VENTflash #120 April 15, 2011
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 64 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...Dear Friends,
Although we're not yet a full month into spring, I have already enjoyed three weekends at my beach house that overlooks the Bolivar Flats on the Upper Texas Coast. While always impressive, the American Avocet show this year has been the best I have ever seen. Every morning, approximately 10,000 avocets congregate to feed in a backwater area only a hundred yards from my porch. Most of the birds are in breeding plumage, with cinnamon-colored necks. At times, a few hundred will gather into a circle and swim clockwise with their heads down as they stir up food items.
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American Avocet— Photo: Greg Lasley |
American Avocets start arriving on the Texas coast in October, following the summer nesting season on the Great Plains. Their numbers increase through the winter and eventually peak in March when many thousands of birds are present. In addition to the avocets, a flock of about 1,000 Black Skimmers has been around as well. From time to time, some perceived threat causes the avocets to take flight in huge flocks and the skimmers to explode into the air like a bomb, offering wonderful studies of two distinctly marked black and white species. Farther out on the flats, there have also been flocks of 700 White Pelicans and 400 Brown Pelicans. Seeing such large numbers of Brown Pelicans is especially gratifying; I remember the years when the effects of DDT had caused this species to virtually vanish from the Texas coast.
It is sights such as these that provide constant reminders of the joys of being on the Texas coast in the spring.
SCOTTISH ISLANDS CRUISE: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE: ONLY 1 CABIN LEFT!
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: SHORTER AND WITH A REDUCED FEE
GRAND BRAZIL: ALTA FLORESTA & PANTANAL
MAY/JUNE TOURS WITH AVAILABLE SPACES
CLOSING THOUGHTS
SCOTTISH ISLANDS CRUISE: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY
In less than a month we will operate a Scottish Islands Cruise, May 14-23, 2011, aboard the 50-passenger M/S Quest. A few cabins remain unsold in categories D and E which we are now offering at a discounted fee of $5,995 in double occupancy ($6,995 in single occupancy). The lowest cabin category was originally $7,500, and the reduced fee represents a great opportunity for savings on what will be an unforgettable trip. The group size is limited to 14 participants.
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Fair Isle, Scotland— Photo: Andrew Whittaker |
I co-led a similar cruise to this region in 2009 and enjoyed it immensely. Following a similar itinerary this year, we will visit many of Scotland's most beautiful islands while experiencing a rich blend of birding, history, and culture. This trip will be led by Andrew Whittaker. Originally from the U.K., Andrew is a full-time senior VENT leader who lives in Manaus, Brazil. He also co-led our previous two Scottish Islands cruises. While an expert birder, Andrew is also a delightful travel companion and great raconteur.
Our voyage will take you around the country from the west coast to the east coast, visiting an array of Scotland's outstanding wildlife, historical, and archaeological sites. Our itinerary includes some of the most famous place names in Britain, such as the Inner and Outer Hebrides, fantastic St. Kilda, the Orkney and Shetland islands, and Fair Isle, before ending the journey in the "Granite City" of Aberdeen on the North Sea coast.
Participants on this cruise are assured of having wonderful experiences on a daily basis. Highlights include nesting White-tailed Eagles on the island of Mull; the faraway St. Kilda Archipelago; the world's largest Northern Gannet colony; Europe's largest Northern Fulmar colony; and Britain's highest sea cliffs. While at sea and on land, we will have opportunities to see a great many other European seabirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and passerines.
I hope you will call to reserve a space soon!
Cabins for our Scottish Islands Cruise, May 14-23, 2011 are available at $5,995 in double occupancy from Glasgow (ends in Aberdeen). Limit 14.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE: ONLY 1 CABIN LEFT!
This summer VENT will once again operate a birding and natural history cruise to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands, July 18-27, 2011. Our itinerary includes visits to most of the islands and we'll be traveling aboard one of the best ships that cruise these waters, the Isabela II. This trip is nearly sold out, with only 1 cabin still available. The fee for this cabin (Classic category) is $5,750 per person in double occupancy.
Additionally, another bed is available for a single male traveler who is willing to share a room, also in Classic category, at $5,750.
The Galapagos Islands are among the planet's most famous destinations. I have been there many times and regard it as among my favorite places. The combination of amazing volcanic scenery and tame and abundant wildlife sets the place apart from any other. Moreover, the historical significance of the islands and the legacy of Darwin is a source of considerable fascination.
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Nazca Booby— Photo: Barry Zimmer |
A sample of the many wildlife spectacles you will experience includes a wonderful variety of seabirds such as Waved Albatross, Nazca Booby, Flightless Cormorant, and Galapagos Penguin; some marvelous landbirds, headlined by an assortment of Darwin's finches, Galapagos Flycatcher, Galapagos Martin, and several species of mockingbirds; and an array of other mammals and reptiles including Galapagos fur seal, marine iguana, and Galapagos tortoise. As an added bonus, we have chartered the Isabela II exclusively for VENT travelers. This fine vessel offers a mix of beautifully furnished inside public areas and outside viewing decks.
Galapagos Islands Cruise, July 18-27, 2011, with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $5,750 in double occupancy from Quito (ends in Guayaquil).
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: SHORTER AND WITH A REDUCED FEE
We have dramatically modified our August Papua New Guinea tour so that it is now considerably shorter and less costly!
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Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (bird-of-paradise)— Photo: K. David Bishop |
Originally, we had two New Guinea tours scheduled for 2011: a summer Papua New Guinea tour operating August 5-22 and a shorter Papua New Guinea Highlights tour, from October 31-November 12. The latter trip filled up immediately and has a waiting list, while the longer trip has not done as well. In response to demand for a shorter trip, we have reduced the summer tour by a week in length to a very manageable 11 days. We cut from the itinerary visits to the Tabubil and Kiunga regions; however, we will still spend time at Ambua, one of the best lodges in the world for birds, and will visit Kumul where a number of birds-of-paradise come to feeders.This tour will be led by Dion Hobcroft, one of our most popular leaders.
Our shortened Papua New Guinea tour will operate August 12-22, 2011 with Dion Hobcroft; $6,995 from Brisbane. Limit 8.
Those wanting to see more of New Guinea may be interested in our extension to the Bensbach area in the far southwestern corner of the country. This remote wilderness region hosts a number of ecosystems, birds, and other wildlife that will not be encountered on the main tour, with possibilities for Spangled Kookaburra, Fly River Grassbird, New Guinea Harpy-Eagle, Great-billed Heron, Brolga, herds of Rusa deer, New Guinea wild dogs, mobs of agile wallabies, and New Guinea crocodiles.
Papua New Guinea, combined with Bensbach Extension, August 12-25, 2011 with Dion Hobcroft; $10,990 in double occupancy from Brisbane.
I have been to New Guinea once before, and I will never forget my first morning there. I was co-leading our tour one year with David Bishop and we had gone a few days early to do some scouting. We were standing beside a road outside Port Moresby, and as first light was approaching, the bird sounds coming from the nearby forest were some of the most amazing, beautiful, and bizarre I had ever heard. As it turned out, the next two weeks were among the most memorable in my life as we saw over 20 species of birds-of-paradise and many other wonderful birds. Furthermore, I found the culture of New Guinea truly amazing. Looking back, I still feel my time there was the most exotic cultural experience of all my travels.
I hope you will join us on this marvelous trip.
GRAND BRAZIL: ALTA FLORESTA & PANTANAL
Over the course of my career I have been privileged to lead tours to many of the world's greatest birding and wildlife areas. Trips to Africa, India, the Galapagos Islands, and Antarctica have provided many of my most memorable experiences in nature. While most people are aware of these areas, I wanted to tell you about another destination that also lies at the forefront of international nature travel: Brazil.
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Giant Anteater— Photo: Andrew Whittaker |
Brazil is an immense country home to a huge variety of ecosystems and associated habitats and wildlife. Two major regions for which the country is perhaps best known are the mighty Amazon rainforest and the seasonally flooded savanna grasslands, known as the Pantanal, that contain an astounding level of wildlife.
This summer, VENT is operating a Grand Brazil trip that features opportunities to experience both of these remarkable areas. Part one of our Grand Brazil tour emphasizes the fabulous Cristalino Jungle Lodge and the extraordinary diversity of the Amazonian rainforest; part two, the Pantanal, showcases South America's finest wildlife viewing area. I have been to the Pantanal before, and I contend that it is the one place in the Western Hemisphere that rivals Africa and India for its preponderance of birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
Either of these tours may be taken singly, or combined for an "ultimate" Brazil experience.
Grand Brazil Part I: Alta Floresta's Cristalino Jungle Lodge, August 5-15, 2011 with Andrew Whittaker and Kevin Zimmer; $4,100 in double occupancy from Cuiaba.
Part one of our Grand Brazil tour focuses on the Amazonian rainforest in the Alta Floresta region of northern Mato Grosso state. Our base for this tour, the Cristalino Jungle Lodge, is located in the heart of a vast forest reserve along a beautiful blackwater river. It also happens to be an avian gold mine, having everything that makes Neotropical rainforest birding exciting—a site list of nearly 600 species of birds; huge mixed-species flocks careening through the canopy and understory; parties of antbirds attending army ant swarms; colorful dancing manakins; parrots, macaws, toucans, and cotingas; several species of primates; butterflies galore; and numerous rare and/or highly localized species that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. As if this were not enough, a pair of Harpy Eagles has nested locally several times in the past decade, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to see this magnificent raptor. Furthermore, the lodge boasts good accommodations, great food, an extensive trail system, and a wonderful canopy tower.
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Hyacinth Macaw— Photo: Andrew Whittaker |
Grand Brazil Part II: Pantanal Safari & Chapada dos Guimaraes, August 13-25 with Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker; $4,895 in double occupancy from Cuiaba.
Part two of our Grand Brazil tour visits the extraordinary Brazilian Pantanal, one of the premier wildlife viewing regions in the world. Seasonally flooded savannas brim with birds and mammals while the entire region is one of the birdiest locations on the planet.
The abundance and diversity of large mammals—capybara, marsh deer, black howler monkeys, giant anteater, Brazilian tapir, giant otter, crab-eating fox, coatimundi, ocelot, and even jaguar—coupled with throngs of herons, ibis, storks, raptors, and kingfishers—is reminiscent of Africa. Our recent track record for finding jaguar at this season has been excellent, and we will make a concerted effort to find this most magnificent of New World cats. Among the avian prizes we'll seek are Greater Rhea, Maguari Stork, Jabiru, Plumbeous Ibis, Southern Screamer, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Sunbittern, the incomparable Hyacinth Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, and Red-billed Scythebill.
Grand Brazil: Itatiaia National Park Extension, August 24-31, 2011with Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker; $2,545 in double occupancy from Sao Paulo.
This optional extension to our Grand Brazil tour visits the endemic-rich Atlantic forest. Based out of a single site, we'll enjoy excellent birding and fabulous photo opportunities while exploring spectacular montane forests for a variety of colorful endemics, from hummingbirds and tanagers to antbirds and cotingas.
MAY/JUNE TOURS WITH AVAILABLE SPACES
Across the Northern Hemisphere, the May/June period is the time to witness spring migration and the onset of the nesting season. Spaces are still available on a number of upcoming VENT tours to the United States, Canada, and Kazakhstan. All of these destinations offer an opportunity to see migrating birds while some are equally appealing for their scenic attributes.
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Rose-breasted Grosbeak— Photo: Brennan Mulrooney |
Point Pelee, Crane Creek & The Kirtland's Warbler, May 9-17, 2011 with Steve Hilty; $2,475 in double occupancy from Detroit. 2 spaces available.
The famed Lake Erie hotspots of Point Pelee and Crane Creek are among North America's finest locations for experiencing the wonders of spring bird migration. This tour promises sightings of dozens of colorful species including warblers, buntings, grosbeaks, tanagers, orioles, and more. Highlights include about 30 species of warblers and a grand finale trip to view Kirtland's Warblers in Michigan.
Spring Grand Arizona, May 10-20, 2011 with Barry Zimmer; $2,965 in double occupancy from Tucson. 1 space available.
Boasting a rich assortment of southwestern specialty species, Southeast Arizona is the destination of choice for many birders. Join Barry Zimmer for a birding extravaganza that promises a remarkable variety of birds with tropical affiliations including trogons, flycatchers, woodpeckers, warblers, orioles, tanagers, and others, in addition to fine panoramic scenery that includes bold deserts, sweeping grasslands, and mysterious "sky island" mountain ranges.
Kazakhstan, May 12-26, 2011 with David Bishop and a local leader; $6,445 in double occupancy from Astana (ends in Almaty). 4 spaces available.
This tour offers an exciting and special journey into the vast and unspoiled landscapes of Central Asia. Kazakhstan is a spectacular country offering pristine steppe, desert, marshlands, and mountains. On this tour we'll encounter a suite of birds found nowhere else in addition to visiting the most ornate and exotic historical sites of the Silk Road—a winning and spectacular combination. Participants may continue their exploration of the region with our extension to Uzbekistan.
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Red Knots— Photo: Michael O'Brien |
Delaware Bay Shorebirds: An Introductory Tour, May 22-26, 2011 with Michael O'Brien; $1,345 in double occupancy from Philadelphia. 3 spaces available.
Based in Cape May, New Jersey, this introductory tour focuses on the dynamics of shorebird migration, identification challenges, and the unique relationship between shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Along the way, we'll record a couple of dozen species of shorebirds and other birds of the region including Northern Gannet, Clapper Rail, Saltmarsh and Seaside sparrows, and a variety of herons, gulls, terns, and warblers.
Grand Alaska Part I: Nome & Gambell, May 29-June 8, 2011 with Kevin Zimmer and Louise Zemaitis; $5,495 in double occupancy from Anchorage. 4 spaces available.
Together, the western Alaska outposts of Gambell and Nome are perhaps North America's ultimate birding destination. At Gambell we'll witness spectacular movements of seabirds and search for Bering Sea specialty birds and Asiatic vagrants; breeding loons, jaegers, Bluethroats, ptarmigan, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Gyrfalcon and many others are possible at Nome. Mammals may include musk ox, grizzly bear, and moose.
Spring in the Washington Cascades: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, June 5-11, 2011 with Bob Sundstrom and Michael O'Brien; $2075 in double occupancy from Seattle. 4 spaces available.
This short trip offers wonderful spring Northwest birding based at a first-rate lodge in the natural setting of a Washington canyon. A diversity of birds and wildflowers of mountains, canyons, sage, and potholes are characteristics of this tour. Birding highlights include American Avocet, Cinnamon Teal, Ruffed Grouse, Chukar, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Calliope Hummingbird, White-headed Woodpecker, American Dipper, Sage Thrasher, Lazuli Bunting, and Cassin's Finch.
Churchill, June 12-18, 2011 with Jeri Langham; $3,450 in double occupancy from Winnipeg. 3 spaces available.
The Hudson Bay community of Churchill is legendary for its outstanding early summer birding. The profusion of birds found here includes a variety of migrants and seldom seen far-north nesting species such as jaegers, Common Eider, Hudsonian Godwit, Little Gull, Boreal Chickadee, Bohemian Waxwing, Harris's Sparrow, Smith's Longspur, Hoary Redpoll, and others. Beluga whales are seen most years as well.
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Lewis's Woodpecker— Photo: Michael O'Brien |
Western Colorado, Birds & Habitats: An Inroductory Birding Tour, June 19-24, 2011 with Louise Zemaitis and Michael O'Brien; $1,295 in double occupancy from Grand Junction.
This short tour highlights the diversity of Western Colorado's habitats and birdlife during the peak of the nesting season. We'll seek many characteristic western birds such as Chukar, Dusky Grouse, Black Swift, Lewis's Woodpecker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Gray Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, Pinyon Jay, American Dipper, and Pine Grosbeak. Mammals are often conspicuous and we may see yellow-bellied marmot, white-tailed prairie dog, elk, and bighorn sheep.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
For much of the country, the middle of April marks the start of the peak of the spring songbird migration. This is the time when the "floodgates" open and millions of flycatchers, thrushes, warblers, tanagers, grosbeaks, buntings, and orioles pour north out of tropical wintering grounds and arrive on our vast continent en route to summertime breeding haunts.
This is my favorite time of year. Seeing such a wonderful profusion of colorful birds, particularly warblers, is an annual event that I anticipate perhaps more than any other. Bird migration is one of the greatest phenomena nature has to offer, and I feel privileged to live in a part of the country where it can be so easily observed.
I am looking forward to more time on the Upper Texas Coast over the next month and seeing more warblers and lots of other migrant birds. I hope you are enjoying spring, wherever you live, and that you too are enjoying the thrill of migration.