Travel Guide 2021
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Bird the<br />
W RLD<br />
l 20 birding hotspots, including Spain, Colombia, The Bahamas,<br />
Costa Rica, USA, Finland and the best of the UK
FP_BIRDSPA4_4628321id4752730.pdf 04.10.<strong>2021</strong> 09:01<br />
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Welcome to<br />
NOW BOOKING <strong>2021</strong> - 2025<br />
heatherlea<br />
birding and wildlife holidays<br />
An employee-owned company<br />
Heatherlea are your natural choice in Scotland!<br />
Our small hotel is run BY birders FOR birders, and<br />
is open every week of the year. We show you all the<br />
birds of the Highlands and Islands, with a wealth of<br />
seasonal choice and unbeatable prices.<br />
See our ‘Scotland’ Brochure online!<br />
Birding every week here at Mountview Hotel in<br />
Nethy Bridge. Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Scottish<br />
Crossbill, Black Grouse, Golden Eagle, White-tailed<br />
Eagle, Ptarmigan, Dotterel, Osprey, divers and<br />
grebes, spring and autumn migrants, wintering<br />
geese, ducks and gulls - Scotland and Heatherlea<br />
have everything you need!<br />
Have you got what it takes ...<br />
to be a Heatherlea <strong>Guide</strong>?<br />
We are recruiting in Scotland and around the world.<br />
With all the benefits of an employee-owned<br />
Company on offer, come and<br />
‘Do it the Heatherlea Way’!<br />
All tours now booking, strictly limited availability.<br />
WORLDWIDE<br />
Reserve your places for 2022 - 2025 without<br />
obligation or deposit for most tours. Use our<br />
Holiday Planner to make any changes you wish.<br />
Heatherlea - outstanding value from your complete holiday provider!<br />
See our website or call our office for full details.<br />
Heatherlea, The Mountview Hotel, www.heatherlea.co.uk Tel: 01479 821248<br />
Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire<br />
Email: info@heatherlea.co.uk<br />
PH25 3EB.<br />
@heatherleabirds F/book: heatherleabirdwatching
Are you thinking about your next birding trip? Albania offers<br />
excellent opportunities for birding and biodiversity tourism!<br />
Having remained closed to the world for half a century, our<br />
doors and hearts are open again. One of the richest<br />
countries in southeastern Europe when it comes to<br />
landscape and habitat diversity per surface unit,<br />
Albania lies along the Adriatic and Ionian<br />
Seas, and in a mere half-hour you can go<br />
from soaking up a Mediterranean<br />
climate to enduring a high<br />
mountain continental climate.<br />
The aptly-named “Land of the Eagles” has 362 noted bird species and new species have been reported every year for the last<br />
seven years. If you want to see the Dalmatian Pelican, the Greater Flamingo, the Golden Eagle, the<br />
Egyptian Vulture, the Rock Partridge, the Collared Pratincole, the Bee-Eater, the Greater Spotted<br />
Cuckoo, the Horned Lark or the Alpine Accentor, just to name a few, definitely consider Albania for<br />
your next birding trip!<br />
We passionately and professionally organize knowledgeable and<br />
entertaining tailor-made birding tours with the help of the<br />
most skilled ornithologists in the country.<br />
We are waiting for you - please message us here: contact@albaniantrip.com<br />
albaniantrip.com<br />
ALBANIAN TRIP<br />
@albanian_trip<br />
HUNGARIAN BIRD TOURS<br />
7 day flight inclusive (BA) birdwatching holidays in<br />
Hungary for only £1,185 staying at the outstanding Hotel<br />
Villa Volgy in Eger famous for its fine wines and historic<br />
buildings. This hotel has just upgraded all its rooms to 4 star<br />
standard! Hungarian Bird Tours offers that mix of outstanding<br />
birdwatching with plenty to see, drink and eat in your spare<br />
time.<br />
Eger is a hugely popular destination and offers many different<br />
attractions. It is also ideally placed on the southern slopes<br />
of the Bukk National Park with its four species of Eagle and<br />
eight species of Woodpecker to see Hungary’s spectacular<br />
birds. Hungarian Bird Tours is run by Roy Adams who lives in<br />
a village close to Eger.<br />
He is mostly known for his work on Hawfinches and<br />
Woodpeckers.<br />
BLACK WOODPECKER<br />
TOURS TO RE-START MARCH 1 ST 2022<br />
Holidays start from £490 (4 days)<br />
Telephone: 07774574204 or For full information visit<br />
www.hungarianbirdtours.com
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve.<br />
Now with added wetlands.<br />
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve in<br />
North Norfolk constantly evolves<br />
to provide a rich and varied habitat<br />
for wildlife. The 200-acre reserve<br />
has a rich mosaic of different habitats<br />
ranging from fen to riverbank,<br />
wildflower meadows to woodland.<br />
You might see an Otter family playing<br />
on the riverbank, Red Kites and Hobbies<br />
soaring overhead or tiny invertebrates<br />
scuttling along the ground.<br />
Visiting Sculthorpe Moor<br />
■<br />
■<br />
■<br />
■<br />
■<br />
■<br />
Entrance is by donation, under 16’s free<br />
Open daily 8am - 4.30pm (last entry 3pm)<br />
Sorry, no pets are allowed on site<br />
Ample free parking<br />
EV charging points<br />
Visitor centre, gift shop<br />
and refreshments<br />
New wetland brings new species<br />
The team at Sculthorpe has created<br />
a wonderful 13-acre area of wetland<br />
along the River Wensum, a rare and<br />
beautiful chalk stream.<br />
Even as the excavations were still<br />
underway, new species moved in,<br />
Little Egrets were early arrivals, a<br />
Great Egret and Heron can often<br />
be spotted with them. Little Ringed<br />
Plovers, Teal, Lapwing, Oystercatchers,<br />
and Curlews have also staked their<br />
claim on this lovely area. A wild Crane<br />
has called in during the summer<br />
months of <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Our volunteer team is hard at work<br />
building a spectacular new wetland<br />
hide. As with the rest of the reserve,<br />
the hide will be fully accessible to all,<br />
including visitors in wheelchairs<br />
and buggies.<br />
Come and see for yourself<br />
Next time you’re in Norfolk, venture<br />
inland, away from the usual coastal<br />
spots for a day at Sculthorpe Moor. A<br />
warm welcome is guaranteed.<br />
Hawk and<br />
Owl Trust<br />
www.hawkandowltrust.org<br />
Turf Moor Road, Sculthorpe, Fakenham, NR21 9GN<br />
01328 856788. Registered charity no. 1058565<br />
haot birdwatching wtg aw.indd 1 01/10/<strong>2021</strong> 13:32
Birdfinders<br />
Worldwide Birdwatching Tours<br />
t<br />
L t’s G t B<br />
A a<br />
Central and South America<br />
15 tours from £2,995<br />
including flights<br />
NEW - CHILE<br />
125<br />
www.birdfinders.co.uk birdfinders@aol.co.uk<br />
SPEYSIDE WILDLIFE<br />
HOLIDAYS I DAY TRIPS I HIDES I TAILORMADE TOURS<br />
Est. 1991<br />
Fully inclusive wildlife watching holidays<br />
throughout Scotland, the UK and Overseas<br />
WILDLIFE<br />
EXPERIENCE<br />
enquiries@speysidewildlife.co.uk I 01479 812498<br />
WWW.SPEYSIDEWILDLIFE.CO.UK
Bed and<br />
breakfast<br />
and self<br />
catering<br />
Close to<br />
ham l Pensthorpe<br />
and the many nature and wildlife reserves erves of West Norfolk<br />
l RSPB Titchwell l RSPB Snettisham<br />
Group rates available.<br />
Early breakfast and packed lunches available on request.<br />
Buffy Helmetcrest<br />
Tailor-made, small<br />
groups, and private<br />
tours at your own pace<br />
Over a decade of<br />
experience in sustainable<br />
birding and wildlife tours<br />
Safety and health protocols in<br />
place throughout the whole trip<br />
www.jaguarunditravel.com<br />
info@jaguarunditravel.com<br />
Phone +57 312 5859630<br />
Tel:<br />
OLD HUNSTANTON<br />
E: reception@lestrangearms.co.uk<br />
www.lestrangearms.co.uk<br />
BIRDING AND NATURE TOURS IN COLOMBIA
Port Askaig Hotel, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay PA46 7RD<br />
A traditional 16th century Drove Inn standing in its own grounds on the<br />
harbour side in the picturesque hamlet and ferry port of Port Askaig.<br />
Islay is a Bird Watchers paradise due to the abundance of bird life<br />
with a large population of over wintering geese a particular draw. Port<br />
Askaig, Mull of Oa and Isle of Jura are locations where rarer sea eagles<br />
and golden eagles may be spotted while choughs can also be found in<br />
certain locations.<br />
13 en suite rooms /2 Bars/ Bistro style restaurant<br />
www.portaskaig.co.uk<br />
Email: hotel@portaskaig.co.uk Tel: 01496 840 245<br />
The Secret Courtyard B&B<br />
in the heart of Bempton Village<br />
on the Yorkshire Heritage Coast<br />
Your own private cottage from where<br />
you can plan your day ahead, or relax<br />
after a pleasant day sightseeing or<br />
walking. With local attractions such<br />
as Bempton Cliffs the RSPB Nature<br />
Reserve and Flamborough Head.<br />
E-mail - Stablesbempton42@gmail.com<br />
01262 850438 / 07563135840<br />
www.secretcourtyard.co.uk<br />
Everything for wildlife,<br />
ecology and conservation<br />
Field guides<br />
Binoculars & spotting scopes<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> essentials<br />
Bird & bat boxes<br />
Bat detectors<br />
1000s of natural history books<br />
And more..<br />
Huge product range<br />
Over 140,000 books & equipment products<br />
Rapid shipping<br />
UK & Worldwide<br />
Exceptional customer service<br />
Specialist help and advice<br />
www.nhbs.com | Serving conservation since 1985 | +44 1803 865913
BIRD THE WORLD ADVERTORIAL<br />
Take your birdwatching<br />
off-road!<br />
Visitors enjoy a tour in<br />
Andros’ dense woodlands<br />
Case study 2: Bahama Warbler<br />
By tracking Bahama warblers, local<br />
conservationists and bird<br />
enthusiasts alike can learn more<br />
about their recovery<br />
ELIJAH SANDS<br />
TAMBOURINE AND BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISIM<br />
FOUND<br />
For birds and birdwatchers alike, The Bahamas<br />
are unique, and conservation efforts mean<br />
things keep getting better<br />
Pristine white sand beaches,<br />
crystal-clear seas, palm trees<br />
waving in a gentle breeze –<br />
you probably already have your<br />
own idea of The Bahamas as<br />
an island paradise.<br />
What you may not have known before<br />
now is that this archipelago off the<br />
south-eastern corner of North America is a<br />
paradise for birds, and for birdwatchers too.<br />
It boasts an impressively high level of<br />
biodiversity, with the official bird list total<br />
The wild flamingos of Inagua<br />
coming to 380 species, including seven<br />
endemics.<br />
The islands’ position on a major<br />
migration flyway means that surprises are<br />
there to be discovered whenever you visit,<br />
and there are 39 Important Bird Areas<br />
(IBAs), more than 10 per cent of the<br />
total for the whole of the Caribbean.<br />
Like anywhere else, its wildlife has<br />
faced threats and problems, but ongoing<br />
conservation efforts are ensuring the<br />
islands’ preservation as a paradise for<br />
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION<br />
birds and birders.<br />
These efforts are led by organisations<br />
such as the Bahamas National Trust (BNT),<br />
who have set up programmes that aim to<br />
conserve both birds and vital habitats.<br />
But it isn’t merely a case of NGOs<br />
carrying out their own schemes. By<br />
training islanders as bird guides, with the<br />
help of the Audubon Society, in partnership<br />
with the Bahamas National Trust and the<br />
Inter-American Development Bank, many<br />
of the islands’ communities are now being<br />
Case study 1: Abaco Parrot<br />
When Christopher Columbus made landfall<br />
on The Bahamas in 1492, he is said to have<br />
noted that “flocks of parrots darken the<br />
sun”, but numbers declined drastically over<br />
the centuries.<br />
By 1986, it was decided to create<br />
a national park in Abaco, to protect the<br />
remaining 1,500 or so Abaco Parrots,<br />
but alongside that The Bahama Parrot<br />
Conservation Committee launched a<br />
major effort to engage locals with the<br />
made stakeholders in both the conservation<br />
efforts, and their own development.<br />
This means a huge step forward for the<br />
protection and promotion of biodiversity<br />
in The Bahamas, creating a virtuous circle<br />
– local communities value the biodiversity,<br />
and help promote it to visitors, visitors<br />
bring new money into the communities<br />
and conservation projects, and everyone<br />
benefits.<br />
Two case studies illustrate the scale<br />
of the work that has been done.<br />
So, The Bahamas offer a truly unique<br />
experience. With 16 major islands, boasting<br />
habitats that range from the dense Andros<br />
woodlands to the rolling salt flats of Great<br />
Inagua, it’s an unmatched destination for<br />
birdwatching.<br />
A sample itinerary illustrated here<br />
conservation programme – 8,000 Bahama<br />
Parrot Posters were distributed, 27,750<br />
schoolchildren learned about the importance<br />
of the species, and 6,000 people pledged<br />
support for the conservation effort. By 1994,<br />
the national park was a reality.<br />
The number of parrots rose to 8,900 in<br />
2009, and although Hurricane Dorian had an<br />
impact, this species may have survived it better<br />
than most, because uniquely among parrots,<br />
they nest on the ground.<br />
On tour with a local<br />
birding guide<br />
(bit.ly/3hMmHnn) shows how to make the<br />
most of your Bahamas birding experience,<br />
taking in all the key habitats, from dense<br />
coppice to sandy shores.<br />
There are now eight non-stop flights to<br />
Nassau from London Heathrow per week,<br />
The symbol of a resilient<br />
Bahamas, Bahama Parrot<br />
numbers are slowly increasing<br />
ELIJAH SANDS<br />
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION<br />
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM & AVIATION<br />
The endemic Bahama Warbler was recently<br />
listed as endangered – for nearly two years,<br />
nobody had seen one in Grand Bahama,<br />
one of two islands the species is endemic to.<br />
It had seemingly disappeared in the wake<br />
of the devastating Hurricane Dorian in<br />
2019, and in 2020, the BNT began<br />
banding Bahama Warblers on Abaco to<br />
track their movements and inform<br />
conservation efforts.<br />
The BNT conducted comprehensive<br />
surveys on both Abaco and Grand<br />
Bahama Island, and launched the<br />
Empowering Communities for<br />
Conservation programme to engage<br />
Abaco residents for conservation efforts.<br />
And so, hope remains for the Bahama<br />
Warbler, not least because previous<br />
conservation efforts have succeeded.<br />
Research published earlier this year showed<br />
that there are 10 times as many Bahama<br />
Orioles as previously thought, meaning the<br />
future is brighter for that particular species.<br />
Thanks to the work done with the species,<br />
future conservation efforts can be targeted<br />
more effectively.<br />
with British Airways flying six of them<br />
starting from 2nd November, and Virgin<br />
Atlantic starting two per week from 20th<br />
November.<br />
There’s never been a better time to step<br />
out of the cold and rain and discover the<br />
warm, sunny embrace of The Islands of<br />
The Bahamas. Visit our website or give us<br />
a call to discuss what’s on, what’s new,<br />
and what’s there to look forward to in<br />
paradise. Welcome to your next tropical<br />
getaway. Welcome to The Islands of The<br />
Bahamas.<br />
More info:<br />
l https://www.bahamas.com/plan-yourtrip/ecotourism<br />
l https://bnt.bs/<br />
BW<br />
14 Bird the World <strong>2021</strong><br />
birdwatching.co.uk 15
FP_BIRDSPA4_BIRDWATCHIid4720307.pdf 09.07.<strong>2021</strong> 14:34<br />
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