue with the tour. This should include evacuation by air 

should this be necessary, volcanic eruptions and volcanic atmospheric ash and 

airline strikes. You must provide details of your policy where indicated on the 

booking form or as soon as possible afterwards. 

Please notify us of your next-of-kin and their contact details. 

21. DATA PROTECTION 

In order to process your booking and to ensure that you travel arrangements run 

smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide 

(such as name, address, any special needs/dietary requirements etc.). We take 

full responsibility that proper security measures are in place to protect your 

information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your 

travel arrangements such as airlines, transport companies etc. The information 

may also be provided to public authorities such as customs/immigration if 

required by them, or as required by law. Additionally, where your holiday is outside 

the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong 

as the legal requirements in this country. However, we will not pass any 

information onto any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. 

This applies to sensitive information that you give us such as details of any 

disabilities, or dietary / religious requirements. (If we cannot pass this information 

to the relevant suppliers we cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, 

you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons.) 

We will hold your information, where collected by us, and may use it to inform you 

of offers in the future or to send you brochures and newsletters. If you do not wish 

to receive such approaches in the future, please notify us and we will take steps 

to stop using your information in this way. We will not pass your details to third 

parties for similar purposes. 

22. TRAVEL ADVICE 

Travel advice is available from the Foreign Office at www. gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice 

Tel: 0845 850 2829. 

158 


✂ 

Please fill in details carefully using BLOCK CAPITALS and make your cheque payable to ORNITHOLIDAYS 

I/We enclose a cheque for: £ ............................ being deposit/full amount for ..............persons 

I/We would like to make a Green Contribution of: £ ............................... Please add this amount to my final bill. 

ORNITHOLIDAYS 

Booking Form 

Please make the following booking on my/our behalf for the holiday to ......................................................................................... commmencing ............................................................................................................... 

DEPOSIT: £600 per person Far-Afield Tours Date................................................................................................................................. 

£300 per person European Tours 

*Signature ....................................................................................................................... 

25% of total cost per person Cruises 

Please complete the following to comply with the details on your passport: 

*Your signature accepts, in full, the Conditions of Booking as set out in the 

Ornitholidays’ brochure. 

TITLE ALL FORENAMES SURNAME DATE OF BIRTH NATIONALITY PASSPORT NO. DATE OF ISSUE EXPIRY DATE 

First name or names by which you would like to be known on the party list: 

.................................................................................................................................................... 

ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENTS 

Please tick where applicable. 

All correspondence, tickets etc, will be sent to the first-named above at: 

Twin/Double Smoker 

.................................................................................................................................................... 

.................................................................................................................................................... 

Sharing Twin Please note Booking Policy Section 7. Non-Smoker 

Single 

.......................................................................................... Postal code: ................................... 

Telephone No: home ................................................................................. 

Telephone No: mobile ............................................................................... 

Have you participated in a previous ORNITHOLIDAYS’ tour – YES / NO* 

(*Delete as applicable) 

email address ............................................................................................ 

Please state here any special food requirements: 

Please state here any disabilities or medical conditions which may 

affect your full participation in a tour. Please also ensure you have 

read Section 15 of our Conditions of Booking. 

Insurance 

Please state here the name of the policy you intend to use: 

................................................................................................................. 

................................................................................................................. 

Please return this form to ORNITHOLIDAYS 

29 Straight Mile, Romsey 

Hampshire SO51 9BB 

Telephone: 01794 519445 Fax: 01794 523544 

B O O K I N G F O R M

ORNITHOLIDAYS 

29 Straight Mile Romsey Hampshire England SO51 9BB 

Tel: 01794 519445 

Email: info@ornitholidays.co.uk 

www.ornitholidays.co.uk

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