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New Years Day
7am and we are with Moez Ali at the Sweetwater Sewage Works, Tucson, Arizona. It is cold, very cold and the first hints of light are in the sky. We are all looking intently at a cactus plant, nowhere else, no one even thinks of scanning around, we only have eyes for this particular cactus. Birds are calling behind us, no one turns, we watch and wait. There! Under the bush, it’s there! Cactus Wren, bird number one of The Biggest Twitch. Arizonas state bird and in its rightful habitat it kicks off our big year. With Bird number one under the belt and the one we wanted, we are now free to bird like crazy – so we did. Sweetwater quickly provided a further 40 species and then we headed off for Madera Canyon. Thankfully by now the temperature had risen above freezing and we began...
16/06/2010 17:07
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Tucson sewage works a fowl place
Bit of a cliché going birding at the sewage works but that’s just what we did. Sweetwater Treatment Works, Tucson doesn’t look like any sewage works we’ve been to before. A parking area is provided for birders with information boards and even a loo. Then a trail takes you around the pools which viewing pavilions overlooking them. But best of all, the place is heaving with birds. Never seen so many Yellow-rumped Warblers in one place, Orange-crowned Warblers were common and a Summer Tanager was unexpected. But the pools really provide the birds, Shoveler, Pintail, American Wigeon, Cinnamon, Green and Blue Winged Teal, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck….amazing and all so close. Add to this, birds such as Sora, Harris’s Hawk, American Pipit and you...
16/06/2010 16:43
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Back home to North Wales and great excitement!
After a very long journey home, Quito, Houston, Newark, Manchester, we finally touched down in the UK. A bit of a shock stepping out into the sub-zero temperatures, great though to see the smiling face of John Roberts, our great friend and unofficial Biggest Twitch taxi driver, again getting up early and braving the icy roads to collect us. John soon had us on the road back home and we picked up a few UK year ticks along the way, Grey Heron, Fieldfare, Common Buzzard etc. It was great to see the mountains of North Wales covered in snow and the flat calm sea cobalt blue, not a bad place to come home to, very glad it wasn’t lashing with rain and blowing a gale. We had not been back home long when a very excited Steve Culley, birding friend and Anglesey County Recorder, was on the...
13/08/2009 15:05
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Into Arunachal Pradesh
6th December. Into Arunachal Pradesh With our new travelling companions, Philip and Pauline, two engineering professors from Alabama, USA, as well as Sudesh Pradhan and Rofic Islam, two of Peter’s eagle-eyed bird guides, and of course, Peter Lobo himself, we made quite convoy to our new destination of Dirang in the foothills of the Himalayas. A noticeable change in climate as we moved up from the warmth of the plains to the cold of the mountains, so we piled on the layers. The afternoon was spent exploring the Sangti Valley where we added Black-tailed Crake and Long-billed Plover to our list. Bird species total: 4174 The Biggest Twitch website will remain online in 2009 to keep you up to date with our birding adventures and let you know how we settle back into normal life, if we...
13/08/2009 15:05
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Tiger Camp to Jungle Lore, Nainital
17th November. The day began in fine style with a pair of Collared Scops Owls roosting in a tree just yards from the breakfast table! We said goodbye to Tiger Camp, a lovely place and ideal birding base for Corbett, and began the long drive up to Nainital, a Himalayan Hill Station. We birded as we drove of course and picked up great birds such as Maroon Oriole, Golden-fronted Leafbird and Crested Bunting. A loud call from a patch of woodland had us screeching to a halt, Himalayan Flameback woodpecker, not one but a pair showing off just yards away. We were about to jump back in the car when a green bird flew across the road and vanished. We waited and scanned, nothing, then it swept over again and this time landed in view. What a bird, Blue-bearded Bee-eater and a real stunner, what is...
13/08/2009 15:04
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End of the tour
We survived! A whistle-stop fast-paced tour down the east coast of Australia with Iain Campbell of Tropical Birding! Not for the faint-hearted but a keen birder's dream, this has been a rapid tour around all the best birding sites in this part of Australia, from mallee to mulga, pelagics, mangrove swamps, rainforest and dry savanna. And the birding's been phenomenal: 415 species seen in just 19 days adding a huge number of new species to our list. Looking down the checklist we just about saw everything possible! How to list all the highlights? We've seen every Australian family while in Australia, and all but one of those on this trip: Southern Cassowary, Plains-wanderer, Riflebirds, Parrots, Cockatoos, Raptors, Robins, Fairy Penguin and Fairy-wrens... And of course not forgetting the...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding the rainforest of Mount Lewis
Chowchilla and Noisy Pitta head up the list of fantastic birds we had here, well worth the 4.30am departure! Creeping through the undergrowth as quietly as possible, quite a challenge with a group of 7 birders, our stealth was rewarded with really good views of a pair of Chowchilla, Tooth-billed Catbird at its bower (this should really be called a bower bird) and glimpses of several Noisy Pitta. Other highlights here included White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Whipbird, both Yellow-throated and Atherton Scrub Wrens and the diminutive Fernwren lurking in the shadows. The rest of the day was spent birding a variety of sites around Mareeba, adding Brolga (crane), Squatter Pigeon and Pale-headed Rosella to our list. Bird species total: 3576, 87 to go! Posted 24th October, Mareeba, Queensland
13/08/2009 15:04
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22nd Oct recap: Daintree River to Mareeba
The day started with a relaxing but birdy trip on the Daintree River with our captain and guide, Ian. Being down at water level gave us stunning views of male and female Shining Flycatchers, and the bizarre Papuan Frogmouth, while we also added Great-billed Heron, which lived up to its name, to our list. After breakfast, we jumped in the bus and drove to the beautiful Wonga Beach where we quickly added Collared Kingfisher and Pacific Reef Heron, but no time to admire the beach, as we had more sites to visit. Sides Creek gave us Yellow-breasted Boatbill, and then it was on to Lake Mitchell, where we enjoyed watching the masses of waterbirds and wildfowl. We added Magpie Goose, Red combed Jacana and had great views of a party of Red backed Fairy-wrens. On again to Mareeba where we stayed...
13/08/2009 15:04
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21st October recap: Cassowary House to Daintree
We were out at dawn searching the forest trails for surprise, surprise, a Cassowary. Sue Gregory, our host, had provided us with a mobile phone which she would call if the bird should appear around the house while we were out on the trails. Sure enough, the phone rang when we were a good long distance from the house, but we legged back nonetheless and, a little breathless, crept around the corner of the house to be confronted with an enormous apparition: a Cassowary! A huge ostrich-like bird with a black body, the most enormous feet, a long neck with patches of orange and blue, and a triangular horn on the top of its head. But no picture in the field guide can prepare you for the real thing! Other birds in the rainforest around here included Victoria’s Riflebird, Spectacled and Pied...
13/08/2009 15:04
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20th October recap: Out to sea again!
A recap of our boat trip to Michaelmas Cay Early morning, we boarded the Seastar at Cairns harbour in perfectly calm conditions. But once again we were fooled as, immediately we were out of the protection of the harbour, the waves began to pick up and Alan began to go green. An hour and a half into the journey, the inevitable happened and his breakfast went over the side. When we eventually reached the sandbar known as Michaelmas Cay, we were immediately surrounded by Sooty Terns and Brown Noddys. A noisy spectacle, the typical hive of activity of a tern colony with birds swooping low over us and greeting each other with raucous calls. We also added Lesser Crested Tern, Great Crested Tern, Black-naped Tern, Bridled Tern, Black Noddy and Brown Booby. All too soon it was time to return to...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding Western Australia
Back online again! We flew from Cape Town to Perth on 9th October, arriving early morning of 10th and headed straight out south towards Albany on the South Coast. It was a much longer drive than we'd anticipated - distances are vast here - and took up most of the day with a few stops en route as we tried hard not to fall asleep at the wheel. Highlights on the road were Australian Shelduck, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Welcome Swallow, Galah, Western Rosella and Crested Shrike-Tit.We arrived at Cheyne Beach at dusk. Our first Kangaroos, Western Grays, were seen beside the road to the campsite. At first light next morning we explored the area having woken to the call of Western Whipbird around our cabin. Red-eared Firetail, Brush Bronzewing, Western Spinebill, Noisy Scrubbird, Red-capped Parrot and...
13/08/2009 15:04
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From Satara to Lower Sabie
We left Satara and drove slowly south birding, and mammal-ing, as we went. The journey was slow as we kept on seeing amazing stuff. Every few hundred metres another bird or mammal would have us braking. Even before we had loaded the car we had enjoyed close up views of such delights as Crested Barbet, Green Woodhoopoe and Natal Francolin. As we turned onto the road south we encountered Lilac-breasted Rollers and Magpie Shrikes, none of these new but we just could not resist another look! This was how the day flew by, drive a bit, stop, drive, stop. We also eventually found internet access at Skukuza camp and spent the hottest hours of the day trying to catch up on admin. The internet was very slow so we are still way behind with emails, apologies if you still have not had a reply, we will...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding around Satara Rest Camp
7th Sept. Update on our birding in South Africa, finally found internet access so see below for more blogs. We spent the day birding the savannah around camp. New birds are hard to come by with Mosque Swallow as our only definite new bird. But Gray-headed Parrot is pending, as this species does not seem to be recognised by Clements’ taxonomy, yet. Some great mammals again today, with a magnificent male Lion topping the list. At lunchtime, as we wrote up our bird notes back at our rondavel in the heat of the day, we shared our table with Crested Barbets, Red- and Yellow-billed Hornbills, Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starlings, Natal Francolins and Arrow-marked Babblers – it all became rather crowded! After dark we took a night drive and saw Southern White-faced Owl, a new bird...
13/08/2009 15:04
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We survive a firestorm!
Shaken but still birding. Well we will not forget 31st August in a hurry, first because we caught up with Wattled Crane, a bogey bird for Alan, and second for not such a good reason. We spent the morning birding the mid lands and scored some great birds, Cape rock Thrush, Cape robin Chat, Red winged Francolin, Cape Vulture and of course the wonderful cranes. After a long morning, we left St. Lucia at 4am, we were ready for our lunch. As we drove looking out for a likely eating house grass fires were blazing on hillsides at many places, fanned by gale force winds. We found a café and pulled in to the car park, a grass fire was an impressive sight on the hillside above with huge flames leaping into the air. We joked that we could watch the fire as we ate lunch. We had a few...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Down to Amazonia Lodge 31st July
Further from civilisation! The whole day was spent travelling along the Manu Road from the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge down into the jungle and eventually to Amazonia Lodge. As we slowly descended, the heat and humidity increased as did the biting insects, but we also saw some great birds. Stopping each time we encountered a feeding flock we enjoyed such delights as Bluish-fronted Jacamar, Paradise Tanager, Versicoloured Barbet, Orange-cheeked Tanager, Many-spotted Hummingbird, White-winged Shrike-Tanager, and Plum-throated Cotinga. Late in the afternoon, we reached the river at Atalaya, where we then took a motorised canoe downstream for half an hour, then a 15 minute walk through the jungle to eventually reach Amazonia Lodge at dusk. The highlight of the boat trip was Fasciated Tiger-Heron...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Tanagers provide a riot of colour
Early morning we again birded the railway line beside the river at Aguas Calientes. Tanagers were definitely the highlight of our birding. These included the very colourful Saffron-crowned Tanager, turquoise blue with a gold and orange head; Blue-necked Tanager; Beryl-spangled Tanager; Rust-and-yellow Tanager; Silver-backed Tanager; and Blue-capped Tanager. Keeping the colour theme going, we also had Orange-bellied Euphonia, Russet-backed Oropendola, Blue Dacnis, Black-backed Grosbeak, Slate-throated Redstart. We also enjoyed watching a pair of Cinnamon Flycatchers feeding from branches hanging over the river. The river itself again held Torrent Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe, White-capped Dipper and Torrent Duck. On our way back to the village, we added our one new bird of the day, a very...
13/08/2009 15:04
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In Rio
Now on 2738. Our last day at REGUA proved a little frustrating as we spent a lot of time in the car and little time birding, but these things happen, we didn't realise the distances envolved. But we did add nine new species - Golden Cheveroned Tanager, Blue naped Chlorophonia, Plain Parakeet, Mantled Hawk, Chesnut crowned Becard, Marron bellied Parakeet, Saphire spangled Emerald, Uniform Finch, Sharpbill so not bad. We then left REGUA and headed down to Rio and today we move on to Sao Paulo before arriving in Peru on the 15th. We would like to thank Nicholas and all the great people at REGUA - what a wonderful place! If you ever get the chance go there, you will see great birds and help surport all the amazing conservation work and help spread the word!
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding the Bamboo and Cacao Trails
The morning was spent birding the forest where stands of particularly large bamboo grow. Plenty of birds kept us busy throughout the morning as we encountered several feeding flocks and enjoyed great views of some real skulkers. Highlights included White-browed Antbird, Rufuous-throated Sapphire hummingbird, Moustached Wren, White-eyed Antwren, Chestnut-crowned Foliage-gleaner, Ringed Woodpecker, Band-tailed Manakin, Thrush-like Antpitta, Blue-cheeked Jacamar, Amazonian Antshrike, Dusky-capped Greenlet, Striped Woodpecker, Pygmy Antwren, Bar-breasted Piculet, Glossy Antshrike, Amazonian Antwren, all new for our list. The afternoon was spent birding the forest on the opposite side of the river on the Cacao Trail. In contrast to this morning, new birds were hard to find and we only managed...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Swarming with birds!
More new birds, more new trails. By now we are back in the game of target birding in this area, and with that in mind we took the Caja trail at first light this morning. Cream-coloured Woodpecker got us off to a good start, quickly followed by White-capped, Snow-capped and Flame-crested Manakins, Long-tailed Woodcreeper and Chestnut-belted Gnateater. We came across a swarm of army ants, and choosing our spot with care to make sure we weren’t in the way of the marching ants, we crouched down to watch the feeding frenzy that ensued. We were treated to great views of Bare-eyed Antbird, Black-spotted Bare-eye, White-backed Fire-eye, Scale-backed Antbird, and causing concern amongst the other birds with its sudden arrival, the recently-described Cryptic Forest Falcon. What a show! In the...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding at Caiman Lodge
Twenty-seven new species today! With an early start, we spent the whole day birding around the reserve here until well after dark. Dawn highlights included Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Purplish Jay, Green-barred Woodpecker, Thrush-like Wren, and Blue-throated Piping-Guan. Forest areas provided Chestnut-vented Conebill, Yellow-browed Tyrant, Variable Antshrike, and Guira Tanager. OK, we did go back to the lodge for a delicious lunch, but were straight in the field again for more birds: Masked Gnatcatcher, Black-hooded Parakeet, Golden-green Woodpecker, Hooded Tanager and Black-tailed Tityra. In the evening we added Green Ibis, Bare-faced Curassow, Plush-crowned Jay and after dark, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl and heard Ash-throated Crake.We also added some more mammals to our...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Last ptry for Ptarmigan!
Our last chance for this bird, so 5am saw just the two of us and Pekka braving the grim conditions. As we gained in altitude, so the rain became more persistent, then became snow and then became the full-blown white-out conditions of a blizzard – and we were in search of a white bird! Turning our collars up against the wind, we followed the trail out of the car park and up onto the open moorland, plodding uphill through deepening snow and straight into the teeth of the biting wind. Stopping intermittently, we peered through the snowstorm, hoping to see an elusive white Ptarmigan shuffling amongst the rocks, but alas the birds had more sense than us. Not a single Ptarmigan showed itself, though we were amazed to see a Wheatear struggling to survive in these conditions, and more...
13/08/2009 15:04
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We reach Brazil and great birds
Eighteen new birds in a few hours. After thirty hours travelling, including three flights delayed, we finally made to Campo Grande, Brazil, the gateway to the Pantanal. We were met at the airport by our friend Fernanda Melo, great to see a smiling friendly face after our long journey. We were soon at our hotel and just time for a quick wash before we were out birding. We visited some parks, one a nature reserve, around Campo Grande and with Fernanda’s local knowledge quickly scored 18 new birds for the year. No doubt about bird of the day for us, Toco Toucan, our mascot bird now on our year list. However it was a close run thing as we gazed in amazement at a male Helmeted Manakin, jet black with a crimson red crown and nape, the feathers above the bill protruding like a Rhino horn!...
13/08/2009 15:04
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The road to nowhere
Cracking views of Bluethroat. An early scour of the area on the mainland opposite the island of Vardo produced good views of female Steller’s Eider, Red-throated Pipits and breeding-plumaged Lapland Buntings. After breakfast, we set off in convoy along a long narrow lane which skirted the north coast to the hamlet of Hamningberg, a remote community at the far end of this extremely long dead-end road. A very scenic drive, we stopped along the way to scan various bays, inlets, rocky cliffs, small lakes, willow-fringed streams and areas of open bog and rocky tundra. This variety of habitat produced a wide range of birds including Brunnich’s Guillemot and Black Guillemot, Long-tailed Duck, displaying Common Eider with their distinctive ‘whuouh’ call carrying across...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Ten new birds
Pre-breakfast, the two of us plus Mike Duckham drove the back forest roads at Ivalo, saw Parrot Crossbill and Waxwing. First bird after breakfast, just on the outskirts of Ivalo, was a Little Bunting, showing off very close to us. Then we drove north to an area near the Russian Border. Three new birds here: Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit and a family of Hawk Owls. Then we headed towards Ujotski, stopping en route to enjoy fantastic close up views of Pine Grosbeak and Arctic Redpoll at the bird tables of a roadside café. On again, we stopped in the middle of a large bog, where we found another Hawk Owl and added Bluethroat to our list. A roadside lake gave us views of a pair of Bean Goose, our tenth new bird for the day. Bird species total: 2273
13/08/2009 15:04
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In search of more warblers
Booted Warbler provides great excitement! An early morning visit to a local marsh produced River Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Savi's Warbler, and Sedge Warbler - not a bad list! Citrine Wagtails seemed to be all over the marsh, including some stunning males. Rather more unexpectedly, were great views of Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers which were obviously feeding young near by, as they repeatedly visited a clump of willows to collect food before flying off, presumably to feed their young.On to another marsh - hear the undoubted highlight was a pair of Lesser-spotted Eagles, perched in the poplar trees. From here we visited an area of parkland, where after a rather frustrating search, we eventually tracked down a Middle-spotted Woodpecker. The area also held...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Turkey Recap No. 7
25th May The morning was spent birding the Goksu delta and it was a huge relief, given our trials and tribulations in Spain with this bird, to finally see Marbled Teal. And of course, having found one bird, we then found plenty of these subtle but beautiful ducks. The delta is a superb area to bird and time flew by with us seeing such gems as White-throated Kingfisher, Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Spur-winged Plovers, Bearded Reedlings and Black-headed Wagtails. If you haven't birded here, it comes highly recommended. All too soon it was time to return to our base, the Lades Motel in Tasucu (www.ladesmotel.com), pack our bags and head off for the airport for our return flight to Northern Cyprus. We arrive back at Paphos at midnight, exhausted but elated with our quick and highly...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Chasing the mythical Varied Thrush
American Dipper heads today’s cast of birds. At dawn it was cold, very cold, but the clear sky promised warm sunshine to come and there was no wind, ideal. We began our birding at Goldstream Provincial Park only a few minutes from the motel. The car-park was in a steep sided valley, heavily wooded with a fast flowing stream. It reminded us of parts of Wales, especially the temperature, chilly. We concentrated on the stream as we wanted a very special bird here, American Dipper. Movement caught our eye beneath willows, pair of Goosander, (Common Merganser ), then disturbance mid-channel, a River Otter, we were again treated to close views. Song Sparrows, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers all showed off and Brown Creeper and Chestnut-backed Chickadee came in to some...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Canal side birding
Just a quick update from alongside the Panama Canal, internet accesss limited at the moment. More detailed diary to follow asap. On the 20th we left the highlands and returned to Panama City, adding 19 new species including Brown-throated Parakeet, Prong-billed Barbet, Streak-breasted Treehunter, Black-hooded Antshrike, Torrent Tyrannulet....On the 21st we birded near the city and traveled around 20km all day but saw an amazing 144 species! Of which 31 were new for the year. Highlights were many and included Sunbittern, Grey-headed Kite, 1,000s of Mississippi Kites moving north, Pheasant Cuckoo, Cinnamon Woodpecker, White-bellied Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta.....wow!One more moring birding Panama then back to Texas The two days brings our total for the year to 2060
13/08/2009 15:04
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Wader fest at Bolivar Flats
A birder's paradise, thousands of waders along the strandline and just offshore the beach at Bolivar Flats and all so close that you can enjoy fantastic views in the great light. Wish the birds were so confiding in the UK! With a few gaps in our wader list to be plugged, we headed down there this morning and met up with another Houston Audubon guided walk, led by Sam Woods with Tamie Bulow. Our target birds were Piping Plover and Long-billed Curlew, having not seen these birds at all on our earlier visit, and today we were in luck. Not just one but three Piping Plovers just feet away from us, resting and preening allowing us to enjoy a good long view. The regulars were all there as well: Short-billed Dowitchers, Dunlin, Sanderling, Semi-palmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper, Caspian...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Cairns to Daintree
20 October day on the high seas, yes Alan was sick, we went out to Michaelmas Cay home to Sooty and Bridled Terns, Lesser and Great Crested Terns, Black Naped Terns, Brown and Black Noddy, Brown Booby. The small boat used to transfer to and from the island nearly sank on the return, over loaded and swamped by waves!!We then up to Cassowary House, www.cassowary-house.com.au where we arrived at dusk21 October Southern Cassowary on the list!! What a bird and only feet away! Then up to Daintree and birded on route loads of new birds - Whire browed Robin, Channel billed Cuckoo, Pheasant Coucal....Bird species list 3535 just 128 to go!
13/08/2009 15:04
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Bird Race 2, Coto de Donana
We started this morning with seawatching off Matalascanas, again with the guys from North Wales. Flushed with their success from yesterday, we’d somehow agreed to do another birdrace. Despite the surprisingly cold dawn, the sea watch proved worthwhile. Highlights included Audouin’s Gulls, Balearic Shearwater, Common Scoter, and Whimbrel. Happy with our haul we turned our attention to the bushes behind the beach where grounded migrants were obvious. Best amongst these was a very showy Western Orphean Warbler.Moving inland we birded the area around the Acebuche visitor centre. The pools here quickly gave us Savi’s Warbler, Purple Swamphen, Squacco Heron, Red-crested Pochard, and an over-ambitious female Marsh Harrier who repeatedly attempted to take a drake Mallard! The...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Target Birding Cyprus
Today we sought to fill some gaps in our birding list looking for, in particular, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Long-legged Buzzard and Bonelli’s Eagle. We started in the Episkopi valley which looked much lusher and greener than when we had visited Cyprus in May last year, with water still running in the stream bed down the valley. The weather was warm, 80 degrees even early in the morning, with a constant warm wind. Had this warmth encouraged migrants to move on, as they were proving hard to find? We enjoyed close views again of Cyprus Warblers and Cretzchmar’s Buntings, and Cetti’s Warblers not only called from bushes all around, but several also showed themselves. But no raptors. So we moved on towards the Troodos Mountains and higher elevation, though this had no...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Cyprus
With just one day back in the UK between Ghana and Cyprus, we had a frenetic time getting ready for the next leg, not helped by the fact that yet again, some of our luggage went missing. However, thanks to Rob Sandham's organisation, we were able to get together with some North Wales birding friends for a meal, a bevy or two and a quick catch up on all the news: Rob, John Roberts, Chris Jones, Marc Hughes, Mike Duckham, Julian and Sandra Hughes, Roxanne McFadden and Leah Williams. ...And we're glad to say, our missing suitcase just turned up in time too.We arrived on Cyprus last night and were met by our friends Owen and Glynis Roberts at the airport. On route to their very nice villa we stopped and listened to a calling Scops Owl.This morning we birded Paphos headland around the...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Arrival in Spain
After spending an all too brief night at Gatwick Airport, we were back on a plane again, this time heading for Madrid. Collecting our hire car proved interesting. The first car we were offered matched what we’d booked but came with several additional dents, scratches, knocks and scrapes. It had obviously recently been involved in an accident and was being offered to us without any repairs, so we asked for a replacement car. This time we were given a BMW, a very cool, stylish-looking motor, but with only inches of ground clearance, how practical for birding? Still, we looked and felt great as we cruised down the motorway to Extremadura, where we are staying for the next few days. Driving here is rather hazardous as you spend so much time looking up at the various raptors and storks...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Squeezing in more birds
Our last morning in Ghana so we went out to Shia Hills not far from Accra. Just one new bird for our list here, Croaking Cisticola, but it was nice to see again Black-capped Babblers, Rock Martin and Double-toothed Barbet, and some familiar birds including Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit.A brief stop at the lagoon near the hotel as usual produced a host of great birds: Black Heron, Wood, Marsh, Curlew and Common Sandpipers, Ruff, Ruddy Turnstones, Grey and Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Black-winged Stilt. The large roost of terns was carefully checked and we were lucky to discover a single Roseate Tern amongst the Common, Sandwich and Black Terns. So two new species has us leaving Ghana with a year list of 1835.Next stop Europe.Posted 1.40pm, 16th March, Accra Ghana
13/08/2009 15:04
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Mega for Ghana
Having had enough of emails and relaxing, and having exhausted the possibilities of the three species in the hotel grounds, we went birding this morning. Accompanied by a local guide, Kalu, arranged by Ashanti Tours, we headed east out of town to some shallow lagoons just north of the main coast road. The area was full of birds with plenty of familiar waders, large numbers of Great Egrets and Grey Herons. Wildfowl included White-faced Whistling Ducks, Pintail and Garganey. We carefully checked through the flocks of busily feeding waders; the majority proved to be Little Stints and Ringed Plover, with smaller numbers of Wood, Common, Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Greenshanks, Spotted Redshanks, Ruff, Whimbrel, and Kitlitz's Plovers. As we reached the south end of the lagoon, we were...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Half day in Kenya, 26th Feb
We only had a brief stopover in Kenya on our way to Ghana as we'd had to change our flight plans. Our taxi driver from the airport, Paul Njoroge, kindly offered to take us to the Nairobi National Park, just 8km from the town centre, for a couple of hours' birding before dark. Having seen SO many birds in Ethiopia, new birds were hard to come by and of the 56 species we recorded, only 7 were new for The Biggest Twitch, including Long-tailed Fiscal and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater. But for once the birds were eclipsed by 12 species of mammal, the undoubted highlight being the King of the Jungle, a magnificent male lion in his prime tucking into a fresh kill, close by the official picnic site, one place where you are allowed out of your car! We'd like to thank Chege of Birdwatching East...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Reservoir Birding
We headed out of Addis Ababa to the local reservoir which supplies water for the city. Our transport was a local bus hired for the day, complete with tinsel-bordered windows and shrine to the Madonna and Child in the driver's cab. Slight problem as we left the hotel, the bus wouldn't start. Some puzzled looks under the bonnet, and a decision was made, we bump start it. We made our way through the streets of Addis in the pre-dawn, with such bizarre sights as keep-fit fans doing exercises in the road, impromptu football matches in the dark, coffin shops open for business with garishly-decorated caskets, butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, and as we neared the outskirts of town, a wave of humanity making its way towards the city carrying a vast array of goods for sale at the market. We...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Awash National Park
8th FebruaryBacked up by armed guard, we birded the park scoring Chestnut-bellied and Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Northern White-faced Owl, Harlequin Quail, Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, Red-fronted Warbler, and while careful scrutiny of the old airfield produced the mega Three-banded Courser. Playing tourist, we also visited the stupendous waterfalls along the Awash River, an amazing sight, and mighty refreshing to stand in the spray. Bird total: 1394
13/08/2009 15:04
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Birding our local patch
Despite being very jetlagged, we struggled out of bed early again and went birding, this time in North Wales. We met up with our friends Steve Culley and Ken Croft at RSPB Conwy and headed east along the North Wales coast. Our first stop was in the unlikely surroundings of a trading estate at Kinmel Bay, where we quickly secured our target, Short-eared Owl, floating majestically over the rough grassland. Just down the road, we collected that locally scarce species, Tree Sparrow. On to Bodelwyddan Castle woods, where in the morning sunshine (what no rain??) we enjoyed a selection of woodland birds, including drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Jay, all year ticks of course as this is the first time we have birded in the UK this year. A quick dash west along the A55...
13/08/2009 15:04
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Quality not quanity in the Chocó cloudforest
Heavy rain took a chunk out of the birding time today, but Scott, Alan, and Ruth managed some seriously rare birds. Now in this contest, common birds count the same as the rare ones, but the "toughies" do add some spice to the list and give them some bragging rights. Top of the list was a White-faced Nunbird, seen at the Paz de Aves reserve, known more for its antpittas than anything else. Antpittas turned out to be scarce today, with "only" Giant Antpitta turning up. Two scarce and beautiful Cotingas, Scaled and Orange-breasted Fruiteater helped make up for it, not to mention fantastic views of a covey of Dark-backed Wood-Quails. Later on at Pachijal they scored Esmeraldas Antbird and (finally) Golden-headed Quetzal, and a short stop near San Tadeo was enough to find...
13/08/2009 15:04
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On the Manu Road
We´re on the Manu Road which has plenty of birds but little in the way of towns, villages, hamlets, or internet,electricity etc. Stayed last 2 nights at cock-of-the-rock lodge, where we added 20 new species in a single day, and this morning witnessed at close hand the amazing spectacle of the Cock-of-the-Rock lek. We move on to Amazonia Lodge later today, even further along the remote Manu Road, and don´t know when we´ll be able to update again, so apologies if no news for the next few days. Bird species total: 2865 Posted 31st July, somewhere along Manu Road, Peru
13/08/2009 15:04
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Milpe Bird Sanctuary
Another update over the cel phone from Los Bancos, Ecuador: Milpe was truly pumping today, and Alan and Ruth scored a load of great Chocó foothill specialities like insane views of Scarlet-and-white Tanager, Yellow-collared Chlorophonia, Uniform Treehunter, Chocó Toucan, Chocó Trogon, Rufous-throated Tanager, outrageous displaying Club-winged Manakins, Glistening-green Tanager, and Ochre-breaster Tanager. Rufous-rumped Antwren was a bonus, this cute bird is widespread in the Andes but rarely seen. The year total gets a nice boost to 955. This reserve is run by Mindo Cloudforest Foundation (www.mindocloudforest.org), and The Biggest Twitch has already helped raise about £600 for them (thanks!).23.01.08
13/08/2009 15:04
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Sacha Lodge Birding
Sorry we haven´t been able to update the diary while we´ve been at Sacha Lodge, but don´t worry we HAVE been busy birding hard at this fantastic place from pre-dawn until way after dark, seeing everything from Nightjars and Owls to Tanagers and Tinamous, and everything you can imagine inbetween. This is a birder´s paradise, with forest trails, creeks to be explored by canoe and a canopy walkway and wooden tower so you can eyeball the birds in the treetops on their level. Just a few highlights have included Agami Heron, King Vulture, Spix´s Guan, Rufous-sided and Chestnut-headed Crakes, 12 species of parrot/macaws, Crested and Spectacled Owls, 5 species of Kingfisher, 6 species of Jacamar, 3 Puffbirds, 5 Araçari´s and...
13/08/2009 15:03
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If you go down to the woods this afternoon….
With a few hours to kill, we thought, just for a change, we’d go birding. Just north of Houston lies the W.G. Jones State Forest, owned and managed by the Texas Forest Services. Our target bird here was the range restricted Red-cockaded Woodpecker. At the Headquarters, we met Ray Uballe and he kindly gave us advice on the best area of the forest to search for these particular birds. We set off in great anticipation but the forest was silent, not a bird to be seen nor heard. Undaunted we continued further along the trail, and still nothing. We were beginning to lose hope of seeing anything, let alone a Red-cockaded Woodpecker when at last, a woodpecker! Quickly focusing the bins, we immediately realised this was no Red-cockaded but instead a very handsome Red-headed Woodpecker. This...
13/08/2009 15:03
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New Years Day
Day one of The Biggest Twitch 7am and we are with Moez Ali at the Sweetwater Sewage Works, Tucson, Arizona. It is cold, very cold and the first hints of light are in the sky. We are all looking intently at a cactus plant, nowhere else, no one even thinks of scanning around, we only have eyes for this particular cactus. Birds are calling behind us, no one turns, we watch and wait. There! Under the bush, it’s there! Cactus Wren, bird number one of The Biggest Twitch. Arizonas state bird and in its rightful habitat it kicks off our big year. With Bird number one under the belt and the one we wanted, we are now free to bird like crazy – so we did. Sweetwater quickly provided a further 40 species and then we headed off for Madera Canyon. Thankfully by now the temperature had...
13/08/2009 15:03
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Tucson sewage works: a fowl place
Bit of a cliché going birding at the sewage works but that’s just what we did. Sweetwater Treatment Works, Tucson doesn’t look like any sewage works we’ve been to before. A parking area is provided for birders with information boards and even a loo. Then a trail takes you around the pools which viewing pavilions overlooking them. But best of all, the place is heaving with birds. Never seen so many Yellow-rumped Warblers in one place, Orange-crowned Warblers were common and a Summer Tanager was unexpected. But the pools really provide the birds, Shoveler, Pintail, American Wigeon, Cinnamon, Green and Blue Winged Teal, Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck….amazing and all so close. Add to this, birds such as Sora, Harris’s Hawk, American...
13/08/2009 15:03
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4 airports in 24 hours
We made it back to Manchester, UK this morning, having left Quito at 5am the previous day, and with brief stopovers in Houston, Texas and Newark, New York. Just a brief UK stopover on our way to Ethiopia, but it was great to touch down back in damp Britain, and especially to be met at the airport by our great friend John Roberts. John not only picked us up but even happily agreed to do some birding on the way home. So we stopped off briefly at the Shotwick Fields, Flintshire and collected Bewick's Swan, a bird which we may find tricky to encounter later in the year, along with a few other common UK species, but all new additions to the list, bringing our total up to 1064. More news to follow soon....Posted 2pm UK time, Llandudno 29th January
13/08/2009 15:03
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Ranch Birding
Pre dawn we were out looking and listening for owls and nightjars. Chuck-wills Widows were calling nicely, but could we see one? No we couldn't! Very frustrating as at least four birds were heard but none came close enough for even a glimpse. Barred Owls are easy to see in Texas, we have been have told this many times, and so far we have seen none! Lost Springs, where we are staying has Barred Owls, our hosts Susan and Carl see one regularly in their back yard, so we stood in the garden in the dark, listened and listened, looked hard and saw....nothing. All too soon it was time to head off in search of our main targets for the day, Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler. Susan came with us and we soon arrived at Bamberger Ranch were we met Shirley, another of our Texas Ladies. We...
13/08/2009 15:03
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Bustards!
Two Bustards, two Sandgrouse and Spanish Imperial Eagle, what a day! You have to be up early to catch a Bustard, so that’s just what we did, heading out before dawn to an area of open steppe just 10 miles from Trujillo. With our low slung car, we had to park in a nearby layby and walk up a farm track across the plains for a mile or so in the surprisingly chill wind. But luckily the stone walls gave some semblance of cover, and we were able to see the Bustards without flushing them. First, the Little Bustards, just a row of heads peering over the horizon, then two males came over the brow of the hill so we could scope them. Then a flock of some 40 birds flew overhead and down into the valley, shortly followed by another wave of Little Bustards. Continuing on the track, we suddenly...
13/08/2009 15:03
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Cyprus Bird Race
How many species are possible on Cyprus in a day? We were about to find out. The four of us (Alan, Ruth, Owen and Glynis Roberts ) were joined by Colin Richardson, bird recorder for the island. Of course it was an early start and we met Colin pre-dawn, no Scop’s Owl called near the house, not a good start. Owen drove the jeep east across the island from Paphos towards Fassouri. It was surprisingly cold as we leapt out to score our first birds of the day. Thankfully it was much calmer here than in the west of the island. New birds came thick and fast, Hoopoe flew up right in front of us. At the edge of the reedbed, small pools held plenty of birds: Cetti’s, Reed, Sedge and best of all Moustached Warblers, Marsh and Green Sandpipers, Kingfisher added a splash of colour. A drake...
13/08/2009 15:03
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