I am looking to travel quite a bit in 2013, and would really appreciate your advice on where to go, as my #1 goal in traveling is to add to my bird portfolio.
I have a list of a few great countries to visit (Peru and Costa Rica for example), but would also really like some input into *specific sites* where I could see the greatest number of different species in one place.
There are posters on NPN from Australia and Europe - wow, it would be great if you could share where you love to bird on your continents. And fellow North Americans - I'd love to know what your favorite places to bird on our continent are as well. Texas, for example, is high on my list!
I know many of you have traveled Internationally to photograph birds as well. Where did you go, and did your trip meet your expectations?
Thank you so much in advance for your kind input. My 2013 itinerary will probably be largely determined by the responses I get from NPN'ers!
Rebecka
Posted by Jim DeWitt on September 3, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Ecuador. Simply terrific birding, good infrastructure and local guides, highest density of bird species on the planet. I've gone there three times and never been disappointed. While some NPN members offer guided trips, I'm a big fan of Tropical Birding. Email me if you have questions.
Posted by Myer Bornstein on September 3, 2012 at 12:57 PM
In Costa Rica check out Foto Verde Tours, http://www.fotoverdetours.com/about/ run by an American who lives there and is a top-notch photographer, who knows the country and can set you up for what you want. Have been there twice with Greg and am setting up a trip for next year
Posted by Mike Ramy on September 3, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Rebecka,
North central Florida during the migratory season (December thru March). I can offer you a guided tour on a custom built, fully equipped camera boat to remote river locations where the birding action is non-stop and the beauty of the environment is outstanding and second to none. In addition to great birding, the wildlife is a bonus, see Dolphins, Otters, Manatee, Monkeys, Black Bear, Wild Hogs and the list goes on. No walking, bring all the gear you want, have the wilderness all to yourself from sun-up to sun-down for an up close and personal adventure of a life time. There is never a dull moment. Kick back, relax and enjoy, I'll do all the work. Most trips are 7 day, Sunday to Sunday but can be any itinerary you prefer. Email me with any questions, Mike
Posted by Max Waugh on September 3, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Though it sounds like you're going for volume, here are a couple specific species goals to consider in Costa Rica and Peru:
In CR, you may want to target the resplendent quetzal at Savegre Lodge.
In Peru, if you have a chance to see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird (photo in my gallery), there's a site in the northern part of the country that not only gets them on feeders but also has an active lek if you go at the right time of year. The Owlet Lodge is not far away, so as an added bonus you could consider pursuing the whiskered owlet there. I saw 45+ species of hummingbirds alone in Peru, so you won't be hurting for volume and variety there, in Ecuador or in Colombia.
Oh, and if you ever consider Africa, there's much better birding in the wet season (~December - February), when all the northern migrants come down.
@Max - you are right in thinking I am going for volume in 2013, but I will go out of my way to observe, learn about and photograph endemic and unusually beautiful species, too.
Re: Africa - I'm relatively familiar with the continent, having been on safari a number of times, but unfortunately was not taking pictures of birds then (can you imagine?! If only I could repeat those trips with birding gear in tow!). When you recommend Africa during our winter season - do you mean East Africa or South Africa? Do you (or anyone) have thoughts on Kenya/Tanzania region v. South Africa/Botswana for birds? I will probably have to decide between these two general areas in Africa: East or South.
@Mike - you've got mail.
Thank you Myer and Jim, too, will look into those tours. The right, experienced guides are *definitely* going to be key to seeing a lot of birds.
And please keep the suggestions and tips coming! This will be a cool thread not only for me, but also a great reference for all of us (and I know I'm not alone here!) who travel to photograph birds.
Posted by Max Waugh on September 3, 2012 at 2:56 PM
As I'm not heavy into bird photography, I'm don't feel comfortable suggesting South vs. East Africa. I do believe the world's one day record bird count was set in Kenya though. In South Africa, Kruger is actually supposed to be great for birds at that time of year, especially some of the northern camps that get fewer visitors.
Max - looks like you are right about Kenya. According to Africapedia.com: "The greatest number of [bird] species spotted in a 24-hour period is 342 by Terry Stevenson (Kenya), John Fanshawe (Kenya) and Andy Roberts (Kenya) on day two of the Birdwatch Kenya 86 event." I will be researching where exactly they were!!
Posted by Ed Williams on September 4, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Well Rebecca:
For North America, I think Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, Texas is about as good as it gets for variety. Really a lot of places in South Texas are pretty good. I found a little Wildlife Management area near Artesia, TX that had a great set up to watch a variety of birds at a watering tank at the Chaparal State Wildlife Management area. If you get a chance to get to Southern Arizona, the Santa Rita Mountains and Madera Canyon are good for a variety of birds as well. Timing in both Texas and Arizona are important as the birds tend to hang out near the watering holes when it is hot and dry.
Posted by Andre Joanisse on September 10, 2012 at 12:47 AM
I am not a bird photographer but I have been to some of the above locations and they are truly a bird watcher's paradise. Also, some friends who are bird photographers keep visit places like Capertree, Lamington, Kakadu, Blue Mountains.
Hope this helps a bit.
André
Posted by Rebecka on September 11, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Thanks a million Andre! I was really hoping to get some insights into your part of the world, as that is where I am likely heading first.
Posted by Iain Campbell on September 24, 2012 at 1:25 PM
I am a birding and photography guide at Tropical Birding with over 6000 birds species in 80 countries. The best birding sites and bird photography sites are rather different with some overlap.
My favorite international BIRDING sites are (in no order) NW Ecuador, Eastern Australia, Ethiopia, Sichuan / Central China and PNG
My favorite international BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY sites are Madagascar, Pantanal, NW Ecuador,Northern & Eastern Australia, Kenya and Japan (in winter).
Posted by Iain Campbell on September 24, 2012 at 1:38 PM
Hi All
Those two sites are fantastic for birding, and one of my favorite sites in NSW, but for bird photography, the Capertee does not hold up to other areas. You can rack up large numbers of rangeland species close to Sydney, but photography is not that easy there.
The area around Lamington is just top notch for photography, and linked with the heathlands south of Brisbane and the rangelands west of Brisbane, you can get a large amount of the aussie parrots.
The best waterbird photography on the continent is in Kakadu on the Yellow Waters Cruise. Pest parrots are around Brisbane, best rainforest birds are on the Atheron, and the best mammals are in Tasmania (along with opportunities to shoot all the 12 Tasmanian endemics)
Discussion
13 repliesI am looking to travel quite a bit in 2013, and would really appreciate your advice on where to go, as my #1 goal in traveling is to add to my bird portfolio.
I have a list of a few great countries to visit (Peru and Costa Rica for example), but would also really like some input into *specific sites* where I could see the greatest number of different species in one place.
There are posters on NPN from Australia and Europe - wow, it would be great if you could share where you love to bird on your continents. And fellow North Americans - I'd love to know what your favorite places to bird on our continent are as well. Texas, for example, is high on my list!
I know many of you have traveled Internationally to photograph birds as well. Where did you go, and did your trip meet your expectations?
Thank you so much in advance for your kind input. My 2013 itinerary will probably be largely determined by the responses I get from NPN'ers!
Rebecka
North central Florida during the migratory season (December thru March). I can offer you a guided tour on a custom built, fully equipped camera boat to remote river locations where the birding action is non-stop and the beauty of the environment is outstanding and second to none. In addition to great birding, the wildlife is a bonus, see Dolphins, Otters, Manatee, Monkeys, Black Bear, Wild Hogs and the list goes on. No walking, bring all the gear you want, have the wilderness all to yourself from sun-up to sun-down for an up close and personal adventure of a life time. There is never a dull moment. Kick back, relax and enjoy, I'll do all the work. Most trips are 7 day, Sunday to Sunday but can be any itinerary you prefer. Email me with any questions, Mike
In CR, you may want to target the resplendent quetzal at Savegre Lodge.
In Peru, if you have a chance to see the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird (photo in my gallery), there's a site in the northern part of the country that not only gets them on feeders but also has an active lek if you go at the right time of year. The Owlet Lodge is not far away, so as an added bonus you could consider pursuing the whiskered owlet there. I saw 45+ species of hummingbirds alone in Peru, so you won't be hurting for volume and variety there, in Ecuador or in Colombia.
Oh, and if you ever consider Africa, there's much better birding in the wet season (~December - February), when all the northern migrants come down.
Max
Re: Africa - I'm relatively familiar with the continent, having been on safari a number of times, but unfortunately was not taking pictures of birds then (can you imagine?! If only I could repeat those trips with birding gear in tow!). When you recommend Africa during our winter season - do you mean East Africa or South Africa? Do you (or anyone) have thoughts on Kenya/Tanzania region v. South Africa/Botswana for birds? I will probably have to decide between these two general areas in Africa: East or South.
@Mike - you've got mail.
Thank you Myer and Jim, too, will look into those tours. The right, experienced guides are *definitely* going to be key to seeing a lot of birds.
And please keep the suggestions and tips coming! This will be a cool thread not only for me, but also a great reference for all of us (and I know I'm not alone here!) who travel to photograph birds.
Max
For North America, I think Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission, Texas is about as good as it gets for variety. Really a lot of places in South Texas are pretty good. I found a little Wildlife Management area near Artesia, TX that had a great set up to watch a variety of birds at a watering tank at the Chaparal State Wildlife Management area. If you get a chance to get to Southern Arizona, the Santa Rita Mountains and Madera Canyon are good for a variety of birds as well. Timing in both Texas and Arizona are important as the birds tend to hang out near the watering holes when it is hot and dry.
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/top-10-birdwatching-spots-in-australia.htm
Lamington Nat Park in Queensland is also a favourite.
Close to Sydney, you have Capertree Valley, Blue Mountains Nat Park and Royal Nat Park.
See http://www.birdwatch-australia.com.au for suggestions.
I am not a bird photographer but I have been to some of the above locations and they are truly a bird watcher's paradise. Also, some friends who are bird photographers keep visit places like Capertree, Lamington, Kakadu, Blue Mountains.
Hope this helps a bit.
André
My favorite international BIRDING sites are (in no order) NW Ecuador, Eastern Australia, Ethiopia, Sichuan / Central China and PNG
My favorite international BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY sites are Madagascar, Pantanal, NW Ecuador,Northern & Eastern Australia, Kenya and Japan (in winter).
I can fill you in with the reasoning if desired.
Iain Campbell
Tropical Birding
www.tropicalbirding.com
Those two sites are fantastic for birding, and one of my favorite sites in NSW, but for bird photography, the Capertee does not hold up to other areas. You can rack up large numbers of rangeland species close to Sydney, but photography is not that easy there.
The area around Lamington is just top notch for photography, and linked with the heathlands south of Brisbane and the rangelands west of Brisbane, you can get a large amount of the aussie parrots.
The best waterbird photography on the continent is in Kakadu on the Yellow Waters Cruise. Pest parrots are around Brisbane, best rainforest birds are on the Atheron, and the best mammals are in Tasmania (along with opportunities to shoot all the 12 Tasmanian endemics)
Cheers,
Iain Campbell
Tropical Birding Tours
www.tropicalbirding.com
info@tropicalbirding.com