Guide to leading birdwatching lodges, hotels and cottages around the world - homes made for birders.
Great Places
for
Great Birding
ACCOMMODATION GUIDE 2018/19
Welcome to Bed & Birding
Pavel Simeonov and Paul Goriup
Based on our own experience of searching for suitable accommodation as bird guides,
we launched the “Bed & Birding” accommodation network in 2013 and have been
representing our partners at the British Bird fair since 2014. After five years, we are
pleased that our network continues to expand in numbers as well as geographically
– as you will see from this Guide. We have had to redesign our web site three times
in order to cope with this expansion as well as new digital platforms. We are now
approaching the critical mass of partners where we hope to introduce a joint booking
management system for the network.
We have also learned a lot about what our partners expect in terms of presentation
and marketing, as well as the needs of our birding guests. For example, many partners
are actively engaged in bird conservation work themselves, and many birders who stay
with them greatly appreciate their work. From this brochure Guide, we will feature
examples of this great contribution to bird conservation.
We are proud that this year Swarovski Optik have given us their support; such recognition
is a real boost for our network and bodes well for our future development.
Bed & Birding - Homes Made for Birders ®
Discover a Distinctive World of Birding
“Bed & Birding” is a steadily growing global network of accommodation providers
that have been carefully chosen in accordance with our service quality criteria.
Our partners not only provide comfortable and memorable accommodation, but also
pay careful attention to the specific needs of birders, including: bird-friendly surroundings,
site information, expert local guides, logistical support, and log-calling
lounges.
For travelling birders, individuals as well as tour companies, the Bed & Birding network
helps you to select locations and make bookings simply. Our partners embrace
a huge diversity of internationally important wildlife areas including Mediterranean
islands, the Danube Delta and other Black Sea wetlands, the east and west Atlantic
coasts, uplands of England, the Baltic Sea and taiga, as well as pristine rainforests
in the Amazon basin and Guinea highlands. Use our online bird checklists to find
partners where you can see your target species. You can even plan your travel to link
up several bases inside a country or across countries in order to produce a fantastic
birding itinerary, confident that you will stay in places that understand your needs
and will strive to meet them.
For potential partners, Bed & Birding is an enterprise that targets the large market
segment for ecotourism in general, and birdwatchers in particular (over 10 million
worldwide). Moreover, it can generate business during the off-peak periods of the
main tour season. We work with all types of accommodation to help them integrate
the Bed & Birding criteria in their existing business models.
Bed & Birding licenses partners to use its branded identity and materials in order
to market their services to birders. The company provides training and know-how
where necessary, promotes the partnership and maintains a corporate web site that
features all partners, and through which booking enquiries can be made. The application
procedure, and terms and conditions, are available on our web site. Take a look
at our current list of partners presented in this brochure – and perhaps you would like
to feature in the next edition!
STOP PRESS!
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Bed & Birding founders, Pavel Simeonov (right) and Paul Goriup (left), on the Black Sea shore.
www.bedandbirding.com
We are delighted to announce that Swarovski
Optik, the premier supplier of optical equipment
for birders, has become a corporate partner of
Bed & Birding. Such support demonstrates the
progress we have made over the last five years.
Our partners will now be able to benefit from the
kudos of having Swarovski support our network.
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Directory of all
Bed & Birding Partners
Africa
Finland
USA
South Africa
The Bahamas
Lithuania
Panama
Caribbean Sea
UK
Poland
Belarus
Ukraine
France
Austria
Hungary
Ecuador
Romania
Peru
Bulgaria
Indonesia
Spain
Australia
Papua
New Guinea
Greece
Bed & Birding Accommodation Category Criteria
Our partners are scored according to the crtieria in the table below.
The number of “birds” awarded depends on the total score obtained
The Bed & Birding category is assigned 1 2 3 4 5
according to the following thresholds:
Minimum score needed per category 35 55 75 100 125
FEATURED PARTNERS
Branta Birding Lodge
Bulgaria,Varna, Northern
Black Sea coast – over 300
species recorded in the area
Bulgaria
St George Complex
Bulgaria, Burgas, Southern
Black Sea coast – over 320
species recorded in the area
Strandja Tourist Centre
Bulgaria, Burgas, Strandja
Natural Park – over 160
species recorded in the area
General category criteria
Score
Library of bird and other wildlife books and checklists 3
Natural vegetation around 1-15
Close vicinity to wildlife areas (nature reserve, park, wetland...) 5-15
Terrace with panorama 5
List of species recorded in the area (month by month) 3
Birders lounge 5
Drying room 3
Garden attractive for wildlife 1-10
Equipment available to hire
Wet weather attire 3
Bicycles 2
Telescope 4
Binoculars 3
Tripod 2
4WD vehicle 5
GPS receiver 3
Boats (if you have water around) 4
Bird hide 4
Camera 3
Horses 4
Other (please specify in email) 1-5
Services
Early breakfast 3
Access to a local avian specialist / guide 5
Other (please specify in email) 1-10
Sustainability
Wastewater disposal system 5
Waste recycling 3
Low flow water supply system 3
Locally sourced food, when possible 3
Local construction materials 5
Use of renewable energy - e.g. solar panels 5
Electric boat engines used 3
Electric vehicles used 3
Conservation activities undertaken/supported 3-5
Branta Birding Lodge © A. Ivanov
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Branta Birding Lodge, birthplace of
the Bed and Birding concept, operates
a variety of bird tours along
the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and
Romania. It offers spectacular views
over woodlands, farmland, marshes,
seaside and the famous Durankulak
Lake. The area lies on an important
migration route as well as providing
a range of habitats for a wide range
of birds. Birding is good throughout
the year. Knowledgeable English
and French speaking bird guides are
available on request.
www.birdinglodge.com
Red-breasted Geese © Bed & Birding
St George Complex
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St George and its neighbour Relax
Hotel are located in the quiet village
of Sarafovo, just a few miles north of
Burgas, a migration hot-spot where
soaring birds gather in large flocks
before setting off down the Bosphorus.
The complex overlook the Black
Sea and are flanked by gardens which
attract large numbers of migrating
passerine birds. Short journeys deliver
you to bird-rich salinas (5 min.
drive from the complex) including
the renowned wetlands of Atanasov
-sko, Pomorie and Burgas Lakes.
www.bedandbirding.com
Broad-billed Sandpipers © Bed & Birding
Tourist Complex Strandja
Hotel category:
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Strandja Tourist Centre is located
in south-east Bulgaria, in the heart
of the Strandja mountains, about 30
km from the city of Burgas. Strandja
Natural Park is widely recognised as
one of the most ecologically pristine
regions in Europe, boasting a rich diversity
of plants, animals and birds
(especially woodpeckers and raptors).
It is within easy reach of the
Black Sea coastal wetlands and Burgas
international airport.
www.bedandbirding.com
Middle Spotted Woodpecker © V. Kucherenko
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FEATURED PARTNERS
Bulgaria
FEATURED PARTNERS
Bulgaria & Romania
Srebarna Guesthouse
Hotel Mursal
Nature Travel
Albena Beach Villa
Hotel Arabella Beach
Cormoran Complex
Bulgaria, South Dobrudja,
Lower Danube – over 240
species recorded in the area
Bulgaria, Western Rhodope
mountains - over 180
species recorded in the area
North East Bulgaria, Suha
reka protected area– over 180
species recorded in the area
Bulgaria, Albena Sea Resort,
west Black Sea coast - over 280
species recorded in the area
Bulgaria, Albena Sea Resort,
west Black Sea coast - over 280
species recorded in the area
Romania, Danube Delta,
Uzlina Island - over 260
species recorded in the area
Srebarna Guesthouse
Hotel Mursal
Nature Travel © Sergey Panayotov
Albena Beach Villa
Hotel Arabella Beach
Cormoran Complex
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Srebarna Guesthouse is located beside
Lake Srebarna, recognised as
an internationally important area by
UNESCO. It is just two hours drive
from the airports of Bucharest (Romania)
and Varna (Bulgaria). The
colony of Dalmatian Pelicans at Srebarna
Biosphere Reserve is the last
remaining in the Lower Danube and
the only one in Bulgaria. The wetlands,
meadows and riverine forests
at Srebarna support a wide range of
birds typical of the Danube floodplains.
www.bedandbirding.com
Hotel Mursal, built in traditional
Bulgarian mountain style, is situated
loftily at 1400 m altitude in the
heart of the western part of the magical
Rhodope Mountains. Perched
just above the charming village of
Yagodina, it offers stunning views
on all sides. The impressive Trigrad
canyon - kingdom of the exquisite
Wallcreeper - is just 40 minutes
drive away. Nutcracker, Capercaillie,
Hazel Grouse and White-backed
Woodpecker are also present. Golden
Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Peregrine
are among notable raptors.
www.bedandbirding.com
The birding cottage is situated in
the village Ognyanovo, North of the
town Dobritch. There is an extensive
list of bird observations with some of
the highlights being European Roller,
Golden oriole, European Bee-eater,
Hoopoe, Hawfinch , Wryneck, Syrian
and Middle Woodpeckers, different
shrikes and buntings. Our specialty is
bird photography and bird watching
from specially designed hides near
places where birds live. Currently
we have 7 hides, 2 of them are in the
backyard: photo tower and hide with
drinking and feeding station.
www.bedandbirding.com
Albena Beach Villa, overlooking
the Black Sea, is located in the wellknown
Albena sea resort, just 40 km
from Varna airport. It is another great
place for a family holiday combined
with excellent birding and particularly
well situated for observing the Via
Pontica flyway migration of soaring
birds. In Spring, the picturesque
wooded hills behind the villa, are
alive with the songs of Golden Oriole,
Nightingale, Eastern Olivaceous
Warbler and flycatchers and many
other woodland birds.
www.albena.bg/en
Hotel “Arabella Beach”, overlooking
the Black Sea, is located in a secluded
part of the well-known Albena
sea resort. It is situated on the wide
sandy beach itself, with a back-drop
of picturesque wooded hills. It is particularly
well situated for observing
the Via Pontica flyway migration of
soaring birds from its rooftop platform,
as well as sea birds such as
Yelkouan Shearwater, Arctic Skua
and Mediterranean Shag. It is given
particular charm by the neighbouring
alluvial forest of “Baltata”.
www.albena.bg/en
Cormoran Complex is located in the
Romanian Danube Delta, just on the
large meander in the Sfintu Gheorghe
branch, near Murighiol. The site
offers a range of accommodation options
(self-catering cabins to suites)
and is very well landscaped. Local
birdlife includes pelicans, herons,
gulls and turns. In addition to the
excellent birding (within and around
the grounds, as well as by boat) there
are opportunities for other activities
such as fishing and horse riding.
www.bedandbirding.com
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Dalmatian Pelicans © Bed & Birding
Wallcreeper © Bed & Birding
Golden Oriole © Sergey Panayotov
Scops Owl © Bed & Birding
Lesser Spotted Eagle © Bed & Birding
White Pelicans © Bed & Birding
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Limneo Hotel
Greece, Lake Kerkini,
Serres region - over 300
species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Greece
Forest Inn Ecolodge
Greece, Dadia village,
Evros region - over 250
species recorded in the area
Ichnilatis Guesthouse
Greece, Koryfoudi village,
Serres region - over 300
species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Bugacpuszta Lodge
Hungary, Great Hungarian Plain,
Kiskunság national park - over
260 species recorded in the area
Hungary & Ukraine
Iris cottage
Ukraine, south-west Odessa,
Lower Danube Lakes and
Delta with area list 200+
Karawaika Cottage
Ukraine, south-west Odessa,
Lower Dniester National Park,
with area list 200+
Limneo Hotel
Forest Inn Ecolodge
Ichnilatis Guesthouse
Bugacpuszta Lodge
Iris Cottage
Karawaika Cottage
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Limneo Hotel is a friendly popular
establishment located just near
the famed Lake Kerkini - a Greek
Wonderland and most important
wintering ground for the globally endangered
Dalmatian Pelican. It also
offers spectacular views of majestic
snow-capped mountains raising towards
neighbouring Bulgaria. The
Greater Flamingos and Dalmatian
Pelicans being the main attraction of
Kerkini. There is an outstanding bird
tally of over 300 species recorded in
the area.
The Forest Inn Ecolodge lies right
next to the Forest of Dadia-Lefkimi-
Soufli National Park, where 36 of the
38 species of the European raptors
have been recorded! It is located 67
km from the city of Alexandroupolis
and is nestled in the foothills of
south-east Rhodope Mountain, just
along the Bulgaria-Greece border.
The lodge offers 20 standard double/
twin rooms, facing either the garden
or the forest.
Ichnilatis Cottage is the perfect base
for exploring Lake Kerkini and its
surrounding plains and wooded hills.
The largest national park in Greece
and one of the top birding sites in
Europe, it is wonderful at any time
of year not only for birds but for a
wealth of plants and other wildlife.
Greater Flamingos and Dalmatian
Pelicans are the main attractions, but
there are also many other breeding
birds including Pygmy Cormorants,
grebes, herons and ducks. In winter,
Lesser White-fronted Geese and
Spotted Eagles can be seen.
Our lodge tents are located in Bugacpusztaháza,
30 miles away from the
Danube river and 60 miles from the
famous lake Balaton. The neighbouring
Kiskunság national park is one of
the oldest in the country and protects a
great array of habitats, each with their
specific birdlife. The national park is
one of the most important breeding
sites of great bustard in Europe. It’s
also a key habitat for several notable
raptors including red-footed and saker
falcons, imperial eagle, long-legged
and rough-legged buzzards...
Iris Cottage, owned by the Anglo-
Ukrainian company Salix Ecotours,
is situated in the small town of Reni.
It is close to the last single stretch of
the Danube, and borders Moldova
and Romania. The self-catering cottage
is constructed with traditional
materials and has a small garden
where Collared Flycatchers, Golden
Orioles, Icterine Warblers and Black
Redstarts are frequent visitors. It is
just a short walk to Lake Kagul, a
Ramsar-listed wetland.
Karawaika Cottage is very conveniently
located in the riverside town
of Mayaky, overlooking the Lower
Dniester National Park. It has a terraced
garden with a view of the river
and its huge reedbeds from where
bitterns can be heard booming. The
Park includes marshes, lakes, riverine
woodlands and steppe areas,
supporting a wealth of birdlife. The
cottage is situated about 30 minutes
by car from the Odessa International
Airport.
www.limneokerkini.gr
www.forestinn.eu
www.bedandbirding.com
www.bugacpusztalodge.be
www.salix.od.ua
www.bedandbirding.com
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Greater Flamingos © David Pattyn
Black Vultures © Forest Inn
Lesser White-fronted Geese © I. Zafirov
Imperial Eagle © Mladen Vasilev
Pallas’s Gull © Bed & Birding
Glossy Ibis © Bed & Birding
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Minges Lodge
Lithuania, Nemunas Delta
- over 280 species recorded
in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Lithuania & Finland
Pakalnes Vingis Lodge
Lithuania, Nemunas Delta
- over 300 species recorded
in the area
Airport Hotel Oulu
Finland, Kempele, Oulu
- over 340 species
recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
St. Martin’s Spa and Lodge
Austria, Lake Neusiedl
Seewinkel region - over 350
species recorded in the area
Austria, Poland & Belarus
Wejmutka Manor
Poland, Bialowieza National
Park - over 250 species
recorded in the area
Doroshevichi Lodge
Belarus, Pripyatski NP
- over 230 species recorded
in the area
Minges Lodge
Pakalnes Vingis Lodge
Airport Hotel Oulu
St. Martin’s Spa and Lodge
Wejmutka Manor
Doroshevichi Lodge
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Minges Lodge is perfectly located
at Minijos river shore, adjacent to
the Nemunas Delta Regional Park -
the most important breeding ground
for the globally endangered Aquatic
Warbler (245 singing males in 2015).
Large numbers of water and marsh
birds breed here and hundreds of
thousands of migrating birds stop to
rest. The Lodge also features majestic
evenings at the Lithuanian “Venice”
- the Minges village and sunsets
over Kniaupo Bay waters.
Pakalnes Vingis Lodge is perfectly
located at the heart of Rusne Island,
adjacent to the Nemunas Delta Regional
Park - the most important
migration stopover site for the many
endangered birds (320 species of
birds). Large numbers of water and
marsh birds breed here and hundreds
of thousands of migrating birds stop
to rest. The Lodge also features majestic
evenings at the Pakalnes River
and sunsets over Curonian Lagoon
waters.
The Airport Hotel is sited close to
Oulu at Kempele, only seven minutes’
drive from the airport itself
and 15 km from the internationally
important wetland at Liminganlahti,
the best birding site in Finland. The
great variety of habitats (sea coast,
wetland meadows, bogs, lakes, rivers
and various types of forests) ensure a
high number of typical far north species,
including Taiga Bean Goose,
Red-necked Phalarope, Boreal Owl,
Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Parrot
Crossbill and Rustic Bunting.
St. Martin’s Spa & Lodge is located
directly at the Neusiedler See -
Seewinkel National Park, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The resort combines
the premium atmosphere of 4-
star superior accommodation with
pristine nature. Personal guided safaris
are one of St. Martins‘ strengthstailored
to your needs. Just recently
Austria’s first bird photo hide has
been installed on the lodge’s property.
With more than 350 species of
birds recorded, the region is a prime
destination in Europe for wildlife
enthusiasts.
Wejmutka Manor is a wonderful place
in the heart of the magical primeval
forest of Bialowieza (UNESCO site),
offering boundless opportunities to
enjoy nature in peace and comfort.
Birdwatching starts right on the verandah,
then the back garden and a
few steps away into the forest itself:
Wryneck, Nutcracker, Thrush Nightingale
and Scarlet Rosefinch just to
start with..., and after a good day out,
there is the outstanding local hospitality
to savour.
Pripyatski National Park has only recently
come to the attention of birders
and naturalists in the west, yet it
is unquestionably one of the richest
wildlife regions within geographic
Europe. Doroshevichi Lodge,quietly
located at the edge of the park, provides
immediate access to the great
Pripyat River, combining very highstandard
comfort and cuisine with
viewing elusive avian treasures
- from its very doorstep: Azure Tit,
Terek Sandpiper and Great Grey Owl
are among species to be found.
www.bedandbirding.com
www.bedandbirding.com
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www.stmartins.at
www.bedandbirding.com
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Long-tailed Duck © Boris Belchev
Aquatic Warbler © Boris Belchev
Three-toed Woodpecker © Bed & Birding
Great Bustard © Anita-Huszti
European Bison © Adam Vajrak
Azure Tit © Bed & Birding
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Hacienda El Santiscal
Spain, Sierra del Santiscal
mountain range - over 300
species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Spain
Pine Walk Apartment
Spain, Mallorca, s’Albufera
Natural Park - over 300 species
recorded in the area
La Pajarona
La Siberia, Extremadura - over
350 species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Spurn Bird Observatory
England, Kilnsea Hull - nearly
400 species recorded in the area
England & France
North West Birds
England, Cumbria - over 270
species recorded in the area
La Claverie Guesthouse
France, Atlantic coast,
Marais Poitevin - over 250
species recorded in the area
Hacienda El Santiscal
Pine Walk Apartment
La Pajarona
Spurn Bird Observatory
Barn Close
La Claverie Guesthouse
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Hacienda El Santiscal is a very
quiet rural-style green hotel located
in the cliff-hugging town of Arcos
de la Frontera, near to Grazalema
Nature Park in the foothills of the
Sierra del Santiscal mountain range.
The mountains to the east have
Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffon & Egyptian
Vulture while the lagoons to the west
hold Marbled Teal, White-headed
Duck, Spanish Imperial Eagle and
Red-knobbed Coot. Moreover, the
famous Coto Donana National Park
is within easy reach of the Hacienda.
www.bedandbirding.com
Located in Puerto Pollensa, in the
north-east of Mallorca, this cosy
apartment is the ideal base for birdwatching
around the whole island.
Bonelli’s Eagle, Eleonora’s Falcon,
Black and Griffon Vultures, Crested
Coot, the endemic Balearic Warbler
and Balearic Shearwater, Audouin’s
Gull, Moustached Warbler, and Beeeater
can be seen easily. Endemic
plants and orchids add to this amazing
biodiversity. Experienced local
guides are available on request.
www.mallorcanaturaltours.com
La Pajarona is located in the charming
village of Siruela, deep in the beautiful
countryside of northern Extremadura
- one of the best birdwatching regions
in Europe. Local birdlife includes
Great & Little Bustards, Black Storks,
Griffon and Black Vultures, Golden,
Bonelli’s & Spanish Imperial Eagles,
Thekla and Calandra Larks, Pin-tailed
and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Eagle
Owl, and Lesser Kestrels in the village
itself. Much of the surrounding area is
included in the Special Protection Area
of La Serena y Sierras Periféricas.
www.bedandbirding.com
Spurn Bird Observatory is Britain’s
most exciting east coast birding location
and has provided accommodation
for nearly sixty years for thousands of
people who enjoy watching birds and
other wildlife. Within walking distance
from the Observatory are a number of
reserves: Kilnsea Wetlands and Beacon
Ponds support thousands of waders.
During autumn thousands of birds descend
upon the area having completed
their migration across the North Sea.
Rarities are always possible, providing
mega highlights such as Pine Bunting,
Siberian Accentor or Masked Shrike...
www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk
North West Birds is a bed and breakfast
establishment based on a large
family house, Barn Close, with 0.5
ha of garden in a lovely spot just
above the River Bela on the edge of
Beetham village.
Typical birds here include Dipper,
Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Merlin,
Barn Owl, Black & Red Grouses,
Nightjar, Dotterel, Bearded Tit and
Twite, while autumn sea-watching
produces views of Leach’s Petrel.
www.bedandbirding.com
La Claverie is located close to La
Rochelle and the Atlantic coast, and
provides great birding from a very
comfortable guest house. The “Baie
de l’Aiguillon” is only 5 km away,
and many other natural reserves are
nearby. This area has many habitats
(salt meadows, wetlands, mudflats,
marshes and streams) and is one of
the most important places in Europe
for migratory birds. It offers four
very comfortable and clean rooms
– each with ensuite bathroom and
toilet. Guided bird tours on request.
www.la-claverie-des-noyers.com
Great Spotted Cuckoo © Bed & Birding
Black Vulture © Lasse J. Laine
Azure-winged Magpie © Richard Steel
Spotted Redshank © Bed & Birding
Hen Harrier © Bed & Birding
Purple Sandpiper © Lasse J Laine
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Alamo Inn B&B Gear & Tours
USA, Alamo, South Texas
– over 540 species recorded
in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
USA & South Africa
Stone Farm
USA, Vinalhaven,
Maine - over 340 species
recorded in the area
!Xaus Lodge
South Africa, Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park - over 270
species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Bellavista Cloud
Forest Lodge
Ecuador, Tandayapa Alta,
Quito - over 450 species
recorded in the area
Ecuador & Panama
Canopy B&B
Panama, Soberania National
Park, over 400 species
recorded in the area
Al Natural Resort
Panama, Panama, Bocas del
Toro archipelago - over 700
species recorded in the area
Alamo Inn B&B Gear & Tours
Stone Farm
!Xaus Lodge
Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
Canopy B&B
All Natural Resort
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Alamo Inn B&B features a range of
private suites located in the center of
the richest birding area in the U.S.
It is clean, quiet, romantic, and the
perfect spot for bird and butterfly
watchers. Whether you’re coming
to stay with us for the birds or
buterflies, or just for our comfortble
atmosphere while you’re away
on business, we strive to make your
experience a great one. Join us to
experience Texas’s best birding: neotropical
migrants, tropical specialties,
wintering temperate species, resident
temperate species, and rarities, plus
butterflies and other wildlife.
www.alamoinnbnb.com
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Stone Farm is an historic building
dating from 1820 situated on the island
of Vinalhaven ( the larger of
the two Fox Islands) in the Gulf of
Maine. It is surrounded by a wonderful
rocky landscape of spruce forests.
Vinalhaven’s coasts, open space and
numerous conserved areas make it
a haven for migrating, breeding and
overwintering sea and land birds.
The area is particularly well known
for Ospreys as well as Atlantic Puffin,
Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Bald
Eagle and Great Blue Heron.
www.bedandbirding.com
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!Xaus Lodge, overlooking memorable
setting of a dry salt pan and
red sand dunes, is a tranquil escape
with abundant wildlife, remoteness,
and silence. It is a unique, exotic and
beautiful safari camp in the middle
of a dessert – miles from anywhere,
offering close up views of lions,
leopards, cheetahs, jackals, hyena,
antelopes, and a lot of birds. There
are over 270 bird species recorded
from the park including the globally
threatened Ludwig’s Bustard, 5 species
of vultures and Black Harrier.
www.bedandbirding.com
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Located at the top of a ridge overlooking
the deeply-forested Tandayapa
Valley, Bellavista Cloud
Forest offers unparalleled access to
northwestern Ecuador´s colourful
and diverse birds. Ecuador is South
America´s prime birding destination
having the highest number of birds
per square km in the world.
Bellavista provides 17 comfortable
rooms with private bath. Some of
them are for families. Pleasant standard
rooms include the unusual Bamboo
House, Mirador Suite, and the
half-timbered Trailhead House…
www.bedandbirding.com
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
The Canopy B&B offers a comfortable
place to stay in the heart of central
Panama. It is located in the historic
Canal Zone town of Gamboa,
on the banks of the Panama Canal.
Surrounded by Soberania National
Park and the biological corridor of
extensive lowland rainforest of central
Panama, the Canopy B&B is the
perfect location to explore the tropical
rainforest while based at a comfortable
retreat. Our friendly staff is
available to assist our guests with
anything they may need, including
arranging tours and transportation.
canopytower.com/canopy-bed-and-breakfast
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Al Natural Resort is a rustic oasis in
the haven of the Caribbean. A private
and very comfortable retreat it
is located between tropical forest and
the sea, ecologically integrated into
the lushness of surrounding nature.
This little unit of paradise lies next
to Bastimentos Island Marine National
Park, where pelicans may be
watched diving into the sea directly
in front of your accommodation. It
really is a Home Made for Birders…
away from home!
www.alnaturalresort.com
16
Roseate-Spoonbill
Great Northern Diver © Lasse J Laine
Yellow-billed Hornbill © A. Arabadjian
Giant Antpitta © Tui De Roy
Crimson-backed Tanager © Dt
Brown Pelicans © Bed & Birding
17
Manu Birding Lodge
Peru, Madre de Dios, Manu
National Park - over 600
species recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Peru & Papua New Guinea
Karawari Lodge
Papua New Guinea, East Sepik
Province - over 220 species
recorded in the area
Ambua Lodge
Papua New Guinea , Southern
Highlands - over 215 species
recorded in the area
FEATURED PARTNERS
Rondon Ridge Lodge
Papua New Guinea, Western
Highlands - over 180 species
recorded in the area
Papua New Guinea
Lake Murray Ecolodge
Papua New Guinea, Western
Province - over 170 species
recorded in the area
Bensbach Wildlife Lodge
Papua New Guinea, Western
Province - over 190 species
recorded in the area
Manu Birding Lodge
Karawari Lodge
Ambua Lodge
Rondon Ridge Lodge
Lake Murray Ecolodge
Bensbach Wildlife Lodge
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Hotel category:
Bed & Birding category:
Manu Birding Lodge is situated in
a spectacular setting on the bank of
Madre de Dios River, next to Manu
National Park. It is accessible with an
enjoyable boat trip from Boca Manu.
The accommodation is charming,
with all facilities and special services
tailored by birders for birders (with
special regard for photographers).
Festive Coquette, Reddish Hermit,
White-chinned Sapphire and Blackeared
Fairy are amongst local hummingbirds.
Visit this exclusive Bed
& Birding place with our friendly
and experienced local guides.
Standing majestically on a lone ridge,
300 meters above the banks of the Karawari
River and overlooking an endless
expanse of dense tropical rainforest,
is Karawari Lodge. It is accessible
only by small charter aircraft that arrives
and departs from a private airstrip.
The veranda offers magnificent
views over the river with its stilted
villages, and the Sepik lowlands. The
rainforest around the lodge has an
impressive range of birds, including
the elusive 12-Wire Bird of Paradise,
cockatoos, parrots, hornbills, cormorants
and other water birds.
Ambua Lodge, located at 7000 feet
(2100 meters) in the Tari Gap area,
borders on pristine mid-montane
rainforest and the beginning of the
valley grasslands. A perfect location
for birdwatchers and nature lovers,
and offering great opportunities for
visiting nearby Huli villages, where
Bird of Paradise feathers are used in
local ceremonies. In fact, there are an
amazing 13 species of Birds of Paradise
to be found around the lodge, as
well as Dwarf Cassowary, parrots,
flowerpeckers and whistlers.
Rondon Ridge Lodge is situated in a
remote rural setting overlooking the
Wahgi Valley and the city of Mount
Hagen in the Highlands of Papua
New Guinea. It is approximately 60
minutes’ drive from Kagamuga Airport,
which has several daily flights
from Port Moresby, making it easily
accessible for international arrivals.
Rondon Ridge is home to Birds of
Paradise, Bowerbirds, Parrots, Honey-eaters
and many others. Birding is
done primarily from the lodge on well
groomed trails that climb through the
mountain rainforest.
Nestled among the trees on an island
spit, Lake Murray Ecolodge overlooks
the beautiful Lake Murray, the largest
lake in PNG. It is the newest member
of the Trans Niugini Tours portfolio.
We arrange excursions around the lake
in 8-seat river boats to visit top birding
locations and local villages. Western
Province is home to over 50% of New
Guinea’s total bird fauna and Lake
Murray is one of the best birdwatching
sites in the Province. In addition to a
host of migratory birds, several birds
of paradise species, pelicans, hornbills,
eagles, parrots and numerous other
specialities are found here.
The remote and sparsely populated
south-western corner of Papua New
Guinea is home to Bensbach Wildlife
Lodge. Access to the lodge is by
charter aircraft, either from Cairns and
Horn Island, Australia and then Daru
or through Mount Hagen. It is approximately
10 km from West Papua,
the Indonesian half of the island. The
sweeping flood plains teem with herds
of deer, wallabies, reptiles and wild
ponies. It is a vital stopover place for
thousands of migratory birds and river
boats from the lodge are available for
birding tours.
www.amazonbirding.com
www.pngtours.com/lodge2.html
www.pngtours.com/lodge1.html
www.pngtours.com/lodge6.html
www.pngtours.com/lakemurray.html
www.pngtours.com/lodge5.html
Cock-of-the-rock © S. Llactahuaman Northern Cassowary © TNT Mountain Peltops © Lasse J. Laine
Brehm’s Tiger Parrot © Lasse J. Laine
Blyths Hornbill © Lasse J. Laine
Sacred Kingfisher © Lasse J. Laine
18
19
Conservation stories - Bulgaria
Srebarna Biosphere Reserve (and Ramsar site) is situated beside the south bank of the Danube River
(north-eastern Bulgaria). It supports the last breeding colony of the red-listed Dalmatian Pelican in
the country. An excellent example where conservation is having a positive impact is the Dalmatian
Pelican Conservation Project in Srebarna, with the financial support of Swarovski Optik and technical
assistance from Branta Birding Lodge and Srebarna Guesthouse; featuring two of the oldest partners
of the Bed & Birding network (see pages 7 and 8).
Swarovski Optik has funded the project since 1998, with annual work focusing on the maintenance
of a fence protecting the colony and mowing part of the reedbed around to ensure enough space for
breeding and a peripheral zone where predators could approach nests without being seen.
Over the years and at various different times, a total of 12 two-metre high wooden pile breeding platforms
have been built, on which the pelican nests are protected from predators and high water. In
parallel, three artificial rafts and a 120 m tunnel to approach the observation hide were also set up
in the colony as part of a joint research and conservation programme in the colony. With an increase
from just 50-60 pairs when the project began in 1998 to over 120 in 2017, despite several set-backs
from the depredations of predators and flooding, the success of the Pelican Conservation Project in
Srebarna shows that with the right management and targeted financial support there is still hope for
this large and beautiful waterbird.
Conservation stories - Ukraine
For the past six years, Salix EcoTours have provided free winter-time accommodation at their
Iris cottage, one of our our B&B partners in Ukraine (see page 11) for engineers from British
company BioFare who are working with the Ukrainian biomass company BioTop.
These two companies are testing a pilot production facility to make pellets from reeds harvested
from a nearby reedbed beside the Danube River that has invaded open waters and
reduced the numbers of breeding birds such as ferruginous duck, pygmy cormorant and
glossy ibis.
As a result of carefully controlled harvesting, paid for by the sale of the pellets produced,
these and other birds (as well as water plants and amphibians) have benefitted. The improved
numbers and visibility of birds in turn make Iris cottage a better location for birding.
Moreover, local people now have a reliable and low carbon alternative fuel to gas.
Tall, dense reed that excludes many open-water birds
Open water patches recreated and maintained at
Lake Kagul, located 20 min walk from Iris Cottage.
Artificial platforms for breeding Dalmatian pelicans
Low-ground pressure harvester at work in winter
at Lake Kagul
Reed pellets produced from harvesting reed straw
20 21
Conservation stories - Peru
We at Manu Birding Lodge (page 18) are personally involved in conservation: we are determined to
save and preserve a sustainable piece (over 500 hectares) of this fine rainforest and its wildlife before
it disappears forever. We believe that we have found the perfect formula. Our land comprises a birdrich
piece of lowland rainforest, and as an important part of our conservation plan we have built the
comfortable and convenient Manu Birding Lodge, which is owned and run by Amazon Birding. Our
trails and scenery, our flora and fauna, will delight everyone who enjoys experiencing nature first
hand. Our birds, mammals, butterflies and moths provide endless opportunities for wildlife photographers
and benefits from ecotourism are reinvested in conservation activities.
In addition to managing our own forest and land, we are working with people in nearby communities,
seeking economic alternatives to the slash and burn agriculture that threatens the area´s remaining
rainforest. In time we hope that Manu Birding Lodge private reserve will become a recognised base
for scientific inquiry into ornithology, zoology, botany and other biological fields, within our own forest
and in the nearby Manu National Park as well.
DISCOVER
The Lodge of:
that nature is an early bird.
We are just a handful of people. Our backgrounds and training differ, but among our various talents
we are all dedicated conservationists and birders; we have been involved professionally in birding for
many years. Our driving force is conservation, not profit. We shall maintain our commitments to forest
conservation and to running a fine lodge, returning profits to the land, and we find that responsibility
to be an exciting challenge. Visit this exclusive Bed & Birding place to help save Peru’s Rainforest!
Festive Coquette (Lophornis chalybeus)
Sharp shooters - conservation style along the Madre de Dios river
www.stmartins.at
E-Mail: safari@stmartins.at
Telephone: +43 2172 20500
Im Seewinkel 1
7132 Frauenkrichen
AUSTRIA
Different species of birds – from
majestic white-tailed eagles to
rare great bustards and Eurasian
spoonbills – await discovery on
a Seewinkel safari with the
St. Martins Rangers. To find out
which of the 300 species can
be seen where and when visit
www.stmartins.at
22
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AT EXCLUSIVE SPECIALIST RETAILERS
AND ONLINE AT WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM
BY APPOINTMENT TO
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SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS
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NATURE
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most natural viewing experience ever, allowing you to see
the action more closely with both eyes, crystal clear
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with an innovative forehead support and angled view.
Enjoy moments even more – with SWAROVSKI OPTIK.
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