WINGS E-mail Newsletter

Mexico: Butterflies and Birds of Gómez Farí­as and the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve

September 27 - October 5, 2009: It is surprising to many that the biologically rich El Cielo Biosphere Reserve is so close to the United States, but lepidopterists and ornithologists have been coming here for years. Our tour coincides with peak butterfly abundance, and with the addition of North American migrants, birds should be plentiful as well. About 100 species of birds reach their northern limit here, with only a few of them making it as far as Texas. The butterflies are incredibly diverse: more than 500 species are known from the state of Tamaulipas, and most are found in the vicinity of the reserve. Rich Hoyer and Jim Brock lead.

Just a few hours south of the US border, the Gómez Farí­as region is famous as the meeting place of temperate and tropical biota. The large numbers of individuals characteristic of temperate regions here overlap with the tremendous diversity found in the tropics, creating, as on the latest of our biennial tours to the area, an astonishing experience for birders and butterfliers alike.

Ghana

October 31 - November 14 and November 21 - December 5, 2009 : Rich in tradition and history, the vibrant country of Ghana stretches from the beaches of the Atlantic to the open savanna of the Sahel--and plays host to more than 750 bird species. Our tour starts with migrant shorebirds and resident waterbirds at the lagoons of the Gold Coast, then moves inland to Kakum National Park, home to a world-famous canopy walkway that will place us at eye level with a vast array of rainforest species. Our tour also includes two days exploring Ankasa, an exciting area seldom visited by birders in the past. A trek into the forest will take us to the home of the Yellow-headed Picathartes, one of Africa's most elusive birds. Elsewhere we’ll visit the wide-open savanna plains of Mole National Park, where Bateleurs float across golden grasslands and Red-throated Bee-eaters hawk for insects in the rich woodland. James Lidster leads.

Ghana remains a treasure experienced by just a small number of tourists and birders, but word is spreading: WINGS is offering an additional departure this year to this fascinating destination.  Read James's report from last year's tour to learn why.

Kenya

November 18 - December 2, 2009: East Africa is a land of rolling grasslands dotted with acacia trees, mountains rising above the limitless horizons, and riverine forests harboring colorful birds and troops of monkeys. Of course, the large mammals of the East African plains are readily summoned to mind, and our tours to Kenya are the chance to see huge concentrations of animals--among them, of course, 500 or more species of birds. We visit Nairobi, Tsavo, Amboseli, and Mt. Kenya National Parks, and Lakes Baringo and Nakuru, and we’ll end up in the spectacular Masai Mara National Reserve, the Africa of everyone’s imagination. Brian Finch and Edwin Selempo lead.

Kenya is a country of endless wonder, especially when experienced from luxurious lodges deep in the heart of prime birding country, offering not only comfort but the finest food imaginable. Brian's account of last year's tour can barely scratch the surface of the wealth of natural history experiences promised in Kenya.

China: The Southeast in Winter

China's infrastructure has improved by leaps and bounds over the past decade. Along with an increasing number of comfortable hotels, this fascinating country now boasts an impressive transport system, and our tours make good use of it, as Paul Holt reports: 

Once again I thought that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to improve on the birds that we had seen on our three previous China in Winter tours. I was wrong: our 2008 tour surpassed them all in several respects. Many birders view this tour as a waterbird special, and in many ways it is: the spectacle of tens of thousands of swans, geese and ducks at Poyang Hu in particular must be one of Asia’s premier avian attractions. But  there's more—much, much more....

Read Paul's full narrative of this exciting tour to a land of legend and dreams. Our 2009 tour is right around the corner, December 19 - January 2. 

Mexico: Oaxaca at Christmastime

We're all birders, but a vacation can also include some time to look around, to explore marketplaces, visit museums, or simply relax. Gavin Bieber 's Oaxaca tour is a chance to experience the holidays in a different culture, while seeing a number of Mexico's most desirable endemics:

Last year’s Christmas trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, was superlative. The dry Oaxaca Valley, covered with acacias, flowering morning glory trees, and columnar cacti, provided a great backdrop as we explored Zapotec ruins, local markets, and the impressive 2,000-year-old bald cypress, El Tule. The birds didn't disappoint, either, with great views of endemics such as Pileated Flycatcher, Golden Vireo, Beautiful Hummingbird, and the amazing Bridled Sparrow....

Read more about this relaxing combination of birding and sightseeing in Gavin's full tour report. This year's Christmas getaway is scheduled for December 21-31.

Belize: The Birds of Chan Chich

Chan Chich Lodge is right in the middle of the largest unbroken tract of forest north of the Amazon. Hunting has been forbidden here for more than 20 years, and the abundance and diversity of the wildlife here has to be seen to be believed, as our most recent tour discovered:

We were immediately impressed by the activity right at the lodge, where we saw Collared Forest-Falcon (hopping around on rooftops and perching in bushes right by the verandah!), Ocellated Turkeys (we had to try not to step on them; and yes, they are wild!), Squirrel Cuckoo, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Long-billed and Stripe-throated Hermits, Scaly-breasted and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Purple-crowned Fairy, Yellow-winged Tanager, and all three euphonia species. Later we took a walk to the Upper Plaza with Gilberto, who taught us about the ancient Maya....

Not bad for a first day! Read the full report from our most recent tour, then join Rich Hoyer January 9-16 as WINGS returns to one of the finest lodges anywhere in tropical America. 

Bhutan

March 28 - April 15, 2010:  Isolated by some of the highest mountain ranges on earth, the fascinating land of Bhutan is still poorly known in the West. Few travelers, and even fewer birdwatchers, have had first-hand experience of this unique country and its diverse and abundant birdlife. Over 600 species have been recorded in Bhutan, and a significant number of them, including Satyr Tragopan, Blood Pheasant, Wedge-billed, Long-billed, and Bar-winged Wren-Babblers, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, and Fire-tailed Myzornis, are far easier to see here than anywhere else on earth. And Bhutan is virtually the only accessible place to see Ward’s Trogon, Beautiful Nuthatch, or Blue-fronted Robin. Paul Holt leads.

Bhutan, with its stunning scenery, ecological diversity, and intact ancient traditions, fires the enthusiasm of all who visit. Read Paul's report of his latest tour to this almost mythical destination, and enjoy the colorful photo gallery depicting the sites and the sights of this exotic tour.

Greece: Spring Migration on Lesvos

April 24 - May 2, 2010: Lesvos is firmly established as one of the most bird-rich and attractive locations in Europe for observing migration. Lesvos has remained remarkably unspoiled, and its rich tapestry of habitats ensures an exciting variety of migrant and resident landbirds, among them two breeding specialties, Krüper’s Nuthatch and Cinereous Bunting. Salt pans, pools, and river edge act as magnets for the many waterbirds that stop off on migration. Our hotel is located at the quiet scenic resort of Skala Kalloni, very close to a number of the island’s most rewarding birding spots and well positioned for visits to other sites. Killian Mullarney leads.

After eight tours and a number of private visits, Killian observes that the better he gets to know Lesvos, the more he looks forward to returning. You'll understand why when you read his report from last year's tour . 

Poland in Spring

April 15-25, 2010: Long famous for reliable rarities such as Great Snipe and Aquatic Warbler, Poland offers the traveling birder even more. From the majestic beech forest of the Carpathian highlands to the mixed woodlands and steppe grasslands, we'll experience a rich mosaic of habitats and an impressive variety of birds, many of them difficult to find elsewhere in Europe. The wild and attractive countryside surrounding the primeval forests of Bialowieza National Park has been unchanged for centuries, and we finish the tour with a visit to the Biebrza marshes, where we should see one of Europe’s rarest birds, Great Snipe. Stuart Elsom and Jon Dunn lead.

This tour is another in our new series of collaborations between WINGS leaders and Sunbird leaders, letting tour participants benefit from birding with the best from both continents. For an idea of the wonders that await, review the narrative from our latest tour to the wilds of Poland. 

Alaska: Majesty of the North

May 27 - June 14, 2010: Gavin Bieber 's new tour retains all the oustanding sites from our perennially popular springtime Alaska tour, but reassembles them into a new series of mini-itineraries, making it possible for participants to select the destinations and birds that interest them most. Our long weekend on the Pribilofs is timed for excellent chances at Asiatic vagrants, and sea cliffs will be bursting with breeding alcids and the near-endemic Red-legged Kittiwake. Our Mainland segment takes us to Denali National Park, where Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range provide a spectacular backdrop to our search for Grizzly Bears and Smith’s Longspurs. The Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay feature impressive displays of marine birds and mammals. Nome will introduce us to a rolling tundra rich in ptarmigans, jaegers, and shorebirds, while mountains and rushing streams are home to Arctic Warblers, Eastern Yellow Wagtails, and nesting Gyrfalcons. We’ll be here at an excellent time for shorebird migration, and can hope for such local specialties as Arctic Loon, Bluethroat, and Bristle-thighed Curlew. Finally, Barrow offers access to high-latitude tundra and Arctic specialties including Spectacled and Steller’s Eiders, Yellow-billed Loon, Snowy Owl, Red Phalarope, and Pomarine Jaeger—and possibly even the fabled Polar Bear.

Costa Rica: Snowcaps and Sea Turtles

July 18-31, 2010: This new summertime tour to Costa Rica opens up a classic tropical destination to birders who might not be able to visit in the traditional spring season. From a weather perspective, July is a fine time in Costa Rica: rain falls mostly later in the day, and temperatures are virtually the same year-round, even a bit cooler than in the spring. It’s also post-breeding season for most birds, meaning peak numbers, and it’s right at the start of Green Sea Turtle nesting season. We visit famous sites and little-known localities while staying in some of the country's finest new lodges, making this an ideal tour for those who are coming to Costa Rica for the first time or for those returning in search of a fresh itinerary. Rich Hoyer leads.

WINGS Aloft

We're pleased to announce a significant reduction in the price of our new tour Hawaii: Albatrosses of Midway Atoll with Narca Moore-Craig. The tour is now priced at $6,260, with the charter flight from Hawaii to Midway included.

Our Summer 2009 print newsletter will be in your mailbox soon, with the full calendar of 2010 tours. If you're not on our mailing list, please contact the WINGS office to be added.

Steve Rooke has published an article on the LowePro belt for birders in the July/August Bird Watcher's Digest.

Leaders and tour participants have been posting photos to our new Flickr group, which gathers together images of birds, groups, food, landscapes--anything memorable on their WINGS tour.

Read more about the activities of all your favorite WINGS leaders at The Wingbeat, the WINGS Birding Blog.

Rick Wright will be delivering a lecture "Warblers of Southwestern North America" at this year's British Bird Fair, August 21-23. Be sure to stop by the Sunbird booth and say hello!

WINGS and Sunbird have a new Facebook page. Bookmark the link to check in on the latest from the field--and if you're on Facebook, too, become a fan and post your own comments, photos, and questions.

Just for Fun

Google can teach you all sorts of things you weren't sure you wanted to know. Apparently, Sylvester Stallone's forthcoming movie "The Expendables" features a gang of mercenaries who disguise themselves as ornithologists to topple a South American dictator.  The movie's being filmed in Brazil, so there might actually be some tropical birds to see or hear.