February 8th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
We’ve recently posted the following detailed itineraries for 2010 Field Guides tours, all in PDF file format. With more than 130 departures in our 2010 schedule, there’s much to choose from!
BAFFIN ISLAND: POND INLET
June 15-24, 2010 — [tour page]
NEWFOUNDLAND & NOVA SCOTIA
July 2-12, 2010 — [tour page]
SLICE OF CALIFORNIA: SEABIRDS TO SIERRAS
September 4-13, 2010 — [tour page]
CHINA: BEIDAHE & TIBETAN PLATEAU
September 10-28, 2010 — [tour page]
RIO NEGRO PARADISE: MANAUS, BRAZIL
September 11-24, 2010 — [tour page]
BOLIVIA’S AVIAN RICHES
September 11-26, 2010 — [tour page]
OUTBACK AUSTRALIA
September 11-October 3, 2010 — [tour page]
NEW GUINEA & AUSTRALIA
October 7-25, 2010 — [tour page]
BRAZIL: ITATIAIA, IGUAZU FALLS & THE PANTANAL
October 16-31, 2010 — [tour page]
SAFARI BRAZIL: THE PANTANAL & MORE
October 16-November 1, 2010 — [tour page]
LOUISIANA: RED BEANS & YELLOW RAILS
November 4-8, 2010 — [tour page]
Birding Plus EL SALVADOR & BANDING
November 6-13, 2010 — [tour page]
NORTHERN PERU: ENDEMICS GALORE
November 7-27, 2010 — [tour page]
Note: When you click on a PDF file link, the file should either open automatically in your browser or else download and open automatically with Acrobat Reader, if you have that installed. If you need to pick up the free Acrobat Reader software from Adobe to read PDF files, you can get it here.
February 8th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
We’ve added the following triplists from recent Field Guides tours, all in PDF file format, in the past few weeks. Enjoy reading some of our recent reports from the field!
AMAZONIAN ECUADOR: SACHA LODGE — January 14-23, 2010
PANAMA’S CANOPY LODGE — December 27, 2009 – January 3, 2010
HOLIDAY AT SAN ISIDRO, ECUADOR — December 27, 2009 – January 5, 2010
COSTA RICA: RANCHO NATURALISTA — December 19-27, 2009
ANTARCTICA — November 1-23, 2009
AUSTRALIA (PART II) — October 13-28, 2009
CARAJAS: LOWER AMAZONIAN BRAZIL — October 4-13, 2009
RIO NEGRO PARADISE: MANAUS, BRAZIL — September 21- August 4, 2009
BRAZIL’S RIO ROOSEVELT — July 29- August 12, 2009
Note: When you click on a PDF file link, the file should either open automatically in your browser or else download and open automatically with Acrobat Reader, if you have that installed. If you need to pick up the free Acrobat Reader software from Adobe to read PDF files, you can get it here.
February 5th, 2010 by Mitch Lysinger · Add a Comment
This moment of quiet at home (with a Giant Hummingbird perched outside my window) gives me a chance to reflect on what an enjoyable trip we had, from great birds and gut-wrenching laughter to marvelous scenery, and of course, Carmen’s delectable food. Not only did we see a lot of fabulous birds, but the group camaraderie was particularly delightful.
A bathing Chestnut-breasted Coronet at Guango Lodge, on the road to San Isidro. (Photo by guide Richard Webster)
We had an ideal sampling of the birds to be found, all the way from Quito down to the eastern foothills through a staggering diversity of bird-packed habitats. Here are a few of the highlights that really deserve special note:
*an adult Fasciated Tiger-Heron concentrating on the fish at hand along a beautiful rushing river
*that family of Torrent Ducks at Guango, as well as the White-capped Dipper that popped in nearby
*all three possible species of Guans—Andean, Wattled, and Sickle-winged
*a pair of Rufous-bellied Seedsnipes pecking away at the tundra-like growth high in the paramo on our second (and final) attempt, whew!
*awesome views of the ‘San Isidro’ Owl after it played some hardball for a number of nights
Definitely a show-stopper—the Sword-billed Hummingbird. (Photo by guide Richard Webster)
*excellent back-to-back studies of Rufous-bellied Nighthawk and a male Swallow-tailed Nightjar, and then that spectacular male Lyre-tailed Nightjar a few nights later
*a mind boggling array of hummers, but I don’t think you can top the Sword-billed or Black-tailed Trainbearer for sheer shock value and excitement
*males of all three of the possible trogonids: Masked Trogon and Crested and Golden-headed quetzals
*a pair of Black-billed Mountain-Toucans calling through the scope
*that dazzling Crimson-mantled Woodpecker and that cooperative family group of Powerfuls at San Isidro
*four species of seen antpittas—the White-bellied at San Isidro stole the show
And finally, a White-bellied Antpitta, seen well at San Isidro. (Photo by guide Richard Webster)
*good looks at both Scarlet-bellied and Black-chested Mountain-Tanagers
*an obscene collection of other tanagers—colorful and drab—including the Rufous-crested (picking insects from under a roof!), Yellow-throated, Vermilion (wow!), Paradise (double wow!), Golden-eared, Saffron-crowned, and Flame-faced
There are so many more that I could just go on, but I need to stop—I feel a little like James Brown being dragged off stage…somebody throw me a towel!
To read more about our Holiday at San Isidro, Ecuador tour, go to our tour page. Several of our other Ecuador tours also visit San Isidro, including Montane Ecuador this summer. You can see a fun slideshow of great Ecuador birds and places by clicking on the photo mosaics on the left side of the tour pages. And, finally, you can check out Mitch’s upcoming schedule of tours on our guide page. Just click on Mitch’s photo.
January 28th, 2010 by Terry McEneaney and John Rowlett · Add a Comment
What a remarkable tour! As piseach, or good fortune, would have it, somehow all the moons, shamrocks, and lucky charms came together to pave our “rocky road to [and from] Dublin,” one stonechat at a time. All that was missing were the little people, but then that takes more “of the drink,” as they say in Ireland. Most noticeable from our coach was the ever-changing verdant countryside—the forty shades of green. Of course, our Ireland held many less conspicuous features as well, such as her archaeological and ecclesiastical sites, her extraordinary history (right down to the present), her artisan and oral traditions, and her wealth of literature, all of which we were given to reflect on. For those with any Irish whiskey whatsoever in their blood, a trip to this charmed and charming land can be akin to experiencing a vertiginous yet beautiful recurring dream.
On our tour we were visiting Ireland to explore its special mix of birds, traditional music, pubs, history, and culture. Although it was understood that the diversity of avian species in Ireland leaves the birder with little to write home about, an autumnal triplist of 101 species is respectable. Notable finds for this time of year included: a tight flock of 12 Dowitchers (most likely Long-billed), one Arctic Loon, a Common Sandpiper, and one tardy Northern Wheatear. However, what we lost in avian diversity, we gained in sheer numbers of wintering birds that grace Ireland at this time of year. Most noticeable and indeed characteristic of Ireland at this season are huge populations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and gulls, in some cases in the hundreds of thousands.
A full-breasted European Robin. (Photo by guide John Rowlett)
However, some of our sensational encounters with singletons deserve recall: the always difficult-to-see Water Rail out for a stroll, the forever-in-motion Dipper transfixed on a rock mid-stream, that Irish Coal Tit chasing an elusive illusion. All of the avian highlights are too numerous to mention here, but we hope that reading the recollections annotated on the triplist will result in an occasional smile of half-remembrance, somewhat like the welcoming Robin’s fall fluting.
The Latin word hibernicus has a dual reference, signifying both wintry matters–that is, things pertaining to, or proper to winter–and Ireland–perhaps a boreal isle hibernating in the Gulf Stream! The Romans referred to this land as Hibernia and, ever since, poets have used the traditional word to evoke the fireside magic the Emerald Isle has to offer. All three avian endemics to Ireland–subspecies of the Dipper, Coal Tit, and Jay–are named hibernicus. So I suppose this, our second Field Guides “Birding Plus” tour to Hibernia, might well be thought of as “Irish birding and pubbing before the onset of hibernation.” For just what are hides and pubs but year-round Hibernacles?
Our evening at Tossie's Cottage. (Photo by guide John Rowlett)
Whereas birding served as the tenor that carried us to Hibernia, seeking out traditional pubs and absorbing pub culture proved our lofty vehicle. We accomplished that in true Irish fashion, transported by the forms of instrumental music, foot dancing, pub singing, poetry reading, and storytelling that transpired in museums, pubs, and session houses. Who could forget our absolutely magical evening at Tossie’s? Our sensational pub sessions? Or the intergeneric performance by Tommy Sands? Or Tom Sweeney’s chilling rendition of “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”? What of Peadar Morgan’s daughter playing the bagpipes as we sipped the old smuggler’s poteen and hot totties? Or Eugene at his best on Peter’s coach–or on any occasion? Or each of our group gamely reciting their limericks?
The Irish have no word for success, but we all agreed that our lives were enriched. If you’re like us, upon returning home you heard for days (and may still hear) the songs we all sung arising unbidden from within. Perhaps that, after all, is the signature of Irish success. Thanks to good friends and new friends of Field Guides alike for allowing us the opportunity to share with you Ireland as we imagine her and for becoming an integral part of this collaborative journey in search of the craic. Erin Go Bragh!
Karen and Terry McEneaney join in the song. (Photo by guide John Rowlett)
January 18th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
Schedule update! Rose Ann Rowlett will now be joining George Armistead to co-lead our upcoming Hawaii tour, March 21-31. Rose Ann and George fans, here’s your chance to enjoy a great birding visit to the Aloha State in the company of the powerhouse team of the ‘Grebe’ and the ‘Owl.’ Visit our tour page for more information.
Rose Ann and George flanking fabulous Kokee State Park and the emblematic Iiwi (Kokee photo by participant Linda J Nuttall, Iiwi photo by guide Alvaro Jaramillo)
Check out their guide pages for more about Rose Ann’s and George’s complete upcoming schedules.
January 12th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
Our January e-mailing is posted, with an updated version of our popular Recent Photos gallery.
Check out the new pics, read about updates on various upcoming tours, find out how Club-winged Manakins make their display sounds, view a slideshow of George Armistead’s photos from his recent Antarctica tour, and more! The link to our e-mailing’s web page (and from there to the Recent Photos gallery and other pages) is below. Enjoy!
Just a sample of the images to enjoy in this month's recent photos gallery!
January 11th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
We’ve recently posted the following detailed itineraries for 2010 Field Guides tours, all in PDF file format. With more than 130 departures in our 2010 schedule, there’s much to choose from!
YUKON TO THE ARCTIC OCEAN
June 5-14, 2010 — [tour page]
CAPE MAY MIGRATION: ORIENT YOURSELF!
October 2-8, 2010 — [tour page]]
ALTA FLORESTA, BRAZIL
October 4-15, 2010 — [tour page]
Note: When you click on a PDF file link, the file should either open automatically in your browser or else download and open automatically with Acrobat Reader, if you have that installed. If you need to pick up the free Acrobat Reader software from Adobe to read PDF files, you can get it here.
January 11th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · Add a Comment
We’ve added the following triplists from recent Field Guides tours, all in PDF file format, in the past few weeks. Enjoy reading some of our recent reports from the field!
BOLIVIA’S AVIAN RICHES — September 12-27, 2009
CAPE MAY MIGRATION: ORIENT YOURSELF! — October 3-9, 2009
MOUNTAINS OF MANU, PERU II — October 10-25, 2009
SAFARI BRAZIL: THE PANTANAL & MORE — October 10-26, 2009
CHILE — November 1-21, 2009
IRELAND: BIRDS, TRADITIONAL MUSIC & PUBS — November 5-15, 2009
LOUISIANA: RED BEANS & YELLOW RAILS (I) — November 5-9, 2009
NORTHERN PERU: ENDEMICS GALORE — November 8-27, 2009
LOUISIANA: RED BEANS & YELLOW RAILS (II) — November 12-16, 2009
SOUTHERN INDIA — November 15-December 6, 2009
GUATEMALA THANKSGIVING— November 21-30, 2009
URUGUAY: BIRDING THE LAND OF THE GAUCHOS — December 4-18, 2009
Note: When you click on a PDF file link, the file should either open automatically in your browser or else download and open automatically with Acrobat Reader, if you have that installed. If you need to pick up the free Acrobat Reader software from Adobe to read PDF files, you can get it here.
January 9th, 2010 by Jan Pierson · 2 Comments
Did you miss the January 10 airing of Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air? Fear not! If you love hummers (who doesn’t?) and want to see some fantastic new footage and gain some great insights into these avian jewels, you can now view this new episode in the Nature series online here. It’s fabulous, so don’t miss it!
December 30th, 2009 by Bret Whitney · Add a Comment
Boy do I love doing this tour…I mean tours! 2009 marked the first year for the split of the traditional, all-inclusive route into back-to-back North of the Tropic (Part I) and South of the Capricorn (Part II) tours. I’m delighted to report that we flowed quite elegantly through the lowlands and over the mountains of the endemic-rich Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. You know it’s working well when participants doing both trips are bouncing around and giggling on the penultimate day, Day 27, exclaiming that this was now their favorite day of the tour.
The tours were especially challenging to lead because having two separate groups (albeit with about half of the folks taking both parts) meant finding as many of the endemics as possible two times over. That’s a tall order when it comes to many of the rarer species. But take orders we did, Megan Crewe co-leading the North and Jay VanderGaast the South. In fact, the action was so fast at times that we felt like short-order cooks serving up bins of beautiful birds to a hungry (but polite, of course) crew! To give you an idea of just how sweet it was, I’ll pick one morning from each tour.
North of the Tropic, 10 November 2009, Itatiaia National Park
Breakfast was, as always, all over the place, from fruits and cheeses to cookies and cakes (yes, chocolate always available) and eggs and sausage. Waddling up to the bus beneath a foggy, misty sky, we had an hour to digest as we drove around the perimeter of the park to reach a quiet track through luxuriant, mossy cloud forest below the lofty, jagged rocks of Agulhas Negras ("Black Needles").
One of the many breathtaking panoramas from the Agulhas Negras road at Itatiaia National Park on the morning of 10 November 2009. (Photo by guide Bret Whitney)
This is the highest-elevation road in Brazil, climbing gradually from 5500 feet to above treeline at over 7500 feet. Bamboos and bromeliads are abundant, and breathtaking vistas mark each bend in the road. The day dawned sparkling clear; I had suspected that today was the day to go high, to bird above the wet clouds on the other side of the mountain. The first people out of the bus immediately began spotting new birds and the rest of that morning was like a birder’s dream come true. Everything seemed to pop out in three-minute intervals, we decided, one lifer after the next until we had seen darned near every species up there, from Black-and-gold Cotinga, Rufous-backed Antvireo, and Black-capped Piprites, to Mouse-colored Tapaculo, Itatiaia Thistletail, and amazing male Plovercrests at leks. Hands were sore from high-fiving!
Megan Crewe and part of the group focused intently on a Yellow-fronted Woodpecker on the 2009 North of the Tropic tour. (Photo by guide Bret Whitney)
South of the Capricorn, 24 November 2009, Highlands of Rio Grande do Sul
Jay VanderGaast gets everybody on a Scalloped Woodcreeper on the 2009 South of the Capricorn tour. (Photo by guide Bret Whitney)
We’d had fabulous views of Long-tufted Screech-Owl and Long-trained Nightjar on previous days, and Blue-bellied Parrot, Mottled Piculet, and Speckle-breasted Antpitta had already performed beautifully…so we had breakfast an hour later than usual (some folks choosing to bird early on the hotel grounds) then departed the little town of São Francisco de Paula to explore the remote highlands of Brazil’s southernmost state. This is a region of verdant, rolling hills, a tapestry of grasslands, marshy swales, and forested valleys spangled with strange Araucaria trees. The landscapes on that calm, clear morning were so inspiring, it was hard to sit still in Fofinho ("Cuddly-cozy"), our huge bus (but we managed, as there was a ton of room and huge plate-glass windows for everyone). In a couple of hours along a little-traveled road we had good views of Red-winged Tinamous and Spotted Nothura, Red-legged Seriemas, a family of Crowned Eagles (Yesss!) and several other raptors, six close, perched Red-spectacled Parrots (WOW!), Firewood-gatherers at their massive stick nest, displaying Hellmayr’s and Ochre-breasted pipits, a bunch of Azure Jays, numerous Black-and-white Monjitas and Saffron-cowled Blackbirds (both endangered species), and multiple male Black-bellied Seedeaters. We were also invited, on the spur of the moment, to have lunch at a gaucho’s farmhouse (that’s him below); he’d been riding by and saw us birding, wanted to have us over to his fazenda ("ranch"), all 14 of us! We took a raincheck, but loved the chance meeting. That morning embodied the best of what birding Brazil is all about.
To read more about these tours, go to our Spectacular Southeast Brazil tour page. You can see a fun slideshow of great Brazil birds and places by clicking on the photo mosaic on the left side of the tour page. And, finally, you can check out Bret’s upcoming schedule of tours on our guide page.
The friendly fazenda owner in Rio Grande do Sul who spontaneously invited our entire group to come on in for lunch on the 2009 South of the Capricorn tour. (Photo by guide Bret Whitney)
