Limosa newsletter jan2013 by Accent Design

january 2013 newsletter

Limosa

GUIDED BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS SINCE 1985

In this issue Iceland from the Field: new jersey morocco brazil

Our 2013 Tour Calendar Australia: The Ghan

BirdWalks

coming soon... the ALL NEW Limosa website!

his American Oystercatcher has clearly got plenty to shout about - and so have we! Following hot on the heels of our new look 2013 brochure (mailed in November), Limosa’s ALL NEW website should be going ‘live’ in January. The completion of these two mammoth projects represents the culmination of months of hard work behind the scenes and we’d like to express our sincere thanks both to our brochure designer Keith Suffling at idesign4, and to Geoff, Dave and our web design and development team Accent Designs. Do let us know what you think! ...

Limosa Holidays, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9EJ Tel: 01692 580623 email: info@limosaholidays.co.uk

www.limosaholidays.co.uk

Iceland

Arctic Birds and Atlantic Whales by tour guide Trausti Gunnarsson

Cover Story This fabulous photo of an American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus was taken in Florida in February 2012, by Dr Kevin Elsby. At first glance similar in appearance to our ‘own’ familiar (Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, the American species differs in its browner back and wings, and yellow (not red) eye. In flight, American birds also display a shorter white wingbar and lack the striking white rump and back of their Eurasian counterparts. You can enjoy more of Kevin’s superb images in our 2013 brochure or why not visit his website www.wildlifeontheweb.co.uk

summer trip to Iceland has always featured prominently in the travel plans of discerning naturalists. The amazing volcanic landscapes provide a spectacular backdrop for the birds, whales and wildflowers of this subarctic island. Birders, of course, are keen to see the so-called Icelandic specialities: Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, Brünnich's Guillemot, Great Northern Diver and the archetypal examples of predator and prey, Gyrfalcon and Ptarmigan. Trausti Gunnarsson has led our Iceland trips for many years and we asked him to describe some of his personal highlights of summer in Iceland …

Participants on our March 2012 tour to Morocco enjoy some welcome shade and an unique, bird’s eye view over the Saharan sands from the roof of the desert cafe at Merzouga. Accessed by 4WD Landrover, our visit here is one of many highlights on Limosa’s popular spring visit to Morocco, which features everything from Bald Ibis and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater amongst a host of North African specialities that are otherwise difficult or impossible to find elsewhere in the Western Palearctic. For dates and details of this year’s tour, turn to our 2013 Tour Calendar (page 6).

"... First and foremost it's the light. We've 24 hours of it in June and the long, bright days of summer are a real treat. The low angle of the sun around midnight picks out the details and colours of the landscape and bathes everything in this lovely soft light. It's hard to describe - but wonderful to experience, and great for photography. The birds are at their best at this time of year and the plumages of wildfowl such as Harlequin and Barrow's Goldeneye really are magnificent. I've noticed though that it's the breeding waders that quickly grab the attention of visiting birders. They may well be familiar with most species but seeing them on the breeding grounds is something else. We have high densities of Whimbrel, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit but it's

often the Red-necked Phalaropes that steal the show. We spend hours enjoying their company at this time of year. Golden Plover and Purple Sandpiper are species which each have around 50% of their world population breeding in Iceland. As you can see waders are very prominent here! Gyrfalcons set pulses racing and, even for me lucky enough to see this wonderful raptor regularly, are a magic moment on our trips. They're unmistakeable and we often do well for them in the Mývatn area, which is an incredibly important habitat for wildfowl. In summer, the falcons take a break from their usual Ptarmigan diet and prey on the young ducks around the lake. It's a favourite place for me, too - the volcanic geology and dynamic ecology blend well together - and I really enjoy my visits here. Seabirds are another group of important species in Iceland. Auks, skuas, terns and gulls allow great views. Arctic Terns are perennial favourites with our visitors and I love the cliffs of western Iceland, where it's easy to view the colonies of cliff-nesting Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Guillemots and Brünnich's Guillemots. Sitting on the cliffs overlooking these colonies on a summer's day is, for me, one of the highlights of the birding year. The comings and goings of the auks, the sights, sounds and smells of the colony and the dramatic coastal landscapes provide a wonderful wildlife spectacle - and there's always the chance of seeing a whale offshore, too!

(Above) Midnight Sun, Iceland and (below) an exquisite drake Harlequin Duck © Iceland Naturalist

Actually, we do very well for cetacean sightings in Iceland and our trips in recent years have noted Orcas, White-beaked Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Humpback and Minke Whales, and even the magnificent Blue Whale. Sailing on these northern seas in search of whales is great fun and is, of course, good for birds, too. In fact, it's often the feeding seabirds that give us a clue where the whales may be. Even from a long distance it's possible to see the feeding frenzies of seabirds, and there could be a whale beneath the surface. Oops, I neglected to mention Iceland's most numerous seabird earlier, Puffin. The Puffin colonies around Iceland are the largest in the world and it's great fun to watch the antics of this comical bird. We see lots of them from land and on our whale-watching boat trips. Puffins are

Humpback Whale, waving © Iceland Naturalist

always special and I really enjoy showing them to visitors and watching them (the visitors that is!) delight in them as well. Birds steal the show on these trips but it would be remiss of me not to mention the wildflowers of Iceland which are so obvious at this time of year. My favourites include Mountain Avens, Butterwort, Northern Green Orchid, the various saxifrage species that occur here and the Wild Thyme which carpets the countryside in many places. I've never met a naturalist who hasn't enjoyed a trip to Iceland and I really look forward to showing the Limosa groups the best that Iceland can offer each year. I hope you'll decide to visit soon..." Our 2013 “Arctic Birds and Atlantic Whales” trip with an updated and improved itinerary runs Fri 14-Sun 23 June. We’ve 6 places left. Red-necked Phalarope © Iceland Naturalist

from the

Field edited by Chris Kightley

Cape May migrants: (above) Wood Thrush and Black-throated Blue Warbler, and (below) a juvenile Chestnut-sided Warbler © Brian Small/Limosa

ape May, New Jersey has just about everything a birder could wish for in September reports guide Brian Small, who led our bumper autumn 2012 visit. Hit it right and you get a great passage of migrant warblers; waders and waterbirds abound in the various wetlands; terns and gulls flock on the beaches or out in the rips; and raptors are constantly passing overhead. Boy, did we hit it right this year! Two great flights of warblers - who will ever forget the trees at Cape May on our last morning, the trunks at times covered in migrant warblers and Red-breasted Nuthatches?... Or the thrill of Northern Flickers, Blue Jays, American Kestrels and Merlins passing through?... The following summary of our

first full day’s birding at the Cape gives a flavour of the action and what was to become a familiar pattern over the week. We rose early to find a strong southwesterly wind veering quickly to the northwest, but not quickly enough to have dramatically affected passerine migration. Having collected our first picnic breakfast and picked off the usual croaking Fish Crows en route, we drove out to Higbees, parked up and set about finding our first birds. Carolina Chickadees and Carolina Wrens, a few warblers flitted through and Cardinals called as we ate and drank coffees. Our walk around the fields produced some good birds and as the wind veered, the numbers of Blackpoll Warblers increased

- in fact, they were the most numerous warbler of the day. We had many Catbirds, American Redstarts and Red-eyed Vireos too, several Downy and single Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers flew over and Red-bellied Woodpeckers perched briefly in the trees. A Bobolink performed well in a tree top - a want for Dave; a fine Magnolia Warbler showed beautifully and a small group of Palm Warblers likewise but the Brown Thrasher didn't, sadly. Flyover groups of Cedar Waxwings were nice, but the small flock in the treetops were much better. Time had flown by and so we moved on to the Cape May “Hawkwatch”, that promised much and delivered in spades! Picking up lunch at the deli, then having watched the most amazing Peregrine you could ever want to see perched on a telegraph pole, we wound up in the car park, finding the viewing platform packed with eager birders. Early migration was good, but the movement gradually picked up later with many American Kestrels (including some fine males), Merlins and Sharp-shinned Hawks coming through at the rate of around 100 birds per hour, plus Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered, Red-tailed and Broad-winged Hawks. Tree Swallows swept through too, as did a single Chimney Swift, whilst a variety of waterfowl dabbled on Bunker Pond, along with Forster’s Terns, Killdeer (flying over) and single Stilt Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs feeding around the edge.

news from new jersey, morocco, brazil All too much? Not a bit of it!... After lunch, our walk along the boardwalk produced lots of dragonflies, butterflies and yet more birds; then it was on to the Cape May Bird Observatory itself and another session of going through a small flock of warblers, seeing Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, our first Black-and-white Warblers, Northern Parulas, more Blackpolls and an especially grubby young Cape May Warbler. Plus there were Ruddy Ducks on Lily Lake and Red-winged Blackbirds in the trees. And still the falcons streamed by… The meadows were lovely in the late afternoon light, and we found Pectoral and Least Sandpipers, more Blue-winged Teal and, on the beach, Ring-billed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls; a young American Herring Gull played with a tennis ball. However, on the walk back our final new bird of the day was a Clay-coloured Sparrow. An excellent find and a fitting end to a great first day! Cape May is one of those wonderful places you can go back to time and again, and still see new and exciting birds. In 2013, we are offering a choice of two departures to Cape May: our annual autumn visit Sat 21-Sun 29 September, and our first spring tour, Mon 13-Tue 21 May. Both excellent for migrants!

• They say that every trip is different, but as we set out from Gatwick at the start of our annual and long-running March tour to Morocco: Sahara, High Atlas and Atlantic Coast, we were perhaps not prepared for the fun and excitement to follow. That we only had one day without rain would be one of the surprises, with rain flooding the desert and washing away roads. The weather, though, also produced some wonderful migration, with ‘downed’ (not drowned!) migrants and there were many notable moments besides the desert storms: the passage of raptors, storks and bee-eaters over Tizi-n-Tichka pass on 24th; no fewer than nine species of wheatear, including the very fine Seebohm’s and four Isabellines (the latter a species we’d not recorded on this trip before); the superb range of desert species at Boumalne and Merzouga, among them Brown-necked Raven, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, African Desert Warbler, Egyptian Nightjar (photographed below), Desert Sparrow and a mixed group of Spotted and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse; Spotted and Little Crakes; and, of course, Bald Ibis at Tamri. All contributed to the variety and splendour of another fantastic tour to Morocco... Morocco tour highlights continue on page 13

This close encounter with Egyptian Nightjar was a highlight on our March 2012 tour to Morocco, as was (top right) the endemic Levaillant’s Woodpecker © Brian Small/Limosa

hether you’re seeking a last minute getaway this winter or want something to look forward to later in the year, we think you’ll find our 2013 programme of great value, allinclusive tours hard to beat. To find out more about Limosa’s top-rated trips, request a copy of our ALL NEW free brochure or visit our website: limosaholidays.co.uk

Want further information about a specific tour outlined below? Please ask for a Tour Info Pack there’s one for each of our trips. At the time of writing, there’ still at least one space open on each of the 2013 tours featured below...

January-March 2013

ICELAND: Harlequins & Northern Lights

SOMERSET LEVELS Tue 22-Fri 25 January with Stephen Moss. Let well-known naturalist, TV producer and broadcaster Stephen Moss show you round his ‘home patch’ in Somerset. Great birding, good hotel and our trademark small friendly groups. GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!

THE GAMBIA Tue 22-Tue 29 January with Robin Chittenden Warm yourself up with a week of tropical birding. Six nights at a comfortable hotel on West Africa’s sun-drenched Atlantic coast and one upriver at Tendaba. Our 40th visit to The Gambia. GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!

Thu 7-Mon 11 February with Andy Jones. First of five short breaks seeking Iceland’s winter birds plus visits to the Strokkur Geysir and roaring Gulfoss waterfall during the day... And chances of the spectacular Northern Lights at night. ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT

THAILAND Mon 18 Feb-Sat 2 March with Peter Kennerley. NEW! Gulf of Thailand, Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon in our quest for Spoonbilled Sandpiper, Nordmann's Greenshank, Siamese Fireback, Green Peafowl and a host of other tropical treats on this superb new three-centre tour. GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!

MOROCCO

NORFOLK & SUFFOLK: Goshawks & Hawfinches

Sat 26 Jan-Sat 2 February with Arnoud van den Berg. Dispel those mid-winter blues! Join us in Agadir for Bald Ibis, Moussier’s Redstart and a host of other North African specialities. Features 2 nights at Goulimime, “gateway to the Sahara”, for desert birds. GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!

Tue 26 Feb-Fri 1 March with Gary Elton. A 4-day winter break focusing on the special birds of East Anglia’s unique Breckland as we go in search of some of Britain’s most difficult-to-see resident birds - including Goshawk, Bittern, Firecrest and Hawfinch. 4 SPACES

GREECE

ICELAND: Harlequins & Northern Lights

Wed 30 Jan-Sun 3 February with Martin Hrouzek & Gary Elton. NEW! Super 5-day break focusing on the outstanding birdlife of Lake Kerkini in winter, including its rare Dalmatian Pelicans and Spotted Eagles. GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!

Thu 28 Feb-Mon 4 March with Trausti Gunnarsson. Second of five short breaks seeking Iceland’s winter birds, the Strokkur Geysir and roaring Gulfoss waterfall during the day... and chances of the spectacular Northern Lights at night. ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT

BOTSWANA & ZAMBIA: Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls Mon 11-Fri 22 March with Callan Cohen. NEW! Exclusive fly-in safari to one of the last great wilderness areas on our planet the Okavango Delta - plus Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls. Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret and African Wild Dog amongst possible trip highlights. 4 SPACES LEFT

GERMANY: Brandenburg Sun 17-Thu 21 March with Stephen Daly. NEW! Short tour to the ornithologically ‘undiscovered’ area of old East Germany, at the peak season for seeing cranes and geese. Great Bustard, birds of prey and up to 5 species of woodpecker possible, too.

ICELAND: Harlequins & Northern Lights Thu 21-Mon 25 March with Trausti Gunnarsson. Another in our series of short breaks seeking Iceland’s winter birds, the Strokkur Geysir and Gulfoss waterfall during the day... and chances of the spectacular Northern Lights at night. ONLY 1 SPACE LEFT

MOROCCO

Thu 21-Sun 31 March with Arnoud van den Berg. The best birding in North Africa, with a long list of speciality birds... Bald Ibis, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Egyptian Nightjar, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Tristram’s and African Desert Warbler, Desert Sparrow seen on our 2012 tour! 5 SPACES

Limosa’s NEW website goes live in January!

Our 2013

Tour Calendar

HUNGARY & ROMANIA Fri 26 Apr-Sun 5 May with János Oláh. A cracking tour, combining the spectacular birdlife of the Hungarian Hortobágy in spring with a quest for Brown Bears, Wallcreeper and Three-toed Woodpecker in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania.

CORSICA Sun 28 April-Sun 5 May with Mike Read. Our annual spring visit to this scenic, wildlife-rich Mediterranean island - home to some great birdlife including two special endemics: Corsican Nuthatch and Corsican Finch. Great time of year for migrants, too!

LESBOS 2 Tue 30 Apr-Wed 8 May with Brian Small. Our long-running tour, extended by a day this year to 9 days. Savour the magic of spring migration on Lesbos - and revel in the best of Aegean birding! No one knows Lesbos like Limosa... join us for our 40th visit to the island. Pint-sized perfection: Spinifex Pigeon, Northern Territory, Australia © Ghan tour participant John Pamment

CYPRUS

NORTHERN COSTA RICA

Sun 31 Mar-Sun 7 April with Robin Chittenden & Paul Harvey. An early spring visit to Cyprus can encounter some of the best bird migration anywhere in the Med. Add two unique species - Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Pied Wheatear - plus a number of distinctive island races, and its appeal is irresistible!

Wed 17-Fri 26 April with Jason Horn. NEW! 10-day tour to Northern Costa Rica, taking in the Poas and Arenal volcanoes, the cloud forest of Bosque de Paz and the wonderful wetlands of Caño Negro. It’s the perfect complement to our longer Classic Costa Rica tour. 2 SPACES LEFT

BRAZIL: The Atlantic Rainforest April-June 2013 SWEDEN Thu 11-Sun 14 April with Daniel Green. The wild forests and lakes of central Sweden are home to Capercaillies, Cranes, Three-toed Woodpeckers and a wonderful selection of possible owls. Join us for a hugely enjoyable Scandinavian short break!

USA: Texas Coast Migration Thu 11-Fri 19 April with Chris Charlesworth. There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of spring migration along the bird-rich Texas Gulf coast. Prepare to be bewitched and bedazzled by a positive rainbow of warblers, waders and wetland birds.

ITALY: Sicily Wed 17-Wed 24 April with Andrea Corso & Brian Small. Eastern Sicily is a hot-spot for migrants crossing between Africa and Europe. Features 7 nights at an excellent family-run masseria. FULL, WAIT LIST ONLY

Thu 18-Fri 26 April with Richard Thaxton. Single-centre tour to the coastal mountain rainforests of southeast Brazil. Three-toed Jacamar and Brazilian Tanager among a dazzling list of endemics and specialities. Seven nights at the lovely REGUA lodge.

LESBOS 1 Mon 22-Tue 30 April with Gary Elton. Our long-running tour, extended by a day this year to 9 days. Savour the magic of spring migration on Lesbos - and revel in the best of Aegean birding! No one knows Lesbos like Limosa... join us for our 39th visit to the island.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Mon 22 April-Sat 4 May with Robin Chittenden. Join us for the best possible introduction to South American birding, with its rainforests and wetlands, palm-fringed beaches and seabird islands. Includes seven nights at Asa Wright and four on Tobago, plus night excursion to see nesting turtles.

CANADA: Point Pelee & Algonquin Wed 1-Sun 12 May with Chris Charlesworth. Spectacular birding at North America’s most famous spring migration hot-spot: Point Pelee, on the shores of the Great Lakes. With visits to lovely Algonquin National Park in the north, and final night at Niagara Falls.

ROMANIA: Danube Delta Fri 3-Sat 11 May with Stephen Daly & Zoli Baczó. Our spring and autumn 2013 tours to Romania feature 3 nights aboard a floating hotel-boat exploring the Danube Delta - and a choice of two new and differing itineraries within Europe’s greatest wetland.

SPAIN: Extremadura & Gredos Sat 4-Sat 11 May with Gary Elton. From the bird-rich steppes of Extremadura to a host of alpine specialities in the lovely Sierra de Gredos. Add two super hotels and the best birding in Iberia at the very best time of year... and this tour has got the lot!

BELARUS Sun 5-Mon 13 May with Barrie Cooper & Attila Steiner. Birding in a land of Azure Tits and ancient forests where rare European Bison roam... Let us introduce you the wild and unspoiled country of Belarus!

TANZANIA: Birds & Big Cats Tue 7-Sat 18 May with Callan Cohen & Deirdre Vrancken. Abundant East African birdlife and vast numbers of mammals, in a dramatic and amazingly beautiful setting. continues on page 8

full tour itineraries... www.limosaholidays.co.uk

PORTUGAL & MADEIRA Wed 29 May-Fri 7 June with João Jara. NEW! 10-day tour combining the famous Alentejo steppe grasslands of southern Portugal with the Atlantic island endemics and seabirds of Madeira. Includes 3 super boat trips and a night visit for Zino’s Petrel.

FRANCE: Wild Vercors PHOTOGRAPHIC Sat 1-Sat 8 June with Mike Read. NEW! Small group photo tour focusing on birds, butterflies and orchids amidst the stunning limestone landscapes of the scenic Vercors.

FINLAND: The Finnish Taiga Tue 4-Mon 10 June with Peter Kennerley & local guides. NEW! If you want to get to grips with Scandinavia’s owls plus a long list of boreal specialities, this is THE trip! Join us as we go in search of Great Grey, Hawk and Tengmalm’s Owls, Pallid Harrier, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit and more! Hear the Thrush Nightingale’s remarkable song on our May tour to Estonia © Dr Kevin Elsby/wildlifeontheweb.co.uk

BULGARIA

TURKEY

Wed 8-Fri 17 May with Chris Murphy & local guide. Dalmatian Pelican, Paddyfield Warbler and Pied Wheatear among a superb array of specialities on this 10-day tour to one of Europe’s birdiest yet least visited countries.

Mon 13-Wed 22 May with Peter Kennerley & Soner Bekir. The very best of Southern Turkey in one exciting tour. Long list of special birds from Caspian Snowcock and Iraq Babbler to Blue-cheeked Bee-eater as we journey east to Birecik and the Euphrates.

FRANCE: The Dordogne Sat 11-Fri 18 May with David Simpson. Spring journey to this delightful corner of France for a medley of spring birds, butterflies and orchids. FULL, WAIT LIST!

AUSTRIA: Lake Neusiedl Sat 11-Fri 18 May with Tim Earl. With the breeding season in full swing, this holiday to Eastern Austria focuses on the varied birdlife of marshland, mountain and forest. Based at the perfect birding hotel close to lovely Lake Neusiedl.

ITALY: Po Delta Sat 11-Fri 18 May with Mike Read. Travel with us to one of Europe’s largest but leastknown river deltas - the Po, home to Pygmy Cormorants, 9 species of breeding herons, Italian Sparrow and so much more.

USA: Cape May in spring Mon 13-Tue 21 May with Brian Small. NEW! Who know’s what excitements will come our way on our first spring visit to Cape May? With migrant waders streaming through and crowds of colourful American warblers pushing north to breed, join us for a superb spring break - at a special place for migration!

CZECH REPUBLIC Tue 14-Tue 21 May with Robin Chittenden. NEW! Three super hotels plus a little bit of Czech heritage and culture too, on this comprehensive birding tour to the south of Prague. All 10 European woodpeckers, Pygmy Owl, River Warbler and Scarlet Rosefinch among many possible highlights.

USA: Arizona Tue 14-Sun 26 May with Chris Charlesworth. Scenically spectacular tour that’s brimming with speciality birds, exploring the deserts, mountains, deserts and forests of America’s wild west. FULL, WAIT LIST!

SPANISH PYRENEES: High Aragon Sat 25 May-Sat 1 June with Byron Palacios. With Lammergeier, Wallcreeper and Lady’s Slipper Orchid, the Spanish Pyrenees make a superb destination for a wildlife holiday!

GERMANY: Bavarian Alps Tue 4-Tue 11 June with Stephen Daly. Delightful 8-day birdwatching tour exploring the picture-postcard Bavarian Alps for Alpine Chough, Bluethroat, Rosefinch and more.

CANADIAN ROCKIES Wed 5-Wed 19 June with Chris Charlesworth Lewis’s Woodpecker, Townsend’s Solitaire and Varied Thrush among a mouth-watering range of western North American specialities on our classic Canadian Rockies tour. Good chance of American Black Bear too, as we journey from Calgary to Vancouver on the Pacific shore. Our 11th Rocky Mountains tour.

FRANCE: Wild Vercors Sun 9-Sun 16 June with Mike & Liz Read. For those without a particular interest in photography, our “regular” tour for birds, butterflies and orchids amidst the stunning limestone landscapes of the scenic Vercors.

ARCTIC FINLAND & NORWAY Mon 10-Sun 16 June with Peter Kennerley & local guides. All the key Arctic specialities - from rare divers and buntings to exotic eiders and even Hawk Owl. Plus a boat trip to Hornöya island for Brünnich’s Guillemot. [May be booked together with our Finnish Taiga tour, 4-10 June, to make one super trip]

MACEDONIA: Birds & Butterflies ESTONIA Mon 27 May-Mon 3 Jun with Peter Kennerley NEW! Get to grips with the likes of Great Snipe, Thrush Nightingale and Blyth’s Reed Warbler against a backdrop of boreal spring migration along Estonia’s Baltic shore.

Wed 12-Wed 19 June with Robin Chittenden & Martin Hrouzek. Outstanding “birds and butterflies” tour to one of Europe’s ’newest’ wildlife destinations - Macedonia! Concludes with two nights at superb Lake Prespa, in northern Greece, for a terrific all-round tour.

Chris, Barbara & the Limosa team wish you a very happy

Our 2013

Tour Calendar ICELAND

SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Birds & Flowers

Fri 14-Sun 23 June with Trausti Gunnarsson. Whales and White-tailed Eagles, Gyr Falcon and Grey Phalaropes, Harlequin Ducks and hot springs... Just a hint of the excitement that awaits you amid Europe’s newest and most dramatic landscapes. It’s top drawer!

Fri 2-Wed 14 August with Alastair Kilpin. Cracking trip that’s got the lot: from African Penguin to Cape Sugarbird, Southern Right Whale, a world-class seabird pelagic and the Cape Floral Kingdom at peak of flowering!

AUSTRALIA: The Ghan FRENCH PYRENEES Wed 19-Wed 26 June with Chris Murphy. Our popular summer week of alpine birds, butterflies and flowers, centred on the glorious Gavarnie valley. Lammergeier, Snowfinch and around 70 butterfly species.

SWITZERLAND: Swiss Alps Sun 23-Sun 30 June with Brian Small. Lammergeier, Snowfinch, Alpine Accentor and Wallcreeper are among the stars on this very scenic ‘alpine birds and butterflies’ tour. Mountain railway journey from Zermatt to view the Gornergratt glacier and Matterhorn.

Fri 16 August-Thu 5 September with Peter Taylor. Our unique 21-day “birding & rail” tour, crossing the Red Centre of Australia in Gold Class comfort aboard the epic Ghan railway - birding from tropical Darwin via Alice Springs to Adelaide in the temperate south. EARLY BOOKING ESSENTIAL. See featured tour on page 12 of this newsletter.

CANADA: Grand Manan

July-September 2013

Mon 19-Wed 28 August with Tim Earl. Seabirds, shorebirds, birds of prey and warblers among migrants on the move along Canada’s Atlantic coast - at probably the best time of year for watching whales in the beautiful Bay of Fundy, too!

NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

AUSTRIA: Lake Neusiedl

Mon 1-Thu 4 July with Gary Elton. See some of Britain’s rarest breeding birds on this summer tour to Breckland. Chances of Bittern, Hobby, Stone-curlew, Nightjar, Firecrest and Golden Oriole... And if Honey Buzzards and Montagu’s Harriers return this year we’ll try for them, too! 3 PLACES LEFT

Sat 31 August-Sat 7 September with John Muddeman. With autumn migration in full swing, this easy holiday to Eastern Austria focuses on the varied birdlife of marshland, mountain and forest. Based at the perfect birding hotel close to lovely Lake Neusiedl.

USA: California SLOVAKIA: Dragonflies & Birds Wed 3-Wed 10 July with Peter Kennerley & Dusan Sacha. NEW! Peak of season “birds and dragonflies” tour to the mountains and marshes of scenic Slovakia. Some wonderful summer butterflies - and birding, too!

Fri 6-Tue 17 September with Chris Charlesworth. The Pacific coast and deserts of southern California in search of seabirds, waders and passerine migrants, plus all those alluring Californian endemics and other West Coast specialities. Boat trips for Blue Whale and the unique Island Scrub Jay.

SOUTHERN IRELAND Thu 11-Thu 18 July with Chris Murphy. Summer tour to Ireland’s sunny south-east, at a time when the Wicklow Hills are purple and Wexford’s Roseate Terns, Puffins and migrant waders have begun to congregate on off-shore islands and coastal lagoons.

THE FAROE ISLANDS Mon 15-Mon 22 July with Andy Jones. Jutting high out of the mid-Atlantic depths, the little-known Faroe Islands offer some stupendous scenery, huge seabird colonies and Viking culture. Limited to 8 participants.

COSTA RICA Thu 1-Wed 14 August with Jason Horn. Join ‘our man in San Jose’ for everything from Snowcap to Scarlet Macaw as we journey from Caribbean coast to cloud-forested volcanoes in this tiny, species-rich country.

ROMANIA: Danube Delta Sat 7-Sun 15 September with Peter Kennerley & Zoli Baczó. Our spring and autumn 2013 tours to Romania feature 3 nights aboard a floating hotel-boat exploring the Danube Delta - and a choice of two new and differing itineraries within Europe’s greatest wetland. NEW for this year, visit to Macin Mountains.

Photos (from top): Join us in Romania’s Danube Delta in May to look for breeding Paddyfield Warbler © Zoli Baczo • The handsome Red-breasted Flycatcher takes some beating in spring! © János Oláh • If you’ve always wanted to see a Koala, then our August trip to Australia: The Ghan is the one to pick © tour participant Peter Tapsell

SPAIN: Andalucia Wed 11-Wed 18 September with Stephen Daly. Autumn week timed to coincide with one of Europe’s greatest bird spectacles the mass migration of raptors and storks over the Strait of Gibraltar. Led by “our man in Andalucia”, Stephen Daly, and based at two good hotels - including a three-night stay in the Coto Doñana National Park. continues on page 10

y New Year. We look forward to travelling with you in 2013

Our 2013

Tour Calendar ITALY: Sicily Thu 12-Thu 19 September with Andrea Corso & Brian Small. NEW! Western Sicily is a hot-spot for migrants crossing between Europe and Africa in the autumn. Join us for 6 nights at an excellent family-run hotel plus one night on the island of Favignana.

BULGARIA Thu 19-Thu 26 September with Chris Murphy. Our classic autumn tour timed to coincide with the impressive movements of birds of prey, pelicans, storks, waders and passerine migrants that travel the Black Sea corridor.

USA: Cape May Sat 21-Sun 29 September with Brian Small. Masses of warblers, waders, birds of prey and passerine migrants on the move at the USA’s premier autumn migration hot-spot. Migrating Monarch butterflies too. 14th visit. 4 PLACES LEFT

ESTONIA Sun 22-Sun 29 September with Barrie Cooper Thrilling autumn migration on the eastern shore of the Baltic, as immense numbers of Arctic breeding birds pour south for winter.

October-December 2013 PORTUGAL Wed 2-Wed 9 October with Robin Chittenden & João Jara. Birds of prey and passerines on the move... plus bustards, Black-winged Kite and other classic Iberian residents on this easy-paced tour to the sunny Algarve. Features a pelagic boat trip for seabirds and two excellent new hotels.

BRAZIL: The Atlantic Rainforest Thu 3-Fri 11 October with Brian Small. Single-centre tour to the coastal mountain rainforests of southeast Brazil. Three-toed Jacamar and Brazilian Tanager among a dazzling list of endemics and specialities. Seven nights at the lovely REGUA lodge.

MOROCCO: Marsh Owls & Moussier’s Sat 5-Sun 13 October with Arnoud van den Berg. Join us for the very best of Morocco in autumn, on a journey from Tangier south to Agadir. Marsh Owl, Bald Ibis, Eleonora’s Falcon, Moussier’s Redstart and Levaillant’s Woodpecker among regular trip highlights.

MADAGASCAR

Sun 29 Sep-Fri 11 October with Alastair Kilpin. Abundant birds and mammals including many South African endemics and regional specialities - on this superb tour.

Tue 15-Mon 28 October with Alastair Kilpin. Madagascar’s exceptional birdlife and lemurs on a tour that will open your eyes to the remarkable wildlife of an extraordinary ‘other world’. Highlights last year included a close encounter with the rare and fabulous Fossa!

NORFOLK COAST

HUNGARY: The Carnival of Cranes

Mon 30 Sep-Thu 3 October with Gary Elton. Midweek break with visits to all the top birding spots along the Norfolk coast just as the comings and goings of our autumn and winter visitors reach a peak.

Wed 16-Wed 23 October with János Oláh. Thrilling autumn birding at the peak of Hungary’s legendary Crane migration. Good chances of Lesser White-fronted Goose, too. Plus the glorious hill-forests of the Zemplen.

SOUTH AFRICA: Kruger & Drakensberg

(Above): Malabar Trogon, Goa © Dr Kevin Elsby/wildlifeontheweb.co.uk and (below) Spotted Crake photographed on our September 2012 tour to Romania © tour participant Gordon Small

GERMANY: Brandenburg Sun 20-Thu 24 October with Stephen Daly. NEW! Short tour to the ornithologically ‘undiscovered’ area of old East Germany, at the peak season for seeing cranes and geese. Great Bustard, birds of prey and up to 5 species of woodpecker possible, too.

CANARY ISLANDS Sat 2-Sat 9 November with Tony Clarke & Stephen Daly. Join the Canaries’ foremost wildlife guide for Blue Chaffinch, Tenerife Kinglet and other endemic birds, along with Houbara Bustard and the special thrill of looking for one or two trans-Atlantic strays.

NORFOLK COAST Mon 4-Thu 7 November with Gary Elton. November is a fabulous time to explore the Norfolk coast. Expect thousands of wildfowl and waders, plus birds of prey and Barn Owl - while seasonable small birds can include Shorelark, Twite and Snow Bunting.

SRI LANKA Thu 7-Thu 21 November with Brian Small. Two-week tour seeking Serendib Scops Owl, Sri Lankan Blue Magpie, Indian Pitta and Pied Thrush among Sri Lanka’s many endemic and wintering birds. Plus chances of seeing Leopard at Yala National Park.

CLASSIC AUSTRALIA Thu 7-Mon 25 November with Peter Taylor. The very best of eastern Australia: Botany Bay and the Blue Mountains, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, and three nights at world-famous O’Reilly’s in one superb trip.

Black-headed Plover photographed on our November 2012 tour to The Gambia © tour participant Ian Billenness

SPANISH STEPPES

NORFOLK BROADS

Tue 19-Tue 26 November with Stephen Daly. Ease yourself into winter on this relaxed annual break to Extremadura, chock full of birds and based at an absolutely super hotel in the heart of prime birding country.

Tue 3-Fri 6 December with Gary Elton. Cranes, Bean Geese and a visit to Britain’s most famous winter raptor roost are among highlights on this exciting short tour. Plus NEW for 2013... the amazing dusk spectacle of Europe’s largest gathering of Rooks!

ICELAND: Harlequins & Northern Lights USA: Florida Tue 12-Sat 23 November with Arnoud van den Berg. Beat the onset of those winter blues, birding in subtropical Florida! Snail Kite, Limpkin, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Florida Scrub Jay among a host of speciality birds. Plus Barred Owls and Manatees in the swamps and crowds of waders on the Gulf.

Thu 21-Mon 25 November with Andy Jones. Last in our series of five winter breaks to Iceland. Harlequin, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Gyr Falcon, visits to Strokkur Geysir and the roaring Gulfoss waterfall... Plus chances of the spectacular Northern Lights!

HOLLAND: Wild Goose Chase!

Wed 13-Sun 24 November with Peter Kennerley. NEW! Birding in the tropical coastal lowlands and forested hills of the Western Ghats for a wealth of endemic and near endemic birds in India’s smallest state.

Thu 28 Nov-Mon 2 December with Arnoud van den Berg. 23rd year for our famous Dutch “Wild Goose Chase”. From rare geese and raptors to everything in between, join us for a 5-day break that’s simply packed with exceptional winter birding... Plus our customary indulgence in Dutch apple tart!

GAMBIA: Quest for the Crocodile Bird

CLASSIC NORTHERN INDIA

Fri 15-Tue 26 November with Gary Elton. Our annual November tour to the Gambia is widely regarded as the best there is. Six nights at the coast, crammed with great birding; five nights upriver for Egyptian Plover, African Finfoot and more. 41st visit!

Thu 28 Nov-Thu 12 December with Peter Kennerley. The region’s top four birding sites: Bharatpur, Chambal River, Corbett and Nainital, plus sightseeing visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal on this essential, classic Northern India tour.

INDIA: Goa

Early January 2014 FALKLAND ISLANDS Wed 8-Wed 22 January with Tim Earl. Journey with us to a land of intimate wildlife encounters, with albatrosses, penguins, sealions, elephant seals and more! Our guide Tim Earl is a veteran of more than 20 visits.

UGANDA Thu 9-Mon 20 January with Callan Cohen & Deirdre Vrancken. A 12-day tour packed with fabulous highlights From Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest to Chimp tracking at Kyambura Gorge and a boat trip into Mabamba Swamp for Shoebill.

Want to know more about a particular trip? Detailed Itineraries are available for all our trips. Ask for a Tour Info Pack or download one from our new website!

coming soon... our ALL NEW website!

and Splendid Fairywrens, Spinifexbird, the gorgeous Red-capped Robin and flocks of chattering Budgerigars - the real McCoy! Overnight on The Ghan again, we travel a further 1500km south, to Adelaide. The cool of the temperate south is refreshing and the birdlife so different - yet still a wonder, from the blue and orange Adelaide Rosellas to rowdy White-winged Choughs and shy Diamond Firetails. The natural wetlands of the Onkaparinga River should yield a myriad waterbirds, including the famous Black Swan and migratory waders.

Australia Grand Central: The Ghan

f you missed out on Limosa’s unique “Grand Central” tour to Australia first time around (Oct 2010), then here’s a second opportunity to join us for an extra special birding trip - built around one of the great railway journeys of the world: The Ghan! Travelling from one side of the vast Australian landmass to the other, it’s an epic transcontinental adventure that will carry you 2979 km, from the tropical rainforests of Darwin in the far north, right across the arid Red Centre of Australia, to the temperate woodlands of Adelaide in the south. Aboard The Ghan we shall make the journey in relaxed “Gold Class” comfort. It’s all a far cry from the original Afghan camel trains that first pioneered the trade routes between southern Australia and the “Top End” in the 1800s, and after which this amazing railway is named. The modern day Ghan takes three days (two nights) to complete the crossing. But we shall be breaking our journey into two, travelling first from Darwin to Alice Springs, where we enjoy four days of desert birding before continuing south to Adelaide. Top End birding is as exciting as anywhere in the tropics and the coastal mangroves and rainforests teem with exotic birdlife: Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove and Shining Flycatcher await. We’ll visit Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage site with its ancient rock art, amazing termite towers and stark sandstone escarpments that are home to the localized Chestnutquilled Rock-pigeon (endemic to Kakadu), exquisite Hooded Parrot and ‘paint box’ Gouldian Finch. An early morning cruise

on Yellow Water Billabong is another major highlight, with tens of thousands of Magpie Geese trailing across the dawn skies as our boat glides silently across the mirrored waters in search of Rufous Night Herons, Green Pygmy Geese and Little Kingfisher. Leaving the tropics, we board The Ghan and travel 1500kms south to Alice Springs. Here we catch a flight deep into the desert to visit the giant red monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock), at the true Red Centre of Australia. Desert sunsets compete for our attention with startling Crimson Chats and Black Honeyeaters. There are numerous specialities to find at Alice, which last time included Pink-eared Duck, Banded Stilt, Australian Pratincole, the pint-sized Spinifex Pigeon, Western Bowerbird, White-winged

We stay at Victor Harbor near Lake Alexandrina, where the mighty Murray River meets the Southern Ocean and the varied birdlife of the Fleurieu Peninsula entices us. Little Penguins, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and Southern Emuwren are but three possible treats in store. Crossing the Murray, we enter the Mallee zone and take a day to explore Gluepot Reserve, a refuge for the endangered Black-eared Miner and Red-lored Whistler, and home to the peculiar mound-building Malleefowl. As a grand finale to this fantastic tour we visit Barossa Valley, world famous for its wines, and seeking “Butterbums” (Yellowrumped Thornbills), Musk Lorikeets and Red-rumped Parrots. But even as we make our way back to Adelaide for flights home, one final treasure is still to come: a creekline of Koala filled gum trees in the forested hills above the city, begging for just one last photo! What more could you possibly want from this remarkable tour Downunder? Dates for this tour in 2013 are Fri 16 August -Thu 5 September (21 days). It’s not a trip that we offer on a regular basis, so don’t let the opportunity pass you by... Download a copy of the detailed Tour Itinerary from our website now! Please note: early booking is essential to secure berths onboard the train.

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Adult White-crowned Black Wheatears are unusual among wheatears in that the sexes are alike © Brian Small/Limosa Holidays

Birding in the Atlas mountains, on the high hamada desert plains around Boumalne and beneath the towering red sand dunes at Merzouga is a highlight of all our spring Morocco tours - but some of the most memorable birding on our March 2012 trip came at Ouarzazate, a town located midway between the Saharan sands and Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Here, the extraordinary sight of hailstones - 5cm deep in the streets greeted us on the drive to Mansour lake! But the sun was out and we spent a fantastic three hours around the shore - as good a period of birding as you could ever expect. The lake itself (more accurately a reservoir) hosted numerous wildfowl, affording us excellent views of Marbled Duck as well as our first good looks at a pair of Moroccan Wagtails nest-building, lots of warblers including stunningly bright Iberian Chiffchaffs (looking almost like Wood Warblers at times) and a really obliging Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Bluethroats, an Isabelline Wheatear (incredibly, the last of four found on the trip!), a dark phase Booted Eagle amongst the more familiar pale ones, a dark male Montagu’s Harrier, Blue-cheeked and European Bee-eaters, Marsh Sandpiper, Red-throated Pipit and the rare sight of a Quail out in the open.

After Ouarzazate, we headed west, picking up Cream-coloured Coursers along the way and enjoying Bonelli’s Warblers and a couple of male Spanish Sparrows on a walk over lunch at the breezy riverside village of Taliouine. Approaching Taroudannt, our destination for the night, the landscape gradually changes from barren desert to more verdant hills, with slopes covered in thorny Argan trees where we were lucky to find a hunting Black-winged Kite over some arable fields, enjoying it to the sound of bee-eaters and Corn Buntings filling the air. Overnight we had heard Stone-curlews (probably on the roof of the hotel) and, in the hotel grounds next day, were treated our best views of Western Olivaceous Warblers and three Hawfinches before leaving the castellated earthen walls of Taroudannt, westward towards Agadir, then turning north along the coast at Cap Rhir. Our first main stop produced the first of perhaps 80 Bald Ibises for the day (from a known world population of just 511 birds), whilst a mixed gull flock on the beach held Audouin’s Gulls and a fine adult Caspian Tern. The walk down onto the beach for closer views also helped us to see a young male Black Wheatear, Thekla Larks, and good views of Kentish and Ringed Plovers.

Stopping for a deserved lunch in Tamri, we scanned a few freshwater pools in the valley bottom and found three Spotted and a pair of Little Crakes - a little distant but identifiable nevertheless. So, after copious amounts of food from steamy hot tajines, we found a spot to park and walked across the river bed for closer views of the crakes, which showed well after a bit of manoeuvring. We also found Moustached Warbler, a couple of Squacco Herons, a close male Western Black-eared Wheatear and great views of Moroccan Wagtail; a Short-toed Eagle flew over grasping a snake. Passing Cap Rhir once more, Colin’s sharp eyes spied another group of Bald Ibises, close to the road, which we very much enjoyed along with more Western Black-eared Wheatears and Thekla Larks. Morocco’s Atlantic coast can always be relied upon to produce great birding and, after an early breakfast, our final full day found us heading south to the Oued (river) Massa, stopping ‘briefly’ to check the tide at Oued Souss. An hour later and in lovely early morning sun (following some good wader watching, including Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, and Little Stint beside the Souss), we continued on our way. The drive revealed plenty of Maghreb Magpies and a single Great Spotted Cuckoo before

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arriving at the information centre for the reserve. We walked the track beside the river, taking in the morning concert from the riverside tamarisks - where every tree seemed to have its own singing Western Olivaceous Warbler! A good number of Glossy Ibises and a White-breasted Cormorants perched on an upturned root within the river, and we enjoyed good views of a pair of Black-crowned Tchagras in the cultivated fields. Other warblers included Willow and Chiffchaff; Stonechats also showed well and, on the butterfly front, the warmth had brought out a fine Moroccan Orange-tip plus a few African Grass Blues. After lunch we continued further up the Massa valley, where we spotted a single Plain Martin and a male Little Bittern flying past, Kingfisher and male Montagu’s Harrier. Arguably the most interesting birds here were the singing resident ‘reed warblers’, which look and sound subtly different to ‘ours’, and are perhaps best treated as a new taxon of African Reed Warbler. Of course, there were many other highlights - but what a trip! Thanks to guide Arnoud’s unsurpassed knowledge of the country and its birds, this year’s remarkable total of 223 species recorded by our group is probably the highest total ever for 10 days in spring. With lots of favourite memories, not just of special Moroccan birds like Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Moussier’s Redstart and Tristram’s Warbler, but also getting great views of simple things like Bluethroat, Wryneck and Kentish Plover, the varied birdlife and spectacular scenery continue to make Morocco a fantastic place to visit.

forefront of all the processes – a project that will only get better as all the work there further benefits the environment. Added to this was the very comfortable accommodation amidst superb scenery, welcoming hosts, tasty food, hummingbirds and tanagers at the feeders, and a host of outstanding birds - including a wealth of regional specialities. And with the convenience of direct flights from London to Rio de Janeiro, plus an easy transfer between the airport and the lodge, this new, single-centre addition to our schedule looks destined to become a permanent fixture of Limosa’s programme.

Our next Sahara, High Atlas & Atlantic Coast tour runs Thu 21-Sun 31 March. Morocco has been an integral part of Limosa’s programme since the late 1980s, and our 2013 schedule also features two further departures: Agadir and Goulimime, Sat 26 Jan-Sat 2 February; and Marsh Owls & Moussier’s, Sat 5-Sun 13 October.

Right on the doorstep are the famed REGUA wetlands, just a short walk from the lodge, where new birds come thick and fast and are really easy to watch – almost too many at times, if that is possible?! A number of trails into the mid-elevation montane forests are within easy reach and these were also much enjoyed. Within an hour or two’s drive of REGUA are a number of other key sites to visit - Mace de Cima, Pica do Caledonia and Serra dos Orgaos - home to key species such as the rare Grey-winged Cotinga, Three-toed Jacamar and Hooded Berryeater - all of which we saw!

• Limosa’s inaugural visit to REGUA, the Atlantic Rainforest reserve in Southeast Brazil (October), was eagerly anticipated and very much lived up to expectation! It was brilliant to be visiting somewhere that you know is being protected and managed with the welfare of birds and wildlife at the

As ever, we did not see everything - but we enjoyed everything that we did, and the group was keen not just to see the birds but to try and photograph them as well. It’s simply not possible to cover all of the highlights here, but perhaps this brief sketch of our first full day at REGUA,

along with a small selection of guide Brian Small’s photographs taken on the tour, will help to convey at least something of the magic of birding in Southeast Brazil... The day started sunny and warm (and continued to get hotter throughout), so the early start produced the coolest weather and in some ways the most lively birding. Around the lodge, feeders held Swallowtailed and Glittering-bellied Hummingbirds, Black Jacobin, Violet-capped Woodnymph and Rufous-breasted Hermit, with Palm, Burnished-buff, Sayaca and Yellow-backed Tanagers, too. Other attractions included Blue Dacnis and Red-legged Honeycreeper and various flycatchers. But probably the best bird of the early session was a vivid male Brazilian Tanager, so red it practically burnt itself into one’s retina! Our excellent local guide Adilei met up with us at 0700 hrs and, after the day’s travel yesterday, we opted for an easy walk down to the wetlands - picking up many good birds before we even arrived. A tiny Reddish Hermit, Chestnut-backed Antshrike and Saffron Finches were noted along the track, whilst on the first pool we found Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Purple Gallinule and Brazilian Teal. The walk to the next pool was equally exciting, and we came across a number of White-chinned Sapphires and a Whitebarred Piculet. The highlight for many, Brazil tour highlights continue on back page

guided

BirdWalks Kingfisher © Dr Kevin Elsby/www.wildlifeontheweb.co.uk and (below) Hawfinch at Lynford © Gary Elton/Limosa Holidays

ome and join us on a BirdWalk in Norfolk or Suffolk - and enjoy a few hours of informal guided birdwatching with Limosa! Most BirdWalks last 3-4 hours, during which we usually cover a distance of around 2-4 miles. There’s a charge of just £5 per person for each BirdWalk (cheque at time of booking, payable to “Limosa Holidays”). The cost includes tea, coffee and homemade cake after the walk, as well as guidance and VAT. Places are limited to 20 participants per event, plus Limosa guides. There's no limit to the number of walks you can sign up for. Places will be allocated on a first-come, firstserved basis. NO dogs on the walks, please! HOW TO BOOK Please book in advance by email or phone (when our new website goes live, you will also be able to book online!) to reserve your space - and so we know how much coffee and cake to bring! Full details of what to bring, parking, and where and when to meet etc will be sent to you with our Booking Confirmation letter. Please note: all BirdWalks are guaranteed departures regardless of group size so we regret that payments are non-refundable in the event you cancel or are otherwise unable to attend.

GUIDED BIRDWALKS February-May 2013 TUE 12 FEB • STUBB MILL, HICKLING (Norfolk). Afternoon BirdWalk to Stubb Mill to watch and wait for roosting raptors, Barn Owl and a chance of seeing Cranes. Guides Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp WED 6 MAR • BARTON & ALDERFEN BROADS (Norfolk). Afternoon BirdWalk, including the boardwalk at Turkey Broad, for birds of alder carr, open water and marshland. Wildfowl, birds of prey, Barn Owl, thrushes, finches. Guides Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp

THU 23 MAY • LAKENHEATH (Suffolk) Morning BirdWalk at the RSPB’s excellent Lakenheath Fen reserve. Birds of woodland, reedbed and fen. Bittern, Garganey, Hobby, Cuckoo and Bearded Tit. If we are lucky, we might even see a Golden Oriole this time! Guides Gary Elton, Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp. Entry to reserve is free to RSPB members - but remember to bring your membership card! Parking for non-members is £2 per vehicle)

THU 28 MAR • LYNFORD (Norfolk) Morning BirdWalk at Lynford Arboretum (near Mundford) in search of winter wildfowl, woodpeckers, Siskin, Hawfinch and Crossbill. Guides Gary Elton, Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp SAT 20 APR • EAST RUSTON (Norfolk) Morning BirdWalk around the common, a site of special scientific interest. Meeting early for spring bird song and migrants as we explore fen, heath and hedgerow. Guides Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp WED 8 MAY • HICKLING (Norfolk) Morning BirdWalk seeking Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Bearded Tit, waders and warblers amid the marshes, fields and fen beside Hickling Broad. Guides Chris & Barbara Kightley. Cost: £5 pp

01692 580623 • email: info@limosaholidays.co.uk

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however, was the nesting Common Potoo with a small chick, perched atop a short tree right next to the track. White-faced Whistling Ducks and tiny Least Grebes frequented the pool, while around the fringes a plethora of delightful passerines included White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Lemon-chested Greenlet, Red-rumped Cacique and Chestnut-headed Blackbird. Following lunch, we rested during the afternoon heat. In the late afternoon, we walked the brown trail, returning via the wetland trail again and picking up White-collared Swifts and Boat-billed Flycatchers. However, the excitements of our first day were not yet over and, before dinner, we were driven to one of Adilei’s “special sites” where we were treated to an amazing view of one of the birds of the trip: a Giant Snipe at extremely close range,

sitting tight in the torchlight, its deep-based bill and fine plumage a real treat to see. What a fantastic first day it had been! All in all, over seven fine days of birding at REGUA, we found an amazing 276 species - among them (and in addition to those already mentioned above) such stars as Black Hawk Eagle, Red-legged Seriema, Grey-necked and Slaty-breasted Wood Rails, Blue-winged Macaw, Blue-winged Parrotlet, Plovercrest, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Black-and-gold and Swallow-tailed Cotingas, Sooretama Slaty Antshrike, Black-capped Donacobius, and Azure-shouldered, Greenheaded, Golden-chevroned, Cinnamon, Black-goggled and Diademed Tanagers. Even better, we were supporting REGUA, helping them to protect Brazil’s unique Atlantic Rainforest, a threatened habitat that is very much in need of protection.

In 2013, you can help to support REGUA and the work they are doing to safeguard Brazil’s superb Atlantic Rainforest by joining one of our two trips there. Tour dates are Thu 18Fri 26 April and Thu 3-Fri 11 October. See our website for the detailed Tour Itinerary or to download a copy of our Oct 2012 trip report.

Jackdaw Coat Prize Draw Congratulations to Tony Alleeson of Worcestershire, whose name was the first correct entry drawn from the Limosa hat in our autumn prize draw to win a super Jackdaw waxed coat.

Day 1 at REGUA: Giant Snipe, photographed at just 5 metres distance in the torchlight - superb! © Brian Small/Limosa Holidays

Last Minute Space! SOMERSET LEVELS Tue 22-Fri 25 January with TV's Stephen Moss. Last chance for a while to join our 'man on the spot' Stephen Moss for a tour of his local patch, the Somerset Levels.

THE GAMBIA Tue 22-Tue 29 January with Robin Chittenden. Warm yourself up with a week of tropical birding. Six nights at a comfortable hotel on West Africa’s sundrenched Atlantic coast and one upriver at Tendaba Camp. Our 40th Gambia tour!

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