Wildlife Holidays Brochure from The Travelling Naturalist

The Travelling Naturalist :LOGOLIH +ROLGD\V

2013

The Travelling Naturalist

Destinations 2013-14

WANT TO KNOW WHEN A TOUR IS RUNNING? – CHECK OUT OUR TOUR CALENDAR ON THE INSIDE BACK COVER PAGE INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9 Sustainable Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN ARGENTINA - Cacti & Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 ARGENTINA - Patagonia & Iguazú . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 BRAZIL - Jaguars & Harpy Eagles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13 COSTA RICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 FALKLAND ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-17 GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Turtles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO CANADA - Grand Manan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 CANADA - Rockies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 MEXICO - Monarchs & Monsters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 USA - ALASKA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 USA - MONTANA & YELLOWSTONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29 USA - UTAH & ARIZONA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA) & MADAGASCAR BOTSWANA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 ETHIOPIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 GHANA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 MADAGASCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-34 NAMIBIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 SOUTH AFRICA - Birds & Big Cats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 SOUTH AFRICA - Cape & Karoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 SOUTH AFRICA - Cape & Garden Route . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 SOUTH AFRICA - Drakensberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 SOUTH AFRICA - Kruger & Zululand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 TANZANIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 UGANDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN CAMBODIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 INDIA - North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 INDIA - Hill Railways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 MALDIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 SRI LANKA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

AUSTRALASIA AUSTRALIA - Eastern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 AUSTRALIA - The Ghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 NEW ZEALAND - Flowers & Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

POLAR CRUISES SPITSBERGEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50-51

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST AUSTRIA in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 AUSTRIA in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 BELARUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 BULGARIA in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 BULGARIA in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 CYPRUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 ESTONIA - Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 ESTONIA - Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 FAROE ISLANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 FRANCE - La Brenne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 FRANCE - Camargue & Pyrenees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 FRANCE - Camargue in Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 FRANCE - Cévennes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

PAGE FRANCE - Corsica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 FRANCE - Dordogne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 FRANCE - Dordogne Dragonflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 FRANCE - Dordogne Wallcreepers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 FRANCE - Dordogne Moths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 FRANCE - Pyrenees in Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 FRANCE - Vercors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 GERMANY - Bavarian Alps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 GERMANY - Brandenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 GREECE - Western . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 GREECE - Macedonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 GREECE - Peloponnese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 GREEK ISLANDS - Crete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 GREEK ISLANDS - Lesvos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 HOLLAND - Wild Goose Chase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 HUNGARY in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 HUNGARY in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 ICELAND - Orcas & Auroras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 ICELAND - Puffins & Grimsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 ICELAND in Summer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 ICELAND - Volcanoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 ICELAND in Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 ITALY - Po Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 ITALY - Sicily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 LAPLAND - Birds & Auroras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 LATVIA - Wild Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 MACEDONIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 MONTENEGRO & ALBANIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 MOROCCO in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 MOROCCO in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 POLAND in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 PORTUGAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 ROMANIA in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 ROMANIA in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 SLOVAKIA - Dragonflies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 SPAIN - Andalucia in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 SPAIN - Berdun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 SPAIN - Cranes & Wallcreepers in Autumn . . . . . . . . . .101 SPAIN - Extremadura in Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 SPAIN - Extremadura in Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 SPAIN - Spanish Lynx Quest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 SPAIN - Spanish Pyrenees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 SWEDEN - Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 SWEDEN - Autumn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 SWITZERLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 TURKEY - Southern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 TURKEY - Bosporus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107 UKRAINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

BRITISH ISLES DORSET - Moonfleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 ISLE OF MAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 ISLES OF SCILLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 LEWIS AND HARRIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 NEW FOREST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 ORKNEY - Wildlife & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 OUTER HEBRIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - Aigas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 ISLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

WILD AMBITIONS - Independent Wildlife Holidays GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19 Please look for our brochure supplement, available Autumn 2012 How to Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 Conditions of Booking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Tour Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120-121

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

The Travelling Naturalist PO BOX 3141 Tel: 01305 267994 International: Dorchester Fax: 01305 265506 International: Dorset e-mail: info@naturalist.co.uk web: DT1 2XD

+44 1305 267994 +44 1305 265506 www.naturalist.co.uk

Jamie McMillan trading as The Travelling Naturalist

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The Travelling Naturalist © The Travelling Naturalist 2012 The contents of this brochure are protected by copyright.

Cover illustration – the spiny forest in Madagascar by Mike Langman. Ring–tailed Lemurs run across a clearing, scaring a Running Coua, while a Madagascar Harrier–hawk and Verreaux’s Sifaka look on. © The Travelling Naturalist 2012

The air holidays and flights in this brochure are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3435.

INTRODUCTION

Jamie McMillan amidst the arctic pack-ice

The Travelling Naturalist

is a small, specialist tour operator, with a simple aim – to provide the most enjoyable guided wildlife holidays possible! We follow the best traditions of field natural history, leading small groups of like–minded people in some of the best areas for wildlife that we know, and taking time to appreciate the natural history there. We have been running wildlife holidays for over a quarter of a century, and are extremely proud of our client loyalty, with, on average, about half the clients on any trip coming back to us, and with many of our new clients coming by personal recommendation. Several clients have returned for over twenty holidays with us, and a few have even notched up over forty trips!

A Walrus approaches us in Spitsbergen (Photo by tour participant Mo Warren)

Our Leaders

are fine all-round naturalists with a wealth of field and leadership experience. It is their expertise and professionalism, coupled with an easy-going and flexible approach, that is probably the most important factor in the success of our tours. We also, where possible, link up with local experts to ensure really top-quality local information.

Our Accommodation

is chosen with one criterion in mind – whether our groups will enjoy staying there! So we select lodges, hotels and other centres which combine good facilities with character and good service, and, most importantly, are within easy reach of the best wildlife areas.

Wherever we stay, we make every effort to secure private en suite facilities, and single rooms where requested. We’re also quite keen on our food! Please do give us a ring if you need any more information.

We never forget that it is your holiday and work hard to ensure that all the components of a tour – the accommodation, transport, food, the design and pace of the itinerary, and the all–important leadership combine to give you a superb all–round experience, and, we hope, some wonderful memories!

Sossus Dune Lodge: one of the superb locations on our Namibia tour (Photo: Callan Cohen)

Our Itineraries

INTRODUCTION

are very carefully thought out – indeed we are often complimented on the design and originality of these. Our tours aim to achieve a balance between making the most of the variety within a country, and yet taking time to savour the experience of each place we include. And we’d like to stress that on none of our tours do we rush round making huge lists of birds or flowers!

We particularly like one-centre holidays, as they really give us a chance to get the most out of a place, and suit our relaxed, broadbased style. To make the holidays as stress-free as possible, we usually include all meals in the tour price (with the exception of a few USA tours).

Our Pre-trip Information Packs and Trip Reports

Looking for Shoebill Storks in Uganda (Photo: Dierdre Vrancken)

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are often praised by clients as being some of the best they’ve seen!

We make great efforts to provide you with as much relevant information as we can before a trip, and to provide an informative

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer visit to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel For further information, please www.naturalist.co.uk

and often highly entertaining record of the holiday at the end.

Incidentally, while the brochure and website descriptions give a flavour of each holiday, they cannot really do them justice. It is the trip reports that give the real low-down, so please do request a copy if you are interested in a particular holiday, or look them up on our easy-to-use website.

Walking

We probably get more queries about the amount of walking than on any other topic. In most tours there is some walking, at an easy pace, and stopping frequently to look at wildlife. Overall in a day we can reckon to have walked no more than five miles and often a fair bit less.

There are a few exceptions to this, and these will be indicated in the tour description. Most tours that involve islands, especially small British islands, will involve more walking, usually as we like to try and take you to places that vehicles can’t get to (assuming there are any!). Please assume around seven to ten miles a day for these island tours.

Our pen comes in handy for judging the size of a Mopane worm, Namibia (Photo: Callan Cohen)

Our Website

has much more information than we can squeeze into this brochure!

As well as expanded detailed itineraries for each holiday, you can find past trip reports. If you can, please do have a look at the website description of a tour before booking. Visit us on www.naturalist.co.uk And if you aren’t an internet user, we’ll be delighted to print one off to post to you!

For any tailor-made tours , please see our Wild Ambitions website, www.wildambitions.co.uk

Our Email newsletters

Give you up to date information on new tours and extra departures.

Visit our website to sign up for them!

Our Daily Programme

is tailored to the destination. On many trips we offer an optional prebreakfast walk or excursion to catch the bird activity at its peak, or we may have an early breakfast to make the most of the day.

Lunches are often picnics, but are sometimes taken in local restaurants or tavernas. On most days we aim to get you back to the hotel or lodge in good time to refresh yourself before dinner and the evening log-call, where we mull over the day’s sightings.

In the tropics especially, wildlife is at its most active early in the morning, and sometimes last thing in the evening. We therefore almost invariably have an early start on these trips, starting before dawn, and finishing after sunset. But don’t worry, we do relax!

During the heat of the day little stirs, including us, and our lunchtimes can be very laid-back, sometimes followed by a good siesta.

A Black-bellied Korhaan struts his stuff in Namibia (Photo: Geoff Crane)

Photography

Photographers are most welcome on our tours, but should bear in mind that on most tours photography is not the principal objective.

We do ask you to take photos sensitively, both regarding the wildlife (especially taking care not to trample plants) and other members of the group who may not share your enthusiasm!

Please note that we reserve the right to take photographs during the operation of our tours, and to use the resulting images for promotional purposes. By booking with us, tour members agree to allow their image to be used in this way; clients who prefer that their image should not be used must inform us prior to the tour.

Collecting

We absolutely forbid the collecting of specimens on any of our tours, including the picking of flowers. Please remember – take the book to the plant, not the plant to the book! Our tours often take place in countries where the whole idea of conservation is in its infancy, and we must take care to be seen to act responsibly, especially by local people.

Public Liability

We carry full international public liability insurance.

Small groups

Know before youor book!: For a travel health advice, www.nathnac.org For any queries, to make reservation, please please contactrefer us onto: 01305-267994

INTRODUCTION

A New Zealand Fur Seal is ready for his siesta (Photo: Keith Grant)

We think that our type of holiday is best enjoyed in a small group.

Our group size is usually a maximum of 12 or 14 clients (sometimes fewer), with two leaders or local guides usually accompanying groups of 11 or more. Please note that with numbers below this, the tour may go ahead with local guides only. Cruises are not subject to this restriction, with details of leaders and group size (ie the capacity of the boat/ship) given in the tour description.

Our stated minimum number of clients per group is six, but we often run tours with fewer than this number. Please note, however, that we cannot accept cancellations without loss of deposits simply because the tour is running with fewer clients than expected. In such circumstances, our standard cancellation terms will apply. The operation of all tours is subject to minimum numbers being achieved at least 70 days prior to departure. If a tour is underbooked at that time, we may defer cancellation but will inform you if the tour is running or not no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.

Please note that leaders may have to be substituted on occasion.

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Single rooms

We will always try to accommodate clients who request single rooms, but this is not always possible, and clients may be asked to share for all or part of the holiday. In this case we will of course not charge the single room supplement for the portion of the holiday where the room is shared. We will also try to accommodate clients travelling on their own but wishing to share, but if there is no other single person on the tour willing also to share, we will have to charge the single room supplement.

Smoking

To ensure group harmony we ask clients who smoke to act sensitively, and not to smoke when with the group in a confined area, and especially in any vehicle or at meal times.

Dietary Requirements

We pass on all dietary requests to the hotels and airlines, but please make sure that we know about these (in as much detail as possible) at the time of booking, to allow us good time to make the arrangements.

travel health information for health professionals and the public, and is funded by the UK Government’s Health Protection Agency.

Insects: Mosquitoes are present throughout the tropics. Bring repellent and dress accordingly, covering up with long sleeves and long trousers. Many of the accommodations in the Afrotropics we use do usually supply mosquito nets – but if you want to be guaranteed of one, then we recommend purchasing your own travel net.

If you have a health problem, or other physical limitation, please advise us in writing well before the tour. Our holidays are not recommended for wheelchair-users or for those with serious walking difficulties.

Passports and Visas

For all overseas tours (and cruises within the UK), UK clients will need a UK passport valid at least six months after the date of return.

We will inform clients about visa requirements with the tour information pack. If there is any extra cost involved in obtaining a visa for UK citizens this will be given in the tour description. We will provide the necessary application forms and instructions, but regret that we cannot obtain your visa for you. Non-UK citizens must be responsible for their own visa and entry requirements.

Your Safety and Travel Advice

Thick-billed Euphonia enjoying a good diet in Colombia (Photo: Keith Grant)

Baggage Restrictions and Packing

Most tours have some sort of restriction on baggage, usually a weight limit for hold baggage of 20kgs, and sometimes just one item of hold baggage, imposed by the airlines. Sometimes, though, due to limited space in small aircraft or ground vehicles, there are more restrictions. However, please note that with increased security arrangements now in force, there are many new restrictions on both hold and cabin baggage, which may change rapidly according to circumstances and the airline involved. We will let you know about these around two weeks before departure with the final travel details, but if you would like to know about these at an earlier stage, please contact us.

Please also note that extra baggage weight and extra bags may incur extra charges by the airline We’ll let you know with our pre-trip information pack what clothing and equipment we recommend bringing. We often get queries about whether tea- and coffee-making facilities are available (usually yes in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; usually no anywhere else!) and the presence or absence of hairdryers (usually yes in city and resort-based hotels, usually no elsewhere). Generally we suggest bringing your own if you need these.

We also get frequent enquiries about the best way to pack telescope tripods. If you are bringing a tripod, it has to go in the hold luggage – if it cannot go in your case or main bag, rugged tripod cases can now be bought, and are an excellent way of solving the problem.

INTRODUCTION

Health, Immunisation and Entry Requirements

With our joining instructions we give full current details of immunisation requirements and recommendations for the area visited, and whether malaria is a risk.

For full and up-to-the minute health information we urge everyone to consult The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website www.nathnac.org prior to booking any overseas holiday. NaTHNaC promotes standards in travel medicine, providing

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Risks to your safety and security are an unavoidable aspect of all travel. The best current advice on such risks is provided for you by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice unit. It is standard policy for our office to send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice to all participants along with their Final Tour Letter (24 weeks prior to the trip).

‘Know Before You Go’ is a travel safety campaign run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). It encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers. In order for you to assess and protect against any risks in your chosen destination it is strongly recommended that you refer to the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk - both prior to booking and regularly before you travel. Follow the ‘Know Before You Go’ link or call 0845 800 2829.

Flights

Unless otherwise stated or requested, our tour prices include the cost of Economy Class seats on scheduled return flights from London. Occasionally we use charter flights or ‘no-frills’ airlines where these offer the best or only service to that destination.

Most airlines now issue ‘e-tickets’, in electronic form, rather than the more familiar paper tickets. The advantage of these is that they should be impossible to lose! We will provide you with a copy of the e-ticket receipt, and give full instructions and information about etickets, if this is the case.

Please note that an increasing number of airlines, particularly on short-haul flights, are now excluding the cost of on-board meals and drinks from their ticket price, which therefore have to be excluded from the cost of our tour. Please assume that in-flight meals are always excluded from the cost of a tour. Information on in-flight meals will be sent with your tickets.

Please note that some of our leaders may be based in the destination countries, or may have travelled out in advance of the group, so may not accompany the group on the flights.

We try to give provisional flight details at least ten weeks before the start of the tour, in our travel information pack. Please note that these details are only a guide, and that times and even airports may change before the tour. Please do not make any firm airport travel arrangements before you have received your final travel information, about two weeks before the departure date.

Flight Delays

If flights are delayed due to industrial action, weather or (as has happened to us!) volcanic activity, we will make every effort to assist you in making alternative travel, accommodation and meal arrangements, should these be necessary. Such arrangements are sometimes not covered by the airline, so please make sure your travel insurance covers any possible extra costs involved. If additional hotel nights are needed, for example, we may be able to arrange these on your behalf but please note that we will have to invoice you for the extra costs involved. Sometimes a claim can be

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

made against the airline for these costs under EU or UK law. Again, we will assist you with any claim, but unfortunately current rules state that it is the passenger and NOT the tour operator who has to claim.

Interim Flight Deposits

Recently, many airlines have been asking for full, non-refundable payment of the fare before they will confirm the booking.

Sometimes we need to secure flights several months in advance of the tour departure date, before the full payment of the balance is due. In these cases we will need to ask you to pay a non-refundable interim deposit, in addition to the tour deposit, in order to secure your flight booking. We will give you at least a month’s notice if this is the case.

A Complete Service

From the moment you book – just relax! We aim to provide a complete service, taking the stress out of making arrangements for your holiday. We can help to arrange your connecting flights where needed (as long as this is requested at time of booking – see below), as well as offering useful discounts on airport car parking, a choice of airport hotels and airport taxis. Details are sent with our travel information pack. Please note that we can also often arrange tailor-made extensions to the main tour if these are requested at time of booking. And if you have any questions at all about the tour – please just ask!

Ex-flight Prices

For clients joining a tour from outside the UK, or wishing to join us at our destination, we are always happy to quote an ex-flight price for most of our tours involving scheduled flights. If you wish to book a tour land only, you must put this on your booking form.

Fly Local!

For several destinations we are able to quote a price that includes a flight from a regional airport within the UK. Again, please enquire for details before booking. Please note that we usually charge a £35 booking fee for booking separate flights from (or additional flights to) the main group flights to cover our administrative costs. If you wish to book a tour with a connecting (or sometimes direct) flight from a regional airport, you must put this on your booking form.

Depending on flight times we may recommend that you fly to London the day before, to avoid the possibility of missing the connection.

Fly when you please!

Increasing numbers of clients are choosing to fly out before the main tour, or return afterwards. We are always happy to quote for flights independent of the main group, but please note again that we usually charge a £35 booking fee to cover our administrative costs.

Please note that if you are booking your own flights for a tour you must contact us first (and get written confirmation from us) to check that the times fit with the current itinerary.

Tailor-made Extensions and City Breaks

If you have an extra few days to spare, why not let us quote for an independent extension to your tour? We can often get excellent prices at some excellent hotels or lodges, and our network of local agents can usually come up with some fine suggestions for extra days.

Many of our European tours begin and end in some fascinating cities, with superb sightseeing and cultural opportunities. We can often get some bargain prices at excellent city centre hotels, so why not make the most of your tour, and let us book a short city break at the end?

If you wish to book a tailor-made extension, you must put this on your booking form at the time of booking.

Data Protection

Please note that all enquirers’ and clients’ names and addresses are stored by us electronically. We are registered under the Data Protection Act to enable us to do this. Please let us know in writing if you wish your details to be removed from the list, or if you wish to see a copy of the details as they are stored.

Brochure Validity

This brochure is published in August 2012, and its prices replace all previously published details. It remains valid until our next brochure is published in August or September 2013.

Travel Insurance Good travel insurance is essential before departing on any overseas trip - and is to be much recommended for UK holidays as well. In common with all responsible tour operators, it is a condition of booking that all participants must be fully and adequately covered by insurance before setting out on holiday.

Your insurance must cover you fully in respect of medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue with the tour, including the cost of emergency evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance should this be necessary. Note that passenger liability insurance covering the transportation that we hire, particularly in Third World countries, may be inadequate; it is therefore important that your insurance cover includes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident.

We strongly recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday to ensure you are protected in the event of unexpected cancellation prior to departure due to accident or illness. You must inform your insurers of any pre-existing medical conditions (including those of persons not necessarily travelling but upon whom your holiday may depend) that may require treatment during a period of overseas travel or might cause you to cancel the trip.

Be aware that Travel Insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover for valuable optical equipment, which is often best protected under your own household insurance policy. If in doubt ask your insurers for advice prior to travel.

Arranging Your Insurance: due to UK Government legislation, under new Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations, please note we are not allowed to offer or recommend travel related insurance to customers. Premiums can vary widely according to your age, needs, health, choice of destination and other factors, while many people nowadays have Annual Travel Insurance cover. For these reasons, we leave you free to shop around and pick your own policy, one best suited to your own individual needs.

Taxes

Please note that all prices include all UK taxes.

BROCHURE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Once again thanks are due to Mike Langman for his excellent illustrations, and the superb cover painting, and to Roger Wasley and Rob Still for designing the brochure layout and maps. Thanks too, to all the photographers for their photos, which are in their copyright, and to all who supplied leaders’ photos. All other photos not credited are © Jamie McMillan.

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Our Sustainable Tourism Policy

We believe that our specialism – quality ecotourism – has a truly important part to play in the conservation of many threatened habitats worldwide – indeed tourism can be the major factor in saving an area from damage by destructive forestry or agricultural practices. We think that ecotourism also has a role in promoting the whole idea of conservation, especially in those countries and regions where it is currently given a low priority. All our leaders, and we would guess most of our clients, are committed conservationists, and in many ways we see ourselves as ambassadors for conservation wherever we travel, even where there are opposing views locally.

We always seek to minimise environmental damage on our tours, for example by travelling in small groups, spending more time within a smaller area, and sometimes spending whole days without using vehicles.

Wherever possible we use local guides, and locally-owned and locally-operated suppliers of accommodation, produce, transport and tour management. We also actively seek out and prefer those who are committed to conservation and sustainable tourism, even though they might be a little more expensive than others.

We will continue to run tours to several countries with a dubious environmental record, believing that by working with conservationminded local agents and organisations within those countries, we can help to strengthen their hand. This includes countries like the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Japan whose support for whaling we are vehemently opposed to, as are our agents there, and some Mediterranean countries where migrant birds still continue to be shot in contravention of EU law. We continue to make our feelings known to the authorities in these countries, and encourage our clients to do so.

We encourage our clients to observe a Code of Conduct in order to minimise their impact on the environment while on our tours. We strongly discourage the collecting of specimens and picking of flowers on a tour.

We work with and support conservation organisations both in Britain and overseas. We give direct financial support through corporate sponsorship of, for example, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation and the RSPB, and send by far the bulk of our publicity budget to these and other conservation organisations. We also contribute directly to local conservation and other charity projects, and encourage our clients to do so.

We also aim to run our office in as environmentally sustainable a way as possible.

Sustainable Tourism – Our policies in action

Over the years, we have contributed financially to a variety of local projects, not necessarily always wildlife-related. Our tsunami appeal, for example, in partnership with our local Rotary Club, resulted in over £100,000 being raised to restore an orphanage and nearby village on the south coast of Sri Lanka.

It must be said, though, that, with a world to choose from, we are not always in the best position to assess which projects are most deserving. That is why we channel most of our direct financial contributions through conservation organisations like RSPB, Butterfly Conservation and local wildlife trusts, of which we have been corporate sponsors for many years.

One of the concerns that we have always had is about one of the biggest side-effects of what we do. Simply by taking a flight to our destination, we are contributing towards greenhouse gases and

Andean Forest (hills) lower FJ Tapichalaca Reserve (Photo: Nigel Simpson)

global climate change. One thing we can do about this is to try to go some way to mitigating the effects, by using one of the ‘carbon offset’ schemes. Although we are a bit wary of some of these schemes, others do fit in very well to our approach, particularly those that protect existing primary habitats. We will therefore contribute to the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity, who will invest the funds in restoration ecology projects which deliver offsets through the protection and regeneration of threatened tropical habitats.

We are therefore making a contribution of £5 per client on shorthaul destinations, £15 per client for medium-haul (e.g Americas, Africa), and £35 per client for long-haul (mainly Australasia) to go towards the offsetting of these flights. Offset contributions will also be made for all our leaders’ flights.

It is sometimes said that more carbon is produced by passengers travelling to and from the airport than by the flight itself! We hope that clients will recognise this by matching our contribution, and will be offering you the chance to do so.

World Land Trust Restoration Ecology Projects

The World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity, based in Suffolk, UK. Since its foundation in 1989 the World Land Trust has been working to preserve the world’s most biologically important and threatened lands, and has, so far, helped purchase and protect nearly 400,000 acres of threatened habitats of high biodiversity, in Asia, Central and South America and the UK. Running in parallel with its conservation land purchase activities, WLT launched its innovative Carbon Balanced programme in March 2005. The aim of the World Land Trust Carbon Balanced Programme is to offer individuals and companies a means of offsetting their CO2 emissions while also conserving the world’s most threatened habitats and their wildlife.

The Carbon Balanced programme is run by the Restoration Ecology Team who design projects to deliver offsets (measured as tonnes of CO2 sequestered) by restoring forest and preventing deforestation. Biodiversity conservation is at the centre of the project design and all WLT restoration ecology projects are managed in collaboration with in country, conservation non-governmental organisations.

WLT currently has four restoration ecology project sites delivering offsets. These are located in Ecuador and Mexico, all associated with well-established and important protected areas. Our offset contributions will be used to support these and other similar restoration ecology projects. Keep an eye on our website and enewsletters for project updates.

For more information please visit the Carbon Balanced and World Land Trust websites at: www.worldlandtrust.org & www.carbonbalanced.org

AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism Award

Responsible Tourism: leader Tim Earl spreads the conservation message in Madagascar (Photo by tour participant Cliff Gilbert)

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We are delighted to have been awarded five stars – the highest grade – in AITO’s Sustainable Tourism Awards, in recognition of our achievements and practices in this field

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Peg Abbott Peg has been leading wildlife tours for over 20 years in diverse areas from Alaska to Argentina. She runs her own tour company, Naturalist Journeys, who we team up with for our USA tours.

Charles Anderson Chas is a professional marine biologist who has lived and worked in the Maldives since 1983. He is the foremost authority on both cetaceans and fishes in the Maldives, and the pioneer of whale and dolphin watching there. In addition to numerous scientific papers, he has published a series of six guides to the marine life of the islands.

Dick Askew Dick has been absorbed in natural history for as long as he can remember. A particular interest in dragonflies was sparked by the rich fauna of southwest France, and the absence of a comprehensive guide stimulated the production of The Dragonflies of Europe (1988). He will again be leading our Dordogne dragonflies tour in June.

Istvan Bartol István is a science graduate who specialised in bird ecology for his PhD .

Since then he has been working as a warden in the Kiskunság National Park (a steppe reserve), where he lives with his family. He speaks English, Hungarian, Serbian and Spanish, some of which will be put to good use on our tour to Montenegro and Albania which he will lead again.

Miguel Castelino A National Park Guard and chief naturalist for six years based at Bariloche, Miguel has an impressive knowledge of both the flora and fauna of his native Argentina, with a particular interest in birdsong identification. He has been guiding full time for nearly twenty years in Brazil and Argentina and is still as enthusiastic as ever about showing wildlife to groups. Miguel speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese and lives with his wife Karina and two sons at Iguazu Falls.

Chris Charlesworth Chris began birding at the age of ten, with a passion for birds that has remained with him and ultimately inspired him to guide birding tours. He lives at Kelowna in British Columbia (where we spend two nights on our Canadian Rockies tour) and has travelled widely across his native North America. His knowledge of North America’s birds and their calls is excellent – and with a little coaxing, he may be persuaded to demonstrate his repertoire of ‘owl

imitations’. He is greatly looking forward to showing you around his ‘home patch’ again in summer 2013!

Liz Charter Liz joined us as a client on our 2005 Crete tour, when we were so impressed with her botanical expertise and enthusiasm that we immediately asked her back to co-lead! She is a good all-round naturalist, a keen gardener, and a fan of island life, having lived with her family for ten years on Orkney and more than ten years on the Isle of Man, where she currently works as a professional conservationist.

This year she will again be leading a tour for us on her home patch there, as well as three of our tours to Greece, and our French Cevennes tour.

Robin Chittenden Robin lives in Norfolk, with a wide-ranging repertoire of tours and excellent allround wildlife experience.

Well known as a top wildlife photographer, he is also a photographic consultant for British Birds and one of the wildlife photographers for Natural England.

Stephanie Coghlan Stephanie is an excellent all-round naturalist and a highly experienced tour leader. She is author of the much-acclaimed ‘A Birdwatching Guide to Crete’, and ‘A Birdwatching Guide to Brittany’. This year she has decide to hand in her leader's badge and retire, but not before leading a final grand twoweek tour to Crete.

Callan Cohen South Africa-born Callan has more than 20 years experience of African birding. He lives in Cape Town, and has spent more than ten years leading tours across the continent.

His all-round ability in the field and comfortable easy style has earnt him much praise from our clients, and he now designs and leads our tours throughout Africa, this year including a new Botswana tour – and there are more destinations in the pipeline!

Barrie Cooper Barrie has had a lifelong interest in nature. He now works as the RSPB’s International Education Manager which gives him the chance to combine his passions of wildlife, nature conservation and travel.

This year he will lead our tours to Belarus, Estonia and Hungary. His interests also extend into space – he is a keen amateur astronomer, and on our Auroras & Wildlife tour to Lapland his gaze will turn towards the sky at night.

Andrea Corso When it comes to birding, Andrea is “Mr Sicily”! Born and raised in Siracusa in south-east Sicily, he is the island’s foremost ornithologist and one of the leading voices in birdwatching and conservation in Italy today. A prolific writer, Andrea is author of the

Mike Coverdale Mike lives in East Yorkshire, England and has been interested in natural history for many years. His main interest is birds. In 2002 Mike also became interested in moths. Since then he has moth-trapped at many locations in the UK and has regularly been 'moth-ing' in France since 2007. He leads our pioneering 'Moths & Wildlife' tour to the Dordogne in September.

Geoff Crane Geoff spent his early years in East & West Africa and the Seychelles, where he developed a keen interest in natural history, with a special interest in birding & botany. Geoff has 20 years experience in leading tours throughout Southern Africa, and his all-round natural history knowledge and easy-going manner has attracted an enthusiastic following among our clients. This year as well as tours to the Cape, he will be leading new tours to Namibia and the Drakensberg mountains.

Stephen Daly A birdwatcher since the age of eight, Stephen says his first birding memories are of Aberlady Bay on Scotland’s Firth of Forth.

Having subsequently lived and worked in the UK, Germany and France, he has finally settled near Barbate, in southernmost Spain, where he runs his own specialist wildlife tour company, Andalucian Guides.

Steve Duffield Steve has lived in the Outer Hebrides since January 2005 and began leading tours in March 2007 after spending two years working for SNH in the Uists as a ‘Goose Officer’.

He is also keen on many other aspects of wildlife in the islands including the cetaceans, moths, butterflies and the flowering plants – especially the orchids. This year he will lead three Outer Hebrides tours, including a new Lewis & Harris tour in April.

Tim Earl Tim is based in Guernsey where he still does a little journalism, although most of his working time is now taken up by tour leading and prospecting for us. His travels have taken him to several African countries, Australasia, Scandinavia and Russia, North America and the Neotropics and many places in mainland Europe. Tim’s outgoing and informative style, enthusiasm, experience and humour are always greatly appreciated by our clients.

queries, to make reservation, please please contactrefer us onto: 01305-267994 Know For any before youor book!: For a travel health advice, www.nathnac.org

INTRODUCTION

Our team of leaders

Avifauna di Sicilia and has written or coauthored a further 300 or so other books, papers and articles.

With a fine singing voice, he may even serenade us on tour!

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Gary Elton Gary lives in north Norfolk, working part-time at Holme Bird Observatory. He served as warden of a local nature reserve in north London, having lived and birded in the capital for over 35 years. A former Herts Bird Club committee member and warden of a local nature reserve in north London (where he lived and birded for over 35 years), he is also a qualified ringer. He co-leads our Iceland summer tour in June Bob Ford A fine all-round naturalist, Bob was Assistant Warden of Portland Bird Observatory for a time and now lectures in Biology.

His calm, relaxed leadership style has found much favour both with beginners and more experienced birdwatchers, and he again leads our New Forest break in July and Dorset break in May. Bob is also a keen computer man, and looks after our much-acclaimed website, as well as running a web-based photographic agency of his own.

Daniel Green Daniel is a friendly and outgoing local Swedish birder, who designs and leads our Swedish itineraries for us. A birdwatcher since early childhood, he is still mad about Cranes (his favourite bird), owls, butterflies & moths, and feeding birds in wintertime. He has also spent 12 years as a gourmet chef, has been a newspaper journalist/photographer and more recently editor of a Swedish Bird Magazine.

Trausti Gunnarsson Trausti is a professional Icelandic wildlife guide with a special interest in birds and all aspects of Iceland's natural history.

His in-depth knowledge of his home country also extends to geological, historical and cultural aspects, including the famous sagas. We are delighted to welcome him to guide our June 2013 tour, as well as our winter Iceland tours, 28 Feb-4 March and 21-25 March 2013.

Paul Harvey Paul moved to Shetland from Dorset in 1984 and has lived there ever since.

He was Warden at Fair Isle Bird Observatory from 1989 to 1992 before moving to the South Mainland of Shetland where he worked for Scottish Natural Heritage, managing their superb set of National Nature Reserves. He now manages the Shetland Biological Records Centre. He will be leading our tours to Cambodia and Cyprus.

INTRODUCTION

Geoff Henderson Geoff is aged 59, married with two adult children and worked as a science teacher in Canterbury, near Christchurch. His particular strength is botanical and he has been active in the botanical

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society in Canterbury for many years. He leads our New Zealand ‘Flowers & Wildlife’ tour in January 2013.

Martin Hrouzek 40-year-old Martin is married and lives with his family on the Czech-Slovak border. He has been guiding wildlife tours since 1996 and is a good allround naturalist but with a particular knowledge of birds, butterflies and flowers. Having led our pioneering Macedonia tour in 2012, he will go again in 2013, as well as leading our Birds & Dragonflies tour to Slovakia again.

Andy Jones Now resident in Iceland, Andy was a warden on Skomer Island, a ranger with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the RSPB’s senior investigations officer and a Wildlife Trust director. He trained as a geologist and is an enthusiastic birdand whale-watcher who has also been known to admire an occasional plant! He guides our tours to Iceland, where his knowledge of geology can really shine, as well as our acclaimed tour to the Faroe Islands. This year he will also lead two new Iceland tours: ‘Orcas & Auroras’ and ‘Principally Puffins’.

Peter Kennerley Peter lives in Suffolk with his wife and their two sons. His knowledge of Asia and its birds is outstanding and he is our most experienced leader within the continent, having travelled and birded extensively in almost every country there – from Turkey in the west to Indonesia in the east, and north to arctic Siberia.

Alastair Kilpin Alastair works closely with Callan Cohen in South Africa. He rates watching Spot-breasted Lapwings and Simien Wolves in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains as one of his top wildlife experiences, and he will be leading our tour there in 2013.

Mike Langman Mike is a superb wildlife illustrator, and you will be familiar with his work that enlivens the pages of our brochure, as well as his magnificent cover illustrations – we think he has excelled himself again this year! Despite his busy schedule we occasionally tempt him to put his excellent leadership skills to good use for us, again this year on our tour to Southern Turkey in May, and the Bosporus in September.

Csaba Lendvai Csaba is a Hungarian and graduated at the Eötvös Lóránd University in Budapest as a biologist.

He has been a keen birdwatcher since the age of fifteen. He works for BirdLife Hungary as a coordinator of waterbird

monitoring and White Stork conservation programmes. Csaba speaks fluent English, has travelled widely in the Western Palearctic and has guided all our recent Poland tours.

Lucas Marti Lucas started to lead birding and natural history tours to Antarctica but soon branched out to lead wildlife tours to Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Lucas lives in the city of La Plata, with his wife Macarena and his two sons. He leads our Brazil ‘Jaguars and Harpy Eagles’ tour in September 2013.

John Muddeman John lives with his family in Madrid. He is a freelance wildlife tour guide, author, translator and foundermember of the Spanish Association of Birdwatching Guides. His all-round natural history knowledge, affable personality and extremely sharp field skills have brought him a welldeserved loyal following. This year he will be leading our Northern Spain tour as well as our tours to Poland in spring and Austria in autumn.

Chris Murphy Chris lives with his wife, Doris, on the coast of Co Down in Northern Ireland.

Originally from Liverpool, he is one of the co-founders of the Oriental Bird Club and several other nature conservation organisations.

The highlight of an overland expedition from Liverpool to Annapurna was meeting Doris on a sewage farm in Munich! Chris has led our tours in Ireland and we are delighted to welcome him back for another round of tours in 2013, including the French Pyrenees and Bulgaria.

Rebecca Nason Rebecca is a keen birder, freelance ecologist and award-winning professional bird photographer who has recently moved back to Shetland, where she spent two seasons as Assistant Warden of Fair Isle Bird Observatory and Seabird Monitoring Officer. She has led our tours to Lesvos since 2005, with her partner, Philip Harris, seen together in the photo in Spitsbergen, where she will again be leading our group in July 2013. Phil is a firefighter, and an avid birder, with a passion for all aspects of natural history, spending much of his spare time out in the field ringing and carrying out bird surveys.

Robin Noble Having known the Highlands and Islands all his life, Robin is deeply interested in all aspects from the rocks upwards.

Having run a Field Centre in Orkney, his enthusiasm for archaeology and wildlife led on to teaching and writing about environmental history at a variety of levels, (including his introductory book “North and West”)... He once again leads our muchenjoyed Wildlife and History Tour in Orkney, and the Scottish Highlands tour based at Aigas Field Centre, with which he has a long association.

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Bert Palthe Bert is a long-standing registered South African Tourist Guide and has a wealth of experience, both in tourism and wildlife conservation.

After qualifying as a specialist in Nature Conservation he went on to manage exclusive private game reserves in South Africa's Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces.

Liz Read Liz has the patience of a saint – she must have to put up with Mike’s constant barrage of jokes!

Her interest in natural history has grown since they have been together and she has acquired good skills at identifying Western European plants. Liz’s caring and thoughtful manner, and leading with husband Mike, provide the perfect combination of skills for an all-round holiday to destinations such as Corsica, Vercors and the Camargue and Pyrenees.

Mike Read Mike is a man of many talents: an experienced tour leader, an author, and, as he is probably best known, a superb wildlife photographer. He has a number of books to his name including ‘The Barn Owl’, ‘Red Kite Country’ and ‘The New Forest National Park’. Mike’s friendly and easy-going style of leadership and his abilities as an all round naturalist add immensely to the tours he leads in Europe and elsewhere. All he needs now are some new jokes for the returning clients he often gets! Mike’s own website is www.mikeread.co.uk Luis Segura Luis leads and organises all our trips to his native Patagonia as well as Argentina and Brazil. We first met him in Patagonia back in 1999, since when he has founded and developed his own wildlife tour company, Trogon Tours. A keen birder throughout South America, at home he is a keen cactus collector (excellent plants for a tour leader as they thrive on neglect!). He devised our acclaimed Cacti and Wildlife tour to northern Argentina and will again lead our Birds & Mammals tour to his native Patagonia. He speaks English fluently – which he was taught by his Scottish grandmother!

David Simpson David Simpson has lived in France for over ten years.

He now lives and works in the Dordogne region where he runs a holiday cottage and guided wildlife tour business. He has

published several articles in British Wildlife and most recently the book ‘Birding Dordogne’ in the popular BirdGuides series. An excellent all-round naturalist, he will be leading several tours to the area, including ‘Dragonflies & Wildlife’ in June, and our exciting new ‘Moths & Wildlife’ tour in September.

Brian Small Brian lives in Suffolk. He has done a stretch as a teacher for more than ten years, but his true love has always been bird art and he now works full time on his illustrative work – when he isn’t tour-leading. He again leads our tour to Switzerland (his ninth!) and co-leads in Sicily Greg Smith Formerly a park ecologist with the California State Park System, Greg has birded on all seven continents and has led natural history and birding tours in California, Alaska, Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica. An avid wildlife photographer, he also maintains a U.S. Master Bird Banding permit. He will be leading our USA tours to Alaska and Yellowstone.

Attila Steiner Attila has been a keen naturalist and birdwatcher since childhood. Before joining Ecotours Hungary he worked for WWF Hungary on species conservation. He has travelled extensively through most of Europe, Asia and Africa and will be leading our tours to Belarus and Montenegro/Albania, as well as our new Ukraine tour.

Peter Taylor Peter is ‘our man in Australia’. Originally from Stockport, Peter spent his teenage years at Adelaide in South Australia. Peter now works full-time as a bird and wildlife tour guide; he leads our Birds & Total Eclipse tour in November 2012 (sorry, sold out!) and in 2013 will again be leading our Eastern Australia tour as well as our new trip ‘The Ghan’ across the centre of Australia in October.

Richard Thaxton A warden at the RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve since 1985, Richard often leads their forest walks and is charged with the welfare of some of its rarest inhabitants, including Capercaillies and the world famous Ospreys. Richard leads our trip to Trinidad & Tobago in 2014.

where his amazing all-round historical and natural history knowledge is put to the test.

Arnoud van den Berg Arnoud was born and raised in the Netherlands where he lives with his wife Cecilia, and where he is chief editor and founder of Dutch Birding magazine. He’s also a topnotch bird photographer, sound recordist and a prolific author too! He will be leading our Holland ‘Wild Goose Chases’, and also our spring and autumn tours to Morocco: he has conducted many research trips there, and his knowledge of the country’s birds and where to find them is second to none.

Deirdre Vrancken Deirdre lives in Cape Town (South Africa), where she assists both as a guide and in the office at Birding Africa. She specialises in the continent’s mammals, rating Gorillas, Chimpanzees and lemurs among her favourites. Fluent in English, French and Dutch, Deirdre regularly teams up with husband Callan (Cohen) to lead our trips to Uganda and Tanzania, where her special interest in mammals adds an extra dimension to the tours.

Will Wagstaff Will is Hon. President of the Isles of Scilly Bird Group and is well known to most visitors to the isles both for his lectures and the regular wildlife excursions that he leads throughout the spring and summer. We are delighted that he will once again be leading our groups there.

Mike Williams Mike is a long standing member of the national charity Butterfly Conservation and has held various positions both locally and nationally, including for many years Chairman of the national Conservation Committee.

He has led butterfly tours to many different parts of the world over the past ten years including Borneo, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Ghana. He will be leading our 'Monarchs and Monsters' tour to Mexico.

Gareth Trewartha Gareth is Greek – but as you might have guessed his ancestry is Welsh! He guides and arranges our acclaimed ‘Wildlife and History tours to Western Greece, Greek Macedonia and the Peloponnese,

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

INTRODUCTION

Byron Palacios Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who is a freelance wildlife consultant and tour leader.

He now lives in Dorset, which makes it easy for him to pop in and see us in The Travelling Naturalist office! He will lead our new Spanish Lynx tour to Spain, as well as our tours to the Pyrenees and Northern Spain.

9

Northern Argentina Cacti, Condors and culture of the Andes Monday 22 October – Monday 5 November 2012 Monday 21 October – Monday 4 November 2013

! Purmamarca ! Salta

BRAZIL

! San Augustin ARGENTINA

(15 days) (15 days)

Buenos Aires "

From the cloud forests and dry semi-deserts of the Andean foothills, to the awesome peaks and high plateaux of the High Andes, we go in search of Argentina’s amazing wildlife, with, for the first time on one of our tours, a focus on its spectacular and fascinating cacti, at a time when many are in flower. Join us for the trip of a lifetime in some of the best wilderness areas in South America!

S

cenically, this is one of the most varied trips we run, travelling to some of Argentina's most spectacular landscapes and its richest wildlife habitats, ranging from woodlands in the lowlands to cloud forests at greater altitudes, and from vast extensions of shrub deserts to high Andean meadows with snowcapped peaks in the distance.

Our itinerary also takes us to some superb archaeological sites where we can absorb the history, arts, crafts and music of the area. Even though the main focus of the trip is seeing unique cacti in their native setting, there is much more to experience as we will be travelling at a relaxed pace which will allow the group to take advantage of these other attractions.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a scheduled evening flight from London to Buenos Aires, arriving the next day.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Days 2 - 4 : We arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning.

After lunch in a city restaurant we connect with our first internal flight to La Rioja from where we travel south to the Valle Fertil, where we are based at San Augustin for three nights.

Next day will be a relaxing day to recover after a long flight. We’ll have a full day sightseeing in the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’. As its name suggests, this is a dry landscape with wonderful rock formations which offers great photo opportunities.

Next day we go to the Talampaya National Park, a World Heritage Site, with dramatic red cliffs, gorges and rock formations, and with excellent birding.

Three nights San Augustin Days 5 - 6 : In the morning we visit an area of Ichigualasto Park, with more spectacular rock formations, which has been compared to Bryce Canyon in the USA.

On one day we’ll go up into the rugged Sierra de Manchao, where cacti abound amongst the rocks.

Two nights Catamarca Days 7 - 8 : We travel north again to the Ruinas de Quilmas, passing through Los Menhires park, with ancient patterns carved into the rocks.

The Pre-Colombian cultures which inhabited this region were strongly influenced by the Incas. We will spend two nights at the ruins of Quilmes, home to a pre-Colombian settlement of farmers. Our hotel, situated on the original site, provides the perfect location from which to explore the ruins and its surroundings.

Two nights Amaicha del Valles Days 9 - 10 : We travel north again towards Salta, where we spend two nights. On one day we travel up to Los Cardones National Park, named after its columnar cacti Trichocereus pasacana, a giant that can live for three hundred years or more. We’ll reach our highest altitude here, at 3,500m.

Two nights Salta Day 11 : We travel north to Reyes, set in the subtropical Yungas cloud forest. The fast-flowing rivers here may hold Torrent Duck and the endangered Rufous-throated Dipper. But there are cacti here too – mainly hanging from the trees!

Epiphytic cacti include various Rhipsalis species.

Overnight Reyes Days 12 - 13 : We continue north along the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a 155 km. long, deep valley stretching north to south along the spectacular Rio Grande.

We stay at the attractive village of Purmamarca, in a stunning setting, with 17th-century houses set around a small square, complete with hummingbirds on the flowering shrubs that can include the superb Giant Hummingbird.

ARGENTINA

TRIP DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION will be in mostly 3-star hotels and lodges. All rooms are en suite.

ALTITUDE : We have deliberately kept this tour to only moderately high altitudes. The maximum height for accommodation is at Purmamarca, at an altitude of approx. 2,500m, with two days spent in the high Andes at a maximum of 3,500m.

PACE : We will not be walking very far on this tour (2-3 miles on a walk at most), and walks, especially at high altitude, will be at an easy pace.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Luis Segura NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 4,795 £ 395 £ 600 per person

The price includes scheduled return flights London/Buenos Aires, airport taxes, internal flights as outlined above, ground transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the local guide and drivers, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (Buenos Aires/Buenos Aires), please deduct £ 795 from the tour cost.

Next day we continue up the Humahuaca Valley.

As we reach the entrance of the Humahuaca Gorge, the landscape changes completely as we climb ever higher amongst the rocky ravines, cactus and thorn scrub, and terraced cultivation. The magnificent scenery of this arid valley is the habitat of Giant Hummingbird and the ‘Old Man’ cactus, Oreocereus celsianus as well as many small sought-after Lobivias and Rebutias.

Two nights Purmamarca Day 14 : We drive to Salta for a flight to Buenos Aires and connect with our return flight to London, arriving on Day 15.

What you say: ‘It really was one of the very best trips I have ever done.

The scenery was so dramatic – quite unlike anywhere I have been before. Luis looked after us so well …’

R.A., Edinburgh

La Rioja – excellent cactus habitat, and Trichocereus candicans in bloom (Photos: Luis Segura - Trogon Tours)

10

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Patagonia

Iguazu !

Buenos Aires

Valdes

!

Monday 18 - Thursday 28 November 2013 Iguazú Falls extension to Sunday 1 December 2013

!

Calafate

The Uttermost Part of the Earth

ARGENTINA

P

atagonia is one of the world's wildest and most biologically fascinating areas. Forming the closest continental land mass to the Antarctic, connected to the supreme diversity of the South American tropics, and isolated from the rest of the world's temperate zones, it has a unique assemblage of wildlife, first described in any detail

by Charles Darwin. Indeed it was his experiences in Patagonia as much as on the Galapagos that inspired “The Origin of Species”.

It is a rugged, wild country. We begin our journey in the harsh, windswept deserts of the Valdes Peninsula where we immediately get a flavour of the astonishing contrasts as we watch colourful Burrowing Parrots, inspect some lovely flowering cacti, and watch offshore for Magellanic Penguins and Southern Right Whales!

Further south, we head up into the Andes, where Andean Condors vie for attention with some of the most stunning glacial scenery on Earth.

Finally an extension will take us, in startling contrast, right up into the tropical forests of Iguazú, for a feast of tropical birding, and what many describe as the most spectacular waterfalls in the world!

Outline Itinerary Please note that the precise itinerary may change depending on flight schedules.

Day 1 : We take an evening flight from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires, arriving the next day.

Day 2 : We arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning, with time for a visit to the excellent Costanera Sur reserve later.

Overnight Buenos Aires

Days 3 – 5 : We fly to Trelew, and travel to the tip of the Valdes Peninsula at Punta Delgada, looking for

(11 days) (3 days)

We tour the wilds of Patagonia for penguins in their millions, Condors over the Andean glaciers, Southern Right Whales and Elephant Seals on their breeding grounds, and some of the world's most awe-inspiring scenery. Along with an extension to the mighty, bird-rich Iguazu Falls, this must be one of the most varied tours we operate!

Burrowing Parrots and other local specialities en route. We stay for three nights at a converted lighthouse in a superb setting, with its own Elephant Seals and Southern Sea-lions on the beach below. A boat trip will take us right out into one of the bays to get close to the Southern Right Whales for which the area is famous.

Three nights Valdes Peninsula Days 6 – 8 : We drive back to Trelew, with a final chance of seeing Southern Right Whales before we catch a flight to Calafate.

We have two days to explore the spectacular National Park of Los Glaciares. Above the Southern Beech forest rise jagged peaks interspersed with awe-inspiring glaciers. We take a boat trip right up to two of these for a day in some of the world's most stunning mountain landscapes.

Next day we explore the spectacular National Park of Los Glaciares and drive to the awesome Perito Moreno Glacier.

Three nights Calafate Day 9 : We catch a return flight back to Buenos Aires.

Overnight Buenos Aires Day 10 : We have a morning free in Buenos Aires before catching our return flight back to London, arriving on Day 11.

Iguazú Extension Days 10 - 12 : A morning flight will take us northeast, to the Brazilian border. We are heading for the renowned Iguazú Falls, perhaps the most exciting in the world. The falls are surrounded by humid subtropical forest, a habitat more common in adjacent Brazil and offering some superb tropical birdwatching.

Three nights Iguazú Falls

TRIP DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION : will be in hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT : by minicoach with driver. Boat trips last about two hours at Valdes (small boat with shelter) and six hours in Los Glaciares NP (large very comfortable boat with picture windows and open decks) WALKING : Mostly easy walks (steps down with handrails at Iguazú Falls), all taken at a slow pace, no more than three miles in one day. A few trails can be rocky and uneven in places.

PRINCIPAL LEADERS : Luis Segura (Patagonia), Miguel Castelino (Iguazu) NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES : Main tour : Single supp**. : Deposit : Iguazú Extension : Single supps. : Extension Deposit:

£ 4,295 £ 495 £ 600 per person £ 1,195 £ 255 £ 300 per person

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

" ARGENTINA

The price includes scheduled return flights London/Buenos Aires*, airport taxes, internal flights as outlined above, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, incidental tips, local taxes, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the local guides and drivers, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (Buenos Aires/Buenos Aires), please deduct £ 795 from the tour cost.

Please note that we can quote for tailor-made extensions for two persons or more to many places within Argentina.

Day 13 : We fly back to Buenos Aires to connect with the afternoon flight back to London, arriving on Day 14.

Patagonia 2012 Sunday 18 - Friday 30 November 2012 Iguazú Falls extension to Monday 3 December 2012

Please see 2012 brochure and website for full details!

Watching Condors in Los Glaciares NP and, top, Iguazu Falls

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

11

Southern Brazil

BRAZIL

Jaguars and Harpy Eagles!

Friday 28 September – Friday 12 October 2012 Friday 27 September – Friday 11 October 2013

(15 days) (15 days)

From the fabulous Pantanal wetlands to the dry Cerrado, we visit some of the best wildlife areas in South America, for some of the finest birdwatching in the world, and a superb array of mammals, from Giant Otters to Jaguars! Our local guides have also discovered a regular spot for Harpy Eagles, and we hope to see them in their remote breeding area.

M

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

ention a wildlife trip to Brazil, and most people start imagining long journeys through the endless, continent-sized tracts of Amazonian rainforest in the northern part of this vast land. But Brazil is much more than the Amazon – to the south of the country can be found coastal mountains that rise above the forests and a huge inland swamp that many believe to be the world’s finest wetland for birds, the renowned Pantanal.

Located in the south of Brazil right on the border with Bolivia, the Pantanal astounds by its sheer size.

At around 91,000 square kilometres, it becomes, seasonally, the largest wetland in the world.

Habitats range from semi-deciduous and evergreen forests to palm woodlands and true Pantanal, the seasonally flooded grasslands with scattered clumps of “cerrado” scrub. This is the home of a vast array of birds, with wonders including the massive Jabiru stork, and the spectacular Hyacinth Macaw, as well as some impressive mammals, from Giant Otters to the rarely-seen Jaguar. Here we will spend the early mornings and late afternoons exploring in our air conditioned vehicle, on foot and in river boats. There is often time to relax in the middle of the day.

The Cerrado, or Campo Cerrado, with its very characteristic vegetation, corresponds to the arboreal savanna of other tropical continents. It spreads over an area of more than 2 million square kilometers, taking in 23.5 % of Brazil’s territory. This habitat covers most of Brazil’s west-central region, stretching way into Paraguay.

Sparsely scattered low trees and bushes with twisted branches, thick grooved bark, and leathery leaves give shape to this distinctive woodland.

Reddish-colored termite nests are prominent on the trunks and these are a great attraction to nesting Campo Flicker and Peach-fronted Parakeet, who tunnel into their depths. The bird specialties include Stripe-tailed Yellow-Finch, White-rumped and Whitebanded tanagers, Coal-crested Finch, Red-legged

BRAZIL ! Cuiabá

! Campo Grande

Sao Paulo !

and the Pantanal. Previous tours have been highly successful with wonderful views of an Ocelot, Tapirs in abundance, Giant Otters, Maned Wolves, with many more mammal species and a wonderful variety of exotic birds, butterflies and plants.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening flight from London to Sao Paulo, arriving early the next day.

Jabiru (Photo: Keith Grant)

Seriema, Red-winged Tinamou, Yellow-faced Parrot, the secretive Collared Crescentchest and the endemic Rufous-winged Antshrike.

Narrow riverine forests along the numerous streams in this part of Brazil hold unique birds, like Dot-eared Coquette, Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Blue-winged, Red-shouldered and Red-and-Green Macaws to name but a few.

The magnificent Harpy Eagle, one of the largest raptors in the world, can only raise its huge young every two years (well, you would need a rest too!).

The pair we are monitoring are expected to have fledgling chicks in 2012 and full-grown fledglings in 2013, and this tour is timed to coincide with what we hope will be a time of maximum activity in both years.

We’ll also make no less than four boat trips in the heart of the Pantanal to maximise our chances of seeing the elusive Jaguar! These boat trips are excellent for getting close to plenty of other birds and mammals – most of the photos you’ll see of the wildlife here seem to be taken from the boats.

These will be our fifth and sixth visits to Brazil

Day 2 : Early morning arrival to Sao Paulo International Airport, in time for taking our connecting flight to Campo Grande. On arrival, we will drive 236 kilometers eastwards on a paved road, to Fazenda San Francisco. Situated on the Miranda River, at the foothills of the Serra da Bodoquena and not far from the Bolivian border, this working “fazenda” (farm), has a reputation for being one of the best places in central Brazil for watching wild mammals. Among the species commonly seen, it is worth mentioning Giant Anteater, Marsh Deer, Yellow Armadillo, Maned Wolf and Ocelot. Birding is also quite rewarding here. There are several feeders in the gardens of the lodge, attracting such fantastic birds like Blue and Yellow Macaw, Nanday Parakeet, Blue-fronted Amazon, Chestnut-eared Araçari, and a wealth of passerines, including some very attractive ones, like for instance Crested Oropendola. We will spend the following three nights in this cozy 10room lodge.

Overnight Fazenda San Francisco Days 3 - 4 : We will spend two full days exploring Fazenda San Francisco, searching for mammals, birding and enjoying nature photography. We plan to go on several game drives, including some night ones, to improve our chances for watching and taking pictures of as many of the above mentioned mammals as possible. Birding will keep us busy at all times, and besides the species already mentioned, we will have excellent chances for the biggest bird in the Americas: Greater Rhea.

Two nights Fazenda San Francisco Day 5 : We will leave Fazenda San Francisco this morning and drive all the way back to Campo Grande airport, to take our flight to Cuiabá. On arrival, we will drive 120 kilometers on paved road to Serra Das Araras, where we’ll spend the following two nights.

This area is a particularly bountiful birding site, and therefore our plan is to make good use of the time spent here, looking for such wonderful birds as Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, Red-and-Green Macaw, Plumbeous Kite, Lettered Araçari, Couvier’s Toucan, Rufous Nightjar, Black-throated Antbird and Great Antshrike to name but a few.

Overnight Serra Das Araras Day 6 : Our main goal in Serra das Araras is to enjoy watching one of the most spectacular birds of prey on Earth: the Harpy Eagle. It is here where Miguel Castelino, who designed the tour for us, first discovered a nest of this mighty raptor some years ago. Our plan is to spend plenty of time watching

Jaguar (Photo: Luis Segura)

12

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

and photographing these Harpies. The resident pair doesn’t breed every year, but they are expected to have fledgling chicks in 2012 and full-grown young still being fed in 2013.

Overnight Serra Das Araras Day 7 : We will spend our last morning birding at Serra Das Araras, and then drive to the Pantanal, where we expect to arrive in the afternoon. After crossing Cuiabá, we will still have roughly 100 kilometers of good paved road, running through transitional disturbed Cerrado habitat, featuring examples of this particular ecosystem, including gallery forests and sprawling grasslands. Pavement ends at the small village of Poconé. There are only 17 kilometers from here to the entrance of the famous Transpantaneira, the only raised, dirt highway cutting through the vast wilderness of northern Pantanal. We will spend our first two nights in Pantanal at a lodge situated in northern Transpantaneira.

Overnight North Pantanal

Day 9 : We will wake up early this morning, to the sounds of birds and Black-and-gold HowlerMonkeys roaring in the distance, and go for a prebreakfast birding walk in the surroundings of our lodge. After breakfast we will set off and drive south along the Transpantaneira, all the way to Porto Jofre, where we’ll spend the following four nights. We’ll make several birding and photo stops as we drive through, and also to enjoy Pantanal’s vibrant wildlife. Birds like Campo Oriole, Blue-fronted Parrot, White Woodpecker, Greater Thornbird, Greycrested Cacholote, Pygmy Kingfisher, Ashy-headed Greenlet and Buff-bellied Hermit are all present here, so we will look for them and for many others during our frequent stops. One of Pantanal’s most iconic bird species is the Hyacinth Macaw, a common sighting along the way and a regular visitor to the gardens of our lodge at Porto Jofre.

Hyacinth Macaw (Photo: Keith Grant)

As we enter into the richest lower area of the Transpantaneira, plant and animal diversity increases. Herds of Capybara, the world’s largest rodent, are likely to be seen very often, and Pantanal Cayman dwells in every stream and pond at the roadsides. Chances for mammals like South American Coati, Brown Capuchin, Crab-eating Fox, Bare-eared Marmoset and Crab-eating Raccoon are also quite high, and we might even come across some remarkable reptiles, like the huge and colorful Yellow Anaconda. We expect to arrive to our lodge well after dark, spotlighting our way in for owls, nightjars, Ocelot and a number of other crepuscular and nocturnal animals.

Overnight Porto Jofre Days 10 - 12 : We will spend three full days exploring the Porto Jofre – southern Transpantaneira area, searching for mammals, birding and enjoying local wildlife.

Our main goal here is to look for Jaguars, and this is the main reason why we are spending quite a long time in this particular spot. The Brazilian government has decided to protect the local Jaguar population, so sightings of this striking cat have suddenly became fairly regular in the last few years.

From our comfortable lodge at Porto Jofre we will have the chance to make at least four half day boat trips along the Cuiabá River, and get to some isolated areas where Jaguars are frequent. Most

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : will be in hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT : by minicoach with driver.

WALKING : Mostly easy walks, all taken at a slow pace, no more than three miles in one day. A few trails can be rocky and uneven in places.

PRINCIPAL LEADERS : 2012: Miguel Castelino 2013: Lucas Marti NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 4,995 2013: £ 5,295 2012: £ 695 2013: £ 795 £ 600 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price includes scheduled return flights London/Sao Paulo*, internal flights as described, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the local guides and drivers, and other personal expenses.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Day 8 : We will spend the day exploring the northernmost section of the Transpantaneira, which is somehow drier and quite different in terms of wildlife than its southern section, next to the Cuiabá River. We expect to find a wide variety of localized birds here, including for instance Red-legged Seriema, Chestnut-bellied Guan, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, Long-tailed Ground-Dove and Redwinged Tinamou, all difficult or unlikely seen in the Cuiabá River area. Mammals are quite widespread at the Pantanal, and given the open savanna-like vegetation of this particular area, species like Brazilian Tapir, White-lipped Peccary and Marsh Deer are easier to spot here than further to the south.

Overnight North Pantanal

*For an ex-flight price (Sao Paulo/Sao Paulo), please deduct £ 645 from the tour price.

sightings are made from the boat, and the animals normally offer good photo opportunities, like the one in the image on the front page of this tour itinerary. The boat tours also offer excellent chances for other mammals and of course for a diverse arrange of colorful birds. We will also have excellent chances for Giant Otter, and capybaras will be a constant sighting on the riverbanks.

Three nights Porto Jofre Day 13 : We will leave Porto Jofre after breakfast, and drive all the way back to Cuiabá along the Transpantaneira, so bidding our farewell to Pantanal. On the way out, we’ll still have several chances to stop and look for birds and mammals that we might have missed in previous days. On arrival to Cuiabá, we will have time for checking into our hotel for the night, and take a short break before enjoying our farewell dinner in town.

Overnight Cuiabá Day 14 : We will leave our hotel after breakfast and drive to Cuiabá City Airport to take our flight to Sao Paulo and connect with a return flight home arriving on Day 15.

Giant Otters (Photo by tour participant Bob Lugg)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

13

Cloud-forests: looking from the Cerro de la Muerte across the Central Valley of Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Cloud-forests, jungles and volcanoes Saturday 9 – Friday 22 February 2013 Saturday 8 – Friday 21 February 2014

COSTA RICA !

(14 days) (14 days)

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Costa Rica is amongst our favourite destinations anywhere in the world, containing spectacular mountains and active volcanoes, pristine beaches, lowland rainforest, high cloudforest festooned with orchids and bromeliads, and some wonderful tropical wetlands. And all this in a country less than the size of England!

The amazing diversity of its birdlife and the fabulous complexity of its plantlife make it one of the most fascinating of tropical countries to visit – so why not make this the year you join us there!

C

osta Rica is a very different sort of nation.

There has been no army since 1948, for example. “Teachers, not soldiers” has been the watchword – the country has one of the highest rates of literacy in the world as a result. The people are also very proud of their commitment to conservation. They have a national park system that covers around 12 percent of the land surface in addition to numerous privately–run reserve areas, which in total protect over a quarter of the country.

Costa Rica is also an intensely beautiful tropical land, with a chain of volcanic peaks rising to over 3,500m. These mountains divide the country into quite separate ecological zones, each with its characteristic fauna and flora. Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world as a result, with more bird species to the square mile than any other country on earth.

It is impossible to cover all of even this small country in a fortnight, but we aim to visit a representative sample of Costa Rica's biologically rich areas, and to give you the best possible experience of this wonderful country. Our local agents here are amongst the best we've found anywhere in the world, and their meticulous organisation and excellent local guides ensure a really first class tour. This will be our seventeenth tour to Costa Rica.

14

Tour Extensions and Independent Travel While the main escorted tour lasts for two weeks, clients frequently ask us to extend their tour by a few days or a week. You could, for instance, join us for the tour and then fly down for a few days on the coast at Corcovado, staying at Marenco, or other lodges there. Please contact us for more information.

Itinerary Day 1 : We depart from London on a scheduled flight to arrive at San José in the evening. San José‚ is situated in the central valley of Costa Rica, an area with the best climate in the world, according to the United Nations. At this time of year the days are warm (like a fine English summer's day) while the nights can be pleasantly cool.

Overnight San José Days 2 - 3 : We spend the day driving up via Tapanti, a jewel of a middle elevation forest reserve, to the Cerro de la Muerte highlands where we stay at a superbly situated lodge in a wonderful sheltered mountain valley. The lodge is set among huge cloud forest oaks and a mountain stream, complete with American Dippers, tumbling over rocks just below.

Collared Redstart, Magnificent and Fiery–throated Hummingbirds are among the gems here.

One of the most sought–after species of any trip

NICARAGUA

Caribbean Sea

! La Selva Arenal ! " San José !

La Ensenada ! ! Cerro de la Muerte PANAMA Carara COSTA RICA

Pacific Ocean

to Costa Rica must surely be Resplendent Quetzal, the bird considered by many the most beautiful in tropical America. We rise early to see them at their most active – sometimes right by the lodge. We go on to visit an area of mature highland forest with high oak trees, and finally climb to more than 3,000m to visit one of the most distinctive ecosystems here – the strange, stunted 'paramo' vegetation.

Two nights Cerro de la Muerte Days 4 - 5 : We head west to the Pacific coast with time to watch birds en route. We aim to visit the bridge over the Tarcoles River in time to see Scarlet Macaws flying to their mangrove roosts just before dusk. We stay at an excellent hotel nearby with its own jungle nature trail along a stream running through the lush grounds.

Early next morning we travel to Carara National Park. This is an important Pacific Lowland Forest reserve, where South American tropical rainforest meets Central American dry lowland forest. It is an excellent place for antbirds of various species as well as trogons, woodpeckers and a bewildering array of flycatchers. Mammals include various monkeys, Two–toed Sloth, and Tamandua, a small anteater.

Near Carara is a superb small estuary, which, at

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Volcano watch: Arenal Volcano rumbles away in the distance

Days 6 - 7 : We drive north along the Pacific coast, to the much drier and more open Guanacaste lowland, before reaching the Tempisque River.

We stay at the beautifully situated lodge of La Ensenada, with open lawns and extensive views out over the Gulf of Nicoya towards the hills of the Nicoya Peninsula beyond. Expect some spectacular sunsets! Accommodation here is simple but delightful – wood cabins complete with a hammock on the porch – and the owners’ hospitality is warm and friendly. Howler Monkeys have serenaded previous tours in the early mornings. From here we will take a boat trip amongst the mangroves adjacent to Palo Verde National Park, as well as

making visits to some excellent pools and dry forest on the estate.

Two nights La Ensenada Days 8 - 9 : This morning we visit the 11,000- hectare Solimar estate, a farm dedicated to cattle rearing and wildlife conservation. Here we hope to see a wide variety of wetland birds including the mighty Jabiru.

We drive across the continental divide, and continue to the Caribbean–slope forests around Lake Arenal. Towering above the lake is Volcan Arenal, the most consistently active volcano in the world. Previous groups have seen red–hot lava boulders rolling down the distant black slopes at night, but even if it is covered in cloud you can hear odd explosions and rumbles coming from the mist.

We stay overnight at Arenal Observatory Lodge, affording views of the green lower slopes and the rocky, barren cone of the volcano in clear weather.

We have a full day in the area, and visit one of the nearby estates, a huge ranch which combines stock rearing with a rich range of wildlife habitats.

Here we hope to see many wetland species, including the stately Jabiru stork on the nest, and a chance of seeing dazzling Long-tailed Manakins and Spectacled Owls.

Two nights La Fortuna Days 10 - 11 : We drive east, along the lower slopes of the volcanic range, stopping at Virgen del Socorro, one of the best middle–elevation forests in the country. This is a reliable area for migrant Swallow–tailed Kites while dashing White–collared Swifts nest behind a waterfall here. We have seen Brown–billed Scythebill and Lanceolated Monklet in the past. We will also stop to visit a set of hummingbird feeders which attract a remarkable range of species including the stunning Violet Sabrewing.

We continue on to Sarapiqui for a two–night stay. The lowland rainforest at nearby La Selva Biological Station is one of the best birdwatching habitats in Central America. Even the road up to the lodge is superb and we will aim to arrive early on both mornings. We have sometimes seen more than a hundred species a day on our visits here. The superb network of trails allows access to every habitat, and the local guides really know their area well. The birds here seem used to visitors and species like the normally secretive Great Curassow may be seen wandering about only a few feet away.

We stay a little further upstream along the Sarapiqui River, in an excellent wildlife area. We have seen Sunbittern, Fasciated Tiger–Heron and Two–toed Sloth in the area.

Two nights Sarapiqui

Blue-crowned Motmot (Photo: Keith Grant)

Day 12 : We drive up over the continental divide of

Crimson-collared Tanager (Photo: Keith Grant)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in hotels or lodges with all rooms en suite. Some of the lodges are remote, and have simpler–style rooms, often in cabins.

TRANSPORT is by small coach or minibus.

WALKING : Some forest trails can be steep in parts, but we take these slowly. We travel up to over 3,000m., but will not be walking much at this altitude.

LEADERS : 2013: Tim Earl and local guide 2014: tbc NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICES :

2013: £ 4,295 2014: £ tbc 2013: £ 595 2014: £ tbc £ 600 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/San José*, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full–board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips to hotels and restaurants, and the services of the leaders.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

this time of year, can be teeming with wintering waders from North America, as well as terns and Black Skimmers, while Magnificent Frigatebirds fly overhead. We shall spend some time here, and at nearby pools.

The hotel itself has some excellent dry tropical forest both in the grounds and nearby. Birdwatching possibilities on the doorstep (Bare–necked Tiger–Heron and Ferruginous Pygmy Owl nest in a tree near the front entrance) make for a great, relaxed stay.

Two nights Carara

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the driver and local guide, and other personal expenses. *For an ex–international flight cost (San José/San José) please deduct £ 795 from the tour cost.

the northern volcanic range. Here we stop at the stunning Braulio Carillo National Park, which protects one of the best, and wettest, rainforests in Costa Rica. We return over the north volcanic range back to the Central Valley and San José, with lunch en route and end the day with a farewell dinner.

Overnight San José Day 13 : We catch a morning return flight to London to arrive on Day 14.

What you say: “What a wonderful time we had in Costa Rica, seeing so many different beautiful places and brilliant birds and staying in comfortable lodges and hotels. Our leaders made everything so easy and enjoyable and showed us so much – I can’t praise them enough.”

P.L., Wilts “I had a wonderful holiday! The organisation was great and we saw the most wonderful places.”

A.J., Oxon

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Elephant Seals.

Falkland Islands South Atlantic Wildlife Spectacular

FALKLAND ISLANDS

Pebble Is.

FALKLAND IS. Carcass Is. !

! !

Wednesday 2 – Wednesday 16 January 2013 Wednesday 8 – Wednesday 22 January 2014

(15 days) (15 days)

Stanley

!

Sealion Is.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Journey with us to the most accessible of the sub-Antarctic Islands, a land of albatrosses, penguins, Sea Lions and Elephant Seals... plus a warm and very British welcome.

T

he rich seas of the South Atlantic are teeming with life – which means an abundance of food for the seabirds and sea-mammals. These are present in greater abundance and diversity than the North Atlantic but the problem for wildlife enthusiasts has always been the inaccessibility of the area and the islands which are home to many of the species.

With direct flights from the UK with the RAF, however, and a well-established infrastructure to accommodate special-interest high-quality tourism, the Falkland Islands are simply the most accessible place to see breeding colonies of true sub-Antarctic species such as Black-browed Albatross, Rockhopper, Magellanic, Gentoo and King Penguins, Snowy Sheathbills and Southern Giant Petrel. And, as with all the wildlife here, most are extremely approachable, giving unparalleled opportunities for photography. With a maximum group size of only seven or eight, places will go fast on this tour - so do book early!

Tim Earl is one of the pioneers of Falklands tourism, and has led over twenty groups there, his first in 1987.

Provisional Itinerary Please note that this itinerary may change according to flight schedules.

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Day 1 : We take a late evening departure from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. The approximate duration of the flight is eight and a half hours to the refuelling stop at Ascension Island where there is a chance of seeing the endangered Ascension Island Frigatebird. The onward flight to Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands, is seven and a half hours.

In the company of local historians Ken & Bonnie Greenland we will visit San Carlos and Goose Green, and may persuade Ken to talk us through the 1982 Battle of Darwin.

Note : some rooms here are not en-suite, but we have the hotel to ourselves.

Two nights Darwin

Days 2 - 3 : We arrive early afternoon at Mount Pleasant Airport – with luck a Typhoon jet escort will accompany us for the last hour. We drive to our hotel in Darwin where we’ll be welcomed by our host Sheena Ross. Those not wishing to rest will have a chance to go out and get a first flavour of Southern Atlantic wildlife. We should see our first Upland Geese, Correndera Pipits and endemic Falklands Flightless Steamer Duck along the shore, with Southern Giant Petrel and Brown Skua out to sea.

Hospitality in the Falklands is excellent and our first taste of it here will be a special treat.

Next day we will be walking the shoreline, looking for Magellanic and Blackish Oystercatchers, Black-crowned Night-herons, Rufous-chested Dotterels, Kelp and Ruddy-headed Geese and our first Magellanic Penguins. On the land we will start to familiarise ourselves with the Red-backed Hawks, Falkland Thrushes, Black-chinned Siskins, Longtailed Meadowlarks and Dark-faced Ground-tyrants.

Days 4 - 6 : We take a FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) flight in a 9-seater Islander aircraft to the superb and wildlife-rich Carcass Island. Here the absence of introduced predators has allowed birds to thrive, including large colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins. Owners Rob & Lorraine McGill’s farmhouse hospitality is legendary. The island has superb wildlife including pods of Commerson’s and Peale’s Dolphins.

While on Carcass we will enjoy (weather permitting) a day-trip by boat to West Point Island, which lies to the extreme north-west of the Falkland islands, and was formerly known as Albatross Island. A colony of over 2,000 pairs of Black-browed Albatross nest on the ‘Devil’s Nose’ – a spectacular rocky outcrop. There is also a colony of Rockhopper Penguins. Dolphins are frequently seen from the boat and Orcas are possible.

Three nights Carcass Island

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Days 7 - 9 : We fly to Pebble Island, West Falkland.

Pebble Island Hotel used to be the farm manager’s house, but now caters for visitors with six twin rooms – all with en-suite facilities. The island itself is 22 miles long, and has a population of fewer than 10 people. The wildlife is quite outstanding.

Freshwater pools hold both Silvery and White-tufted Grebes while wildfowl include Black-necked Swan, Silver Teal, Yellow-billed Pintail and Chiloe Wigeon.

The inland ponds have occasional Flying Steamer Duck, and Snowy Sheathbills are often present while we are picnicking beside colonies of Rockhopper Penguins. These share the territory with King Cormorants and occasionally Macaroni Penguins. Gentoo Penguins nest inland here and can be seen making the long trek from the sea. In recent years there has been the odd King Penguin in attendance, making this a possible five-penguin day. We will also visit a pond on which Coscoroba Swans have been seen.

The shores can hold migrant waders including White-rumped Sandpiper, while the rocks of Tamar Point have a ‘haul-out’ of Southern Sea Lions. The sea is always worth watching, and we will be looking for passing Black-browed Albatross, Great and Sooty Shearwaters, White-chinned Petrels and Slender-billed Prions, while Peale’s and the lovely Commerson’s Dolphins may also be cruising by.

Three nights Pebble Island Gentoo Penguin displaying (Photo by tour participant Mo Warren)

distinctly different sound to the display of European Snipe) and do some star-gazing. Offshore cetaceans may include Orca, seen from the lounge and beaches on many previous visits.

On the land, one of the local specialities is Striated Caracara, a raptor which is now virtually restricted to the Falkland Islands having been almost wiped out of South America. ‘Johnny Rooks’ as they are called locally, can be embarrassingly tame despite their global rarity. Mind your sandwiches and gloves here – both have been stolen by curious Striated Caracaras on previous tours. Southern Crested Caracara can also be found here with Rufous-chested Dotterel abundant on the ‘diddledee’ moorland.

Two nights Sea Lion Island Lodge Days 12 - 13 : We fly back to Stanley and check into our hotel with an afternoon boat trip to Kidney Island on which we ‘chum’ for seabirds. We hope to attract some of the South Atlantic seabirds, especially shearwaters and petrels including, with luck, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, which are hard to see from the shore. In the past we’ve had impressive gatherings of over a hundred Black-browed

Albatross close in to the boat, and have recorded Royal or Wandering Albatross on six of our eight pelagic boat trips. We enjoyed a brief visit from two Northern Giant Petrels, our first in the Falklands, in 2008.

The following day a three-hour Land Rover drive takes us to one of the biggest penguin colonies of the Falklands, at Volunteer Point. Here can be found more than 3,000 Gentoo Penguins, with a colony of several hundred King Penguins nearby. These immensely impressive birds are one of the specialities of a Falklands tour and we will get close to them here. At this time of year the King Penguin chicks are just hatching, and we should get views of the tiny black young peeping out from between their parent’s legs. South American Fur Seals are an occasional sight here.

Two nights Stanley Day 14 : Early departure from Stanley to Mount Pleasant Airport to catch the mid-morning flight to UK, with a refuelling stop at Ascension Island, and arriving back at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire early on Day 15.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Days 10 - 11 : We fly to Sea Lion Island, the most southerly inhabited island of the archipelago, just five miles long by one and a half miles wide, with a resident population of five. Sea Lion has the only purpose-built lodge on the Falkland Islands with all rooms en-suite. We will be greeted with ‘smoko’ – tea and cakes in the lounge – no doubt.

Just five minutes walk away is a colony of breeding Southern Elephant Seals. They sometimes come even closer – the lodge has a picture of one at the entrance trying to get in! Although the huge ‘beachmaster’ males will have finished their monumental battles at this time, there will still be up to 100 impressive juveniles on the beach.

However the breeding season of the island’s eponymous Southern Sea Lions will be in full swing, with three-metre ‘beachmaster’ males guarding harems of females, which are pupping before coming into season.

During our stay here we will be visiting Gentoo and Rockhopper Penguin colonies, with their everpresent Blackish Cinclodes (known as ‘Tussac-birds’ locally), Snowy Sheathbills and Brown Skuas. Land birds include the endemic Cobb’s Wren and we will do a walk after dinner to look for Short-eared Owls, listen to drumming South American Snipe (a

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in comfortable lodges and hotels. En-suite facilities are available throughout, with the exception of one or two rooms at Darwin. We can offer a very limited number of single rooms, but these may not be available throughout.

LEADERS :

Tim Earl and local guides

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICES :

2013: £ 6,795 2014: £ 6,995 2013: £ 945 2014: £ 995 £ 1,000 per person

Single supps.* : Deposit :

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return RAF flights Brize Norton-Mount Pleasant, internal flights, full board accommodation, ground transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to local drivers and guides, drinks and other personal expenses. *subject to availability These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays Black-browed Albatrosses (Photo by tour participant Mo Warren)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Magnifcicent Frigatebirds (Photo: Mike Read)

Galapagos & Ecuador

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Tower

The Enchanted Isles

San Salvador

Departures: Every Friday throughout the year subject to availability.

Aboard M/V Beluga

Santa Cruz

Fernandina Isabela

San Cristóbal

The isles of the Galapagos are surely on every wildlife enthusiast's dream-list of places to visit. Join us for a cruise around these ‘enchanted isles’ on one of the best of the smaller vessels operating there. And why not combine this with a trip to the fabulous cloud-forests of the Andes, with a dazzling array of birds.

L

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

ying 600 miles away from the continent of South America, the remote isles of the Galapagos have played a central role in the history of man's ideas. Named “The Enchanted Isles” by the first sailors because of the mist that often hid them from sight, they have had a long history as a haven for both explorers and pirates. But it was Charles Darwin’s observations of the relationships between the islands’ species, inspiring one of the most revolutionary of scientific theories, that ultimately caused the human species to look at itself quite differently.

Today the scientific value of these isles in providing a natural laboratory of ecology and evolution is probably greater than ever. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most remarkable wildlife sites in the world. As well as their twenty-six endemic bird species and amazing seabird colonies, they have many unique creatures, including Giant Tortoises and Marine Iguanas. Formed by volcanic action, never joined to any continent, and still very isolated, these islands display a classic evolutionary history. Colonisation, almost at random, followed by the evolution of the few colonising species into a variety of often strangely adapted forms has produced an incredibly distinct and characteristic assemblage of life forms. The islands today form a fascinating but fragile evolutionary laboratory, and

are still the subject of intense biological study. But it is probably the tameness and abundance of the birds and other wildlife that make the Galapagos uniquely attractive to anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Their position in the cold Humboldt current flowing north from the Antarctic, and bringing nutrients to the surface, make the surrounding waters rich in fish and plankton, and account for the huge numbers of seabirds here, including, amazingly on the equator, Galapagos Penguin. The underwater world is no less fascinating, and, although the water can be surprisingly cool, there will be several chances to snorkel over the reefs and submerged volcanoes around the Galapagos shores, looking at the enormous diversity of fish, including huge Manta Rays, sharks (including Scalloped Hammerhead), as well as turtles and some of the other abundant marine life.

One of the very best boats that cruise around the islands is a small luxury motor-yacht, the M/V Beluga. With a maximum capacity of 16 passengers in double cabins, each equipped with private facilities, the yacht is fully air-conditioned (lovely when you come back in for lunch!) and has a 9-man crew. The Beluga is outfitted with a stabilizer system making for the smoothest running in the calm Galápagos seas. The main salon is spacious, and

Floreana Española

!

Galapagos Islands

equipped with sofas and chairs, a bar and entertainment centre.

Passengers gather here for briefings by our guides, to watch films, enjoy a drink at the bar or just relax. She has eight very comfortable and luxurious cabins with plenty of storage. The sun deck offers plenty of space to sunbathe, read a book, take pictures, or just enjoy the journey to the next island, and there is plenty of deck space for watching seabirds and marine life, also providing superb photographic opportunities. It is also one of the fastest, meaning less time spent travelling between the islands. Smaller yachts have much more flexibility than the larger vessels, and we’ll be able to enjoy a really top quality experience during our voyage through the islands. Landings – some wet, some dry – will be made from small open ‘pangas’ or dinghies.

Activities like snorkelling or swimming, which are optional, are normally performed before or after the main morning and afternoon visits. Because the naturalist guides need to be present during these activities, guests who do not wish to participate in them will stay on board.

We offer two itineraries that run in alternate weeks. If you have a favoured itinerary, please check the dates with us. We can also combine all or part of the two itineraries to make a longer cruise.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON THE ITINERARIES:

These itineraries are subject to change without notice for various factors including but not limited to: safety, weather, mechanical breakdown, unforeseen emergencies, and the discretion of the Captain, Guide, and the Galapagos National Park.

Fernandina Itinerary

Day 1 : Upon Arrival in Quito you will be met by our representative at Quito airport and transferred to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 2 : We take a morning flight from Quito to the small island of Baltra in the Galapagos, where we board Beluga, our boat that is to be our home for the Our vessel, the Beluga (Photo: John Muddeman)

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For further information, please visit www.wildambitions.co.uk

next seven days. Where we go depends on the weather, but a provisional itinerary should proceed as follows: You will then head to Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is one of the oldest islands, with lush vegetation in the highlands. We travel up to the brim of an extinct volcano to look for a number of landbird specialities, including the dashing Vermilion Flycatcher and Cactus Finch. We also visit some of the local farms. This is the best place for Giant Tortoises, sometimes seen grazing alongside cattle, and has much endemic flora. Back down at Puerto Ayora, the main Galapagos town, we'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for a look at their captive breeding programme.

Day 4 : Overnight we’ll make the long crossing west to Isabela and Fernandina. Here we can see one of the key endemic species, Galapagos Flightless Cormorant. As in the other islands, we’ll also be able to see a variety of Darwin’s Finches, including Large Cactus Finch. The endemic Lava Gulls can also be found. Wedge-rumped Storm-petrels nest, and, true to Galapagos’ unique style, they are active by day!

The waters to the west of the islands offer the best chances for encountering cetaceans, including both Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins, and with a chance of Humpback and Bryde’s Whales.

Days 5 - 6 : Isabela Island (Albemarle) is the largest of the Galapagos Islands formed by five active volcanoes fused together. Highlights include the Tortoise Breeding Station.

Day 7 : Fernandina Island (Narborough) is the youngest volcanic island and is still active, famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and for Galapagos Flightless Cormorant and Galapagos Penguin.

Day 8 : We cross to Santiago, or James Island. The volcanic lava cones of James Island have some good surrounding rock pools, alive with the orange and yellow Sally Lightfoot Crabs, but it is the Galapagos Fur Seal that is the main wildlife attraction here, together with some recent lava flows.

Day 9 : Tiny North Seymour, where we make our penultimate landing, has incredibly tame Bluefooted Boobies to step carefully around, with Magnificent Frigatebirds inflating their outrageous gular pouches at eye-level. Return to Baltra for your return flight to Quito.

Day 10 : After breakfast this morning depending on your flight schedule there may be time to shop for some local crafts and souvenirs at the nearby market, before being met once again by our representative and transferred to Quito airport for your return flight.

Tower Itinerary

Day 1 : As in the Fernandina itinerary Day 2 : We take a morning flight from Quito to the small island of Baltra in the Galapagos, where we board Beluga, our boat that is to be our home for the next seven days. Where we go depends on the weather, but a provisional itinerary should proceed as follows: You will first head to Santa Cruz Island, where

Giant Tortoise (Photo: John Muddeman)

you may get your first sighting of the world famous Giant Tortoise! It’s a very short ride to the harbour where we board Beluga, our boat that is to be our home for the next seven days.

Day 3 : We head to the south of Santa Cruz where we visit the small island of Santa Fe. Here there are Galapagos Sealions and Land Iguanas, with nesting Brown Pelicans. The well-known Land Iguanas here can grow over five feet long.

In the afternoon we continue to South Plaza island, which has one of the largest populations of Land Iguanas in the Galapagos, and is also home to Marine Iguanas living along the coast, as well as a unique hybrid between the two – a possible new species evolving!

Day 4 : San Cristóbal Island (Chatham) We then head east to San Cristobal (Chatham), first visiting Punta Pitt on the north-east tip of the island. This is a superb area for volcanic tuff formations, and all three booby species: Bluefooted, Nazca and Red-footed Boobies can be seen together, as well as both Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds.

Day 5 : Española Island (Hood) As next day dawns we’ll find ourselves off Española (Hood) whose remote location has given it a large number of endemic creatures. These include a distinctive purple subspecies of Marine Iguana, and Hood Mockingbird which have no fear of man and frequently land on visitors’ heads and shoulders searching for food. However the star attraction here is the Waved Albatross, from Apr to Dec. The island’s steep cliffs serve as the perfect launching pads for these large birds which remain on Española until December when the chick is fully grown.

Day 6 : You will then head to Santa Cruz Island. See Day 2 of the Fernandina itinerary Day 7 : Santiago or James Is. See Day 8 of Fernandina itinerary.

Day 8 : Overnight we’ll make the long crossing north to Genovesa (Tower), an eroded flat volcanic island with a harbour in the submerged caldera. At Darwin Bay the steep cliffs dominate the island.

Arguably the best seabird colony in the whole of the Galapagos, the area is thronged with thousands of Magnificent Frigatebirds, Red-footed Boobies, noddies, and tropicbirds. The endemic Lava Gulls can also be found here alongside Wedge-rumped Storm-petrels.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Cabins as described above subject to availability. Single cabins may be available on request with a supplement.

TRAVEL : We can arrange your international flights for you. Please contact us for prices and availability.

LEADERS : Galápagos National Park Guides from Enchanted Expeditions NUMBERS :

Max. 15 clients

PRICES (ex international flight): Main cruise : High Season* : £ 3,545 Low Season : £ 3,265 Single supp. (Quito only): £ 215 Single cabin supp.**: £ 1,495 Deposit : £ 700 per person High Season* 08 Dec – 30 Apr, 16 Jun – 31 Aug, 01 Nov – 30 Nov Please add £120.00 net per person for Christmas and New Year periods The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights Quito to Galapagos, full board accommodation, transfers and cruise as described and the services of the local guides.

The prices exclude return flights UK/Quito (please allow approximately £900.00), fuel surcharges, travel insurance, Galapagos National park entry fee (currently US$100 pp), tips, Quito Airport departure tax, any meals in Quito, optional tips to guides and crew (allow $150 pp), drinks, and other personal expenses.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Day 3 : We visit Floreana Island (Charles). Floreana is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers, convicts, and early colonists, and intriguing human history! Punta Cormorant, has two contrasting beaches and a large inland lagoon where flamingoes can be seen. Devils Crown is a snorkelling site located just off Punta Cormorant where hammerhead sharks can often be seen lazing on the ocean floor. The site is a completely submerged volcano that has eroded to create the appearance of a jagged crown. Post Office Bay is one of the few sites visited for its human history as well as being an excellent snorkelling site for turtles.

**It may be possible to offer one or two cabins as singles subject to availability.

rich and unique habitat. Return to Baltra for your return flight to Quito.

Day 10 : As Day 10 on Fernandina itinerary.

These are itineraries for a Galapagos cruise ONLY. As you will fly to and from the Ecuadorian mainland why not allow us to help you plan an unforgettably wonderful vacation in the Andes or Amazon along with your stay in the Galápagos?

Day 9 : Turtle Cove is a red mangrove lagoon on Santa Cruz and a perfect example of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Scarlet Ibis and other waterbirds going to roost at Caroni Swamp (Painting by Mike Langman)

Trinidad & Tobago

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Tobago

The Asa Wright Experience

Trinidad

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

No price increase for 2013!

Thursday 24 January – Wednesday 6 February 2013 Provisional dates for 2014 Thursday 23 January – Tuesday 4 February 2014

(14 days) (13 days) VENEZUELA

One of the best possible introductions to the natural riches of the Caribbean, based at the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Center on Trinidad, together with the wonderful tropical seabirds and coral reefs of Tobago.

A

sk a few well-travelled birdwatchers their favourite places in the world to stay, and Asa Wright will soon enter the conversation.

This famous centre on Trinidad not only makes for an excellent introduction to the incredible diversity of bird life in Central and South America, but is also an outstanding location in its own right.

The view from the verandah out over the valley is superb, while the birding from here – sometimes only a few feet away at the hummingbird feeders – is always entertaining. Around the centre lie two hundred acres of estate, a former coffee-cocoacitrus plantation now reverting to secondary forest, surrounded by impressive rainforest. One special bird here is the nocturnal Oilbird, a fruit-eating relative of nightjars, and one of the only birds in the world to use echo-location. A visit to a colony of these peculiar birds in caves on the estate makes a unique birding experience.

Tobago is Trinidad's much smaller neighbour, and with its lovely beaches, coral reefs and seabird islands, it makes a fine contrast for the second part of our stay.

GUYANA

January and February are the very best months to visit, with many forest birds including Manakins displaying, and seabirds nesting on Little Tobago.

Early in the dry season, the climate is also delightful at this time.

We have managed to negotiate very favourable rates in 2013 and will thus be able to hold our 2012 price!

Itinerary Day 1 : Depart from London to arrive Port-of-Spain, Trinidad in the evening, from where we head straight for the Asa Wright Nature Center.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 2 : We awake to the resonant calls of Bearded Bellbirds deep in the forest, and head for one of the prime birdwatching sites of the area - the verandah!

From here a first-time visitor may see twenty or more new species before breakfast, with several hummingbirds including White-necked Jacobin, Rufous-breasted Hermit, and the delightful and diminutive Tufted Coquette, as well as Barred and

Purple Honeycreeper (Photo: Keith Grant)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Day 3 : We drive up the ridge of the Northern Range of Trinidad. En route we look for raptors, which may include Common Black Hawk, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and the stunning White Hawk. Some of the more secretive forest birds can also be searched for – White-tailed Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and Speckled Tanager. We take one or more of the roads over the mountains towards the coast and have a picnic lunch before returning to the centre.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 4 : Today we explore the lower parts of the track that leads to the highest rainforest on Trinidad, the Lalaja Uplands, where we search the treetops for the Trinidad Euphonia and other species. A visit to a primary tropical rainforest is a really impressive experience. Among the trees festooned with orchids and bromeliads, leaf-cutter and army ants go about their daily toil, and we hope for their attendant antbirds to put in an appearance. Patience is often needed to see skulking species such as Whiteflanked Antwren, however. Trogons sit quietly on the overhanging branches while noisier toucans and parrots can be glimpsed flying above the treetops overhead.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 5 : We make a full day visit to the Nariva Swamp and east coast. On the way we visit an agricultural research station, with a host of lowland species including Savannah Hawk, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, Southern Lapwing and the delightful Greenrumped Parrotlet. Nariva, the largest freshwater swamp in Trinidad, also has an excellent mangrove area. Birds include Pearl Kite, Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana, and with luck, Pinnated Bittern. The coast should have Brown Pelican as well as Foureyed Fish!

Overnight Asa Wright Day 6 : We spend a whole relaxing day in the centre grounds again, starting with a visit to Dunstan Cave.

Here in this beautiful riparian grotto can be found one of the world's few accessible colonies of Oilbird.

This strange nightjar-like bird lives in caves by day, coming out at night to pluck fruit from trees as it flies, locating the fruit by smell and, uniquely among birds, finding its way around the caves by echo-location. The rest of the day will be spent wandering the trails, with many more species of antbird, tanager and honeycreeper all to be found amidst the lush vegetation. In the evening we visit an agricultural station where we look for nightjars and the remarkable Common Potoo, its huge eyes

gleaming in our spotlights.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 7 : We journey to the Aripo Savannah, the only remaining savannah in Trinidad, and host to many species not yet encountered in our stay. Greyheaded Kites, Shiny and Giant Cowbirds, Yellowrumped Cacique, Blue-black Grassquit and Ruddybreasted Seedeater are all likely to be seen. A remnant of the lowland rainforest at Arena may also be visited for birds including Squirrel Cuckoo and White-bellied Antbird.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 8 : We start the day by commuting to Waterloo!

This is an area of mudflats on the west coast, with a great range of waders, terns, and other shorebirds.

In the afternoon we travel to the fabulous Caroni Marsh, a unique brackish water community with a wide diversity of mangroves. Here we can find Anhinga, Striated Heron, White-cheeked Pintail, Pied Water-Tyrant, Bicolored Conebill and Redcapped Cardinal. In the late afternoon we take a boat trip, ending with arguably one of the world's finest ornithological spectacles – the sight of hundreds of Scarlet Ibis, egrets and herons flying in to their roosts in the evening.

Overnight Asa Wright Day 9 : We depart this morning for Trinidad's sister island of Tobago. This island forms the final link in the chain of mountain ranges extending from the Venezuelan Coastal Range, on the very edge of the South American continental shelf. The drier and windier climate together with its location, give Tobago a different range of species to that of the larger island, along with some wonderful seabird colonies.

We start by exploring the excellent Crown Point area for herons including Yellow-crowned Nightheron, wildfowl and waders. Afterwards, we visit the Grafton Estate, an old house with overgrown gardens, where regular feeding has led to the resident birds becoming quite tame.

We continue to the north-east corner of the island.

Overnight Blue Waters Inn Day 10 : The raucous calls of Rufous-vented Chachalacas form our wake-up call. Weather permitting, we take a boat trip to Little Tobago Island. This was the place where the memorable film of Red-billed Tropicbirds and Magnificent Frigatebirds was made for "Life on Earth". Redfooted and Brown Booby can also be found. Our glass-bottomed boat will show us the splendours of a coral reef here, and we can either look down on Angelfish, or up at the seabirds overhead. We return to Blue Waters for an afternoon at leisure, with some gentle birdwatching around the grounds, snorkelling amongst the rocky shores of the bay, or simply lazing on the beach!

Overnight Blue Waters Inn Day 11 : We spend the morning walking the delightful King’s Bay trail, with an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beach by the hotel, and more local exploration, perhaps up to the old cannon and the trail cut into the hillside above the hotel, where dazzling Ruby-topaz Hummingbirds glint from the bushes in the sunshine.

Overnight Blue Waters Inn Day 12 : We travel to the mountains, to visit Tobago's best rainforests today. These areas, at over 700m, harbour White-tailed Sabrewing, Blue-backed Manakin, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and other Tobago specialities.

Overnight Blue Waters Inn Day 13 : After a final morning's birdwatching we travel back across Tobago and fly back to Trinidad to connect with our flight home, arriving back in London on the morning of Day 14.

Blue-crowned Motmot (Keith Grant)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Dotted about Asa Wright’s delightful grounds, rooms are chalet-style equipped with ceiling fans (three of the lodge’s single rooms have air-conditioning not fans) and private bathroom. On Tobago, we stay at the Blue Waters Inn, a beachside hotel set within wooded grounds of 47 acres near Speyside, on the island’s gorgeous northeast coast. The hotel has recently been completely refurbished and facilities here comprise a central building, restaurant, swimming pool and beach bar, with blocks of guest rooms located to either side of the central building. The decor is one of elegant simplicity and all rooms have private facilities, airconditioning and a balcony.

LEADERS : 2013 – Tim Earl with local guides 2014 – Richard Thaxton with local guides NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICES :

2013 : £ 3,795 2014 : £ tbc 2013 : £ 795 2014 : £ tbc £ 600 per person

Single supp. : Deposit :

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/Port of Spain*, internal flights, airport taxes, ground transportation, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to local drivers/guides, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Port of Spain) please deduct £ 595 per person from the tour cost.

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

Great Antshrikes, and Green and Purple Honeycreepers. After breakfast we walk some of the trails that cross this wonderfully diverse estate, while we get to grips with our first representatives of the neotropical avifauna. Violaceous Trogon, Channel-billed Toucan, White-bearded Manakin, and Turquoise, Bay-headed and Palm Tanagers are among the delights in store. It will be a fairly relaxed day as we adjust to the heat, but a hugely productive one. After dinner there will be an evening walk to look for night creatures.

Overnight Asa Wright

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

What you say: “A super trip! We thoroughly enjoyed it.”

F. & L.W., Hants.

“From start to finish the organisation was excellent…an outstanding leader; a delightful group, and the birds were superb. Altogether a delightful two weeks.”

P.G., Dorset “It all went splendidly - excellent leader (of course!), great group, good guides in both places, fantastic birds and Asa Wright…I found this place quite exceptional. They are so welcoming and friendly, and very efficient. Their attention to detail is amazing very impressive. They could teach many other places I have stayed in a thing or two!”

C.W, Hants.

“I enjoyed the holiday very much, and would recommend it to anyone! “ G.M., Sussex “Great leader, great holiday, great company & the Asa Wright experience BRILLIANT. “ C. & G.S., Teesside “Overall one of the best trips we have been on and just the right length! “ L. & D. M., Surrey

Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Photo: Keith Grant)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

21

Trinidad & Tobago

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Tobago

Turtles and Tropicbirds!

Trinidad

Monday 22 April - Saturday 4 May 2013

(13 days)

Featuring seven nights at the famous Asa Wright Nature Centre on Trinidad, followed by four at Blue Waters Inn on Tobago, this 13-day birdwatching tour will introduce you to the natural wildlife riches of the Caribbean - from its rainforests and swamps to its palm-fringed beaches and tropical seabird islands. Nocturnal excursion to see nesting Leatherback Turtles is a special highlight of this late April tour.

A

SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

sk a few well-travelled birdwatchers their favourite places in the world to stay, and Asa Wright will soon enter the conversation. This famous centre on Trinidad not only makes for an excellent introduction to the incredible diversity of bird life in Central and South America, but is also an outstanding location in its own right. The view from the verandah out over the valley is superb, while the birding from here – sometimes only a few feet away at the hummingbird feeders – is always entertaining. Around the centre lie two hundred acres of estate, a former coffee, cocoa and citrus plantation now reverting to secondary forest, surrounded by impressive rainforest.

Based at this beautiful lodge for the first seven nights of our holiday, we certainly won’t have to go far to find our birds: the grounds at Asa Wright are literally heaving with them! As each day dawns, the songs of Palm Tanagers and Southern House Wrens echo from the tin roofs of the buildings and the garden is alive with sound – from the mournful melodies of the Cocoa Thrush and extraordinary corkscrew gurgles of Crested Oropendolas to the high-pitched squeaking of feisty Copper-rumped Hummingbirds. Taking a network of trails, we’ll visit the Centre’s famous Oilbird cave, go in search of the nerve-jangling song of the Bearded Bellbird and hope to witness the frenetic courtship displays of the White-bearded Manakin.

During our stay on Trinidad we also travel out to explore the island’s other key habitats, including the savanna grasslands at Aripo, the rainforests of the Northern Range, and Nariva Swamp – Trinidad’s largest wetland. In late April, giant Leatherback Turtles will be coming ashore to lay their eggs, and our night-time visit to the nesting beaches will be a special highlight. But for many people, perhaps the

most enduring memory will be our finale boat trip into Caroni Swamp, drifting quietly through the mangroves (with rum punch in hand!) to marvel at Trinidad’s fabled evening roost of Scarlet Ibises.

Tobago is Trinidad’s much smaller neighbour and with its lovely beaches, coral reefs and seabird islands, offers a more traditional Caribbean setting.

Its avifauna is distinct too and we’ll search here for a number of species that don’t occur on Trinidad, such as the beautiful Blue-backed Manakin, rare Whitetailed Sabrewing and excitable Rufous-vented Chachalaca. We’ll also take a boat trip out to the seabird island of Little Tobago, where elegant Redbilled Tropicbirds and Brown Boobies nest. With four nights at the beachside Blue Waters Inn, our stay on the island makes for a fine contrast to the first part of our holiday.

Take your first steps to South America with us and discover for yourself why birdwatchers keep coming back to the tropical twosome of Trinidad and Tobago!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Days 2 - 7 : Asa Wright Centre and Oilbird cave, with excursions into the Northern Range, Aripo Heights, Aripo savanna, Arena Forest, Nariva Swamp and boat trip at Caroni Swamp. Night visit to see nesting Leatherback Turtles is an April highlight.

Seven nights Asa Wright Nature Centre Day 8 : Morning Asa Wright. Fly Tobago.

Days 9 - 11 : Tobago’s montane rainforests and boat trip to Little Tobago Island Four nights Blue Waters Inn, Tobago Day 12 : Morning Tobago. Overnight flight TobagoLondon.

Day 13 : Arrival in London.

VENEZUELA GUYANA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Dotted about Asa Wright’s delightful grounds, rooms are chalet-style equipped with ceiling fans (three of the lodge’s single rooms have air-conditioning not fans) and private bathroom. Most rooms have a balcony. On Tobago, we stay at the Blue Waters Inn, a comfortable beachside hotel set within wooded grounds of 47 acres near Speyside, on the island’s gorgeous northeast coast. The hotel has recently been completely refurbished and facilities here comprise a central building, restaurant, swimming pool and beach bar, with blocks of guest rooms located to either side of the central building. The decor is one of elegant simplicity and all rooms have private facilities, airconditioning and a balcony.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food at Asa Wright is imaginative and delicious, including much that is locally grown. Meals are served buffet-style in the main house. Picnic lunches are another highlight... as is the Centre’s trademark rum punch, home-produced coffee and cake!

WALKING : Most of the birding on this tour takes place along roadsides and well-used trails. The walking effort is mostly easy but with some hill trails, all taken slowly. The walk to the Oilbird cave is quite short (about 1km) and involves some fairly steep sections down through the forest; the trail is uneven but well-maintained with a handrail to assist. As one would expect, rainforest trails can be muddy at times – sturdy waterproof walking shoes or lightweight boots with good grip are recommended LEADERS : Robin Chittenden with local guides NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 3,595 £ 595 £ 500 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights from London-Port of Spain; 7 nights full-board accommodation at the Asa Wright Centre on Trinidad and 4 nights at the Blue Waters Inn on Tobago; minibus transport; full programme of birdwatching excursions outlined above, including boats trips at Caroni Swamp and Little Tobago Island; evening excursion to see nesting turtles; all entrance fees/permits; incidental tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to local drivers/guides, drinks and other personal expenses.

The trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Leatherback Turtle (Photo: Mike Crewe/Limosa Holidays)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Canada - Grand Manan

NEW BRUNSWICK Fundy NP !

NOVA SCOTIA

Birds and Whales

! Halifax ! Grand Manan

Monday 19 - Wednesday 28 August 2013

Join us for an early autumn bird and whale spectacular on Canada’s eastern seaboard - shorebirds and warblers on migration, excellent seabird possibilities, and probably the best time for whale watching.

!

Fundy

N

ew Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy is one of the marine wonders of the world, an amazing ecosystem powered by the highest tides in the world. Fundy’s mighty currents create cold-water upwellings resulting in an abundance of food for marine life and producing one of the greatest – and most accessible – concentrations of whales and seabirds in the North Atlantic. Fin, Minke, Humpback and the extremely rare Northern Right Whale congregate here in August to feed their young, play and mate.

During our stay, we’ll enjoy two special boat trips out into the bay in search of whales and seabirds.

We should be rewarded with close views of the various whales feeding and sometimes even breaching, and we’ll look for seabirds such as Great and Sooty Shearwaters and tiny, pattering Wilson’s Storm-petrels. Our encounters with these sprites of the sea were breathtaking on our last trip.

The intertidal zone is equally rich in life, attracting thousands of shorebirds on migration.

The forests, reminiscent of the Canadian North, can be full of warblers and other songbirds fattening up on insect food before beginning their arduous trek southwards.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a direct flight from London to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving in the evening. A two-hour drive through the Canadian forests takes us to Sackville, New Brunswick, a delightful university town for dinner and our first overnight stay.

Overnight Sackville Day 2 : Early morning will find us strolling through the waterfowl park in Sackville. Despite being in the middle of town this reed-fringed lake is a haven for waterfowl and waders.

We will visit the National Historic Site of Fort Beausejour, strategically situated on a hill with great views all round. Given fine weather we may get our first views of migrating raptors from here.

In the afternoon we continue on to Bouctouche on New Brunswick’s eastern shore. The English flavour experienced just a few miles before gives way to French joie de vivre: the contrast is fascinating. We stay at a former nunnery, now a comfortable inn specializing in French cuisine and fine wines.

Overnight Bouctouche Day 3 : Today we will explore the Dunes of Bouctouche, an ecosystem of international significance, and home to rare plants and fragile marshes.

Overnight Bouctouche Day 4 : We take most of the morning to drive to

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good hotels with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT : Land transport will be by minicoach or minibus. The whale-watching trips will be on 42ft and/or 56ft vessels which take up to 25 or 50 passengers respectively. Both have cabins if we need to shelter from the weather.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Tim Earl

One of the whale-watching boats leaves harbour (Photo by tour participant Chris Milner)

Black’s Harbour, where the ferry leaves for Grand Manan. Just waiting for the ferry can be quite entertaining with Bald Eagles and Ospreys soaring past and perhaps a procession of Monarch butterflies beginning to migrate south.

We may get our first glimpse of pelagic birds from the ferry to the island on the 90-minute crossing. It is not unusual to spot Harbour Porpoise, Minke, Fin and Humpback Whales from the ferry, accompanied by huge flocks of wheeling gulls.

Overnight Grand Manan Island Day 5 : We take a boat trip out for our first whale-watch.

Cetacean species common in the bay include Harbour Porpoises and the rare North Atlantic Right Whale – arguably the most endangered large animal on earth. These wonderful mammals come to feed their young in this part of the bay and this is probably the best time of year for a sighting.

Where there are whales we often watch seabirds since they are attracted by the same food.

Flocks of Great and Sooty Shearwaters, Wilson’s and Leach’s Petrels can be impressive.

We spend the morning on the boat, in the afternoon driving to the island’s south-west head with its attractive cliffs of columnar basalt and a good range of flowers and butterflies. With Sharpshinned Hawk and Merlin on the move, the possibility of migrant raptors is good.

Overnight Grand Manan Island

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

3,295 395 400 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London - Halifax*, airport taxes, ground transportation, ferries, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to local guides, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Halifax) please deduct £ 645 from the tour cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Migrants here can be abundant, and we’ve seen ten species of warbler in one visit.

Sunsets are spectacular from The Whistle, on the west side of the island. A clear sky at night will see us doing a spot of star-gazing.

Overnight Grand Manan Island Day 8 : We take an early ferry off the island to drive to Fundy National Park which boasts the world’s highest tides. Starting in mid-July, as many as two million Semipalmated Sandpipers and other waders pass through the Bay of Fundy on their autumn migration.

We stay in an elegantly-furnished inn near Mary’s Point.

Overnight Mary’s Point

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

CANADA

(10 days)

Day 9 : After breakfast we will visit Hopewell Rocks, one of the Bay of Fundy’s most famous attractions.

We then drive back to Halifax for our return flight to London, arriving on Day 10.

Day 6 : We take a second morning boat trip in search of whales and seabirds. In the afternoon we will investigate other wildlife sites on the island.

Overnight Grand Manan Island Day 7 : We’ll spend the day exploring the island.

The shores of Grand Manan Island and, inset: Breaching Northern Right Whale (Photos by tour participant Pam Phillipson)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

23

Canadian Rockies

BRITISH COLUMBIA & ALBERTA

Calgary to Vancouver Wednesday 5 - Wednesday 19 June 2013

(15 days)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Canada’s sublime Rocky Mountains have a majesty all their own. Join us in our annual quest for Lewis’s Woodpecker, Townsend’s Solitaire, Varied Thrush and so much more, as we cross from Calgary to Vancouver in one exhilarating tour!

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SOUTH and CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN

wesome, breathtaking, spectacular...and that’s just the birding! Nothing can quite prepare first-time visitors to Canada for the sheer immensity and scenic grandeur of the sublime Rocky Mountains. Raging torrents, frequented by plump American Dippers, forge through rocky chasms where Cliff Swallows fly.

Magnificent forests of pine and spruce clothe the slopes, providing a summer home to an array of colourful warblers, whilst a backcloth of ragged, snow-capped peaks soars ever higher towards the endless Canadian skies. And amidst it all, tiny Rufous Hummingbirds buzz frantically from one flower to another, seemingly out of place in this land of giant superlatives.

Our Rocky Mountains adventure begins at Calgary, in southern Alberta, on the eastern flank of this great faunal divide. From here we travel west to the superb Banff National Park, taking in the swirling cascades of Johnston Canyon and the evocative Vermilion Lakes. Grey Jays nest in the tranquil forests (and can be extremely tame), as the mighty Bow River meanders through a landscape of majestic mountains where Bighorn Sheep graze the slopes and the icy summit of Mount Rundle towers over alpine meadows.

As we continue west through the higher Rockies to Kamloops, we shall encounter a different suite of birds, from Varied Thrush and Rock Wren to MacGillivray’s Warbler and the tiny Calliope Hummingbird, North America’s smallest bird.

Swinging south, Kelowna’s tapestry of picturesque forests and lakes is the haunt of Steller’s Jay and Townsend’s Solitaire, the latter a bird whose very name compels one to look for it.

After stopping just short of the US border to seek the attractive Lewis’s Woodpecker, the final leg of our journey finds us dropping down from the mountains to the beautiful Pacific coast. We conclude our tour with a two-night stay in

Vancouver. American Black Oystercatcher, Redbreasted Sapsucker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee and the delectable Black-throated Grey Warbler await us here, as British Columbia’s remarkable temperate rainforests tumble down the Pacific slope to greet the sea.

Chris Charlesworth lives in Kelowna (where we stay for two nights on our tour) and knows the Rockies with an intimacy few can match. Join us in our quest for five or more Canadian owls, ten woodpeckers, Townsend’s Warbler, Clark’s Nutcracker, American Black Bear and a host of other western wildlife delights as we cross from Calgary in the east to Vancouver in the west in one exhilarating tour. The birding is brilliant and the scenery will blow you away!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Calgary.

Day 2 : Frank Lake.

Two nights Calgary Days 3 - 4 : Banff National Park: Vermilion Lakes and Moraine Lake.

Two nights Banff Day 5 : Skunk Cabbage Res. Overnight Salmon Arm Day 6 : Salmon Arm to Kamloops.

Day 7 : The Lake Paul Road.

Two nights Kamloops Days 8 - 9 : Beaver Ranch Flats.

Two nights Kelowna Days 10 - 11 : Hardy Falls, Okanagan Falls, White Lake and Road 22.

Two nights Osoyoos Day 12 : Osoyoos to Pacific coast via Manning Park.

Day 13 : Lighthouse Park and Maplewood Flats.

Two nights Vancouver Day 14 : Tsawwassen & Reifel, depart Vancouver.

Day 15 : Arrival in London.

ALBERTA

! Calgary

! Vancouver

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels and motels are of good standard, all rooms with private facilities.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good, varied and plentiful. As is the norm across North America, some meals will be taken at local restaurants as many hotels lack restaurant facilities. Some lunches will be picnics.

WALKING : Easy. Always at a gentle pace, generally along well-marked trails and boardwalks.

The ground is stony underfoot at times, so stout footwear necessary.

MAXIMUM ELEVATION : at Moraine Lake, we shall be birding up to around 2000m (6500ft).

WEATHER : Changeable. The Canadian summer is short, warm and showery, cooler with altitude.

Some rainfall is likely on this tour. In June, average temperatures at Vancouver in the range of 11-21˚C. Be prepared for a range of climatic types as this tour crosses a broad range of habitats and altitudes – from edge of prairie, through arid sagebrush country in the rainshadow of the mountains, to cool montane pine forest in the Rockies and moist temperate rainforest along the Pacific coast.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By air-conditioned minibus or people-carrier.

LEADER :

Chris Charlesworth

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

3,695 595 500 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled flights London-Calgary and Vancouver-London return; all accommodation and meals, ground transportation, all excursions, entry fees and permits, tips (15-20% expected in N America), airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s throughout.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Bald Eagle (Photo: Rebecca Nason) and, inset, Hoary Marmot (Photo: Bob Gibbons)

24

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Mexico

CALIFORNIA

Monarchs and monsters!

Gulf of California La Paz !

MEXICO

Tlalpujahua ! " MEXICO CITY

Saturday 19 January – Wednesday 30 January 2013

(12 days)

We combine two of the world’s best wildlife spectacles – the gathering of millions of Monarch butterflies in Mexico’s highlands, and the gathering of wintering whales off Baja California. Add Mexico’s superb range of birdlife, and you have an unforgettable combination in a two-week tour

MEXICO

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Mexico City, arriving late afternoon where we will be met by our guide, Eric Miranda. Transfer to our hotel and a welcome dinner.

Overnight Mexico City Days 2 - 4 : In the morning, there will be an opportunity to visit Mexico’s best known archaeological site at Teotihuacan. We will aim to get there early so that we can visit in the cool of the morning as it can get very busy later.

After lunch, we head westwards out of Mexico City towards Valle de Bravo. We shall be staying at a comfortable 4 star hotel with its own swimming pool, 10 minutes from the centre of the town.

Noticeably warmer than Mexico City, the next day should see our first butterflies of the trip.

The following day we head for the El Capulin Monarch Sanctuary about 25km from Vallee de Bravo to obtain our first view of what is surely one of the modern day wonders of the world. The area occupied by the Monarchs varies from year to year but to reach the main area generally involves a steady walk uphill of around an hour. The good news is that horses are available and the track is broad and easy whether on foot or on horseback.

Three nights Valle de Bravo Days 5 - 6 : Today we make our way to Tlalpujahua, an old gold mining town. Lunch en route will be taken at Rancho les Cedros which is a private home with a pleasant family atmosphere and the promise of good food. Eric was brought up here so is well acquainted with many of the local populace!

Tlalpujahara is well placed for visiting the Monarch sanctuaries of the surrounding mountains and will be our base for two nights.

The following day, we shall visit what is the best known (and still the largest) Monarch overwintering site in the world! at El Rosario. The walk involves a steady climb of around 900 feet but we shall take it very slowly as there is plenty to see on the way.

The size of the colony here is stupendous, in good years covering an area of six hectares. The trunks of the pine trees are covered in layers of butterflies with branches and needles weighed down by the sheer volume of insects.

Two nights Tlalpujahua Day 7 : We drive back to Mexico City, and should have some time for a visit to the botanical gardens here.

Overnight Mexico City

Day 8 : Our hotel is close to the airport which is where we head the following morning for our early morning flight to La Paz, the main city on Baja California. Today, as an introduction, we take a boat trip to Isla Espiritu Santo where there is a large colony of Californian Sealions to be seen. Our hotel is right on the seafront.

Overnight La Paz Day 9 : After breakfast, we cross the peninsula to the west coast. The landscape is quite extraordinary: very dry and arid and dominated by giant cacti and other succulent plants.

We will be based on the west coast around Magdalena Bay where each year Gray Whales gather in the shallow waters to give birth. Most births occur between 5th January and 15th February and the mother whales and their calves usually stay well inshore so our chances of enjoying good views are high.

Overnight Lopez Mateos Day 10 : Today, offers a second chance to see Gray Whales followed by a picnic lunch on Isla Magdalena in the middle of the lagoon. In the afternoon, we return to La Paz arriving in plenty of time for our farewell dinner at the hotel.

Overnight La Paz Day 11 : This is our final day in Mexico and we shall catch an early morning departure from La Paz airport to connect to our return flight from Mexico City to London arriving on Day 12.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in hotels or lodges with all rooms en suite. Some of the lodges are remote, and have simpler–style rooms, often in cabins.

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

M

exico is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world with many endemic species. Our tour focuses on two very different migrations: the amazing Monarch butterfly which overwinters every year in the mountains north of Mexico and the no less spectacular Gray Whale which makes its way 9000 km from the coast of Alaska down to the peninsula of Baja California to give birth to its young. En route, we shall be visiting Mexico’s best known archaeological site at Teotihuacan and Valle de Bravo which is a very attractive valley surrounded by low mountains and good for butterflies and birds.

As well as millions of Monarchs (literally), we should see a good range of other butterflies including various Swallowtails, Fritillaries and Skippers. There is a new very comprehensive Field Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico which hopefully means we will be able to identify at least the majority of what we see. Birdlife should also be pretty prolific; a previous tour following a similar itinerary clocked up around 150 species including Ttrogons, orioles, grosbeaks and several species of hummingbirds.

Mike Williams previously designed and led this tour for West Midlands Butterfly Conservation branch – it was his wonderful report in their local newsletter that alerted us to the trip’s potential

TRANSPORT is by small coach or minibus. Horses are available at the Monarch sites!

WALKING : Some forest trails can be steep in parts, but we take these slowly. We travel up to over 3,000m., but will not be walking much at this altitude.

LEADERS :

Mike Williams and Eric Miranda

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 3,795 £ 325 £ 600 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/Mexico City*, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full–board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips to hotels and restaurants, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the drivers and local guide, and other personal expenses. *For an ex–international flight cost (Mexico City / Mexico City) please deduct £ 645 from the tour cost.

Two of the millions of Monarchs which gather in the Mexican highlands each winter (Photo: Mike Williams)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

25

Alaska

ALASKA ALASKA

Spring in America’s finest wilderness Wednesday 5 – Sunday 16 June 2013 (12 days) Nome pre-tour extension from Friday 31 May 2013 (5 days)

!

Nome

Anchorage ! ! Seward

In a world where the treasures of wildlife and wild places are dwindling, Alaska remains a wilderness jewel. More than any place in North America, it retains its wild character and ecological integrity, making a visit here simply a “must do” experience.

W

e visit in June when we have endless hours of daylight to explore. It is an active time for birds and wildlife feeding young in the short summer season. We visit wildlife-rich areas near Anchorage, Denali, Seward, and Homer and on our extension, Nome.

A sampler of Alaska’s magnificent scenery would not be complete without a boat trip into the Gulf of Alaska and Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward.

From our comfortable boat, we look for close encounters with Humpback Whales, large groups of Orca, dolphins, and the increasingly rare Steller’s Sea Lion.

We feature three nights at the renowned North Face Lodge, a naturalist’s paradise with views of Mt. McKinley possible on clear days from the porch. In Homer we enjoy forests, farms and views, visit the Pratt Museum and travel by boat to dinner in the artisan community of Halibut Cove. Our main journey ends in Anchorage, a beautiful city, rimmed by water and mountains.

On our extension to Nome, we explore a wild and beautiful landscape close to the Arctic Circle.

Nome’s unique community is locked in by ice for much of the year. Our visit is timed for the ice ‘breakup’, an exciting time for birds.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Anchorage, Alaska, arriving later the same day.

Overnight Anchorage (D) Please note: Anchorage is a delightful small city with easy access to some great museums, shops and restaurants. You may want to consider arriving early to spend time here at your leisure. We can certainly help with your arrangements.

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

Day 2 : After breakfast we make a birding stop at nearby Westchester Lagoon.

In the afternoon we focus on culture.

Overnight Anchorage (B,L) Day 3 : We get an early start for Denali National Park,

! Camp Denali

! Homer

TRIP DETAILS

taking a shuttle from Anchorage to the train station at the entrance to Denali National Park.

Guides from North Face Lodge await us at the station.

Overnight North Face Lodge, Denali National Park (B,D)

ACCOMMODATION : Hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite. Most meals are included, as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

Days 4 - 5 : We have two full days to enjoy the spectacular wilderness of Denali National Park.

Two nights North Face Lodge, Denali National Park (B,L,D, all days)

PRICES :

Main tour: £ 5,495 Extension: £ 1,495 Main tour*: £ 620 Extension: £ 445 £ 600 per person

Day 6 : By noon, we are at Denali Station, where we board the train to Anchorage.

Overnight Anchorage (B)

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London – Anchorage, accommodation, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), park entrance and other activity fees for activities described in the itinerary, the flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks mid-way through your journey, train travel from Fairbanks to Denali and from Denali to Anchorage, the all day boat tour in Kenai Fjords National Park, and the services of the leader(s).

Day 7 : After breakfast we drive south to Seward, a spectacularly situated fishing town on Resurrection Bay, at the edge of the Gulf of Alaska.

Overnight Seward (B,L,D) Day 8 : Today we embark on an all-day boat trip into Kenai Fjords National Park. This is a marvellous day spent cruising among glaciers and seabird nesting islands of the Gulf of Alaska.

Overnight Seward (B,L) Day 9 : This morning, around Seward, we look for birds of the temperate rainforest.

Much of our day is then spent driving over to Homer.

Overnight Homer (B,L,D) Day 10 : We have a guided tour in the morning to do some birding and walking in the island’s forests, with clear skies taking in some amazing views. Our final dinner is at the Homestead, a longtime favorite in Homer.

Overnight Homer (B,L,D) Day 11 : This morning we head back to Anchorage.

We plan to arrive back in time for an early dinner before going to the airport for our return flights to London, arriving on Day 12.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Greg Smith

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price excludes meals not mentioned above, airport taxis in Anchorage on arrival and departure days (allow $25 each way), travel insurance, tips to the leader(s), drinks and other personal expenses. *Please note that single rooms may not be available throughout, and are especially hard to book at North Face Lodge, so are not included there. If we can get any single rooms here we will increase the single supp.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA. Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours.

Nome pre-tour extension

from Friday 31 May 2013 (5 days) Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Anchorage, Alaska, arriving later the same day.

Overnight Anchorage Day 2 : After breakfast, we catch a morning flight from Anchorage to Nome; typically a jet-carrier flight where we share space with cargo.

Overnight Nome (B, L, D) Days 3 - 5 : We could sight Grizzly Bears digging up arctic Ground Squirrels or we may encounter a roadblock of Reindeer, which are herded here instead of cattle. Gyrfalcons, Long-tailed Jaegers and Snowy Owls nest in the region and can be found hunting the open tundra.

Dinners are at your leisure and not included in the cost, so you can pace yourself.

Three nights Nome (B, L daily; dinners at your leisure) Day 6 : We plan on morning flights from Nome to Anchorage to connect with Day 1 of the Alaska itinerary.

Breaching Humpback Whale (Photo: Peg Abbott)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Utah & Arizona

! Salt Lake City UTAH

UTAH & ARIZONA

!

Capitol Reef Bryce Canyon ! ! Zion NP

Canyons & wildlife… in the land of the Navajo!

Wednesday 11 – Sunday 22 September 2013

(12 days)

!

Grand Canyon

Join us for a fantastic journey through some of the most astounding landscapes in the USA, on a wonderful and unique tour of birdwatching, wildlife, and Native American history. Renew your spirits in the mountains and beautiful red rock canyons of Utah and Arizona: the land of the Navajo!

T

he Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion National Parks are all internationally renowned national parks. For the first time, this year we visit two smaller parks we consider no less spectacular, Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. In between them we find a few treasured, but lesser-known sites such as Antelope Canyon and take an all-day boat excursion on Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge. Navajos called this sacred site the “rainbow of stone,” and it truly is one of the wonders of the world.

On the tour we discover a beautiful and intriguing terrain rich in scenic and geological wonders. The plants and animals of the region are fascinating as well. Nature is the theme of our journey as we enjoy great walks, scenic drives, with time to explore and photograph, and to learn alongside an expert for the region. In the evenings, we relax in the ambience of rustic lodges at the parks or in charming accommodations in nearby towns.

The tour is again devised by Peg Abbott, and will be run in conjunction with her company, Naturalist Journeys, and the group will include some of her US clients. It will be led by Greg Smith.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a scheduled flight to Salt Lake City, Utah, arriving in the afternoon.

Overnight Salt Lake City, Utah Day 2 : We meet up with our guide at lunchtime, and travel to red rock country today. Capitol Reef is located along the Fremont River. Its massive colourful monoliths rise boldly against blue skies – a stunning place to explore.

Overnight near Capitol Reef (D) Day 3 : The park’s formations vary in colour and texture, weaving a tale of geologic history reaching back millions of years. We plan two walks of up to 3 miles.

Overnight near Capitol Reef (B,L,D)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in hotels or motels as described with all rooms en suite.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Greg Smith NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp*. : Deposit :

£ £ £

3,695 650 600 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights from London – Salt Lake City*, airport taxes, transportation as described above, accommodation, most meals as specified in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), admissions, local taxes, and the services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, meals not mentioned above (allow $30 per dinner and $15 per lunch), optional tips to local guides, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight price (Salt Lake City/Salt Lake City) please deduct £ 695 from the tour price

Day 4 : Today’s journey provides expansive vistas as we drive up and over Boulder Mountain.

We continue on to Bryce, passing through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and arrive in Bryce in time to watch the sunset over a panorama of rock features that have no equal.

Overnight Bryce Canyon National Park (B,L,D) Day 5 : Bryce Canyon, established in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt, is often the favourite of the parks among our groups as it is small, intimate, and presents a real playground of light.

Overnight Bryce Canyon National Park (B,L) Day 6 : This morning we depart Bryce National Park to the west, and then drive to meet our Navajo guides for an afternoon visit to Antelope Canyon. By dinner time we reach our lodge on the edge of Lake Powell.

Overnight Wahweap Lodge on Lake Powell (B,L,D)

**single supps depend on availability This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA. Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours.

Day 7 : We embark on a scenic 5 hour boat trip to Forbidding Canyon and Rainbow Bridge. The Navajos called this sacred site the “rainbow of stone”.

After lunch we drive on to the South Rim of Grand Canyon. We arrive at our accommodations in the afternoon, perfect timing to watch for California Condors that come in to roost. Tonight we enjoy dinner at the historic El Tovar Hotel situated right on the rim.

Overnight Grand Canyon National Park (B,L,D)

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

ARIZONA

Day 8 : We have the full day to explore various viewpoints and vistas of the Grand Canyon.

Overnight at the Grand Canyon South Rim (B,L) Day 9 : After breakfast, we continue on to another treasured Southwest national park – Zion, quite different from the Grand Canyon in character. Zion National Park is a fantastic realm of steep canyon walls, great domes and towers rising above the Virgin River.

Overnight Springdale, UT (B,L) Day 10 : Today we explore the Virgin River corridor, in the afternoon venturing higher in elevation to lush Ponderosa Pine forests near a small reservoir.

Tonight we dine together at a great local restaurant in Springdale.

Overnight Springdale, UT (B,L) Day 11 : Today we pack up after an early breakfast for the return to Salt Lake City, arriving in time for return flights this afternoon, arriving London on Day 12.(B)

Bryce Canyon and, top, the Grand Canyon. Inset: Juvenile California Condor (Photos: Mike Read)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

27

Beartooth Creek (Photo: Greg Smith)

USA - Montana

MONTANA

CANADA !

Malta

Great Plains and Yellowstone Saturday 8 – Saturday 22 June 2013

I NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

n June, few places in the world match Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley for viewing the dynamics of large predators and their prey. Snow in the high country keeps herds of elk and deer in the valleys. Predators – particularly bears and wolves – take advantage of this, often in numbers that create real pressure between species. At the same time, their prey species are raising young, which are abundant and a joy to see.

This year, we add an additional night to our Yellowstone journey, staying in the park at Lake and Old Faithful in addition to spending time in the wildlife-rich northeast corner of the park in Lamar Valley. We focus mainly on wildlife viewing in the dawn and dusk hours, while mid-day we offer excursions to explore the geyser basins, Hayden Valley, and the dramatic Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Our route to and from Billings lets us cross the dramatic, 10,000-foot mountain pass of the great Beartooth Plateau to see some of North America’s finest mountain scenery, with a good chance of spotting Mountain Goats, Clark’s Nutcrackers, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, Marmots and Pikas. We stay two nights at Lake, one night at Old Faithful, and three nights in the small mountain town of Cooke City, rimmed by spectacular peaks.

But we start amidst the serene beauty of eastern Montana’s expansive prairies, which offer a lovely contrast to the drama of Yellowstone National Park.

We visit this little-visited, beautiful part of Montana during early June, when the prairie is often ablaze with wildflowers and the air filled with birdsong.

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MONTANA

(15 days)

Saddle up for a fabulous trip to the real American West! We travel to the Montana Plains and Yellowstone National Park at the best time of year, when their wonderful variety of resident birds will be in full song, , their amazing range of mammals have young of the year in abundance, and the prairie will be ablaze with flowers. In the words of one of Yellowstone's most famous residents, this is a tour that's "smarter than the average"!

!

Glasgow

!

Billings !

Yellowstone NP IDAHO

WYOMING

wide open spaces of the prairie; please join her, along with local experts, for a Montana Prairie Spring! She will be joined by Woody Wheeler, owner of Conservation Catalyst, a birding and natural history firm based in Seattle, Washington. Woody is a skilled interpreter and educator with special expertise in birds. He inspires people to appreciate nature and to have fun along the way.

Clark’s Nutcracker (Photo: Mike Read)

Our accommodations are in downtown hotels in Billings and Malta, and at an historic Inn at Fork Peck. We eat at a variety of local restaurants and enjoy picnics in the field, time around a campfire one evening, and wildlife sightings to remember. A bison herd has been reestablished on the American Prairie Reserve and we take time to watch the calves frolic.

Coyotes and Red Foxes have hungry pups to feed and we may hear the adults serenade.

After a week in the prairies, we stop at the Little Rockies, to walk amid groves of aspen and pine, before heading back to Billings where we celebrate at a well-known local steakhouse.

The tour is again devised by Peg Abbott, and will be run in conjunction with her company, Naturalist Journeys, and the group could include some of her US clients. Peg has always had a weakness for the

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Scheduled flight from London to Billings, Montana.

Our hotel is located in the historic downtown district and tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner there, with a fabulous view of the city and the Yellowstone River winding through it.

Overnight Billings (D) Day 2 : This morning’s walk at nearby Two Moon Park along the Yellowstone River is often no less than extraordinary!

We return for our things, pack up and head north towards the Canadian border, beginning very soon outside the city to witness the legendary open spaces of “Big Sky Country”. We settle into our simple but comfortable accommodations, enjoy dinner and prepare for tomorrow’s sightings.

Overnight at the historic Fort Peck Hotel (B,L,D) Day 3 : One of the forces that ensure the Northern Great Plains remains diverse and healthy is that of varied landscapes. After today your eye will pick up the difference between shrub-dominated steppe

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

communities, important to Sage Thrashers and Greater Sage-grouse. A real highlight of the day is (hopefully) seeing a population of Mountain Plovers.

We take a picnic lunch and then return to Fort Peck, and the massive reservoir created by one of the largest dams on the Upper Missouri River. We have dinner in nearby Glasgow, and at dusk, venture out in search of Common Poorwills.

Overnight at historic Fort Peck (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Just seven miles west of Malta, the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of habitats with lush areas of wetlands that we visit this morning.

After lunch in Malta, we drive south to start exploring lands of the American Prairie Reserve (APR). Working closely with the World Wildlife Fund, APR has acquired land and conservation easements. Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy a campfire after an evening picnic on the reserve.

Overnight Malta (B,L,D) Day 6 : We venture out early, to absorb the symphony of sound at dawn, and to learn more about research being conducted in the area.

Travelling further into the reserve today, we can overlook Fort Peck Reservoir from its other side.

Lewis and Clark passed by this area of the Missouri at scenic places like this, and it is fun to read from their journals.

Wide open spaces here provide good habitat for prairie dogs, whilst the return of the Bison has not been welcomed by all. The politics of their story makes for a lively discussion.

Accommodations in Malta (B,L,D) Day 7 : We drive west to the highway, looking for any species that have eluded us thus far. Mid-day we enjoy a picnic lunch near Zortman, in very different habitat – locally known as the “Little Rockies.”

Tonight we enjoy a fine dinner at one of Billings’s famous steakhouses.

Overnight Billings (B,L,D) Day 8 : Morning at your leisure, perhaps enjoying a walk on the scenic bluffs trail above the city.

We gather in the hotel lobby at 11:00 AM, and then go to the airport to pick up those arriving today.

We then drive west along the Yellowstone River, before turning south towards the classic western town of Cody, Wyoming. From Cody we travel west to Lake on a scenic drive that provides a spectacular

introduction to Yellowstone. Enjoy dinner with a view of Yellowstone Lake.

Overnight in cabins at Lake Hotel, Yellowstone National Park (B,L,D) Day 9 : This morning we venture out early to look for Black and Grizzly Bear en route to Lake Butte, a scenic point that affords us a stunning view of the wild country surrounding Yellowstone Lake. Bison calves frolic, Sandhill Cranes call, and with luck we’ll find some interesting raptors, or even catch a glimpse of a Gray Wolf pack.

We have lunch at leisure in Canyon and take time to view the excellent exhibits on geology at the Visitor’s Center. Enjoy dinner at your leisure at one of the times we’ve reserved tables for you at our hotel.

Overnight in cabins at Lake Hotel, Yellowstone National Park (B) Day 10 : At Lake, we are just a few hours away from Grand Teton National Park. After breakfast, we pack up and head for a view. We enjoy lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge, and wildlife viewing with a good chance of seeing Moose, Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles and Moose. In the afternoon we drive back into Yellowstone, veering west at the road junction for Old Faithful.

It’s wonderful to overnight here, as we have an early dinner at the historic Inn, and take a leisurely walk out to the geyser basin’s a short way from our accommodations.

Overnight Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park (B,L,D) Day 11 : We enjoy breakfast and an early morning walk amid the geysers. Mid-morning, we head on to see fanciful mudpots and colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. We drive down the Madison River with hopes of seeing Trumpeter Swans, and then head up and over Dunraven Pass towards Cooke City.

Dunraven affords us marvellous views, and is an area often used by bears, as well as Bighorn Sheep and American Elk. It is a good area to look for Peregrine and Prairie falcons and other raptors.

We drive through Lamar Valley to our lodgings at Cooke City. The Lamar is lower elevation than Hayden, Canyon or Lake, and lush grass is attractive

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.

MEALS : Most included, except for two dinners at Yellowstone and Cooke City and one lunch.

PACE OF THE TOUR : Moderate with some field days, with possible walks of up to 2-3 miles over undulating terrain.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Peg Abbott & Woody Wheeler NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 4,495 £ 670 £ 600 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London - Billings *, accommodation, meals on the tour except for two dinners and one breakfast, transport, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, the cost of two dinners and one lunch (allow $30 per dinner and $15 for lunch), tips, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (Billings/Billings) please deduct £ 745 from the tour cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Naturalist Journeys of the USA. Please note that we require full payment 18 weeks before departure on all USA tours.

to large herds of bison and other wildlife.

Overnight Cooke City (B,L,D) Day 12 : We have the full day to survey wildlife of the Lamar Valley. We depart early, in search of wolves, Black and Grizzly Bears, and the hoofed mammal species upon which they prey.

We should have close looks at Bison, Mule Deer, American Elk, and Pronghorn, all of which should have young. We hope to see wolf activity as well: hunting, travelling, and possibly feeding young. We may find some of the smaller predators as well; Coyotes, Red Foxes or Badgers are all possible finds.

Watching Bison with their calves is a delight.

We’ll plan our day according to wildlife sightings and the energy of the group. Dinner this evening is at your leisure.

Overnight Cooke City (B,L)

NORTH AMERICA - CANADA, USA & MEXICO

Day 4 : Exploring North Valley County brings us in range of many of the signature prairie birds we hope to see: Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Sprague’s Pipits and Baird’s and Grasshopper Sparrows.

This is our chance to watch behaviour at some of the large ‘towns’ of Black-tailed Prairie Dog, which has been described as the keystone species of the region.

We may also find Marbled Godwits with chicks, Wilson’s Phalaropes and American Avocets at small ponds, and all around us we watch the snappy display flight of abundant Lark Buntings.

Overnight Malta (B,L,D)

Day 13 : Our final full day involves an extraordinary drive; one Charles Kuralt has called the most scenic in North America. Even in June we may have walls of ploughed snow near the upper reaches.

The pointed peaks of Pilot and Index mark our arrival to the mountain town of Cooke City, where we enjoy a final dinner at a delightful restaurant.

Overnight Cooke City (B,L,D) Day 14 : Today we have breakfast, pack up and then drive over Beartooth Pass with its vistas and wildflowers, back to Billings, Montana for our afternoon flight to London, arriving on Day 15.

Yellowstone Springs and, top, Bison in the Lamar valley (Photos: Mike Read and Greg Smith)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA

The ‘Roof of Africa’

Monday 18 February - Sunday 3 March 2013

(14 days)

Join us again this year for another remarkable journey across the ‘Roof of Africa’, as we travel from the Rift Valley lakes to the high Bale Mountains, and south to Yabello.

E

thiopia, ancient Abyssinia, the axis of Africa... here the earliest known ancestors of man wandered in distant millennia. Still surviving in its remote mountains are creatures seemingly forgotten by time – animals like the long-legged Simien Wolf, being neither fox, jackal or wolf but something of each.

Set against a backdrop of the most stunning scenery in all Africa, the unique avifauna includes many surprises, too. From the familiar Chough, here in its sole lonely outpost in the whole of subSaharan Africa, to the puzzling Stresemann’s Bush Crow, a sociable, Starling-like corvid that’s also one of nearly 30 species of bird found only in Ethiopia – most of which we should see on this exciting tour!

It’s a trip that begins in fine style, as we seek our first endemic birds – Wattled Ibis, Blue-winged Goose and the monstrous Thick-billed Raven - when we have barely left the capital, Addis Ababa. It’s from Addis that we visit the ancient monastery of Debre Libanos. Perched on the brink of a spectacular gorge overlooking a tributary of the Blue Nile, here we’ll watch for Banded Barbet, Rüppell’s Chat and an array of other endemics, while the plains hold flocks of White-collared Pigeons. The giant male Gelada Baboons almost resemble lions, baring their long canines in regular scuffles while their long, golden manes blow in the alpine breeze.

Heading south, we travel down the Great African Rift Valley to explore the bird-rich lakes of Langano

ETHIOPIA

" Lake Awassa !

Lake Langano

!

!

Goba !

Wondo Genet

TRIP DETAILS TRAVEL : Ethiopia is a vast country in which we will cover only the central and southern regions.

We’ll have some unavoidably long drives in a large and comfortable bus or 4WD vehicles if necessary, with frequent stops for birding. We’ll also have some early departures in order to reach birding areas at a time of day when the key specialities will be most active and visible, planning to return to our hotel in time for a rest later in the day where appropriate.

and Awassa, before arriving at the remote southern town of Yabello – home to two of Ethiopia’s most sought-after endemics: White-tailed Swallow and Stresemann’s Bush Crow.

We start back north and climb high into the Bale Mountains, watching for Rouget’s Rail and searching the lush Hypericum forests for the mysterious Abyssinian Catbird. Emerging on to the weird, tundra-like landscape of the Sanetti Plateau 4000m above sea-level - we enter the other-worldly domain of Spot-breasted Plover and the rare Simien Wolf. We finish at luxurious Bishangari Lodge, beautifully situated amongst the woodlands at Lake Langano, seeking Green Twinspot and the endemic Yellow-fronted Parrot.

We’ve chosen to spend more time in the highlands on this wonderful tour, to focus on Ethiopia’s special birds and mammals (and so are not visiting lowland Awash National Park, which offers many general East African species). Travel with us to the ‘Roof of Africa’ and experience a truly remarkable country that is still one of the world’s great treasure-houses of wildlife, scenery and history.

Our guide Alastair Kilpin lived in East Africa for three years and this will be his third visit to Ethiopia.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Addis Ababa.

Day 2 : Morning arrival Addis; drive to Soluta plains.

Overnight Debre Libanos Day 3 : Jemmu River Valley.

Overnight Addis Day 4 : The Rift Valley and Lake Ziway.

Day 5 : Lakes Awassa and Langano.

Two nights Awassa Days 6 - 7 : Lake Awassa to Yabello.

Two nightsYabello Day 8 : Yabello to Wondo Genet.

Overnight Wondo Genet Day 9 : Wondo Genet to Bale Mountains.

Day 10 : Bale Mountains National Park Two nights Goba Days 11 - 12 : Morning at Bale, transfer to Lake Langano.

Two nights Bishangari Lodge Day 13 : Bishangari and return to Addis.

Day 14 : Fly Addis Ababa-London.

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Addis Ababa

ACCOMMODATION in Ethiopia has improved immensely over the last few years and we’ll even round off the tour at the luxurious Bishangari Lodge. Most of the accommodation is rather nice and clean, with good birding in the gardens and surrounds; but even though there are private bathrooms, there are no special frills – electricity supply and water pressure can be erratic, so we can’t guarantee hot water every night! The southern region is remote. Here, in the Yabello area, we stay at a relatively new hotel (small but clean) for two nights of the tour; unfortunately, it is situated near the road and so can be rather noisy; if you are a light sleeper, we recommend you bring earplugs!

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is mostly western in content, of an acceptable but not gourmet quality, including soups, chicken, meat, fish, rice and pasta (spaghetti being a common first course). While there are not a great number of choices for vegetarians in Ethiopia; generally pasta, rice, soups and omelettes are available.

Some lunches will be picnics.

WALKING : There are no long or strenuous walks planned, but this tour will involve birding at high altitude (to more than 4150m/14,000ft elevation) on the Bale Plateau, which might cause discomfort for some.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Alastair Kilpin NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp.: Deposit:

£ 3,295 £ 250 £ 500 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Addis Ababa, all accommodation, meals, ground transport, entrance fees, tips for baggage handling and meal service, airport taxes, bird and mammals checklist, map and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, visa costs (ca. £14 in summer 2012), optional tips to local drivers drinks & other personal expenses.

The trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Gelada Baboon and, top, Spot-breasted Plover (Photos: Callan Cohen)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

ZAMBIA ZAMBIA

Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls

!

Chobe NP

!

Victoria Falls

BOTSWANA

T

alk to anyone who has visited Botswana and you will know that here is the ultimate African experience! “Like Kenya used to be” is the phrase often applied, for the as yet unspoilt wilderness of this landlocked southern African country is blessed with abundant birdlife and plentiful game. Tourists are relatively few, but the facilities are excellent. The vegetation is lush and green in March, many of the resident birds are breeding, and migrants from both further north in Africa and the Palaearctic abound – although chances to see specialities such as Slaty Egret, African Skimmer, Greater Swamp Warbler, Brown Firefinch and the sought-after ginger giant, Pel’s Fishing Owl, will doubtless be the main draw!

Our adventure begins with arrival in Livingstone, the capital of Zambia, from where we pay a visit to one of the world’s greatest natural wonders - the spectacular Victoria Falls. The falls were named in honour of Queen Victoria by the celebrated Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, who is believed to have been the first European to gaze upon this wondrous sight. More than a mile across, the waters of the “smoke that thunders” plummet vertically for over 350 feet - the largest single sheet of falling water in the world. The localised Schalow’s Turaco and Tropical Boubou inhabit the fringing mist forests, shrouded in spray from the falls.

Having been blown away by the falls, next we drive east to the border and take the ferry from Zambia, across the broad waters of the Chobe River, into neighbouring Botswana. Our destination, world famous Chobe National Park, is renowned as amongst the finest in all Africa. Secretarybird, Greater Kestrel, Kori Bustard, Yellow-billed and Redbilled Oxpeckers, and the huge Southern Ground Hornbill are among a host of birds we could see.

Mammals are plentiful too, with Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Plain’s Zebra, Impala and Giraffe, along with their attendant predators. Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena are possible, but Chobe’s extensive woodlands are perhaps best known for the rare African Wild Dog. We will hope to be lucky to

Thursday 14 - Monday 25 March 2013

(12 days)

Join our Africa specialist Callan Cohen on a 12-day “fly-in safari” to one of the last great wilderness areas on the planet - the fragile Okavango Delta. We’ll take small charter planes and boats into the Delta, where we stay in small, exclusive camps surrounded by the African bush. see this endangered mammal during our three-night stay at the park.

From Chobe, we travel to our ultimate destination, the magical Okavango Delta. Remote and inaccessible, the Okavango wilderness is a wildlife paradise second to none. Just getting there is an adventure in itself, for we must fly in by private light aircraft! We spend five nights within this immense inland swamp, split between two comfortable camps in the northeast sector of the delta. Following the summer rains, in March the Okavango’s waters will be rising, spreading out over an area of 15000 sq kms – the size of Yorkshire. With five full days at our disposal here, we will have plenty of time to look for all the delta’s specialities and much more besides, as we explore the vast seasonal wetlands by safari vehicle and by mekoro, the traditional dugout canoe, propelled serenely through the swamps in time-honoured fashion... by a man with a pole! The birdlife is prolific, with kingsize Goliath Herons, Saddle-billed and Marabou Storks, Spur-winged and African Pygmy Geese, and African Fish Eagle amongst a plethora of wetland species. All in all, our stay in the Okavango should make for a fabulous finale to this most exciting of African tours!

Guide Callan Cohen was born and raised in South Africa, and specialises in guiding bird and wildlife tours across the Afro-tropics. This will be his eighth tour to Botswana.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : Fly London-Johannesburg-Livingstone (Zambia).

Overnight Livingstone Days 3 - 5 : Victoria Falls, cross into Botswana.

Three nights Chobe National Park Days 6 - 8 : Fly Moremi Game Reserve.

Three nights Xakanaxa Camp, Okavango Days 9 - 10 : Two nights Kwara Camp, Okavango.

Day 11 : Fly to Maun. Fly Maun-JohannesburgLondon.

Day 12 : Arrival in London.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a hand-picked selection of excellent safari lodges and permanent tented camps. All rooms have private facilities.

[Please note: we plan to use the accommodations mentioned in the detailed itinerary, but sometimes for logistical and operational reasons they may need to be substituted with alternate camps of a similar standard in a similar area. Should a change be necessary, please be assured that it will not affect your enjoyment of the tour nor the range of species to be seen.]

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good, with most main meals taken at our lodgings, and lunches either as picnics or at the lodges.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks. In the parks, away from our lodgings, the presence of wild animals may preclude excursions on foot so we travel by safari vehicles specially adapted for wildlife viewing. Comfortable walking shoes and sandals are suitable.

FLIGHTS : We use the scheduled services of South African or British Airways, outbound from London-Johannesburg and then onwards to Livingstone (Zambia). Please note there are no direct flights from the UK to Victoria Falls at this time so all routes involve a change of planes. Our return flight routing will depend on schedules, most likely from Maun (Botswana) to Johannesburg and onwards to London (but possibly routing Livingstone-Johannesburg-London, as schedules dictate).

Travellers to Botswana should be aware that we use small planes when transferring between lodges and these have a strict luggage limit of 20 kg per person, including hand luggage and cameras. But it is not necessary to bring much heavy clothing, and it is easy to get washing done at the lodges on most nights (which dries quickly).

INSECTS : Mosquitoes are present throughout the tropics. Bring repellent and dress accordingly, covering up with long sleeves and long trousers in the evenings. Many of the accommodations we use do usually supply mosquito nets – but if you want to be guaranteed of one, then Callan recommends purchasing your own travel net for all travel in the Afrotropics.

LEADERS :

Callan Cohen

NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 5,995 £ 595 £ 600 per person

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

BOTSWANA

!

Okavango Delta

Botswana & Zambia

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Livingstone/MaunLondon (please see flights above), transfers by light aircraft between the lodges in Botswana (as outlined in the detailed itinerary), all accommodation, meals, surface transportation including boat trips as described, entry fees to the parks, tips to local drivers/guides, airport taxes, map, bird & mammals checklist, and services of the leader.

The price excludes travel Insurance, Zambian visa (approx. £38), drinks & other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Hippos and Long-toed Plover Photo by Mike Read

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

31

Ghana

GHANA GHANA

Picathartes & the Gold Coast Friday 22 February - Tuesday 5 March 2013

(12 days) !

Kumasi

A 12-day birdwatching tour along West Africa’s glittering Gold Coast. Primarily a birding tour, with some fine endemics. Expect a wealth of wonderful forest butterflies and some fascinating forest mammals, too.

W

Kakum

"

Accra

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We use comfortable or best available hotels and lodges throughout, all rooms with private facilities and air-conditioning. In Tema, we stay at a good 3-star hotel. For our five nights at Kakum National Park accommodation is at the comfortable, modern and purpose-built Rainforest Lodge, which is situated just 10km from the national park. Our two nights at Kumasi are in a good hotel, and for our visit to Kalakpa Reserve we enjoy the surrounds of a high standard hotel in the regional capital, Ho. Each of the hotels has a swimming pool.

watch for include Narina Trogon, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, African Piculet and the beautiful Manycoloured Bush Shrike. Our tour concludes with a visit to the little known Kalakpa Reserve, in eastern Ghana, a bush savanna refuge that holds Yellowthroated Green Cuckoo (Africa’s rarest cuckoo), Capuchin Babbler and Leaflove.

We are delighted that local expert Robert Ntakor, Ghana’s most experienced bird tour guide, will once again be joining us to co-lead our 2013 tour along with Brian Small.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Accra.

Overnight Accra Day 2 : Gold Coast Shai Hills, lagoons and grasslands.

Days 3 - 6 : Kakum National Park, its canopy walkway and trails.

Five nights Rainforest Lodge, near Kakum Day 7 : Aboabo and Picathartes.

Day 8 : Bobiri Forest Two nights Kumasi Day 9 : East to Volta Region.

Day 10 : Kalakpa Reserve.

Two nights Ho Day 11 : Morning Kalakpa. Return Accra, fly London.

Day 12 : Morning arrival London.

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

ith more than 750 species of birds, Ghana is the ‘rising star’ among West African wildlife destinations. The forest birding is simply outstanding, with fabulous Black and Rosy Beeeaters, White-crested and Black Dwarf Hornbills, Rufous-sided Broadbill, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher and the shimmering Johanna’s Sunbird among a host of specialities that await. Our 2011 and 2012 groups also enjoyed fantastic views of the stunning Yellow-headed Picathartes (or Whitenecked Rockfowl), the bird which has latterly helped to place this friendly, stable English-speaking country firmly on the birdwatching map.

Our holiday begins with Akwaaba (‘welcome’) and some fine coastal and grassland birding near Accra, on West Africa’s Gold Coast. Here the likes of White-crowned Cliff Chat, Violet and Guinea Turacos, Black-bellied Bustard, Double-toothed Barbet, Siffling and Croaking Cisticolas, Flappet Lark and Black-winged Bishop should ensure an exciting start before we head to our comfortable lodgings close to Kakum’s wonderful rainforest.

Kakum National Park is famous for its superb rainforest canopy walkway – Africa’s longest. Its treetop platforms afford a unique opportunity to get to grips with a wealth of canopy dwellers, including many Upper Guinea Forest endemics. Congo Serpent Eagle, Fire-bellied Woodpecker, Bluethroated Roller, Blue Cuckooshrike, Kemp’s Longbill and the lovely Violet-backed Hyliota are among a long list of possibilities in the park.

One of the undoubted highlights of our tour will be to visit a breeding site of the rare Yellow-headed Picathartes. We shall again have special permission to look for this highly secretive bird – and getting just a glimpse of one is an amazing feeling, never to be forgotten! A donation from the tour will again be given to PECK (Picathartes Education and Conservation for Knowledge Fund), a body set up by our ground agents to protect the site and to help children in the surrounding communities with their education.

From Kakum, we continue our Upper Guinea adventure with a visit to the Bobiri Rainforest, a hotspot for forest birds and butterflies. Species to

! Ho

!

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good, with a choice of Western or local dishes. We will take early breakfasts prior to birding, and a packed lunch on the day we visit the Picathartes breeding site.

WALKING : The walking effort is easy to moderate on this tour, typically with short walks of up to about 3 miles. Access to the Rainforest Canopy Walkway at Kakum involves a short uphill walk (about 650m) along an uneven stepped trail to reach the Walkway. The walkway itself is set about 40m above the forest floor and is accessed by steps; it has several observation platforms linked by stretches of suspended rope and board walkways. The walk to the Picathartes site is about 3 km through forest, with a short scramble at the end up a steep forested hill to reach the rock overhang where the birds nest. However, the pace will be slow and set to ensure everyone’s comfort - and the opportunity to look for this fantastic bird, one of just two members of this charismatic family and a major tour highlight, will make the extra effort seem all the more worthwhile! Comfy walking shoes with sturdy corrugated soles for grip advised.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By air-conditioned minibus with ample room and local driver.

INSECTS : Mosquitoes are generally only a local nuisance on this tour but you should be aware of their presence and take the usual precautions.

LEADERS : Brian Small & Robert Ntakor NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 2,995 £ 225 £ 400 per person

The price is per person and includes return flights London-Accra, all accommodation, meals, surface transport and excursions as described above, entry fees to the parks, tips to local drivers/guides, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s. A donation of £60 per participant will go to PECK (as described above).

The price excludes holiday insurance, visa costs (approx £50), drinks & other personal expenses.

The trip will be run in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Yellow-headed Picathartes (Photo: John Farnam) and, top, Butterflies gather on a forest trail (Photo: Callan Cohen)

32

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Madagascar sunset (Photo by tour participant Cliff Gilbert)

Madagascar MADAGASCAR

TANA "

Land of the Lemur

!

Perinet

Thursday 27 September - Thursday 11 October 2012 Thursday 17 - Thursday 31 October 2013

(15 days) (15 days)

! Ranomafana

! Berenty

M

adagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, having severed the land-ties to Africa more than 100 million years ago. This vast span of time, coupled with the size of the land-mass

Separated from the African continent by just a few hundred miles of sea but more than a hundred million years in time, Madagascar is really a tiny continent all of its own. Here evolution has followed a quite distinct course, producing a whole range of life-forms that are found nowhere else on earth. Join us for a fascinating fortnight in the land of the lemur!

and a great variety of landforms, has enabled the forces of evolution to play, to experiment, and now to dazzle wildlife enthusiasts with a range of creatures and plants both bizarre and unique.

This was the home of the Elephant Bird, the largest bird that ever lived, until just a few centuries ago – what a sight that would have been.

Catastrophic habitat loss has led to the extinction of this and many other endemic species but there are still more than 100 endemic birds with several whole endemic families, including the amazing vangas with their great range of forms.

Madagascar is also home to more than half the world's chameleons including Parson's Chameleon, the world's largest at up to 60cm, and some quite extraordinary geckos. But perhaps the most famous group of creatures on the island are the lemurs, entirely confined to Madagascar and the nearby Comoro Islands. Lemurs are one of the most primitive groups of primates which have evolved into a stunning range of species ranging from the howling Indri, which greets the dawn in PĂŠrinet with its echoing calls, to the tiny nocturnal Mouse Lemurs.

We'll be travelling to several of the last remaining areas of lush forest, dry deciduous woodland, and spiny desert. In the face of vast commercial pressures, responsible ecotourism can help immensely to preserve these remnants with their immeasurably precious wildlife treasures. This will be an adventurous trip, with quite a bit of travelling to get the best out of this wonderful land, but we know that the beauty of the country, the friendliness of the people, and above all the extraordinary nature of its wildlife will make the

effort worthwhile. Please note that early morning starts will be necessary on several days.

Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : We depart London in the evening and fly to Johannesburg, where we arrive the next day and connect with a flight to Antananarivo (known as Tana). Although more costly than flying via Paris, this minimises the time spent in transit.

Overnight Tana Days 3 - 5 : We catch an internal flight south to Fort Dauphin. The schedule varies, and we may have time for a morning’s visit to Tana zoo, where we can see several nocturnal lemurs that are very hard to find in the wild, including Aye-aye. From Fort Dauphin (where we may overnight if the flight arrives late) we travel to Berenty private reserve.

This is an area of tamarind gallery forest, reminiscent of the African bush. This is one of the best reserves for lemurs, with beautiful white Verreaux's Sifakas hurling themselves from tree to tree, Brown Lemurs that wander into the restaurant in search of food, and, most fearless of all, Ringtailed Lemurs, whose gentle expression belies their banana-thieving intentions. Watching these endearing animals warming their tummies in the early morning sunshine can be one of the highlights of the trip.

We'll also have a chance to visit the bizarre spiny forest with its succulent plants. Endemics here include several vangas, Giant Coua, Madagascar Buzzard and Paradise Flycatcher.

We stay for two nights in the lodge bungalows, and will take the opportunity to look for Madagascar

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Tulear !

Bamboo Lemur (Photo: Cliff Gilbert)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

33

Scops and White-browed Owls.

Two nights Berenty Lodge, overnight Fort Dauphin (order depending on flight times) Day 6 : We drive to Fort Dauphin airport to catch a local flight to Tulear on the south-west coast.

Overnight Tulear Day 7 : We drive to Isalo with a stop for birdwatching at the Zombitse Forest. Here we will look for one of the world’s rarest birds, Appert’s Greenbul, as well as France’s Sparrowhawk, Reunion Harrier and Lesser Vasa Parrot.

Later we will visit the Isalo National Park, an area of jumbled limestone pinnacles. Here we will look for another endemic, Benson’s Rock Thrush, as well as Madagascar Bee-eater.

Overnight Isalo Days 8 - 9 : We take the long drive north towards Ranomafana, where we stay for two nights.

Established in 1986 after the discovery of the Golden Bamboo Lemur, Ranomafana National Park is one of the premier ecotourism projects in Madagascar. Half the entrance fee goes to support sustainable development in the area and a training centre for naturalist guides has been established.

The area is rich in lemurs and simply wonderful for birds.

This is also probably the best site for the rainforest endemics. Here, as the morning mists clear, we’ll look for Rufous-headed and Pitta-like Ground-Rollers, Pollen's Vanga, Brown Mesite and Velvet Asity amongst others.

Although the park speciality, Golden Bamboo Lemur, is very hard to see, we have succeeded in seeing them on two previous visits. The park is also a research centre and some of the lemurs wear radio-collars for tracking.

Two nights Ranomafana Day 10 : We travel north again, stopping for lunch at one of the villages. Here we have a chance to visit one of the local woodcarving workshops for which the town is famous. We continue on to Antsirabe.

Overnight Antsirabe Days 11 - 13 : We continue across the interior plateau, a land of small thatched villages and tiny terraced rice-paddies. The countryside has a distinctly Asian feel to it, perhaps not surprising considering that the Malagasy farmers who shaped the land are originally descended from Malay and Polynesian mariners. We continue on to the lush

Verreaux’s Sifaka Lemur (Photo: Cliff Gilbert)

forests of Périnet. This is the wettest part of Madagascar, and the lush forest also contains some small lakes. We stay overnight at a lodge just outside the National Park.

We spend two full days in Périnet. Famous for its population of Indri, the largest of the lemurs, the forest is also home to an excellent range of birds, including several endemics. These may include Redfronted Coua and Nuthatch Vanga. Indris are best looked for – and listened to – about an hour after sunrise, but we also hope to walk the area at night in search of Mouse Lemurs and other species. Other lemurs include Red-bellied and Common Brown Lemurs while the forest is also home to the huge Parson’s Chameleon.

We’ll visit the recently-opened Mantadia National Park, home to arguably the most beautiful of lemurs, the Diademed Sifaka, and Scaly Groundroller. Wet areas can also host Tenrecs and some of Madagascar’s spectacular frogs, such as Painted

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in lodges and hotels with en suite facilities throughout. Standards vary from excellent at Périnet to basic-but-adequate at Ranomafana.

LEADERS :

Tim Earl and local guides

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 4,295 2013: £ 4.495 2012: £ 565 2013: £ 595 £ 600 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return economy scheduled flights LondonAntananarivo, internal flights, full board accommodation, transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, Madagascar Visa (c£40), optional tips to local drivers and guides, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Tana) please deduct £ 995 per person from the tour cost.

Mantella.

Three nights Périnet

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Day 14 : If time permits, we’ll have a final morning near Périnet before driving back to Tana and catching our flight home, arriving on Day 15.

Running Coua (Photo by tour participant Donald Martin)

34

One of Madagascar’s superb Chameleons (Photo: Cliff Gilbert)

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Namibia

! Etosha ! Hobatere !

Waterberg

! Erongo

The Skeleton Coast and Etosha Friday 25 October – Friday 8 November 2013

WINDHOEK "

(15 days)

!

Walvis Bay !

Sossusvlei NAMIBIA

N

amibia has some of the most impressive desert scenery, one of Africa’s most bird-rich coastlines, some of the most dramatic dunes in the world, rocky central uplands, the wetlands of the coast, and Etosha, one of Africa’s finest wildlife reserves. Our tour aim is to visit all these areas to give a comprehensive experience of a most fascinating country, and to see a good range of its wildlife.

Endemic birds are an important aspect of birding in Namibia and on this tour we should have an opportunity to see many of them. Our tour starts in the capital city of Windhoek and moves on to the awe-inspiring dunes of Sossusvlei, from where we move on to the famous ‘Skeleton Coast’ at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The wildlife climax of the trip will be at Etosha National Park with a superb array of birds and mammals.

Our final stop is Waterberg Plateau Reserve, an area of deciduous woodland surrounded by semidry acacia forest, where we will look for Rosy-faced Lovebird among many other species.

The end of October and November is the end of the dry season, and is great for wildlife watching as it is all concentrated around the waterholes.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Windhoek, arriving the next morning.

Day 2 : We meet Geoff Crane at the airport and travel to our guest house in Windhoek, set on a large property with large trees and gardens.

Overnight Windhoek Day 3 : Today we travel southwest through the Naukluft Mountains to the stony desert of the Namib and on to the Sesriem/Sossusvlei.

We stay at a desert camp within the National Park, with tented cottages that overlook the great

Join Geoff Crane for a tour of one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas, with some truly magnificent scenery, and superb birds and wildlife.

expanse of the Namib Desert.

Overnight Sossus Dune Lodge, Namib-Naukluft Park Day 4 : The dunes at Sossusvlei are one of the world’s most stunning (and most photographed!) desert areas. We need to take a 4x4 vehicle into the vlei through the sand, and we will try to be there as early as possible to make the most of the cool of the morning.

Overnight Sossus Dune Lodge – Namib-Naukluft Park Day 5 : We drive the 320km through the NamibNaukluft National Park on gravel roads via a few mountain passes to Swakopmund, on the renowned ‘Skeleton Coast’. Our lodge at Swakopmund is well situated, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.

Overnight Swakopmund Day 6 : We will spend the morning birdwatching around the Walvis Bay Lagoon, which is regarded as one of the most important wetlands for birds along the west coast of Southern Africa.

After lunch in Swakopmund we will venture into the desert and the massive Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Overnight Swakopmund Day 7 : It will be a full day’s drive inland today towards the bushveld area of Omaruru. We stay at a lodge set on a large game reserve with many walking trails.

Overnight Otjiwarongo Day 8 : We continue north to Etosha National Park arriving in time for some afternoon birding and a game drive. Etosha is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife parks. Centred around the vast expanse of the Etosha Pan, the park is a sanctuary to the largest population of the western sub-species of the Black

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a mixture of guest houses and park lodges. The Etosha accommodation is in new four-star chalets. While at Waterberg the chalets are simpler but adequate. Rooms everywhere are en suite.

MEALS :

All included in the price

LEADER :

Geoff Crane

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 4,995 £ 445 £ 600 per person

The price per person includes scheduled return flights from London to Windhoek, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. * For a price excluding flights to and from Windhoek, please deduct £ 995 from the tour price.

Rhino, while White Rhino, Elephant, Lion and a profusion of other mammals can be seen.

On the grasslands, resident larger bird species include Blue Crane, Kori Bustard, Black and Redcrested Korhaans, Double-banded and Burchell’s Sandgrouse.

All the camps we use have large flood-lit waterholes, which attract a steady procession of wildlife.

Overnight Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha National Park Day 9 : We start the day with a two hour local drive at sunrise.

After breakfast we will go for a game drive around the local area.

Overnight Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha National Park

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Day 10 : We will be heading east to Halali Camp for lunch, following the edge of the pan. The open areas around Halali Camp are good for Cheetah spotting!

We continue on to Namutoni Camp.

Overnight Namutoni Camp, Etosha National Park Day 11 : We start with an early morning game / bird drive with brunch back at Namutoni Camp.

Overnight Namutoni Camp, Etosha National Park Day 12 - 13 : After an early morning game drive we will exit Etosha National Park and head for the Waterberg, a spectacular sandstone massif in the central region of the country. There are sizeable numbers of Black and White Rhino within the park, as well as Roan and Sable Antelope and Buffalo.

Two nights Waterberg National Park Day 14 : After breakfast we go for a morning walk amongst the fig forests and reed beds around the main accommodation. After an early lunch we will head south to Windhoek airport and our return flight to London, via Johannesburg, arriving on Day 15.

Sossusvlei (Photo: Geoff Crane)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

35

South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

Flowers, birds and mammals of the Cape & Karoo Saturday 5 - Sunday 20 January 2013 Saturday 11 - Sunday 26 January 2014

From the flowers and stunning scenery of the Cape, across to the dramatic Karoo, over to the Eastern Cape including the fabulous Addo Elephant Park, and back along the beautiful Garden Route, we visit an astoundingly beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife. Join us at a time of year when all the migrant birds are here, excellent for flowers and mammals, and when the UK is in the throes of winter!

S

tarting in Cape Town, we spend three days experiencing the wonders of the Cape, including the world famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (where two great oceans meet), and Rondevlei & Strandfontein Bird Reserves with their prolific birdlife. We then head north into the Great Karoo, staying at the Karoo National Park for two nights with its dramatic Karoo landscape. We spend five days in the Eastern Cape, staying in The Mountain Zebra and the Addo Elephant National Parks, where we can view a wide range of game and birdlife before returning to the Cape via the indigenous forests of the Garden Route, where we spend three nights. Last but not least, we visit the coastal town of Hermanus, the hotspot of the Cape fynbos.

January is a great time to visit the Cape, with all the Palaearctic and African bird migrants present, and the weather almost guaranteed to be hot and sunny. It is also a fascinating time of year in the fynbos, with orchids, gladiolas and ericas showing well. The Mountain Zebra and Addo Elephant National Parks, and to some extent the Karoo National Park, all fall in to the Summer rainfall area, which will make these areas greener and cooler than usual, with great mammal sightings during the day.

The tour is again designed and led by Geoff Crane.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Cape Town, arriving early on Day 2.

SOUTH AFRICA

(16 days) (16 days)

! Karoo NP "

Addo Elephant NP

Cape Town

!

!

Hermanus

experiencing the rugged beauty of the Peninsula and Cape Town with its spectacular coastline and diverse fauna & flora.

Weather permitting, we will take the spectacular cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy a short walk across the top.

Two nights Cape Peninsula Guesthouse Days 5 - 6 : After an early breakfast we will be heading for the Karoo town of Worcester, where we have a leisurely walk around the Karoo National Botanical Gardens before heading for the Karoo National Park for a two-night stay.

Two nights Karoo National Park Cottages Blue Cranes at Plettenberg Bay (Photo: Geoff Crane)

Days 7 - 8 : We leave the Karoo National Park after having been on an early morning walk around the fossil trail. It will be a 300 km drive through the Settler towns of Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet en route for the Mountain Zebra National Park where we stay for two nights.

Two nights Mountain Zebra National Park Cottages Days 9 - 10 : After breakfast we will set off for the Addo Elephant National Park. This National Park offers protection to the full spectrum of wildlife originally found in the area. Our stay will include a night drive.

Two nights Addo Elephant National Park Cottages Day 11 : Today we will be driving south into a totally different world: the indigenous forests of the Garden Route.

Overnight Bitou River Lodge, Garden Route

Day 2 : We arrive at Cape Town Airport, where Geoff will meet us, and transfer to our guest house. We aim to spend the rest of the day at the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, surely one of the finest Botanical Gardens in the world.

Overnight Cape Peninsula Guesthouse

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in quality guest-houses and lodges or cottages with all rooms en suite.

LEADER :

Geoff Crane

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICES :

2013: £ 4,295 2014: £ tbc £ 395 £ 600 per person

Single supp. : Deposit :

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/Cape Town*, airport taxes, ground transportation and excursions as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the driver/local guides, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (Cape Town/Cape Town) please deduct £ 695 from the tour cost.

Day 12 : First on our agenda for the day is a 3 hour, leisurely boat trip up the Keurbooms River and into the Keurbooms River Nature Reserve. After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Groot River at Natures Valley, we walk through the lush evergreen forests of the western part of the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Overnight Bitou River Lodge, Garden Route

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Days 3 - 4 : We will spend two leisurely days

Day 13 : We will be spending the day in Knysna and the Knysna Lagoon National Park.

Overnight Bitou River Lodge, Garden Route Day 14 : After breakfast we head for Mossel Bay and the Diaz Museum before the long drive to Hermanus.

Overnight Hermanus Day 15 : We start today with a walk at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve with its wealth of indigenous flora.

After a short drive we will walk around the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, a wonderful way to spend our last afternoon, before heading for Cape Town for our return flight back to London, arriving on Day 16.

Hermanus, the rugged coastline of the Southern Cape and, inset, Cape flowers (Photos: Geoff Crane)

36

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

SOUTH AFRICA

! Lambert’s Bay

"

Prince Albert !

Cape Town ! ! Hermanus Plettenberg Bay

W

e start in Cape Town, known for its dramatic mountain scenery and unique fynbos vegetation, both at sea level and up Table Mountain, where we take one of the most spectacular cable car rides in the world. Cape Point is the meeting place of two of the world’s largest oceans, as well as being the home of Southern Right Whale and African Penguin.

Our travels take us up the west coast to Langebaan Lagoon, rich in birds and with a wealth of flowers, and on up to Lambert’s Bay, with its accessible Cape Gannet colony. We then head inland to an area of red sandstone rocks and ancient rock art, and on to the Karoo, with its array of drought-adapted succulent plants and specialised birds. South through spectacular mountain passes, we eventually reach the famed Garden Route, with rich forests and birdlife. We finish the tour in one of the best places in the world for shore-based whalewatching, where we hope to see Southern Right Whales doing some dramatic display activities close inshore.

The tour is again designed and led by Geoff Crane.

August to September is usually the best time for flowers in the Cape, when the endemic birds are displaying, and when the seabirds and whales also come close inshore.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Cape Town, arriving early on Day 2.

Day 2 : Afternoon in Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Overnight Cape Peninsula Day 3 : We will spend a leisurely day experiencing the rugged beauty of the Peninsula with its spectacular coastline and diverse fauna & flora. We will follow the False Bay coastline to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

We will also visit the African Penguin colony at Simon’s Town.

Overnight Cape Peninsula

Flowers and Wildlife of the Cape & Garden Route Tuesday 20 August - Tuesday 3 September 2013

(15 days)

From the flowers, whales, birds and stunning scenery of the Cape, along the west coast, across to the Karoo, and back along the beautiful Garden Route, we visit an astoundingly beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife. Join us at a time of year when the flowers and birds here are at their best, and when whales are displaying close inshore!

Day 4 : Weather permitting, we will then take the spectacular cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and enjoy a short walk across the top.

Overnight Cape Peninsula Day 5 : Our first port of call is Hout Bay harbour, where we will be joining a boat cruise to Duiker Island, with its Cape Fur Seal colony.

The spring flowers of the Western Cape have a worldwide reputation. The area receives little rain throughout the year but after our winter rains, the landscape is swathed with a vibrant carpet of flowers.

Overnight Langebaan Day 6 : Langebaan Lagoon and the West Coast National Park have a number of habitats, which include the largest salt marsh in South Africa. After lunch we will visit the Postberg Flower Reserve.

Overnight Langebaan Day 7 : We will be taking the coastal route up to Bird Island at Lambert’s Bay, visiting the wetlands of the lower Berg River. Lambert’s Bay is a small town with an attractive harbour that plays a large role in South Africa’s fishing industry. Here we can view the Cape Gannet Colony, as well as terns, cormorants and African Penguins from very close quarters.

We then travel inland to the town of Clanwilliam.

Overnight Clanwilliam Day 8 : The Cedarberg Mountains were once the hunting ground of the San people (Bushmen).

Though the San no longer live in the area, they recorded their exploits in the form of remarkable rock paintings.

Overnight Clanwilliam Day 9 : After a leisurely breakfast we will be heading for the Karoo town of Worcester, where we will have an opportunity to visit the Karoo National Botanical Gardens. These gardens specialize in the succulents and hardy plants of the Karoo.

After a picnic lunch we drive east to Prince Albert, close to the Swartberg Mountains, with

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in quality guest-houses and lodges with all rooms en suite.

LEADER :

Geoff Crane

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 4,295 £ 395 £ 600 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/Cape Town*, airport taxes, ground transportation and excursions as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to the driver/local guides, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (Cape Town/Cape Town) please deduct £ 695 from the tour cost.

stops en route for any interesting flowers or birds we notice.

Overnight Prince Albert Day 10 : After a leisurely breakfast we will head over the Swartberg Mountains. The awe-inspiring Swartberg Pass, one of the renowned Thomas Bain passes, will take us through some craggy mountain scenery. Thence over the Outeniqua Mountain Pass, which opens up a totally different world, namely the forests of the Garden Route.

Overnight Plettenberg Bay Day 11 : The dawn chorus at our guest house sets the tune for a good day! After breakfast we will go for a walk through the lush evergreen forests of Nature’s Valley. We then move on to our lunch stop and the Tsitsikamma National Park, where the indigenous forest and the Indian Ocean meet.

Overnight Knysna Day 12 : We leave the Garden Route and head south towards the notorious southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. We will then drive through small farming communities to Hermanus.

Overnight Hermanus

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa

Day 13 : Hermanus has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent land-based whale watching. During the southern spring months, Southern Right Whales use this coastline as a safe haven in which to calve.

We can watch these gentle giants from the cliff top walk.

Overnight Hermanus Day 14 : After a morning at leisure in Hermanus with its many arts & craft shops, and perhaps more clifftop whale watching, we will drive to the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens at Betty’s Bay, before heading for Cape Town for our return flight back to London, arriving on Day 15.

The view from Table Mountain (Photo: Bob Gibbons)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

37

South Africa

Kruger NP !

Birds and Big Cats

Sunday 8 - Friday 20 September 2013

! Sabi Sand

SOUTH AFRICA

!

Dullstroom Jo’burg "

(13 days)

SWAZILAND

SOUTH AFRICA

A birdwatching and wildlife tour to South Africa’s rich north-east corner, taking in the highveld, the Kruger National Park and a superb private reserve with unparalleled opportunities to see Lion, Leopard and other mammals.

S

outh Africa is world-renowned for its incredible biological diversity, and nowhere is this more evident than in the north-east of the country.

Within a day’s drive one can go from cool 2,000 metre-plus grasslands to hot, sub-tropical savannah at no more than 250 metres above sea level, with much in the way of transitional habitats in between.

This wonderful, compact itinerary is designed to make the most of this diversity while at the same time avoiding long journeys between stops and allowing enough time to enjoy the various accommodation venues. For the birder and wildlife enthusiast this translates into a superb range of species to be seen and is the ideal introduction to the region’s avifauna and wildlife in general.

The highlands are an endemics hot-spot, and notable species to be seen include Bokmakierie, Gurney’s Sugarbird, & Drakensberg Prinia among others. Descending in altitude, the tour explores some montane forest habitat and the cliffs and gorges of the Blyde River Canyon, before levelling out in the Kruger National Park, where birds and beasts abound. Here the birding really gets going, while encounters with big mammals such as Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, Elephant and White Rhinoceros add substantially to the appeal. After the Kruger National Park comes the highlight of the tour: two nights at a private lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, where some of Africa’s best game viewing is to be had, and where our chances for encounters with Africa’s big predators are highest. All in all this is a fantastic way to be introduced to some of South Africa’s scenery, birds, animals and wildlife in general.

September is early spring, an excellent time to see mammals, before the savannah vegetation gets too leafy. It is one of the the better months for birdwatching here, with many species coming into breeding plumage.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Johannesburg, arriving early on Day 2.

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Day 2 : After meeting up with the South African guide(s) at Johannesburg airport, we head eastwards to Dullstroom, a small town in the

Mpumalanga highlands and one of the highest towns in the country. En-route there will be a chance for one or two birding stops.

Overnight Dullstroom Day 3 : We’ll take a pre-breakfast excursion up into the 2000 meter-plus Veloren Valei (‘Lost Valley’) Nature Reserve in the Steenkampsberg Range. Here we will look for endemics and large birds such as Denham’s Bustard and Secretarybird, as well as mammals such as Blesbok and Grey Rhebok. In the afternoon we’ll have another excursion into the surrounding countryside.

Overnight Dullstroom Days 4 - 5 : After a last morning activity in Dullstroom we’ll have breakfast and depart for Mount Sheba, a lovely old hotel on the edge of the escarpment. The hotel is surrounded by a large patch of pristine Montane Forest. We have two nights here, with ample time to see many of the forest birds and some mammals.

Two nights Mount Sheba Days 6 - 7 : After an early breakfast at Mount Sheba we’ll depart, taking in some of the highlights of the scenic Panorama Route. We’ll then leave the escarpment behind and enter the Kruger National Park. Here the going gets really slow, with a wide range of birds and mammals in abundance, including Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Southern Giraffe, Warthog and with a bit of luck, perhaps a Lion or two as well. The Kruger routine is typified by early morning vehicle activities, followed by breakfast, a birding walk in the camp, lunch and a siesta followed by an afternoon vehicle activity. In the evening we’ll dine in the Selati Restaurant, which is situated in the old railway station on the line that once ran through the Kruger.

Two nights Skukuza Days 8 - 9 : Savannah birding involves early starts to make the most of the cooler hours, and after an early cup of coffee and some rusks we’ll head out into the park as the gates open for the day, searching the area for big cats and birding as we do so!

On one day there is also the option of a nightdrive with the park guides, which will give us the opportunity to be out after the public are back in camp and to see nocturnal species including some smaller cats: Serval, African Civet and Genets.

Two nights Satara Rest Camp Days 10 - 11 : After breakfast we travel through some rural villages before we enter the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the neighbouring Kruger National Park. Sabi Sand has a long conservation history and now boasts what is arguably some of the best game-viewing in the world. The reserve is home to all six species of cat found in the eastern regions of the country, although it is most famous for its regular close-up encounters with Lion and Leopard.

Two nights Sabi Sand Game Reserve

LESOTHO

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be medium to high quality, in lodges, hotels and National Park rest-camps.

All accommodation is en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price.

WALKING : Generally easy. In the Kruger, the presence of wild animals precludes excursions on foot. However we do offer Bush Walks in Sabi Sands – see details below. Sturdy, comfy walking shoes or boots are adequate for this tour.

BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS : For the trip itself, it is essential to limit your main baggage to one item, to prevent overloading of the tour vehicles. This should be a soft holdall. You may in addition bring optical equipment, but if this includes telescope and tripod, please bring them in separate cases for their protection in the vehicles.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Bert Palthe NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICE : Single supp.**. : Deposit :

£ 4,295 £ 465 £ 600 per person

All prices are per person unless stated and include scheduled flights London/Johannesburg, airport taxes, ground transportation and excursions as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, bottled water in the vehicle, park & reserve entrance fees, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to local guides/drivers, and other personal expenses. *For a price ex-flights London/Johannesburg please deduct £ 695 from the tour price. **Single accommodation may not be available throughout.

Bush Walks: Bush walks are undertaken under the leadership of an armed guide and a tracker. The main point is not to see big game, as this is more easily done in the vehicle, but rather to get closer to the ground and learn about the smaller life forms, tracks and signs, birds and their nests and the general ecology.

However, encounters with potentially dangerous game are possible, even if not actually sought out.

The guides are trained to deal with such animals, but there are rare occasions when ‘evasive action’ is required, which may entail climbing trees, or running to the nearest cover. If you are not physically able to undertake such action, it might be better to not partake in the bush walk. Participation is also at the discretion of the lodge guide who will be leading the walk.

Day 12 : After a final safari at Sabi Sand Game Reserve we’ll have breakfast and head back to Johannesburg, a seven hour drive away. Our flight returning to London departs in the evening, arriving on Day 13.

Leopard is an ever present possibility on the tour (Photo: Mike Read)

38

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Jo’burg "

Flowers & Wildlife of the Drakensberg & Zululand

! Golden Gate NP ! uKhahlamba

!

Bonamanzi

vvv

LESOTHO

T

he Drakensberg Mountains are a World Heritage Site and a veritable botanical treasure chest! We will spend six days leisurely walking & botanising the many trails, looking out for some of the 2000+ flowering plant species, all the while surrounded by the magnificent mountains of the Drakensberg. The fauna is equally impressive with 290 bird species & 48 mammal species seen to date. We then spend three days game watching and birdwatching at the Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve, which is also a World Heritage Site, followed by a few days birding & botanizing in the montane grasslands that surround the wetlands of Wakkerstroom.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Johannesburg, arriving early on Day 2.

Day 2 : We meet up with Geoff at Johannesburg International Airport and head straight out to the town of Clarens and the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, where we will be staying for three nights.

Overnight Golden Gate Highlands National Park Day 3 : Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains, the Golden Gate Highlands National Park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park’s sandstone cliffs.

Flowers are rich and varied. Nerine, gladiolus, arum lily, watsonias, fire lilies and red-hot pokers can be identified close to our accommodation and protea species can be found higher up the hillsides.

Overnight Golden Gate Highlands National Park Day 4 : As well as its famous grassland – this is the only grassland National Park in South Africa – the park contains remnants of Afromontane forest.

Overnight Golden Gate Highlands National Park Day 5 : A short drive will bring us to the Royal Natal National Park, which is situated below the sheer

Saturday 23 February – Saturday 9 March 2013

(15 days)

Join Geoff Crane for a Botanical Safari of South Africa’s Drakensberg & Zululand.

After 8 days walking and botanizing in the superb Drakensberg Mountains, we spend a few days botanising & birding in a private game reserve in Zululand followed by a few days in the highveld – the montane grasslands that surround Wakkerstroom. face of the 3000 metre Drakensberg escarpment.

We stay at The Cavern Lodge, which is named after the “Cannibal Cavern” (and you’ll have to join the tour to find out why it is so-named!).

Overnight Royal Natal National Park Day 6 : We walk into the deep gorges of the Drakensberg, looking out for what's flying or flowering! Watsonias, orchids and proteas play host to many bird and insect species. Birds that we will be looking out for include the endemic Drakensberg Siskin, Broad-tailed Warbler and Gurney’s Sugarbird.

Overnight Royal Natal National Park Day 7 : We spend the morning birding and botanizing en route to the Champagne Castle area in the Central Drakensberg.

Our hotel is located in the foothills of the Central Drakensberg, within a World Heritage Site: the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. It is widely considered to hold one of the finest locations in the entire Drakensberg range.

Overnight uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park Day 8 : The central Drakensberg is home to a large sandstone cave containing Bushman rock art, one of the biggest and best preserved painted sites in southern Africa. We will also be looking out for Black Wildebeest, Eland and Burchell’s Zebra, which roam the grasslands in the lower berg.

Overnight uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park Day 9 : We will have an early start so as to get to Bonamanzi for the afternoon. Bonamanzi is a Natural Heritage Site bordered by the spectacular Lake St. Lucia – a World Heritage Site – and the magnificent Hluhluwe River.

Overnight Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve Day 10 : During the course of our stay at Bonamanzi we will be taking an open top 4x4 game drive and a river birdwatching boat trip, as well as birdwatching

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be a mixture of park ‘camps’, lodges, and small hotels/ guesthouses.

In the lodges and camps, accommodation is usually in chalets or rondavels. All accommodation is en suite.

MEALS :

All included in the price

LEADER :

Geoff Crane

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp.* : Deposit :

£ 4,295 £ 395 £ 600 per person

The price per person includes scheduled return flights from London to Johannesburg, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For a price ex Johannesburg, please deduct £695 from the tour price **Single accommodation may not be available throughout.

& botanical walks in the sand-forest and tall woodland areas around the main camp.

Overnight Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve Day 11 : The main camp area at Bonamanzi has a large restaurant deck that overlooks the dam, offering a good way to combine a leisurely breakfast with some birdwatching. There is also the option to do another game drive and or boat trip for an extra charge.

Overnight Bonamanzi Private Game Reserve Days 12 - 13 : We head for Wakkerstroom in the highveld, amidst the rolling hills and grassland, in some places with an oddly English-style landscape albeit on a huge scale!

Wakkerstroom is a pleasant-looking village with an impressive church, and has built something of a reputation as a highveld birdwatching centre. Nearby, the high grasslands hold flocks of elegant Blue Crane and Blue Korhaan. Here we hope to see characterful Meerkats staring back at us from their burrows before playing follow-the-leader (theirs, not ours!) in the morning.

The area is also excellent for botanizing.

Two nights Wakkerstroom Country Inn

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

SOUTH AFRICA

Drakensberg

South Africa

SWAZILAND

Day 14 : After breakfast we will go for a morning birdwatching walk. After an early lunch we will head for the airport for your flight home, arriving in London on Day 15.

Walking in the Drakensberg and (inset) Watsonia (Photos: Geoff Crane)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

39

South Africa

Kruger NP !

SOUTH AFRICA

The Kruger and Zululand

Dullstroom !

Jo’burg "

Tuesday 29 October - Tuesday 12 November 2013

(15 days)

Wakkerstroom !

SOUTH AFRICA

From the big game of the Kruger National Park, to the highveld grasslands and stunning scenery of the former Transvaal, through the lowland savannah and coast of Natal, to the spectacular peaks and high plains of the Drakensberg Mountains, we visit an astoundingly beautiful and varied land, rich in wildlife.

S

outh Africa is both one of the world’s most beautiful countries and one of its richest for wildlife. This tour covers the part of the country that is best for variety: the north-east corner.

We start in the highveld of Dullstroom with superb birdwatching, before continuing to the fabulous Kruger National Park, with wonderful birds, and an abundance of large mammals. From here we head back up into the highveld of the former Transvaal, where the open grasslands are home to Blue and Crowned Cranes and delightful Meerkats. Then we continue south and east to Zululand, whose lowland savannas and coastal wetlands form probably the very best birdwatching area in South Africa, as well as being the place where White Rhino were rediscovered in the wild – and is still amongst the best places to see them. Finally, the pleasant coastal town of St Lucia is a great place to finish the tour, with an optional whale-watching trip if the weather is kind.

October and November, the southern spring, are probably the best months for birdwatching here, with many species in full breeding plumage. It is also an excellent time to see mammals, before the savannah vegetation gets too leafy.

Days 4 - 7 : After an early breakfast we leave Dullstroom and drive towards the edge of the Drakensberg Escarpment. We’ll then head down to the Lowveld (the low-lying savannah), enter the Kruger National Park via Orpen Gate and drive on to our first camp.

The plains of the Kruger occupy a truly vast area of the country, with a great range of habitats, from the dry central savannah to the wetter south and, probably best of all for birdlife, the rivers that extend throughout.

Accommodation here is in thatched rondavel huts or cottages with a mix of facilities. We stay in two different camps in the southern regions of the park. The camps also have excellent birdwatching within and around the grounds.

On some mornings we’ll have early starts to get the best of the game viewing.

Four nights Kruger National Park

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening scheduled flight from London to Johannesburg, arriving early on Day 2.

Days 10 - 11 : We drive east for a time along the Swaziland border, to the coastal plain and extensive sugarcane plantations of Zululand. The area offers probably the best birdwatching in South Africa, but also boasts an absolute gem of a reserve for mammals, Mkuze. We stay in superb, spacious safari-style en suite tents here.

Two nights Mkuze Game Reserve

Days 2 - 3 : We meet up with our local guide(s) at the airport and drive to Dullstroom. We arrive in Dullstroom in the early afternoon and check in to our accommodation.

There will be an optional afternoon birdwatching drive for those willing and able, returning late afternoon for time to freshen up before dinner.

Next day we will have a pre-breakfast excursion up into the Valoren Valei Nature Reserve in the Steenkampsberg Range.

Two nights Dullstroom

Days 8 - 9 : We head for Wakkerstroom in the highveld, driving through the rolling hills and grassland of the former Transvaal, in some places with an oddly English-style landscape – albeit on a huge scale!

Two nights Wakkerstroom

Days 12 - 13 : We then travel east to St Lucia, a pleasant, small seaside resort, with some excellent fish restaurants, and also offers the possibility of an optional whale-watching trip in search of Humpback Whales (cost about £95 payable locally).

Two nights St Lucia

SWAZILAND !

Mkuze !

LESOTHO

St Lucia

! Durban

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in camps, small hotels and guesthouses. The style of accommodation is usually in cottages, chalets and rondavels, and is much favoured by South Africans themselves. In Mkuze we will be staying in spacious safari tents.

All accommodation is en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is excellent. Some lunches will be buffet-style picnics.

WALKING : Easy. In the game reserves, the presence of wild animals precludes excursions on foot. Sturdy, comfy walking shoes are adequate for this tour.

BAGGAGE RESTRICTIONS : For the trip itself, it is essential to limit your main baggage to one item, to prevent overloading of the tour vehicles. This should be a soft holdall. You may in addition bring optical equipment, but if this includes telescope and tripod, please bring them in separate cases for their protection in the vehicles.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Bert Palthe NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp.**. : Deposit :

£ 4,195 £ 400 £ 600 per person

All prices are per person unless stated and include scheduled flights London/Johannesburg and Durban/London*, airport taxes, ground transportation and excursions as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes optional whale-watching excursion (c£95 pp payable in advance with refund if it does not run), holiday insurance, drinks, tips to local guides and drivers, and other personal expenses. *For a price ex-flights London/Johannesburg, and Durban/London, please deduct £ 695 from the tour price.

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

**Single accommodation may not be available throughout.

Day 14 : We drive to Durban to connect with our flight returning to London via Johannesburg, arriving on Day 15.

The Kruger, Zululand and Drakensberg Tuesday 30 October - Thursday 15 November 2012 (17 days)

Late vacancies - please see our 2012 brochure for details!

Ground Hornbill (Photo by tour participant Cliff Gilbert)

40

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Uganda

UGANDA UGANDA

Shoebills, Gorillas & Chimpanzees

! QE National Park Bwindi !

Saturday 12 - Wednesday 23 January 2013 Saturday 11 - Wednesday 22 January (provisional) 2014

A 12-day tour to Uganda, packed with highlights - from Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and tracking for Chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge, to boat trips for Shoebill at Mabamba Swamp, and at Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Join us for the best of Uganda!

U

ganda is a small country straddling the Equator and one of the wildlife gems of the African continent. With over 1000 species recorded, it has the highest concentration of birds in Africa and is the most accessible place to see the legendary Shoebill, one of the world’s most bizarre birds. The misty peaks and fern-laden forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda’s birding hotspot – are an apt setting in which to search for a host of Central African forest species, including many regional specialities and some exciting endemics.

These mountains also offer what is perhaps the greatest of all wildlife experiences on Earth: the opportunity to come face to face with one of man’s closest living relatives - the Mountain Gorilla - in its natural habitat. When tracking for them, a small party is a distinct advantage and we have therefore limited our group size to the optimum of 10 participants plus guides. *1 Other tour highlights not to be missed include the opportunity to track Chimpanzees in scenic Kyambura Gorge (the cost of chimp permits is included in our tour price); superb forest birding at Bwindi; mammal watching in some of Africa’s finest National Parks; and three splendid boat trips - at Mabamba Swamp in search of Shoebill; along the Kasinga Channel at Queen Elizabeth National Park with chances of African Skimmer, Papyrus Gonolek and Giant Forest Hog; and at Lake Mburo in search of African Finfoot and White-backed Night Heron.

Uganda is now one of the friendliest and safest of all African countries to visit. With the devastating period of its political past long behind it, the country is in an active state of regrowth and renewal. The rejuvenation of the tourism industry here has been nothing short of phenomenal in recent years and all the prime birdwatching and wildlife areas now have

(12 days) (12 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We use comfortable high quality hotels, lodges and tented camps, all with private facilities.

MEALS : All included in the price. Most meals taken at the lodges/camps. Some picnic lunches.

WALKING : Easy except for optional Gorilla tracking at Bwindi, which is variable and can be physically demanding according to where the animals happen to be.

GORILLA TRACKING : Please don’t hesitate to call us to talk about Gorilla tracking if you are undecided. Do bear in mind that, just occasionally, and in spite of the best efforts of the skilled local tracker-guides, the Gorillas can prove elusive and are not seen. It is important to note that Gorilla permits are strictly limited in number and issued to tour operators on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do book early to avoid risk of disappointment!

LEADERS : Callan Cohen and Deirdre Vrancken NUMBERS : Shoe-billed Storks (Photo: Callan Cohen)

rebuilt roads and comfortable accommodations.

Our tour combines the best of Uganda’s superb forests, savannas and wetlands to offer an incredibly rich and diverse mix of species. Lodgings are of a high standard everywhere – from top-end lodges in magnificent settings to comfortable permanent tented camps and hotels.

Our guide Callan Cohen has more than 20 years experience of African birding and leads most of our sub-Saharan Africa tours. He has birded extensively across the continent, including spending a total of more than six months in the field in Uganda, while his partner Deirdre specialises in Africa’s mammals. *1 NOTE: Gorilla trekking is optional.

Permits are strictly limited in number and issued on a first-come, first served basis. Once the daily quota is sold, no further permits are available. Early booking advised!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Entebbe.

Overnight Entebbe Day 2 : Birding around Entebbe.

Shoebill boat trip. Lake Mburo NP. Day 3 : Lake Mburo NP and boat trip.

Two nights Mburo Day 4 : Mburo to Queen Elizabeth NP. Day 5 : Chimp tracking at Kyambura Gorge, QENP Two nights Jacana Lodge Days 6 - 8 : Gorillas & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Three nights Buhoma Day 9 : Queen Elizabeth NP. Day 10 : Kazinga Channel boat trip.

Two nights Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge Day 11 : Return to Entebbe.

Day 12 : Fly Entebbe-London.

Max. 10 clients

PRICES :

2013: £ 4,995 2014: £ TBC Single supps.: 2013: £ 425 2014: £ TBC Optional Gorilla Permit**: $ 500 (2012 price) Deposit : £ 500 per person The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Entebbe, all accommodation, meals, surface transport (including boat trips as described), Chimpanzee tracking permit, entry fees to the parks, tips to local drivers/guides, airport taxes, map, bird & mammals checklist and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, visa (ca. £25), drinks & personal expenses, and the optional Gorilla Permit. ** Please note that the Gorilla trekking is optional. The permit is for one day of Gorilla trekking and must be requested at time of booking (permit fees as above). Please note that the permits are 100% non-refundable. If you do not wish to participate in this, please let us know at time of booking. The cost of Gorilla Permits is determined by the Ugandan authorities. The current cost (May 2012) is US$500 per person per trek, but prices may increase for 2013. We have no control over this and our office will invoice you the actual cost (in GBP) once the new price is known. Note that, just occasionally - and in spite of the best efforts of the local trackerguides – the gorillas can prove elusive and are not seen.

AFRICA (SOUTH OF THE SAHARA)

Entebbe !

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

What you say: “Both Callan & Deirdre are superb guides and it was a delight to travel with them. Their organising ability was exceptional. The whole trip went so smoothly.

Thank you to them both.”

V.H.,Yorks.

Mountain Gorillas (Photo: David Dennis/Nature Portfolio)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

41

Tanzania

KENYA !

Serengeti Ngorongoro !

Birds and Big Cats

TANZANIA

Tuesday 7 - Saturday 18 May 2013

! Arusha !

Tarangire

(12 days)

Timed to coincide with the incredible migration of Wildebeest through the Serengeti plain, this safari offers a superabundance of East African birds and mammals, in a dramatic and amazingly beautiful setting - join our Africa specialists, Callan Cohen and Deirdre Vrancken, for the greatest wildlife experience on Earth!

N

orthern Tanzania offers the ultimate wildlife experience. Its forests, lakes and savannas teem with birds, including a suite of Serengeti endemics. There are also extraordinary numbers of large mammals, from unimaginable herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle tramping across the plains through to predators such as Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. Yet, even without this superabundance of wildlife, the backcloth to our tour is magnificent... Join us as we journey through some of the most awe-inspiring and incredibly beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Our visit is timed to coincide with the great annual migration of Wildebeest through the Serengeti – a truly astonishing spectacle! But our travels begin at Arusha, in the shadow of two of East Africa’s great peaks: Mount Meru and the snowcapped Kilimanjaro. Where the dry acacia scrub gives way to mist-belt forest, troops of agile Guereza Colobus forage among branches draped with “Old Man’s Beard”. Their sudden alarm calls may betray a Crowned Hawk-eagle hunting above the canopy, while a brilliant flash of red transforms itself into the lovely Hartlaub’s Turaco or a scarce but stunning Bar-tailed Trogon.

To the south, lies Tarangire National Park with its thornbush scrub and gigantic baobab trees. A place synonymous with the African Elephant, this is also the haunt of three notable endemics: the striking Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling and Rufoustailed Weaver. Bordering Lake Manyara – famous for its concentrations of rose-pink flamingos – this ecosystem also offers stunning palm savannah and the dramatic cliffs of the Great Rift Valley.

The alternating grass and bush plains of the Serengeti stretch beyond the horizon and can literally teem with animals as far as the eye can see

– including the famous wildebeest migration and associated predators. Here we’ll find the big Kori Bustard and Secretarybird, along with Serengeti endemics such as Fischer’s Lovebird and Greybreasted Francolin. In the more wooded central Serengeti, Usambiro Barbet and Silverbird occur amongst an even richer diversity of birds – and we have our best chances of spotting Leopard!

The immense caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the scenic wonders of the world, its vast crater floor and highland rainforest a microcosm of equatorial Africa. Some 30,000 large mammals – including the rare Black Rhino – live in this spectacular natural amphitheatre.

As we return full circle, we’ll look back at the wonders of the rift valley from our lunch site overlooking Lake Manyara – our last stop on this superb wildlife tour, as raptors soar over the escarpment. This year’s tour will be Callan’s eighth visit to Tanzania and his fifth in a row for Limosa.

Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Kilimanjaro.

Day 2 : Arusha National Park.

Day 3 : Arusha to Lake Manyara.

Two nights Arusha Day 4 : Tarangire National Park.

Two nights Lake Manyara Day 5 : Lake Manyara to Ndutu grass plains.

Overnight Ndutu Days 6 - 8 : Three nights Serengeti National Park Days 9 - 10 : Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Crater.

Two nights Crater Rim Day 11 : Lake Manyara escarpment. Evening flight Kilimanjaro-London.

Day 12 : Arrival in London.

TANZANIA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a hand-picked selection of excellent hotels, guest houses, safari lodges and permanent tented camps. All rooms have private facilities.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good, with most main meals taken at our lodgings, and lunches either as picnics or at the lodges.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks. In the parks, away from our lodgings, the presence of wild animals may preclude excursions on foot so we travel by safari vehicles specially adapted for wildlife viewing.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By minibus or four-wheel drive safari vehicle/s.

INSECTS : Mosquitoes are present throughout the tropics. Bring repellent and dress accordingly, covering up with long sleeves and long trousers.

Many of the accommodations we use do usually supply mosquito nets – but if you want to be guaranteed of one, then Callan recommends purchasing your own travel net for all travel in the Afrotropics.

PHOTOS : Excellent photographic opportunities for birds and large mammals on this tour.

LEADERS : Callan Cohen & Deirdre Vrancken NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 4,650 £ 395 £ 500 per person

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Kilimanjaro, all accommodation, meals, surface transport, entry fees to the parks, tips to local drivers/guides, airport taxes, map, bird & mammals checklist and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, visa (approx. £38), drinks & other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

What you say: “Greatly enjoyed the variety of habitats visited… Callan Cohen, ably assisted by Dierdre was exceptional in all respects. Would go anywhere with them and would recommend them highly to others.”

I. & M.W., Hants.

Cheetah on the East African plains and, top, a Lion peers out of the bush (Photos: Mike Read)

42

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Delhi "

Northern India

Nainital !

NEPAL

Agra !

Bharatpur, Chambal, Corbett & Nainital Thursday 28 November - Thursday 12 December 2013

INDIA

INDIA

Our 15-day Classic Northern India tour takes in the region’s top four birdwatching sites. After the magic of Bharatpur, the magnificence of the Taj Mahal and a boat trip on the remarkable Chambal River, we visit the bird-rich Himalayan foothills at Corbett National Park and Nainital.

F

ew destinations on Earth are more compelling than the Indian subcontinent. A vast, colourful and crowded land, yet possessing some of the most spectacular wildlife in all Asia, India today offers perhaps the most memorable of travel experiences anywhere in the world. Our Classic Northern India tour is designed to show you a fabulous cross-section of the best of India’s birds and wildlife in some of its most famous and exciting settings.

The magic begins at the celebrated Keoladeo National Park, better known simply as Bharatpur.

Time stands still on our first walk here (and we won’t get very far either!) as wintering Siberian birds abound. Bluethroats run across the paths and the acacias positively hum with restless Greenish and Hume’s Leaf Warblers. But if the summer rains have been good, then it is the abundance of Bharatpur’s wetland species that really takes centre stage. Huge Sarus Cranes and Black-necked Storks mingle with flocks of Greylag and Bar-headed Geese, whilst all about there is a hubbub of activity from myriad other waterbirds.

No stay in the plains would be complete without a pilgrimage to the most famous of all India's cultural sites, and we include a morning sightseeing at Agra and the sublime Taj Mahal. A stopover at the remarkable Chambal River should reward us with Indian Skimmer and Great Thick-knee, while a boat trip here could also produce the rare Ganges River Dolphin.

Leaving the plains, we journey north into the foothills of the Himalayas. Encompassing 1300 sq. kms of riverine grassland and forest, Corbett is India’s oldest national park. While the setting is superb, the sheer variety of birdlife is astounding: more than 500 species have been recorded! Asian Elephants roam the woodlands and birds to watch for include a positive bedazzlement of songbirds as well as some really special treats, such as Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Crested Kingfisher.

Pausing to look for Ibisbill, we ascend to the

(15 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We use a mix of comfortable tourist hotels and simple but best available lodges according to location, all rooms with en suite facilities.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts and dinners usually taken at the hotels and lodges.

Lunches will be picnics or sit-down meals, according to location.

Ibisbill (Photo: David Cottridge)

spectacular old hill-station of Nainital. Standing beside an ice-cold lake, Nainital seems to perch on the very edge of the world. Here, the Blue Whistling Thrush holds court as we search the alpine woodlands and mountainsides for Rufous-breasted Accentor, Lammergeier, Black-headed Jay and a host of other wonderful Himalayan birds to round off this classic Indian journey in style.

Peter Kennerley is a veteran of more than a score of tours to the Indian subcontinent. Take a look at our website Gallery for images from our last November visit – and why not join Peter this year, as we return to the bird-rich marshes, mountains and jungles of Northern India.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : Fly London-Delhi, arriving morning Day 2.

Days 3 - 4 : Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur.

Three nights Bharatpur Day 5 : Morning visit to Taj Mahal, Agra.

Overnight Chambal River Lodge Day 6 : Chambal River boat trip.

Overnight Unchagaon Fort Days 7 - 10 : Four nights Corbett National Park Days 11 - 13 : Three nights Nainital Day 14 : Ganges River and return to Delhi.

Day 15 : Fly Delhi-London.

WALKING : Easy. As one would expect, however, there are a few moderate uphill walks in the mountains at Nainital. Owing to the presence of large mammals at Corbett, park regulations dictate that some of our birding here must be done from the vehicle. Comfy walking shoes or lightweight boots with corrugated soles for grip recommended. Maximum elevation: At Nainital, we will be birding up to an altitude of ca. 2500m (8000ft).

GROUND TRANSPORT : By coach or minibus (depending on final group size). Excursions into Bharatpur are by bicycle-rickshaw or on foot, as vehicles are not permitted to enter the reserve. In Corbett National Park, we travel by 4WD vehicle or even riding on elephant-back (subject to availability and programme).

BOAT TRIP : The boat trip on the Chambal River lasts about 2-3 hours.

LEADERS : Peter Kennerley & local guide NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 3,395 £ 495 £ 500 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Delhi, all accommodation and meals, surface transport by bus (some excursions by bicycle-rickshaw at Bharatpur and 4WD vehicle at Corbett National Park), boat trip on Chambal River, entrance fees to parks, Taj Mahal and monuments; tips and airport taxes; map, bird and mammal checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, Indian visa costs (approx £ 30), video camera permit fee at National Parks and sanctuaries, drinks & other personal expenses.

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Birdwatching at Bharatpur and, inset, Spot-billed Duck (Photos by tour participant Ian Sandeman)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

43

Cambodia

THAILAND

Siem Reap !

Birds and temples

CAMBODIA VIETNAM

Friday 8 – Monday 18 February 2013

(11 days)

Endangered Bengal Floricans, Greater & Lesser Adjutant Storks and Giant Ibises are among the treats in store for us on our pioneering trip to Cambodia – together with some of the most impressive historic sites in the world, including the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat. Our trip will also help local conservationists protect the vulnerable forests of the area.

T

he Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia are justly famed as one of the top must-see historical sites on earth. But Cambodia’s historical riches don’t stop there – many other ancient temple complexes can be found, often overgrown by the luxuriant rainforests.

In addition, Cambodia is also increasingly being seen as one of Asias’s top wildlife destinations, with its wetlands nearly as important for birds as its jungles.

We’ve teamed up with one of Cambodia’s top ecotourism organisations, the Sam Veasna Center (SVC). The aim of SVC is to provide sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities in the provision of eco-tourist services.

On this tour we naturally start with Angkor Wat, but continue to a complex of similar size, but much less renown: Banteay Chmar. Next day will see us at one of the country’s best wetlands, followed by a visit to one of the most remarkable places we’ve ever been to – a floating village, where the houses move up and down according to water levels! We’ll have lunch in one of the floating houses.

We then travel to a grassland area to look for one of the country’s most charismatic birds – Bengal Florican, extremely difficult to see and highly endangered over most of its range, before finishing the tour with a stay at Tmatboey Lodge, with endangered Giant Ibis in one of their only two Asian breeding sites nearby.

Although there are several long days on this tour with early starts, this is partly to make the most of the cooler times of day when bird life is at its most active, but is also due to a lack of suitable accommodation near to some of the best sites.

During the middle of the day we will be resting.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We leave London on an overnight flight to Kuala Lumpur, arriving the next day and connecting with a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia.

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

Days 2 - 3 : We arrive at Siem Reap in time for lunch and a late afternoon trip to Angkor Wat.

CAMBODIA

Angkor Wat and over two hundred other temples in the Angkor Great Park are truly a wonder of the world and offers habitat for an excellent variety of birds.

Next day we’ll make early morning and evening visits to Angkor with a break for lunch in the heat of the day.

Two nights Siem Reap Day 4 : We make a very early start for the Sarus Crane Reserve, with over three hundred of these magnificent birds congregating to feed.

After a morning here we drive back via the temples of Banteay Chmar, of the same scale and significance as the Bayon at Angkor Wat but off the beaten track.

Overnight Siem Reap Day 5 : We make an early start and transfer to a small covered boat for the journey to Prek Toal where we transfer to local small covered ‘long-tail’ boats.

The reserve covers 22,000 hectares of seasonally flooded forest where only the tallest trees stand proud of the lake during the annual flood, providing a habitat for cormorants, pelicans, storks, and many other birds to roost and nest.

The village of Prek Toal, adjacent to the reserve, floats (yes, floats!) at the mouth of the Sangke River where it flows into the lake. Every house is built on a platform of bamboo and moves according to the water level throughout the year. Schools, local restaurants, a church, even vegetable patches, pigpens and crocodile farms all float.

Overnight Siem Reap Days 6 - 8 : The critically endangered Bengal Florican and many other water-birds are found in the grasslands around the Tonle Sap Lake. Birdwatching trips like ours give an income to the villagers who assist the guide in locating the Floricans – we should be there for the peak morning display time before 9am.

After visiting the Florican grasslands we will head for the temples of Beng Melea which we visit in the afternoon.

We continue on to Tmatboey Lodge (winner of the Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Award) for a three night stay. The Lodge consists of a central recreational thatched building and four surrounding bungalows each with two double en-suite rooms with solar powered electricity. The accommodation is relatively comfortable but basic. There are no single rooms available here.

The village is renowned as one of only two known nesting sites in Asia for the Giant Ibis that use large trees in the forest away from the village.

The next day will start early around 4 or 4.30am with a quick cup of tea or coffee, then a drive and a walk to less disturbed areas of forest where Giant Ibis have been located, and returning for breakfast at the Lodge.

We’ll also find time for a village tour.

Three nights Tmatboey Lodge

Giant Ibis (Photo: Ron Hoff)

TRIP DETAILS Accommodation : Accommodation in Siem Reap will be a ‘boutique’ hotel with all rooms en suite.

Other accommodation at Tmatboey is as described in the text.

Climate : The cool dry season lasts from December to March. This is the best time to visit Cambodia when the daytime temperatures are low thirties and the heat is dry.

Walking : Birdwatching is from the car, by boat and on foot. Hiking boots are recommended for the forest walks which will be very gently paced.

Leaders : Paul Harvey with local guides Numbers :

Max. 14 clients

Price : Single supp* : Deposit :

£ 3,295 £ 225 £ 400 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London/Siem Reap, airport taxes, ground & boat transportation as described, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to local drivers/guides, drinks and other personal expenses. * Please note that guaranteed single rooms are not available for the three nights at Tmatboey.

Day 9 : After a last morning’s birding and breakfast at Tmatboey, the group will return to Siem Reap via Koh Ker Temple.

Overnight Siem Reap Day 10 : We travel to the airport for our return flight to London via Kuala Lumpur, arriving on Day 11.

Bengal Florican (Photo: Martin Hale)

44

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

India

Sikkim !

BHUTAN ! ! Kaziranga Darjeeling NEPAL

INDIA

Darjeeling, Assam & the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

BANGLADESH

Calcutta !

Thursday 7 - Tuesday 19 March 2013

INDIA

D

arjeeling and Assam... Browse through almost any book dealing with Himalayan wildlife and these same names keep appearing in the texts, demonstrating the rich diversity of life in the eastern Himalaya. This great chain of mountains runs from Afghanistan in the west to Burma in the east, dividing two very different faunal regions. To many, the mighty Himalaya are immense jagged peaks of snow and ice; but although such visions are of breathtaking beauty, it is the forests and jungles lower down that support ninety-five percent of their wildlife. Uniquely combining the wondrous birdlife of Darjeeling and Assam with an opportunity to travel on one of the world’s great little railways, this exciting tour was new to our programme last year – and proved an instant success. This year, we have added an extra day by demand!

Our adventure begins in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), with an easy introduction to the birds of the Indian plains. From here we head up to Darjeeling, known locally as the ‘Queen of the eastern Himalayas’ and one of the most famous hill stations in India. To get there, we will travel some of the way on the world-famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, taking a three-hour journey uphill from Kurseong to Darjeeling. Nick-named the ‘Toy Train’, this amazing narrow gauge railway has one of the few steam locomotives still in service in India and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darjeeling’s awe-inspiring mountains and forests are home to a wealth of Himalayan birds, with mixed bird parties taking pride of place. This year’s tour has been extended and improved to include two nights at Lava, where some of the best tracts of eastern Himalayan hill forest are still to be found. Here we can expect to encounter a plethora of yuhinas, babblers, laughingthrushes, warblers, parrotbills and sunbirds, often moving slowly and allowing ample opportunities to find even the most elusive species. With luck, in March, most winter visitors will still remain and the first summer visitors may also be returning.

Leaving Lava for Bagdogra, we fly east to the lowlands of Assam and visit one of India’s finest

(13 days)

Our tour to the fabulous eastern Himalaya, extended by a day this year to 13 days.

Join us for a trip that’s got everything - from spell-binding birding amidst bearded hill-forests of oak and bamboo, to watching rhinos from elephant back by the mighty Brahmaputra River... And featuring a journey on one of the world’s most famous narrow gauge railways, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. national parks, Kaziranga. Famed for its populations of the endangered Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo and Asian Elephant, Kaziranga is also an important refuge for birds. Spot-billed Pelican, Greater Adjutant and Pallas’s Fish Eagle occur, while grassland specialities to be found include the rare Swamp Francolin and Bengal Florican.

While on this tour we will also ride on elephantback through elephant-grass by the mighty Brahmaputra River, hope for clear weather to view the massive peak of Kanchenjunga, relive the magic of the great Victorian age of steam, and experience the delights of staying at an old hill-station in an elegant, colonial-style hotel. Guide Peter Kennerley led our March 2012 visit and is a veteran of more than twenty birding tours to the Indian Subcontinent.

Outline Itinerary Please note that changes to airline schedules and rail timetables could affect the precise timing of the itinerary outlined below.

Day 1 : Fly London-Kolkata.

Day 2 : Morning arrival Kolkata. Afternoon Botanic Gardens.

Overnight Kolkata Day 3 : Fly Bagdogra. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Overnight Siliguri Day 4 : Morning Mahananda. ‘Toy train’ journey up from Kurseong to Darjeeling.

Day 5 : Tiger Hill, Darjeeling. Steam train option Darjeeling-Ghoom-Darjeeling.

Two nights Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling Days 6 - 7 : Lava hill forests.

Two nights Lava Day 8 : Fly Bagdogra-Guwahati.

Days 9 - 11 : Kaziranga National Park.

Four nights Kaziranga National Park Day 12 : Kaziranga. Fly Jorhat-Kolkata.

Overnight Kolkata Day 13 : Fly Kolkata-London.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Comfortable hotels and lodges of a good standard throughout. All rooms en suite except at Lava, where each bathroom is shared between two separate bedrooms.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts, dinners and some lunches will be at our hotels; there will be some picnic lunches and the occasional picnic breakfast.

WALKING : Easy, 1-4 kms on forest trails. At Darjeeling and Lava, we will be birding at elevations of between 1800-2600m; where possible, we will drive uphill and walk back down.

RAIL TRIP : Places on the narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway do fill up very quickly – early booking is strongly recommended for this tour to avoid disappointment!

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THE DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY : The annual monsoon rains frequently result in line damage to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and can lead to closure of affected sections of the track. Similarly, we cannot guarantee the steam engine will be in service at the time of our visit and this could alter plans for the afternoon of Day 5.

PHOTOS : Note that camera fees are payable locally for use of cameras at Kaziranga National Park (currently, these are approx £6/day for still cameras and £12/day for video. Not included in our tour cost).

LEADERS : Peter Kennerley & local guide NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 2,995 £ 440 £ 400 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Kolkata; domestic flights within India from Kolkata-Bagdogra, Bagdogra-Guwahati and Jorhat-Kolkata; all accommodation and meals; rail journey up from Kurseong to Darjeeling, transportation by coach, minibus, jeep and elephant-back; excursions as outlined above; permits/entry fees to reserves; incidental tips, airport taxes, bird and mammal checklist, and services of the leader/s.

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

The price excludes travel insurance, Indian visa costs (approx £30), drinks & other items of a personal nature. Optional afternoon steam train excursion Darjeeling-Ghoom-Darjeeling (subject to availability and service, allow £25pp).

Photographic fees within parks and reserves (payable locally, where applicable).

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

45

The Maldives

Whale and Dolphin-watching in the Indian Ocean Saturday 29 September – Saturday 7 October 2012 Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 February 2013 Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 October 2013

(9 days) (9 days) (9 days)

The Maldives is a small island nation in the central Indian Ocean, some 400 miles southwest of the southern tip of India. The country is composed entirely of coral atolls. On the atolls are some 1200 sandy islands. All are small, and most can be walked around in less than an hour. These really are the picture postcard islands of your dreams, with swaying palm trees, white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons.

2013 will be our fifth year of trips.

T

he exquisite islands and coral reefs of the Maldives have become a well-known tourist destination. But it is not widely realised that the Maldives also possess a particularly rich whale and dolphin fauna, with an especially impressive diversity of cetacean species.

As the Maldives offer some of the very best whale and dolphin watching in the world, this will be the primary focus of this trip. However, there will also be opportunities for birding, to visit islands, to swim, to go snorkelling, and to relax.

We cruise through the Maldives to view whales, dolphins and seabirds on board our specially chartered 30m ‘live-aboard’ safari vessel, M.V. Ari Queen. She has a full-time local crew of 8, including an experienced captain and a dedicated cook who will prepare local cuisine with fresh fish caught from the boat. All cabins are en-suite and air-conditioned.

There are 9 double, triple and twin cabins, but we will travel with a maximum of just 15 clients. Ari Queen is not luxurious, but she is comfortable and quite adequate for our needs.

Each trip will be conducted at a leisurely pace, allowing time to stop and stare, to swim and snorkel, and to visit a variety of islands. Our itinerary will be flexible to make the most of our cetacean sightings, but we hope to have the opportunity to visit uninhabited, fishing and resort islands. The particular highlights of this central atolls trip should include: • Encounters with delightful spinner dolphins • Encounters with stately pilot whales • Encounters with several other whale and dolphin species • Chance to swim with magnificent reef fish • Beautiful islands and coral reefs of the central Maldives

INDIA

SRI LANKA Maldives !

• The wonderful photographic opportunities

In summary, this is a superb trip that promises great cetacean sightings, a delightful tropical cruise, coral reefs, paradise islands, and friendly local people.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an overnight scheduled flight from London to Malé, the capital of the Maldives, arriving on Day 2.

Day 2 : Arrival in Maldives. Arrive at Malé International Airport transfer to Ari Queen and put to sea. With a little luck we can expect our first cetacean sighting while still in sight of the airport!

Tonight, we will anchor in a sheltered location within one of the atolls. This first evening there will be an orientation talk, and on most other evenings there will be a slide show or video.

Days 3 - 7 : Whale, dolphin and seabird watching in the central atolls. Some mornings we will start the day with a refreshing early snorkel. We will then head out of the atolls, in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. Each evening we will anchor in the lagoon of an atoll, and there should be some opportunities to swim, snorkel or visit an island.

Day 8 : Whale and dolphin watching off Malé Atoll. A final full day of whale and dolphin watching. Ari Queen returns to Malé. Farewell dinner and last night on board.

Day 9 : Malé. After breakfast, transfer by boat to the international terminal for departure on a scheduled flight returning to London, arriving late on Day 9 (or possibly early on Day 10).

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We use the M.V. Ari Queen, a 9-cabin motor vessel, with twin/triple en suite cabins.

CLIMATE : The Maldive islands span the equator, stretching from about 7°N to ½°S, so the climate is tropical. From late January to April, and again during October-November, the weather is normally calm and sunny, with just the occasional shower.

These are the very best times to visit. During our boat-based trips the sea should be calm, which makes for ideal offshore whale-watching.

TEMPERATURES do not vary much throughout the year. Daytime air temperatures typically reach 2931°C during the day, dropping to about 25-27°C at night. Sea breezes make this quite comfortable.

Sea temperatures average about 28°C, which makes for luxurious snorkelling!

LEADER : Dr Charles Anderson. Please note that only one leader will accompany this cruise.

NUMBERS :

Max. 15 clients

PRICE : £ Single supp**: £ Upper cabin supp**: £ Deposit : £

2,795 440 120 per cabin 400 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of economy scheduled return flights London-Malé*, airport taxes, Government Tourist Tax, atoll permits, full board accommodation, boat transport as described, incidental tips and the services of the leader and guide.

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

The price excludes diving (approx 40 Euros per dive booked in advance), travel insurance, optional tips to local boat crew, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Malé), please deduct £ 695 per person from the tour cost. ** A very limited number of cabins are available as singles, and there are a few upper cabins available with a supplement.

TAILOR-MADE EXTENSIONS AND UPGRADES If any clients would like to extend their stay with more time in the beautiful Maldives, why not stay on a resort island immediately before or after your whale watching trip. We would be happy to provide a quote. We can also quote for flight upgrades.

Striped Dolphin and (top right) our boat the M.V. Ari Queen (Photos by tour participant Chris Milner)

46

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Sri Lanka

INDIA

Jewel of the Indian Ocean

SRI LANKA SRI LANKA Kandy !

Colombo "

Nuwara Eliya ! ! Ratnapura ! Tissa

Thursday 15 - Thursday 29 November 2012 Thursday 31 January - Thursday 14 February 2013 Thursday 7 - Thursday 21 November 2013

A 15-day birdwatching tour in search of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds among a host of exquisite winter visitors and Southern India specialities. With Asian Elephant and good chance of Leopard among mammal highlights, this is also an excellent trip for butterflies.

I

t would be difficult to think of a more perfect destination for birdwatchers to escape the winter blues than the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. For despite lying so close to the southern tip of India, this Indian Ocean paradise has been isolated from the rest of Asia for so long as to have evolved more than 30 species of endemic birds. We should see most, if not all, of them on this classic Sri Lanka tour: from Legge’s Flowerpecker and the comical Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot through to Sri Lankan Junglefowl and the gorgeous Sri Lankan Blue Magpie. And with the help of our team of expert local naturalists, we will again hope to find the recently described Serendib Scops Owl at its day roost – as we have done with all our recent groups!

Sri Lanka’s appeal runs much deeper than this however, for the one-time island of Ceylon also has many specialities shared only with southern India.

Among them such delights as the peculiar Sri Lankan Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Yellow-browed Bulbul, and Loten’s and Purple-rumped Sunbirds.

Our February 2012 group also saw Marshall’s Iora, an Indian endemic only recently discovered in Sri Lanka.

A visit to Sri Lanka is even more welcome during Europe’s winter months – not just so we can enjoy some unseasonable sunshine and warmth, but because this bewitching tropical isle is also a winter retreat for large numbers of birds from farther north.

Here we may thrill to the likes of Pintail Snipe, Blyth’s Reed and Green Warblers, Kashmir Flycatcher, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Indian Pitta and the sought-after Pied Thrush.

With our return to Yala National Park, we should also encounter some fine mammals during our stay: Asian Elephant, Leopard, Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel and even Sloth Bear are possible. And this is a wonderful trip for anyone wishing to see something of Sri Lanka’s abundant and exotic butterflies, with their many appealing English names.

Sri Lanka is not only a very beautiful island, but

(15 days) (15 days) (15 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : At comfortable tourist hotels.

Accommodation more rustic and remote for our two nights at Blue Magpie Lodge, where rooms are simply furnished. All rooms en suite throughout.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is goodexcellent. Dinners usually at the hotels. Some breakfasts and some lunches will be picnics.

its generally excellent tourist infrastructure allows birdwatchers and naturalists to explore prime habitats whilst, in the main, staying at some extremely good hotels. Those that wish will be able to enjoy a little sightseeing at Kandy, with its famous ‘Temple of the Tooth’, and pay a visit to a tea factory in the hills – with chances of Hill Swallow and Brown Wood Owl. With well over two hundred species likely on this tour, what could be better than spending a winter’s fortnight in the tropics, getting to know the birdlife of one of the world’s most enchanting island paradises?

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Colombo Days 2 - 3 : Morning arrival Colombo. Transfer to Kitulgala.

Two nights Kitulgala Lodge Days 4 - 5 : Sinharaja Forest.

Two nights Blue Magpie Lodge Day 6 : Sinharaja Forest.

Overnight Embilipitiya Day 7 : Udawalawe Nat Park and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.

Overnight Tissa

WALKING : In common with all wildlife tours to the tropics, be prepared for early starts to get the best from key areas before the day heats up.

Options to try for nightjars and owls some evenings. The walking effort is mostly easy, but the going can be moderate at times along some forest trails. Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or boots, with stout soles and good grip required.

LEADERS : November: Brian Small, Tharanga Herath & local guides February: Peter Kennerley, Tharanga Herath & local guides November: Brian Small, Tharanga Herath & local guides NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICES : November 2012: £ 2,795 February 2013: £ 2,795 November 2013: £ 2,895 Single supps. : November 2012: £ 295 February 2013: £ 315 November 2013: £ 325 Deposit: £ 400 per person The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Colombo; all accommodation, meals, surface transport (including 4WD in the parks, as necessary), entrance fees and permits, tips, airport taxes, map, bird and mammal checklist, and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks & other personal expenses.

All travellers to Sri Lanka must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online prior to travel.

ASIA & INDIAN OCEAN

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Days 8 - 9 : Yala and Bundala National Parks.

Two nights Tissa Days 10 - 11 : Yala and Victoria Park, Horton Plains.

Two nights Nuwara Eliya Day 12 : Peradeniya Gardens and the Temple of the Tooth.

Overnight Kandy Day 13 : Udawatakelle Forest.

Overnight Sigiriya Day 14 : Sigiriya, return to airport.

Overnight Negombo Day 15 : Fly Colombo-London.

A tea estate in the hill country near Nuwara Eliya (Photo: Roger Wasley) and, top, Plum-headed Parakeet (Photo: Robin Chittenden)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

47

Eastern Australia

! Cairns

Blue Mountains, Cairns & O’Reilly’s Thursday 7 - Monday 25 November 2013

(19 days)

O’Reilly’s !

From the rainforests of Queensland to the seabirds of the Great Barrier Reef, and from the Bowerbirds of O'Reilly's to the Lyrebirds of New South Wales, we travel to some of the finest wildlife areas within this amazing biological world-of-its-own.

Pack your swags and join us down-under!

A

ustralia is truly a world apart. Isolated from the rest of the world’s land-masses for over sixty million years, here evolution has taken a quite separate path. Most famous perhaps are the continent’s two mammal groups: the marsupials and the monotremes, including the peculiar egglaying Platypus, which we have been lucky enough to see on our previous trips. Even more remarkable, almost half of Australia’s 650 or so regular bird species are unique to the region – a greater proportion of endemics than any other country.

Journeying from the southern temperate zones to the northern tropics, our Classic Australia tour commences in Sydney, where a visit to Botany Bay and a boat trip around Sydney’s Port Hacking then Royal National Park should provide an excellent introduction to the birds of southeast Australia. On the New South Wales coast, the famous Barren Grounds heathland should be near the peak of its spring wildflower displays. The range-restricted Eastern Bristlebird and Pilotbird frequent this habitat and we’ll make a special effort to find Ground Parrot – seldom seen, and active only at daybreak and dusk.

Climbing up into the beautiful Blue Mountains, Turquoise Parrot, Flame Robin, Superb Lyrebird and the endangered Regent Honeyeater are among specialities, along with flocks of rowdy and impressively big Yellow-tailed and Glossy Black Cockatoos.

Leaving Sydney, we next fly north to Cairns. One of Australia’s best birding spots, shorebirds are outstanding here, with everything from Great Knot to Beach Thick-knee.

TRIP DETAILS Accommodation : At comfortable motels, lodges and cabins. All rooms en suite except for our two nights at Kingfisher Park, where all bedrooms are separate but some bathrooms may have to be shared.

MEALS : All included in the price.

WALKING : Easy walking, no more than a mile or two at any one time. Sturdy thornproof walking boots are recommended.

BOAT TRIPS : Our tour includes 3 boat trips: a ‘must-do’ birdwatching and sightseeing trip around Botany Bay/Port Hacking, a dawn wildlife cruise on the Daintree River and an all-day trip out to Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Spirit Cruises.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Peter Taylor

Galah (Photo by tour participant Clive Leyman)

We continue inland to try for Cassowary and Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, and also to explore the jungles of the Atherton Tablelands, haunt of Golden Bowerbird, Tooth-billed Catbird and the iridescent Victoria’s Riflebird. A dawn cruise on the Daintree River may reward us with Little Kingfisher and Great-billed Heron, whetting our appetites for a fitting finale to our stay in tropical North Queensland: a trip out from Cairns aboard Ocean Spirit, to savour the marvels of Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef, with their breeding seabirds and exuberant marine life.

Flying south to Brisbane, our tour concludes with three nights at the incomparable O’Reilly’s Rainforest Lodge – where the birding is simply superb! Red-necked Pademelons forage on the lawn, and well-stocked feeders (not to mention inattentive birdwatchers with food in their hands!) attract immaculate Regent and Satin Bowerbirds, along with crowds of colourful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots.

Please note : This tour can easily be incorporated into your own private visit to Australia. For those who’d prefer to travel out early and rest up a little ahead of the tour, or stopover in Australia after our tour, we can organise your flights out on almost any day you choose, or leave you to make your own arrangements. Please ask our office for details, or if you would like a ‘land only’ price for this tour. If you are booking your own flights please contact us first to check that the times fit with the current itinerary.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : Fly London-Sydney.

Day 3 : Morning arrival. Botany Bay, Royal NP & Port Hacking boat trip.

Day 4 : Barren Grounds, Budderoo & Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

Two nights Jamberoo Days 5 - 6 : Blue Mountains: Kings Tableland, Mt

AUSTRALASIA

SYDNEY "

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 5,995 £ 595 £ 700 per person

The price includes international and domestic flights London-Sydney, Sydney-Cairns, CairnsBrisbane and Brisbane-London, accommodation on a full-board basis, ground transportation, boat trips as outlined above, entry fees/permits, all airport and local taxes, tips, bird checklist, map, local guide fees and the services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, Australian visa (ETA) costs (approx. £20 through us), drinks, optional tips to local drivers and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Victoria and Megalong Valley.

Two nights Katoomba Day 7 : Lithgow and Capertee Valley.

Overnight Glen Davis Day 8 : Capertee Valley, fly Sydney-Cairns, Redden Island.

Overnight Mossman Days 9 - 10 : Daintree River cruise, Daintree National Park.

Two nights Kingfisher Park Days 11 - 12 : Atherton Tablelands.

Two nights Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge, Lake Eacham Day 13 : Cairns Waterfront & Centenary Lakes.

Day 14 : Full day aboard Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef.

Two nights Cairns Days 15 - 17 : Fly Cairns-Brisbane.

Three nights O’Reilly’s Days 18 - 19 : Fly Brisbane-London

Please visit our Wild Ambitions website for tailor-made tours in Australia

Tawny Frogmouth (Photo by tour participant Clive Leyman)

48

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

New Zealand

Auckland "

! Taupo !

Whakapapa

! St Arnaud ! Kaikoura

Flowers and Wildlife

Saturday 5 - Wednesday 23 January 2013 Saturday 11 - Wednesday 29 January 2014

(19 days) (19 days)

! Arthur’s Pass !

Lake Ohau

! Te Anau ! Gore Stewart Island

New Zealand is justly famed for its stunningly beautiful and varied landscape of coastline, forests, mountains and fjords, and its hard-to-match array of endemic wildlife. Join us as we roam its land and seas in search of this country’s unique and often endangered flowers and wildlife, on a trip devised for us by New Zealand’s foremost wildlife tour operator, Mark Hanger.

A

hundred million years of isolation have made New Zealand very much a world apart in evolutionary terms. The absence of land mammals have given its native birds room to adapt and move into the mammal niches, relatively free of predators. Thus they have evolved into a truly fascinating avifauna, including the famous nocturnal flightless Kiwi, but with many other uniquely-formed, and often very tame species.

The plants are also highly distinctive, and we shall be seeing a splendid range of these as we travel through the New Zealand summer. Perhaps best of all, though, there is the spectacular scenery.

This ranges from the hot geysers and volcanic springs of North Island to the fjords, alpine glaciers and rushing rivers of South Island, dominated by towering Mount Cook, and culminating in the awesome granite peaks of Fiordland.

Our tour aims to be the botanical and wildlife trip of a lifetime, covering the islands from north to south, and visiting a superb range of the New Zealand habitats on land and sea. We begin our tour on North Island, starting with its superb lowland forests and majestic trees, and an excellent array of the endemic landbirds on Tiri Tiri Matangi Island, near Auckland. We spend another day in the ancient podocarp forests here, where the primitive, endangered Kokako calls eerily from the treetops, and we’ll see some of the volcanic landscapes and thermal activity on North Island, including the superb peaks of Tongariro National Park.

After crossing Cook Strait, we will explore some of the wildest and most spectacular parts of South Island in search of more endemic plants and birds, and a host of seabirds along the coast and inlets.

Kahurangi National Park has a wealth of botanical treasures including the famous ‘vegetable sheep’!

Other experiences on South Island include

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good quality hotels and lodges with rooms en suite, except on Stewart Island, where some of the rooms have shared facilities.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : 2013: Geoff Henderson 2014: tbc NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES :

2013: £ 6,295 2014: £ tbc £ 845 £ 800 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights* London-Auckland, internal flights as specified, airport taxes, full board accommodation, road and boat transport as described, incidental tips, and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to the local guide/s and driver, drinks and other personal expenses.

Maori Onion Bulbinella gibbsii var balanifera (Photo: Keith Grant)

probably the most stunningly close encounter with seabirds you’ll ever have, superb endemic alpine flowers around Mt Cook, and the breathtaking landscapes of Fiordland National Park, while on farsouthern Stewart Island, you’ll have one of the most memorable night-birding trips in search of Kiwis that you’ll ever undertake, and close encounters with penguins and parrots – sometimes on the same beach !

In addition to a superb variety of birds and scenery, New Zealand also boasts good accommodation and excellent home-grown food and wine.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : We take a scheduled flight from London Auckland.

Day 3 : Overnight Auckland Days 4 - 5 : Two nights Taupo Days 6 - 7 : Two nights Whakapapa Days 8 - 10 : Three nights St Arnaud Day 11 : Overnight Kaikoura Days 12 - 13 : Two nights Lake Ohau Day 14 : Overnight Gore Day 15 : Overnight Stewart Island Days 16 - 17 : Two nights Te Anau Downs Day 18 : We return across the southern South Island to Dunedin to connect with our flight north to Auckland, and our homeward flight, arriving in London on Day 19.

AUSTRALASIA

This tour can be incorporated into your own private visit to New Zealand. We can organise your flights out on any days you choose, or leave you to make your own arrangements.

*For a price excluding the flights London-Auckland return, please deduct £ 945 from the tour cost. If you are booking your own flights please contact us first to check that the times fit with the current itinerary.

A Kaka Parrot gets into some botany (Photo: Mike Read) and, right, the Southern Alps

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

49

Mountains and glaciers on Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen

!

SVALBARD

The accessible High Arctic in Summer Thursday 11 - Sunday 21 July 2013

(11 days)

GREENLAND

SVALBARD ! Longyearbyen

A cruise to the true High Arctic, to witness its countless seabirds, its wildfowl and waders on their breeding grounds, and its whales, seals, Polar Bears and Walruses!

We've chosen one of the very best times of year to circumnavigate the island of Spitsbergen and explore this most accessible of high arctic regions.

S

POLAR CRUISES

pitsbergen, with its rugged mountains, fjords, sweeping tundra, ice caps and glaciers, is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and only 600 miles from the North Pole. In June the southern part of Spitsbergen becomes ice-free, but it is not until July that the whole of Spitsbergen opens up to ice-strengthened vessels. It is then that, with luck, we can visit the remote north and east coasts, with their abundance of arctic wildlife, including millions of Little Auks and other seabirds, whales, Polar Bears and Walruses. At this time of year, during the brief Arctic summer, Spitsbergen has constant daylight. The tundra responds with a rich array of flowers where Reindeer graze, while birds rush to raise their young before the Arctic winter sets in.

We begin the cruise at Longyearbyen, the administrative centre of Spitsbergen, with a population of over 3,000. The coasts are ice-free in the summer and colourful wild flowers, mosses and lichens abound. Here we can encounter the only two land birds – Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting - and may see our first Purple Sandpipers feeding along the shore, along with the ubiquitous Arctic Terns, Glaucous Gulls and blue-phase Fulmars.

We may visit the world’s northernmost settlement, Ny Ålesund. Here Long-tailed Ducks breed on the village pools, along with Red-throated Divers and both Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese on the surrounding tundra, which also harbours breeding Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas. Svalbard Reindeer graze, and Arctic Foxes roam, and at this time of year the flowers can be superb. Grey Phalaropes in their stunning red breeding plumage can also be encountered along this coast along with King and Common Eiders. Ivory Gulls are regularly found around the bow of the ship as she pushes through ice. If we are lucky we may find the rare Sabine’s Gull on its breeding grounds on the island of Moffen, an area that can be approached by the ship, but where we are not allowed to land. The even-rarer Ross’s Gull can be seen in some years.

Depending on the ice conditions we will circumnavigate Spitsbergen clockwise or anticlockwise, with the emphasis on locations in the east where Polar Bears abound. During these voyages we will encounter a lot of sea ice and have a chance to observe impressive calving glaciers at close quarters. Our timing of the trip will give us the best chance of cruising the Hinlopen Strait, between Spitsbergen and the isle of Nordaustlandet, and around the eastern isles of Barentsøya and Edgeøya, where we hope to encounter Walruses and several species of seal, including Bearded, Ringed and Harp Seals. Seabirds will be encountered frequently and will include Little Auks and

Spitsbergen

NORWAY

Brünnich’s Guillemots as well as Black Guillemots, a few Puffins and Kittiwakes, all of which may be harassed by the ever-watchful Arctic and Pomarine Skuas. At Diskobukta on the island of Edgeøya we visit a canyon with thousands of breeding Kittiwakes – Arctic Foxes and Polar Bears regularly roam around the base of the cliffs. If possible we will visit Tusenøyane, where we will see the well-preserved remains of 17th century whaling activities. We hope to encounter Minke and Beluga Whales in this area.

In West Spitsbergen lies the large and rugged Hornsund Fjord, which has imposing glaciers and a rich marine fauna. As a result it has huge breeding colonies of Little Auks, one of which is readily accessible. To stand almost within arm’s reach of groups of Little Auks, whilst thousands more fly to

Little Auks and (right) Grey Phalarope (Photos: Rebecca Nason)

50

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

and from the colony all around you, is a truly thrilling arctic experience. We may also be able to visit a Polish research station in the area.

The cruise will be on the Plancius, an expedition cruise ship that spends much of its time in the Arctic and Antarctic, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions.

Shore excursions will be made by Zodiac, and we’ll be in the experienced hands of the Oceanwide guides.

An expedition cruise is always exciting because of its unpredictability. Every decision made by the expedition leader is based on weather, sea ice, travelling times, and, of course, the appearance of wildlife – especially Polar Bears!

A final warning – these cruises book up early – please don’t leave it too late or all the cabins will have gone!

Please see our Wild Ambitions website for more Spitsbergen cruises – there are shorter cruises available at less cost.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an evening flight to Oslo where we stay overnight, or, alternatively, depending on flight schedules, we may continue to Longyearbyen for an overnight stay there.

Overnight Oslo/Longyearbyen Day 2 : We fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen arriving either at lunchtime or in the early hours of the morning. We embark on the Plancius in the afternoon.

Nine nights cruise on Plancius Day 11 : We disembark at Longyearbyen in the morning, and fly in the afternoon to Oslo, where we connect with an evening return flight to the UK. Plancius M/v “Plancius” started her life in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named “Hr. Ms. Tydeman”. In June 2004, the vessel was taken out of active service and was purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions in December 2006.

Available for Polar expeditions, the vessel has been completely rebuilt as a 112-passenger vessel and complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea), is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London, and will fly the Dutch flag.

The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but is not a luxurious vessel. Our voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are and will still be primarily defined by an exploratory educational

Polar Bear and cubs (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible. This vessel will fully meet our demands to achieve this.

M/v “Plancius” can accommodate 112 passengers in 54 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 40 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters).

The vessel is manned by 30 international crew members (inc. 10 stewardesses/cabin cleaners), 6 hotel staff (4 chefs, 1 purser and 1 steward-barman), 6 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 5 guideslecturers) and 1 doctor.

Please see our website for a deck plan

TRIP DETAILS TRANSPORT : Transport from the ship to shore is

by Zodiac (rubber boat). Entry and exit from the Zodiac is assisted. Most landings are ‘wet landings’ requiring the wearing of Wellington boots.

WALKING : At most landings there is a choice of walks varying from fairly energetic to quite slow, exploratory walks which enable passengers to look at plants, rocks, footprints, birds and mammals. The slow walks could be less then a km, while longer walks could be of several kms.

LEADERS : Rebecca Nason and guides from Oceanwide Expeditions.

NUMBERS : The ship carries a maximum of 112 passengers. We send one leader for every 14 of our clients.

PRICES PER PERSON : Quadruple share with porthole £ Triple share with porthole £ Twin/Double with porthole £ (single supp. £ Twin/Double with window £ (single supp. £ Twin/Double deluxe £ Superior £ Deposit : £ 1,400 per

4,895 5,495 5,995 3,245) 6,095 3,375) 6,395 6,795 person

The prices are per person, and are fully inclusive of return flights London/Longyearbyen*, overnight accommodation in Oslo/Longyearbyen, the cruise, meals on board, shore excursions by Zodiac and activities throughout the voyage, leadership, taxes and port charges.

POLAR CRUISES

The prices exclude travel insurance, optional tips to leaders and crew, drinks, meals in Oslo and Longyearbyen, and other personal expenses. *For a cost starting and finishing the tour in Oslo, please deduct £ 195 pp from the tour cost. *For a cost starting and finishing the tour in Longyearbyen, please deduct £ 695 pp from the tour cost.

Please see our Wild Ambitions website for more Spitsbergen cruises – there are shorter cruises available at less cost.

Walrus (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

51

!

Batsfjord

Lapland

! Vardo

!

Ivalo

Northern Lights, Astronomy & Wildlife!

Monday 11 - Sunday 17 March 2013

(7 days)

FINLAND

Our 'Auroras and Wildlife' trips to Iceland have proved highly popular, and with 2013 promising to be a peak aurora year, we though it was time to try a new destination for this – Lapland!

L

apland in winter has a bit more to offer than the ‘Father Christmas and his Gnomes’ trips you have seen advertised! The birds at this time include some really sought-after Siberian specialities.

We start amidst the conifers of the taiga forest in Finland, which still harbour Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay and Pine Grosbeak, before crossing north into Norway, where the sheltered coastal waters have three species of eider in stunning plumage, and are thronged with seabirds.

In March there is plenty of daylight to take advantage of this wildlife, while the nights are still long enough to give us a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights in all their glory. We'll also do some astronomy here – birding telescopes and even binoculars can be excellent for this.

The trip will be led by Barrie Cooper, who, as well as being a wildlife guide is also something of an amateur astronomer.

Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Helsinki and onwards to Ivalo, where we meet our local guide. From here it is about an hour’s drive north, through the brooding arctic taiga forest and past frozen lakes, to Kaamanen, where we stay overnight.

After dinner, if the sky is clear, we'll get our first chance to go out to check if an aurora is in progress, or, if not, for a bit of winter astronomy.

Overnight Kaamanen Day 2 : Despite the bleak wintry appearance of the northern taiga forest in March, it still harbours a range of arctic bird species, some of which are actually easier to see in winter. As at home, the secret of getting good views of the birds is food!

We have therefore chosen a lodge with its own bird feeding station. In March this can attract, outstandingly, a dozen or more Pine Grosbeak.

Most of the photos you’ll have seen of Pine Grosbeaks in the snow were probably taken here!

In addition, the feeders attract Siberian Jay and Siberian Tit, both Mealy and Arctic Redpolls, and ‘northern’ Bullfinches, with a few Greenfinches and Great Spotted Woodpeckers joining the throng. Red Squirrels are another delight to be seen here. The photographic opportunities are often superb.

We’ll spend some time at the feeders before heading off north along the Arctic highway into Norway.

It’s about a four-hour drive, through snowy scenery (they are very good at keeping the roads clear here, though!), and we will be keeping a look out for Elk, Reindeer, White-tailed Eagle and Gyrfalcon, while small parties of white Willow Grouse will be well camouflaged against the snow.

Once into Norway, the scenery becomes progressively more mountainous before we drop down into the harbourside town of Batsfjord, where we stay for two nights. We’ll be on aurora-alert again, and if lucky, will take a short drive to get away from the town lights.

Overnight Batsfjord Day 3 : As well as the chance of seeing auroras – you can’t get much further north in Europe than this! The attraction of Batsfjord at this time of year is its mixed flock of arctic eiders in the sheltered waters of the harbour.

King, Steller’s and Common Eiders are all in magnificent breeding plumage at this time, and the light can be wonderful for photography. It is usually possible to see or photograph these birds at close range either from a series of floating pontoons or from the rocky shoreline; the birds here can be very approachable and used to people wandering about on the shore.

As well as being in breeding plumage, the males will be displaying it to good effect: courtship display is both visual and vocal, and we’ll hear a mixed chorus of eiders – an unforgettable sound! Vying for attention will be Long-tailed Duck in good numbers, and, predictably in a fishing harbour, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Purple Sandpiper, Kittiwake and Black Guillemot complete the picture.

After a cold, but hopefully exhilarating day, we'll once again hope to venture out after dark to look sky-wards.

Overnight Batsfjord Day 4 : This morning we drive back over the mountain road, and down to renowned Varangerfjord.

Tucked round the north-east corner of Norway, Varanger is about the only place in northern

HELSINKI "

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at comfortable hotels and lodges with all rooms en suite.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Barrie Cooper NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 2,495 £ 265 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London-Ivalo, 6 nights' accommodation as outlined above, all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7, boat trip as described, minibus transport and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

mainland Europe that does not get warmed by the Gulf Stream. Consequently it has remained as a piece of true Arctic habitat, a little bit of Siberia on the fringe of Europe. Colourful villages and small towns dot the shoreline, which starts off with small birch woods, and then, as you drive progressively eastwards, gets more and more barren.

The shelter of the fjord, together with its arctic location, make it a fabulous place for sea-duck.

Mixed rafts of Common, King and Steller’s Eiders can be found almost anywhere, while the magnificent White-billed Diver, becomes more likely the further east you go.

We are heading for Vardo, at the eastern end of the fjord, where we stay for two nights. Our hotel is situated at the edge of the harbour and we can birdwatch from the dining room.

Again, it isn’t far to drive to get away from the town’s lights to look for the Aurora Borealis if the sky is clear.

Overnight Vardo Day 5 : Weather permitting we hope to take a boat close to the bird cliffs of Hornoya Island and its seabird colonies. The birds at this time will be gathering offshore, and we hope to get close to Brunnich’s Guillemots as well as innumerable Kittiwakes, Puffins, Razorbills and Common Guillemots. If we haven't had enough, there should be more Common, King and Steller’s Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks. The island can also be a good place to see Gyrfalcon and White-tailed Eagle.

Overnight Vardo

AUSTRALASIA

Day 6 : After breakfast we drive back into Finland and the taiga forest again.

We plan to reach the lodge and its bird feeders in the afternoon to have another chance to see the Siberian specialities.

Overnight Kaamanen Day 7 : We drive back to Ivalo for a morning flight to Helsinki connecting with our return flight to London.

The aurora

52

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Iceland in Winter

ICELAND

!

Orcas and Auroras Special

Snaefellsness

ICELAND " REYKJAVIK !

Hveragerði

Thursday 28 February – Tuesday 5 March 2013

(6 days)

A great winter break searching for birds and whales in south and west Iceland.

You’ll travel in a small group in a specially prepared winterised 4x4 vehicle which allows us to reach some out-of-the-way places.

I

Itinerary Day 1 : Arrive in Iceland and transfer to our south Iceland guesthouse. Later on this, and all other evenings, if conditions allow, we’ll hope for a sighting of the northern lights.

Overnight near Hveragerði Day 2 : We’ll explore the valleys and rivers of southern Iceland searching for Barrow’s goldeneye which we hope to find on ice-free pools and lakes.

We’ll also visit the hot springs at Geysir and see the glacial falls of Gullfoss. Wherever we travel there’s a chance of encountering gyrfalcon and ptarmigan as well. We’ll learn about the dynamic geology of Iceland and if conditions allow hope to see the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

Overnight near Hveragerði

Day 3 : We’ll travel along the south coast of Iceland and search for the different species of gulls that overwinter here. We expect to find both glaucous and Iceland gulls. We’ll explore the rocky coasts looking for harlequin ducks and we should also be able to record both Atlantic grey and common seals, too. We’ll also look for cetaceans offshore and on past trips have recorded both minke and humpback whales at this time of year.

Overnight near Hveragerði Day 4 : We travel to Þingvellir, a national park which is historically important as the site of the old Viking parliament. Ecologically and geologically it’s impressive and scenically outstanding. We continue our journey along the shores of Hvalfjörður looking for long-tailed ducks and overwintering waders before heading for our next guesthouse on the south coast of the magnificent Snæfellsnes peninsula where we’ll stay for two nights.

Overnight Snæfellsnes Day 5 : A full day exploring Snæfellsnes where we’ll

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Small but comfortable hotels with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT : Will be in an especially equipped four wheel drive ‘winterised’ vehicle driven by the leader.

WALKING : Walks are no more than three miles in total on any one day and never more than two miles at one time. The terrain is mostly level but may be rough underfoot with sharp lava. Stout walking boots are recommended.

LEADER :

Andy Jones

NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 155 £ 400 per person

The price per person includes return scheduled flights from London - Keflavik, airport taxes, accommodation as outlined, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leader(s).

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

celand’s wildlife has to struggle to survive the harsh winter conditions and often congregates around the coast or other sheltered areas. We expect to see several different species of wildfowl including Harlequin Ducks, perhaps surfing in the sea, and Barrow’s Goldeneye. There’ll be lots of gulls including Glaucous Gull and the eponymous Iceland Gull on the coasts and in harbours. Further inland we should encounter large flocks of Snow Buntings, Ptarmigans in their white winter plumage and there’s always the chance of a Gyr Falcon or even White-tailed Eagle. Of course, all this is complemented by the dramatic landscapes of Iceland and, if the weather allows, displays of the aurora borealis.

On this tour we’ll also learn about Iceland’s vibrant volcanic geology as well as making a special journey to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, which in recent years has seen magnificent Orcas coming close inshore. We'll look for them from the land, and, if weather permits, take a boat trip to see them close up.

The tour is led by Andy Jones.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional boat trip (cost around £45), drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Keflavik) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

search for white-tailed eagles and Orcas. At this time of year the whales often come close inshore and we hope for some good land based views. Depending on the weather it may be possible to take a boat trip as well (weather dependent and payable locally, cost around £45). Snæfellsnes in winter is a delight and our guesthouse is in a dark area to maximise the chance of auroras.

Overnight Snæfellsnes Day 6 : We leave Snæfellsnes and travel via Borgarnes to Iceland’s capital Reykjavík before heading for the airport and our afternoon return flight.

Orcas (Photos: Andy Jones)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

53

Spanish Lynx Quest

SPAIN

Andujar and Coto Doñana

Saturday 2 – Friday 8 March 2013 Saturday 26 October – Friday 1 November 2013

(7 days) (7 days)

!

El Rocío ! !

Andujar

Seville

Join us to explore some of the most wonderful and wild corners of Andalucia: the vast Doñana National Park and the rugged Andujar Natural Park: the last refuges of the rarest cat in the world, the critically endangered Iberian Lynx, as well as being home to a wealth of other mammals and birds.

S

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

pain's very name is derived from ‘Ispania’, which means ‘Land of rabbits’. For it was here, in the unique Mediterranean landscape of cork oak woods and sweet-scented scrub, that this famously fast-breeding vegetarian species originated. And, in parallel, the Iberian Lynx evolved, the latter becoming a specialist predator adapted to a diet almost exclusively of rabbit. So it is no surprise that the cat came to be seen as a competitor by people who enjoyed hunting rabbits. As a result, it was poisoned, trapped and shot, to near-extinction.

Just a century ago, the Iberian Lynx ranged throughout over half of the Iberian Peninsula; in March 2001 the Lynx population hit an all-time low of around a hundred individuals.

In addition, its range shrunk dramatically to just two viable (but isolated) populations within Andalucia. Still incredibly rare, its population has now recovered a little to around 265 adult individuals, thanks to the efforts made by many organizations who have worked – and are still working – tirelessly to keep increasing and enhancing the Iberian Lynx habitat as much as possible.

An expert at slipping through its scrubby habitat unseen, the Iberian Lynx is the smallest of the world’s three lynx species; it has a liberally spotted tawny coat which varies and differs between each individual of the species. Although it is one of the hardest European wild cats to see, we have designed a trip to maximise our chances as well as enabling us to learn about its ecology and conservation.

It must be emphasised that although we are looking for these marvellous mammals, our quest will not disturb them in any way. So although we have a realistic chance of seeing this rare animal on this holiday, we must look upon a sighting as a bonus to our enjoyment of the birds and other wildlife of these areas, rather than a sole aim in itself.

We will, as usual, also be looking at the other wildlife of these superb semi-wilderness areas. The trip is led by Byron Palacios, who, as well as being very keen on watching Spanish Lynx, is an excellent all-round naturalist.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a flight from London – Seville and drive to the rugged, dry and rocky hills and mountains of the Andujar Natural Park, where we stay in forest ‘cabins’ (see below for details).

Overnight Andujar Days 2 - 3 : The park has some of the best preserved Mediterranean forest in the Iberian Peninsula.

Primarily this is open and spacious oak forest, comprised of Holm, Gall and Cork Oak, though alder, ash and poplars are to be found at the margins of rivers, glades and meadows. Amongst the oak forest that clads these hills are grassy glades and secluded valleys where the Lynx hunt rabbits, rest amongst the rocks, and raise their young in ancient, hollowed oaks. Here live the majority (perhaps 70% or more) of the world’s remaining Iberian Lynx. Perhaps here, in a refuge from the modern world, the Iberian Lynx has a chance of survival.

As well as Iberian Lynx, there are Wolves, Otters, Wild Boar, Mouflon and Red Deer to be found. These mountains also hold a large population of Griffon Vultures, as well as good numbers of the rare Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle.

We'll explore these habitats slowly, watching for tracks and signs of Lynx, and hoping for a sighting.

But even if we are not lucky with Lynx, there is plenty of Spanish wildlife to see in this wonderful habitat.

Two nights Andujar Day 4 : We drive west to El Rocio, on the edge of the renowned Coto Doñana.

The extraordinary village of El Rocío fiercely preserves its own totally distinctive appearance and character. Often described as looking like a ‘Wild West’ town, El Rocio seems more reminiscent of old Mexico: the main form of transport is still horseback. In the evenings riders pause outside the bars to sip sherry and chat on horseback, while Pallid Swifts and Red-rumped Swallows wheel about overhead.

Just beside our hotel lies one of the Coto’s fabulous marshes, which, even when dry, attracts birds. In the autumn, Red Deer stags can be heard

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a 3-star hotel in El Rocío and forest cabins in Andujar. All rooms are en suite, except for the singles at Andujar, two of which share a bathroom on the top floor of a cabin (the twins are on the ground floor). We can let clients who wish to have the entire top floor, and thus their own private facilities, at extra cost.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfast and dinner at hotel. Lunches will be picnics at some wonderfully scenic spots.

WALKING : Easy. Up to 3 miles in any one day over mainly easy terrain, but may include occasional shorter walks on steeper slopes.

Walking boots advised.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By minibus.

WEATHER : Typically warm and sunny (temperatures in the range 12-26°C), but can be chilly early mornings and evenings, especially in March. March is often showery, while October is usually dry PRINCIPAL LEADER :

Byron Palacios

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp.** : SS en suite Andujar** Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 125 £ 260 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight from London – Seville, airport taxes, 6 nights’ accommodation, meals, incidental tips, minibus transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Seville/Seville)please deduct £ 125 per person from the tour cost. Please check with us about timings before arranging your own travel. **The single rooms at Andujar, share a bathroom between two on the top floor of a cabin (the twins are on the ground floor). The lower single supp. Is for one of these. The higher single supp is for clients who wish to have the entire top floor, and thus their own private facilities.

roaring from the marshes in the early mornings.

Overnight El Rocio Days 5 - 6 : The remainder of the Iberian Lynx population lives in and around the Doñana National Park, a quite different environment of flat grasslands and pine forests where just a few individual oak trees or remnant patches of Mediterranean oak forest are to be found.

The chance of seeing an Iberian Lynx by chance here is very small, so we’ll enlist the help of local guides, who will take us for excursions into the National Park where they know the best places to find tracks and signs of Lynx.

Two nights El Rocio Day 7 : We return to Seville and catch a return flight to London.

Iberian Lynx

54

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

!

High Tatras

Slovakia

SLOVAKIA Turcianske Teplice !

!

Latorica River

Dragonflies, Birds & Butterflies " Budapest

Wednesday 3 - Wednesday 10 July 2013

HUNGARY SLOVAKIA

An 8-day wildlife tour to eastern Slovakia, running at the best time of year to see dragonflies on the wing. Prospects include Ornate Bluet, Alpine Emerald and Ruby Whiteface - plus Cranberry Fritillary and Poplar Admiral among up to 60 species of butterflies. This is generally a quieter time of year for birds, but Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Stork and Bee-eater are among an exciting range of possible species.

W

ith a population of just five million people, the compact, unspoiled and highly scenic country of Slovakia offers a fantastic diversity of natural habitats that are rich in wildlife of all kinds. On this superb summer tour we travel to central and southern Slovakia. The focus will be mainly on dragonflies, but this is also a terrific time for butterflies (as well as being one of the best for wildflowers) in Slovakia. And although high summer is generally a quieter time of year for birds, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Stork and Bee-eater are among an exciting range of possible species, making this an outstanding, all-round natural history tour.

Running in early July, our visit is timed to coincide with the peak of dragonfly activity. We should encounter an excellent cross-section of species, with opportunities to see those which fly early in the season as well as many emerging later, in mid-summer. Although timed to cover the highest number of dragonfly species, our tour will also focus on some eastern and northern specialities.

The study of dragonflies is still in its infancy in Slovakia, so we have an opportunity to make some valuable contributions to local knowledge as we travel from the slow-flowing rivers and marshes of the lowlands up to the glacial lakes and mires in the high Carpathians. To date, 75 species of dragonfly have been recorded in Slovakia and, with representatives of eastern, southern and northern/alpine species, the country makes an extremely interesting destination for dragonfly enthusiasts. Highlights could include Ornate Bluet, Alpine Emerald, Sombre Goldenring, Bog Hawker and Yellow-spotted Whiteface.

Slovakia may only be a small country but it’s one with a tremendous altitudinal range, and our

(8 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be staying in good, medium grade hotels and pensions (guest houses), with all rooms en suite. Hotels have been built or refurbished recently.

MEALS : All included in the price. Overall good, featuring local cuisine at times. Picnic lunches in the field; breakfasts at the hotels as well as most dinners.

River Clubtail (Photo: Milos Balla)

journey will carry us from the lowlands at around 300 feet (90m), up to almost 4500 feet (1370m) above sea level – taking in an extraordinary range of wetland habitats along the way.

After flying into the Hungarian capital, Budapest, we cross the border into neighbouring Slovakia, where our tour begins amidst the flat landscapes of the Tur ianska Kotlina basin. From here, we climb up into the picturesque High Tatra mountains. Birds to watch for include Eastern Imperial Eagle, Golden Oriole and Scarlet Rosefinch, with Ring Ouzel, Nutcracker and Common Crossbill in the mountains. Descending through a remote rural area on the Polish border, our holiday concludes in the peaceful Latorica river valley, where dozens of lowland pools are home to 45

WALKING : Easy, with only short walks to most sites – but often in wet conditions for dragonflies, of course! On occasion, where the water is too deep this year, our guide will go to catch the dragonflies alone and return to show the group.

Wear walking boots. Wellington boots will also be necessary at a few places. There is an option of a couple of more strenuous walks on two days (days 3 and 4, see itinerary), for those who want to go. Our guides will brief participants the evening before so everyone can decide.

LEADERS : Peter Kennerley & Dušan Šácha NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 100 £ 300

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights London-Budapest, all meals and accommodation, transportation by midicoach or minibus, incidental tips, airport taxes, map, checklist of birds/dragonflies/butterflies, and services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

species of dragonflies and breeding birds such as Spoonbill and Whiskered Tern.

As well as birds, guide Peter Kennerley has a keen interest in dragonflies and butterflies, and led our very successful “Butterflies & Birds” tour to Macedonia in June 2012. Local guide Dušan Šácha is Slovakia’s foremost dragonfly expert and on two evenings during the tour he will present informal lectures complemented by a screening of his documentary “A Year in the Life of Dragonflies”, and an informative slideshow of dragonflies and their habitats.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Budapest, cross into eastern Slovakia.

Day 2 : River Turiec wetlands.

Two nights Turcianske Teplice Day 3 : High Tatra mountains and foothills.

Day 4 : Zamagurie region.

Two nights Zdiar village Day 5 : Southeast Slovakia, Latorica river.

Day 6 : Ondava river & east Slovak lowlands Day 7 : Latorica river and wetlands.

Three nights Zemplinska Sirava Day 8 : Return to Budapest, fly London.

The High Tatras (Photo: Martin Hrouzek)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

55

! Grímsey

Iceland

Principally Puffins

ICELAND

Friday 26 July - Friday 2 August 2013 Grímsey Island Weekend/Extension Thursday 1 August - Monday 5 August 2013

(8 days) (5 days)

REYKJAVIK " !

Hveragerði Westman Islands !

Mention you’ve been to Iceland to a birdwatcher and you’ll soon get the response: “Did you see puffins?” On this trip you certainly shall. Devised especially for us, and led by our man in Iceland, Andy Jones, this trip is timed to give us the best possible views of Puffins as well as the other seabirds of the North Atlantic.

W

e’ll spend two days on the Westman Islands as well as travelling to the incredible bird cliffs of Látrabjarg in NW Iceland. We’ll cross the staggeringly beautiful Breiðafjörður and make a visit to the island of Flatey where there are (yes, you’ve guessed it) more Puffins. Of course, Iceland’s other special birds won’t be forgotten and we’ll look for Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye, Whitetailed Eagle and Gyrfalcon. Wherever we travel we’ll be accompanied by the wonderful breeding waders of Iceland.

We are also travelling at a great time for botanists and we’ll no doubt delight in the colourful carpet of many arctic and alpine wild flowers that can be found here. At this time of year we’ve a very good chance of finding cetaceans offshore as well.

In fact, there’s something for everyone on this very special trip.

Itinerary Day 1 : We arrive in Iceland on a late afternoon flight from London. If time permits we’ll do some seawatching on the way to our guesthouse in Hveragerði, located on the flanks of the mid-Atlantic Ridge in Southern Iceland.

Overnight Hveragerði Day 2 : We take the morning ferry to the island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands. In the afternoon we’ll visit the new crater and feel the still warm rock beneath. After dinner we’ll visit the Puffin colonies.

Overnight Westman Islands

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Day 3 : We’ll spend a full day on the Westman Islands and will have many more opportunities for close encounters with the Puffins and other seabirds of these magnificent islands. There’s also the chance to take a boat trip around the islands (optional, cost around £35, payable locally).

Overnight Westman Islands Day 4 : It’s a travelling day as we catch the morning ferry from Heimaey for the half hour crossing to the

mainland. Our journey, will take us past the hot springs and geysers of Geysir, the magnificent falls of Gullfoss, the rift valley and historical sites of Þingvellir, and the splendid fjord at Hvalfjörður.

Overnight Snæfellsnes Day 5 : It’s a gorgeous day’s exploration today as we leave the small harbour at Stykkishólmur for our cruise across the calm waters of Breiðafjörður.

Overnight Flókalundur Day 6 : It’s a leisurely drive to reach the spectacular bird cliffs of Látrabjarg, one of the special places of Iceland.

Overnight Flókalundur Day 7 : It’s a gentle day’s journey across the lovely landscapes of west Iceland as we head south.

Overnight Reykjavík Day 8 : Our return flight leaves in the late afternoon.

Alternatively why not join our special Grímsey Island weekend?

Grímsey Island extension/weekend

Thursday 1 – Monday 5 August 2013 (5 days) Grímsey, way off the north coast of Iceland, is one of those dream islands that many read about, but few visit. Perhaps surprisingly, it is the only part of Iceland that touches the arctic circle and is home to countless thousands of puffins and other seabirds.

Accommodation here is very comfortable (shared facilities). This trip can also be taken on its own as a long weekend.

Itinerary Day 1 (of weekend only) : Travel to Iceland in the late afternoon and spend the night in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík.

Overnight Reykjavík Day 2 (Day 8 as extension) : We’ll have a quick tour of Iceland’s capital and see something of its wildlife

ICELAND

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Main trip: Hotels/guesthouses with all rooms en suite. The guesthouse we stay in on Grímsey is lovely but please note that none of the rooms here have private facilities.

MEALS : are from the hotel or guesthouse ‘dish of the day’ and we have picnic lunches.

TRANSPORT : Main trip: Will be in small minibus or four wheel drive vehicle driven by the leader.

Transport on Grimsey is on foot.

WALKING : On the main trip, walks are no more than three miles in total on any one day and never more than two miles at one time. The terrain is mostly level but may be rough underfoot with sharp lava. Stout walking boots are recommended. On Grímsey we need to walk more than in other places and expect a three mile walk on the second day and a five to six mile walk on the third day, all on marked paths.

LEADER :

Andy Jones

NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICES :

Main trip: £ 2,295 Grimsey as extension: £ 1,095 Grimsey as long weekend: £ 1,695 Main trip: £ 265 Grimsey as extension: £ 115 Grimsey as long weekend: £ 150 £ 400 per person

Single supps.:

Deposit:

The price per person includes return scheduled flights from London - Keflavik, airport taxes, accommodation as outlined, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional boat trip on the Westman Islands, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Keflavik) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

before we fly to Grímsey Island via Akureyri. We’ll arrive in the early afternoon.

Overnight Grímsey Day 3 (Day 9 as extension) : A full day exploring the island. We’ll concentrate on the northern cliffs and will have lots of time to spend in the puffin colonies there. It’s a brilliant place for photographers and provides a magical wildlife experience. There’s also the chance to take a boat trip (not included c £35, payable locally).

Overnight Grímsey Day 4 (Day 10 as extension) : We spend the morning on Grímsey before taking our afternoon flight via Akureyri to Reykjavík. We’ll spend the night in Iceland’s capital.

Overnight Reykjavík Day 5 (Day 11 as extension) : Some free time in Reykjavík before we take our return flight to the UK.

Puffins will expect close views of you! (Photo: Andy Jones)

56

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Camargue in Winter

FRANCE

Wallcreepers and Wetlands

Saturday 26 - Thursday 31 January 2013

Toulouse "

(6 days)

Camargue !

Marseille !

Join us in the Camargue in search of specialities as the perfect antidote to our grey, winter weather - a dose of excitement as the days start to draw out!

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inter in the Camargue, one of Europe’s great river deltas, is a superb time to visit, with birds here in their tens of thousands.

Masses of wildfowl, waders, birds of prey, and Greater Flamingos haunt the wetlands, while high alpine species are wintering in the drier country around, waiting for the warmer weather to arrive.

These include Wallcreeper, often a difficult species to get to grips with in breeding habitat but easier to see at this time as they forage for insects on the low cliff-faces in and around the lovely town of Les Baux.

Other mountain birds that descend here for the winter include Alpine Accentors, which hang around the village in small flocks.

Out on the steppe-like habitat of La Crau, Little Bustards also spend the winter – in the past we have seen more than 150 in one flock alone.

Resident birds elsewhere in the area range from the majestic Eagle Owl to the humble Rock Sparrow – the latter in the historic setting of the magnificent Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct.

Our five-night break is based once again at the Hotel Robinson, amid pine forests close to the town of Beaucaire. As ever, we look forward to its superb Provençale cuisine, wonderful picnics and excellent local wine, which is included in the cost of the tour.

Itinerary Days 1 - 5 : We take a scheduled early morning flight from London to Marseille, giving us the chance of some afternoon birdwatching before continuing to the Hotel Robinson.

We guess that many clients will be keen to go looking for Wallcreepers as soon as possible… so we will visit the limestone hills of Les Alpilles on a number of occasions until we spot the crimsonwinged butterfly-like flight of this species, which overwinters here. We will have time to explore the

attractive town of Les Baux and could even see Wallcreepers on the house walls here too.

Other gems of the area include Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, Serin and Cirl Bunting together with Bonelli’s Eagle and wintering Alpine Accentors.

Among the more common residents are Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Raven and Common Buzzard. We will make a special trip to our favourite Eagle Owl site in the hope of a view of one blinking down at us from a roadside crag.

A visit to the dry steppe-like habitat at La Crau could give us views of the many Little Bustards, which spend the winter in the area. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse could also be seen as they start their courtship displays or feeding in loose flocks.

Raptors include Red Kite, Peregrine and Hen Harrier.

But it will be the Camargue itself that produces views of vast numbers of birds. Wildfowl will be counted in thousands with Teal as the main species.

Shoveler, Mallard, Pintail, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Pochard will be common while on some of the lagoons we will look for Red-crested Pochard and Ferruginous Duck.

Where there is food the predators are sure to be close behind and we can expect to see scores of Common Buzzard together with Marsh and Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine. There may be eagles too with White-tailed and Spotted seen occasionally.

Cetti’s Warbler and Bearded Tit will be heard in the reed beds while Penduline Tits winter in small numbers. Waders include Avocet, Snipe, Dunlin, Little Stint, and Grey Plover. Greater Flamingos will be found in the brackish lagoons, which also hold Black-necked Grebes.

Five nights Beaucaire Day 6 : We catch a return flight from Marseille to London.

TRIP DETAILS EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

ACCOMMODATION : Our base in the Camargue is the Hotel Robinson (3-star, Logis de France 3-cheminées award) in Beaucaire to the north of the area. The hotel has built an exceptional reputation for its Provençale cuisine (and splendid picnic hampers). Most rooms are en suite, although a few less expensive single rooms with shower only may be available. Please note that local wine is included with meals on this trip.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Mike Read NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,295 £ 130 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of accommodation as detailed above, meals, incidental tips, return scheduled flight* LondonMarseille, minibus transport, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks (although, as mentioned above, wine is included with meals) and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Marseille) please deduct £ 145 from the tour cost.

Blue Rock Thrush (Photo: Roger Wasley) Top: Wallcreeper (Photo: Keith Grant)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

57

Eastern Austria

AUSTRIA Vienna "

Lake Neusiedl in Spring and Autumn Saturday 11 – Saturday 18 May 2013 Saturday 31 August – Saturday 7 September 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

! Illmitz AUSTRIA

Lake Neusiedl

HUNGARY

We return to the lakes, forests and mountains of wonderful Eastern Austria in spring, at a time when the breeding season is in full swing, and the mountains are in flower, and again in early autumn, with the excitement of passage migrants. Why not join us – spring or autumn – for the best of central European birdwatching?

N

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

eusiedl has long been a firm favourite of ours – and with good reason! One of Europe’s largest lakes, it’s also one of the very best for birds. To the east lie the splendid wetlands of the Seewinkel and the start of the Great Hungarian Plain; to the north, the riverine forests of the March; and to the west, the pine-clad foothills of the Austrian Alps – which we shall access via a scenic rack-and-pinion railway journey aboard the Fire Salamander. The whole presents a tapestry of habitats surpassed only by the impressive range of birds to be found there.

During the week, we’ll also enjoy two or three longer days out, travelling west to the alpine habitats of the Hohe Wand and the Schneeberg for the likes of Alpine Chough and Nutcracker, and north to wonderful Marchegg reserve in search of Black Stork, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and in spring Collared Flycatcher.

We are based just over an hour’s drive from Vienna airport in what is considered by many to be the best hotel for birdwatchers in the area. This is a wonderful family-run hotel, on the site of the original ‘post house’ in the town, with a White Stork viewing platform on the balcony roof and a Syrian Woodpecker’s nest in the shaded yard. Lakeside walks and main hides are close by around Illmitz Marina and large and some smaller saline lakes are right on the edge of town. Not recommended for birdwatchers in a hurry, this tour features easy walks and a mix of leisurely picnics and sit-down lunches taken at one of the region’s many excellent Gasthofs.

Literally at the edge our town base at Illmiz lies

the Seewinkel, a flat agricultural plain studded with lakes that form some of the richest bird habitats of all. The accessibility of these shallow wetlands make them one of the best spots for seeing some of the area’s specialities, from breeding Black-necked Grebe, Bittern, Purple Heron and Spoonbill to Greylag Goose, Garganey, Red-crested Pochard and Ferruginous Duck.

During the spring and autumn months, the muddier margins prove irresistible to passing Little and Temminck’s Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and other migratory shorebirds.

And as we weave our way from one lake to the next through the patchwork of meadows, vineyards and thickets, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for passerine migrants such as Whinchat, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.

The magnificent Great Bustard, now one of the region’s rarest residents, still retains a foothold on the plain. By visiting early in the day, before the grasslands vanish beneath a shimmering sea of heat-haze, we shall hope for views of these impressive birds from a special observation platform.

To the north of Neusiedl town, lies the splendid Marchegg reserve, a mix of ancient deciduous woodland, marshy backwaters and lush flood meadows, hard on the Slovakian border. River Warblers reel unseen from the thickets in spring and White Storks nest conspicuously in the trees, which also provide cover for forest dwellers such as Greyheaded Woodpecker, Collared Flycatcher and Hawfinch. Butterflies can be numerous and may include the exquisitely-hued Lesser Purple Emperor.

Having thoroughly explored Neusiedl’s lowlands, we’ll venture a little further afield to focus on an exciting range of alpine birds, with visits to the picturesque Hohe Wand and its near neighbour, the Schneeberg.

Meaning ‘High Wall’, the Hohe Wand is a pineclad rocky plateau which rises abruptly from the plain about an hour or so’s drive west of our hotel.

Marking the easternmost limit of the Alps, the Schneeberg stands twice as high as the Hohe Wand.

Access to the summit area is via a delightful rackand-pinion railway journey aboard the Feuersalmander – painted in dazzling Fire Salamander colours and pattern. Weather permitting, the train will carry us up to the realm of Alpine Choughs and Chamois at around 2000 metres. The alpine flowers can be superb in spring, with many showy gentians and primulas.

Another option during our stay is to visit the excellent Fertö-Hansag National Park, which lies at the southern end of Lake Neusiedl, just across the border into Hungary. In fact, Fertö is simply the Hungarian name for Lake Neusiedl. Wetlands here can hold good numbers of waders and wildfowl. The European Souslik, a ground squirrel that is found from the Ukraine west to Austria, also occurs in the grasslands.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We catch a morning flight from London to

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Our hotel in the sleepy town of Illmitz right on the edge of the famous saline lake of Seewinkel is run by a family that understand birdwatchers and are interested in birding and wildlife themselves. All rooms have been recently renovated to a high standard with en suite bathrooms, including some with a bath (please request one if you would prefer this). The hotel has a birding library and a viewing platform where we can watch the White Storks on their nest on top of the roof of the local bank. There’s also a Syrian Woodpecker’s nest in the ‘hof’ or yard, and if the weather’s kind, we can take breakfast or dinner there and watch the adult woodpecker’s comings or goings!

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotel. Lunches are our popular mix of picnics and leisurely sit-down meals taken at one of the region’s traditional restaurants or Gasthofs.

WALKING : The countryside around the lake itself is flat and the going easy, with short walks (1-3 miles). Expect a few short uphill stretches along good trails in the surrounding hills and mountains, all taken slowly.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By minibus PRINCIPAL LEADERS : May: Tim Earl Aug-Sep: John Muddeman NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 125 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights* London-Vienna, all accommodation, meals, minibus transport, Schneeberg Mountain railway excursion, admissions, permits and entry fees to reserves, airport taxes, tips, map, bird & butterfly checklist, and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Vienna/Vienna) please deduct £ 135 per person from the tour cost.

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Vienna. Just over an hour’s drive will bring us to our hotel in the small town of Illmitz, which will be our base throughout the holiday. We should arrive in time to enjoy some local birding this afternoon.

Overnight Illmitz Days 2 - 7 : Each day we’ll be choosing from a fine array of habitats to visit, according to local conditions prevailing at the time.

Six nights Illmitz Day 8 : After enjoying a final morning birdwatching around Lake Neusiedl, we return to Vienna and catch our afternoon flight back to London.

Grey-headed Woodpecker (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

58

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Belarus

BELARUS

MINSK "

! Beloazersk !

Belowezhskaya

! Turov

B

elarus is set to become one of the prime birdwatching destinations in Europe. This eastern neighbour of Poland boasts a superb variety of birds including Terek Sandpiper and Azure Tit, and mammals including Bison, Lynx and Wolf.

As the countries of Eastern Europe develop, they are sadly losing some of their prime attractions to the visitor, and to the wildlife: untouched wilderness areas, and a traditional, low-intensity system of agriculture. Yet in Belarus these still survive, and we have chosen three areas out of many possible places to concentrate on: Sporovo Reserve, protecting a large percentage of the world’s Aquatic Warbler population, then the fabled marshes of Pripyat National Park with its breeding and migrant waders including Terek and Marsh Sandpipers, and other eastern species including the legendary and beautiful Azure Tit, and finally Belowezhskaya Pushcha NP, a wilder and larger counterpart to the adjoining Bialowieza in Poland.

Itinerary Days 1 - 4 : We fly from London to Minsk via Vienna or Warsaw. From Minsk we drive to the famous Pripyat NP. We spend four nights in Turov in a comfortable hotel located on the bank of the river.

Several sought-after shorebirds such as Great Snipe, Terek and Marsh Sandpiper breed on the banks of the untamed Pripyat River that floods vast areas of meadows and forests in spring. On meadows near Turov we can experience spectacular gatherings of hundreds of migrating Ruff including many colourful males, while elegant Spotted Redshanks, some in black breeding plumage, are also found in good numbers. Great Snipe can sometimes be seen at a lek site, and last year we had the privilege of comparing both Great and Jack Snipe in the hand at a ringing station.

Fabled marshes and primaeval forests Sunday 5 – Monday 13 May 2013

(9 days)

Imagine a land of ancient forests, hundreds of meandering rivers, the biggest marshes and fens of the continent, and roads where you hardly meet any traffic or even people – this is the wild country of Belarus!

One of the most sought-after birds of the trip will be Azure Tit. Belarus is the only place in Europe where we have a good chance to find this stunning bird in its breeding habitat along the riparian willow forests of the Pripyat River. Penduline Tit also hang their distinctive nests here.

We will have some time to discover the ancient oak, spruce and birch forests too. These are the domain of Common Crane, Greater and Lesser Spotted Eagles, and Black Stork, all of which can be seen soaring above the canopy. Inside the forest we’ll look for Wryneck and White-backed Woodpeckers, and we might also find Grey-headed, Black, Middle, Lesser and Three-toed Woodpeckers.

Collared Flycatcher may have just arrived, while Thrush Nightingale, Bluethroat, Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole and Hawfinch are all common in this magical place.

Butterflies can include Map Butterfly and Swallowtail, while mammals seen last year included Wild Boar and Elk, as well as Muskrat and both Roe and Red Deer.

We also visit the nearby Beloe Fishponds, home to breeding Whooper Swan, Smew (the only Belarus location), Bittern, White-tailed Eagle, Red-necked Grebe and many wildfowl and waders on migration.

Caspian Terns can be seen alongside Caspian Gulls here!

Four nights Turov Days 5 - 6 : Our next base will be in the middle of the famous World Heritage Site, the Belowezhskaya Pushcha ancient forest. We will walk amidst ancient trees and focus on woodland species. These fairytale woods hold Great Grey (in some years) and Pygmy Owls, although we need luck to see them.

Hazel Grouse are also found but elusive – we can sometimes locate one by its distinctive whistle.

All the European woodpeckers, Crested Tit, Common Crossbill and Collared Flycatcher are breeding here. Along Lake Liadskoye Wood Sandpiper, Savi’s and River Warblers occur. Raptors include White-tailed, Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Hen and Montagu’s Harriers.

We always stay alert for the presence of mammals in these woodlands where Elk and Wild Boar are numerous. The most famous mammal of the forest, however, is the majestic European Bison, although these can be surprisingly difficult to see amongst the trees. We’ll search for them in some of their favourite meadows and glades.

Two nights Belowezhskaya Pushcha Days 7 - 8 : We continue to Sporovo Reserve, where we will stay for two nights. En route we can stop at a forest for woodpeckers and possible owls, as well as the lovely northern race of Long-tailed Tit. We’ll also keep an eye open for Great Grey Shrike, Hen and Montagu’s Harriers and Lesser Spotted Eagle as we go.

Savi’s Warbler and White-spotted Bluethroat sing from the banks of the Yaselda River. We take a small ferry across the river to reach some superb

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Reasonable quality hotels situated close to the best birding sites. All rooms en suite.

LEADERS : Barrie Cooper and Attila Steiner NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,945 £ 195 £ 400 per person

The price per person includes return flights from London – Minsk*, airport taxes, 7 nights’ accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes Belarus visa costs (approx £ 75), holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks, and other personal expenses. * For an ex-flight cost (Minsk/Minsk) please deduct £ 245 from the tour cost.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

BELARUS

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

marshes and fishponds. A board walk across the marsh makes an excellent viewpoint to look for the marsh’s breeding Citrine Wagtails. The nearby fishponds are home to all three marsh terns, gulls including possible Little and Caspian Gull, and migrant waders. Wildfowl can include both Garganey and Goosander as well as Whooper Swan.

The area also holds Common Rosefinch, Golden Oriole and Penduline and Bearded Tit. Little, Spotted and Corn Crakes are all in full voice at this time of the year, and one evening we hope to admire the characteristic song flight of Europe’s rarest songbird, Aquatic Warbler, to the sound of booming Bittern and displaying Snipe.

Two nights Beloazersk Day 9 : We drive back to Minsk, birding en route, from where we fly home.

Bison and, top, Azure Tit (Photos: Ecotours Hungary)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

59

Bulgaria in Spring

ROMANIA Kavarna !

BULGARIA "

Rhodope Mountains and Black Sea

SOFIA Pomorie !

Krumovgrad !

Wednesday 8 - Friday 17 May 2013

(10 days)

!

Pamporovo

GREECE

A 10-day birdwatching tour to one of Europe’s loveliest yet least visited countries, exploring the Rhodope Mountains, Black Sea coast and Danube Valley. Outstanding for birds with Dalmatian Pelican, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears, Paddyfield Warbler, Masked Shrike and Semi-collared Flycatcher among many exciting eastern European specialities.

A

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

lthough now a fully-fledged member of the EU, Bulgaria remains one of the least visited corners of Europe. The birdlife here is outstanding and this beautiful country is rightly recognised as one of the continent’s most exciting birding venues. Flanked by the Black Sea to the east and the broad sweep of the mighty River Danube in the north, not only do huge numbers of migrants funnel up through Bulgaria each spring but the abundant birdlife has a definite ‘eastern’ flavour.

Our tour begins in the picturesque eastern Rhodope Mountains, close to the Greek frontier.

Griffon Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Western Rock Nuthatch await our discovery here. Black Storks also nest on the cliffs, Chukars chuckle as they forage amongst the crags, and we shall make a special effort to find Wallcreeper in the region’s limestone gorges – where our splendid photo was taken! Aside from the birds, these lovely hills are simply brimming with plants and butterflies.

Leaving the mountains, we journey east towards the Black Sea coast. Montagu’s Harriers quarter the fields, White Storks share their nests with gangs of noisy Spanish Sparrows, and the roadside wires can be peppered with Black-headed Buntings, Beeeaters and Lesser Grey Shrikes. We will stop along the way to search for a few of the more scarce regional specialities such as Masked Shrike, and Eastern Orphean and Eastern Olivaceous Warblers.

Of international standing, wetlands along the Black Sea coast hold the promise of White Pelican, Ruddy Shelduck and Pygmy Cormorant. Inland, the thickly wooded valleys and rugged limestone hills are the haunt of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Semi-collared Flycatcher.

May also offers exciting opportunities to find migrating waders at the coast, before our route swings back inland, across the rolling steppe of Dobruja, to the fertile valley of the Danube. Here wonderful Lake Srebarna is a World Heritage Site, of prime importance for its colony of Dalmatian Pelicans. After a final night spent amongst the pretty wooded hills at Etara, we return full circle to Sofia.

Full of eastern promise (and with some surprisingly good local wines!), a spring visit to Bulgaria is sure to surprise and delight. The list of possible birds is both impressive and long, and past tour highlights have included several species for

which Bulgaria represents the westernmost limit of their world ranges – among them Paddyfield Warbler, and Pied and Isabelline Wheatears. This will be Limosa’s 27th tour to Bulgaria, where we shall be accompanied by experienced local bird guide Tihomir Stefanov.

Itinerary Day 1 : British Airways morning flight from London to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital. We head into the lovely Rhodope Mountains, close to the border with northern Greece, and the alpine resort of Satovcha.

Overnight Satovcha Days 2 - 3 : Leaving Satovcha, we travel to the splendid Trigrad gorge. We have good chances of finding the elusive Wallcreeper here.

We wind our way eastwards through the eastern Rhodope Mountains amidst a rugged landscape now dominated by the remnants of extinct volcanoes. Our destination is Madjarovo, on the banks of the beautiful River Arda.

Two nights Madjarovo Days 4 – 5 : We head north-east this morning towards Pomorie, on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

Although Burgas is a major port and town on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, its wetlands support a variety of birdlife matched by few other areas in Europe.

Two nights Pomorie, north of Burgas Days 6 – 7 : Leaving Pomorie, we travel north, following the Black Sea coast towards Romania. It’s a landscape of thickly wooded valleys and rugged limestone hills. Small numbers of Semi-collared Flycatchers nest in these woodlands. Lake Durankulak is a mainly brackish lake with reedbeds that hold a small population of Paddyfield Warblers, while the dramatic limestone cliffs of Cape Kaliakra are home to the smart Pied Wheatear. Inland, the sky above the rolling steppe is full of glorious lark song, and also attracts Isabelline Wheatears and parties of dazzling Rose-coloured Starlings, which occur during their periodic invasions from central Asia.

Our accommodation for these two nights is a small but comfortable hotel at Kavarna, newly-built and only recently opened.

Two nights Kavarna

BULGARIA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Standards of accommodation are improving rapidly throughout Bulgaria, most notably in the more touristy areas of the Black Sea coast. Inland, hotels are still largely off the tourist track and fairly basic, but clean, comfortable and perfectly adequate for our brief time there. All rooms have private facilities.

Our agents are constantly updating their choice of accommodations to make use of the better hotels as they become available in the areas we visit.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotels. Lunches will usually be picnics along the way. Meals are fairly simple but food (and local wine!) is generally good.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks (up to about 2 miles), on mainly good trails over easy-moderate terrain. Sturdy walking shoes or lightweight boots recommended.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By coach with local driver (minibus with small groups) LEADERS : Chris Murphy & Tihomir Stefanov NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 125 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Sofia, all accommodation, meals, coach or minibus transport (according to final group size), entrance fees, tips to driver and local guide/s, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Day 8 : Heading inland, we cross the rolling, cultivated steppe of the Dobruja to reach the extraordinarily rich valley of the Danube. Wonderful Lake Srebarna is of special importance for its colony of Dalmatian Pelicans.

We stay tonight at a small, friendly village hotel close by the River Danube and Srebarna lake.

Overnight Pelican Lodge, Vetren Day 9 : We head west through the lush Danube lowlands close to the border with Romania.

Swinging south into the mountains, we head south after lunch to the lovely forested hills and meadows of Etara, where we spend our final night overlooking a fast-flowing stream which runs through a reconstruction of a typical 18th Century village.

Overnight Etara Day 10 : After some final early morning birding, we leave Etara after breakfast and return to Sofia for our British Airways afternoon flight back to London, where the tour concludes.

Masked Shrike (Photo: Keith Grant)

60

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

ROMANIA Kavarna !

BULGARIA

Bulgaria in Autumn

The ‘Secret Flyway’

Pomorie !

Thursday 20 - Thursday 27 September 2012 Thursday 19 - Thursday 26 September 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

GREECE

C

orncrake on the hotel balcony... Lesser Spotted Eagles all but brushing our noses with their wing-tips right outside the bedrooms... a party of Black Storks passing by at eye level as we breakfast in the restaurant... a male Pallid Harrier ghosting in from the sea at extremely close range... ‘falls’ of Golden Orioles, Red-breasted Flycatchers and Icterine Warblers... a flock of 1200 roosting White Pelicans... up to twenty different species of birds of prey. These are just some of the highlights from our previous autumn tours to Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

The annual migration of tens of thousands of birds of prey and storks across the Bosphorus in neighbouring Turkey has long been famous as one of the great European bird spectaculars. But the fact that the majority of these birds – plus countless thousands of storks, pelicans, herons and other migrants – must first travel south through coastal Bulgaria was inexplicably overlooked by travelling birdwatchers until as recently as the late-1990s.

As with migration anywhere, the make up and number of birds moving can vary enormously from day to day. But our tour is timed to run during the period when the spectacle of autumn migration along this ‘secret flyway’ is typically around its peak.

And with direct flights now available to Varna on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, we should arrive right in the thick of the action.

By happy coincidence, some of Europe’s most important wetlands are also to be found nearby. The coastal saltpans, freshwater lakes and reedbeds hold an impressive array of specialities, with White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Crake, Broad-billed and Marsh Sandpipers, Bluethroat and Penduline Tit among those we’ve seen before.

To the north, the limestone steppe of Cape Kaliakra is attractive to migrant wheatears, warblers, flycatchers and shrikes. Being so little visited we have good chances here of finding something really special ourselves. Eagle Owls and Pied Wheatears have stolen the show in the past, and the forests just inland of the coast can be outstanding for woodpeckers.

Why not join us for an exciting week, revelling in the annual movement of birds of prey, pelicans, storks and innumerable passerine migrants that stream south along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast every autumn? The prospect is irresistible!

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Two-centre tour based at typically modest but comfortable Bulgarian tourist hotels, well-situated for the best autumn birding.

All rooms en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotels. Lunches will usually be picnics.

Pelicans (Photo by tour participant Richard Swinbank)

Outline Itinerary Please note: Due to airline schedule changes since our brochure went to press, the dates for our 2012 autumn tour to Bulgaria: The Secret Flyway have changed. The new dates are Thu 20-Thu 27 September 2012, as correctly shown above (and not Fri 21-Fri 28 September, as appears in our 2012 brochure).

For convenience and ease of travel, our tour is based around the (very limited!) direct flights between London Gatwick and Varna. Schedules subject to possible change by the airline. If outbound and/or return flight times change, it may be necessary to swap the above itinerary around, visiting Pomorie (Bourgas) first and then Kavarna but the places visited and birds to be seen will be the same.

Day 1 : We catch a flight from London direct to Varna, where our local guide will be waiting to welcome us.

Transfer north (just over an hour’s drive) along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast to our first hotel, near Kavarna.

Overnight Kavarna Days 2 - 4 : Set on a hillside overlooking the sea, our hotel is perfectly situated. Migrants follow the valley and, if conditions are right, the daylight hours can see birds of prey and storks passing right by us at eye-level! At night, the hotel’s lights act as a beacon to nocturnal avian travellers.

Having made a thorough check to see what’s new, we will head to Lake Durankulak, a mainly brackish lake that lies just six kilometres from the border with Romania. Not far away, the sheer,

WALKING : Easy. Short walks (up to approx 2 miles), on mainly good trails over easy-moderate terrain. Sturdy walking shoes or lightweight boots recommended.

LEADERS : 2012: Peter Kennerley & local guide 2013: Chris Murphy & local guide NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 1,450 2013: £ 1,450 2012: £ 95 2013: £ 105 £ 300 per person

Single supps.: Deposit:

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London Gatwick-Varna, all accommodation, meals, coach transport (minibus with small group), tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

scrub-topped limestone cliffs of Cape Kaliakra are equally attractive to passerine migrants and act as bottle-necks to southbound raptors and other large soaring birds.

Three nights Kavarna Day 5 : We head south along the coast to our second hotel, at Pomorie (near Burgas).

Migration could bring us to a halt more or less anywhere today and we’ll stop to explore some fine deciduous woodland near Goritza. Cape Emine is another headland that acts as a real migrant trap.

Overnight Pomorie

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

BULGARIA

An exciting, great value 8-day birdwatching tour during the peak season for birds of prey, pelicans and passerines migrating along Bulgaria’s busy ‘Black Sea corridor’.

Join us for some really terrific autumn birding - without the crowds!

Days 6 - 7 : Burgas is a large town on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast – but there just happens to be a major bird of prey migration route right overhead!

The second half of September generally sees peak passage as columns of birds stream southward.

Some of Europe’s major wetlands also lie nearby.

In fact, Bulgaria’s most celebrated migration watch-point – Lake Atanassovo – lies within an easy drive of our hotel. Despite being so close to town, the lake boasts a wealth of bird life.

Two nights Pomorie Day 8 : If flight times permit, we’ll enjoy some final birding on our way north from Burgas to Varna this morning, prior to catching our flight back to London.

Glossy Ibis (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

61

Cyprus

CYPRUS

Birds and Flowers on Aphrodite’s Isle Sunday 31 March – Sunday 7 April 2013

(8 days) Akamas

A spring visit to Cyprus can encounter some of the best bird migration anywhere in the Mediterranean. Add the presence of a number of distinctive island races and two unique species – Cyprus Warbler and Cyprus Wheatear – with up to 31 species of orchids and several endemic flowers, and the appeal of a spring week on beautiful ‘Aphrodite’s Isle’ is irresistible!

B

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

eneath the shadow of the beautiful Troodos Mountains a buzzing, insect-like song betrays the presence of a striking Cyprus Wheatear perched atop a Calabrian Pine. Far below, along the island’s picturesque south coast, the black head, white whisker and boldly-spotted underside of a jaunty Cyprus Warbler is etched against a backdrop of dazzling white limestone cliffs that plunge into the azure-blue waters of the Mediterranean. While in a quiet valley stretching inland from the coast, the rhythmic call of Black Francolins and manic chuckles of a Great Spotted Cuckoo float over flower-filled meadows, heralding another exciting day’s birdwatching in store...

Lying right across the migration route of birds flying north from sub-Saharan Africa, through Egypt, and over the Eastern Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus is one of the most exciting places we know to watch spring migration. We’ll be based close to one of the best areas on the island: Paphos, and the west coast. Visible migration can be dramatic, with flocks of herons of six species going by over the sea, Hoopoes and flocks of larks and wagtails flying in, and parties of Common, Pallid and Alpine Swift and Red-rumped Swallow low overhead.

Like so much of the rest of the island, the areas around Paphos headland will be a blaze of colour at this time: carpeted with yellow Crown Daisies, scarlet Poppies, and pink Convolvulus. In the afternoons, the colour changes to blue, as the lovely Barbary Nut Irises open in the sunshine. Smart Black Francolin call from the fields, and the immediate area out towards the headland forms one of the best

migration sites on the whole of Cyprus. Neat walled fields of rank grass and wild flowers, with shady figs, carobs and olives, are sure to hold a selection of flycatchers, warblers and shrikes and are worth checking regularly.

We shall pay a visit to the remarkable and extensive third century Roman mosaics near the Byzantine fortress overlooking the harbour. These are regarded as amongst the finest in the Mediterranean. Close by is also the extensive complex of the Tombs of the Kings, itself a good site for migrants.

Further afield, the Asprokremnos Dam and Reservoir can hold much of interest, including the endemic Cyprus Warbler, while wintering Finsch’s Wheatear sometimes linger in the area.

Along the south coast lie the freshwater wetlands and reedbeds at Phassouri. Much depends on water levels here, but transient waders can include Marsh Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and Spur-winged Plover. The nearby salt lake at Akrotiri often has Greater Flamingo in their hundreds as well as gulls including the lovely Slender-billed Gull.

We also aim to spend a day at the island’s northwest extremity on the lovely Akamas peninsula with stunning scenery and some superb flowers. The Baths of Aphrodite are a sheltered spot which can attract a good range of migrants, especially shrikes and flycatchers. Flowers include the endemic Cyprus Gladiolus.

Among the many orchids we hope to find during the week are Serapias species, Giant, Syrian and Naked Man Orchids, and a bewildering variety of bee orchids including Omega, Yellow Bee, Mt Carmel, Mammose and the endemic Cyprus Ophrys.

Weather permitting, we hope to travel up into the pine-clad Troodos Mountains. These may still have snow on their upper slopes, but amidst the pines can be found the endemic subspecies of Crossbill, Jay, Short-toed Treecreeper and Coal Tit. Several more endemic plants can be found up here, including the delightful Cyprus Crocus.

!

Troodos Mountains ! " Larnaca

!

Paphos

! Akrotiri

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a good quality hotel on the coast near Paphos with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT is by coach with local driver.

WALKS : We shall take gentle short walks of a mile or so over easy terrain, except for the walk on the first full day around Paphos headland – which is about 3 miles in total at an easy pace. In the Troodos Mountains, our walks will mostly be along level trails that conveniently follow the contours of the hill.

LEADERS :

Robin Chittenden & Paul Harvey

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,825 £ 195 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights* from London – Larnaca/Paphos including on-board meals as appropriate, airport taxes, 7 nights’ accommodation, meals, transport, incidental tips and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the local driver, drinks, and other personal expenses.

It may be possible to arrange flights from UK regional airports direct to Paphos or Larnaca.

Please enquire for details. We can also arrange for a week’s extra hotel accommodation and car hire for those wishing to extend their stay. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Paphos/Paphos) please deduct £ 195 per person from the tour cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a scheduled flight London-Larnaca and travel across the island towards Paphos, and our base for the next seven nights.

Days 2 - 7 : We have chosen to be based in one strategically-placed hotel for the whole week to make this a most relaxed tour, with plenty of time spent on gentle walks amidst the flowers and birds of this compelling island. In our experience, Cyprus provides some of the most exciting birdwatching in Europe!

Seven nights Paphos Day 8 : We drive back to Larnaca, with some time to look at the salt lakes, usually providing good views of Greater Flamingo, and with other possibilities including Slender-billed and Little Gulls and waders including Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover, before catching our afternoon flight home.

Ophrys iridicolor (Photo: Keith Grant)

62

Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Photo: David Cottridge)

Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Estonia

" Tallinn

! Haapsalu

Tartu !

Spring migration in the Baltic

ESTONIA ! Häärdemeeste

Saturday 27 April - Saturday 4 May 2013

ESTONIA

(8 days)

On the shores of the Eastern Baltic is a country of wetlands and forests, where vast numbers of birds concentrate each spring before they fly on to their breeding grounds in arctic Finland and Russia. Join us in one of northern Europe’s most exciting birdwatching destinations - Estonia!

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good quality hotels with all rooms en suite.

WALKING : Easy. Mostly short walks on level ground. Wellington boots will be needed for walking in some marshy areas.

The shores of Matsalu Bay teem with wildlife in spring (Photo: Antero Topp)

warp, where the farms are rustic and agricultural techniques favour birds and man. The country is beautiful, mainly rural with pretty landscapes and rustic buildings (a little like Old England between the wars).

The accommodation is good throughout with wholesome meals and friendly staff. Roads are good and distances small giving lots of time for experiencing the wildlife.

Tim Earl and Antero Topp

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,795 £ 175 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London-Tallinn (direct if schedules permit, or via Helsinki), airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to the local driver & guide, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-flight cost (starting and finishing the tour in Tallinn) please deduct £ 115 from the tour cost.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Tallinn, and meet our Finnish guide at the airport, before travelling to Haapsalu (Estonia).

Three nights Haapsalu Days 4 - 5 : We drive south via Pärnu to Häärdemeeste, where we stay for two nights amid the superb ancient forests of the area.

Two nights Häärdemeeste Days 6 - 7 : Today we head inland to Tartu, close to the Russian border.

Two nights Tartu Day 8 : We travel back to Tallinn airport for our afternoon flight home.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

F

ew places in Europe can match the excitement of watching Estonia’s amazing wildlife. In late April and early May, birds – especially wildfowl and waders – pass through this tiny country in their millions, pausing to feed and rest here before pushing on northwards to the tundra and forests of Lapland.

Our visit is timed to coincide with massed flights of Common and Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, and skeins of Barnacle, Bean and White-fronted Geese (with the occasional Lesser White-front) migrating up the Baltic Sea. We will also enjoy Black Storks and woodpeckers in Estonia’s ancient forests, ‘lekking’ Great Snipe and Black Grouse, and magnificent Elk (or Moose) in the marshes.

In spring, the vast flocks of wildfowl include handsome Smew, and this natural bounty attracts predators such as White-tailed, Lesser Spotted and Golden Eagles. We’ll watch for Caspian Tern, Lesser Spotted and White-backed Woodpeckers, Citrine Wagtail and possibly Grasshopper and Savi’s Warblers, Thrush Nightingale and Brambling, while mammals of note include Mountain Hare, Red Squirrel and, with luck, European Beaver.

It is not just this superb mix of wildlife which makes this such a brilliant trip. Time has stood still in Estonia, a country still caught in a wonderful time

LEADERS :

Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Photo: Antero Topp)

What you say: “Wouldn’t have missed the trip in any way; it was FABULOUS!” S.M., Cheshire.

“Terrific leaders, terrific group, great birds!”

J.V.G. & M.B., USA. Common Cranes (Photo: Antero Topp)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

63

Estonia

" Tallinn

! Haapsalu

Autumn migration in the Baltic

ESTONIA ! Pärnu

Saturday 15 – Saturday 22 September 2012 Sunday 22 – Sunday 29 September 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

! Saaremaa

On the shores of the Eastern Baltic is a country of wetlands and forests, where vast numbers of birds concentrate each autumn as they head south from their breeding grounds in arctic Finland and Russia. Join us in one of Europe’s newest and most exciting autumn birdwatching destinations – Estonia!

F

ew places in Europe can match the excitement of watching Estonia’s amazing wildlife, at almost any time of year. But for just a few weeks of each year, Estonia plays host to one of nature’s great events – mass bird migration.

This smallest and northernmost Baltic country lies in a strategic position along one of the continent’s major migratory flyways. Positioned between the Finnish Gulf, the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, and Lake Peipsi near the Russian border, the Estonian waters and coastline are the natural stepping-stones along the main route between the breeding and wintering areas for millions of Arctic waterbirds, making birdwatching in Estonia fabulous at migration time.

But birdwatching here is not just about non-stop passage overhead: the country’s long and indented coastline, shallow and sheltered bays, straits, coastal meadows, marshes, lagoons and over 1000 islands in good natural condition are crucial feeding and stopover sites. And this is not all – the long outstretched peninsulas, spits and narrow straits offer not only plenty of good sea-watching opportunities, but also concentrate large numbers of landbirds before their departure across the sea.

We have been travelling here in spring for a number of years, and in 2010 decided to try the peak autumn migration in late September and early October – it proved a great success!

At this time several hundreds of thousands of waterfowl and passerine migrants can be seen passing per day at the best sites. A staggering one million waterfowl and nearly three-quarters of a million passerines can be counted on the best days.

In total, over 50 million waterbirds are estimated to pass the Estonian coast and marine territories annually. The last half of September is the best time to explore this exciting spectacle, especially given the peak in Common Crane numbers stopping off, as this is the peak time of migration of both water- and

landbirds, combined with the most vibrant autumn colours.

Many of the birds are travelling on an East-West flight line in autumn, heading for southern Sweden before turning south. And along with them may be found late stragglers such as Red-breasted Flycatcher, early arrivals from further north including Bohemian Waxwing and Lapland Bunting, or even Siberian rarities such as Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Warblers to add spice to a day’s birdwatching. Two evening excursions should also enable us to experience some of the country’s nocturnal wildlife, including chances for calling owls and perhaps glimpses of a few mammals, including Elk, Wild Boar and Raccoon Dog. It is not just this superb mix of wildlife which makes this such a brilliant trip. Time has stood still in Estonia, a country still caught in a wonderful time warp, where the farms are rustic and agricultural techniques favour birds and man. The country is beautiful, mainly rural with pretty landscapes and rustic buildings (a little like Old England between the wars).

The accommodation is good throughout with wholesome meals and friendly staff, including several lunches at excellent rural restaurants. Roads are good and distances small, giving lots of time for experiencing the wildlife. At this time of year migrants are constantly on the move, so our itinerary remains flexible in order to try to find the best concentrations of birds.

Outline Itinerary Please note that this is a provisional itinerary based on our most recent tour here. However the Cranes and other birds may be in different places each year. Our guides will ‘recce’ the area the week before, and may make some last minute changes to the itinerary. We go where the birds are!

ESTONIA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good quality hotels with all rooms en suite.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By small coach or minibus with local driver.

WALKING : Easy. Mostly short walks on level ground.

LEADERS : NUMBERS : PRICES : Single supps. : Deposit:

Barrie Cooper & local guides Max. 14 clients 2012: £ 1,565 2013: £ 1,645 2012: £ 235 2013: £ 255 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London-Tallinn (direct if schedules permit, or via Helsinki), airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tips to the local driver & guides, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-flight cost (starting and finishing the tour in Tallinn) please deduct £ 145 from the tour cost.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Days 1 - 3 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Tallinn via Helsinki (Finland), and meet our Estonian guide at the airport, before travelling to Haapsalu (Estonia).

Three nights Haapsalu Days 4 - 5 : Next day we head for Matsalu Bay. We will move to Saaremaa Island in the late afternoon to reach our hotel in time for dinner.

Two nights Saaremaa Island Days 6 - 7 : We return to the mainland in the afternoon and follow the track of bird migration towards the south-west part of the country, the Pärnu area.

Two nights Pärnu Day 8 : We will return to Tallinn and may have some free time in the old town before our return flight to London.

Cranes on migration (Photo: Arne Ader) Above right: Estonian peatland (Photo: Sven Zacek)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

FAROE ISLANDS

!

The Faroe Islands Birds, flowers and geology Monday 15 - Monday 22 July 2013

(8 days)

Join our man in Iceland, Andy Jones, on a trip to the little-known Faroe Islands!

Jutting high out of the mid-Atlantic depths, the Faroes offer some stupendous scenery, huge seabird colonies, and historic Viking culture. Andy’s all-round expertise in natural history and geology will be well-used on this imaginative tour, which has sold out very quickly in the past two years!

Provisional Itinerary Please note that a Faroe Islands itinerary is extremely weather-dependent. This description is based on the actual itinerary of a previous tour.

Day 1 : We take a lunchtime flight from Stansted to Thorshaven, capital of the Faroe Islands. We arrive on the island of Vagar and transfer to our small hotel at Gjogv on Eysturoy, a journey time of around two hours. After dinner we take a walk to the shoreline near the settlement. We’ll no doubt encounter many of the breeding Oystercatchers that are such a feature of the short Faroe summer.

Overnight Gjogv Day 2 : We begin the day with a walk to the cliffs on northern Eysturoy. We expect to see our first auks — including Puffins on the cliffs. Later we’ll travel

around the roads of the island and do a little botanising on a delightful walk near Elduvik. The scenery is spectacular.

Overnight Gjogv Day 3 : We spend the day island hopping between the northern islands of Borðoy, Kalsoy and Viðoy using a mixture of tunnels and ferries. We’ll learn a little about the geology of the islands, admire some incredible seascapes and see many of the islands’ different bird species. We should also find Merlin and perhaps Great and Arctic Skuas.

Overnight Gjogv Day 4 : We cross to the island of Streymoy and explore its southern coasts. There’s some good botanising to be had here. We arrive in the capital of Torshaven in the early afternoon and catch the ferry to Suðuroy, a delightful crossing which takes around 90 minutes. We explore the southern part of Suðuroy and walk out to the cliffs at the southernmost part of the Faroes. We then drive to the small hotel at Oravik.

Overnight Oravik Day 5 : We’ll concentrate on the northern part of Suðuroy today. The scenery here is incredible and we’ll take several short walks to different parts of the coastline and enjoy watching the many breeding seabirds in this area, which has interesting geology and botany.

Overnight Oravik Day 6 : We’ll take the morning ferry to Tórshavn. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the capital and check into our hotel before taking an early evening ferry to the island of Nolsoy. After dinner we’ll visit a Storm Petrel colony and hopefully have the chance to see these amazing birds at close hand. We’ll return to Tórshaven at about 3am.

Overnight Tórshavn

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION will be in small hotels with all rooms en suite.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks, some over rough ground.

LEADER :

Andy Jones

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 2,795 £ 425 £ 400 per person

The prices are per person and include scheduled direct return flights London Stansted-Faroes, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leader.

The prices exclude optional seabird boat trip (cost around £ 45), travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Day 7 : After a late breakfast we have a leisurely start then visit the historic settlement of Saksun before travelling to Vestmanna to explore the area of western Streymoy. We also have the chance to take a late afternoon boat trip to the bird cliffs for some close-up views of breeding seabirds as we sail beneath the most amazing cliffs (optional cost around £45). We’ll have dinner at Vestmanna before returning to Tórshaven where we’ll spend the night.

Overnight Tórshaven Day 8 : We transfer to the airport for our morning flight to London Stansted.

The Faroes and Whaling

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

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visit to these little known islands is a delightful way to spend a summer’s week. Incredible scenery, lots of seabirds and distinctive wildflowers makes this archipelago of north Atlantic islands a naturalist’s gem. Distances are small and the transport network is good so we’ll be out and about enjoying the islands’ natural history for much of our time. We’ll also have the chance to visit the world’s largest Storm Petrel colony on a night-time trip.

July is a great time to visit the Faroe Islands, one of the world’s truly special places. The dramatic landscapes and seascapes provide a wonderful scenic background for a natural history holiday. Trip highlights include the magnificent scenery for which the Faroe Islands are justly famous, the breeding seabirds and waders including storm petrels, the wild flowers which are at their best at this time of year, and, of course, the dramatic geology. Much of the Faroe Islands has been heavily sheep-grazed and as we drive around we will no doubt have some very close views of some of the culprits!

Jamie McMillan writes: ‘I have witnessed at first hand the horrific ‘Grindabod’, or Pilot Whale kill. I have campaigned against this, and it was my photos (shocking but accurate) that were used by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society in their campaign, and which were reproduced in national newspapers and around the world.

I believe that, as with Iceland, the best way to stop this is to engage with local people in debate – not to cut them off from contact altogether. In fact, there are signs that it may be coming to an end soon anyway : the Faroese Chief Medical Officer has declared that whale meat was toxic and recommended that it no longer be consumed.’

What you say: “The islands are as yet unspoilt & wild, the scenery was great and the people very friendly. The trip to see Storm Petrels close up was the chance of a lifetime.’”

R & P.G., Bristol Litla Dimun from Sandvik (Photo: Andy Jones)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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La Brenne

FRANCE

The natural heart of France Saturday 1 - Friday 7 June 2013

(7 days)

!

La Brenne

La Brenne is where we ran our first overseas trip, over 20 years ago! Remarkably, it has changed little in that time, and still provides one of the best bird and wildlife holidays in central France.

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Pond Terrapin basks in the early morning sun by a reedbed where Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers sing. Out over the lake Black and Whiskered Terns hawk for surface insects, while a succession of Purple Herons fly into their colony in the reeds, untroubled by the constant presence of Marsh Harriers. Suddenly, a tiny black and buff heron flies out from the reeds across the water to vanish again into the thicket on the other side – a Little Bittern, one of Europe’s most secretive waterbirds...

La Brenne is a magical place: more than a thousand lakes, they say, surrounded by a superb mix of woodland, dry heath and open farmland. The lakes have been managed for centuries to provide fish, and a complex pattern of ownership has led to a huge diversity of habitats, both wet and dry. Right in the middle of France, there is a unique mix of northern, southern and continental species making it an ideal spot for a short French wildlife holiday.

This will be our eleventh visit to La Brenne.

Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London Stansted to Limoges where we meet David Simpson. From here it is about a two-hour drive down to La Brenne. Our base is a 3star hotel based around a 19th century chateau set in its own grounds, with excellent regional cuisine.

Overnight La Brenne

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : 3-star hotel based around a 19th century chateau set in its own grounds, with excellent regional cuisine. All rooms are en suite.

LEADER :

David Simpson

NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 255 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Stansted-Limoges, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (ex Limoges) please deduct £ 100 per person from the tour cost.

Day 7 : We may have time for a little birdwatching in the morning before our flight home.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Days 2 - 6 : The lakes themselves in La Brenne should be hosting over 500 pairs of Whiskered Terns (the best French site for these), nesting amongst the water lilies. Herons are especially good, with several Grey and Purple Heronries, and Bittern, Little Bittern

and Night Heron all possible. Cattle Egrets are recent colonists and nest alongside Little Egret, which, with the odd summering Great White Egret, makes eight possible heron species. Raptors, too, can be absolutely stunning here and include Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kite, Honey Buzzard and all three harriers. Around the lakes Red-backed Shrikes hunt the hedgerows, and Hoopoes call from the meadows. We also hope that Bee-eaters return to a riverside colony and fill the air with their liquid calls.

The woods have the usual mix of continental species including Golden Oriole, Bonelli’s Warbler, Crested Tit and Hawfinch, with Wryneck in some orchards. The farmland is rather special, and has breeding Stone Curlew, Quail, and Montagu’s Harrier.

The butterflies can be good if the weather is fine and include Chequered Skipper in the Lancosme Forest and skippers and blues such as Provencal Short-tailed Blue near Pouligny. Not surprisingly the variety of dragonflies is excellent and 40 species have been recorded at the Chérine Nature Reserve alone. We hope to see Downy and Brilliant Emeralds and various clubtails. Numerous species of orchids will be among the many flowers which add a fine splash of colour to the countryside at this time.

South of Rosnay on common land are good colonies of Lax-flowered, Tongue and Green-winged Orchids whilst further west are woods and meadows to explore with Lady Orchid.

Five nights La Brenne

!

Limoges

Black-veined Whites (Photo: Martin Chapman) and, right, Montagu’s Harrier and Black-necked Grebe (Photos: Mike Read)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Camargue & Pyrenees

FRANCE

The best of France in Autumn

Saturday 31 August - Saturday 7 September 2013

Toulouse "

(8 days)

Camargue !

Marseille ! !

Luz St Sauveur

Starting with the famous Camargue, with its pink flamingos, white horses and black fighting bulls, and finishing with the grandeur of the High Pyrenees, we visit some of France's very best areas for birds and wildlife in autumn.

T

Lammergeier patrol the cliff-faces effortlessly, along with Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle, and both Red-billed and Alpine Chough. One of the attractions of this area is the accessibility of the high mountains by road – both Snow Finch and Alpine Accentor can sometimes be seen in some of the car parks and there is an outside chance of a Wallcreeper on one of the rock faces.

To a southbound migrant, these sheer walls of rock present formidable obstacles. The sight of flocks of raptors gaining height in the thermals amidst the foothills before attempting the crossing is most impressive.

Higher up, migrants often become grounded in the valleys, and “falls” of migrants here can rival anything witnessed at an island bird observatory!

Mammals include the delightful Alpine Marmot and Isard, the Pyrenean Chamois.

The slopes are also good for Naked Ladies (by which we mean Autumn Crocus of course!) and other lovely autumn flowers including Merendera, a Pyrenean endemic, while butterflies can still be found in good numbers.

From our base we can choose to drive up many of the passes and to the magnificent Cirques, or corries. The most famous of these, at Gavarnie, is one of the great mountain sights of Europe and not to be missed, but there are many other less busy areas that are equally stunning. Some of the lower valleys can also be worth visiting for several

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Our base in the Camargue is the Hotel Robinson (2-star, Logis de France 3cheminées award) in Beaucaire to the north of the area. The hotel has built an exceptional reputation for its Provençale cuisine (and splendid picnic hampers). Rooms are en suite. While most singles have showers, singles with a bath are available for £40 supp. In the Pyrenees, we stay at a fine hotel in Luz St Sauveur (3-stars, Logis de France 3-cheminées) with all rooms en suite, in a quiet area just away from the busy part of the town.

LEADERS :

Mike & Liz Read

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp.: Deposit:

£ 1,745 £ 245 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 7 nights’ accommodation as detailed above, meals, incidental tips, return scheduled flight LondonMarseille/Toulouse-London*, admissions, and leadership.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

he freshwater marshes of the Camargue and the surrounding meadows remain one of Europe’s most exciting birdwatching areas.

The array of herons is quite outstanding: Grey Herons and both Little and Cattle Egrets are common, and Great White Egret a recent colonist.

Raptors are always present in the skies here – usually Marsh Harrier, together with Short-toed Eagle here and there, and Hobby chasing the abundance of dragonflies. Migrant Osprey are also passing through at this time.

The shallow pools, mudflats and water meadows also boast a good variety of waders, including Black-winged Stilt and Avocet, together with passage migrants including Curlew Sandpiper.

Whiskered Tern can still be found hawking over the freshwater pools and rice paddies, while Slenderbilled Gull and Caspian Tern can also usually be found nearer the coast.

Reedbeds form another excellent habitat, with Cetti’s and Fan-tailed Warblers. But perhaps it is the sight of the intense pink and red of the thousands of Greater Flamingos against the green of the reedbeds and the deep blue of the sky that will remain the most indelible memory of these wonderful wetlands.

The unique boulder-strewn steppe of the Crau is a superb habitat for birds. France’s only Pin-tailed Sandgrouse are here, and are most active in the early mornings and late evenings. The other specialities, Little Bustard and Stone Curlew are also best seen at these times. Other possibilities here include Montagu’s Harrier and Egyptian Vulture.

To the north of the area the limestone hills of the Alpilles with the spectacular hilltop fortress of Les Baux can produce a good variety of raptors, as well as rock-dwelling birds like Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin. Near to our hotel, the fabled Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard is spectacular in its own right, but has the added attraction to birdwatchers of its colonies of Crag Martin and Rock Sparrow.

After four nights here we travel across the south of France to the High Pyrenees. Amidst some of Europe’s most inspiring scenery can be found a selection of really choice mountain birds.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks (please note that wine is included with meals in Luz) and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Marseille/Toulouse) please deduct £ 135 from the tour cost.

species, but given fine weather our aim will be to visit the higher areas whenever possible.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 4 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Marseille. We will collect our minibuses there and drive to our hotel just outside the Camargue for an evening meal. We have a very flexible programme with some optional early morning excursions.

Four nights Camargue Days 5 - 7 : We drive to Luz St Sauveur in the French Pyrenees.

Three nights Luz St Sauveur Day 8 : We drive back to Toulouse for the flight back to London.

The Pont du Gard (Photo: Mike Read)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Les Cévennes

FRANCE

Wildlife of France’s Massif Central Saturday 25 May - Saturday 1 June 2013

(8 days)

Cévennes !

Toulouse !

Join Liz Charter for a week in the superb, flower-rich landscapes of Les Cévennes World Heritage Site. Spectacular limestone gorges and plateaux complete with vultures, beech forests, and heather moorland make up one of France's most biologically diverse areas.

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n the past few years’ trips we have come to realise that Les Cévennes is the perfect place for a Travelling Naturalist’s trip – something for everybody and a lot of everything! Orchid-rich steppe-like grassland and hay meadows, humid beech forests and rocky crags, all littered with vultures, endemic saxifrages, lady slipper orchids, fritillaries and a jumble of human and semi-natural landscapes make for a superb mix. We should not forget either that the cultural heritage of the region is just as vast since Les Cévennes are the setting for Rabelais’s legends of the giant Gargantua, the revolts of the protestant Camisards and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Travels with a Donkey.

Strictly speaking the area known as ‘Les Cévennes’ only corresponds to the area of schists located in the southwest of the Parc National des Cévennes, where vast sweet chestnut forests tumble down into narrow river valleys and surround small areas of pasture. However, we will be spending most of our time on the other two main areas of the National Park – Les Grands Causses, the vast rolling limestone and dolomite plateaux scored open by the immense river gorges of the rivers Tarn and Jonte, and in the contrasting heather moorland and beech forests of the granite mountains to the north and south. Add to this mixture of habitats a diversity of Mediterranean and more Atlantic-type microclimates, as well as centuries of respectful farming techniques, and you have a perfect recipe for a region of vast biodiversity.

Given the tortuous nature of the park’s orthography, we will be using two bases: Florac in the centre, handy for the granite and schist regions to the north and west, and then Meyrueis in the south, with better access to the limestone cliffs and plateaux.

The woodlands, pastures and moorlands of the slopes of Mount Lozère, the highest peak in the Parc National, will be one of our main targets whilst we are based in Florac. We will also spend time on the calcareous pastures bordering Mt. Lozère, where the giant Gargantua emptied his clogs and created the rounded hills of Les Bondons. Besides being a fine area of habitats with rolling meadows hiding frog orchids, Short-toed Eagle, Quail, Montagu’s and Hen Harriers and more nectaring butterflies, this site is also studded with standing stones and beds of ammonites and belemnites.

Part of one afternoon will be spent along the river Tarn, haunt of Dippers and Grey Wagtails and clubtail dragonflies.

We will spend two days investigating Les Grands Causses and associated river gorges. The orchids will take centre stage, with over thirty species possible.

Pride of place amongst the birds here goes to the thriving Griffon Vulture colony, whose numbers include a number of pairs of Black Vulture and a single pair of Egyptian Vulture. The large Green Lizard is common here, while the vast numbers of flowering plants provide nectar galore for Provençal Short-tailed, Green-underside, Osiris, and Mazarine Blues, scores of Black-veined Whites, Glanville and Knapweed Fritillaries, Large Wall Browns and Scarce Swallowtails.

In sharp contrast, our other day out from Meyrueis will take us up to the granite slopes of Mont Aigoual, where beech woods hide wild tulips, May lily and elder-flowered orchids, and the meadows and peat bogs on the lower slopes are home to butterflies such as Cleopatra, Clouded Apollo and Piedmont Ringlet.

Late spring is probably the best time for overall wildlife observation. The spring butterflies and dragonflies will be on the wing and the upland spring flora will be reaching its best.

Montpellier !

SPAIN

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay for three nights at a hotel in Florac in the heart of the Cévennes National Park. The next four nights will be at a hotel located in the centre of the attractive town of Meyrueis. All rooms are en suite.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Liz Charter NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 245 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return scheduled flights from London – Toulouse or Montpellier, airport taxes, 7 nights’ accommodation, all meals, transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex- Toulouse/Montpellier) please deduct £ 175 from the tour cost.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a morning flight from London to Toulouse or Montpellier from where we head to Florac. Evening stroll if time permits.

Overnight Florac Days 2 - 3 : Two nights Florac Days 4 - 7 : We travel to Meyrueis, stopping on the way to visit a couple of lavognes, permanent waterholes that attract mud-puddling butterflies, dragonflies such as Downy Emerald and Dainty Damselfly, and amphibians including Natterjack Toad.

Four nights Meyrueis Day 8 : We return to Toulouse or Montpellier via the spectacular Viaduc de Millau for an afternoon flight home.

Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Photo: Mike Read)

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Griffon Vulture (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Corsica

CORSICA !

! !

Mountains in the Mediterranean

Bastia Corte

Sunday 21 - Sunday 28 April 2013 Sunday 28 April - Sunday 5 May 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

CORSICA

We return again to the breathtakingly scenic island of Corsica in the Mediterranean, where we will search out its unique wildlife among stunning granite mountains reaching nearly 3,000 metres.

some of these. Cap Corse to the north is one of the best migration watchpoints in the Western Mediterranean, and can turn up a good range of grounded migrants as well as the resident Marmora’s Warbler (now split as a species from the ones on the Balearics).

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 4 : We begin our tour by taking a scheduled flight from London to Bastia. We then transfer by minibus to Corte, a one-and-a-half hour drive, where we stay for four nights in an ideally-situated hotel close to some of the best mountain habitats.

Our first few days on this most rugged of islands will be spent exploring Restonica Gorge and other river-carved valleys and gorges. The flora here includes many Corsican endemics.

Four nights Corte Days 5 - 7 : On the north-east coast is the Étang de Biguglia, Corsica’s premier wetland site. This coastal lagoon has good numbers of Reed, Cetti’s and Fantailed Warblers. Other birds we should see in this area include egrets and herons, grebes, Marsh Harriers, Bee-eaters and Stone Curlew.

On one day we’ll drive to Cap Corse, the very northern tip of the island, in search of Marmora’s Warbler, migrants, seabirds, and several species of orchids.

Three nights near Bastia

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in good quality hotels with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT will be by minibus.

WALKING : Gentle walks over easy to moderate terrain.

LEADERS : 21 – 28 Apr : Mike & Liz Read 28 Apr – 5 May : Mike Read & tbc NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,745 £ 225 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Bastia*, airport taxes, full board accommodation, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Bastia) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

The 28 Apr - 5 May trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Day 8 : We take a return scheduled flight BastiaLondon.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

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orsica is one of the most rugged and mountainous of Mediterranean islands, largely untouched by tourist development. From the clear dark blue seas of the coast, up through the lush green forests of the lower slopes, to the white snowcapped peaks of its highest mountains, the island offers a superb variety of both scenery and wildlife. Much of the northern half of Corsica is a National Park, just recognition for the stunning scenery and its rich natural history. The island’s long isolation from mainland Europe is the prime reason for the high incidence of endemics among its flora and fauna, and our visits have been specially timed to maximise the variety of birds and flora we should encounter. Flowers can be stunning at this time of year, and include over fifteen species of orchids.

We will begin our tours in the mountains where we will look for the endemic Corsican Nuthatch, and other prized species such as Corsican Citril Finch (now designated a separate species) and Lammergeier. Our base for the first four nights is a small family-run hotel at the start of the enchanting Restonica Gorge in the heart of the Corsica National Park.

Descending to the coast, we will then search for Audouin’s Gull and Cory’s Shearwater, encountering a good range of other exciting Mediterranean birds on the way. Included in our itinerary is a visit to the island’s most important wetland site, the Étang de Biguglia, where we may see a host of waterbirds including egrets, herons and passage waders. Many migrant birds avoid the mountains and fly along the coast, and we should be well-placed to encounter

Nice one, citril! A superb Corsican Citril Finch (Photo: Mike Read)

What you say: “Thank you once again for a fantastic trip. I have enjoyed it from beginning to end. You have produced a tour filled with variety. The hotels have been excellent and the picnics much appreciated.”

J.P., Bucks “…next year we'd consider going again! Thanks for a great trip!'”

M.F. & M.P., Dorset The beautiful Asco Valley and (inset) Corsican Nuthatch (Photos: Mike Read)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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The Dordogne

Butterflies, Birds, Orchids and Prehistory Saturday 11 - Saturday 18 May 2013

!

Bergerac

! Mauzac

(8 days) FRANCE

The Dordogne and Vezérè Valleys in SW France have been called ‘an Exotic England, steeped in prehistory’. Our tour there is led by David Simpson, one of the Dordogne’s many English residents who visited and, somehow, never left – this year's tour has an extra day, by popular demand!

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EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

round 10° of latitude due south of the UK sits the landlocked Dordogne département in south-west France. The landscape feels instantly recognisable to British visitors whilst the weather is sunnier, warmer, and calmer with early springs. For the naturalist there are a wide range of interesting habitats including dry rocky hillsides, arable plains, heathlands and wetlands.

However the area is dominated by the classic Dordogne oak forest and limestone meadows cut through by the great river itself, beneath some impressive cliffs. Farming and other land practices have left many wildlife habitats intact making almost any location of interest.

Many butterflies scarce or on the edge of their range in the UK can be seen easily here, including European Swallowtail, Wood White, Black Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Small Pearlbordered, Marsh and Glanville Fritillaries. Then there are the suite of British extreme rarities and extinctions which can be found: Large Copper, Black-veined White, Short-tailed Blue, Chequered Skipper and Mazarine Blue. The warm climate brings a range of southern species as far north as Dordogne including Safflower Skipper, Cleopatra, Turquoise Blue and Spotted Fritillary – some of which could be future UK colonists following further climate change!

Amongst this wealth of species can also be found more familiar British butterflies and the continental ‘favourites’: Scarce Swallowtail, Clouded Yellow and Southern White Admiral. In 2011 we recorded fifty species. We will also keep an eye out for birds such as Honey Buzzard, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole and other interesting wildlife. This is the charm of the place and we will take full advantage of it!

The great River Dordogne lies immediately outside the hotel and there will be an option to take a mornings cruise to appreciate the birds of prey, dragonflies and dramatic landscape of gallery forest and high crags. Dordogne is famous as a centre of prehistory. The Vézère Valley around Les Eyzies is a

world heritage UNESCO site containing many caves with engravings and paintings, both mono and polychromatic, cliff shelters and troglodytic settlements dating back at least 15,000 years. We’ll make a visit to one of these caves.

Honey-coloured villages with Romanesque churches dot the picturesque landscape, amidst castles and chateaux dating from the Hundred Years War when England and France fought over this region. The local Périgord cuisine is renowned, together with the wines of Bergerac and Cahors. This cultural ingredient is all part of the holiday.

This holiday will be a gentle affair and is particularly aimed at those wishing to improve their identification skills of butterflies and there will be ample opportunities for photography which we can review each evening at the hotel.

David Simpson lives in the Dordogne and his book, ‘Birding Dordogne’ has recently been published.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London Stansted to Bergerac where we meet David Simpson. From here it is about a half-hour drive down to our riverside hotel in Mauzac. After supper we may step out to the riverside, where Nightingales sing and Green Frogs cackle in the gathering dusk.

Overnight Mauzac Days 2 - 7 : The local area is most attractive, and we can walk down to the barrage while Black Kites float overhead and Black Redstarts sing from the rooftops. The river shores are graced with Common Sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers, while the riverside copses hold Turtle Dove, Golden Oriole, Serin, Melodious Warbler and Cuckoo.

This is David’s local patch, and he will know exactly where to find the many orchid species that are in flower, including Violet Limodore, Woodcock, Fly and Lady Orchids. Butterflies can abound, and include Berger’s Clouded Yellow, Black-veined White and Red-underwing Skipper. A visit to his house could produce bird-table sightings of several

SPAIN

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be based at a cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be in auberges to sample the local cuisine or ‘terroir’.

LEADER :

David Simpson

NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 135 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Stansted-Bergerac/Limoges, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (ex Bergerac/Limoges) please deduct £ 100 per person from the tour cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

species that are usually difficult to approach at this time of year – these have included Hawfinch in the past!

The Faux plateau is an excellent site for butterflies, with Knapweed and Glanville Fritillaries plus Mazarine and Green-underside Blue to be looked for, as well as several orchids including Longlipped Serapias. Quail can be heard calling from the arable fields and a dusk visit could also produce the sounds of Stone Curlew, Nightjar, Scops Owl and the ubiquitous Nightingales.

The Causse de Daglan is one of the top butterfly sites in Dordogne. Last year we found around 40 species in a day. Here can be found both swallowtails, Southern White Admiral, several fritillaries, Black Hairstreak, Duke of Burgundy, Cleopatra and Mazarine Blue. Lizard Orchids can also be found here. Robust Marsh Orchid is one of the specialities, along with Safflower Skipper.

If conditions permit, we’ll take a trip on the river in a traditional open ‘courpet’ boat. We’ll have an early start, and drop anchor for a picnic breakfast, surrounded by Western Demoiselles, Common Clubtails and other dragonflies! If this proves not to be possible, we’ll try to find another boat trip that is running.

Villages are both picturesque and good wildlife sites in their own right: ponds can sometimes be excellent for amphibians, including Marbled Newt, Midwife Toad and the spectacular Fire Salamander.

We’ll visit Les Eyzies Village, billed as the ‘Prehistory Capital of France’ with the National Museum of Early Man and many settlement sites and caves with paintings around and about.

Six nights Mauzac Day 8 : We should have time for a morning in the Dordogne and a farewell lunch before returning to Bergerac for our flight home in the evening.

River Dordogne at Roque Gageac and, inset, Large Copper (Photos: David Simpson)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

The Dordogne

Dragonflies and Wildlife

! Mauzac

Saturday 29 June – Saturday 6 July 2013 FRANCE

SPAIN

The Dordogne and Vezérè Valleys in SW France have been called ‘an Exotic England, steeped in prehistory’. This year we have added another tour there, mainly for the superb range of dragonflies to be found in the area, and led by dragonfly expert Dick Askew.

D

ordogne is an excellent place for a dragonflywatching holiday. There are around 60 species across a diverse range of wetland habitats: ponds, canals, lakes, fens, streams and of course the great River Dordogne itself together with smaller tributaries, streams and springs. Water quality is high and adjacent grasslands and forest habitats provide further feeding areas. Most habitats are on limestone but we will also visit areas of sandy geology. Rare and extinct UK species can be seen, together with exotic and familiar ones. Sites are plentiful and easily accessible.

We are based at the cosy riverside Hotel Le Barrage at Mauzac, just upstream from Lalinde, an excellent venue with comfortable rooms, good food, excellent hosts and dragonflies on tap! Western Demoiselles and smaller damselflies flit close to the bank whilst larger clubtails patrol the open water.

Perhaps a Western Spectre will grace us with its presence after dinner above the terrace.

Each day we will visit different areas. One ‘mustsee’ site is the ‘Tourbières de Vendoire’, a fenland in the NW of the département. 40 species have been recorded here so we will have our work cut out identifying everything! There will be ample opportunities for photography and there will be time to review these in the evening at the hotel.

More locally we will visit the main river and adjacent streams where we should be able to find all four demoiselle species and the Southern Damsel.

Clubtails are common, and species include the Dordogne speciality Gomphus graslinii, Yellow and Western. Large and Small Pincertails are common.

There will be a boat trip upstream of Mauzac beneath the cliffs and gallery forest to enable us to search normally inaccessible areas for river species.

This is a possible location for the Splendid Chaser, though there have been no recent records in Dordogne. The local canal also offers opportunities for damselflies including the Western Willow Spreadwing.

The local village ponds and small reservoirs provide further habitats where we hope to find Small Red Damsel, three species of feather-leg damselfly together with chasers, darters and hawkers.

(8 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be based at a cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be in auberges to sample the local cuisine or ‘terroir’.

LEADERS : Dick Askew and David Simpson NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 135 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Gatwick-Bergerac, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.

Common Clubtail (Photo: Bob Carpenter)

We will also visit the pine and mixed forests of the Landais and Double areas north of Bergerac.

These are quite heathy in places, being on sandy ground. Species here include Gomphus graslinii, Brilliant Emerald and Broad Scarlet amongst many others. At the ‘Etang de Jemaye’ 30 species of dragonfly have been recorded and we will also visit Dick Askew’s pond illustrated in his book, where a wide range of species can be observed.

There are several reservoirs in the arable zone of SW Dordogne and we will visit at least one where a variety of species can be found, including, on feeder streams, the Orange-spotted Emerald (which became extinct in its last Dorset stronghold about twenty years ago).

The tour has been designed and will be led by Dick Askew, a keen entomologist and author of ‘Dragonflies of Europe’, who spends much of his time in France.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London Gatwick to Bergerac where we meet David Simpson. From here it is about a half-hour drive down to our riverside hotel in Mauzac.

Overnight Mauzac

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (ex Bergerac) please deduct £ 100 per person from the tour cost.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

!

Bergerac

Yellow Clubtail (Photo: David Simpson)

Days 2 - 7 : Six nights Mauzac Day 7 : We should have time for a morning in the Dordogne and a farewell lunch before returning to Bergerac for our flight home in the evening.

River Dordogne near Tremolat and, inset, Western Demoiselle (Photos: David Simpson)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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The Dordogne

Wallcreepers, Woodpeckers, and Kites Monday 4 - Friday 8 March 2013

!

Bergerac

! Mauzac

(5 days) FRANCE

The Dordogne and Vezérè Valleys in SW France have been called ‘an Exotic England, steeped in prehistory’. Our tour there is led by David Simpson, one of the Dordogne’s many English residents who visited and, somehow, never left!

A

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be based at a cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be in auberges to sample the local cuisine or ‘terroir’.

LEADER :

David Simpson

NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

945 75 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Stansted-Bergerac, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.

Perhaps surprisingly, we should be able to see all three European kite species. We will be present in the middle of the Red Kite migration period as birds move up from Spain. The first Black Kites from Africa will have arrived along the river valleys – the Dordogne has one of the greatest nesting concentrations in France. Lastly we will visit a site in the region for the beautiful Black-shouldered Kite, now becoming established in the SW of France.

Large numbers of Common Cranes winter in the open areas of the great Landes Forest where we will visit one of the observation hides. With luck we will catch some of the large skeins flying north, sometimes in their thousands. There are other interesting ‘locals’ which we may see in our travels including Great White Egret, Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting, Hawfinch, Hen Harrier and even Eagle Owl. If the sun smiles on us there may be the chance of finding a Large Tortoiseshell butterfly, recently emerged from hibernation.David Simpson lives in the Dordogne and his book, ‘Birding Dordogne’ has recently been published.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

round 10° of latitude due south of the UK sits the landlocked Dordogne département in south-west France. The landscape feels instantly recognisable to British visitors whilst the weather is sunnier, warmer, and calmer with early springs. For the naturalist there are a wide range of interesting habitats including dry rocky hillsides, arable plains, heathlands and wetlands. However the area is dominated by the classic Dordogne oak forest and limestone meadows cut through by the great river itself, beneath some impressive cliffs.

Farming and other land practices have left many wildlife habitats intact making almost any location of interest.

One of the best times for birding in Dordogne is the early spring. As the temperature warms up, early migrants are moving, leafless trees mean the birds are easy to see and the weather can be very comfortable!

Wintering mountain birds are a regular but littleknown feature of the Dordogne. If you know the sites, Wallcreepers are relatively easy to find on the cliffs along the main rivers. We have seen up to three birds in one day! Alpine Accentors often accompany them amongst the rocky ledges. All the while Peregrines and Ravens call and fly out from the crags as they set up territories and settle down to nesting. Crag Martins, which only leave Dordogne for a month or so in the winter, cruise past the cliffs in the sunshine. We will keep an eye out for other regular wintering specialities Water Pipit and perhaps even Rock Bunting.

Dordogne is rich in woodpeckers. During early March they are at their most visible and vocal. We will visit reliable sites for the majestic Black Woodpecker and the ‘difficult’ Middle Spotted Woodpecker – always a delight to see. Green and Great Spotted are in abundance and with luck we will come across the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker too.

SPAIN

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (ex Bergerac) please deduct £ 100 per person from the tour cost.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London Stansted to Bergerac where we meet David. From here we transfer to our cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac.

Overnight Mauzac Day 2 : Woodpecker day. We’ll visit a variety of woodland breeding sites in central Dordogne, searching for Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers amongst other woodland birds.

Overnight Mauzac Day 3 : We visit the wintering grounds of the Common Cranes at Captieux on the borders of the Gironde and Landes departments – just as the birds prepare to migrate and perhaps even display a little.

Overnight Mauzac Day 4 : The riverside cliffs harbour wintering Wallcreeper which can sometimes be seen at close range. Peregrines, Ravens and Crag Martins should be about and Alpine Accentor may be present.

Overnight Mauzac Day 5 : We should have time for a morning in the Dordogne and a farewell lunch before returning to Bergerac for our flight home in the evening.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker, top: Black Woodpecker (Photos: Denis Cauchoix), right: Wallcreeper (Photo: Graham Lobley)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

The Dordogne !

Bergerac

Moths & Wildlife

! Mauzac

Saturday 7 – Saturday 14 September 2013

(8 days)

FRANCE

D

avid Simpson's home, La Cabane du Pommier, is situated in the department of Dordogne within the region of Aquitaine and is close to the small town of Lalinde, which is on the north bank of the Dordogne River approximately 14 miles east of Bergerac. Its situation presents excellent opportunities for the recording of moths and butterflies due to the wide range of habitats present nearby. The property itself is situated at the edge of woodland with an open meadow looking out across a quiet valley. Other habitats close by range from xerophytic grassland to marshy areas. We will be using La Cabane du Pommier as our 'Field Station' and stay in our regular hotel base in Mauzac, on the riverbank, nearby.

We will run a number of Robinson traps every night, weather permitting, and examine the catch the following morning, with plenty of time available to identify and photograph the moths. We will also make use of a mobile trap to explore other interesting habitats nearby. With around 500 species of macros recorded in the first few years, the diversity and potential of the site is already clear.

There will be a range of moth guides available for participants including the French identification reference works. An internet link means that we can also make use of on-line resources.

In early September we can expect good weather and night times are often somewhat balmy, which is excellent for moth trapping. Equally temperatures are not likely to be high enough to be over-run with moths, making it a good time to get to know the tremendous variety of moths found here. In addition to moths, the traps often attract large numbers of weevils alongside smaller numbers of coneheads, mantids and beetles.

Many of the moths caught will be familiar to

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be based at a cosy riverside hotel in the sleepy village of Mauzac with all rooms en suite. All meals will be at the hotel.

LEADERS :

Clifden Nonpareil (Photo: Mike Coverdale)

British moth-ers, but many of them will be scarce residents or vagrants to Britain and could include moths such as Orache, Pine-tree Lappet, Dumeril’s Rustic, Tree-lichen Beauty and Clifden Nonpareil. All identification will be of live moths and no specimens will be taken during the week.

After lunch back at the hotel we will visit different areas each day in search of butterflies including False Grayling, Map and Silver-spotted Skipper, birds such as Great White Egret, dragonflies and late flowers.

We are based at the cosy riverside Hotel Le Barrage at Mauzac, just upstream from Lalinde, an excellent venue with comfortable rooms, good food, and excellent hosts.

Mike Coverdale & David Simpson

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 135 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London Gatwick-Bergerac, accommodation, meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (ex Bergerac) please deduct £ 100 per person from the tour cost.

Days 2 - 7 : Six nights Mauzac Day 8 : We should have time for a last morning's look at the moths in the Dordogne and a farewell lunch before returning to Bergerac for our flight home in the evening.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London Gatwick to Bergerac where we meet David Simpson. From here it is about a half-hour drive down to our riverside hotel in Mauzac.

Overnight Mauzac

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

SPAIN

The warm, humid nights of early autumn are always an exciting time for moths, with light traps often at their most effective. David Simpson, 'our man in the Dordogne', invites moth enthusiasts to stay with him and see what their light traps bring in. One of those enthusiasts, Mike Coverdale, has agreed to co-lead our first ever mothing trip!

Purple Cloud (Photo: Mike Coverdale)

Etiella zinckenella (Photo: Mike Coverdale)

Pine-tree Lappet (Photo: Roger Wasley) A welcome for moths. The flower-lined drive at the edge of woodland makes an excellent moth-trapping site (Photo: David Simpson) Inset: Aethes tesserana (Photo: Mike Coverdale)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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French Pyrenees

FRANCE

Spectacular mountain wildlife Wednesday 19 – Wednesday 26 June 2013

(8 days) !

If you like to combine the joys of summer birding in Europe with some easy-paced walking and a wider appreciation of the natural world, then this relaxed trip to the south of France is for you. Join us for a medley of alpine birds, butterflies and flowers, set against a backcloth of stunning montane scenery in the very heart of the beautiful French Pyrenees.

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EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

or this popular summer break we are based at a comfortable hotel in the small Pyrenean town of Luz St. Sauveur. Just a few miles to the north, the towering rock walls of the spectacular Cirque de Gavarnie – itself classified as an Exceptional Heritage Site and a protected natural monument – and is home to one of Europe’s rarest and most sought-after birds, the Lammergeier. We will visit a number of favoured haunts for this immense bird, and our previous groups have all enjoyed marvellous views. A few have even been treated to the dramatic sight of a Lammergeier ‘doing its thing’ and dropping bones from height to break them into pieces small enough to swallow!

In fact, this is a terrific tour for anyone with a penchant for birds of prey, for many of Europe’s most impressive raptors also breed in these mountains. Eurasian Griffon, Golden Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Red Kite are among species we should come across during the week.

Dipper and Grey Wagtail haunt the chill upland streams that tumble down the valleys and, in the forests of pine and beech that cling to the lower slopes, we should find Crested Tit and Firecrest. It’s here we may also chance upon the wild-eyed Black Woodpecker. At higher elevations, upland treats to watch for include Alpine Accentor, Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Snowfinch.

If we are extremely fortunate, we might also find Wallcreeper, although this enigmatic bird seems to have forsaken past haunts in recent years.

The Gavarnie area is a veritable mountain paradise. But it’s one which is only fully accessible during the summer months. Pyrenean Chamois and Alpine Marmot frequent the highest slopes, the latter’s distinctive bird-like whistles carrying far in the crystal air. And it’s only at this season that we have an opportunity to enjoy both the frenzy of alpine flowers that grace the upland pastures and the Pyrenees’ bounty of montane butterflies. The slow-flying Apollo, Piedmont and Bright-eyed

!

Toulouse

Luz St Sauveur

SPAIN

Ringlets, Purple Emperor and Little, Turquoise and Gavarnie Blues are just a few of more than 100 different species of butterfly we’ve recorded over recent tours.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Morning flight from London to Toulouse. We drive west through an ever-more lovely landscape of steep wooded hillsides, meadows and rustic French villages and towns.

At Lourdes, we turn south and wind our way up the picturesque Gavarnie valley.

Overnight Luz St Sauveur Days 2 - 7 : With no change of hotel during our stay, we shall be free to devote ourselves fully to enjoying the beautiful Parc National des Pyrenees. At Luz, we are especially well-placed to visit sites in the superb Gavarnie valley, including the higher cols and cirques – the great rock walls which divide France from Spain. Though our exact itinerary may be determined by the weather, we will aim to spend time seeking the trickier and more interesting species of the region.

Our comfortable hotel is well chosen to allow relatively short drives to a variety of different spots and our walks above the tree-line will provide plenty of opportunity to watch for soaring Eurasian Griffons and Golden Eagles. With a steadily increasing population in the Pyrenees, the mighty Lammergeier should also sail into view and we have good chances of Short-toed Eagle, Peregrine and other raptors.

Six nights Luz St. Sauveur Day 8 : Reluctantly, we must bid farewell to the Pyrenees after breakfast today. But our journey back allows time for another leisurely picnic in the foothills west of Toulouse.

Returning to Toulouse, we catch a late afternoon flight to London, where our tour concludes.

View near Luz St Sauveur (Photo: Mike Read)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Seven nights at a good hotel in Luz St. Sauveur (French Tourist Board 3-star and Logis de France 3-cheminées award). All rooms en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Excellent homecooking, with breakfast and dinner at the hotel, in the best traditions of French cuisine. Lunches will usually be picnics in the field.

WALKING : Predominantly short walks along good tracks. One full-day walk to the breathtaking Cirque de Gavarnie, a round trip of about 7 miles; the going is mostly easy but expect a few uphill stretches of course (one section a bit more strenuous on the way up). But we take it gently and the rewards at the top are well worth the effort – with the enticement of a cafe and a refreshing glass of beer at the furthest point... and it’s downhill all the way back! Stout walking shoes or lightweight boots with good, corrugated soles for grip advised.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Chris Murphy NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 160 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Toulouse, all accommodation, meals, minibus transport, tips, airport taxes, map, bird and butterfly checklist, and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Isard (Pyrenean Chamois) at the Cirque de Troumouse (Photo: Mike Read)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Vercors

FRANCE

Lyon !

!

Vercors

A magnificent corner of France in spring Sunday 9 – Sunday 16 June 2013 New! Photographic tour: Saturday 1 – Saturday 8 June 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

We return again to a superb mountain area on the edge of the French Alps, the Vercors, when the birds and flowers are at their best! This year we are putting on an extra week for this deservedly popular tour.

During the day we search for the special wildlife of the region. On our previous trips we have seen birds as varied as Wallcreepers and Dippers, Goldcrests and Griffon Vultures; the latter being part of a re-introduction scheme. These have in turn attracted wild Griffon Vultures and other species to the area – four species of vulture are a possibility!

The flora is superb with alpine meadows full of white, yellow, blue and pink blossoms. Yellow Rattle is absolutely widespread and at times the meadows are coloured by this semi-parasitic plant which is becoming increasingly rare in the UK. Various species of cranesbill, saxifrage and narcissus are perhaps the first plants to be noticed when strolling through these meadows, but then the vivid deep blues of Trumpet or Spring Gentian or the pinks of Fairy Foxglove, Wild Thyme or Thrift catch the eye.

Wild orchids are abundant throughout the Vercors with masses of them growing on many of the roadside verges. We often see thirty or more species depending on the timing of the season and our picnic spots are often chosen with flowers or spectacular views in mind. The orchids range in size from the diminutive Coralroot, growing in the depths of beech woodland, to the spectacular Lady’s Slipper which sometimes can be found in large clumps. We also regularly see Spitzel’s Orchid which some books describe as one of Europe’s rarest.

How fabulous it is to stroll through areas so full of flowers that it might take an hour to progress a couple of hundred yards. Some of the butterflies can be difficult to identify, but with care, we are gradually increasing our list of this group. Common and Scarce Swallowtails are regular, Painted Ladies were present in their hundreds prior to the 2009 influx into Britain while the smaller species (blues and skippers) often congregate in good numbers at damp mineral ‘licks’.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Both hotels are 2-stars with all rooms en suite.

LEADERS : Photographic tour 1-8 June : Mike Read 9 – 16 June: Mike & Liz Read NUMBERS : Photographic tour 1-8 June : Max 6 clients 9 – 16 June: Max. 12 clients PRICES : Photographic tour 1-8 June: £ 1,675 9 – 16 June: £ 1,645 Single supp. : £ 195 Deposit : £ 300 per person The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 7 nights' accommodation as detailed above, meals in France, return scheduled flight London-Lyon*, minibus transport, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Lyon) please deduct £ 130 from the tour cost. Clients may opt to travel by train to Lyon (St Exupery) airport.

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Mature broad-leaved woodlands give us the possibility of seeing Black Woodpecker and Goshawk, while several roads cross spectacular passes from where we may see Golden or Shorttoed Eagles and other raptors.

If the frequent mention of ‘Alpine’ makes you nervous, don’t worry. This is always a gently paced tour with the vehicle taking the strain of reaching higher locations; and once you have visited the Vercors, if you are anything like our leader, you will want to return time and again.

This year we are running two departures. As well as our annual wildlife tour, we will be running a special photographic tour, led by Mike Read, with strictly limited numbers. On the photographic tour our aim will be to photograph the stunning wild flowers, especially orchids, and scenery of this beautiful location.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

B

etween Grenoble and Valence, the Vercors is an area of mountainous limestone.

Deep gorges cut by rivers over millions of years are topped by a plateau rising to over 2,300m.

The cliff scenery is dramatic. It is an area littleknown outside France, and our tours over the past few years have proved that the area can provide a superb week of wildlife in its own right.

Scenic and accessible, this jumble of limestone mountains provides a rich range of flowers, birds, mammals and butterflies, all adding their own magic to a stunningly beautiful part of France. And then, of course, you add in excellent wine and food (but not necessarily in that order!), and you know this is another typically good Travelling Naturalist destination.

The high tops here have a good range of mountain birds, including Alpine Chough, Golden Eagle and Citril Finch. Below the plateau, the forests show a decidedly Central and Eastern European influence, with the odd breeding Nutcracker and Tengmalm's Owl amongst the beeches and firs.

The mammals here are also fascinating, with Chamois and Mouflon quite widespread, while Alpine Ibex are the subject of a reintroduction scheme. We also visit a colony of Alpine Marmot close to where Alpine Choughs nest in a cave.

On one day after an early evening meal, we may go out to search for owls among the high coniferous forests. We don’t always see them but there are often bonuses as a 'roding' Woodcock croaks and squeaks its way across a dusk sky, or perhaps we glimpse Badger or Wild Boar in our vehicle headlights as we return to the hotel. Another possibility is a (non-compulsory!) very early morning walk on the Hauts Plateaux Reserve to search for lekking Black Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit and a host of other high level species.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Lyon from where we drive to Chichilianne for a three-night stay, with Mont Aiguille as a lovely backdrop.

Three nights Chichilianne Days 4 - 7 : We cross to La Chapelle-en-Vercors for a four-night stay. Here we are close to the pine-woods, and hope to go out on at least one evening to look for owls.

Four nights La Chapelle-en-Vercors Day 8 : We drive back to Lyon for our return flight to London.

Chichiliane & Mont Aiguille and, inset, Griffon Vulture (Photos: Mike Read)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Germany

GERMANY

GERMANY

The Bavarian Alps

Tuesday 4 - Tuesday 11 June 2013

(8 days) "

An easy-paced, 8-day birdwatching tour to the picturesque Bavarian Alps, with Alpine Chough, Water Pipit, Bluethroat and Scarlet Rosefinch among breeding birds. Includes excursion by rail and cable car up the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.

S

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

tretching for more than 180kms along the border between Austria and Germany, the Bavarian Alps comprise some of the most glorious and beautiful countryside to be found anywhere in Western Europe. A ‘picture book’ landscape studded with marshland, rivers and lakes, and with the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Alps as a magnificent backcloth throughout, Bavaria is the perfect setting for a summer birdwatching break.

With no bothersome changes of hotel during the week, this holiday will appeal to those who enjoy a more relaxed approach to their birding, as well as making the most of the lovely alpine scenery, of course. We are based throughout in the quiet lakeside town of Kochel-am-See, just eighty minutes drive from Munich airport. Our excellent hotel is situated right on the wooded lakeshore, with delicious meals to look forward to in the hotel’s fine Bavarian restaurant – which also offers panoramic views of sunsets over the lake as Goosanders and Goldeneyes paddle past. Dipper, Bluethroat, Black Redstart and Marsh and Icterine Warblers are among many enticing passerines that breed around the lake.

At Kochel, we are well-placed to visit a number of Bavaria’s other wetlands, including the famous lakes of Ammersee and Starnbergersee, and the smaller Lake Zell. The gruff croaking of Great Reed Warblers can be heard beside the shore, and Black Kite and Red-crested Pochard are present in summer. Nearby, Murnauer Moss is an important ancient moorland site, where Tree Pipits and Scarlet Rosefinches sing.

To the south and west, Bavaria’s magnificent forests hold Honey Buzzard, Fieldfare and Firecrest.

Nutcracker is also possible in June, when the alpine pastures and herb-rich valleys are graced by a profusion of plants (among them twenty kinds of orchids), and butterflies to watch for include Marbled and False Heath Fritillaries.

During our stay, we will plan to take a cable car ride up to the summit of the Wankberg, and travel on the famous electric train up the Zugspitze. Rising to 2,966m (9,734 ft), the latter is Germany’s highest peak. Upland specialists include Alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel and Water Pipit. If the weather is fine and visibility good, we shall be rewarded with spectacular views of the Wetterstein mountain chain while Alpine Choughs play in the clear mountain air.

Prior to settling in southern Spain, Stephen Daly lived in Germany for eight years and is a fluent German-speaker. This will be his ninth visit to the picturesque and wildlife-rich Bavarian Alps.

Outline Itinerary Please note : as with all upland areas, outlined excursions into the mountains are weather permitting.

Day 1 : We fly from London to Munich. Transfer directly to our excellent, family-run hotel in the charming small town of Kochel-am-See, a journey of just under an hour and a half.

Overnight Kochel-am-See Days 2 - 7 : Kochel-am-See is a quiet lakeside town, set at an elevation of 600m above sea level. Over the coming days we’ll enjoy a varied programme of birdwatching outings from here, including a couple of really special alpine excursions: the first by cable car to the summit of the Wankberg; and the second travelling by electric train and cable car up to the top of the mighty Zugspitz. At 2966m (10,000ft), this is Germany’s highest peak.

As with any visit to an alpine area, our itinerary will remain flexible throughout so as to take best advantage of the weather. Given fine conditions and clear visibility over the peaks, however, we will generally head for the higher levels; if conditions are less favourable at altitude, then we will remain at lower elevations – where the sun may often still

!

Munich

AUSTRIA

Kochel-am-See

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at an excellent family-run, three-star hotel with views across lovely Lake Kochel. All rooms are en suite. The hotel has a sauna and steam room for guests that would like to try.

MEALS : All included in the price. Splendid buffet breakfasts and dinners at the hotel, in traditional Bavarian-style (Stephen says the hotel restaurant is exceptional). Lunches are our popular mix of picnics and leisurely sit-down meals at one of the region’s many good restaurants or Gasthofs.

WALKING : Easy. This trip is not strenuous and should be suitable for anyone with a basic level of fitness that is used to a little regular walking. A stout pair of comfortable walking shoes or walking boots is essential. Some participants find that walking poles are a help in the mountains.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Stephen Daly NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,645 £ 95 £ 300 per person

The price includes return scheduled flights London-Munich, full board accommodation, minibus transport, rail and cable car excursions (as specified above), permits, fees and admissions, airport taxes, tips, map, bird checklist and services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

be out! Either way, there is much to see and with so many enticing places to explore, a wonderful week’s holiday is assured. Walking will be easy, taken at a very gentle pace.

Six nights Kochel-am-See Day 8 : After our farewell Bavarian breakfast, a last intake of exhilarating mountain air should set us up for the drive back to Munich airport and our flight back home to London.

Garmisch-Patenkirchen and, right, Scarlet Rosefinch (Photos: Stephen Daly/AndalucianGuides.com)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

POLAND !

Semlin

" BERLIN

Germany - Brandenberg The Crane and Goose Concerto!

Sunday 17 - Thursday 21 March 2013 Sunday 20 - Thursday 24 October 2013

CZECH REPUBLIC

T

he State of Brandenburg is in the old DDR with Berlin in its centre. The terrain is mainly flat but in many ways unique. Wetlands abound, with many lakes, rivers, polders, reed-fringed fish ponds, and marshes, interspersed with forests and meadows, while swathes of heathland remain from previous Russian Army occupation.

Brandenburg holds the last remaining population of Great Bustards in northern Europe with just over a hundred birds. In autumn and winter through to early spring there are huge numbers of geese (sometimes numbering more than 50,000): mostly Bean Geese and White-fronts with a few Barnacle Geese, but also with a few Lesser Whitefronts and the occasional Red-breasted Goose in most years. Ducks are also abundant, whilst flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwings haunt the fields.

All this concentration of birdlife attracts a good population of raptors. Visiting White-tailed Eagles augment the local breeding birds and they can be seen most days. Rough-legged Buzzards patrol the rough grassland areas from October to March, while Hen Harriers and Merlins are also usually present.

Goshawks are surprisingly numerous – in fact more common than Sparrowhawks!

Common Cranes breed and a few stay for the winter. Spectacular numbers migrate through Brandenburg in October on their way south to Extremadura in Spain, while in March they are on the return journey. In the woodlands there is a chance of Black, Middle Spotted and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and Hawfinches. We will check the open fields for flocks of finches and buntings, and generally a Great Grey Shrike or two is around.

There are excellent facilities for birdwatching in the area with a number of well-constructed hides and observation towers at key locations.

The trip has been designed for us by Roger White, author of the excellent, recently published 'A Birdwatching Guide to Brandenburg and Berlin'.

(5 days) (5 days)

A new tour to an ornithologically 'undiscovered' area of old East Germany. These short spring and autumn visits have been designed to coincide with the time when Bean and White-fronted Geese, and Crane numbers are at their maximum, when there is a good chance of seeing Great Bustards, when White-tailed Eagles, Rough-legged Buzzards and other raptors are most easily seen, and when the woodlands allow the best chance of finding five Woodpecker species.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a morning flight to Berlin where we meet Stephen Daly. We then drive west, via the city of Brandenburg and Rathenow to Semlin, a village by a large lake, where we stay in a comfortable hotel for four nights. Around the village we expect to see Tree Sparrows and Siskins, and feeding geese might be seen from the bedroom windows!

Overnight Semlin Days 2 - 4 : We have three full days to explore the area. As we drive around we expect to come across flocks of geese as they fly over or feed in the fields almost anywhere.

East of Semlin is one of the Great Bustard areas.

Here we will visit both of the tower hides as well as searching the local fields looking not only for the bustards but expecting to see both Common and Rough-legged Buzzards and Hen Harriers. This is also a good site for Great Grey Shrike and for flocks of Golden Plover. Nearby is some mature woodland where we hope to find Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers.

Further east are the fishponds at Linum, which hold a variety of waterfowl including Red-crested Pochard. The Common Crane roost here is the largest in northern Europe. We will time our walk along the periphery of the ponds, pausing at some of the hides, and along a grass path for about a mile to coincide with the cranes coming in to roost in the early evening.

West of Semlin is a large area of damp and sometimes flooded meadows, where there is a good tower hide by a water channel. Whooper Swans, geese, and large numbers of dabbling ducks such as Pintail and Wigeon winter here. There are often flocks of Cranes, and White-tailed Eagles are also to be seen.

Nearby is Gülper See, a large lake, which forms one of the best birding sites in Brandenburg. In and

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMODATION : We stay in a comfortable hotel, where all rooms have en-suite facilities. Evening meals will be in nearby restaurants.

TRANSPORT : By Minibus WALKING : Gentle walks over easy to moderate terrain.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Stephen Daly NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

995 75 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Berlin*, airport taxes, full board accommodation, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader (s).

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Berlin) please deduct £ 125 from the tour cost.

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

around the lake we expect to find large numbers of wildfowl, and the air can be filled with the calls of flying Bean Geese, White-fronts and Greylags. A short walk through a pine wood leads to a large enclosed hide overlooking the water and the south shore. Great Egrets are resident here, while the adjacent woodland can be productive for woodpeckers. Depending on the water level, a walk along the edge of the lake may reveal some waders, and there will be finches and buntings in the surrounding fields.

The north side of the lake is more difficult to view, but in the surrounding fields large numbers of geese and duck are probable. A White-tailed Eagle may be perched on a post or tree in the middle of the lake. There are signs of Beaver activity and several Beaver lodges, but sightings are unlikely.

A short journey from here takes us into the neighbouring State of Saxony-Anhalt towards the old Hanseatic hill town of Havelberg. On the way we'll stop at another hide overlooking the Havel river where surrounding meadows reveal dabbling ducks, raptors and often Great Grey Shrike. There will be the opportunity of walking around Havelburg and along the river, before returning to Semlin.

Three nights Semlin

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

GERMANY

Day 5 : We leave Semlin after breakfast, depending on our flight times there may be time to stop to view some lakes and woodland on the way to the airport for the afternoon return flight to London.

Geese at West Havelland (Photo: Nick Ayers)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Western Greece

Wildlife & History in the Greek Wild West Saturday 20 - Saturday 27 April 2013

! Vitsa ! Arta

(8 days)

Delphi !

Join us for our much-acclaimed imaginative tour to another ‘undiscovered’ part of Greece: the west coast, with its bird-rich lagoons, flower-rich gorges, hill-top monasteries, amazing bridges and stunning historical sites.

ATHENS " GREECE

W

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

e start with a morning exploring historic Athens, and then set off across the Corinth Canal, and over the dramatic new modern bridge at Rion. We are heading for the Amvrakikos Gulf, a deep indentation in the western coastline of Greece. It covers an area of about 405 square kilometres and is connected to the Ionian Sea by a very narrow, shallow channel – the Strait of Aktion – and takes the form of a nearly closed-off “inland sea”.

The whole area of the Amvrakikos Gulf and wetlands has been designated one of Greece’s eleven Ramsar sites and is now protected as a National Park. Efforts are being made to promote local environmental awareness of the importance of the area and to encourage eco-tourism.

From the village we explore, hoping to see the rare Dalmatian Pelican which breeds here, and the herd of water buffalo, which have been reintroduced in order to maintain the diversity of wetland through their grazing. We shall also visit the nearby remains of a Roman farm where the stone presses used for extracting olive oil are still in place, and get an excellent view over the wetlands from nearby St. Catherine’s Hill.

The area is dotted with other places of interest.

There is the Old Bridge at Arta built by the Turks in the 1700s over the Arachthos River; the hilltop fortress of Rogia and its church of the Virgin Mary with a splendid view over the plain. In spring there are also myriads of wild flowers. Further north in Ioannina town we keep an eye open for Lesser Kestrels, and travel over the lake to Nisa island, where we look for breeding grebes, Ferruginous Duck, Nightingale and warblers.

Finally, the Epirus Mountains are one of Greece’s best-kept secrets. We stay in Vitsa in a traditional stone guesthouse with wonderful views. The Zagori villages are spectacular, built by rich merchants who made their fortunes from the pack-horse transport trade. They are linked by stone-built trails and arched bridges over deep gorges, where Crag Martins nest, and Short-toed Eagles and Egyptian Vultures soar.

This tour has been organised by Gareth Trewartha, a tour operator and historical guide living in Greece. We are delighted that Gareth has again agreed to accompany the tour throughout, with his unrivalled local knowledge – not just of the historical sites, but some excellent local tavernas and picnic spots too!

Day 4 : We depart for Ioannina today and picnic by a river, before heading for our ferry which takes us across to the island of Ioannina. Ioannina Lake is another superb birdwatching area.

Late afternoon drive north to Vitsa, where we stay in a traditional guest-house.

Overnight Vitsa

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London-Athens, where Gareth will be waiting to greet us, and we head for our hotel in time for an evening meal. Afterwards we can view the Acropolis by floodlight.

Overnight Athens

Days 5 - 6 : Each morning we awake to the sounds of Cuckoos and Nightingales, and spend the days exploring the nearby valleys and their traditional bridges.

Two nights Vitsa

Day 2 : Morning visiting the Acropolis. Five hour drive west to the Gulf of Arta.

Overnight Arta

Day 7 : We head back east towards Delphi.

Overnight Delphi Day 8 : We have a morning in Delphi before leaving for Athens and our afternoon return flight to London.

Day 3 : We head for the Amvrakikos Gulf National Park.

Overnight Arta

TRIP DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a mixture of good quality hotels and guest-houses with all rooms en suite. Single rooms are available throughout, but some may have to be in nearby accommodation at Vitsa.

LEADERS :

Liz Charter and Gareth Trewartha

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 195 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight London - Athens, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, entrance fees, minicoach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the driver, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Athens/Athens) please deduct £ 175 per person from the tour cost.

One of the area’s characteristic stone bridges and, top, view from our guest house at Vitsa (Photos: Stephanie Coghlan)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

! Kerkini ! Prespa Lakes "

Greece - Macedonian Gold

Thessaloniki

Wildlife, Birds and History

!

Naoussa

Wednesday 4 – Wednesday 11 September 2013

(8 days)

GREECE

Start the autumn in style – and with a bit of culture! Join our “Wildlife and History” team, Liz Charter and Gareth Trewartha on a tour to the north of Greece, timed to coincide with return bird migration.

M

acedonia can claim over 4,000 years of history and civilization. The Gold treasures of Vergina found in Philip II of Macedon’s tomb are world famous, but throughout Macedonia many exquisite gold treasures have also been discovered. Aristotle, the founder of modern natural history, not only founded an Academy in Macedonia but he also taught Alexander, Philips’s son, who went on to found the famous Great Empire.

The city of Thessaloniki is a seaside city with long promenades and modern cycle ways. It is centred on the five river deltas, which are havens for birds despite being surrounded by the city and its historical and industrial heritage, looking out on the Thermaikos Gulf and overlooked by Mt Olympus.

First, we travel north to Lake Kerkini, famous for its migrating and breeding birds. We stay in a small traditional style hotel in a village with a beautiful square surrounded by plane trees. We visit the shores of Kerkini as well as the slopes of Mt Belles to look for birds and autumn flowers like Autumn Crocus. Dalmatian Pelicans breed at Kerkini, and many waders, herons and wildfowl pass through on migration.

We continue on to the Aliakmon delta, the lowest of the five rivers and continue to the slopes of Mt Olympus and to the archaeological site of Dion, where Alexander trained as a youth. The remains are mainly Roman, and Woodpeckers and Kingfishers still use the site. We hope to be entertained by Sousliks, the European Ground Squirrel, emerging from their holes to inspect us.

We spend the night at a Chalet Hotel by a fast running river with Dippers and Grey Wagtails, not a typical image for Greece, but proving that Arcadia did exist. Next day we go in search of Aristotle’s Academy and walk where he may have strolled with his students. The new Museum at Vergina has been built over the Tomb of Philip II of Macedon. It houses all the treasures and shows how they were discovered. Nearby is the Aliakmon Dam, which can attract passing birds as well as residents to fish.

Greece is still home to Wolves, Jackals and European bears. We visit a valley where there is a bear sanctuary before continuing north to the famous Lakes of Vegoritis, Prespa and Zarzari. Here we look for migrating pelicans, birds of prey, warblers and shrikes.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a mixture of good quality hotels and guest-houses with all rooms en suite. Single rooms are available throughout.

LEADERS :

Liz Charter and Gareth Trewartha

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,895 £ 205 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight London - Thessaloniki, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, entrance fees, minicoach transport and the services of the leaders.

Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a morning flight from London to Thessaloniki. After lunch we visit the ‘Macedonian Gold’ exhibition in Thessaloniki before travelling on to Kerkini.

Kerkini makes a superb spot to start our birdwatching. Fed by the Strymonas River, this is one of the most important sites in Greece for breeding waterbirds and a vital stop-over for migrants, with both White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill and Pygmy Cormorant, plus many herons. Lesser Spotted Eagles patrol the wooded hills that soar steeply to 2,000m behind the lake.

Next day starts with a leisurely stroll through Ano Porroia village and woodland paths near Mt Belles, with some visits to nearby lake shores. We’ll also visit a local spa with a chance to go into a restored ‘Haman’ – a steam bath.

Three nights Kerkini

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the driver, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Thessaloniki/Thessaloniki) please deduct £ 245 per person from the tour cost.

Day 4 : We leave Kerkini and visit the Aliakmon river delta at Agathoupolis. We continue on to Mt Olympus, visiting the lower slopes at Prionia and to Dion archaeological site, before finishing the day at Naoussa, famous for its wine.

Overnight Naoussa

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

GREECE

Days 5 - 7 : We leave Naoussa and visit the Royal Macedonian Tombs at Vergina, before continuing on to Edessa and its waterfalls, and on to Agios Panteleimonas for a three-night stay.

During the next two days we visit Nymphaion and its bear sanctuary, Lake Zarzari and the fabulous Prespa Lakes.

The Prespa Lakes lie on the north west border of Greece and are one of the country’s best wetlands with both White and Dalmatian Pelicans, colonies of Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, masses of herons, and Pygmy Cormorant. The surrounding countryside holds a good variety of raptors including Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles.

Three nights Agios Panteleimonas Day 8 : Depart after breakfast for Thessaloniki airport and our flight home.

Eurasian Spoonbill and, right, Purple Heron (Photos: Margaret Welby) Top: Squacco Heron (Photo: Mike Read)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Greece - The Peloponnese

GREECE

Flowers, Birds & History

"

Thursday 28 March – Thursday 4 April 2013

ATHENS

(8 days) !

Pylos !

Fabulous displays of spring flowers, mediaeval towns and villages, and ancient sites set in superb landscapes: all await on our return trip to the ‘hand’ of Greece, the Peloponnese.

R

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

eaching like an outstretched palm into the Mediterranean, the Peloponnese peninsula is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt parts of Greece. The ‘bones’ of the peninsula are formed by dramatic mountain chains rising to 2,400m, and these frame a hugely varied and convoluted landscape of shady gorges, small basins, large bays and jutting promontories. In spring the displays of white asphodels and red anemones form vivid swathes of colour, set against the green hillsides and a deep blue sea. Here too can be found some wonderful historic ruins, towns and villages, including the abandoned hilltop town of Mystras, with its ancient buildings and Byzantine churches, and historic Methoni built to defend this region of the Aegean.

Our trip aims to cover many of the highlights of this superb area, and to see a good range of its flowers and wildlife. Spring migration will be well under way in southern Greece at the time of our visit.

Pylos is splendidly situated on the entrance of Navarino Bay, a natural harbour. Here we’ll get our first taste of the botanical wealth of the area, and this is also probably the best area in the Peloponnese for birds. We’ll visit Methoni Castle for both flowers and birds, before continuing to Nestor’s Palace with its sweeping views of the surrounding plains and open sea. Here we’ll see, amongst other relics, King Nestor’s clay bathtub, with clay jug just as he might have left it after his bath!

Perhaps the best of the Peloponnese ‘fingers’ is the Mani peninsula. Here can be found a rugged landscape indeed, with breathtaking displays of flowers in the olive groves and fields, set below barren mountainsides. The villages have Byzantine churches galore, and we’ll see many examples of the old ‘tower houses’ that are so characteristic of this part of Greece.

We have two full days in the Mani exploring its mountains, coast, gorges, olive groves and scrubcovered hillsides swathed in flowers, and ancient villages. The grey mediaeval tower houses stand

mostly solitary and uninhabited, surrounded by stone walls, with narrow paved pathways running between them.

The famous Mani flora clothes the landscape with sheets of colour. Orchids can be plentiful, with a wonderful variety containing several very local species, and anemones, cyclamens, irises and campanulas are everywhere. Birds along the coast are never abundant, but migrants should be coming through. Butterflies include the superb Southern Festoon, and there are also tortoises to be found amongst other reptiles, which include terrapins and geckoes. We aim to drive along the Mani coast as far as Gerolimenas and walk to Cape Matapan (Teneron) to look for migrants and flowers, and possibly take a boat trip into the Diros caves.

The ancient town of Mystras is an abandoned Byzantine city, with its fortress, palaces, mansions and dwellings of the poor, together with its complement of monasteries and churches. Fantastic views from the top include the Taygetos Mountains to the west, and the olive groves of the plains of Lakonia to the east. Here Rock Nuthatches and Blue Rock Thrushes sing from the ruins, which are covered in flowers at this time. We can also visit the Parori Gorge for both flowers and birds.

Once again the tour has been organised by Gareth Trewartha, a tour operator and historical guide living in Greece. We are delighted that Gareth has again agreed to accompany the tour throughout, when his unrivalled local knowledge – not just of the historical sites, but some excellent local tavernas and picnic spots too! – will perfectly complement the all-round bird, plant and wildlife skills of our own expert guide, Stephanie Coghlan.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Early morning flight London-Athens, where Gareth will be waiting to greet us. From here it’s a four-hour drive to Pylos.

Overnight Pylos Days 2 - 3 : Two nights Pylos

Sparta

! Areopolis

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in good quality hotels with all rooms en suite.

LEADERS :

Liz Charter and Gareth Trewartha

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 205 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight London - Athens, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, entrance fees, minicoach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the driver, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Athens/Athens) please deduct £ 175 per person from the tour cost.

Day 4 : Today we head across to the Mani, and continue along the coast to Areopolis.

Overnight Areopolis Days 5 - 6 : Two nights Areopolis Day 7 : We leave the Mani and head north into the central Peloponnese for the ancient town of Mystras. We continue on to Sparta before heading to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Overnight Nauplion Day 8 : On the way back to Athens, we visit the ruins of King Agamemnon’s Mycenae, before catching our return flight to London.

What you say: “… tour was a delight: excellent historical sites, wonderful flowers & good migrating bird numbers.

Gareth and his driver George completed a splendid team. We shall have to try Greece again soon.”

A. & B.F., Somerset

Small chapel on the coast of the Mani peninsula (Photo: Gareth Trewartha) Inset: Naked Man Orchid

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Lesvos

TURKEY !

Spring Migrants in the Aegean Saturday 4 - Saturday 11 May 2013

GREEK ISLANDS

GREECE

T

he green isle of Lesvos is Greece’s second largest, after Crete. Its hills are covered mostly in pinewoods and olive groves, and these and the open fields are covered with drifts of flowers in spring, notably the deep red poppies that are so distinctive.

The geology is fascinating, with the evidence of volcanic activity everywhere, from ancient lava plugs, some dramatically topped with churches and monasteries, to the Petrified Forest, where, in a cataclysmic explosion similar to the one that overwhelmed Mount St. Helens, the trees were smothered in volcanic debris.

The island is best described as amoeboid in shape, with two huge, almost enclosed gulfs that cut deeply into its coastline. Aristotle, arguably the world’s first naturalist, wrote about and probably stayed on the shores of one, the Gulf of Kalloni, and it is at the head of this gulf, amongst a remarkable set of wetlands and centrally placed for our trips on the island, that we shall make our base.

But probably more than its distinctive habitats, it is the island’s location, a few miles off the continental landmass of Asia Minor that makes it such a good place for migrant birds. The wetlands always hold much of interest, and we expect to see Squacco and Purple Herons, Little Bittern, White Stork, Garganey, Black-winged Stilt and splendid flocks of Whiskered and White-winged Black Terns – and that’s just from our hotel balconies!

Within easy walking distance, the West River estuary is a great place to start the day, and may hold breeding Stone-Curlew, lots of other waders, and maybe a Black Stork or two.

The nearby Kalloni salt pans and surrounding fields provide one of the very best sites, and one that we shall return to several times. The salt-pans themselves should hold a mass of Greater Flamingos and Avocet, together with hundreds of waders, including Curlew Sandpiper in spring,

(8 days)

Just a few miles off the Turkish coast, the attractive Greek isle of Lesvos is now firmly on the map as one of the best places, not just in Greece, but in the whole of Europe, for watching birds on spring migration. Add to this, wonderful scenery, lovely flowers in spring, and resident birds including Krüper’s Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting in their only European breeding location, and you can see why the island is proving so popular! wearing their lovely breeding plumage. Raptors in the area can include both Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers and Short-toed Eagle, while the surrounding fields can hold Collared Pratincole and Red-throated Pipit.

Rufous Bushchat should be singing from the scrubby hillsides in this area. The Potamia and Napi valleys near the town are excellent places to walk, swathed in olive groves, interspersed with oaks, and a good place to look for Middle Spotted Woodpecker and Sombre Tit, alongside some of the Aegean specialities, including Masked Shrike and the large but elusive Olive-tree Warbler.

Much of the island is clothed in pine forest, and this is home to the delightful Krüper’s Nuthatch, while the west of the island has a rugged landscape of garrigue vegetation and rocky hills. Long-legged Buzzard soar overhead, while both Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatears flit about the rocks, together with Rock Nuthatches & Cretzschmar’s Buntings.

But the prize bird by far of this wildest part of the island is Cinereous Bunting, of which several hundred pairs breed.

The north coast has cliffs, with fine views, and coastal scrub which harbours Rüppell’s and Subalpine Warblers. Cretzschmar’s Buntings are also found here, and it will be worth keeping an eye open for the first Eleonora’s Falcons returning to their cliff nesting sites in spring.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take an early morning flight LondonMytilene, arriving at our hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight Kalloni Days 2 - 7 : Each day we’ll be choosing from a fine array of habitats to visit, according to local conditions prevailing at the time.

The trip is decidedly relaxed, with plenty of time

at the end of each day to watch birds in the local marsh – or to appreciate the hotel swimming pool!

In the evenings we are just a short stroll from the local village with its breeding Barn and Scops Owls.

Six nights Kalloni Day 8 : We catch an early afternoon flight back to the UK.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a good quality hotel at Skala Kalloni with all rooms en suite.

Lunches will be a mix of picnics and taverna meals.

TRANSPORT will be by minibus.

WALKING : Easy-paced walks of 1 - 2 miles on easy trails and paths.

LEADERS : Rebecca Nason & Phil Harris NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 245 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight London - Mytilene including on-board meals as appropriate, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Mytilene/Mytilene) please deduct £ 195 per person from the tour cost.

Crete

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Skala Kalloni LESVOS

Special 15 day tour to this fabled island: Birds, Flowers, Archaeology and Wildlife Tuesday 9 - Tuesday 23 April 2013 (15 days) Stephanie Coghlan, after many years of tour leading for us, has decided to hand in her gold leader's badge and retire. But before she does, she is putting on a very special two-week tour to her all-time favourite destination: the magical island of Crete

Please enquire for full details!

Rüppell’s Warbler (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Holland

THE NETHERLANDS

Wild Goose Chase!

Amsterdam "

Thursday 22 - Monday 26 November 2012 Thursday 28 November - Monday 2 December 2013

! Harderwijk

(5 days) (5 days)

A superb short winter break packed with exceptional birdwatching and led by Dutch birdwatching expert, Arnoud van den Berg. Join us for great flocks of geese, raptors, Black Woodpeckers, Long-eared Owls and more in one of Europe's most birdwatcher-friendly countries.

W

ith its immense flocks of geese and other waterfowl, impressive range of wintering raptors and every chance of the unexpected, Holland boasts some of the finest winter birding in Europe.

From November through to March, the Netherlands’ low-lying fields are a haven for geese.

All of Europe’s recorded wild species have occurred in recent years – in fact our groups have seen the lot!

– mingling with the tens of thousands of Barnacle, Brent, White-fronted and Bean Geese which flock to the Netherlands each winter. There are also large concentrations of ducks to enjoy, with parties of wild swans, smartly-dressed Goosanders and often a few Smew amidst masses of more familiar species.

We usually see plenty of birds of prey too.

Northern Goshawk, Hen Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard are always on the cards and there’s usually the odd Peregrine and White-tailed Eagle about.

This part of Holland is also blessed with some extensive woodlands and one afternoon will find us waiting eagerly beside a Black Woodpecker’s winter roost. With its crimson top-knot and staring white eye, close encounters with this magnificent bird have been a highlight on all our recent tours.

Arnoud van den Berg knows the birds of his native Holland better than anyone, and has led our Dutch tours for us for nearly twenty years.

We stay at an excellent new hotel in the forests near Harderwijk, with good food, comfortable rooms and a warm welcome assured. We usually manage the odd stop for hot chocolate and Dutch apple tart during our days in the field too – something of a tradition on this tour. This is both a cracking trip for beginners as well as one that’s just perfect for anyone in search of a rewarding short break that’s simply crammed with great winter birding.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Itinerary Day 1 : Our Dutch Wild Goose Chase begins with a morning flight from London to Amsterdam, where Arnoud will be waiting to welcome us.

Our route today will depend largely upon where the various flocks of geese and other wintering birds happen to be.

Our destination this evening is an excellent new hotel situated in forests not far from the charming old town of Harderwijk. This will be our base for all four nights of the holiday.

Overnight near Harderwijk Days 2 - 4 : Harderwijk stands at the edge of what was formerly the Zuiderzee, enclosed in 1932 to form one vast, shallow lake – the IJsselmeer.

Subsequent drainage and enclosure has led to the creation of the now famous Dutch polders. Largest of these is Flevoland, a patchwork of arable land, woods, marsh and open water that quickly earned a reputation as one of Europe’s top birding spots.

Winter birding on Flevoland is always varied and exciting. Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard are likely at this season, while Eurasian Bittern, European Water Rail and Bearded Reedling are typical of the more secretive marshland species awaiting our discovery.

Noisy flocks of geese will be much in evidence and we should see plenty of European White-fronts, along with Barnacle, Greylag and Bean Geese.

The variety of wintering raptors often comes as a welcome surprise to visiting British birders and we have excellent chances of seeing one or two of the scarcer species. Rough-legged Buzzard, Peregrine and the immense White-tailed Eagle have all been present in recent years.

Close by our Harderwijk hotel, mixed woodlands of pine, oak and birch in the Leuvenumse Bos are home to an excellent range of forest birds. As we walk the trails looking for Crested and Willow Tits, Short-toed Treecreeper and possibly Raven, it’s here that we shall hope to find an active Black Woodpecker roost... an incredible bird when seen up close. We’ve not missed them yet!

During our stay, one longer day trip out will take us north to Friesland – arguably the best winter

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Four nights at an excellent, new hotel set in the forests near Harderwijk. The hotel is comfortable, warm and welcoming, with good food, all rooms en suite... and Black Woodpeckers nearby!

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfasts and dinners at the hotel. Picnic lunches in the field during the day. And not forgetting our ‘trademark’ cafe stops for a mug of hot chocolate and a slice of Dutch apple pie - it’s become something of a tradition over the past 20 years on this tour!

WALKING : Easy. Short walks over flat terrain (no hills!). Can sometimes be a little muddy or wet underfoot, so wellies or sturdy waterproof boots with corrugated soles for grip are advised.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Arnoud van den Berg NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICES :

2012: 2013: 2012: 2013: £ 300

Single supps. : Deposit :

£ 1,045 £ 1,095 £ 140 £ 150 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London*-Amsterdam, all accommodation, meals, entry fees, tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist & services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

birding spot in all Holland. Amidst a classic Dutch landscape of meadows and pretty villages dotted with windmills, old and new, the noisy flocks of White-fronted, Bean and Barnacle Geese can run into tens of thousands. There are usually good numbers of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese, too.

Rarities are seen annually, with perhaps a flight of Snow Geese or even a stunning Red-breasted Goose to find amidst the ranks of more common species.

If they’re present again this winter, we’ll also check a couple of sites for roosting Long-eared Owls.

In the past, we have sometimes found the odd Short-eared Owl in amongst them too.

Holland is a compact country with an excellent motorway network and, depending on what’s about at the time of our tour, on one day we may also decide to venture south to explore Zeeland and Zuid-Holland. We should find Bewick’s Swans (and perhaps a few Whoopers) today, along with many more geese.

Three nights near Harderwijk Day 5 : We bid a reluctant farewell to our hotel after breakfast and set off for the North Sea coast.

Having enjoyed pretty much another full day in the field, in the late afternoon we catch our flight home from Amsterdam – getting back into London again about the same time as we took off!

Smew (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Hungary

Zemplen Hills ! " Budapest HUNGARY

HUNGARY

Spring in the steppes and forests Saturday 25 May – Saturday 1 June 2013

We visit the fabulous steppes, lakes, and marshes of the Hortobágy and the Hungarian forests at the peak of the breeding season. Join us and ‘steppe’ into spring for some of the best birdwatching in Europe!

T

he sweeping landscapes of the steppe country extend across a huge swathe of temperate Eurasia, eastwards to Mongolia and beyond. In only one place does a part of this vast steppe wilderness extend a finger into Europe – the plains of Eastern Hungary. This is the Hortobágy, an ancient flood-plain of steppe grasslands – green and lush in May – and ancient meadows interspersed with marshes and pools. Apart from the odd scattered woodland, nothing breaks the skyline of this immense open landscape reminiscent of the South American pampas, which contains not only steppe grasslands, but also a chain of wetlands of international importance. The famous Hortobágy puszta was once a wild place of fishermen, shepherds and horsemen. This ancient landscape is still grazed by herds of the huge, long-horned Hungarian Grey cattle, descendants of hardy cattle driven here by original Hungarian horsemen more than a thousand years ago. Shepherd dogs, some looking like small bears, run circles around the herds of the strange Racka sheep, also of ancient lineage, while herds of pigs, including the ancient ‘woolly pig’ also roam free. One of Europe's largest national parks, the Hortobágy offers some of Europe's most exciting birdwatching.

Freshwater marshes near Debrecen can be superb at this time, and we’ll get our first taste of Hortobágy birds. Here in the shallows, Avocets and Spoonbills ‘sweep’ for food, while Black-winged Stilts call noisily. Black and Whiskered Terns flutter

(8 days)

be attractive to a variety of passage waders including Temminck’s Stint.

During our visit we shall also go up into the forests of the Zemplen Hills, which rise to almost 1,000m and are swathed in oak, hornbeam and beech woodland, for a range of raptors and other forest specialities. These green, rolling, forestswathed hills, with the famous Tokaj vineyards clothing their southern slopes, are home to a superb range of central European forest specialities, including Eastern Imperial Eagle, Ural Owl, and an astonishing nine species of woodpecker including the rare White-backed Woodpecker.

Meadows along the River Bodrog, where Corncrakes still call, host singing River and Marsh Warblers and Syrian Woodpecker. In the more open country around the Tokaj vineyards, Red-backed Shrike and Barred Warbler breed alongside each other, while Wryneck and Grey-headed Woodpeckers call from the scattered oaks.

White-spotted Bluethroat (Photo: Mike Read)

over the centre of the marsh, where Bitterns boom, and occasionally fly across. Depending on the water levels we may have a chance of seeing a good variety of passage waders, some in their superb breeding plumage.

The Hortobágy fishponds are large man-made lakes surrounded by reeds, which make a superb rich breeding ground for birds. These include Rednecked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Ferruginous Duck and Garganey, eight heron species including Purple and Squacco Herons, impressive colonies of Great White Egrets, Spoonbills, a superb variety of warblers and other songbirds. Stunning White-spotted Bluethroats sing from the reed-tops, along with Savi’s and Marsh Warblers.

The steppe country, an arid area of salty soil and short grass is unique in Europe, and surprisingly full of life. Here Stone Curlew nest together with Montagu’s Harrier, and in some wetter areas, we look for the endangered Aquatic Warbler in one of its few remaining European breeding sites. On nearby grasslands, we’ll also be looking for another, perhaps more spectacular bird: Great Bustard.

There is still a good population of these immensely impressive birds in the Hortobágy, making it one of the most important sites in Europe for them. Finally, further west we’ll explore the steppe woodland looking for Roller, Hoopoe, Tawny Pipit and Lesser Grey Shrike.

The small isolated woods that dominate this region offer good nesting sites for raptors, including the superb, colonial Red-footed Falcon, one of the most attractive of its family, as well as Hobby. Later we head for the grassy steppe which forms the domain of the Suslik (a ground squirrel). This delightful gopher-like rodent is an important prey species for an assemblage of raptors unique in Europe, including Saker Falcon. We continue to the Tisza River floodplain, where some salty lakes can

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, where we meet our local guide and drive to the Zemplen Hills, close to the Slovakian border, where we stay for three nights.

Overnight Zemplen Hills Days 4 - 7 : Leaving the Zemplen Hills we drive towards the Great Hungarian plains. On the way we visit Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. Our hotel is well situated near a very productive lake, complete with Little Bitterns.

Four nights Hortobágy Day 8 : We drive back to Budapest before catching our return flight to London.

Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Budapest, for a chance to spend a bit of time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Hortobágy !

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good hotels with all rooms en suite.

LEADERS :

Tim Earl and local guide

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 155 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flights from London – Budapest*, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Budapest/Budapest) please deduct £ 105 per person from the tour cost.

Ural Owl (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Hungary

Tokaj

! !

Steppes and Forests in Autumn

"

Hortobágy

Budapest

Sunday 14 - Sunday 21 October 2012 Wednesday 16 - Wednesday 23 October 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

HUNGARY

We visit the fabulous steppes, lakes, and marshes of the Hortobágy and the Hungarian forests at the very best time for the spectacular migration of cranes and geese. Join us for some of the best autumn birdwatching in Europe!

T

he sweeping landscapes of the steppe country extend across a huge swathe of temperate Eurasia, eastwards to Mongolia and beyond. In only one place does a part of this vast steppe wilderness just stretch into Europe: the plains of Eastern Hungary. This is the Hortobágy, an ancient flood-plain that contains not only steppe grasslands, but also a chain of wetlands of international importance. One of Europe’s largest national parks, the Hortobágy offers some of Europe’s most exciting birdwatching, particularly in the autumn.

This is the main eastern flyway for Cranes in Europe. At their peak, there may be no less than 60,000 of these magnificent birds in the area. The sight of squadron upon squadron of them filling the sky with their wings, and the air with their calls as they go to roost, must surely be one of Europe’s great wildlife spectacles.

During our stay we shall also go up into the forests of the Zemplen Hills, for a range of raptors and other forest specialities, including owls and woodpeckers, which can be relatively easy to see at this time of year.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Itinerary Days 1 - 4 : We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy.

As well as the incredible spectacle of the Cranes, thousands of geese and other wildfowl are pouring through the Hortobágy. These are principally Whitefronted Geese from Russia, but also include Bean Geese and a few Lesser White-fronted Geese each year - we have seen up to 70 of the latter on our previous visits.

The resident birds can be no less exciting at this time. In autumn, Great Bustards form flocks on the plains, which they share with migrant Stone Curlew and Dotterel. Raptor numbers can be impressive here, preying upon the abundance of Susliks and other small mammals, while Northern Grey Shrikes hawk from the roadside wires. Both Imperial and White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzard, the breathtaking Saker Falcon, as well as Goshawk and Hen and Marsh Harriers can all be found in this remarkable area, and we have seen Spotted Eagle on two previous trips.

HUNGARY

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Good hotels with all rooms en suite. For lunches we usually visit some excellent local restaurants, or picnic in the forest.

LEADERS : 2012: Tim Earl and local guides 2013: Barrie Cooper and local guides

Arka Castle (Photo: Ray Nowicki)

The Hortobágy fishponds will also be well worth a visit. These are large man-made lakes surrounded by reeds, which make a superb rich feeding ground for birds. These include Pygmy Cormorant, a variety of herons, wildfowl including Ferruginous Duck, and migrant waders. The reedbeds hold flocks of Bearded and Penduline Tits. Long-eared Owls also roost in the area – on a previous trip we counted no less than 74 birds!

Four nights Hortobágy Days 5 - 7 : Leaving the Hortobágy we drive to Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. This productive area holds a good selection of eastern woodland species, including Middle Spotted and Black Woodpeckers, and Hawfinch. In the afternoon we arrive at the attractive village of Tokaj, famous for its wines and its fine landscapes, close to the Slovakian border, where we stay for three nights.

The following day we drive up into the Zemplen Hills, which rise to almost 1,000m and are swathed in oak and beech woodland. These are home to no less than twelve species of raptor and a superb collection of woodpeckers, including Syrian, and the very rare White-backed Woodpecker, which has given us excellent views on previous trips. Flocks of Hawfinches make another fine sight here. One evening we’ll head high into the hills for a chance of seeing Ural Owl – we have seen both Ural and Eagle Owls on the same evening on one trip!

Three nights Tokaj

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 155 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flights from London - Budapest, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals, transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local leader, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Budapest/Budapest) please deduct £ 105 per person from the tour cost.

The 2013 tour will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Great Bustard (Photo: Ecotours Hungary)

Day 8 : We drive back to Budapest before catching our return flight to London.

Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Budapest, for a chance to spend a bit of time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.

What you say: “The memory of thousands of cranes approaching, flying right over our heads, then silhouetted against the setting sun before they landed will remain with me for years. There were other highlights too, such as the Red-breasted Geese, a really close Saker falcon, a Long-eared Owl roost in a residential street…”

B.L., London Cranes coming into roost at sunset (Photo: Ray Nowicki)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Iceland

ICELAND !

Eyjafjörður

The land of ice and fire in summer !

Snaefellsness

Friday 14 - Sunday 23 June 2013

(10 days)

ICELAND

!

Skálholt

P

erched astride the mid-Atlantic ridge, Iceland is a new continent in the making. Spectacular volcanic landscapes spawn boiling sulphurous pools and geysers, while mighty waterfalls thunder down great gashes in the earth’s crust. The additional presence of glaciers and ice-capped peaks creates a surreal setting of fire and ice in which to enjoy some of the most exhilarating birdwatching in Europe.

Our journey begins in Southwest Iceland, on the rugged Keflavík peninsula, where mosses and lichens cling tenaciously to a moonscape of new lava. The island of Eldey, famous as the last refuge of Great Auk and now home to 16,000 pairs of Gannets, lies offshore. Great Northern and Redthroated Divers haunt the lake at Þingvellir, while a visit to areas close to Eyjafjallajökull – scene of the troublesome 2010 volcanic eruptions – provides the backdrop to our quest for Harlequin Duck.

Next, we set off on a full day crossing of the volcanic desert of Iceland’s remote interior, where Pink-footed Geese breed. Our route will take us via the magnificent waterfall at Gullfoss and impressive Strokkur geyser at Geysir, and on to Eyjafjörður, close to Iceland’s beautiful north coast.

Lake Myvatn is world-famous for its wildfowl.

Some 10,000 pairs of fifteen different species nest.

During our visit to the lake we can expect to see lots of Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Scaup, Tufted Duck and Wigeon, plus scores of Slavonian Grebes and Rednecked Phalaropes. Drawn by the superabundance of prey, this is also one of the best areas to find the powerful Gyrfalcon.

Before we leave this wildlife rich corner of North Iceland, we’ll enjoy the first of three exciting boat trips – in search of whales, off Húsavík. Barely fifty miles below the Arctic Circle, here we have an excellent chance of seeing Northern Minke Whale, along with White-beaked Dolphin and possibly

A 10-day summer birdwatching tour to Iceland in search of Gyr Falcon, Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye, and with boat trips to look for whales, White-tailed Eagles and Grey Phalaropes. Scenically spectacular tour, set against a backdrop of some of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe!

other larger whales such as Humpback, too.

Our travels conclude on the rugged Snaefellsnes Peninsula, its three-peaked volcano, Snaefellsjoküll, the inspiration for Jules Verne’s classic novel, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Amidst stunning scenery, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Whooper Swan and Ptarmigan nest. We’ll also enjoy two more cracking boat trips: the first to look for seabirds and, with any luck, the very rare Grey Phalarope on the tiny island of Flatey, while the second should deliver mind-blowing views of the majestic White-tailed Eagle at its eerie.

This is but a hint of the magic that awaits on this scenic sub-Arctic spectacular – a trip that’s packed with great northern birding and set amidst some of the wildest and most dramatic landscapes in Europe. With expert local guidance and enlightenment from our resident naturalist-guide Trausti Gunnarsson, join us as we return for another thrilling Icelandic adventure!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Keflavik.

Three nights Skálholt Day 2 : Southwest coast and Eyjafjallajökull.

Day 3 : Lake Laugar, Þingvellir & Þjorsardalur.

Day 4 : Crossing Iceland’s rugged interior.

Three nights Eyjafjörður Day 5 : Godafoss, Lake Myvatn & Krafla volcano.

Day 6 : Whale-watching boat trip off Husavik and Hrisey Island.

Day 7 : North coast to Snaefellsnes.

Three nights Snaefellsnes Day 8 : Boat trip to Flatey Island for phalaropes and seabirds.

Day 9 : Boat trip for White-tailed Eagle and Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Day 10 : To Reykjavík. Fly London

Lake Myvatn (Photo: Mike Read)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at comfortable hotels and guest houses, with all rooms en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Lunches will usually be picnics – enjoyed amid some of Europe’s most spectacularly scenic places!

WALKING : Short walks over easy paths. Some moderate terrain, rocky and uneven underfoot so sturdy walking boots offering good support essential.

BOAT TRIPS : Three are planned and all are included in the tour price, as outlined in the above itinerary. All boat trips are weather permitting of course (but in more than a dozen years of running this tour we have never suffered a cancellation yet).

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

" REYKJAVIK

INSECTS : Mosquitoes not a problem on this tour (the famous black flies at Lake Myvatn are non-biting).

LEADERS : Trausti Gunnarsson & Gary Elton (In the event of a small group, our Iceland summer tour will be accompanied by Trausti Gunnarsson).

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 2,695 £ 275 £ 400 per person

The price per person includes return scheduled flights London-Keflavik, all accommodation, meals, minibus transport, three boat trips (for whales, seabirds, Grey Phalarope and Whitetailed Eagle, as detailed in the itinerary), entry fees and admissions, tips, airport taxes, bird checklist, and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Godafoss – Falls of the Gods (Photo: Mike Read)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Iceland

ICELAND

A Volcanic Introduction

ICELAND

Thursday 13 – Tuesday 18 September 2012 Thursday 25 – Tuesday 30 April 2013 Thursday 12 – Tuesday 17 September 2013

(6 days) (6 days) (6 days)

" REYKJAVIK !

Skálholt

With Iceland’s volcanoes featuring in the news in both 2011 and 2012, we thought it was time to base a tour around Iceland’s amazing geology.

I

celand’s recent volcanic events have also caused an ‘eruption’ in interest about geology and why landscapes look the way they do. We’ve persuaded Iceland expert Andy Jones to lead these autumn volcano introduction trips for us and participants will get a great introduction to the dynamic geology of this fascinating country. We’ll visit many volcanic landforms, including the areas affected by the eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull and the Westman Islands, and spend time exploring the areas around some glaciers as well. Of course, other aspects of natural history are not neglected and we expect to see the Icelandic bird specialities of Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Gyrfalcon too. Migration will be well underway and we’ll see the gatherings of Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans as they prepare to fly to warmer climes against the background of wonderful autumn colours of the Icelandic countryside. Oh, and there’s a chance of cetaceans offshore too!

Geysers, volcanoes, thermal springs, glaciers and Viking history are all included on this trip – with, as always, any wildlife we see on our travels!

Groups are limited to just eight participants, and are all guided by expert naturalist and geologist Andy Jones, who lives in Iceland and also guides our popular summer and winter trips there.

Itinerary Day 1 : Afternoon arrival in Iceland then transfer to hotel at Skálholt visiting a volcanic crater on the way.

Overnight Skálholt

Day 3 : We travel via the rift valley of Þingvellir which allows us to see the tectonic processes at work here.

Iceland is split in two by the movements of two great crustal plates and the evidence for this is etched into the dramatic landscapes around us. The area is also historically very important as it was here in the years following Iceland’s settlement that the old Viking parliament would meet in the open air. Later we travel to the south coast to see the eroded edge of the enormous lava flow of Þjórsárhraun, the largest post glacial lava flow to have occurred on Earth.

Overnight Skálholt Day 4 : We visit the areas affected by the recent eruption of Eyjafjallajökull and see at first hand the changes wrought by this volcano. We’ll also visit the glaciers and icecaps of southern Iceland to learn of the ways in which ice has sculpted the landscape here. We’ll finish the day exploring the coastal landscapes of southern Iceland. We should also encounter some of the birds migrating from Iceland for warmer habitats during the winter.

Overnight Skálholt

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Comfortable hotel with all rooms en suite.

TRANSPORT : Will be in small minibus or four wheel drive vehicle driven by the leader.

WALKING : Walks are no more than three miles in total on any one day and never more than two miles at one time. The terrain is mostly level but may be rough underfoot with sharp lava. Stout walking boots are recommended.

LEADER :

Andy Jones

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE :

2012: £ 1,495 2013: £ 1,565 2012: £ 130 2013: £ 140 £ 400 per person

Single supp. : Deposit :

The price per person includes return scheduled flights from London - Keflavik, airport taxes, accommodation as outlined, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Keflavik) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

Day 5 : We visit the Westman Islands, a volcanic archipelago formed within the last 12,000 years. A submarine eruption in 1963 created the island of Surtsey and in 1973 an eruption on the inhabited island of Heimaey resulted in the temporary evacuation of the island. We’ll explore the crater from the eruption where the ground is still hot from this event. We’ll also visit the new lava field and

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Day 2 : We’ll visit the geothermal area of Geysir and see the geysers before exploring the area of Hekla, arguably Iceland’s best known volcano. We’ll learn about the various eruptions and visit the site of an old Viking farm that was buried under ash from an

eruption in 1104. We’ll also explore a swarm of pseudocraters and examine at first hand the evidence of former eruptions now encapsulated as tephra layers in the landscape itself.

Overnight at Skálholt

Lava explosion (Andy Jones)

learn about the human story of the eruption when a third of all homes in the town were covered by the new lava.

Overnight Skálholt Day 6 : We’ll explore the geology of the Reykjanes peninsula by visiting some powerful hot springs and climbing a small crater before visiting the geothermal spa at the Blue Lagoon to have a chance to relax in the warm, mineral rich waters which were, of course, heated up by the vibrant and active geology of Iceland! We depart on a late afternoon flight from Iceland.

Hot springs at Ölkelduháls and, inset, Eyjafjallajo ku ll erupting (Photos: Andy Jones)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Iceland in Winter ICELAND

" REYKJAVIK !

Hveragerði

I

celand's wildlife has to struggle to survive the harsh winter conditions and often congregates around the coast or other sheltered areas. We expect to see several different species of wildfowl including Harlequin Ducks, perhaps surfing in the sea, and Barrow’s Goldeneye. There’ll be lots of gulls including Glaucous Gull and the eponymous Iceland Gull on the coasts and in harbours. Further inland we should encounter large flocks of Snow Buntings, Ptarmigans in their white winter plumage and there’s always the chance of a Gyr Falcon or even White-tailed Eagle. Of course, all this is complemented by the dramatic landscapes of Iceland and, if the weather allows, displays of the aurora borealis. On this tour we’ll also learn about Iceland’s vibrant volcanic geology.

In March 2010 our group actually saw an erupting volcano, and we were delighted for them – but then after six non-Iceland tours with flights cancelled or postponed we were not so sure!

Groups are limited to just five, to allow us to travel in our own especially equipped four-wheel drive vehicle, and are all guided by expert naturalist and geologist Andy Jones, who lives in Iceland, and also guides our popular summer trips there.

Please note that auroras occur at random and can’t be predicted. 2012 and 2013 are peak years for solar activity in the current cycle, and our 2011/12 tour groups all saw auroras. However chance plays a large part, and there may well be no aurora activity during your short stay. However we hope you will enjoy the wildlife and landscapes during the day and feel that it was a worthwhile trip even if no auroras are seen!

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a scheduled flight from London to Keflavík and transfer to our hotel in the magnificent countryside of south Iceland. After dinner there’ll be an illustrated introductory talk about winter Iceland.

We’ll be ready to head out to see the aurorae on this and other evenings if weather conditions allow.

Overnight near Hveragerði Days 2 - 4 : We’ll make three full day trips to explore the coast and mountains of south Iceland. At this

Harlequins and Northern Lights!

Thursday 22 – Monday 26 November 2012 Thursday 7 – Monday 11 February 2013 Thursday 28 February – Monday 4 March 2013 Thursday 14 – Monday 18 March 2013 Thursday 21 – Monday 25 March 2013 Thursday 21 – Monday 25 November 2013

(5 days) (5 days) (5 days) (5 days) (5 days) (5 days)

What’s it like here in winter? This question is often asked on our popular ‘Iceland in Summer’ trip. Well, now you can find out on this exciting winter break, designed to be taken as a long weekend.

time of year we’ll have around seven to eight hours of daylight, so we expect to see Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye — wildfowl that remain in Iceland over the winter — on the coast and lakes.

We’ll travel to Þingvellir where the rift valley formed by the moving crustal plates is particularly well developed and shall look for Snow Buntings and Ptarmigan. We’ll visit the geysers at Geysir and the wonderful waterfall of Gullfoss. There’s always the chance of encountering an Arctic Fox in its white winter coat as well.

We’ll spend some time on the coast as it is here that winter birds often congregate. We’ll get to grips with identifying Iceland Gulls from Glaucous Gulls and a spell of seawatching often produces some Black Guillemots, other gulls, Fulmars and seals.

Iceland’s geology is not forgotten as we visit lava fields, craters and glaciers and learn more about the processes that created this incredible landscape.

Iceland is one of the best places to see the aurora borealis or northern lights. We shall, of course, make a special effort to be in the right place to see this unforgettable spectacle, often seen

during the long nights of the sub-arctic winter.

Please note however that we cannot guarantee northern lights, or the weather for seeing them !

Three nights near Hveragerði Day 5 : We travel to Keflavík for our return flight to London.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a small but comfortable guesthouse with all rooms en suite, and its own hot-tub (bring a swimming costume!).

TRANSPORT : Will be in an especially equipped four wheel drive ‘winterised’ vehicle driven by the leader.

WALKING : Walks are no more than three miles in total on any one day and never more than two miles at one time. The terrain is mostly level but may be rough underfoot with sharp lava. Stout walking boots are recommended.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

ICELAND

Leader : 28 Feb - 4 Mar; 21 - 25 Mar: Trausti Gunnarsson All other dates: Andy Jones Numbers :

Max. 5 clients

Price :

2012: £ 1,395 2013: £ 1,445 2012: £ 95 2013: £ 110 £ 400 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price per person includes return scheduled flights from London - Keflavik, airport taxes, accommodation as outlined, all meals, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-international flight cost (starting and finishing in Keflavik) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays Snow Bunting (Photo: Mike Read) Inset: Harlequin Duck and, above, Northern Lights (Photos: Andy Jones)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Italy - Po Delta

ITALY

Birds & la Dolce Vita!

Saturday 11 - Saturday 18 May 2013

AUSTRIA

SWITZERLAND

!

(8 days) !

Bologna

We travel to one of Europe’s largest and most ornithologically neglected river deltas, the Po Delta, on the shores of the Adriatic, on a gentle tour in true Travelling Naturalist style with the odd relaxed lunch break… join us for some Italian birds and a taste of la Dolce Vita!

T

We stay for the week in a hotel inside the national park, right next to some of its best lagoons.

The hotel is based in a historic complex of buildings, formerly the dwelling of the marsh 'guardian' as well as being a former fishing headquarters.

Itinerary Days 1 - 7 : We fly from London to Bologna and drive to the coast where we stay near Comacchio, in the centre of one of the best areas for birds. We’ll pay our first visit to a famous observation tower nearby from where we can get our first views of many breeding species.

The Valli di Comacchio contains a collection of waterways and lagoons that form the heart of the Po Delta area, and the most important wetland complex in the region. The water is shallow, with an average depth of less than a metre and includes saltpans and extensive marshlands with reedbeds.

It is fantastically biologically productive, especially rich in fish, and is world famous for its eels – we should see some of the eel traps. Small strips of land between the wetlands are topped with Salicornia and Sea lavender, with the possibility of Spectacled Warbler.

Other bird highlights could include Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Slender-billed and Mediterranean Gulls, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns and Bearded Reedling. Waders could still be on passage at this time.

The Valle Mandriole area is another complex of wetlands, and is the best site in the delta for one of its specialities – Pygmy Cormorant in its most westerly breeding site. Other birds could include Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall and a variety of other ducks, all nine European herons, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Montagu' s Harrier, Little Crake, European Beeeater and Golden Oriole.

Punta Alberete is one of the last large flooded

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

he Po is Italy’s longest river, which winds its way across the north of the country, carrying the melt waters of the Alps, rich in silt.

Where it enters the Adriatic, this has created one of Europe’s great deltas, a biologically rich area of natural waterways, lagoons and flood plains.

Much changed over the centuries by the hand of man, especially by drainage, the delta has often been overlooked by travelling naturalists and birdwatchers in favour of the Camargue and Coto Donana to the west, and the wonders of the Danube to the east. But in recent years, with much more protection of its natural habitats, the Po Delta has come of age as a birdwatching destination, proving that Italy has more to offer the birdwatcher than its famed Italian Sparrows!

The delta itself has been described as a ‘dream’ landscape of rows of Italian Poplar trees rising from morning mist-covered fields, but this is only a part of the whole coastal area known as the Marche, or frontier. The geography here has been likened to ‘half a herring-bone’, with the Apennines forming the backbone, and nine ridges running down to the Adriatic, separating a series of valleys, each with their own distinctive character.

Bird highlights include Pygmy Cormorant in its westernmost European outpost, breeding Ferruginous Duck, all the European breeding heron species together with Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns.

The delta is one of the most regular sites in Europe for Lesser Crested Tern, as well as having the largest European Little Tern colony.

Other shallow water species abound, with waders including Avocet and Black-winged Stilt, gulls including Slender-billed Gull, with Fan tailed Warbler and Penduline Tit haunting the reedbeds, while the land holds most of the classic Mediterranean species such as Scops Owl, Beeeater, Golden Oriole and Nightingale.

Po Delta

ITALY

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay for the week in a hotel inside the national park, right next to some of its best lagoons. The hotel is based in a historic complex of buildings, formerly the dwelling of the marsh 'guardian' as well as being a former fishing headquarters. All rooms are en suite.

TRANSPORT will be by minibus. The 2 hr boat trip is in a small 15-passenger vessel with some shelter.

WALKING : Gentle walks over easy to moderate terrain.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Mike Read NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 150 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return flights London-Bologna*, airport taxes, full board accommodation, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (ex-Bologna) please deduct £ 110 from the tour cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

deciduous forests in Italy, with a particularly rich flora on the banks of the numerous channels, and breeding Ferruginous Ducks on the small pools.

We’ll also visit the nice village of Comacchio with its historic centre and canals, where we’ll also have another typical lunch with local food including eels and seafood. In the afternoon we’ll search for birds in the Comacchio saltpans, in the seaside pine woods, and along the extensive sand beaches.

On one day we will take a gentle two hour boat trip from Gorino on the Valle di Gorino estuary area to search for migrating waders, and various other estuary birds. Little, Common and Sandwich Terns can be seen together with a good range of herons and egrets. Perhaps the best views will be reserved for Purple Herons which will spring up from waterways, islands and reedbeds, as we trundle along. We may even make it out to the Faro di Goro lighthouse where we can scan the Adriatic for further terns and gulls as well.

Reed and Great Reed warblers will chatter from the reedbeds and we may get good views of Montagu’s Harriers here too.

Seven nights near Commachio Day 8 : We may have time some local for birdwatching before the flight home from Bologna.

Valle Mandriole in the Po Delta and, inset, Pygmy Cormorant (Photos: Mike Read)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Italy - Sicily

ITALY

Siracusa & Mt Etna

!

Wednesday 17 - Wednesday 24 April 2013

(8 days)

" Catania !

Siracusa

Join us for another wonderful April week in Eastern Sicily, a hotspot for migrants moving between Africa and Europe. Based throughout at a delightful masseria (farmhouse hotel), with first-rate hospitality and delicious home-cooked Italian cuisine - you simply won’t want to leave! 4th successive year for this tour.

S

eparated from the toe of Italy to the east by the Strait of Messina, and from the coast of Tunisia, one hundred miles to the south, by the Sicilian Strait, Sicily has long been known as a hot spot for migratory birds moving between the continents of Africa and Europe. With parts of the island’s south-east lying geographically to the south of Tunis, this mountainous Mediterranean island is also one of the most fascinating regions of Europe, its landscape the product of a rich blend of history, archaeology, art and culture. Sicilian food and wine are wonderful, and the Sicilian people are as warm and friendly as the island’s climate.

The largest of all the Mediterranean islands, first-time visitors may be surprised at just how big Sicily is! Our April tour focuses on the island’s birdrich eastern side, where we will birdwatch amidst a landscape dominated – and very largely shaped – by the immense cone of Europe’s biggest volcano, Mt Etna. Here we will scour the slopes for the endemic Sicilian Rock Partridge (a full species now separated from its mainland cousin, the Rock Partridge), as well as the distinctive ‘Sicilian’ Longtailed Tit which breeds in the mountain oak woods and scrub.

To the south, the port of Siracusa is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in Europe. In April, the coastal garrigue has breeding Stone-curlews and Calandra Larks; Audouin’s Gulls coast past and nearby wetlands harbour Collared Pratincole and Slender-billed Gull, Ferruginous Duck and the rare Purple Swamphen. Just south of the town, gardens and groves of almond, olive and carob are attractive to migrants including Collared Flycatcher, Nightjar and Hoopoe.

West of Siracusa is the beautiful and unspoilt Iblei region: a rough, sheep-grazed limestone escarpment, cut by deep valleys such as the Cava Grande, which we will visit to look for migrating raptors and local specialities such as Spectacled Warbler and Rock Sparrow. North along the coast

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We spend all seven nights at a small but comfortable family-run masseria (renovated former farmhouse hotel), the charming Pozzo di Mazza, an eight hundred year old former winery near Siracusa, in the south of Sicily. All rooms en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfast and excellent home-cooked dinners of freshly made Sicilian food, with local fish dishes a speciality of the cooks. Lunches will be picnics, with sandwiches or local pastries freshly-prepared that morning using delicious Italian cheeses, hams, vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and aubergines.

are several wetland sites and jutting headlands holding many exciting breeding and migrant species. In April, birds of prey on the move can include Pallid, Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers.

We are based as usual at a comfortable familyrun masseria – the charming Pozzo di Mazza – a fully-renovated, 800-year old former winery near Siracusa. Meals and hospitality are simply a delight.

Our expert local guide, Andrea Corso, lives in Siracusa and is Sicily’s foremost ornithologist.

Author of the Avifauna di Sicilia and one of the leading lights in birding and conservation in Italy today, he also has a wonderful sense of humour – and a fine singing voice! Andrea possesses an infectious enthusiasm for his country and is a passionate and fantastic guide; his knowledge of the birds of Sicily and where to find them is unsurpassed and it is hard to imagine this trip without him!

WALKING : Easy. Short walks over mainly easy terrain. Steeper in places on the volcanic slopes of Mt Etna, where the lava fields can be variously loose or hard, uneven and quite sharp under foot.

Some participants may find walking poles useful here. We do not go to the summit area. Comfy walking shoes with stout corrugated soles are advised. Maximum elevation on this tour: approx.

2000m (6500ft).

LEADERS :

Brian Small & Andrea Corso

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 110 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled flights London/Catania return, all accommodation and meals, surface transport, admission fees and permits, tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist & services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks, optional private sightseeing excursions (outwith the planned group activities) and other personal expenses.other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

SICILY

Mt Etna

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Catania. Transfer to Siracusa Overnight Siracusa Days 2 - 7 : Southeast Sicily including Siracusa, Vendicari wetlands, Murro di Porco, Capo Passero, Mount Etna and the Cava Grande degli Iblei.

6 nights Siracusa Day 8 : Penisola Magnisi and Simente River. Fly Catania-London.

What you say: “Everything was superb; we even saw birds we did not expect to see – the Bar-tailed Desert Lark and the Atlas Pied Flycatcher were a real bonus. The island is beautiful at this time of year, the orchids, wild flowers, butterflies and birds all added to a wonderful trip.

Please pass our thanks to Brian and Andrea - both excellent guides and such a laugh together. Everyone on the trip was great company.”

P. & V. P., Essex Mt Etna in winter (Photo: Rene Pop) and, inset, Sardinian Warbler (Photo: Mike Read)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Latvia’s Wild Harvest

ESTONIA

!

Mushrooms, berries… and other edible wildlife!

Monday 17 – Monday 24 September 2012 Monday 16 – Monday 23 September 2013

" Riga

(8 days) (8 days)

T

Please note: although any fungi offered to sample will be edible, some people may suffer some adverse reactions to some species. We strongly advise caution when tasting fungi, and only eat a very small amount of any species that you are tasting for the first time.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We depart London for Riga in the afternoon, arriving early evening. We drive straight to Nitaure Mill which is a peaceful guesthouse in a converted water mill near an ancient castle mound, a small river and mill pond.

Overnight Nitaure Mill

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Day 2 : The next morning we meet Diana, a Latvian fungus expert who will spend the next two days with us. We drive to Silciems, a mixed forest which is well known locally for its edible fungi.

Later we will visit Krimulda Church at Ragana (within the Gauja National Park), and look for fungi in the surrounding woodland. We stop for a picnic lunch and later take the cable car from Krimulda to Sigulda across the Gauja river valley. From here we can see panoramic views towards Turaida Medieval Castle and Krimulda Castle.

In the afternoon we will return to the Mill to look at and identify our fungi.

Overnight Nitaure Mill Day 3 : We drive through typical Latvian landscape of rolling farmland with oaks, farmsteads and a mill, to the Araisi Bronze Age settlement built on a lake.

Next we visit Ungurmuiža Manor set in a typical park landscape with ancient oak trees. In the park we look for mushrooms growing among ancient oaks.

In the afternoon we go mushrooming and berry picking in Lielstraupe forest.

Afterwards we cross the river Gauja by a small water-powered ferry to return to the guesthouse. In the evening we drive to Anna’s Hotel, where we will have a mushroom and berry cooking class and enjoy sampling the special dishes made with these foods.

Overnight Nitaure Mill

!

Seda

!

Cesis LATVIA

LITHUANIA

Join Liz Charter on a fantastic fungus foray to an Eastern European country where wild-gathered food is still a part of the culture – Latvia.

he Latvians make use of a rich and varied wild harvest from their countryside and September is the very best time to appreciate this. We sample a wide range of local delicacies and seasonal foods, especially fungi and berries, finding them in the wild and learning about their cooking and preparation in the company of local experts. Other sites of interest include a traditional lamprey fishery, an 18th century manor house and a traditional water-powered ferry, as well as forest, lake and peatland habitats.

Latvia has extensive natural forests, bogs, wetlands, lakes and coastal habitats, and we aim to visit examples of each. Gauja National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Latvia, and we also visit the North Vidzeme biosphere reserve. We should see migrating birds such as cranes, and find signs of the larger forest animals. We might be lucky enough to see beavers, deer or wild boar. We also expect to see late-flowering plants, some dragonflies and butterflies.

Liz Charter has been working with local guides, an expert in fungi and a good local ecologist, to plan this new tour. Liz is particularly interested in fungi, peatlands and crafts which use wild plants.

Koni

LATVIA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in medium-grade hotels and guest houses with all rooms en suite.

WALKING : Walks will be at an easy pace, on level ground, and no more than 2-3 miles in length. The ground may be wet underfoot. Good, waterproof hiking boots are recommended.

TRANSPORT will be by minicoach.

LEADERS :

Liz Charter and local guide

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES:

2012: £ 1,395 2013: £ 1,495 2012: £ 145 2013: £ 155 £ 300 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

The price is per person and includes scheduled return flights London-Riga, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals in Latvia, incidental tips, transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to the local driver & guides, drinks, and other personal expenses.

Day 4 : We drive to the River Amata. Here we can walk through mixed woodland along a riverside trail whose banks are dotted with outcrops of ancient Devonian red sandstone.

We continue our tour to the natural coniferous forests at Mežole where we expect to see native mammals in an extensive Wildlife Park.

Overnight Nitaure Mill Day 5 : We start the morning with a walk along the Gauja valley which is cut into Devonian sandstone, where we should see a beaver lodge, and various woodland and riverside birds and plants. Later we visit the historic town of Cesis.

For the next two nights we stay at Koni mill which is a reconstructed and working flour mill. They bake bread there from grains ground at the mill, as well as spinning wool and making blankets.

Overnight Koni Mill guesthouse Day 6 : Our second guide, Andris Klepers, will join us for the next two days.

We take a narrow-gauge railway across Seda Bog. This is a good way to see wildlife and the stunning peatland landscape of this extensive nature reserve.

Later we visit some Shitake mushroom growers.

We can have a look at the forest where they grow these mushrooms on logs, and sample some of the produce.

Overnight Koni Mill guesthouse Day 7 : Most of today’s locations are within the North Vidzeme Biosphere reserve.

We make an early start in order to see more of the wildlife in the Lake Burtnieks area. We should be

able to eat lunch near the sea.

In our drive along the coast we stop at Ainaži and the coastal Randu Meadows, where we follow the boardwalks through the reeds and go up the birdwatching tower, which offers a fine view of unique shoreline meadows with small lagoons and areas of reeds.

Later we visit a Lamprey Weir. We’ll hear about the traditional practices of the fishermen, and then watch lamprey being cooked. We’ll also have a chance to taste them – being careful not to have a surfeit like Henry I! Finally we return to Riga to stay in a town centre hotel, with a chance to explore the beautiful old town of Riga.

Overnight Riga Day 8 : Depending on flight times there may be time to explore Riga, shop and perhaps take a guided tour, before our transfer to the airport.

Gathering Horn of Plenty fungi and, above right, Cesis Castle (Photos: Liz Charter)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

BULGARIA

MACEDONIA

MACEDONIA ! Kavadarci

Macedonia

Pearl of the Balkans

! Prilep

Wednesday 12 - Wednesday 19 June 2013 Thessaloniki !

GREECE

An 8-day “birds and butterflies” tour to one of Europe’s newest wildlife destinations - Macedonia! Add two nights at superb Lake Prespa, just across the border in northern Greece, and you have all the right ingredients for a superb wildlife holiday.

O

ften called the "Pearl of the Balkans”, Macedonia is a small and highly scenic country situated in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. With Skopje its capital, it lies to the north of Greece (which we shall also visit on this tour) and was once part of former Yugoslavia. Local people are very friendly and the country is now safe for visitors. Importantly for birdwatchers, this region contains fabulous Lake Prespa, one of the best freshwater sites for birds in the whole of Europe. But its rugged countryside, full of scenic mountains, large lakes and extensive lowlands, is also home to a superb variety of raptors and passerines.

Even today, relatively little is known about the wildlife of this tucked away corner of Europe: our visit in June 2012 was among the first organised wildlife tours to travel there. Our tour focuses as much on the region’s butterflies as birds – for both are outstanding – making it ideal for those with a dual interest. There is still so much to discover here that we have a chance to contribute some really valuable wildlife observations. We will meet up with local guides who organise Macedonia’s Vulture Conservation Project, and our tour will help to support this work, as well as encouraging ornithological research in the country generally.

Breeding Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lanner and especially Lesser Kestrel are among many possible raptor highlights, and we will visit a vulture feeding station, where the conservation project is based.

Passerines to look for include a long list of regional specialities – everything from Masked and Lesser Grey Shrikes to Rock Nuthatch and Black-headed Bunting, and with Olive-tree, Eastern Olivaceous, Barred and Eastern Orphean Warblers amongst a fine variety of warblers. And although we were unlucky last time, we have perhaps as good a

(8 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We will be staying in good quality, 3-star hotels with all rooms en suite. In Macedonia, tourism is ‘new’ and hotels have been built recently.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is generally good, with typical Balkan cuisine at times. Picnic lunches; most dinners taken at the hotels. Breakfasts will usually be taken at the hotels but in exceptional circumstances (see Weather, below) we may start early taking packed breakfasts with us so as to enjoy our birding before the day becomes too hot and all activity ceases.

chance of finding the elusive Rock Partridge here as anywhere in Europe!

As well as birds, Macedonia is one of the very best countries in Europe for butterflies – to date more than 200 species have been recorded and looking for butterflies will form an important part of our tour. Many species are widespread and easy to see. June is the peak time for butterfly emergence in the Balkans and, if last year’s visit is anything to go by – with 90 species recorded by the group – we should encounter a fabulous range of blues, fritillaries, skippers, coppers, whites and graylings.

The diversity of habitats to be visited is excellent, and as a bonus we are likely to encounter around a score of different dragonflies, too.

Our travels conclude with a two-night stay at the superb Prespa Lakes, which straddle the borders of Macedonia, Greece and Albania. We shall base ourselves along the Greek shore, which offers the best accommodation and also has better access to the birds. White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Penduline Tit and all of Europe’s breeding heron species can be found here.

WALKING : Easy throughout except for one more moderate walk (optional), which follows narrow sheep tracks that contour around a hillside.

Northern Greece and Macedonia are mountainous but generally we stay on good tracks with mild or no ascent, walking up to 2-3 miles a day. Wear comfy walking shoes.

LEADERS : Robin Chittenden & Martin Hrouzek NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,675 £ 125 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return flights London-Thessaloniki, all accommodation and meals, minibus transport, Prespa boat trip, incidental tips, airport taxes, map, bird & butterfly checklist, and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to the driver and local guides, drinks, and other personal expenses.

These trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Finally, on our way back to Thessaloniki, we pay a brief visit to the Axios delta on the coast of northern Greece, where the likes of Collared Pratincole and Gull-billed Tern should help to provide a splendid finale.

This year’s tour, our second to Macedonia and northern Greece, will be led by Robin Chittenden and our Balkan specialist, Martin Hrouzek, an accomplished all-round naturalist with a particular knowledge of the region’s wonderful birds and butterflies. Our 2013 tour will be Martin’s tenth visit to Macedonia.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

! Prespa Lakes

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Thessaloniki. Cross from Greece into Macedonia.

Days 2 - 4 : Kavadarci region: Vardar river valley, Vitachevo, Dren and Babuna River.

Four nights Kavadarci Day 5 : Prilep and the Galichica plateau.

Overnight Bitola Days 6 - 7 : Cross from Macedonia into Greece.

Prespa Lakes.

Two nights Mikro Prespa Day 8 : Morning Axios delta, afternoon fly Thessaloniki-London.

Lesser Fiery Copper and, top, Blue-spot Hairtstreak (Photos: Martin Hrouzek)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Montenegro & Albania The unknown Adriatic in Spring Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 April 2013

MONTENEGRO ! Dubrovnik !

Virpazar

ALBANIA

(9 days)

An imaginative itinerary visiting Europe’s newest nation, Montenegro, and spend a day in one of its most mysterious: Albania. We’ll birdwatch amongst the area’s rich wetlands, its conifer-clad mountains, the fjords of the Adriatic coast and islands, and end the tour in the wonderful old walled city of Dubrovnik.

M

ontenegro is the youngest country in Europe that became independent from Serbia in 2006. Despite its tiny size it contains a wealth of different habitats all within easy reach.

The Mediterranean Sea Coast has the most striking scenery in Europe, but besides the beaches it also offers saltpans, sand dunes and the delta of River Bojana, all important migration stopovers. Further inland lies Lake Skadar sandwiched between mountains and fed by scenic Rijeka Crnojevica. The lake is home to thousands of Pygmy Cormorants and is the westernmost nesting place of the endangered Dalmatian Pelican. Durmitor National Park offers unspoilt mountains with huge coniferous forests home to Three-toed Woodpecker, Nutcracker and Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler amongst others.

Albania still remains one of the least known countries in Europe. Although it is characterised by dramatic mountains, sandy beaches, historic cities and Roman ruins, only a few people visit this far corner of our continent.

Roads in Albania are still in a bad state (and you’ll think Montenegro roads are bad enough!), so we’ve opted to stay just across the border in Montenegro and travel for a day-trip into Albania.

This original and innovative itinerary was developed by our good friends at Ecotours Hungary.

Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, arriving late afternoon. We’ll have some time in the evening to explore the historic city of Dubrovnik and have dinner in a seaside restaurant.

Overnight near Dubrovnik

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Day 2 : Starting from Dubrovnik we cross the border into Montenegro and soon reach the scenic Bay of Kotor, the southernmost fjord in Europe. Our road follows the lakeside until reaching Kotor, a beautiful town between the lake and dramatic cliffs. From here the road climbs up high into the mountains, where from the top we can enjoy the breathtaking vista of Kotor Bay and the surrounding mountains.

We then drive through Lovcen National Park stopping en route for birding. Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Black-eared Wheatear, Cirl and Rock Buntings, and Golden Eagle are all possible here.

We cross Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro and enter the valley of Rijeka Crnojevica that leads towards Skadar Lake. The landscape is once again dramatic as the river meanders between the hills into the lake.

We spend four nights in Virpazar, a sleepy town on the lakeside, in a guest-house overlooking the lake where Scops Owls call during the evenings.

Overnight Virpazar Day 3 : We take a boat ride on Lake Skadar, one of the largest freshwater lakes of Europe, to search for the last surviving Dalmatian Pelicans of the lake.

Black-necked Grebes, Pygmy Cormorants, Ferruginous Ducks, herons and egrets, Spoonbills, Whiskered Terns and Red-rumped Swallows are numerous and migration might turn up surprises.

After the boat ride we drive to the northern part of the lake, where we again look for Dalmatian Pelicans amongst other wetland birds.

Overnight Virpazar Day 4 : We visit the Ulcinj saltpans along the coast, where we walk along a dyke to view the pools. This is the best place for waders in Montenegro, especially during migration. Levant Sparrowhawk and Roller also occur in the area.

Then we explore Velika Plaza along the River Buna, an area of sand dunes, adjoining grassland, forests and wetlands that is an important breeding site and migration stopover.

Overnight Virpazar Day 5 : We cross into Albania for a day and explore Karavasta Lagoon, an important coastal wetland home to a nice population of Dalmatian Pelicans.

Migration brings thousands of waterbirds including

MONTENEGRO !

ALBANIA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels and guest houses with all rooms en suite LEADER :

István Bártol

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,795 £ 165 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return flights London - Dubrovnik, airport taxes, ground transportation, accommodation on a full-board basis, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to the driver and local guides, drinks, and other personal expenses.

an occasional Marsh Sandpiper or Broad-billed Sandpiper. Leaving the lagoons we drive further south through hilly countryside and visit the GrecoRoman ruins of Apollonia established in 558 BC in a lush valley dotted with olive trees, and then return to Virpazar.

Overnight Virpazar Day 6 : We leave Virpazar and drive further northwest into the mountains. We stop shortly to admire Ostrog Monastery built high upon a steep cliff. Late afternoon we reach Zabljak in Durmitor National Park where we spend two nights in a hotel located on the edge of town looking onto the surrounding forests and mountains.

Overnight Zabljak Day 7 : We spend the day in Durmitor National Park exploring its pristine forests for Nutcracker and Common Crossbill. The higher regions are home to Shore Lark, Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor and Snowfinch, but weather conditions may make access by ski lift difficult. We will also visit Tara Canyon, the deepest gorge in Europe where we have a chance to look for Rock Partridge, Wallcreeper and Rock Thrush. Birds of prey are also represented well in the park and we will keep an eye on the sky for Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle or Peregrine. Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes are common in the region, too.

Overnight Zabljak Day 8 : We drive back to Dubrovnik birdwatching on the way, stopping at the Tivat saltpans among other places.

In the afternoon we arrive at our accommodation near Dubrovnik.

Overnight near Dubrovnik Day 9 : After a final morning birding around our accommodation we drive to Dubrovnik Airport to take our flight back to the UK.

Kotor Bay on the Adriatic coast (Photo: Attila Steiner) Inset: Black-headed Bunting

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Morocco in Spring

MOROCCO

The deep desert, Atlas and the coast

MOROCCO Marrakech !

Agadir !

!

Boumalne

Derkaoua !

Thursday 21 - Sunday 31 March 2013

(11 days)

A spring journey to the edge of the Sahara, that will take us from the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains across stony desert plains and rocky wadis to the huge golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, back to the coast and finishing at the superb coastal wetland of Oued Massa. All this, and some of the best spring birdwatching anywhere in our region!

Waders, wildfowl and other wetland species are abundant. We have chances of Barbary Partridge, Audouin’s Gull, Red-necked Nightjar, Rufous Scrub Robin and Black-crowned Tchagra too, as we go in search of one of the world’s rarest and weirdestlooking birds, the critically endangered Bald Ibis.

All in all, it should make for a fitting climax to a truly wonderful tour – one that we think will surprise you in the warmth of its people, its richness of landscape and, above all, its birds!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Marrakech.

Day 2 : High Atlas mountains.

Two nights Marrakech Day 3 : Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass, east to Boumalne.

Day 4 : Tagdilt track and Gorges du Todra.

Two nights Boumalne Day 5 : Continue east to Erfoud.

Day 6 : Merzouga for Desert Sparrow.

Two nights Saharan auberge Day 7 : Heading west.

Overnight at Ouarzazate Day 8 : Anti-Atlas and the argana forest.

Overnight Taroudannt Days 9 - 10 : Atlantic coast: Cap Rhir, Oued Sous and Oued Massa.

Two nights Agadir Day 11 : North from Agadir. Fly Marrakech-London.

Please note : airline schedules to Morocco vary year on year, sometimes necessitating an adjustment to the itinerary on Days 1 and Day 11 as outlined above.

We have no control over this of course but any changes should not affect the birds seen or places visited on tour.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels range from a former Sultan’s palace in the walled city of Taroudannt to a splendid French-run auberge in the Sahara desert. Standards do vary across Morocco, but overall surprisingly good. All rooms have private facilities.

MEALS : All included in the price. Dinner and breakfast at the hotels. Most lunches (and the odd breakfast) will be picnics. Some lunches may be taken at local restaurants, where the food is good.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks (approx 1-3 kms) over easy-moderate terrain. Maximum elevation: 2600-3000 metres, at Oukaimeden (for a few hours on one day only). Walking shoes or lightweight boots with sturdy, corrugated soles recommended for this tour. Be prepared for early starts to beat the desert heat.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By coach (minibus with small group), switching to 4WD Landrovers in the desert at Merzouga. Please be aware that Morocco is a big country and this tour does involve a fair amount of travelling - but the everchanging backdrop and frequent stops for birds are a treat not to be missed.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Arnoud van den Berg NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,895 £ 180 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights London-Marrakech, all accommodation, meals and transport, 4WD Landrover desert excursion at Merzouga, tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

M

agnificent at any season, Morocco boasts the richest birdlife in North Africa. Set against an ever-changing backcloth, our spring visit finds this beautiful and incredibly varied country at its best. With the northward rush of migration in full flow, this is an excellent time to seek Morocco’s long list of outstanding breeding birds: Bald Ibis, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Plain Martin, Bar-tailed, Thick-billed, Temminck’s and Hoopoe Larks, Red-rumped, Desert and Mourning Wheatears, Moussier’s Redstart, Tristram’s Warbler, Fulvous Babbler... the list of specialities seems endless!

Our tour commences in Marrakech, with the prospect of Seebohm’s Wheatear and Crimsonwinged Finch as we drive to over 2500m in the snowcapped High Atlas mountains. In forests nearby, we will look for Levaillant’s Woodpecker, the first of several species on this tour that are endemic to Northwest Africa.

Descending to the oasis town of Ouarzazate, we head next to Boumalne for our first real taste of desert birding. Larks abound on the stony hamada at Tagdilt and we may find sandgrouse and Creamcoloured Courser, too. Continuing east, we head deeper into the desert for a two-night stay at an isolated auberge on the fringes of the great Sahara.

An exciting excursion by Landrover will carry us out to Merzouga, where the huge red dunes of Erg Chebbi create a spectacular setting to our quest for African Desert Warbler, Brown-necked Raven and the declining Desert Sparrow. And although Egyptian Nightjars are not present every year, our last five tours have all been lucky!

Retracing our steps to Ouarzazate, we leave the weathered hills and wadis of the interior behind and drop down towards the Moroccan coast. We’ll watch for Black-winged Kite on our way to the ancient walled city of Taroudannt, where our hotel for the night began life as a sultan’s palace and garden birds include Little Swift, Spotless Starling and African Blue Tit. Our birding concludes at Agadir, beside the blue Atlantic shore. Here the bird-rich estuaries of the rivers Sous and Massa offer a remarkable contrast.

The view from Cafe Yasmina (Photo: Ray Nowicki) and, inset, Bald Ibis (Photo: Robin Chittenden)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Morocco in Autumn Northern Marshes, High Atlas & Atlantic Coast Saturday 5 - Sunday 13 October 2013

(9 days)

This 9-day birdwatching tour to Morocco in autumn is hard to beat! Ranging from Tangier and the bird-filled northern marshes, south to High Atlas peaks and the remarkable Atlantic coast at Agadir, it’s the perfect complement to our March Morocco tour. Everything from Marsh Owl and Eleonora’s Falcon to Bald Ibis and Crimson-winged Finch amongst a host of North African specialities and autumn migrants.

P

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

icture flocks of White Storks soaring gracefully overhead on migration... flights of hundreds of Glossy Ibis... the challenge of sifting through twenty or more different species of wader... and encounters with the likes of Squacco Heron, Bonelli’s Eagle, Purple Swamphen, Red-knobbed Coot and Common Bulbul... All these and more have regularly been seen on the first full day of our autumn Morocco tour! Later it may be the turn of Barbary Partridge, Marbled Duck, Barbary Falcon, Lesser Crested and Royal Terns, House Bunting, Bluethroat and Black-crowned Tchagra to set our pulses racing.

From Tangier we travel via the bird-rich estuaries and marshlands of northwest Morocco, inland to the beautiful Cork Oak woodlands and scrub-covered hills of the Zaërs. Continuing south to the grandeur of the High Atlas mountains and out along the rugged cliff-lined coast of Morocco’s sunny southwest, this October tour offers some of the most exciting, varied and incredibly scenic autumn birding anywhere in the Western Palearctic.

Our extended itinerary concludes with two nights in Marrakech plus two in Agadir, so as to incorporate visits to the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas and the glorious sea-cliffs and estuaries of southern Morocco’s Atlantic shore. Here we will look for the endemic Levaillant’s Woodpecker before driving up to more than 2500m above sea-level to enter the realm of Alpine Chough, Shore Lark and the elusive Crimson-winged Finch.

To the west, the arid coastal strip is home to the dazzling Moussier’s Redstart. The criticallyendangered Bald Ibis, one of the world’s rarest - and weirdest-looking – birds, has its one remaining stronghold here, too. For those that wish, there may be time for a brief sight-seeing trip to the bustling main square in Marrakech before we finish our journey at Agadir, with visits to two of the region’s finest wetlands: the Oued Sous and Oued Massa.

Wetland birds abound and we could encounter just about anything here, from Ruddy Shelduck and Black-winged Kite to Plain Martin and Laughing Dove.

Over the years, this tour has produced so many

Moulay Bousselham !

Rabat !

memorable highlights: from North Africa’s relict population of Marsh Owls leaving their daytime roost to quarter the swampy grassland, to cliff-top gatherings of supremely elegant Eleonora’s Falcons performing breathtaking aerobatics right over our heads. We may even encounter the puzzling “Moroccan” or African Reed Warbler, which is presently an undescribed taxon. With masses of autumn migrants on the move, Arnoud’s excellent local contacts and the experience of some twenty years of Morocco tours behind us, this amazing trip really is too good to miss!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Our holiday begins with an evening flight from London to Tangier. We’ll be met on arrival and transfer to our hotel at Asilah, a short drive to the south of Tangier airport.

Overnight Asilah

! Asilah

MOROCCO ! Marrakech Agadir !

MOROCCO

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels in Morocco do vary but, with the exception of the hotel at Moulay Bousselham (see following), the overall standard on this tour is good. All rooms are en suite.

Because the only flights to Tangier arrive there in the late evening, we spend the first night at a hotel that lies within an easy drive of the airport, to give a more relaxed start to the tour. Note that Moulay Bousselham lies off the beaten tourist track and our hotel for our one-night stay in the area has been chosen for its location. Presently, it is the only accommodation convenient to the Marsh Owls; rooms are basic but the food is good.

MEALS : All included in the price. Dinner and breakfast at the hotels. Most lunches (and the occasional breakfast on this trip) will be picnics, but some meals taken at convenient restaurants along the way.

Day 2 : After breakfast at our hotel, we board our coach and travel an hour or so down the coast to arrive at the wonderful Loukkos marshes.

In the afternoon we continue south to Merdja Zerga, with its famous Marsh Owls.

Overnight Moulay Bousselham

WALKING : Easy. Short walks over easy-moderate terrain. Maximum elevation: 2600-3000 metres in the High Atlas (for a few hours only). Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or lightweight boots with rugged, corrugated soles advised.

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

Day 3 : With its narrow, ribbon-like form, Lac de Sidi Bourhaba is one of the best spots in Morocco to see wintering ducks.

In the late afternoon, we head to the coastal cliffs at nearby Salé, where the elegant Eleonora’s Falcon breeds.

Overnight Skhirat

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,795 £ 135 £ 300 per person

Day 4 : Taking a picnic breakfast, a very early start is essential this morning if we are to stand any chance of finding what is now one of Morocco’s rarest birds, the Double-spurred Francolin.

Overnight Skhirat Day 5 : After breakfast we resume our journey to Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains.

After dinner, we’ll pay a sightseeing visit (optional) to the city’s bustling main square, Djemaa

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Arnoud van den Berg

The prices are per person and include return scheduled flights London-Tangier and AgadirLondon, all accommodation, meals, coach/minibus transport, all entry fees, tips and gratuities, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

el F’na – with its colourful array of jugglers, fireeaters, snake charmers, water-sellers and fortunetellers.

Overnight Marrakech Day 6 : Our birding reaches a real high today as we drive from Marrakech on the plain, up to around 3000m in the beautiful High Atlas mountains.

Overnight Marrakech Day 7 : Leaving the dramatic scenery of the High Atlas Mountains behind, we reach the Atlantic coast once more to search for the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis.

Overnight Agadir Day 8 : Our final day in Morocco will be spent at one of its finest wetland reserves, Oued Massa.

Overnight Agadir Day 9 : Our flight home departs Agadir today.

Afternoon arrival in London, where our tour concludes.

The High Atlas – the view from Oukaimeden

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

POLAND

Biebrza !

Bialowieza !

Poland in Spring

Primæval forests and bird-rich marshes

WARSAW "

Sunday 5 - Sunday 12 May 2013

(8 days)

POLAND

We visit the wild ancient forest of Bialowieza, and some of Europe’s richest, most unspoilt marshland for some of the finest birdwatching and wildlife experiences that the continent has to offer.

over two thousand years old, form the core of the forest, but there are several other habitat types in the area, including riverine marshes and secondary woodland. In the company of local guides we wander amongst the forest giants of pine, spruce, poplar, hornbeam and oak, accompanied by the trill of Wood Warbler and the fluting of Golden Oriole, while flocks of Hawfinch fly overhead. This is a very open, light forest, with a rich ground flora.

We visit in prime breeding season, when all the late-arriving species, including Red-breasted Flycatcher, River and Aquatic Warblers should be in full song, but not too late to see some of the key woodland residents, including all the woodpeckers.

An incredible nine species of woodpecker breed here, including the rare White-backed, and the quiet but sometimes exceedingly confiding Three-toed Woodpecker. Other forest possibilities include Black Stork, the elusive Hazel Hen, and Collared Flycatcher. Pygmy Owl is another local speciality, and we’ll take a dusk walk in the company of a local owl-guide to look for this elusive bird.

Nearby wetlands can be almost as productive as Biebrza, with the additional attraction of breeding Citrine Wagtail, now extending its range westwards from its Russian strongholds.

The forest is probably most famous for its reintroduced herd of European Bison and though we could see some of these huge and surprisingly elusive beasts during our stay. A range of other mammals includes Red and Roe Deer.

Wolves are never far away, and some of our groups have actually seen one on previous tours.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a scheduled flight from London - Warsaw and drive to Biebrza, where we spend three nights.

Three nights Biebrza

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Hotels at both Bialowieza and Biebrza are en suite. A limited number of single rooms are available.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By small coach or minibus with local driver.

WALKING : Easy. Mostly short walks on level ground. Wellington boots will be needed for walking in some marshy areas.

LEADERS : John Muddeman & Csaba Lendvai NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,495 £ 155 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London - Warsaw, accommodation, meals, ground transportation by minicoach, incidental tips, admissions and national park fees, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, optional tips to local drivers and guides, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-flight cost (Warsaw/Warsaw), please deduct £ 155 from the holiday cost.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Days 4 - 7 : We then travel southeast to the primæval forest of Bialowieza – one of the largest areas of virgin lowland woodland on the continent.

We stay at a hotel in the village of Bialowieza, with excellent birdwatching possibilities around the village.

Four nights Bialowieza Day 8 : We drive back to Warsaw, and may have time for some final birding before taking our return flight to London.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

N

orth-eastern Poland boasts, in a nutshell, some of the wildest and most unspoilt forest and freshwater marshland habitats in Europe.

From the vast Biebrza Marshes to the ancient forest of Bialowieza, we travel through an old-world landscape, where free-range animals still run amongst the farm buildings, and where ponds and patches of uncultivated ground are still scattered about the flower-rich countryside.

The vast expanse of the Biebrza Marshes form one of Europe's largest stretches of marshland, extending for nearly 100 km. A maze of channels intersects a landscape of pools, reedbeds and wet meadows, which together form one of the most birdrich habitats on the continent.

The marshes will also hold most of the species you might expect to encounter in Eastern Europe including breeding Red-necked Grebe and Spotted Crake, while Corncrake are still quite numerous here. The wetter areas can hold hundreds of marsh terns, including the delightful White-winged Black Tern. Raptors will also be impressive in number and variety. The edges of the marsh have wet meadows where waders breed in abundance.

At this time, the numbers of marsh birds are swelled by migrants, especially waders, pouring north into Scandinavia and Russia, and we will be entranced by the sight of hundreds of Ruff in breeding plumage, together with flocks of Cranes.

The marsh also holds an excellent range of mammals, and we hope to see Elk and Wild Boar, as well as plenty of evidence of European Beaver.

One evening we visit the 'lek', or display area, of one of Europe's most elusive and declining waders Great Snipe. We arrive at dusk as the birds congregate to make their strange grunting and whistling calls, fan out their white tail corners and leap into the air in a unique display.

Bialowieza's huge trees, some thought to be

Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Warsaw, for a chance to spend a bit more time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.

Birdwatching in Bialowieza, prime habitat for White-backed (inset) and other woodpeckers. (Photo: Mike Read) Above: Red-breasted Flycatcher (Photo: Keith Grant)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Romania

ROMANIA ROMANIA

Danube Delta and Black Sea Coast Friday 3 - Saturday 11 May 2013 Saturday 7 - Sunday 15 September 2013

Danube Delta

(9 days) (9 days)

" Bucharest

Tulcea !

!

Mamaia

Our 9-day spring and autumn birdwatching tours to Romania feature three nights aboard a superior hotel-boat exploring the Danube Delta - and a choice of two exciting and differing itineraries within Europe’s greatest wetland wilderness! Plus the Black Sea coast and Macin Mountains National Park.

F

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

or its serene beauty and richness of birds, the immense Danube Delta is perhaps Europe’s greatest natural treasure. The largest reedbeds in the world are here and, from May through September, the Delta provides one of the continent’s major bird spectacles. It is worth coming to see the pelicans alone, as they plane across the skies like undulating ribbons of smoke.

Even today, this whole region remains difficult to access, for few roads threaten this peaceful haven.

Indeed, much of our birding is possible only by water and the centrepiece of this wonderful holiday will be an exploration of the vast swamps aboard one of the Danube’s unique ‘hotel-boats’. We spend three nights afloat, using a superior vessel with all cabins en suite and a flat upper deck that affords unrivalled views of the Delta and its magnificent birdlife.

Whether your preference is to travel in May or September, both are excellent months to visit Romania. The sheer number and variety of birds present then is impressive: colourful Rollers and Bee-eaters are frequent beside the roads, and the flights of White Pelicans in choreographed flocks above the Delta are a sight not to be missed.

Our tour begins with three nights on the birdrich Black Sea coast, where Dobrogea is a region of forested valleys hidden below a plateau of rolling arable land. Birds of prey to watch for include Lesser Spotted Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk and Red-footed Falcon. There are some excellent wetlands too, thronged by waders, waterfowl, herons and marsh terns.

In May, the breeding season will be in full swing.

Waves of Glossy Ibises, Spoonbills and Pygmy Cormorants pass across the Delta’s skies and specialities to be found include Dalmatian Pelican, Great Black-headed Gull, Paddyfield Warbler, and Pied and Isabelline Wheatears. Birds can be even more numerous in September, when young families are about. Hobbies hawk for dragonflies, and both months can be outstanding for migrants with a host of raptors, waders, storks and passerines on the move. Our spring visit focuses on the sheltered lakes of the northern delta where most of the breeding takes place, while in autumn we head south to Sacaline, a sandy peninsula on the Black Sea coast and a superb place for migrants!

New for 2013, we finish our tour with two nights

!

Black Sea

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We spend our first night at a 5-star hotel beside the Danube in Silistra (which lies just across the border into Bulgaria); this breaks the long drive to the coast and offers some great birding nearby, making it an ideal stopover. At the coast, we use a good quality medium-grade tourist hotel, with all rooms en suite. In the Delta, we use a superior quality hotel boat (known locally as a ‘ponton’), with all cabins en suite (see below).

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks at the coast. Most birding in the Delta must be done by boat, with only limited opportunity for occasional short walks where/when landing on terra firma is possible.

based at a hotel in Tulcea, exploring the region’s saline lakes and the scenic Macin Mountains National Park. Birds of prey, wheatears and Sombre Tit are among a wealth of species to look for.

With our experienced local guide Zoli Baczó, and the benefit of more than twenty previous tours to Romania behind us, why not join us for some of the best birding Europe has to offer!

Outline Itineraries Please note: The itineraries for our spring and autumn cruises in the Danube delta are different. On our May tour, we start our cruise at the Danube port of Tulcea and travel along the Sulina Channel to access the sheltered bays and lakes of the northern part of delta, where most of the breeding takes place. In September, we embark at Murighiol and travel the St Gheorge Channel, in the southern part of the delta, out to the Sacaline peninsula, a 20km sand bar jutting into the Black Sea. This area is generally better for wetland birds in autumn – and is a hot spot for migrants!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Fly London-Bucharest.

Days 2 - 3 : Black Sea coastal wetlands, woodlands and steppe.

Three nights Mamaia

‘HOTEL BOAT’ : In the Delta, we spend four nights sleeping on board a three-storey ‘hotel boat’.

Known locally as a “ponton”, a typical boat is equipped with small, twin bedded or double guest rooms (situated on the lower deck of the ponton), each with private facilities. A limited number of single occupancy rooms is usually available on board so please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to be assigned a single. Although not spacious or luxurious, the ponton we use offers clean and comfortable accommodation. Pontons do not have their own engine and so are towed behind a smaller launch. We will endeavour to explore a wide variety of habitats, using a combination of the ponton, small motor boat and occasionally (particularly if water levels are very low) rowing boats manned by the crew.

LEADERS : May – Stephen Daly & Zoltán Baczó September – Peter Kennerley & Zoltán Baczó NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp.* : Deposit :

£ 1,545 £ 130 £ 300

per person

The price per person includes return scheduled flights London-Bucharest, all meals and accommodation including four nights aboard ‘hotel boat’ within the Danube Delta, midi-coach or minibus transport, permit fees, admissions, tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist & services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *A limited number of single rooms is available onboard the ponton (‘hotel-boat’). Please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to be assigned a single room.

Both trips will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Days 4 - 6 : Babadag Forest and Danube Delta.

Three nights on board floating ‘hotel-boat’ Days 7 - 8 : Murighiol lakes and Macin Mountains National Park.

Two nights Tulcea Day 9 : Return to Bucharest, fly London.

Huge reedbeds in the Danube Delta are cut for thatching – perhaps for an English cottage! Top: Red-footed Falcon (Photo: Mike Read)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Southern Portugal

PORTUGAL

The Alentejo & Algarve in Spring

Wednesday 10 – Wednesday 17 April 2013

"

SPAIN

FARO

F

or this tour we will be based in a truly peaceful hotel in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The rolling plains, dotted with cork oaks, are home to Great and Little Bustards, larks, buntings, raptors including Montagu’s Harrier, breeding White Storks, European Bee-eaters and Hoopoes. Further south, the Algarve has a good variety of coastal habitats, from the rugged cliffs of Cape St Vincent on the Atlantic coast to the easily accessed Pera Marsh and Ria Formosa wetlands. In spring this south-facing coast attracts countless migrant waders and other birds that pass through on their way to their breeding grounds. It is not just the passing migrant birds, though, that give this area such good birdwatching possibilities, there is also an impressive array of resident and breeding birds, including Azure-winged Magpie in the Stone Pines and Purple Gallinule in the freshwater marshes.

In addition, the flowers in spring, whether on the plains of the Alentejo or on the coastal heathlands, sand dunes or the limestone cliffs, can be spectacular and varied.

Itinerary Days 1 - 7 : We fly from London – Faro with the possibility of doing some coastal birding before heading inland to our spectacularly-situated and peaceful hotel where we stay for the full seven nights.

We plan to make two days of excursions around Castro Verde to search for the special birds found on the steppe-like plains here. Both Great and Little Bustards should be displaying at this time of year and we should find Stone Curlew, Black-shouldered and Red Kites, Montagu’s Harrier and Calandra Lark and, if we are lucky, Great Spotted Cuckoo. In this area we even have a chance of seeing a wandering Black Vulture. On one of these ‘plains days’ we will

With its great diversity of habitat providing first landfall for thousands of spring migrants and a fine range of resident birds on the coast and inland, Portugal's Algarve and Alentejo regions have some of Europe's finest spring birdwatching, and an outstanding flora. Add to this a range of varied and beautiful landscapes, a rich history, friendly people and some fine food and wine, and you have the makings of a great week! visit the delightful town of Mertola where Lesser Kestrels and White Storks breed.

All along the coast, but especially at the Rio Formosa area near Quinta do Lago can be found lakes, salt and fresh-water marshes and estuaries.

Reed-lined lakes may have both Purple Gallinule, and the elusive Little Bittern, along with the introduced Common Waxbill. Caspian Tern may be seen along the coast here, and wildfowl and waders, including the elegant Black-winged Stilt, are numerous. Wildfowl may include Red-crested Pochard or even Marbled Duck. The area also has a number of golf courses, whose well-watered greens often prove attractive to Hoopoe, while pine woodland plays host to flocks of delightful Azurewinged Magpies and colourful Bee-eaters.

One day we will visit Foia, the Algarve’s highest peak. (Don’t worry; the vehicles will take us right up to the car park at the top!) Here we should get to see Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Rock Bunting, while the skies here can be crisscrossed by Red-rumped Swallows. These hills inland are home to a good variety of raptors including Booted, Bonelli's and Short-toed Eagles, with the possibility of migrant Ring Ouzel around the rocky summits, and Iberian Chiffchaff and Hawfinch, together with Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodchat Shrike and Crested Tit in the woods below.

Depending on how much time we spend on Foia, we may find time to venture to the most southwesterly point of the European mainland, Cape St Vincent. This spectacular part of the coast boasts flower-covered heathlands and rugged limestone cliffs. Spring flowers include Honeywort and the delightful Hoop Petticoat Daffodil together with a host of Lusitanian endemics such as the remarkably sticky Cistus palhinae. Here can be found both Pallid and Alpine Swift, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart,

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a family-run, simple (slightly rustic!) hotel (all rooms en suite) overlooking an attractive lake. The location is excellent for a birdwatching tour. Birdwatching is good around the hotel with Nightingale and Sardinian Warbler found in the picturesque gardens.

LEADERS : Mike Read & Frank McLintock NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,595 £ 155 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of accommodation as detailed above, all meals, return flight London – Faro*, airport taxes, minibus transport, admissions, incidental tips and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks, and personal expenses. *We may be able to arrange flights to Faro from UK regional airports. Please enquire for details. For an ex-flight cost (Faro-Faro), please deduct £ 130 from the tour cost.

Chough and Peregrine, while seawatching can produce Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters, and both Great and Arctic Skuas. On the short vegetation a little inland we look for Tawny Pipit, Short-toed and Thekla Larks and Spectacled Warbler. Like so many coastal headlands, Cape St Vincent can also attract large numbers of migrants. If we are lucky we may encounter a ‘fall’ of passerines or an unexpected passage of raptors.

Seven nights Quinta do Barranca de Estrada Day 8 : We may have some time for a little birdwatching locally before catching our return flight to London.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Barranco de Estrada !

(8 days)

What you say: “…another very enjoyable holiday. You certainly impart a wealth of knowledge in the best possible way.”

M.B., Middx.

“It was a wonderful trip & experience & we would both like to thank you.”

H.M. & D.M., W. Mids.

“A first class trip in every way and thoroughly enjoyable.”

J.C., Northants. “….excellent leaders, and we had a lot of laughs. They always ensured everyone saw the bird…”

C.W., Hants “Good balance of visits - different distance and venue each day. A very good holiday.”

B. & S.G., Devon "I thoroughly enjoyed myself and thought it very good value."

T.M., Merseyside Great Bustard (Photo: Mike Read)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Andalucía

Southern Spain in Autumn Wednesday 11 - Wednesday 18 September 2013

SPAIN

(8 days) El Rocío ! !

Join us for the autumn migration in two of Europe's best birdwatching areas, for migrant and resident specialities in the Coto de Doñana, and when raptors and other birds are streaming across the Strait of Gibraltar!

T

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

he southbound migration of birds of prey and storks across the Strait of Gibraltar each autumn has long been recognised as one of Europe’s greatest avian spectacles. The narrow stretch of water between the sierras of southernmost Andalucia and the coast of North Africa provides the shortest crossing over the Mediterranean, with the result that huge numbers of migratory soaring birds flock here every September.

Our tour will focus on the best raptor watchpoints around Tarifa, with spectacular views across the Strait to the mountains of Morocco.

When conditions are right, parties of Black Kites and Honey Buzzards assemble in search of the morning’s first thermals, rising up over the wooded slopes of the coastal sierras. Anticipation grows as the first dots appear in the distance, gradually metamorphosing into an assortment of different shapes and sizes, now discernible as birds of prey.

Soon they are with us! At times, some are so close we can see the ‘expression’ on their faces: Eurasian Griffons, Egyptian Vultures, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers... all gathering together in readiness for the crossing to Morocco. With them come clouds of White Storks and often a sprinkling of scarcer Black Storks, seeking to gain height before streaming out across the Strait.

Each day will of course be different as the presence of raptors depends very much on the prevailing winds. On days when the winds are not right however, there is much to see elsewhere in this lovely corner of Spain. Black-winged Stilt, Hoopoe and Sardinian Warbler are among a host of classic ‘Mediterranean’ birds to try for and we might also be lucky to find some of the region’s more localised inhabitants, such as Black-winged Kite, Audouin’s Gull, White-rumped and Little Swifts - and perhaps even Rüppell’s Vulture.

But all this is to come, for our tour begins to the north of Cadiz with a three-night stay beside Spain’s most illustrious national park, the Coto Doñana.

Purple Swamphens clamber about the reeds and troops of exotic Azure-winged Magpies roam the pines, whilst the wetlands at nearby Huelva host migrant waders and terns as well as resident specialities such as Greater Flamingo and Whiteheaded Duck. In September, large numbers of

Seville

! Tarifa

TRIP DETAILS FLIGHTS : We use the scheduled services of British Airways or similar, direct from LondonGibraltar. Just occasionally, we may switch routes to fly Seville or Jerez instead, according to airline schedules and timings available at the time. If you are planning to join this tour on a ‘land only’ basis please contact our office before booking your travel plans to check routing and where to meet the group.

Roller (Photo: Stephen Daly/AndalucianGuides.com)

passerine migrants pass through this area too, including virtually all the Pied Flycatchers in Europe!

We may see Bluethroat and Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron and Slender-billed Gull ‘Man on the spot’, Stephen Daly, lives at Barbate, just along the coast from Tarifa, and leads many of our Spanish tours. His intimate local knowledge of the fickle winds and weather patterns around The Strait of Gibraltar during the peak season for migration will prove invaluable on this exciting autumn tour.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a direct flight from London to Gibraltar, where Stephen will be waiting to welcome us. From here we drive directly to El Rocío, a small village right beside the Coto Doñana National Park, which will be our base for a three-night stay.

Three nights El Rocío Days 4 - 7 : After three nights at Doñana, we move south into the drier and more mountainous coastal area around Tarifa. Forming one of the great migration channels of Europe, huge numbers of

ACCOMMODATION : We begin with three nights at the charming and comfortable 3-star Hotel La Malvasia (‘the White-headed Duck’) in El Rocio village, with views overlooking the Coto. Its 16 guest rooms feature handmade furniture, antique tiles and private bathroom with shower as well as air conditioning, digital TV and telephone. Followed by four nights at La Codorniz (‘the Quail’), a comfortable 3-star hotel near Tarifa, well-known for its Andalusian-style restaurant and excellent swimming pool - and right on the spot for the passage of birds of prey and storks. Our groups have been using both hotels for a number of years now and their locations are just perfect for our tour. All rooms en suite.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfast and dinner at the hotels. Lunches may be taken at a local venta or as picnics in the field.

WALKING : Easy. Short walks, interspersed with periods sitting watching and waiting for migrating birds of prey and storks at the Strait. Comfy walking shoes recommended (if dry, trainers will often suffice).

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Stephen Daly NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supps. : Deposit :

£ 1,545 £ 165 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return flights London-Gibraltar, all accommodation, meals, surface transport, incidental tips, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

birds – especially raptors and storks – gather here to take advantage of the narrowest crossing over the Strait of Gibraltar into Africa.

Our itinerary in this delightful and varied corner of Andalucia will remain flexible throughout so we can make optimal use of the prevailing weather. If conditions are right, we’ll make raptor-watching a priority, ensuring we are in position to witness peak passage of the day’s crop of southbound migrants.

Four nights Tarifa Day 8 : After breakfast, we bid a reluctant farewell to Stephen’s enviable ‘home patch’ and drive the short distance back to Gibraltar for our flight back to London.

Birding at the Strait of Gilbraltar

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Spanish Pyrenees

FRANCE

Berdun and the High Aragón

!

Berdun

Sunday 5 - Sunday 12 May 2013 SPAIN

A hilltop village set in a vast landscape – broad river valleys on either side, snowcapped mountains to the north and pine-clad rocky hills rising dramatically from the valley floor to the south – Berdun makes a truly memorable base for a wildlife holiday. We stay at an English-run Casa Rural guesthouse at the foot of the village.

F

rom the village itself we look down on scattered cornfields, interspersed with the crumbling grey marl “badlands”. These are a splendid wildlife habitat, full of the scents of thyme and other herbs.

Birds here are characteristic of the Mediterranean, and include Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Subalpine and Melodious Warblers, Tawny Pipit, Rock Sparrow and Ortolan Bunting. Down by the nearby rivers Great Reed Warblers grunt from the reeds, and Golden Orioles flute from the orchid-rich poplar groves. At night the village has Scops and Barn Owls, both of which can be seen by the village streetlights, which also attract some remarkable moths including Spanish Moon and Giant Peacock moths.

The area is one of the best in Europe for raptors.

Red and Black Kites together with Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, and the odd Booted Eagle soar around the village, while Montagu’s Harriers nest on the nearby farmland, and Short-toed Eagles hover over the open hillsides, searching for snakes and lizards.

But for most birdwatchers, one of the major goals of a visit to the Spanish Pyrenees must be to see that most rakish and dashing of vultures, the Lammergeier. This is one of the best places in Europe to see this declining species, and most years we see individuals on several occasions during our stay.

We'll walk some of the limestone gorges nearby, looking up at the vultures, Choughs and Crag Martins, together with Alpine Swift and Blue Rock Thrush. In one gorge we have had stunning views of Wallcreeper less than 10m above us. Flowers include several orchids and the endemic Pyrenean Saxifrage and blue Ramonda on the rock faces. May can be a good time for butterflies here, given sunny weather. Further afield the pinewoods have Crossbill, Crested Tit, Citril Finch and Black Woodpecker.

To the north, the High Pyrenean peaks form one of Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas, with some of its most spectacular mountain landscapes, where Chamois graze on the steep slopes, and where Alpine Chough and Golden Eagle haunt the

(8 days)

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at an English-run Casa Rural guesthouse with all rooms en suite, set in gardens at the foot of the village.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Richard Cash

Hoopoe (Photo: Mike Read)

skies. At this time of year the high pastures are coming into bloom, with endemic species like Pyrenean Snakeshead, Yellow Turk’s Cap and Pyrenean Bluebell starting to flower.

May can still be cold in the mountains, but this is probably the best time of year for birds, with spring migrants still coming through, and many species in full song around the village. The Nightingale song here can be quite breathtaking! Quite apart from the wildlife, it is the unique character of the village that makes a stay here so memorable and enjoyable.

Our leader, Richard Cash, is a nature and walking guide who has lived in the area for 18 years and loves showing visitors the remarkable plant and birdlife as well as the mountains, villages and people of this fabulous area.

NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,395 £ 120 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight from London - Bilbao, airport taxes, 7 nights’ accommodation, meals, wine or soft drinks and coffee with meals, incidental tips, minibus transport and the services of the leader/s.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks (but please note that wine and coffee is included with meals), and other personal expenses.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Bilbao. From here it is about a three hour drive to Berdun. We’ll stop on the way for a short break.

Overnight Berdun Days 2 - 7 : Six nights Berdun

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

!

Bilbao

Day 8 : We leave after breakfast and drive back to Bilbao for our flight home in the late afternoon or evening.

Bee-eater (Photo: Mike Read)

Berdun Poppy (Photo: Richard Cash) and, inset, Knapweed Fritillary (Photo: Roger Wasley)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Extremadura

" MADRID

Spring and autumn weeks in Spain’s secret wilderness Sunday 14 – Sunday 21 October 2012 Saturday 30 March – Saturday 6 April 2013 Saturday 28 September – Saturday 5 October 2013

!

Trujillo

(8 days) (8 days) (8 days)

SPAIN

For more than a decade we’ve been running tours to the heart of one of our favourite areas in Europe, Spain’s secret wilderness of Extremadura, for spring and autumn breaks. Join us for a full week in this Spanish heaven!

T

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

he wild and beautiful country of Extremadura holds some of Europe's most endangered bird species in their last strongholds. The rolling plains of the “Spanish Steppes”, well-represented here, are home to Europe's strongest remaining population of its largest bird, Great Bustard, together with good numbers of Little Bustard, and both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

A spectacular assemblage of raptors includes Black Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Blackshouldered Kite.

High on the list is a visit to Monfragüe National Park, possibly the best year-round raptor-watching site in Europe. Situated to the north of Trujillo, the park is the Spanish stronghold for Black Vulture, which breed here together with both Griffon and summering Egyptian Vultures. Eagles are also well represented, with the star birds being around ten pairs of Spanish Imperial Eagle, which is considered by many to be one of the world's most endangered raptors. Golden and Bonelli's Eagles are also resident and are joined in spring by Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Several of these species breed on and around the dramatic pinnacle of Peñafalcón, which also holds Chough, Crag Martin and Alpine Swift, the occasional Black Wheatear, and breeding Eagle Owls nearby. In spring, it is also one of the easiest places in Europe to watch shy Black Storks at a breeding site. Our autumn trip should give us plenty of raptors to watch and we also hope for one of Europe's rarest birds, the late-nesting Whiterumped Swift.

The nearby rolling countryside holds good stands of the open oak woodland, or “dehesa”, which is such a distinctive feature of Extremadura.

Here we can find good numbers of Iberian Azurewinged Magpie in its stronghold and keep our eyes open for the very scarce Black-shouldered Kite. In spring, incoming migrants include Bee-eater, Black-

eared Wheatear, Great Spotted Cuckoo and often Roller.

The plains of the area form part of the "Spanish Steppes" with a fascinating assemblage of birds. It is here that we hope to see Great Bustard performing its incredible breeding display, in which the male turns itself into a huge white pom-pom of feathers. We have watched these normally shy males display as close as two hundred yards away from us on spring visits in the past – a breathtaking sight! Little Bustard are usually abundant, and we also hope to see both Pin-tailed and the commoner Black-bellied Sandgrouse, together with local resident passerines including abundant Calandra Lark. Spanish Sparrows are rather scarce in Spain but are common here with flocks of several hundred often seen. Small wetland sites in the area hold Purple Heron, Little Bittern and other waterbirds, including Purple Gallinule, which can be surprisingly easy to see, while the bulrushes and reedbeds hold breeding Savi’s Warbler, Red Avadavat and Common Waxbill, the latter two intriguing introductions to Iberia that are slowly spreading.

Trujillo, well-known for its beautiful town square with breeding Pallid Swifts, and White Storks, also has one of the highest concentrations of Lesser Kestrels in Europe during spring and summer – we have counted over a hundred in the air together in the past.

Throughout the area, with its picturesque villages and huge savannah-like landscape, White Stork nests can be found almost everywhere you look. This is a unique, and incredibly distinctive part of Europe, with lovely scenery, small empty lanes, and absolutely brimming with birds: don’t just take our word for it – join us here!

Our base, a charming guest house or ‘Casa Rural’ in the steppe countryside just north of Trujillo,

couldn’t be better placed to make the most of the area.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Madrid. From here it is about a three hour drive to our hotel. We’ll stop on the way for a short break.

Overnight near Trujillo Days 2 - 7 : Six nights near Trujillo Day 8 : We leave after breakfast and drive back to Madrid for our flight home in the late afternoon or evening.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a Casa Rural, a small country guest house in the Extremadura countryside. All rooms are en suite. Please note that the number of single rooms available is very limited – if you require a single room, you are advised to book as early as possible. Lunches will be mostly picnics.

TRANSPORT is by minibus.

WALKING : Short walks of up to 1 - 2 miles on easy trails and footpaths. There is an optional climb up steps to the viewpoint in Monfragüe.

PRINCIPAL LEADERS : Autumn 2012 & Spring 2013: Tim Earl Autumn 2013: Byron Palacios NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,645 £ 185 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of accommodation as detailed above, all meals, return flight London - Madrid*, airport taxes, minibus transport, admissions and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Madrid/Madrid) please deduct £ 125 per person from the tour cost.

Birdwatching in the dehesa, inset: Spanish Festoon (Photo: Ray Nowicki), and top: Azure-winged Magpie (Photo: Margaret Welby)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Northern Spain

FRANCE

SPAIN

Wallcreepers and Cranes in Aragón

!

Huesca

!

Daroca

!

Barcelona

Sunday 18 - Saturday 24 November 2012 Sunday 17 - Saturday 23 November 2013

(7 days) (7 days)

Join us for a late autumn or early spring break to the mountains, steppes and wetlands of Northern Spain, with wintering raptors and mountain birds in the Pyrenean foothills, Dupont's Lark and sandgrouse on the steppes, and thousands of Cranes going to roost at the Laguna de Gallocanta…and an excellent chance of getting close to that stunning mountain sprite, Wallcreeper!

Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : We take a scheduled flight from London Barcelona and transfer to our hotel near Huesca.

A little to the north of Huesca stand the dramatic sandstone pinnacles of Riglos. The skies here are always full of raptors in fine weather, and we may expect several wintering species. These can include Lammergeier and Griffon Vulture, with a chance of Golden Eagle. Alpine Accentor can be found around the village at this time, together with the resident Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. Either here, or at the spectacular Castillo de Loarre, just near our superbly-situated hotel, we look for wintering Wallcreeper on the rock faces. This must be one of the best places we know to catch up with this

spectacular, but often elusive species – and we’ve had wonderful close views here in the past. If conditions allow, we also head up into the pretty pine forests of St Juan de la Peña, where Crested Tit, Black Woodpecker and Crossbill may be found.

Three nights near Huesca Days 4 - 6 : We travel south of Zaragoza, first visiting the rolling steppe country, where both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse can be found in small numbers. Calandra and Lesser Short-toed Larks are resident, as well as one of the most difficult lark species to get to grips with, the secretive Dupont’s Lark, which we’ve seen on several past trips.

Raptors can include Peregrine, Merlin and Golden Eagle.

After this we visit the Laguna de Gallocanta. Even without the spectacle of the Cranes, the laguna would be an excellent wetland, with its wintering wildfowl and raptors. Hen and Marsh Harriers drift over the reedbeds, and ducks, geese, and a few waders are scattered around its shallow margins.

But of all these attractions, it is the sight and sound of thousands of Cranes coming in to roost that stands out, and, depending on conditions, we shall be returning more than once to see them.

We’ll be based in the highly attractive mediaeval town of Daroca for our stay in this area, within easy reach of both good steppe country, and Gallocanta.

Our very friendly and welcoming hotel is one of the nicest we’ve found in Spain, in a beautifully restored building.

Three nights Daroca

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay for three nights in the superb setting of Loarre – our hotel is a 'palacete' originally built in the 16th Century, and displays a wonderful mix of renaissance and baroque architecture, followed by three nights in a lovely country hotel in the highly attractive mediaeval town of Daroca. All rooms are en suite.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : John Muddeman NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 1,445 2013: £ 1,495 £ 160 £ 300 per person

Single supp. : Deposit :

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of accommodation as detailed above, all meals, scheduled return flights London – Barcelona*, airport taxes, minibus transport, tips, admissions and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost (starting and finishing the tour in Barcelona) please deduct £ 125 from the tour cost.

Day 7 : We return to Barcelona to catch a return afternoon flight to London.

What you say: “A lovely break… hotel a real ‘find’, charming service, good food…”

J.D., London “Excellent holiday, superb birding, good company, and many thanks for the kind consideration shown by the leaders.”

B.B., Cumbria “I enjoyed all the places we visited…memories of Belchite and Gallocanta will remain for a long time.

We saw a good selection of birds, with many new ones for me. Many thanks for another great trip.”

A.H. Somerset “…the most amazing experience…nothing prepared me for the fantastic birds and awesome scenery.”

M.R.,Surrey “The highlight of the trip had to be seeing the Wallcreeper for so long at Riglos and the Lammergeier seen at sunset.”

P.H., France

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

S

tarting in the High Pyrenees, and reaching down nearly as far as Valencia, the vast Spanish region of Aragón contains almost all the types of inland wildlife habitat to be found in Spain. Here there are wetlands packed with birds, especially in winter, rolling dry grassland and farmland – the ‘Spanish Steppe’ – rugged forested hills and canyons, and the snowcapped mountains of the Pyrenees themselves.

We travel to this area in both late autumn and early spring, when thousands of Cranes are present on one of the lakes, when sandgrouse form flocks on the steppe country, and when high mountain birds, such as Alpine Accentor and Wallcreeper have moved to more accessible lower altitudes. Our twocentre tour to this area aims to give us plenty of time in all the main habitats, together with the option of several evenings watching the superb spectacle of the Cranes coming into roost.

The sandstone pinnacles of Riglos, home to Wallcreeper in winter (Photos: John Muddeman)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Spanish Pyrenees

FRANCE

The High Aragón

Saturday 25 May - Saturday 1 June 2013

!

Jaca

(8 days)

SPAIN Barcelona !

With snowcapped mountains to the north and pine-clad rocky hills rising dramatically from the Aragón Valley floor to the south – the Spanish Pyrenees make a truly spectacular setting for a wildlife holiday. We stay in the town of Jaca in the central Spanish Pyrenees, within easy reach of high mountains to the north, pine forests and the superb pinnacles of Riglos to the south.

T

he Spanish Pyrenees’s combination of snowcapped peaks, wide river valleys, and jagged forested hills must make this, even after more than ten years of returning here, one of the most exhilarating places we visit! The area is one of the best in Europe for raptors. Red and Black Kites together with Griffon and Egyptian Vultures and Booted Eagles soar overhead, while Short-toed Eagles hover over the open hillsides, searching for snakes and lizards, and Golden Eagles hunt amongst the highest peaks.

But for most birdwatchers, one of the major goals of a visit to the Spanish Pyrenees must be to see that most rakish and dashing of vultures, the Lammergeier. This is one of the best places in Europe to see this threatened species, and most years we see individuals on several occasions during our stay.

High alpine meadows where Water Pipits pick their way through sheets of buttercups, daffodils and orchids are the birth place of ice-cold streams, soon to become cascading torrents frequented by Dippers as they crash past pinewoods and plummet into deep gorges that have to be seen to be believed. The massive chasms of rock, sprinkled with endemic Ramonda and Pyrenean Saxifrage, are also home to the fabulous Wallcreeper, which ekes out its existence in a vertical world.

As the landscape opens out, the influence of the Mediterranean is immediately apparent. The air is heavy with the scent of gorses and Spanish Broom, and Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Spotless Starling and Bee-eaters start to appear. South of the Pyrenees the landscape unfolds as a series of craggy sandstone outcrops, each with its own hue of pink or brown. Between these ridges runs the pretty Aragón River, with its gravel beds and cultivations, whilst the mixed woods harbour Iberian Chiffchaff,

TRIP DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a three-star hotel in the small town of Jaca in the Aragón Valley. All rooms are en suite, and the restaurant offers an excellent, original and very varied cuisine.

MEALS : All included in the price. Breakfast and dinner at hotel. Lunches will be picnics at some wonderfully scenic spots.

Short-toed Eagle (Photo: John Muddeman)

Short-toed Treecreeper and Western Bonelli’s Warbler.

Such a variety of landscape and habitat ensures that we always have somewhere new to go each day – whether it be in search of the impressive Black Woodpecker in shady stands of pine, or out onto limestone scarps to admire the truly magnificent Lady’s Slipper Orchids.

We’re based throughout in the town of Jaca, in the central Spanish Pyrenees, keeping daily travel time to a minimum, and within easy reach of high mountains to the north, the pine forests and the impressive rock pinnacles of Riglos to the south.

With its lush green forests, breath-taking ravines, warm scented hillsides and fabulous range of wildlife, this is Wild Spain at its very best!

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We take a morning flight from London Barcelona or Bilbao. It is about a four-hour drive through increasingly rugged landscapes until we reach the Aragón Valley and the small town of Jaca, where we stay for the whole week.

Overnight Jaca

WALKING : Easy. Up to 3 miles in any one day over mainly easy terrain, but may include occasional shorter walks on steeper slopes.

Walking boots advised in the mountains. Comfy walking shoes suitable at lower elevations.

GROUND TRANSPORT : By minibus.

WEATHER : Typically warm and sunny (temperatures in the range 12-26°C), but can be chilly early morning. As with any upland area, periods of rain or showers, low cloud or poor visibility are possible. In summer, it’s often possible to avoid localised bad weather by moving to a different altitude.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Byron Palacios NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,675 £ 175 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flight from London – Bilbao/Barcelona, airport taxes, 7 nights’ accommodation, meals, incidental tips, minibus transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses. *For an ex-flight cost of the tour please deduct £ 125 per person from the tour cost. Please check with us to see which airport we are using in Spain!

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Days 2 - 7 : As with any tour to montane regions, our itinerary remains flexible so as to allow for any vagaries in the weather. But we shall be sure to visit the full range of habitats available, to get the very best from our week in this special area.

Six nights Jaca Day 8 : We return to Barcelona or Bilbao and catch an evening return flight to London.

Looking for flowers and butterflies in the Pyrenees. Inset: Apollo (Photo: Mike Lockwood)

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Know before you book!: For general travel advice, please refer to: www.fco.gov.uk/travel

Central Sweden

Scandinavian Spring

SWEDEN

Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 April 2013 SWEDEN

C

entral Sweden’s forests are an outpost of the great belt of ‘taiga’ forest that stretches in a swathe between the arctic tundra and temperate forests of Eurasia. These woodlands are clearly different to almost anything we have in Britain, and an echo, at least, of the original ‘Wildwood’ that covered much of Europe before the arrival of man.

And, as befits their wild appearance, these Central Swedish forests are correspondingly rich in wildlife, combining elements of the arctic with central European and alpine wildlife.

To the British visitor, the area will be most reminiscent of Scotland, especially the Caledonian Pine Forest of Speyside, and indeed it boasts several birds that we think of as characteristically Scottish: Crested Tit, Osprey, Black Grouse and both Red- and Black-throated Divers. Scottish Capercaillies were originally introduced from Sweden, which remains one of the best places to see them. But in addition to these can be found many continental species: the small and often elusive Hazel Grouse, the pineloving Nutcracker, three continental woodpeckers – Black, Grey-headed and Three-toed, and best of all, an excellent concentration of owls, with Pygmy, Tengmalm’s, Ural, Great Grey and Eagle Owls all to be looked for. Mammals include the mighty Elk. We explore the area in the company of the friendly and outgoing local expert Daniel Green, who has designed the following itinerary for us.

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a morning flight from London direct to Stockholm (Arlanda) where Daniel will be waiting to greet us.

We will then head for a small wetland, where several pairs of smart Slavonian Grebes will be seen around their nests, and we may see our first Ospreys. The forests here can be good for

Spend a few days amongst the wild forests and lakes of central Sweden with Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, and a wonderful selection of owls. Add breeding waders, Cranes and divers, and some superb hotels and food, and you have the ingredients for a hugely enjoyable short break!

woodpeckers, from the huge Black to the tiny Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, and Goshawk can occasionally be seen flying over the treetops.

We spend the early evening by a forest clearing, a regular hunting ground of Great Grey Owls, which have started breeding in the area in the last ten years. This is the southernmost breeding population of Great Greys in Sweden and perhaps even Europe.

Woodcocks will surely entertain with their roding as we wait to see if the owls perform.

Overnight Salbohedgardens Day 2 : After breakfast (no early start today!) we head for another excellent forest where Hazel Grouse can be found, along with Nutcracker and Capercaillie.

Black Woodpeckers can again be looked for. A nearby lake has Black-throated Divers and breeding Osprey, while both Common and Parrot Crossbills and Crested Tits can be found in the pines and spruce forest. Early butterflies include Camberwell Beauty.

We pay a visit to a winter feeding station where Crested, Willow and Marsh Tits still might appear, together with Nuthatches of the white-bellied Scandinavian race. Nutcrackers, Grey-headed Woodpeckers, smart northern Bullfinches, and northern Long-tailed Tits might also turn up.

We continue down to the Black River Valley and its rich wetlands to enjoy good scenic views, a nice outdoor lunch and to look for locally breeding Whitetailed Eagles, flocks of Bean Geese, Smew, and other wildfowl.

Raptors like Hen Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard and Merlin are on passage through the area and winter-visitors like Great Grey Shrike and Golden Eagle might linger on.

One of the highlights of the trip promises to be to accompany a Ural Owl ringing excursion. In April they ring incubating females, giving superb photographic opportunities.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : On this trip we stay at a comfortable country guesthouse with all rooms en suite.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Daniel Green NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

1,295 105 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return economy-class flights LondonStockholm, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tip to the local guide, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

This evening we’ll go in search of Pygmy Owl, which may appear just after sundown to give its short whistling call from the top of a spruce tree at the forest’s edge.

Overnight Salbohedgardens Day 3 : This is also prime woodpecker country, and we are out early for Grey-headed, Black and very local Three-toed Woodpeckers.

We’ll also witness the ringing of Tengmalm’s Owls breeding in nestboxes. There is really no other way to get really close views and to photograph these charming little, highly nocturnal owls.

Black-throated Divers, Capercaillie and Goshawk breed in the area, as do Woodlark and Parrot Crossbill.

After an outdoor breakfast, we’ll get back for lunch around noon and an afternoon siesta.

We’ll then have a relaxed evening excursion around the beautiful wetlands of Svartådalen with drumming Snipes and calling Curlews.

Overnight Salbohedgardens Day 4 : We head out early this morning to a superb area of forest and lakes. Here we hope to see some of Sweden’s choice specialities, including the ‘monarch of the woods’ – Capercaillie. Black Grouse can also be found, and we hope to see them on a lek. If this was not enough, Cranes breed in the area, and the forests should be resounding to their atmospheric calls.

We head back to Stockholm airport for our afternoon flight back to London.

What you say: “We had a wonderful time – thoroughly enjoyed it.

Leader’s expertise and local knowledge (contacts) was brilliant …want to go back – that’s how good!”

C & R.S., Leics.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Stockholm "

(4 days)

Great Grey Owl (Photo: Lars Karlsson)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

103

Central Sweden Scandinavian Autumn

SWEDEN

Thursday 13 – Monday 17 September 2012 Thursday 5 – Monday 9 September 2013

(5 days) (5 days) Stockholm "

Spend a few autumn days amongst the wild forests and lakes of central Sweden with tens of thousands of migrating Cranes and geese, the chance of seeing Bluethroats and other migrants in the hand, a selection of northern moths and butterflies, and even rutting Elk. Add superb hotels and food, and you have the ingredients for a hugely enjoyable short autumn break!

A

s the summer draws to a close, the peaceful forests, lakes and water meadows of central Sweden act as a magnet for thousands of migrating birds as they head south through Scandinavia to warmer climes. Huge flocks of Bean Geese and Common Cranes gather in the farmland, while up to a dozen species of raptors hunt overhead, from the diminutive Merlin to the huge White-tailed Eagle. Bluethroat numbers also peak in early September; these attractive birds spend a couple of weeks in central Sweden fattening up before continuing east towards their Asian winter haunts.

In addition to an abundance of migrants, the many resident birds will be active and busily putting on weight to see them through the snowy months ahead. Pygmy Owls are at their most vocal in the autumn, and up to six species of woodpecker are possible in the forests, along with Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker and Crested Tit. Mammals will also be on the cards, including the mighty Elk, the bulls of which will be in prime condition and ready for the autumn rut with a full rack of antlers!

At this time, the pine forests are quieter, but birds like Pygmy Owl, Nutcracker, Crested Tit and Three-toed Woodpecker can still be found especially with the help of local expert Daniel Green, who has designed the following itinerary for us.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Itinerary Day 1 : We take a morning flight from London direct to Stockholm (Arlanda) where Daniel will be waiting to greet us.

Our first excursion goes to Hjälstaviken – a reedfringed wetland with plenty of birds. In the evening we enjoy the sunset by Lake Fläcksjön where hundreds of Common Cranes gather to roost. It promises to be a spectacular (and noisy!) experience.

SWEDEN

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : On this trip we stay at a comfortable country guesthouse with all rooms en suite.

LEADER :

Max. 12 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 1,195 2013: £ 1,295 2012: £ 95 2013: £ 125 £ 300 per person

Single supps. : Deposit :

Bearded Tit (Photo: Daniel Green)

For those interested we do a moth-night during the trip.

Overnight Salbohedsgården

Daniel Green

NUMBERS :

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of scheduled return economy-class flights LondonStockholm, airport taxes, accommodation, all meals, minibus transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tip to the local guide, drinks and other personal expenses.

Day 2 : On the west edge of the Black River Valley, lies a vast pineforest – Hälleskogen. With plenty of bogs and mires it is an interesting area to explore on a longer walk.

By the lakes White-tailed Eagles, Ospreys, Hobbies and Marsh Harriers are easy to see.

In the evening we go searching for owls with our focus on Pygmy Owl. Overnight Salbohedsgården Day 3 : We rise early to seize the best morning activity in the forest, this time to search for Threetoed and Black Woodpeckers.

The Crane-evening in Svartådalen can be spectacular, but imagine seeing more than ten times as many! Up to 20,000 Common Cranes roost here in autumn, an overwhelming experience to witness.

Overnight Sörby Säteri

Ural Owl (Photo: Daniel Green)

Day 4 : We enjoy a tasty hotel breakfast and start to explore the Kvismare valley: a farmland region which was once a vast marshland, and nowadays, after being drained in the early 1900´s is being restored once again to a wetland area. A patchwork of lakes, marshes and productive farmland, this area attracts masses of birds – mainly geese and Cranes, but also raptors and passerines.

Overnight Sörby Säteri Day 5 : We go out early in the morning to watch Bluethroat ringing. We head down to the reedbed area by the lakes and will be guided by the Kvismare Bird Observatory staff.

We then head back to Stockholm airport for an afternoon flight back to London.

Common Cranes coming into roost (Photo: Daniel Green)

104

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Switzerland

FRANCE SWITZERLAND

AUSTRIA

The Swiss Alps in Summer

Geneva ! Evolene

Sunday 23 - Sunday 30 June 2013

ITALY SWITZERLAND

S

witzerland is rightly famous for its stupendous upland scenery and crisp mountain air. The southern Valais region that borders with Italy is one of the most beautiful, and a prime location for alpine birding. Crested Tits and Western Bonelli’s Warblers frequent the forests, boldly-spotted Nutcrackers conceal themselves amongst the pines, and the trills of handsome ‘red’ Lesser Redpolls rise above flower-filled alpine meadows.

From Geneva, we follow the mighty Rhône valley to reach our base in the picturesque Val d’Herens, which is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve. With no changes of hotel to worry about during our stay, we shall be free to devote ourselves to some of the most spectacular birding and landscapes in all Switzerland: from the glaciers at the head of the lovely Val d’Herens itself, east to the famous Gornergrat with its majestic views of the Matterhorn. In mid-June, the weather in the Alps is typically warm with plenty of sunshine and our aim will certainly be to make the most of this!

The woods and mountains around our hotel are the perfect place to start. Fieldfare, Red-backed Shrike and Serin are to be found in the gardens and meadows around town, and Dippers bob beside the mountain streams as we listen for the chatter of Siskins.

On one day, we plan to travel to Zermatt and take the mountain railway up to the Gornergrat. If visibility is good, we shall enjoy uninterrupted views across the glaciers towards the iconic chiselled peak of the Matterhorn, one of the most spectacular views in the world. Up here, at an elevation of around 3000m, we’ll watch for Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor, while playful Alpine Choughs may even feed from our hands! Should visibility on the high tops let us down, we will find birding along the

(8 days)

An 8-day summer birdwatching holiday to the glorious Swiss Alps, with Lammergeier, Nutcracker and Alpine Accentor among specialities to look for. Also featuring some wonderful alpine butterflies, plus a journey by mountain railway from Zermatt up to 3000m for lunch with the Alpine Choughs, Snowfinch and spectacular views to the Matterhorn! floor of the Rhône valley is equally rewarding, with the likes of Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Nightingale, Marsh Warbler and Golden Oriole awaiting our discovery.

From Common Eider to Blue Rock Thrush, birding in the Swiss Alps is full of surprises. Our 2012 group found Wallcreeper, enjoyed views of seven Griffon Vultures and a Lammergeier at one site, and watched a breeding pair of Rock Thrushes feeding young at the nest. We’ve even been lucky to encounter the shy Rock Partridge here in the past!

Add the prospect of as many as 70 different species of butterfly on the wing – from Mazarine and Amanda’s Blues, through Mountain Dappled White and Clouded Apollo, to Niobe and Cynthia’s Fritillaries - and you have all the right ingredients for a wonderful wildlife holiday.

And with easy paced walks and plenty of invigorating Swiss mountain air, this tour offers a splendid introduction to alpine birds and wildlife.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : Our holiday begins with a flight from London to Geneva. We drive east along the Rhône valley to Sion, then swing south to enter the glorious ‘chocolate-box’ landscape of the Val d’Herens. Late afternoon arrival at our quaint little hotel in the beautiful Val d’Herens, which will be our base throughout the holiday.

Overnight Evolene Days 2 - 7 : Much of our time will be spent exploring the woods and mountains of the Val d’Herens itself (which is both a Parc Regional and a Biosphere Reserve), with its heady mix of stunning scenery, alpine scents and sounds, and its alluring montane birds.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Our hotel for the past 10 years on this tour is a small, simple, quaint and friendly 2-star family-run establishment in the quiet rural town of Evolene – right at the heart of the picturesque Val d’Herens. Rooms are modest but all have en suite facilities.

MEALS : All included in the tour price. Continentalstyle breakfasts served at the hotel, with dinners taken at local restaurants within a short walk from our hotel. A mix of picnics and Gasthof lunches.

WALKING : The floor of the Rhône valley is relatively flat and the going is easy. Elsewhere, our walks are not strenuous – but this is the Alps so expect some uphill stretches of course, all taken at a gentle pace, with our itinerary being carefully planned to avoid arduous hikes. Swiss alpine trails are well-marked and generally in good condition. Stout walking shoes or lightweight boots with good corrugated soles for grip recommended. Maximum elevation: ca. 3000m.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Brian Small NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 155 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return scheduled flights London-Geneva, all accommodation and meals, minibus transport; mountain railway excursion to the Gornergratt, entrance fees, tips, airport taxes, bird and butterfly checklist, and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

On one of our days, after a relatively short drive east to Zermatt, we’ll take the mountain railway high up to the Gornergratt. Set at around 3000m, if visibility is good, stunning views across the glacier towards the Matterhorn will tempt our eyes away from the schools of playful Alpine Choughs – close enough to stroke last time! – which jostle for visitors’ left-over food.

Offering a whole new suite of birds, a visit to the floor of the Rhône Valley can be equally rewarding, with Wallcreepers to look for at a special site and, remarkably, even Blue Rock-thrush at some towering cliffs.

Six nights Evolene Day 8 : Bidding a reluctant farewell to the Val d’Herens after breakfast this morning, we will head back west along the Rhône valley. If flight times permit, we will enjoy a short stop at Les Grangettes, where the river flows into the eastern end of Lac Leman.

We then continue on to Geneva and board our afternoon flight to London, where the tour concludes.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

"

The Matterhorn and, inset, Red Vanilla Orchid (Photos: John Muddeman)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

105

Southern Turkey

TURKEY

Anatolia and the Taurus Mountains Saturday 11 – Saturday 18 May 2013

Nigde

We return again to one of the most varied birdwatching areas in our region, with some fabulous birds, superb scenery, and a fascinating culture and history. We concentrate on the south of the country – including its best coastal wetlands, spectacular mountains, inland marshes and arid steppe. All this, at probably the very best time of the birding year!

S

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

outhern Turkey offers some of the finest birdwatching to be had anywhere in Europe and the Middle East, and yet remains surprisingly undiscovered amongst birdwatchers. It has all the ingredients: excellent wetlands, including that most productive of all habitats, a river delta; some fine arid habitats with several species at the extreme western edge of their range; open hill and dry steppe with its very specific birds; and finally some wonderful snow-covered peaks, rising to 3,910m at the summit. All these habitats are within a few hours drive of each other in the south, making this the best area of this huge country to visit for a relatively short stay. Our itinerary aims to minimise the distances travelled each day in order to make the most of the birdwatching.

We spend our first full day around the Adana Delta and its productive marshes. Our first specialities of the trip, Yellow-vented Bulbuls, are a common sight around the hotel, as are Palm Doves and singing Eastern Olivaceous Warblers. The rivers that have created the delta are rich in birdlife and are a superb place to see White-breasted and Pied Kingfishers.

The surrounding agricultural areas may hold four species of shrike including Masked and Lesser Grey together with Rufous Bush Robins. Migrant birds can also include Upcher’s, Olive-tree and Barred Warblers. Overhead Long-legged Buzzard and Lesser Kestrel can occasionally be joined by Eleonora’s and Red-footed Falcons.

The Goksü Delta is one of the main wetlands on the southern Turkish coast, and as such is a magnet for birds. Lesser Spotted Eagle, Ruddy Shelduck, Marbled Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, and Purple Gallinule can all be found here.

From our hotel balconies and dining room overlooking the turquoise Mediterranean Sea we have also seen Green Turtles and Bottle-nosed Dolphins on calm days.

The hills inland covered with dry maquis scrub

!

(8 days)

and peppered with ancient ruins, including Roman Tombs which are the haunt of Sombre Tit and Rock Nuthatch, while the pine woods may hold Krüper’s Nuthatch and Syrian Woodpecker. Starred Agama lizards and Persian Squirrels scurry over the stunning ruins of the temple of Zeus that can hold White-throated Robin and Masked Shrike.

The scenery in the mountains is stupendous, with snow-covered peaks, scree slopes and jagged crags. The most sought-after bird here is Caspian Snowcock; last year we saw two birds, and several more were heard uttering their eerie Curlew-like call.

Bezoar Ibex and Golden Jackal have also been seen on previous trips, while the scree slopes hold both Alpine and the very local Radde’s Accentor together with Crimson-winged Finch and Finsch’s Wheatear.

The scrub and open grazed land holds the spectacular Red-fronted Serin, Isabelline Wheatear and White-throated Robin.

Wallcreeper haunt the cliff faces, and we were treated to great views of one bird last year. Given fine weather, the visit to this superb area may well prove to be one of the highlights of the trip.

For the last two years we have added an extra day in the mountains and have discovered a great new inland wetland site. This holds many breeding birds including Red-crested Pochard, and the globally threatened White-headed Duck. The steppe habitat alongside the wetland has Lesser Short-toed Lark and Calandra Larks, dozens of Isabelline Wheatear and regularly hosts Greater Sandplover. In the past we have found Great Snipe, Gull-billed Tern and Garganey here.

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 2 : We catch an early morning flight from London Heathrow via Istanbul to Adana, where we stay for two nights at the Hilton Hotel. Not only is this a very comfortable place to stay, but it has excellent birdwatching possibilities in and around the grounds.

Two nights Adana

Tasucu !

Adana !

TURKEY

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We are based for two nights at the very comfortable Hilton Hotel, then two nights in a medium-grade hotel, with all rooms en suite. In the mountains we stay for three nights at a family-run guesthouse as described, with some rooms not en suite. Single rooms may not be available here.

LEADERS :

Mike Langman with local guides

NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp*. : Deposit :

£ 1,695 £ 315 £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return scheduled flight from London Heathrow - Adana, airport taxes, accommodation, meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes the cost of a Turkish visa (c£10 on arrival), holiday insurance, optional tips to the local driver and guides, drinks, and other items of a personal nature. *The single supp. applies to the nights at Tasucu and Adana only. Singles at the guesthouse near Nigde may not be available.

For an ex-flight cost (Adana/Adana) please deduct £ 275 from the total cost

Days 3 - 4 : Today we head for one of the richest birdwatching areas in Turkey, the Goksü Delta.

Two nights Tasucu Days 5 - 7 : We drive up into the mountains towards Nigde. On the way we’ll stop for a picnic, watching for eagles, and Egyptian and Griffon Vultures in the air, while spectacular snow-covered limestone peaks tower above the pine forests. We stay at a small guest house in a stunning location with views up to the snow-capped peak of Mt. Aladag. Familyrun, the “pansiyon” provides good home-made food, but not all the rooms are en-suite. However, we have chosen this accommodation for its excellent location and warm welcome. The owner is keen on wildlife, and will be taking us up to the high screes one morning, boarding a tractor and trailer – the only way to get to the best mountain areas!

Three nights near Nigde Day 8 : We travel back to Adana from Carmadi before we catch a flight from Adana to London Heathrow via Istanbul.

Emli Gorge and, inset, Shore Lark (Photos: Mike Langman)

106

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Bosporus

Black Sea Istanbul "

Migrants and Mosques

Sea of Marmara Bursa

TURKEY

I

stanbul enjoys a justifiable reputation as one of the world's great cities, and for many centuries was the capital of the civilised world.

For the last 3,000 years, firstly as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and latterly as Istanbul, it has held importance in the Greek, Roman and Ottoman empires. Much of this can be traced to its strategic position guarding the crossroads between Europe and Asia.

It is this position at the entrance of the narrow channel running between the Mediterranean and Black Sea which also explains its importance as a migration watch-point, and particularly so for large soaring birds.

Approaching from the steppes of Western Russia and the forest and mountains of eastern Europe, migrant raptors are channelled down the Thracian peninsula and, on northerly prevailing winds, across the city and the narrow straits which are never much more than a mile wide. We will observe the unique spectacle of birds approaching over the mosques and skyscrapers of the city from the two Çamlica Hills on the Asian shore. Both hills are well wooded and also provide excellent opportunities for searching out migrant passerines.

We will visit the principal historical monuments – Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque.

Bursa, lying a hundred miles to the south-west of Istanbul, is also an ancient capital of the Ottoman empire and enjoys a magnificent location on a hillside between Uludag Mountain, the highest in Western Turkey, and the fertile plain below. Our stay allows us to visit the Uludag National Park, the three principal lakes in Western Turkey and the ancient city of Nicaea.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We catch a morning flight from Heathrow to Istanbul arriving at our comfortable hotel in Kadiköy on the Asian shore in the early evening. The rooftop

Saturday 15 - Saturday 22 September 2012 Saturday 14 - Saturday 21 September 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

The Bosporus at Istanbul is unique. Nowhere else offers the magnificent spectacle of thousands of hawks, buzzards, eagles and storks soaring overhead, together with the chance to explore one of the world’s most vibrant and romantic cities. We also spend three nights at the historic city of Bursa and go in search of mountain specialities, migrant waders and waterbirds. restaurant enjoys magnificent views across the Bosporus to the Golden Horn and the city skyline.

Overnight Istanbul Day 2 : We spend the morning on the Çamlica Hills enjoying our first taste of the raptor migration.

Levant Sparrowhawk, Steppe Buzzard, LesserSpotted Eagle and both Black and White Stork should be passing overhead, and can, if the weather is right, give very close views. After lunch we leave Istanbul and take the vehicle ferry across the neck of the Bay of Izmit and travel on to Bursa via the western shore of Lake Iznik. Our hotel is on a hill in the spa resort of Çekirge with wonderful views over the city from the restaurant and bedroom windows.

Overnight Bursa Day 3 : After breakfast we begin our ascent of Uludag, the “great mountain”. Passing through fertile hillsides with Cirl Buntings and Red-backed Shrikes, we soon climb into the ancient coniferous forest where Krüper's Nuthatch is a speciality. At the top, beyond the ski resort, Red-fronted Serin, Shorelark and both Rock Thrushes occur. There are magnificent views from the western ridge overlooking Bursa.

Overnight Bursa Day 4 : We start our day at the eastern end of Lake Apolynt, at the village of the same name, which is still largely dependent on the traditional fishery and seemingly lost in the middle ages. Pygmy Cormorant, herons and marsh terns abound along the lake shore, and the surrounding fields hold larks, chats, warblers and shrikes. We spend the afternoon and early evening at Kus Cenneti or “bird paradise” on the eastern shore of Lake Manyas.

This is a stronghold of Dalmatian Pelican and, if we haven’t encountered them already, we should see good numbers here.

Overnight Bursa

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in good quality three-star hotels with en suite facilities throughout.

PRINCIPAL LEADERS : 2012: Tim Earl 2013: Mike Langman NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit:

£ 1,595 £ 165 £ 300 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of return economy scheduled flights London-Istanbul, airport taxes, full board accommodation, coach transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel insurance, optional tip to local driver, drinks and other personal expenses.

Day 5 : After a visit to the beautiful Yesil Cami mosque in Bursa we begin our return journey to Istanbul stopping at a wonderfully located restaurant on the shore of Lake Iznik for lunch. In the afternoon we journey along the south shore of the lake to the ancient walled city of Nicaea, now Iznik town, and then on to Kadiköy stopping at promising-looking woodland, scrub and riverine habitat en-route.

Overnight Istanbul Days 6 - 7 : Late September each year is the period which traditionally yields the best raptor passage with the greatest variety of species. In addition to those mentioned above, Black Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle and Redfooted Falcon should also be passing overhead on their way south. We will spend much of our time on the Çamlica Hills observing this passage and searching the woodland for other migrants. In addition, we will make excursions to the European shore to visit the principal monuments and the world famous covered bazaar. Levant Shearwaters dodge amongst the passenger ferries and larger ships on the incredibly busy crossing.

Two nights Istanbul Day 8 : We spend our final morning on the Çamlica Hills before returning over the Bosporus suspension bridge and catching our afternoon flight to Heathrow arriving back in London mid-evening.

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

!

White Storks (Photo: David Cottridge) Inset: Minarets provide a memorable backdrop for watching migration (Photo: Vicky Spicer) Top: Red-fronted Serins (Photo: Mike Langman)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

107

Ukraine

UKRAINE

UKRAINE

Crimean Peninsula and Black Sea Coast Saturday 1 – Sunday 9 June 2013

(9 days)

!

Askaniya Nova

Odessa "

SEA OF AZOV

CRIMEA

We have visited a pocket of Europe's steppe country in Hungary for years, but continuous Eurasian steppe country – the sort that took Ghengis Khan's hordes all the way from Mongolia – only begins as far east as Ukraine. Join us on a journey to Europe's 'Far East'!

U

kraine is a young, relatively unknown country that was formed after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Black Sea coast and the Crimean Peninsula are one of the most important migration stopovers for many water birds and waders. Huge steppes, extensive marshes, coastal lagoons, and rolling limestone hills provide wonderful landscapes and rich habitats for migrants and breeding birds.

Large flocks of White Pelicans, Broad-billed and Marsh Sandpipers, Great Black-headed and Slender-billed Gulls are not an uncommon sight.

Breeding birds include such Eastern specialities as Demoiselle Crane, Saker and Red-footed Falcons, Pied Wheatear, Paddyfield Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling and Black-headed Bunting.

The tour has been designed for us by our good friends from Ecotours Hungary and will be led by Attila Steiner.

Itinerary Day 1 : We fly from London to Odessa via Kiev. We spend the night in the historic port town of Odessa.

Overnight Odessa Day 2 : After breakfast we drive east through the endless steppe that is now mostly converted to farmland. There are still some steppe birds remaining, however, and we might see Red-footed Falcon, Roller, Calandra Lark, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike and Ortolan Bunting. We stop at the coastal lagoon of Tiligul Liman, where we should find a good selection of waterbirds.

As we reach the Dnipro River we spend some time in the estuary looking for Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle and marsh terns. The final leg of our drive takes us to Askaniya Nova, where we spend the night.

Overnight Askaniya Nova

EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Day 3 : After breakfast we explore the steppes of the Askaniya Nova Biosphere Reserve, mainly renowned for its rare steppe mammals, but also harbouring some steppe bird species. Here semiwild Saiga Antelopes and Przewalski’s Horses form

part of a re-introduction scheme. The Saiga is an extraordinary creature, with a huge, bulbous snout, and, unfortunately for it, two horns which are valued for Chinese medicine. These have contributed to its critically endangered status.

Birds are found around the ponds of the reserve and we might encounter Ruddy Shelduck, Common Crane, migrating waders, larks and pipits.

Later we travel south until we reach the Crimean Peninsula. We spend the afternoon at the coastal lagoons and salt marshes of Sivash Nature Reserve looking for a wide range of species including White Pelican, Marsh Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint, Broadbilled Sandpiper, Great Black-headed Gull, marsh terns, Gull-billed and Caspian Tern. At this time of the year Paddyfield Warblers are still singing and are easier to find by their characteristic song performed from the edge of the reedbeds.

We then drive to the coastal town of Feodosiya, our base for the next 2 nights.

Overnight Feodosiya Day 4 : We spend most of the time exploring the Kerch Peninsula dividing the Azov and Black Sea. The most sought-after species is Demoiselle Crane that has its westernmost population here. Great Bustard also inhabits the steppes and we hope to find them along with other steppe specialities such as Stone Curlew, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears.

The southern shore of the Kerch Peninsula is more rugged with cliffs falling into the sea. These cliffs harbour Saker Falcon, Peregrine and Longlegged Buzzard, while the nearby saline lakes are good for large flocks of migrating waders. Redfooted Falcons and Lesser Kestrels are also present.

Overnight Feodosiya Day 5 : We drive west along the coast, stopping for birds on the way. The forested hills in this region are home to Chukar, Griffon and Black Vulture, Shorttoed Eagle and Steppe Buzzard. The bushes are a good place to find breeding warblers, including Barred Warbler. Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrikes are common along the roadside and Golden Orioles are also to be found.

!

Feodosiya BLACK SEA

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Ukraine is off the beaten tourist trail and standards of hotel are below those in Western Europe. However, those we use are of reasonable quality, chosen for their proximity to the best birding sites. All rooms en suite. Please note there are no hairdryers or coffee-making facilities in rooms.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Attila Steiner NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,895 £ 165 £ 400 per person

The price per person includes return flights from London – Odessa*, airport taxes, 8 nights' accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks, and other personal expenses. * For an ex-flight cost (Odessa/Odessa) please deduct £ 195 from the tour cost.

We also explore the sea for Shag, Yelkouan Shearwater and pods of dolphins.

We spend the night in the beautifully located Mediterranean-style town of Yalta. Famous for the 1945 conference between the USA, Soviet Union and the UK, this is now an upmarket resort.

Overnight Yalta Day 6 : We spend the day in Yalta Mountain Nature Reserve, exploring varied habitats from sea level to the sub-alpine zone. The beech and evergreen forests of the reserve hold Hawfinch, endemic races of Crossbill and Firecrest, while the higher zones are good for Rock Thrush and Woodlark. Raptors also frequent the area and we expect to see vultures, eagles and Steppe Buzzards.

Overnight Yalta Day 7 : We leave Yalta and drive north to the lagoons and salt marshes of Northern Crimea. On the way through the steppes we look for Eastern Imperial Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Calandra and Short-toed Larks.

The Portovoye area is a heaven for waterbirds.

Herons, egrets, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, White Pelican and Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern, Slenderbilled and Pallas’s Gull are breeding, while migrating Broad-billed, Terek and Marsh Sandpipers are still possible.

Overnight Krasnoperekopsk Day 8 : After a morning birding in the Krasnoperekopsk area we head west to Odessa.

Time permitting we have an evening sightseeing in Odessa.

Overnight Odessa Day 9 : We fly to Kiev and then onwards to London.

Semi-wild Przewalski’s Horses roam the Askaniya Nova Biosphere Reserve (Photo: Attila Steiner)

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Isle of Man Wildlife of land and sea on Manannin’s Isle SCOTLAND

Monday 17 – Friday 21 June 2013 NORTHERN IRELAND

ISLE of MAN

(5 days)

Join Liz Charter on her home patch, the Isle of Man, for an exploration of the surprisingly diverse island landscapes and habitats, the haunts of rare birds and floral displays. We also expect to see some spectacular marine life.

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he Isle of Man is thirty miles long and ten miles wide. The central uplands of the island are covered in beautiful moorland and dissected by wooded valleys. Around the edges of the hills are deep glens of ferns and waterfalls. It has an uninhabited heathy islet, the Calf of Man, separated by the Calf Sound from the main island. The northern plain is quite different with long shingle beaches, coastal heath and sand dunes – known as the Ayres. Ayre is the Norse word for a sandy spit, and is a clue to the link with the other Norse islands, Orkney and Shetland, with which it shares some of its ancient culture. The stone slab crosses are the most beautiful and intricate of their kind. As a Crown Dependency the island is self-governing and its parliament meets on Tynwald hill each year to read the new legislation and hear petitions.

The Island has a traditional farming landscape with small fields surrounded by Manx sod hedges and the less intensive agriculture is partly responsible for supporting the good population of Chough, a bird not seen in many other places in the British Isles. These red-beaked relatives of the crow, with distinctive voices, nest in caves and rock crevices around the coast. Hen Harriers breed in the hills and can be seen hunting over the moorland. In the north a peaty wet area, Ballaugh Curragh, is an international wetland site under the Ramsar Convention. It is also the site of some famous orchid meadows, which should be in full bloom at this time.

The marine life has relatively recently hit the headlines as the island’s waters are internationally important for Basking Sharks and, given the right sea conditions, it is also possible to see seals, Risso’s Dolphins and other cetaceans quite easily.

This will be our third tour to the island, and it promises a varied itinerary with coastal walks, visits to glens and a trip out in a boat (weather permitting), good bird-watching opportunities as well as displays of summer wildflowers.

During the holiday we hope to visit Ayres National Nature Reserve and Ballaugh Curragh, including its orchid meadows, several Celtic stone crosses, the Western Glens, the beautiful Langness peninsula or the limestone headland at Scarlett.

Liz Charter, who also leads our tours to Crete, is a Manx resident and has designed this tour for us.

Outline Itinerary Clients may be met either at Douglas, where the ferry from Liverpool or Heysham (Lancaster) arrives, or at Ronaldsway Airport by arrangement on Day 1.

During the holiday, if sea conditions permit, we will take a boat trip to see basking sharks, other marine wildlife and view the spectacular cliff scenery. If the sea isn’t suitable some marine wildlife attractions are visible from land.

The holiday concludes after lunch on Day 5, when clients will be offered transport either to the sea Terminal in Douglas or Ronaldsway airport.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in beautifully converted quarters on a working farm where as much as possible of the produce is locally grown.

All bedrooms are en suite. The farm is set under Peel Hill which is home to Choughs and seabirds.

WALKING : Expect a moderate amount of walking during the week, almost all on the level. Dhoon Glen has the most steep walking which we will take at a gentle pace. You will need to be able to get in and out of a small boat.

LEADER :

Liz Charter

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

795 105 200 per person

The price is per person and includes 4 nights’ accommodation, meals from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 5, transport within Isle of Man, admissions, and the services of the leader.

The price excludes travel to and from the island, drinks and other personal expenses. The boat trip (weather permitting) will be charged during the tour and is expected to cost £25-35 depending on numbers.

Please do not book your flights to and from Isle of Man until you have had confirmation from us that the trip is going ahead as planned, and that your proposed times are suitable.

What you say : “A very good, comfortable base…Liz gave us a wonderful introduction to the Isle of Man – such a diverse range of habitats – and the wildlife!.

Altogether an excellent few days.”

G.K., Yorks.

BRITISH ISLES

Arrangements can be made for you to extend your stay.

Looking across to the Calf of Man (Photo: Jim Asher) Top: A Basking Shark cruises the Isle of Man waters (Photo: Liz Charter)

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Isles of Scilly Spring and Autumn on the magical isles Saturday 11 - Friday 17 May 2013 Saturday 21 - Friday 27 September 2013

(7 days) (7 days)

!

Isles of Scilly Isles of Scilly

A myriad of rocky isles and islets set in the Atlantic and warmed by the Gulf Stream, with spectacular sub-tropical flowers in bloom around the walls and small gardens… superb ever-changing scenes of rocks, waves, light and shade… a patchwork of small bulb fields surrounded by stone walls and quiet winding lanes, with tall elm trees still thriving in the hedgerows… and, of course, one of the most exciting places in Britain to watch birds!

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t is partly the scale of Scilly that makes it so special: the biggest town is the size of a village, the main road is a tiny winding lane, and the fields seem like walled gardens. But there again, the diversity of habitats on the largest island, St Mary’s, alone, makes it, somehow, seem bigger than its mere two and a half miles from end to end.

Add to this the unique character of each of the islands: Tresco with its amazing variety of lush vegetation, heathland, and lagoon; St Martin’s with its cliffs, sandy beaches, and seals offshore; wild Bryher, which takes the full force of the Atlantic breakers; and lovely St Agnes with its cottages, and tamarisk-edged bulbfields. Horse Point, at the end of Wingletang Down on St Agnes, is the most southwesterly point of Britain. Standing here and gazing out at the waves crashing on to the Western Rocks, you can truly believe that you are right on the edge of the world.

And it is the edge of the world for many migrant birds too. Whether they’ve strayed too far out into the Atlantic, and return to find first landfall here, or whether they just keep heading west beyond Cornwall until they simply run out of land, birds arrive here in amazing variety. Although birds are never found here in great numbers, the excitement of birding on the islands is that of simply not knowing what you may find. Every habitat is worth investigating, and every bird worth looking at.

On each week we shall be walking more than on our usual trips. It is difficult to predict the distances involved, but we shall be on our feet off and on for most of the day in our search for wildlife.

Autumn The autumn itinerary is simple to describe – we go where the birds are! The cost of the week will include any island trips we need to make in order to see the range of birds that are about at the time.

Complete flexibility is essential here at this time of year, and the final decisions need to be made on the spot by the leader – not by the brochure-writer! But for the best possible chance in Britain, and possibly

BRITISH ISLES

Spring Mid May is an excellent time for spring migrants.

Although it is impossible to predict the more unusual birds, the most likely source of these will be

the south, with continental birds overshooting their destinations. Rare herons are a distinct possibility in spring (we’ve seen Purple Heron, Night Heron and Squacco Heron in the past), and Red-rumped Swallow on three occasions. Spring seabirds here include Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin – the latter best seen on some of the boat trips. We hope to take a boat trip out to Annet one spring evening to view the Manx Shearwater gatherings that occur here.

While we aim to visit the main off-islands of Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s, and St Agnes, the itinerary is very weather-dependent. An outline is as follows: Day 1 : Depart Land’s End in the afternoon on a scheduled skybus flight (20 mins) Penzance-St Mary’s. Evening slide talk by Will Wagstaff.

Days 2 - 6 : Excursions will include: ! Morning walk on St Mary’s. Afternoon (or morning depending on tide) cruise around the islands for seabirds, ducks, high tide roost of waders etc. ! Day trip to Tresco, including trip to the subtropical gardens. ! Day trip to St Agnes. ! Day on St Mary’s. Evening Shearwater boat trip, weather permitting. ! Day trip to Bryher or St Martin’s.

Day 7 : Depart St Mary's airport on a morning flight to Land’s End.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We are based at The St Mary’s Hall Hotel, in Hugh Town, St Mary’s, just 5 minutes walk from the quay. This is an extensively refurbished townhouse, which offers a high standard of accommodation set within its own grounds. All Rooms are en suite.

LEADER : Will Wagstaff NUMBERS :

Max. 10 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,295 £ 195 £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled Skybus flights* Land's End-St Mary's, 6 nights' accommodation, all meals including lunches from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the final morning, travel as on the itinerary including boat fees, landing fees and admissions and the services of the leaders.

Prices exclude travel insurance (please do not send your insurance premium at the time of booking, as we offer special Isles of Scilly travel insurance for this holiday and will send you details with confirmation of booking), travel to and from Penzance Heliport, drinks and other personal expenses. *At present the helicopter flights from Penzance are scheduled to stop in 2013. There will also be direct flights from Exeter, Plymouth or Southampton available at a higher cost.

It is possible to travel to St Mary’s by the Scillonian ferry, Please enquire if you would like to do this, or to extend your stay. For an ex-flight cost, please deduct £ 145 from the cost of the holiday.

Europe, of seeing rare birds, this is undoubtedly the time and the place.

Autumn often gives us an American wader or two, and more unpredictable continental migrants.

Some of the more predictable ‘scarcities’ at this time include Wryneck (we’ve seen up to eight in one week!), Bluethroat, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Rosefinch and both Ortolan and Lapland Buntings.

This is also probably one of the best places in the UK to get close views of that real skulker, Jack Snipe.

What you say : “Thank you for organising such a good holiday: birds, flowers, butterflies, an unusual dragonfly…we shall be back! Certainly we’ve never been on a holiday before where there’s been so much laughter.”

I. & N.S., W. Midlands The view from St Martin’s (Photo: Will Wagstaff) and, top, Puffins

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Orkney

Rousay !

Birsay !

Hoy

!

Wildlife and History

ORKNEY

SCOTLAND

Saturday 25 May – Saturday 1 June 2013

(8 days)

We spend a spring week on the green isles of the north for huge numbers of breeding birds, an excellent array of northern flowers, and some of Europe’s finest archaeological monuments.

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he archipelago of Orkney forms a complex jigsaw of land and water, and the land itself is a patchwork of habitats: from sea-cliffs and beaches, through rich farmland and wetland, with numerous freshwater lochs, to areas of dry moorland. The isles are much more fertile than their Shetland neighbours to the north, prompting the observation that on Orkney they are farmers with fishing boats, whereas on Shetland they are fishermen with crofts!

The fertility of both the land and the sea, and the diversity here, gives rise to a corresponding wealth of wildlife, particularly birds. Here can be found an amazing concentration of RSPB reserves protecting the huge numbers of Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Kittiwake and Fulmar on the cliffs. Breeding wildfowl, waders and superb Red-throated Diver are found on the small lochans, and, perhaps in their highest concentrations in Britain, Short-eared Owl on the moorland, along with both Great and Arctic Skua and a few Hen Harrier. Wild flowers also abound, including the minute and vivid Scottish Primrose.

Orkney is also famous for its superb array of archaeological monuments, including Maes Howe, generally acknowledged to be the finest neolithic chambered tomb in Europe, and the splendidly preserved Skara Brae, a village dating from 3,000 BC. Fast-forward 2,500 years, and Orkney becomes the land of the Picts and their immediate ancestors, the remains of whose fortified brochs still stud the coastline. We shall be taking time to visit several of these sites, many of which are also in the best areas for wildlife!

This is lovely walking country, and we’ll be taking some fine walks along cliffs and over moorland. The light, especially at this time of year when the long

Birds and Ancient History at the Ring of Brodgar

summer evenings never seem to end, is clear and wonderfully atmospheric, and the late sunsets can be magnificent!

Once again leading this splendid all-round tour will be Robin Noble, expert on both archaeology and wildlife, who ran a Field Centre on Orkney for several years. This year he will be accompanied by Phil Knott, a former Assistant Warden on Fair Isle.

Itinerary Clients may be met either at Stromness, where the ferry from Scrabster arrives in the early evening, or at Kirkwall Airport by arrangement on Day 1. During the week we plan two boat trips to other islands (weather permitting!) to Rousay and Hoy, as well as exploring Orkney Mainland and several other islands reachable by causeway. The tour concludes after breakfast on Day 8, when clients will be offered transport either to Stromness or Kirkwall.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a beautifullysituated hotel standing in its own grounds in the most wonderful location: on the shores of one of north Mainland’s many lochs. It has an awardwinning resaurant, featured in several gastronomic guides.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Robin Noble NUMBERS :

Max. 12 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 1,195 £ 195 £ 200 per person

The price is per person and includes 7 nights’ accommodation, meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, transport within Orkney, admissions, and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel to and from Orkney, holiday insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.

Please do not book your flights to and from Orkney until you have had confirmation from us that the trip is going ahead as planned, and that your proposed times are suitable.

“It was a superb week - one of the best…We learnt so much and I’m sure you know we also had great fun and laughs…”

J.S., Beds “I was carried along by Robin’s enthusiasm and his particular skill for enabling archaeological sites to come alive through his descriptions and visualisations. Please thank him for making the trip such an interesting and enjoyable experience!”

S.R., Leics.

“A very good mix of history and wildlife. A thoroughly enjoyable tour – well up to my expectations.”

J.R., Middx.

“Robin’s breadth and depth of knowledge laced with humour, and his caring for individuals was much appreciated. Superb archaeology/history as well.”

J. & S.M., Dorset

BRITISH ISLES

What you say :

Old Man of Hoy

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Lewis and Harris

Lewis

Divers, Seabirds and Standing Stones Saturday 27 April – Friday 3 May 2013

!

Stornoway

(7 days) Harris

Join us for a new trip to the northern Outer Hebrides – the ornithologically unexplored conjoined isles of Lewis and Harris. The former has vast moorlands, the latter high mountains, but both have the fabulous machair grassland where waders and Corncrakes nest, wonderful coastlines for seabirds, and probably the best chance in Britain of seeing four species of diver in breeding plumage!

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he islands of the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, are renowned for their wild, windswept beauty, with glorious white shell-sand beaches on the Atlantic coast, and rugged moorland indented with numerous lochs in the east. All these habitats can be found within a few minutes drive of each other, and it is this diversity, packed into a small area, that gives these isles such a wealth of birds. These are also isles of hauntingly beautiful landscapes, still sprinkled here and there with traditional turf-roofed ‘white houses’, built with mighty stone walls to keep out the all-pervasive wind that is such a constant feature.

While most birdwatchers head for the ‘long island’ of the Uists, with its excellent raptor populations, the northern isles of Lewis and its conjoined neighbour Harris have been ornithologically neglected. However, their attraction for migrants both on land and sea, their breeding wildfowl and waders and above all, the chance to see four species of diver, including the rare arctic White-billed Diver, have drawn birdwatchers northwards.

Add to this some wonderful wild scenery and some superb historical sites, including what are arguably the most impressively-sited standing stones in Europe, at Callanish, and you have the ingredients for a great British holiday, in the company of Outer Hebrides resident naturalist Stephen Duffield.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 : We meet up with Stephen at Stornoway airport during the afternoon. From here we head to the hotel, perhaps with a short birdwatching stop depending on flight times. Our hotel is situated on the west coast of Lewis, not far from the famous standing stones of Callanish. There will be the chance to take a local evening walk from the hotel for any who want to.

Day 2 : This morning we head for Ness and the dramatic coastline of the Butt of Lewis, but first we

stop to check the sea for divers. Red-throated Divers breed beside small lochs but go down to the sea to feed, while Great Northern Divers are here on passage, on their way back to Iceland and the Canadian Arctic. All should be in their spectacular breeding plumage. This coast is the only site in the UK where White-billed Divers have been a regular feature in recent springs.

The Butt of Lewis lies a couple of miles further north and we’ll take a gentle walk from the lighthouse around the headland and the contorted rocks making up the cliffs here. It is early for Corncrakes, but the first few should have arrived, and are easier to see at this time when the vegetation is short. After dinner there will be the option of an evening walk and excursion to Carloway Broch, one of the best preserved of these mysterious and imposing Iron Age defence towers on the islands.

Day 3 : Today we head across the Pentland Road traversing an expanse of moorland that holds breeding Golden Eagle, Merlin, Greenshank, Golden Plover and Red-throated Diver. This single track road also provides us with a short cut to Stornoway from where we will begin our exploration of Broad Bay. From here we head to the north end of Point and Tiumpan Head then retrace our route back to Stornoway to explore the harbour and nearby Castle Grounds. Finally we shall venture along the western side of Broad Bay calling in at Tongue, Gress and North Tolsta where we’ll take a short walk along the “Road to Nowhere”. For all those interested, after the evening meal we’ll head to the nearby Callanish Stones to see them at their best when the site is quiet without visitors.

Day 4 : Today we head south to the hilly island of Harris and the dramatic scenery of the Sound of Taransay.

Further south we’ll stop and scan the Atlantic waters at various view-points adding to our tally of sea duck and divers before stopping at Northton for

SCOTLAND

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a hotel in the township of Carloway on the west side of the Isle of Lewis, which offers comfortable accommodation, fine food and spectacular surroundings. Part of the hotel’s charm and tranquil feeling is accentuated by the beautiful lochan that fronts the hotel. All rooms are en suite.

TRAVEL : We meet Stephen at Stornoway airport on the first day at 1730, to meet the flight leaving from Glasgow at 1625, and pay our farewells there at around 1400 on the last day in time for the 1540 flight (based on 2012 schedules).

Clients wishing to travel by ferry will be sent directions.

LEADER :

Stephen Duffield

NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp*. : Deposit :

£ 1,195 £ NIL £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes 6 nights' accommodation, all meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7, minibus transport, admissions, incidental tips and the services of the leader.

The price excludes flights to and from Stornoway airport, travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses. * limited number of singles available at no supplement

a short walk across the machair.

Turning back north we complete a circuit of southern Harris by taking the Golden Road along the east side of the island. This passes through an area known as Bays, well-known for its Otters. It’s also got the feel of another world with so much exposed rock it is often compared with the surface of the moon!

Day 5 : Today we head out to the remote west side of Lewis and begin our exploration at Mangersta.

Moving on we visit the golden sands of Uig beach famed for the uncovering of the Lewis Chessmen whose origin and circumstances of their discovery remain a mystery. Anything could turn up in spring but with residents like Golden Eagle around we certainly won’t be stuck for something to look at.

BRITISH ISLES

Day 6 : Today we head back towards the Butt of Lewis calling in at Skigersta and Port of Ness in search of White-billed Divers once more. Migration is in full swing and Ness, lying at the north end of the land mass of the Outer Hebrides, is a magnet for migrants.

Day 7 : We hope to have time this morning to focus on looking for eagles on the road to Lochs in east Lewis. Both White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle occur in the area in good numbers.

The tour concludes at Stornoway airport for return flights in the afternoon.

Standing Stones at Callanish, with the hills of Harris in the background.

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For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Outer Hebrides

North Uist

Benbecula

The Uists and Benbecula

South Uist SCOTLAND

Sunday 9 – Saturday 15 June 2013 Sunday 21 – Saturday 27 July 2013

(7 days) (7 days)

We return to one of Britain’s most remote and beautiful corners, where waders still breed in abundance, where divers in full breeding plumage haunt the lochs, where Golden Eagles soar, and where, almost uniquely now, the rasping calls of Corncrake can still be heard around the crofts.

T

he islands of the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles, are renowned for their wild, windswept beauty, with glorious white shell-sand beaches on the Atlantic coast, and rugged moorland indented with numerous lochs in the east. All these habitats can be found within a few minutes drive of each other, and it is this diversity, packed into a small area, that gives these isles such a wealth of birds. These are also isles of hauntingly beautiful landscapes, still sprinkled here and there with traditional turf-roofed ‘white houses’, built with mighty stone walls to keep out the all-pervasive wind that is such a constant feature.

The “machair”, an alkaline grassland formed from seashell sand, is in full bloom at this time, but the main attraction here will be one of the best concentrations of breeding waders in Britain.

Amidst the cacophony of wader calls here we shall pick out Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank and Dunlin, with the fabulous ‘drumming’ of Snipe. Here too we listen for the area’s most sought-after bird: the elusive Corncrake. We will hear the distinctive rasping call of this formerly common British bird around the crofts, but patience will be needed to see them well.

In contrast, the eastern moorlands and lochs should hold breeding Red- and possibly Blackthroated Divers, and the skies are always worth inspecting here – these islands remain one of the best areas in Britain to see the magnificent Golden Eagle, while other breeding raptors include Peregrine, Merlin, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, and Buzzard, with White-tailed Eagle always a possibility. Shorteared Owls are another delightful moorland bird, and Arctic Skua also breed.

Late July is best for the diversity of flowers and insects. The very rare Irish Ladies Tresses orchid is coming into flower, while there should still be some Lesser Butterfly orchids in bloom. The increasingly rare Great Yellow Bumblebee is a strong possibility.

We also hope to do some moth trapping, which could produce some northern specialities.

We travel to the islands from Oban, in daylight

Langass Stone Circle, North Uist

on each occasion, to get the best out of one of the most attractive of Hebridean sea voyages (a six-hour crossing), with Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and auks abundant on the sea, and with a possibility of Storm Petrels, porpoises and dolphins as well.

Itinerary Day 1 : Meet Stephen at Oban at around 1.00 pm, for a 2.00 pm ferry departure to Lochboisdale on South Uist, with dinner on the ferry and arriving at around 10.00 pm.

Overnight Benbecula Days 2 - 6 : After a morning exploring Barra, we catch the small ferry to Eriskay in the afternoon, and make our way via the causeways to South Uist, and then Benbecula.

Five nights Benbecula

Day 7 : Depart Lochboisdale on South Uist at about 1.30 pm on Day 7, returning to Oban by around 7.30 pm. We can give details of overnight accommodation in Oban if required.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a well-situated hotel on Benbecula (2-star, “Taste of Scotland” awards) with all rooms en suite.

LEADER :

Stephen Duffield

NUMBERS :

Max. 7 clients

PRICE : Single supp*. : Deposit :

£ 1,195 £ NIL £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes 6 nights’ accommodation, all meals (except on the ferry crossings), ferry crossings as described above, minibus transport, admissions, incidental tips and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel to and from Oban, travel insurance, meals on the ferry crossings, drinks and other personal expenses. * Limited number of singles available at no supplement.

“Stephen always went the extra yard for his clients…outstanding natural history, altogether a very enjoyable week!”

J.N., Herts.

“Excellent guiding…tour style and balance excellent.

Would very much like to repeat this sort of trip.”

L.N., Herts.

BRITISH ISLES

What you say:

A White House on South Uist

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Scottish Highlands An Autumn Spectacular at Aigas

Aigas

Saturday 13 – Saturday 20 October 2012 Saturday 12 – Saturday 19 October 2013

(8 days) (8 days)

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loch for the first time in Britain for over three hundred years! The Beavers themselves are more difficult to see, but have been seen on early-morning visits to the lochside hides. We’ll also be visiting a hide to watch for Pine Martens and Badgers one evening.

The lodge is the perfect base for exploring the Highlands. One day visit Easter Ross and the Black Isle. This year we have added an additional boat trip out of Cromarty Bay in search of Bottle-nosed Dolphins.

To the north and west, the long glens run between the mountains, with soaring Golden Eagles. The hills are also the realm of the evergrowing Red Deer herds. We will also make one longer expedition to the west coast via Loch Maree.

Travel Clients may be met either at Inverness railway station, or at Inverness airport after 3 pm on Day 1, or may arrive at Aigas after 3pm. We gather for afternoon tea at 4.30pm on Day 1 and the holiday concludes after breakfast on Day 8, although earlier departures can be arranged.

Monarchs of the Glen Red Deer and Golden Eagles at Aigas Saturday 6 – Saturday 13 October 2012 Saturday 5 – Saturday 12 October 2013

!

Inverness

SCOTLAND

Join us in the Highlands as the bracken and birch leaves turn gold and the red deer are rutting in the hills. We explore the Caledonian Pine Forest and firths full of wildfowl while based on a splendid Victorian estate. Expect roaring Red Deer stags in the estate and roaring log fires to come home to! he Scottish Highlands are at their most romantic in late September and October, with autumn colours permeating the trees, mist lingering in the glens and stags roaring in the hills.

We stay fifteen miles southwest of Inverness, based at Aigas Field Centre, a fine Victorian mansion built as a shooting lodge. Aigas has been Scotland’s premier residential Field Centre since 1977, and is the family home of Sir John and Lady Lucy ListerKaye. They always make us feel most welcome here, and John delights in interpreting the origins of the landscape, geology and ancient history that are unique to Aigas, and that form a backdrop to his much-acclaimed book ‘Song of the Rolling Earth’.

Aigas has a well-deserved reputation for comfort and excellent food, and its small estate includes mixed woodland, pine plantation and a most attractive loch. Guests are accommodated in spacious wooden lodges. Aigas is the site for a trial introduction scheme for European Beavers, which has featured several times on BBC television programmes, including ‘Autumnwatch’ and ‘Johnny Kingdom goes to Scotland’. Uniquely, we can now see beaver-felled trees and beaver lodges around a

!

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : At Aigas Field Centre, as described above in twin rooms with private bathrooms. A very limited number of single rooms are available.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Robin Noble NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICES :

2012 - £ 1,195 2013 - £ 1,245 NIL £ 200 per person

Single Supp. : Deposit :

The price is per person and includes 7 nights' accommodation, all meals on the tour, transport on the tour and Inverness/Aigas, admissions, and leadership.

The price excludes travel to and from Inverness, travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

Please do not book your flights to and from Inverness until you have had confirmation from us that the trip is going ahead as planned, and that your proposed times are suitable.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : You are accommodated in comfortable wooden lodges within the Victorian arboretum at Aigas. All rooms have private ensuite bathrooms.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : David Dixon

(8 days) (8 days)

To many, the majestic red deer and golden eagle are the ultimate icons of the Highlands of Scotland and its wildlife. During this programme we will explore the complex inter-relationship between red deer, golden eagles and their landscape.

PRICES : Single Supp. : Deposit :

2012 - £ 1,085 2013 - £ 1,145 NIL £ 200 per person

Aigas programmes are all inclusive and there are no hidden extras. The prices are per person and include all accommodation, meals, two evening drinks, transport, transfers to/from Inverness, admissions, use of Aigas hides and other facilities and leadership.

The prices exclude travel insurance, additional drinks, and laundry.

L BRITISH ISLES

ed by mammals expert Dr David Dixon, our programme will take us through the hills, straths and glens, from Glen Affric to Strathfarrar and Strathconon, giving a unique opportunity to study the behaviour of red deer in the wild at peak rutting season, the only time when stags and hinds are easily found together. The corries and woods echo with the evocative roaring of stags.

Golden eagles soar above the ridges in the clear autumn skies. The golden eagle is resident in the Highlands throughout the year, and in October both adults and fledglings will be visible. We will explore the delicate relationship between eagles and deer.

This programme includes the opportunity to use the Aigas hides for pine martens and beavers and to join in with other wildlife activities on site, as well as

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an early morning run to look for otters and a visit to the west coast for the chance of seeing white-tailed sea eagles.

What you say: “It was a good mixture, with lots of educational value.

Aigas was certainly a unique experience I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you!”

S.H., Cheshire “It was a great success…Robin is good at sharing his wide knowledge of the geology, wildlife and history of Scotland.”

H.C., Somerset

Aigas House: a superb base for a week in the Highlands

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Dorset

ENGLAND

Coastal migrants and heathland specialities Dorset

Monday 6 - Thursday 9 May 2013

(4 days)

Weymouth !

Join Bob Ford as we go back to our roots on a spring break in our wonderful home county of Dorset, at one of its very best hotels!

Portland !

S

outh Dorset with the Isle of Portland sticking out into the English Channel includes some of the best sites in Britain – and some would say Europe – to witness the spectacle of bird migration.

Each spring and autumn thousands of migrants break their journeys by resting on Portland's fields and shoreline. The fields and hedges at this time can be alive with warblers, chats and flycatchers, with Wheatears on the open fields. Offshore, seabirds such as skuas and shearwaters stream past the tip of Portland – ‘the Bill’ – en route to their Arctic breeding areas. Some, such as the Puffin, stop to breed on Portland's high cliffs, along with a growing population of Peregrine Falcons and Ravens. Portland is also famous for producing a surprise or two!

ENGLAND

The RSPB reserves at Radipole and Lodmoor are nearby with their breeding Bearded Tits and Cetti’s Warblers. Dartford Warblers and Wood Larks are only a few miles further away on Dorset’s heathlands.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : Portland Heights is one of Dorset’s best-situated hotels, high on the Portland cliffs overlooking Portland Harbour and Weymouth.

It makes an ideal base for a spring birdwatching break. All rooms are en suite.

TRAVEL : Rail travellers can be met at Weymouth station between 5 and 6 pm.

LEADER :

Bob Ford

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 445 £ 55 £ 150 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 3 nights’ accommodation, meals from Monday evening to Thursday lunchtime, transport, tips, admissions and the services of the leader.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

Bearded Tit (Photo: Margaret Welby)

New Forest

Southampton !

New Forest

Birds and wildlife of heath, woods and coast Monday 8 - Thursday 11 July 2013

(4 days)

We explore the ancient woodland, heaths, acid bogs and grazed lawns of this fascinating area of southern England for a close look at some of its unique flora and fauna, together with visits to Hampshire’s coastal marshes for breeding terns and returning waders.

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay in a small country hotel on the edge of Brockenhurst. All rooms are en suite.

TRAVEL : Rail travellers can be met at Brockenhurst station between 5 and 6pm.

LEADER :

Bob Ford

NUMBERS :

Max. 8 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ 495 £ 115 £ 150 per person

The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of 3 nights’ accommodation, meals from Monday evening to Thursday lunchtime, transport, tips, admissions and the services of the leader.

The price excludes holiday insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

WILD AMBITIONS

T

he ponds and bogs of the New Forest will be alive with dragonflies and damselflies now, and grasshoppers and crickets will be starting to sing, while the lawns still harbour some of our most threatened plant species, several in flower now. Nightjars are usually at their most active on the warm July evenings, while Hobby, too, can be much in evidence, especially over the ponds catching those dragonflies. Woodlark continue to sing throughout the summer on the open heaths.

Woodland birds can be fairly quiet at this time of year, with a few notable exceptions. Honey Buzzard can be very elusive here, but are probably most easily seen at this time. On the coast nearby, Sandwich, Common and Little Terns are feeding well-grown young, and return wader passage is already starting to gather momentum.

The forest is famous for its deer, and we hope to go out at dusk in the company of a forest ranger to gain close views of both Fallow and Red Deer.

A New Forest ride (Photo: Rebecca Nason)

Know before you book!: For travel health advice, please refer to: www.nathnac.org

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Sunset on Islay (Photo: Mike Read)

Islay

SCOTLAND

Jewel of the Hebrides Thursday 11 - Tuesday 16 October 2012 Thursday 14 - Tuesday 19 March 2013

! Bridgend

(6 days) (6 days)

ISLAY

Join Peter Roberts for wonderful short spring and autumn breaks on the isle of geese, tartan and malt whisky!

I

slay is an attractive and varied Inner Hebridean island with everything from open farmland and woodland to heather moorland, peat bogs and uplands. The coastline is a fine mix of sweeping sandy sea lochs, cliffs and dunes. There is a splendid diversity of bird life all the year round, but at its best from October to April, when it hosts huge populations of wildfowl. Most spectacular of these are a major part of the Greenland population of 35,000 Barnacle Geese, and 15,000 White-fronted Geese – particularly exhilarating viewed backlit from the comfort of the RSPB hide as they fly to their evening roost.

Offshore are great rafts of Scaup and other seaduck together with Whooper Swans, good numbers

of Red-throated and Great Northern Divers and seabirds including Shag and Black Guillemot.

Raptors are numerous, with Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine and Merlin resident. The island is the Scottish stronghold of Chough, with a winter roost providing a fine spectacle. The many wintering waders include Purple Sandpipers. Flocks of Twite are quite common and there is always a chance of finding a wandering White-tailed Eagle, Iceland Gull or spying the resident Dipper, Barn Owl, Red or Black Grouse.

Other wildlife includes large populations of Hare, Grey and Common Seals, Roe and Red Deer, plus a reasonable chance of watching Otters and Bottle-nosed Dolphins. There is plenty of other

interest on this jewel of an island: we can take a guided tour around one of the seven working Whisky Distilleries; visit the award-winning Museum of Islay Life; delve into the fascinating history at Finlaggan – home of the Lords of the Isles and Clan MacDonald from the 12th-16th centuries; watch tartan cloth weaving at the Islay Woollen Mill – suppliers of tartan to Prince Charles and Hollywood films such as “Braveheart”; or try some of the local “Clootie Dumpling” (not recommended for weight-watchers).

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION : We stay at a picturesque, family run hotel on the shores of the Sound of Islay, overlooking the pier at which daily car ferries berth on arrival from the Scottish mainland.

TRAVEL : We meet Peter at Islay airport on the first day at 0910, to meet the flight leaving from Glasgow at 0825, and pay our farewells there at around 0830 on the last day in time for the 0940 flight (based on 2006 schedules). Clients wishing to travel by ferry will be sent directions.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Peter Roberts NUMBERS :

Max. 6 clients

PRICES :

2012: £ 1,045 2013: £ 1,095 2012: £ 85 2013: £ 90 £ 200 per person

Single supps. :

BRITISH ISLES

Deposit :

The price is per person and includes 5 nights' accommodation, meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 6, minibus transport and admissions, incidental tips and the services of the leader(s).

The price excludes travel to and from Islay, travel insurance, drinks and other personal expenses.

Barnacle Geese (Photo: Mike Read)

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For full details, please visit the Wild Ambitions website: www.wildambitions.co.uk

! ! Kakadu NP Darwin

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Grand Central - Darwin, Alice & Adelaide

Friday 16 August – Thursday 5 September 2013

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

! Adelaide

oin us for a truly unique and extra special birding trip to Australia – 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 us 2979 km, across the arid Red Centre of Australia, from the tropical rainforests of Darwin in the north 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 and two nights to complete the crossing. But we shall be breaking our journey into two legs, travelling first from Darwin to Alice Springs, where we enjoy four days of desert birding and sightseeing before continuing south to Adelaide.

We begin our tour in Darwin, Australia’s Gateway to Asia. ‘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, Shining Flycatcher and Orange-footed Scrubfowl await! We’ll visit Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage site with its ancient rock art, amazing termite towers and dazzling sandstone escarpments that are home to the localized Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon (endemic to Kakadu), exquisite Hooded Parrot and stunning Gouldian Finch. An early morning cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong will be another major highlight, where tens of thousands of Magpie Geese trail across the dawn skies as we glide silently across the mirrored waters in search of immaculate Rufous Night Herons, Green Pygmy Geese and Little Kingfisher – all the while keeping a wary eye on those menacing Saltwater Crocodiles as they laze on the banks!

Leaving the lush tropics behind, 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), and the

(21 days)

A fabulous tour, packed with highlights, including visits to Kakadu National Park with its Aboriginal Rock Art and a dawn cruise on the Yellow Water billabong; “Gold Class” travel on board The Ghan, a Katherine River cruise, the Red Centre at Alice Springs and sunrise over Ayers Rock; through to the Murray River, Koalas and the world famous vineyards of Barossa Valley near Adelaide. true Red Centre of Australia. Desert sunsets compete for our attention with startling Crimson Chats and singing Black Honeyeaters, while the desert itself was in full bloom on our last visit – a rare treat indeed! There are numerous specialities to find at Alice and highlights last time included Pinkeared Duck, Banded Stilt, Australian Pratincole, the pint-sized Spinifex Pigeon, Western Bowerbird, White-winged and Splendid Fairywrens, Spinifexbird, the gorgeous Red-capped Robin and restless, chattering flocks of Budgerigars.

Overnight on The Ghan again, we travel a further 1500km to arrive at our southern destination of Adelaide. The cool of the temperate spring is refreshing and the birdlife so different, yet still a wonder – from the blue and orange Adelaide Rosella to the rowdy White-winged Choughs and shy Diamond Firetails. The natural wetlands of the Onkaparinga River should yield a myriad of waterbirds, with strange looking ducks like Musk and Blue-billed, and of course the famous Black Swan, as well as migratory waders, over-wintering here in unfamiliar plumage.

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. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Little Penguins 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 Blackeared Miner and Red-lored Whistler, and home to the remarkable mound-building Malleefowl.

As a grand finale to this wonderful tour, we complete our sojourn in the renowned Barossa Valley, famed for its wines (which we shall no doubt try), and seeking “Butterbums” (Yellow-rumped Thornbills), Musk Lorikeets and Red-rumped Parrots. But one final treasure is still to come, even as we make our way back for the flight home – a creek-line of Koala filled gum trees in the forested hills above Adelaide, begging for just one last photo!

What more could you possibly want from this remarkable tour Down Under?

Outline Itinerary Days 1 - 3 : Depart London for Darwin, arriving early on Day 3.

Day 4 : Darwin area: Howard Springs, Palmerston.

Two nights Darwin Days 5 - 7 : Fogg Dam, Kakadu National Park. Yellow Water Boat Cruise.

Three nights Kakadu NP Day 8 : Darwin via Pine Creek.

Overnight Darwin Day 9 : Travel on The Ghan across the ‘Red Centre’.

Katherine cruise.

Overnight Ghan Days 10 - 11 : Arrive Alice Springs. The Alice & McDonnell Ranges.

Two nights Alice Springs Days 12 - 13 : Morning Alice. Fly to Ayers Rock (Uluru).

Two nights Yulara

TRIP DETAILS ACCOMMODATION AND THE GHAN : We stay at comfortable hotels, motels, lodges and cabins, with en suite rooms throughout. Between Darwin and Alice Springs, and again between Alice Springs and Adelaide, we travel in “Gold Class” sleeping cabins (2 nights/3 days) on board the famous Ghan railway as we traverse the very heart of Australia. Twin berths on the train are en suite; single berths have a wash basin but no en suite toilet or shower facilities; however, each single berth carriage on the train is equipped with two separate toilets plus a separate shower room.

MEALS : All included in the price. Food is good to excellent throughout, but especially noteworthy on board The Ghan, and at the last hotel, the extremely comfortable Novotel Barossa, in the picturesque Barossa Valley.

WALKING : Easy, gently paced walks, rarely more than a mile or two at any one time. Sturdy thornproof walking boots with stout corrugated soles are recommended.

BOAT TRIPS : Our tour cost includes two excellent boat trips: an early morning Yellow Water cruise in Kakadu (a major highlight of the trip last time), and a short wildlife cruise along the river at Katherine.

PRINCIPAL LEADER : Peter Taylor NUMBERS :

Max. 14 clients

PRICE : Single supp. : Deposit :

£ £ £

TBC TBC TBC per person

The price includes scheduled economy class flights London/Darwin and Adelaide/London, three days (two nights) Gold Service on The Ghan (Darwin-Alice/Alice-Adelaide), domestic flights Alice Springs-Uluru-Alice Springs, all accommodation, meals and surface transportation (including boat trips as described), airport and local taxes, incidental tips, bird & mammals checklist, map and services of the leader/s.

The price excludes travel insurance, Australian visa (ETA) costs (approx. £20 through us, see below), drinks, optional tips to local drivers and other personal expenses.

This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays.

Day 14 : Fly Alice Springs. Board The Ghan lunchtime for the second leg of our journey, across the Painted Desert.

Overnight Ghan Days 15 - 16 : Arrive Adelaide. Onkaparinga Estuary, Fleurieu Peninsula.

Two nights Victor Harbor Days 17 - 18 : Bakara, Gluepot Reserve.

Two nights Waikerie Day 19 : Brookfield, Morgan, Barossa Valley.

Overnight Tanunda Day 20 : Waterfall Gully. Fly Adelaide-London.

Day 21 : Arrival in London.

AUSTRALASIA

!

Alice Springs

J

Australia: The Ghan

Koala

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

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Booking Information WHEN TO BOOK

The short answer is as early as possible! Because we run smallgroup holidays, popular tours can fill up very fast indeed, sometimes, as tour details appear on our website early, before the brochure comes out! Several bookings come in over a year ahead for tours, and as a rule of thumb, many tours are full around four to six months in advance. Single rooms are usually the first to be filled, so please think ahead even earlier if you require one of these.

However we do get a few last-minute cancellations, and it is definitely worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour, even just a few weeks in advance. Please also note the section on early booking discounts below.

Last-minute bookings: We inevitably receive a few unexpected late cancellations over the course of a season so it is always worth enquiring about vacancies on any tour – even for those departing in just a few weeks time!

BEFORE BOOKING

# Please make sure you have checked the Health Advice for the destination. See The National Travel Health Network and Centre website www.nathnac.org # Please make sure you have checked the latest Travel Advice for the destination. Visit the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk # Please read through, and, if possible, print out the long detailed version of our tour description on our website. The detailed information, which is not provided in this brochure, may answer many of your queries about the tour.

How to Book

# Give us a ring or email us first (info@naturalist.co.uk) to check availability of your preferred tour and dates. # We can hold provisional telephone reservations for up to 14 days. # Bookings can be made directly online by using our website www.naturalist.co.uk and use credit or debit card for payment (see below for credit card charges for balance payments) # Bookings can also be made by post. Please fill in the booking form (enclosed with this brochure) and send it with a cheque made payable to "The Travelling Naturalist" or credit /debit card details as deposit. # If you would like information sent to more than one address, please use a separate booking form for each address, even if sharing a room on the tour. # Please let us know about any extra arrangements, tour extensions or connecting flights that you would like us to arrange at time of booking.

Client Loyalty Discounts

BOOKING INFORMATION

Our loyalty discount scheme has been operating for several years now. This year, we're continuing to give a 5% discount of the main tour price (excluding any single supplement) on every fifth trip you take with us! To claim the discount, just let us know how many trips you think you've taken with us when you book (still sending the full deposit), and we'll check against our files, and deduct the appropriate amount from the final invoice. If you wish, you can save up two 5% discounts to get a 10% discount on your tenth tour!

Please note that this loyalty discount scheme applies to tours that appear in this brochure, and on The Travelling Naturalist’s website!

Early-booking Discounts

Early bookings help both you and us in many ways. Not only are you sure of your place on a trip, but we can secure flight tickets and accommodation much more easily well in advance. This is especially true for long-haul destinations. To further encourage early booking, we're offering a straight £ 40 per person discount for each 2013 & 2014 departure booked before 31 October 2012. Please note that booking forms and full deposits must actually be received by us by that date to qualify, and that the discount will be deducted from the balance, not the deposit. Please note that this early booking discount scheme applies only to tours that appear in this brochure.

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# Please include your travel insurance details if possible with the deposit. # We will forward, normally within seven working days, full written confirmation and an invoice, showing the balance due, and the date by which it should be paid. Please make a note of this date in your diary, as reminders are not sent unless stated. # About three months before departure you will receive joining instructions and details for the holiday. # Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

PAYMENTS

# Deposits: The amount of deposit per person is given with each tour description. We accept payment by cheque (drawn on a UK bank in GB Pounds Sterling), by BACS or internet banking (please ask us for our bank details), and by debit card. We also accept most major credit cards (not AmEx). # Final Balance: Full payment of the balance is due not later than 12 weeks prior to departure (18 weeks for some US tours). We will send you an invoice with booking confirmation. We accept payment for final balances by cheque or debit card, and by credit card (with a 2% commission charge for the latter– see below). # Credit Card Charges: Please note that due to escalating credit card charges we are no longer able to absorb the cost of these.

We will not charge for payment of the initial minimum deposit (as detailed in each tour description), but will make a 2% commission charge on any balances or subsequent payments (eg interim flight deposits) paid by credit card. We will not charge this for payments made by debit card, or by cheque. # If you are paying by credit or debit card, please use the secure payment facilities on the website, or let us have the card details on the printed booking form or by phone – please do not email us the card details. Card details are destroyed once used, so we may need to phone you for details for second or subsequent payments, and also sometimes need verbal authorisation from you in addition to the details. # Payment by overseas clients must be in UK £ sterling and may be made by debit card or credit card (with a 2% commission charge for the latter). # Late Bookings: In order for us to guarantee airline seats, hotels etc for you, full payment is required at time of booking for all late bookings (i.e. bookings made within 12 weeks of departure). # Please note that we do not accept cheques drawn on US Banks in US Dollars, or cheques in Euros, or Eurocheques. # Please note that we do not accept part payment of deposits or balances, nor post-dated cheques, which will be returned to you.

Recommend a Friend – and you can both save £50!

Why not request a brochure for a friend who is new to The Travelling Naturalist, and who you think would enjoy our style of holidays? In fact many of our new clients have already come to us this way… and then stay with us! If your friend then books for the first time with us, and you are named on their booking form, we’ll say thanks by giving both you and your friend a £50 discount on your next holiday with us – and we’ll repeat this for every new friend that books! For example: recommending two friends who book will save you £100 off your next holiday and your friends £50 each off their holiday. So go on – spread the word!

To claim your £50 : # When your friend books a holiday, ask them to mention at time of booking your name and address. # If they have never travelled with us before, we will give them a discount of £50 per person. # We will send you a £50 voucher off a future holiday with The Travelling Naturalist for each friend you have recommended.

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

Conditions of Booking The Travel ling Naturalist 1. The Travelling Naturalist is the trading name of a small, unincorporated wildlife holiday operator, set up in 1984 by James McMillan who is the sole trader.

The Contract 2. When you sign our booking form you are entering a contract made with James McMillan, trading as The Travelling Naturalist, PO Box 3141, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2XD. This means that you agree to accept all the conditions of booking. Our written confirmation of your booking means that we agree to operate your holiday as stated in the brochure. The contract is governed by English law and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Deposits 3. Bookings must be accompanied by a booking form (online or paper, in which case it must be signed) and a deposit. Once the booking has been confirmed, the deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances, unless we have to cancel the holiday due to low numbers of clients or other unforeseen circumstances. We reserve the right to decline to accept a booking at our own discretion.

Balances 4. The balance must be paid at least 12 weeks (18 weeks for USA tours and some other tours; some Expedition Cruises may have an earlier balance date) before the starting date. Late bookings can sometimes be accepted within this time and the payment made in full on booking. Your invoice will state when the balance is payable in any case. Should the balance fail to reach us by the date specified on your invoice, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without refund.

5. You may cancel your booking at any stage. Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be deemed to be made on the date on which we receive the written cancellation. All tour deposit and interim flight deposit payments you have made to us will be retained by us. In the event of cancelling after the full balance is due, the following cancellation charges will apply if the cancellation is received: Tours to destinations outside th e USA 84 – 43 days before departure: 50% of the total invoice cost 42 – 29 days before departure: 75% of the total invoice cost 28 days or less before departure: 100% of the total invoice cost Tours to the USA 120 – 71 days before departure: 50% of the total invoice cost 70 days or less before departure: 100% of the total invoice cost To protect yourself, please ensure that you take out travel insurance to cover this as early as possible.

You may transfer your booking to another person up to 30 days before departure, provided you are unavoidably prevented from coming on the holiday, and bear any extra costs that such changes necessarily incur plus a £50 administration fee.

6. Our stated minimum number of clients per group is six, but we often run tours with fewer than this number. Please note, however, that we cannot accept cancellations without loss of deposits simply because the tour is running with fewer clients than expected. The operation of all tours is subject to minimum numbers being achieved at least 70 days prior to departure. If a tour is underbooked at that time, we may defer cancellation but will inform you if the tour is running or not no later than 6 weeks prior to departure. Under certain circumstances (e.g a couple wishing to join a tour when only one space remains) we may exceed our stated maximum numbers by one. Please note that leaders may have to be substituted on occasion.

7. If circumstances force you to leave a tour early, or follow a separate itinerary, you will have to bear any extra costs involved, although these may be covered by your Travel Insurance.

Tour alteration 8. If we are forced to cancel a holiday for any reason, we will refund the full amount you have paid us for that holiday.

9. The tour descriptions and itineraries in this brochure and on our website are meant only as a guide. Please note that our itineraries do not constitute contracts and we reserve the right to change them at any time for emergency, logistical or other reasons so long as these alterations are in keeping with the nature of the tour.

The final decision for any change rests with our office or our experienced tour leader(s) who are often best placed to assess the situation ‘on the ground’. We also reserve the right to substitute the leader(s) if necessary. We will not be held liable for any loss whatsoever caused as a result of any delay or alteration.

10. We reserve the right to change any of the prices in this brochure or on our website at any time before we enter into a contract with you. We will notify you before we enter into such a contract.

11. Special requests must be advised to us prior to departure and preferably at time of booking. We will advise the relevant suppliers of your requirements but cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Furthermore, we have no liability if such requests are not met.

12. Please note that we usually charge a £35 booking fee for booking separate flights from (or additional flights to) the main group flights to cover our administrative costs. If you wish to book a tour with a connecting flight from a regional airport, you must tell us at the time of booking.

Surcharges 13. The prices of our holidays are calculated well in advance, and unexpected cost increases sometimes occur. Rather than cancel the holiday, or not accept a booking, we may have to levy a surcharge on the holiday price on the following items: governmental action, currency fluctuations, fuel, overflying charges, airport charges, increases in scheduled air fares and increases in transfer and other transport costs at the holiday destination. Even in this case, we will absorb an amount up to the first 2% of the holiday price which excludes premiums and any amendment charges. No surcharge will be imposed less than 30 days prior to departure and only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% on the tour price, you will be entitled to cancel your booking with a full refund (except for any insurance premiums and amendment charges), but you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days of the surcharge invoice date.

Please note 14. Clients must observe any instructions given by our leaders as regards logistics, safety and conservation. Failure to do this could lead to dismissal from the group, as could any behaviour that, in the opinion of the leader, is severely detrimental to the safety, welfare and enjoyment of other members of the group.

15. In the event of our declining to retain a client during a holiday, full refund of the unused portion of the holiday will be paid to this client. However, the client must bear any extra expenses involved in returning home under these circumstances.

16. We regret that no pets may be brought.

17. We ask clients not to smoke in any vehicle we use, when in close company with other members of the group, or anywhere where there may be a fire risk.

18. We reserve the right to take photographs during the operation of our tours, and to use the resulting images for promotional purposes. By booking with us, tour members agree to allow their image to be used in this way; clients who prefer that their image should not be used must inform us prior to the tour.

Single rooms 19. We will always try to accommodate clients who request single rooms, but this is not always possible, and clients may be asked to share for all or part of the holiday.

In this case we will of course not charge the single room supplement for the portion of the holiday where the room is shared. We will also try to accommodate clients travelling on their own but wishing to share, but if there is no other single person on the tour willing also to share we will have to charge the single room supplement.

Responsibilities and liab ility 20. We will accept responsibility should the services we are contractually obliged to provide prove deficient or not of reasonable standard. We will also accept responsibility for loss or damage due to the proven negligent acts or omissions of our employees or our sub-contractors, agents or suppliers or their servants and/or agents.

21. We will accept liability in respect of death, bodily injury or illness resulting from our proven negligence or that of our employees or our sub-contractors or agents or suppliers or their servants and/or agents provided they were acting within the scope of their employment at the time.

22. Claims in respect of the matters referred to in paragraphs 19 & 20 shall (in respect of both liability and quantum) fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

23. We shall be entitled to limit our liability in relation to claims within paragraphs 19 & 20 in the manner provided by any international convention applying to any air, sea or land carriage.

24. Where appropriate and subject to our reasonable discretion we will afford general assistance to our clients who through misadventure suffer illness, personal injury or death during the period of the holiday arising out of an activity which does not form part of the holiday.

25. Where we have complied with our responsibilities set out in paragraphs 19 & 20 we will accept no liability in respect of death or physical injury unless resulting from proven negligence; loss or damage to goods; loss, damage, or delay or misdirection of your luggage or effects; claims arising out of carriage by air or sea, the liability being limited in accordance with the International Convention subject to which such carriage is performed.

26. We will accept no liability in respect of losses or additional expenses incurred as a result of transport delays, sickness, weather, war or other political crises, strikes, acts of God or other events which amount to force majeure. All such losses or additional expenses will be borne by the client.

Disabilities and medical conditions 27. Many, but not all, of our holidays may not be suitable for people with certain disabilities and medical conditions. Please ask us if in any doubt. In any case, if any client suffers from any disability or medical condition which may affect the running of the holiday, they must provide us with full details before the balance is due. We reserve the right to cancel a booking and impose the appropriate cancellation charges if such details are not provided. We further reserve the right to decline any booking whenever we feel unable to accommodate the particular needs of a particular client on that trip.

Your Safety, Travel Advice & Insurance 28. Risks to your safety and security are an unavoidable aspect of all travel. The best current advice on such risks is provided for you by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice unit. We will send a copy of the relevant FCO Travel Advice to all participants along with their final tour letter. In order to assess and protect against any risks in your ch osen destination, however, it is strongly recommended that you refer to the FCO website (www.fco.go.uk/travel) or telephone 0870 6060290 prior to booking and regularly before you travel.

29. It is also very important that you are wel l-informed about health risks and issues in your chosen destination country before making your booking. For trips outside Europe we will provide the latest Health Brief from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with our information pack, but cl ients are strongly recommend ed to refer to the Government advice web site for detailed advice before booking (www.nathnac.org/travel/index.htm).

30. Good travel insurance is essential before departing on any overseas trip (and is to be much recommended for UK holidays as well). In common with most other operators now, we insist that participants are fully insured before travelling overseas with us.

Complaints 31. Please notify your party leader of any complaint as soon as possible in order that we may assist you. If the complaint is not dealt with to your satisfaction there and then, the nature of the complaint should be stated, in writing, as soon as possible within 28 days of the completion of the holiday. We will not be under any liability in respect of claims of which we are not notified in writing within 28 days of the date scheduled for your return.

We will do our best to deal with the matter to your satisfaction, but in the unlikely event that you are still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to arbitration under AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Management Service (details on request) to bring it to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

32. If, despite our best efforts and having followed the above procedure for reporting and resolving your complaint, you feel that it has not been satisfactorily settled, we recommend that it is referred for arbitration under the ABTOT Travel Industry Arbitration Service. An Independent Arbitrator will review the documents relating to any complaint and deliver a binding decision to bring the matter to a close. Details of this scheme are available from The Travel Industry Arbitration Service, administered by Dispute Settlement Services Ltd at 9 Savill Road, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 2NY or from ABTOT, Tower 42, Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HG. This scheme cannot however decide in cases where the sums claimed exceed £1,500 per person or £7,500 per booking form, or for claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequence thereof.

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

119

The Travelling Naturalist Tour Calendar 2013-14

PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST DETAILS OF OUR TOURS, INCLUDIN G ANY DATE CHANGES

Month

Destination

Dates

January 2013 FALKLAND ISLANDS

Wed 2 – Wed 16 Jan

16

SOUTH AFRICA – Cape & Karoo

Sat 5 – Sun 20 Jan

36

NEW ZEALAND – Flowers & Wildlife

Sat 5 – Wed 23 Jan

49

UGANDA

Sat 12 – Wed 23 Jan

41

MEXICO – Monarchs & Monsters

Sat 19 – Wed 30 Jan

25

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Thu 24 Jan – Wed 6 Feb

21

SRI LANKA

Thu 31 Jan – Thu 14 Feb

47

Februa ry 2013 ICELAND in Winter

Thu 7 – Mon 11 Feb

87

CAMBODIA

Fri 8 – Mon 18 Feb

44

MALDIVES

Sat 9 – Sun 17 Feb

46

COSTA RICA

Sat 9 – Fri 22 Feb

14

ETHIOPIA

Mon 18 Feb – Sun 3 Mar

30

GHANA

Fri 22 Feb – Tue 5 Mar

32

SOUTH AFRICA – Drakensberg

Sat 23 Feb – Sat 9 Mar

39

ICELAND in Winter

Thu 28 Feb – Mon 4 Mar

87

ICELAND – Orcas & Auroras

Thu 28 Feb – Tue 5 Mar

53

FRANCE – Dordogne Wallcreepers

Mon 4 – Fri 8 Mar

72

INDIA – Hill Railways

Thu 7 – Tue 19 Mar

45

LAPLAND - Birds & Auroras

Mon 11 – Sun 17 Mar

52

ICELAND in Winter

Thu 14 – Mon 18 Mar

87

ISLAY

Thu 14 – Tue 19 Mar

116

BOTSWANA

Thu 14 – Mon 25 Mar

40

GERMANY – Brandenburg

Sun 17 – Thu 21 Mar

ICELAND in Winter MOROCCO in Spring GREECE – Peloponnese

PORTUGAL

Wed 10 – Wed 17 Apr

SWEDEN in Spring

Thu 11 – Sun 14 Apr

103

97

MONTENEGRO & ALBANIA

Sat 13 – Sun 21 Apr

92

ITALY – Sicily

Wed 17 – Wed 24 Apr

89

GREECE - Western

Sat 20 – Sat 27 Apr

78

FRANCE – Corsica

Sun 21 – Sun 28 Apr

69

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO - Turtles

Mon 22 Apr - Sat 4 May

22

ICELAND – Volcanoes

Thu 25 – Tue 30 Apr

LEWIS & HARRIS

Sat 27 Apr – Fri 3 May

112

ESTONIA in Spring

Sat 27 Apr – Sat 4 May

63

FRANCE – Corsica

Sun 28 Apr – Sun 5 May

69

86

May 2013 ROMANIA in spring

Fri 3 – Sat 11 May

96

GREEK ISLANDS – Lesvos

Sat 4 – Sat 11 May

81

SPAIN – Berdun

Sun 5 – Sun 12 May

99

POLAND in Spring

Sun 5 – Sun 12 May

95

BELARUS

Sun 5 – Mon 13 May

59

TANZANIA

Sun 5 – Thu 16 May

42

DORSET

Mon 6 – Thu 9 May

115

BULGARIA in spring

Wed 8 – Fri 17 May

60

ISLES OF SCILLY

Sat 11 – Fri 17 May

110

AUSTRIA in Spring

Sat 11 – Sat 18 May

58

FRANCE – Dordogne

Sat 11 – Sat 18 May

70

ITALY – Po Delta

Sat 11 – Sat 18 May

88

TURKEY – Southern

Sat 11 – Sat 18 May

106

FRANCE – Cévennes

Sat 25 May – Sat 1 Jun

HUNGARY IN SPRING

Sat 25 May – Sat 1 Jun

83

77

ORKNEY – Wildlife & History

Sat 25 May – Sat 1 Jun

111

Thu 21 – Mon 25 Mar

87

SPAIN – Spanish Pyrenees

Sat 25 May – Sat 1 Jun

102

Thu 21 – Sun 31 Mar

93

USA – Alaska

Fri 31 May – Sun 16 Jun

26

Thu 28 Mar – Thu 4 Apr

80

SPAIN – Extremadura in Spring

Sat 30 Mar – Sat 6 Apr

100

66

CYPRUS

Sun 31 Mar – Sun 7 Apr

62

March 2013

June 2013

April 2013 GREEK ISLANDS – Crete

Tue 9 – Tue 23 Apr

68

81

FRANCE – La Brenne

Sat 1 – Fri 7 Jun

FRANCE – Vercors Photographic

Sat 1 – Sat 8 Jun

75

UKRAINE

Sat 1 – Sun 9 Jun

108

GERMANY – Bavarian Alps

Tue 4 – Tue 11 Jun

76

ICONS : Icons are a quick way to help you decide which trips are right for you. They are intended to show the emphasis of the trip, starting with the most important aspect at the top.

BIRDS

FLOWERS

BUTTERFLIES & OTHER INSECTS

LAND MAMMALS

MARINE MAMMALS

HISTORY AND CULTURE SKY PHENOMENA: GEOLOGY (Not a comment on the Eclipses, Northern Lights etc. leader’s headgear!)

Financial Protection ALL our holidays are fully bonded. That means that, whether you are booking for an overseas holiday with or without a flight, and whether you are an overseas client or not, if you have our booking confirmation, all money paid in advance is FULLY PROTECTED. Due to the current UK legislation overlying the EU legislation, we have to use two bonding schemes, one for holidays with flights, and another for holidays without flights, as follows: We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL No. 3435) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, in compliance with the UK rules, which enables us to offer flight-inclusive holidays to the public in the UK. Details of the flights for each tour are given where possible. Our flight-inclusive tours are fully bonded. This means that the complete cost of the holiday – not just the flight element – is protected by bonding.

As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT),we have provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. In the event of insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight packages excluding pre arranged travel to and from your destination. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased directly with us. In the above circumstances, if you have not yet travelled you may claim a refund, or if you have already travelled, you may claim repatriation to the starting point of your non-flight package.

INDEX

A word of caution! The internet has made it much easier to book a wildlife tour directly with an overseas operator, or to book overseas hotels, lodges and transport directly, and to book a flight separately. If you are tempted to do this, beware! You certainly won’t be covered by the ATOL scheme and you are unlikely to have any protection for your monies paid in advance if things go wrong. You could do it, but you may never see your money again! The ONLY safe way to book a wildlife holiday from the UK is with a fully licensed and financially-protected tour operator, like the Travelling Naturalist.

120

For further information, please visit www.naturalist.co.uk

The Travelling Naturalist Tour Calendar 2013-14

CANADA – Rockies

Wed 5 – Wed 19 Jun

24

LATVIA – Wild Harvest

Mon 16 – Mon 23 Sep

USA – Yellowstone & Montana

Sat 8 – Sat 22 Jun

28

BULGARIA in Autumn

Thu 19 – Thu 26 Sep

OUTER HEBRIDES

Sun 9 – Sat 15 Jun

113

ISLES OF SCILLY

Sat 21 – Fri 27 Sep

FRANCE – Vercors

Sun 9 – Sun 16 Jun

75

ESTONIA – Autumn

Sun 22 – Sun 29 Sep

64

MACEDONIA

Wed 12 – Wed 19 Jun

91

BRAZIL – Jaguars & Harpy Eagles

Fri 27 Sep – Fri 11 Oct

12

ICELAND in Summer

Fri 14 – Sun 23 Jun

85

SPAIN – Extremadura in Autumn

Sat 28 Sep – Sat 5 Oct

100

ISLE OF MAN

Mon 17 – Fri 21 Jun

109

FRANCE – Pyrenees in Summer

Wed 19 – Wed 26 Jun

114

SWITZERLAND

Sun 23 – Sun 30 Jun

FRANCE – Dordogne dragonflies

90 61 110

October 2013 AIGAS – Monarchs of the Glen

Sat 5 – Sat 12 Oct

105

MOROCCO – Northern

Sat 5 – Sun 13 Oct

94

Sat 29 Jun – Sat 2 Jul

71

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Sat 12 – Sat 19 Oct

114

HUNGARY in Autumn

Wed 16 – Wed 23 Oct

SLOVAKIA – Dragonflies

Wed 3 – Wed 10 Jul

55

MADAGASCAR

Thu 17 – Thu 31 Oct

33

NEW FOREST

Mon 8 – Thu 11 July

115

MALDIVES

Sat 19 – Sun 27 Oct

46

SPITSBERGEN

Thu 11 – Sun 21 Jul

50

GERMANY – Brandenburg

Sun 20 – Thu 24 Oct

77

FAROE ISLANDS

Mon 15 – Mon 22 Jul

65

ARGENTINA – Cacti & Wildlife

Mon 21 Oct – Mon 4 Nov

10

OUTER HEBRIDES

Sun 21 – Sat 27 Jul

NAMIBIA

Fri 25 Oct – Fri 8 Nov

35

ICELAND – Puffins & Grimsey

Fri 26 July – Fri 2 Aug

SRI LANKA

Thu 7–Thu 21 Nov

47

AUSTRALIA – Eastern

Thu 7 – Mon 25 Nov

48

SPAIN – Cranes & Wallcreepers

Sun 17 – Sat 23 Nov

101

ARGENTINA – Patagonia & Iguazú

Mon 18 – Thu 28 Nov

74

July 2013

113 56

November 2013

(ext to 5 Aug) August 2013 AUSTRALIA – The Ghan

Fri 16 Aug - Thu 5 Sep

117

CANADA – GRAND MANAN

Mon 19 – Wed 28 Aug

23

84

SOUTH AFRICA – Cape & Garden Route Wed 21 Aug – Thu 5 Sep 37

11

(Iguazu ext to Sun 1 Dec)

AUSTRIA in Autumn

Sat 31 Aug – Sat 7 Sep

58

ICELAND in Winter

Thu 21 – Thu 25 Nov

87

FRANCE – Camargue & Pyrenees

Sat 31 Aug – Sat 7 Sep

67

INDIA - Northern

Thu 28 – Thu 12 Dec

104

HOLLAND – Wild Goose Chase!

Thu 28 Nov – Mon 2 Dec

GREECE – Macedonia

Wed 4 – Wed 11 Sep

79

SWEDEN in Autumn

Thu 5 – Mon 9 Sep

104

FALKLAND ISLANDS

Wed 8 – Wed 22 Jan

16

FRANCE – Dordogne Moths

Sat 7 – Sat 14 Sep

73

UGANDA

Sat 11 – Wed 22 Jan

41

ROMANIA in Autumn

Sat 7 – Sun 15 Sep

96

SOUTH AFRICA – Cape & Karoo

Sat 11 – Sun 26 Jan

36

SOUTH AFRICA – Birds and Big Cats

Sun 8 – Fri 20 Sep

38

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Thu 23 Jan – Mon 3 Feb

21

SPAIN – Andalucia in Autumn

Wed 11 – Wed 18 Sep

98

USA – UTAH & ARIZONA

Wed 11 – Mon 23 Sep

27

COSTA RICA

Sat 8 – Fri 21 Feb

14

ICELAND – Volcanoes

Thu 12 – Tue 17 Sep

86

September 2013

8

Janua ry 2014

February 2014

THE AITO QUALITY CHARTER OUR CONSUMER PROMISE AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITY An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK government regulations.

Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis ACCURATE BROCHURES and WEB SITES All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.

The Travelling Naturalist and Wild Ambitions are members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. To contact the Association, visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.

For any queries, or to make a reservation, please contact us on 01305-267994

INDEX

MONITORING STANDARDS AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating. Those demonstrating their achievements beyond the pure acceptance of this principle are recognised by the award of 1 to 5 star status.

121

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