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Namibia Tours
August 7th – August 28th, 2018
Itinerary: Click Here
Guides: Thomas Plath, Dylan White
Cost: $7200.00 CAD
Tour Duration: 22 days
Tour Starts/Ends: Windhoek, Nimibia
This is a Must See tour. Five reasons why you should go:
Etosha National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest protected ecosystems in the world. Dubbed the “RollsRoyce” of game reserves, in the dry season it offers Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunity. Thousands of herbivores, predatorsand birds congregate at natural and floodlit man-made springs offering breath-taking views of one of the largest concentrations of large mammals inthe world. Good possibility of the Big Seven.
Mahango Reserve and Okavango River. Crazy birding and cool mammals are the best ways to describe this area. Over 400 species recorded in asmall area offering diverse and rich habitats make this one of the best birding sites in southern Africa. Range-restricted mammals such as Lechwe and Sitatunga, and sought after goodies like Cape Hunting Dog, Buffalo makeMahango a must on everyone’s itinerary. A leisurely sunset river cruise with crocodiles,Hippopotamus, Rufous-bellied Heron, White-backed Night-Heron, Rock Pratincole, African Skimmer and Pel’s Fishing Owl and you’ve got bliss!
Throngs of Greater and Lesser Flamingos, White Pelicans and shorebirds light up Walvis Bay during low tides, all accessible by a beautiful walk along the town’s promenade. Giant dunes at Duisek featuring what else but Namibia’s only true endemic the Dune Lark. Acrobatic Heaveside’s Dolphin tour.
The ancient inselberg of Spitzkoppe and Namibia’s highest mountain Brandberg (with famous bushman petroglyphs) hold striking range-restricted species like White-tailed Shrike, Herrero Chat, and the amazing Rockrunner. Desert and rock formations offer great photographic opportunities.
It’s not just birds! Enjoy local food, Bushman culture, good beer and great accommodation.
We do the work you have the fun!
Tours
Argentina Tours
Argentina Complete Northeast – Pampas to Selva
November 4th – November 22th, 2018
Itinerary: Click Here
Guides: Thomas Plath, Pablo Jost (driver/guide)
Cost: approx. $6500.00 CAD
Tour Duration: 18 days
Tour Starts/Ends: Buenos Aries
Enjoy northwestern Argentina’s endemic and range-restricted birds of subtropical Yungas forest, the cactus habitats of Monte, high-elevation puna lakes featuring thousands of water birds, and the specialty-rich “La Impenetrable” or Chaco scrub forest, in a relaxed fun way. Expect a lot of incredibly beautiful and diverse rock formations and mountain vistas while searching for the avifauna and wildlife of northwestern Argentina.
The tour begins and ends at Tucuman in a large circular route beginning at the varied habitats of Taffi de Valle, then swinging north through geologically diverse and scenic habitats passing through Cafayate, Cachi to the Bolivian border, than south to the famous Caliguela NP and specialty-rich Chaco area of Joaquin V. Gonzales.
Participants will be rewarded with a large number and diversity of South American bird families and species, including some of its most spectacular birds: Lesser (Darwin’s) Rhea, Elegant-crested Tinamou, Red-faced Guan, Rufous-thighed Kite, Black-faced Ibis, James’s and Puna Flamingo, Horned Coot, Puna Plover, Andean Avocet, Black-legged Seriema, Dark Brown Swift, Blue-tufted Starthroat, Red-tailed Comet, Spot-winged Falconet, Golden-collared Macaw, Tucuman and Burrowing Parrot, Green-cheeked Parakeet, Little and Scissor-tailed Nightjar, Chaco and Buffy-fronted Owl, Toco Toucans, Ocellated Piculet, White and White-fronted Woodpeckers, Black-bodied and Cream-backed Woodpecker, Great Rufous Woodcreeper, Buff-breasted, Rock and Straight-billed Earthcreeper, Giant Antshrike, Black-capped Antwren, White-throated Antpitta, Slaty Elaenia, Andean and Cinereous Black-Tyrant, Lesser and White-tailed Shrike-Tyrant, Greater Wagtail-Tyrant, Sandy Gallito, Olive-crowned Crescent-chest, Maquis and Steinbach’s Canastero, Lark-like Brush-runner, Crested Gallito, Rufous-throated Dipper, Hellmayr’s Pipit, Ultramarine Grosbeaks, Fulvous-headed and Yellow-striped Brush-Finch, Many-coloured Chaco-Finch, Black-crested Finch, Cinnamon, Rusty-browed and Black-and-Chestnut Warbling-Finch, Tucuman Mountain-Finch.
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Shorebird Identification Workshop
With almost 45 shorebird species possible in a year, representing roughly 90% of the regular ABA total, Vancouver is one of the premier locations in the North America to view this fascinating group of birds.
Major plumage differences between ages and sexes, between and within a species make shorebirds a difficult group to identify. This in-the-field workshop aims to sort out the identification of the many species we will seek out during this two-day course. Participants can register for both days or one day. Learn how to identify shorebirds, where the hot spots are, when to go and what’s around in the different seasons.
In the Fraser Delta, autumn shorebird diversity peaks between mid August and early September with many rarities showing up. Two days will be spent at the Lower Mainland’s best shore birding spots searching for as many species as possible. By carefully arranging the itinerary to best suit tide heights, up to 30 shorebird species are possible during the two-day workshop. Possible rarities at this time include: American and Pacific Golden Plover, Bar-tailed and Hudsonian Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Ruff, Stilt Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Uncommon fall shorebirds during this migration window include Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Solitary Sandpiper, Red Knot, Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalarope.