VENTflash #98 April 23, 2009
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 63 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...April 24, 2009
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that more than two months have passed since the last edition of VENTFLASH was published on February 6. After spending almost four weeks of January in Antarctica, February passed quickly. A highlight for me was a 40th reunion I had in early February with two of my oldest birding companions, Fred Collins and Dennis Shepler, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. The three of us met in the late sixties when we all lived in Houston. My first trip to what Edgar Kincaid, the father of modern Texas birding, called the "monkey jungle tropics" was to Palenque in southern Mexico in August 1969 with Fred and Dennis. On that trip, we all saw our first toucans, oropendolas, and monkeys, among other tropical fare. Since that was our first big trip together, we called this recent South Texas trip our 40th reunion. We had a great time birding the Valley and reminiscing about that first trip to the true tropics.
In this issue:
SEYCHELLES CRUISE REPORT
PETER MATTHIESSEN ON PBS – FRIDAY, APRIL 24
REPORTS FROM RECENT TOURS
A BIRDER'S FANTASY: THE LESSER SUNDAS
SUMMER TOUR OPPORTUNITIES
FINAL THOUGHTS
SEYCHELLES CRUISE REPORT
In the last VENTFLASH, I reported that I had just returned from a wonderful trip to Antarctica that I co-led with a superb team of leaders. Now I am back at it, writing another one after spending most of March co-leading VENT's first chartered cruise to the Seychelles Islands, aboard the vessel Le Ponant. This was another great trip that ranks high on my list of the best trips of my life. Le Ponant is one of the most beautiful ships in the world and served as a superb means for exploring the amazing Seychelles archipelago. Onboard were a fine group of participants and another outstanding team of leaders. We had great experiences with all 12 Seychelles endemic bird species including several that are among the rarest birds in the world. Through much of our voyage, White (Fairy) Terns and Red-footed Boobies accompanied the ship. On land we visited thriving seabird colonies, enjoyed White-tailed Tropicbirds flying around at close range, and saw hundreds of Greater and Lesser frigatebirds. As our trip coincided with the onset of spring migration, we were lucky in encountering a number of passage migrants that are considered rare in the Seychelles including Lesser Kestrel, Amur Falcon, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, and Black-winged Pratincole.
The highlight of the trip was our time on remote Aldabra, the largest coral atoll in the world. There, we saw the flightless White-throated (Aldabra) Rail, Comoro Blue Pigeon, and the Aldabra Drongo, as well as many other great birds. Aldabra is home to over 100,000 Aldabra giant tortoises. It was remarkable to see these huge reptiles everywhere on the island. Fantastic snorkeling opportunities added another dimension to the trip, and the snorkeling off Aldabra was the best I have ever experienced, with sightings of many species of colorful tropical fish, lovely corals, and numerous Pacific green sea turtles.
Our Ultimate Seychelles cruise was such a huge success that we hope to offer it again in February 2012.
PETER MATTHIESSEN ON PBS – FRIDAY, APRIL 24
An hour-long program about the life and work of author Peter Matthiessen will be broadcast on PBS on Friday night, April 24. Please check your local PBS station for the time the program will air. Peter recently returned from a fishing trip to the Bahamas where he saw a Spotted Redshank, an Old World bird that is very rare in the Western Hemisphere.
REPORTS FROM RECENT TOURS
We receive so many enthusiastic evaluations about our tours and our leaders. I wish we could share them all with you. Here are a few from some recently completed 2009 tours:
Short Costa Rica; Best of Costa Rica
David Wolf and his wife, Mimi, co-led our Short Costa Rica and Best of Costa Rica tours this winter. Both trips went very well. David said that even after 30 years of leading tours there, Costa Rica continues to amaze him with its beauty, diversity, and readily observable wildlife. For example, on the Short Costa Rica tour, participants had a 30-minute study of a Bare-necked Umbrellabird at Braulio Carrillo National Park at a distance of only 30 feet, while at La Selva, a Great Curassow was walking around the edge of the parking lot at the beginning of the trail and a Great Tinamou was feeding off the trail only 15 feet from the tour group. None of these normally secretive, shy birds were bothered by the group's presence. Participants on the Best of Costa Rica tour watched a male Resplendent Quetzal feeding on the ground for 20 minutes, only 30 feet away.
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Horned Guan— Photo: Ted Eubanks |
Mexico: El Triunfo
VENT is proud of our El Triunfo tour. We regard it as the finest of wilderness trips. We have taken birders to the El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico almost every year since 1977. Our trips have supported the reserve and helped support several local families that provide horses to carry our gear up and down the mountain. Ben Loehnen and his parents were participants on our most recent El Triunfo trip. Ben sent us this report following the end of the tour:
"The last (VENT) trip will remain a highlight—not just of my birding—but a highlight of my life. It was extraordinary—not just because of the birds (Horned Guan! Azure-rumped Tanager! Blue-throated Motmot!); not just because of the scenery (I have photographs of Sumidero Canyon and the ridges of the cloud forest that are absurdly beautiful); and not just because of the humble generosity and hospitality of the Argueta family—but because of the two guides. Brad (Boyle) and Brian (Gibbons) were enthusiastic, professional, good-humored, and tireless every minute of every day—particularly impressive considering the logistical challenges of this particular trip. I know Brad will not be involved in future trips, at least in the short-term, but I hope Brian continues the tradition. Brian's an extraordinary guide—a keen spotter of birds, a wonderful storyteller, a patient teacher, and a gentleman—all of the qualities one comes to expect from the VENT staff."
Grand Venezuela
From Robert Clement, a participant on our February/March Grand Venezuela tour:
"Steve Hilty is one of the best guides I have traveled with…great knowledge ("wrote the book"), enthusiastic, patient, serious but low-key, humorous, and interested in the participants."
Grand Belize
From Karen Thompson, a participant on our March Grand Belize tour:
"Barry and Brennan were a dynamic duo as leaders. Their knowledge of avian fauna is awesome, but their knowledge of other species and flora was pretty impressive as well. I enjoyed them and learned from their leadership, and hope to have an opportunity to travel with them again."
Jamaica
From Paul Koker, a participant on our March Jamaica tour:
"Do you test your leaders for super acute hearing? Their ability to locate a bird by a single chirp is incredible."
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Yellow-crested Cockatoo— Photo: Susan Myers |
A BIRDER'S FANTASY: THE LESSER SUNDAS
This September, Susan Myers will lead our Indonesia: Lesser Sundas Islands tour. I am pleased to announce that we have taken advantage of some cost saving opportunities and have reduced the tour fee by $1,000/person!
This part of the world is among Susan's favorite places. I thought you would enjoy reading Susan's description of these tropical islands and the fantastic birding opportunities they offer:
"Indonesia is a birder's fantasy. With more than 1,600 species of birds, the country boasts one of the largest and most diverse avifaunas in the world. As part of the archipelago, the islands of the Lesser Sundas harbor more than 70 endemic birds and a host of regional specialties.
On this tour we will visit the islands of Sumba, Timor, Flores, and Komodo, which collectively hold most of the specialty birds of the Lesser Sundas. A mouthwatering array of endemic birds is expected. Just for starters we will be looking for such exotic species as Sumba Buttonquail, Red-naped Fruit-Dove, Olive-headed Lorikeet, Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Wallace's Scops-Owl, White-rumped and Cinnamon-banded kingfishers, and Sumba Hornbill.
Our trip will finish with an exciting visit to idyllic Komodo Island. This famous location is the home of the amazing and legendary Komodo dragon, one of the world's most impressive reptiles.
This tour will be an enjoyable and non-demanding adventure designed for those who want to see a fantastic selection of the exciting and little-known birds of Indonesia. From an anthropological and cultural perspective, Indonesia is equally fascinating. The country's 230 million people speak more than 300 languages, while the culture is colored by Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Portuguese and Dutch traditions. This remarkable country simply draws one in."
Indonesia: Lesser Sunda Islands, September 14-October 4, 2009, with Susan Myers; the original tour fee, $9,175 in double occupancy, is now $8,175 in double occupancy from Denpasar, Bali.
SUMMER TOUR OPPORTUNITIES
Space is still available on these fine summer tours:
Grand New Mexico, May 25-June 4, 2009, with Barry Zimmer; $3,565 in double occupancy from El Paso.
Minnesota and North Dakota, June 1-9, 2009, with Kim Eckert and Brennan Mulrooney; $2,445 in double occupancy from Duluth.
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Bluethroat— Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Gambell/Nome Pre-trip to Grand Alaska tour, June 2-10, 2009, with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; $4,295 in double occupancy from Anchorage.
Southern Manitoba, June 4-10, 2009, with Jeri Langham and Cal Cuthbert; $1,895 in double occupancy from Winnipeg.
Churchill, June 10-16, 2009, with Jeri Langham and Cal Cuthbert; $1,995 in double occupancy from Winnipeg.
Alaska Mainland, June 13-24, 2009, with Barry Zimmer; $5,995 in double occupancy from Anchorage.
Colombia: Bogota, the Magdalena Valley, and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, June 13-28, 2009, with Steve Hilty and a local leader; $6,198 in double occupancy from Bogota.
Summer Eastern Venezuela, June 18-28, 2009, with David Ascanio; $3,055 in double occupancy from Caracas.
Newfoundland & Nova Scotia, July 1-11, 2009, with Kim Eckert and a second leader; $3,470 in double occupancy from Halifax.
Northern Peru, July 6-20, 2009, with Steve Hilty and a local leader; $4,495 in double occupancy from Lima.
Summer Costa Rica, July 7-20, 2009, with David Ascanio; $4,485 in double occupancy from San Jose. Register now and receive a $200/person discount.
Big Bend Summer, July 14-21, 2009, with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $2,660 in double occupancy from El Paso. Register by May 1, 2009 and receive a $200/person discount.
Southwest Colorado: Birds & Butterflies, July 15-25, 2009, with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $2,995 in double occupancy from Denver.
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The Pacific Northwest: An Introductory Birding Tour, July 18-22, 2009, with Bob Sundstrom and a second leader; $1,425 in double occupancy from Seattle.
Summer Arizona, July 26-August 2, 2009, with Brennan Mulrooney and a second leader; $2,250 in double occupancy from Tucson.
Southern Britain: Birds & History, July 30-August 10, 2009, with Peter Roberts; $4,195 in double occupancy from London.
Panama's Canopy Tower: Birds & Butterflies, August 1-8, 2009, with Michael O'Brien and a local leader; $2,195 in double occupancy from Panama City.
Panama: El Valle's Canopy Lodge Extension: Birds & Butterflies, August 8-13, 2009, with Michael O'Brien and a local leader; $1,545 in double occupancy from Panama City.
Peru, Manu Part I: The Cloud Forest and Foothills, August 2-14, 2009, with Steve Hilty and David Wolf; $4,935 in double occupancy from Lima. Register before May 15, 2009 and receive a $500/person discount.
Peru, Manu Part II: The Lowland Rainforest, August 11-20, 2009, with Steve Hilty and David Wolf; $4,860 in double occupancy from Lima. Register before May 15, 2009 and receive a $500/person discount.
Best of Brazil, August 8-21, 2009, with Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker; $5,995 in double occupancy from Cuiaba.
Autumn Grand Manan, August 31-September 6, 2009, with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $2,955 in double occupancy from Bangor.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you are enjoying a fine spring. I co-led a Travis Audubon Society field trip in Austin recently and had great looks at a male Hooded Warbler singing from a perch, throwing his head back and saying "come to the woods and see ME."
Best wishes,
Victor Emanuel