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Stop Press! .......New tour dates for 2005 for details or a brochure contact info@birdholidays.co.uk NOW! or phone (UK) 0113, 3910510
----------------------------------------------- **Recent Tour Photos added to our photo album** ------------------------------------------------ UGANDA - BIRDS AND GORILLAS 18th February to 5th March 2005
This tour will allow us to search for the special birds that live by the River Nile with the chance to spend time with the Mountain Gorillas, of which there are only 600 left. There are strict guidelines attached to visiting these animals and permits are limited. It is advised to book early. On our reccee, we saw five Shoebill Storks, probably the most amazing bird in the world. We hope to find more on this special tour along with many of the Albertine Rift endemics. Comfortable lodges are used on the trip, which takes us to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and Murchisson Falls. FOR OUR FULL BROCHURE WRITE-UP CLICK HERE
GREAT WHITE SHARKS!
Galapagos Our last special Bird Holidays Tour to Galapagos was in 2004, however, we are able to organise an independant tour for you. The 2004 write-up is copied below. This tour uses a superb boat and has an extension to La Selva in the Amazon.
Red-billed Tropicbird,
Galapagos, Phil Palmer.
Galapagos Tour Photo Album at the foot of this page Galapagos is synonymous with the ultimate wildlife watching destinations. Set in stunning scenery, penguins, albatrosses, and the special endemic birds can be enjoyed in equatorial sunshine. We will of course see the famous marine iguanas, Galapagos sealions, sea turtles and giant tortoises, and will not ignore the other lesser-known treasures of the islands that are rarely mentioned. The high degree of endemism here means that many birds seen elsewhere in the world, such as Brown Pelican and Vermilion Flycatcher have distinct races only found on Galapagos. While the endemic bird species have tiny world populations due to their geographic isolation. For example, there are only 130 breeding pairs of Galapagos Hawk, and the Lava Gull numbers just 400 pairs. Charles Darwin worked out his theory of evolution by looking at the many finches on the island. They are one of great challenges of field identification and shall not be ignored on this trip; some are confined to a single island! Having enjoyed years of isolation, the birds and animals show no fear of man. As a result, much of the wildlife is totally oblivious to our attentions. This makes Galapagos one of the best places in the world to take photographs. Much of David Attenborough's Blue Planet series was shot here. Our leader Phil Palmer has chosen an itinerary that allows us to see the breeding birds at their best and at amazingly close range. Our visit is timed to see the famous Waved Albatross, which only visit the islands to breed, while the frigatebirds, Flightless Cormorant and boobies should have chicks at this time. Migration will have begun and large feeding flocks of phalaropes will be gathering at sea. It is possible to snorkel with the reef fishes, seals, turtles, marine iguanas and penguins - not to be missed. An extension to the trip will give you the opportunity to visit La Selva, a comfortable jungle lodge in Amazonia.
Sites and Birds
After flying to Quito, we retire to our hotel to relax for the night. The next morning, Sunday, early risers may be woken by the calls of Rufous-crowned Sparrows or Eared Doves, before we fly to the small island of San Cristobel on Galapagos, where we will be transported straight to the ship. When settled we set off towards Kicker Rock. In the harbour, there should be the endemic Galapagos race of Brown Pelican to greet us and Elliot's Storm-petrels will probably follow the boat as we leave. Audubon's Shearwaters and Red-billed Tropicbirds nest on the rock & should be visible as we pass en-route to Puerto Ochai. Here we will look for the endemic San Cristobel Mockingbird and possibly see our first Galapagos Yellow Warbler or Wilson's Phalarope. Friendly Galapagos Sealions will almost certainly be in evidence and our visit is during the pupping season. Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds will be keeping a watchful eye on the boobies, in the hope of snatching a meal. Traveling overnight, we reach Tower (Genovesa), on Monday, which is a perfect location to see nesting Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds, Red-footed Boobies, Masked Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies. Swallow-tailed Gulls, surely the prettiest gull in the world will be courting, and we should hopefully find a Lava Gull or two. Darwin's finches search the coral sands for food and Sharp-beaked Finch has its own race confined to this island alone. Also called the Vampire Finch, these birds have adapted to take blood from the feathers of boobies. The Tower race of Galapagos Mockingbird also occurs nowhere else. At Prince Philip's Steps, we will visit a storm petrel colony where the Elliot's Storm-petrels fly over the flat lava rocks during the day, attempting to avoid the attentions of Short-eared Owls. On Tuesday, we will visit a newly opened site, Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz, which holds a good population of the massive Land Iguana. While beach pools may hold migrant waders such as Least Sandpiper, possibly Flamingos or an Octopus trapped by the tide, the trees may hide Dark-billed Cuckoos and Galapagos Mockingbirds. In the afternoon, we visit Rabida where Pelicans nest in the mangroves, Galapagos Sealions breed and the endemic Galapagos Flycatcher occurs. The red volcanic sand is striking on this island, known as the geographic centre of Galapagos, and may attract a migrating Wandering Tattler or Semipalmated Plover. On Wednesday we explore the six-volcano island, Isabela. In the sheltered Tagus Cove, we take a panga ride in search of Galapagos Penguins, Brown Noddies, Galapagos Martins and Flightless Cormorants. The latter birds also breed on Fernandina, which we explore in the afternoon. Hundreds of Marine Iguanas bask in the sun here and Galapagos Hawks hunt for Lava Lizards. The slate-coloured Lava Heron patrols the rock pools, dwarfed by Yellow-crowned Night Herons and Great Blue Herons. American Oystercatcher and Hudsonian Whimbrel may be found, searching for food between the large gaudy Sally Lightfoot Crabs. Heading north we may see whales, last year we saw over 30 massive Fin Whales, while searching for Wedge-rumped and Madeiran and Hawaiian Petrels among the hundreds of Audubon's Shearwaters. Thursday sees us at Santiago, where more waders and herons are likely, but the rare Galapagos Fur Seal is our target here. The dark Lava Gulls often visit the boat in search of scraps, dainty Galapagos Doves flush from underfoot and Darwin's finches include Small Ground Finch, Medium Ground Finch and Vegetarian Finch. In the afternoon, we visit Bartolome, where we walk past lava bombs and spatter cones to view the famous Pinnacle Rock. There is another chance of seeing sea turtles and penguins here; one swam along the beach between Phil's legs last year! Landing on one side of Santa Cruz on Friday, we drive to the highlands, where the moist forests provide home to yet more Darwin's Finches; Warbling, Small Tree, Large Tree, Woodpecker and Cactus Finches are possible among the other species already seen. The old forests contain ancient Giant Tortoises, which carve broad paths through the undergrowth. We make a special effort to locate them in their natural habitat, rather than enclosures. The open clearings hold Smooth-billed Ani and the gaudy Vermilion Flycatcher, while the marshes may attract Red-billed Pintail and Pied-billed Grebe. If conditions permit we shall walk through a long lava tube beneath the hillside here. Later we drive to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where the famous Lonesome George is held - he is the sole surviving member of his race. Only 11 of the 14 Giant Tortoise races remain, and several are encouraged to breed here. Yellow Warblers and Darwin's finches abound here, or one can indulge in some retail therapy in town. On Saturday, Hood Mockingbirds, which inquisitively peck at shoelaces, will accost us, as we land among the seals at Gardener Bay. This island has the highest rate of endemism in Galapagos, and the Marine Iguanas here have a red coloration. We should find Large Cactus Finch here as well as the Galapagos race of American Oystercatcher. In the afternoon, we walk through a seabird colony where Blue-footed Boobies show off their bright feet in display. Nazca Boobies are at arms length, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds do their best to drive off Galapagos Hawks, and frigatebirds fly overhead. Part of the island holds the only Waved Albatross colony in Galapagos, and there could be some fluffy youngsters present. The dancing display of these comical birds is a memorable site. On Sunday morning we disembark and visit San Cristobel Interpretation Centre, where yet more Darwin's finches occur, before heading to the airport. Our flight to Quito arrives in good time to do a little sightseeing in this wonderful old city if one chooses, or search for birds in one of the many parks.
Our Ship and the Pace
The key to the best Galapagos tours is to find a small boat that provides comfort and a friendly crew. An itinerary that takes one away from the crowds of the larger tour ships has to be carefully planned and our previous experience of the islands will benefit us greatly here. On Phil's photographic expedition there, he found such a ship which we have used for our tours. The Eric is a luxurious yacht widely regarded as the best in the islands. It has a polished wood interior giving it a high class feel and takes just 20 passengers maximum, often less. Each room has its own bathroom with shower, sink and toilet. There is a restaurant, lounge and bar, and both a viewing deck and sun lounge deck on top, the latter allowing us to observe petrels and shearwaters, while relaxing with a cocktail! Galapagos is also an excellent place to bring non-Birding partners, as there is the alternative opportunity to snorkel at most sites and equipment is provided on board for you to swim with the seals and reef fish. To see Galapagos, one obviously has to visit many different islands and much time can be wasted traveling at sea. Most of our traveling is done while asleep at night or during meals. This maximizes our time on land and we usually visit at least two land based sites each day. This involves short walks that will allow time to see the birds well and take photographs. Extensions In the past, we have enjoyed a three-day extension to visit this famous volcano in Ecuador; Cotopaxi and for the independant traveller, it is still possible to organise this for you. In 2004, we visited the famous La Selva Jungle Lodge deep in Amazonas. Famous for its gatherings of Macaws and Parrots, it also has a tower that gives superb views of canopy loving birds. For more information please contact us. In 2003, our first night was spent resting from the flight in a wonderful hotel. A large colonial house once lived in by the famous explorer Von Humboldt! The following morning we headed to Cotopaxi, with some birdwatching in the lower slopes on the first afternoon. With such a diverse avifauna available in Ecuador, there was no shortage of birds, which included Cinerous Conebill, Brown-bellied Swallow, Blue and White Swallow, Plumbeous Sierra Finch, Great Thrush, American Kestrel, Black Flower Piercer, Hooded Siskin, Black-tailed Trainbearer and Black-backed Grosbeak. On the second day, we climbed to the High Plateau Lake where the delicate Andean Gulls nested. Andean Pintail, Slate-coloured Coot and Andean Teal were all found at this high altitude. The striking Andean Lapwing feeds on the sparse grass, Andean Snipe eluded us in the windy conditions, but Baird's Sandpipers fed on the dry slopes just below the snow line. The wheatear-like Paramo Ground Tyrant was searching for flies, and Stout-billed Cincloides foraged along the banks and ditches. Eyes were on the sky looking for Andean Condor, but the wonderful Carunculated Caracara was a more realistic target; these birds actively seek out llama droppings that attract tasty beetles! The peak of Cotopaxi was covered in snow and just below the snow line, Chimborazo Hillstars took nectar from orange flowers. An amazing Hummingbird that has to grip the flowers in a tit-like manner to avoid being blown about. The mid slopes of the Cotopaxi National Park provided us with opportunity to search for other Andean birds before returning to Quito in the evening to meet the rest of the group. Species with tongue-twistingly long names abound, with Supercilliaried Hemispingus, Rufous-naped Brushfinch, White-banded Tyrannulet, White-chinned Thistletail, Andean Tit-spinetail, Black-crested Warbler, Sparkling Violetear, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant and Tawny Antpitta being just a few of the many species recorded here. *Note - In 2004, our pre-tour extension was to the famous La Selva lodge in the Amazon. We are also taking bookings for 2005/6.
What is included As with all Bird Holidays trips, everything you need is included (see below for details): Return flight from London to Quito. (Those traveling from other countries, can meet at Quito, we will be glad to book your flight for you and the cost of the London flight will be deducted). Return flight from Quito to Galapagos. Entry to Galapagos National Park (currently $100), Cotopaxi National Park and the Santa Cruz lava tube. All food and soft drinks at meal times. Use of snorkel gear and hire of wellingtons in the wet forested tortoise preserve. Not included - Alcoholic drinks, tips and personal items. *NOTE* Places on this tour are limited and it is advisable to book well in advance to secure a place and avoid disappointment. We are now also taking bookings for cruises to Galapagos, Spitsbergen, Antarctica and the Sea of Cortez in 2005 & 2006.
Blue-footed Boobies display
Galapagos Dove
Giant Tortoise on Santa Cruz (left) and Golden Rays
Hood Mockingbirds come to inspect us as we land, they are partial to shoelaces, so were a little unsure of my toes!
This Lava Heron was so tame, it looked into this wide-angle lens from 8 inches away!
Prehistoric Marine Iguanas sneeze salt on the beaches.
Waved Albatross displaying - these birds breed on just one island, so it has to be on our itinerary.
Sally Lightfoot Crab - surely the most colourful crustacean in the world!
Masked (Nazca) Booby - common breeding bird on the islands we visit.
Swallowtail Gull - the prettiest gull in the world?
Lava Gull - the rarest gull in the world? Just 400 pairs.
all photographs & text are copyright of Phil Palmer |
