DOCSLIB.ORG

Spain – Birds and Wines of Navarra

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Spain – Birds and Wines of Navarra Naturetrek Tour Report 1 - 7 May 2019 Eurasian Wryneck Spectacled Warbler Penduline Tit Dupont’s Lark Report and images compiled by Byron Palacios Naturetrek Wolf’s Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Spain – Birds and Wines of Navarra Tour participants: Byron Palacios (leader) with seven Naturetrek clients Introduction The contrasts of northern Spain can never be explained comprehensively; you need to experience them yourself. The dry lowlands and plains of Navarre, combined with the foothills and cragged mountainous Pyrenean woods and high meadows, offer one of the greatest birding experiences amongst one of the best wine areas of the world! From the very elusive and rare Dupont’s Lark, the enigmatic Bearded Vulture and the endemic Citril Finch, we cruised though breathtaking landscapes with their wonderful birdlife. Alongside, we enjoyed the taste of delicious wine, shared in the knowledge people who carefully produce them and who are passionate about them ... tasting them from the actual vineyards! The Birds & Wines of Navarre has proved to be an exciting tour across an unknown land which hides superb treasures yet to be discovered! Day 1 Wednesday 1st May London Standsted – Zaragoza – Burgui After a good flight, we arrived at Zaragoza airport on time and ready to start our tour. Once our minibus was sorted and ready to go, we set off, heading north towards the base of the Navarre Pyrenees, driving through breathtaking landscapes. We eventually arrived in the village of Burgui where our lovely rural hotel was waiting for us. Our hosts Yolanda and Jose were ready to greet us and to offer us the best rural accommodation and local cuisine...and of course, local wines! We retired to our bedrooms in order to get ready for a delicious supper, wine tasting and a restful night’s sleep. Day 2 Thursday 2nd May Tres Coronas Pass – Arbayun Gorge – Lumbier – Fago Valley Some of us went for a stroll along the river in the village on this beautiful sunny morning; it was chilly though, but crisp and gorgeous! After a delicious breakfast, we set off driving to the top of the closest pass, Tres Coronas Pass, where we had terrific views of the Pyrenees mountains and lovely birds such as Crested Tits. We then drove a short distance through the valley making a second stop at the Foz de Arbayun where the stunning views over the river Salazar literarily took our breath away. So too, did the birds we managed to see here: Griffon Vulture, Alpine Swifts, Crag Martins, Egyptian Vulture, Blue Rock Thrush, and we had good views of Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) which flew over the ridge. We also had great views of a pair of Short-toed Snake Eagles and a distant Bonelli’s Eagle. We also found interesting wild flowers and butterflies around. After a good time spent in this site, we continued our driving towards the lower part of the main gorge, this time at the base of the river Irati, the Foz de Lumbier. It was ideal weather for taking a nice walk, following the old rail track and tunnels which follow the river, leaving dramatic gorges of sheer rock on both sides of the path. We managed to see Red-billed Choughs, Blue Rock Thrush, Egyptian Vulture, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and a very nice Nightingale which showed himself in the open very nicely! After enjoying our picnic lunch on this site, we drove around the Yesa Dam, driving up the valley of the river Veral. A few spots along this very narrow mountain road produced great wildlife sightings amongst the butterflies and other interesting invertebrates, alongside birds such as Western Bonelli’s Warblers, Northern © Naturetrek May 19 1 Spain – Birds and Wines of Navarra Tour Report Raven, Subalpine Warbler, Blackcap, Griffon Vulture and great views of Golden Eagle. A second stop was made in order to get great views of another Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) flying above our vehicle and we had great views of it. A final stop offered great views of the Rocal Valley and a pair of active Crested Tits and other interesting invertebrates and wild flowers; we then continued driving down the valley till made it back to our lodge in Burgui where we took a nice break and to get ready for another evening tasting local wines and enjoying a delicious local supper! Day 3 Friday 3rd May Larra-Belagua Valley – St. Martin Pass – Zuriza Valley - Ansó After a delicious local breakfast, we headed north through Isaba and onto a narrower road surrounded by tall conifers and pristine Beech woods. The weather looked overcast and we eventually met snow as we reached 1,300 metres in altitude; this stopped our plans. We decided to keep trying the area of St Martin Pass by the French border, but the snow was all over the place. Despite these unexpected weather conditions, we saw interesting birds such as Black Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Linnets, European Serin and Alpine Chough, amongst others. We then found a nice local mountain café where we enjoyed refreshments which were very welcome. We then jumped in our minibus and drove down the valley and into the Zuriza Valley where we made a few stops that produced very interesting birds such as the endemic Citril Finch, Barn Swallows, Crag Martins, Long- tailed Tits, Firecrest and Spotted Flycatcher, amongst others. A group of Bearded Vulture were seen eating a carcass very close to the track, alongside a pair of Egyptian Vultures, which gave great views. We continued along this fabulous road taking a stroll in the open part of the valley but not for long as it was very windy and chilly, so we continued in the van towards the end of the road from where we found a nice group of Chamois grazing in the distance; this was a good spot to enjoy our packed lunch. The weather wasn’t the best, it was overcast and cold, not the best weather for raptors; in spite of this, we saw many Griffon Vultures, Black and Red Kites, and Northern Raven. We couldn’t find any signs here of Bearded Vultures (Lammergeier) and we looked for them intensively with no positive results. We managed to see other birds such as Firecrest, Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Crag Martins and Black Redstart, amongst others. We finally started to drive back towards Burgui making a final stop by the river Esca, just a few kilometres away from our rural hotel, where we checked the skies for more raptors, getting fantastic views of Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Egyptian and Griffon Vulture, amongst others. We finally arrived at our lodge to take a break and get ready for our last evening of wines, local nibbles and superb delicious food! Day 4 Saturday 4th May Larra-Belagua Valley – St Martin Pass – Mallos de Riglos – Alfaro After a very nice breakfast, we set off back to the tops of the Navarre Pyrenees going through the St. Martin Pass into France where we had a nice time enjoying a gorgeous landscape and exploring the snowy mountain tops, all covered in fresh white snow. We drifted down the valley where we had a coffee break overlooking a good dozen Black Storks and Eurasian Curlews flying over the top of the valley and heading north. We left the 2 © Naturetrek May 19 Spain – Birds and Wines of Navarra Tour Report Roncal Valley in order to continue with our tour heading to the lowlands where the weather was much better and sunny, very breeze though. We hit the road and took the Hoya de Huesca route admiring the beautiful landscape of the Pyrenees. We made a stop to take some photos, and another stop to enjoy the beautiful rock formations of Los Mallos de Riglos; we also had good birds here such as Egyptian and Griffon Vultures soaring around. We continued with our journey heading to our final destination Alfaro, where we arrived in the late afternoon in good time to check in and take a break before gathering together to do our usual checklist, enjoy drinks and nibbles followed by a delicious supper! Day 5 Sunday 5th May Ablitas Regional Reserve – Ruiz-Jimenez Vineyards – Sotos de Alfaro (river Ebro) After an early breakfast, we drove out of Alfaro heading south towards the village of Ablitas in order to check the dry and scrubby hills behind the village, a protected local reserve and home of the very rare and timid Dupont’s Lark. We drove along the dirt and rocky tracks enjoying the first Eurasian Hoopoes and European Bee-eaters perched on bare tree-like bushes, until we heard the beautiful symphony of our main target, Dupont’s Lark. We stopped the minibus and scanned the terrain very carefully where this very elusive and inconspicuous bird might be hidden. And then it was spotted a few metres away from the van amongst some thick scrub, and even better, it flew right in the open, on top of a little rock, brilliant! We enjoyed watching and photographing this beautiful bird. After our success, we decided to take a walk which produced great views of Calandra, Thekla, Crested and Greater Short-toed Larks, getting also great views of the overlooked Lesser Short-toed Lark. In the same walk we spotted two pairs of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse flying, catching a group of them landing very close to us, which allowed us fantastic views of these wonderful birds! We got in the minibus again and drove a short distance to an old quarry where we had great views of Lesser Kestrels, Spotless Starlings, Rock Sparrow, Western Jackdaws, Red-billed Chough, Eurasian Hoopoe, and a Golden Eagle crossing by over our vehicle, amazing! We then drove back north to the village of Aldeanueva de Ebro in order to visit the vineyards of Bodegas Ruiz Jimenez.
Recommended publications
  • Birding Tour to Ghana Specializing on Upper Guinea Forest 12–26 January 2018

    Birding Tour to Ghana Specializing on Upper Guinea Forest 12–26 January 2018

    Birding Tour to Ghana Specializing on Upper Guinea Forest 12–26 January 2018 Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Ankasa Resource Reserve (Dan Casey photo) Participants: Jim Brown (Missoula, MT) Dan Casey (Billings and Somers, MT) Steve Feiner (Portland, OR) Bob & Carolyn Jones (Billings, MT) Diane Kook (Bend, OR) Judy Meredith (Bend, OR) Leaders: Paul Mensah, Jackson Owusu, & Jeff Marks Prepared by Jeff Marks Executive Director, Montana Bird Advocacy Birding Ghana, Montana Bird Advocacy, January 2018, Page 1 Tour Summary Our trip spanned latitudes from about 5° to 9.5°N and longitudes from about 3°W to the prime meridian. Weather was characterized by high cloud cover and haze, in part from Harmattan winds that blow from the northeast and carry particulates from the Sahara Desert. Temperatures were relatively pleasant as a result, and precipitation was almost nonexistent. Everyone stayed healthy, the AC on the bus functioned perfectly, the tropical fruits (i.e., bananas, mangos, papayas, and pineapples) that Paul and Jackson obtained from roadside sellers were exquisite and perfectly ripe, the meals and lodgings were passable, and the jokes from Jeff tolerable, for the most part. We detected 380 species of birds, including some that were heard but not seen. We did especially well with kingfishers, bee-eaters, greenbuls, and sunbirds. We observed 28 species of diurnal raptors, which is not a large number for this part of the world, but everyone was happy with the wonderful looks we obtained of species such as African Harrier-Hawk, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Hooded Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Bat Hawk (pair at nest!), Long-tailed Hawk, Red-chested Goshawk, Grasshopper Buzzard, African Hobby, and Lanner Falcon.
  • Leptosomiformes ~ Trogoniformes ~ Bucerotiformes ~ Piciformes

    Leptosomiformes ~ Trogoniformes ~ Bucerotiformes ~ Piciformes

    Birds of the World part 6 Afroaves The core landbirds originating in Africa TELLURAVES: AFROAVES – core landbirds originating in Africa (8 orders) • ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES – hawks and allies (4 families, 265 species) – Family Cathartidae – New World vultures (7 species) – Family Sagittariidae – secretarybird (1 species) – Family Pandionidae – ospreys (2 species) – Family Accipitridae – kites, hawks, and eagles (255 species) • ORDER STRIGIFORMES – owls (2 families, 241 species) – Family Tytonidae – barn owls (19 species) – Family Strigidae – owls (222 species) • ORDER COLIIFORMES (1 family, 6 species) – Family Coliidae – mousebirds (6 species) • ORDER LEPTOSOMIFORMES (1 family, 1 species) – Family Leptosomidae – cuckoo-roller (1 species) • ORDER TROGONIFORMES (1 family, 43 species) – Family Trogonidae – trogons (43 species) • ORDER BUCEROTIFORMES – hornbills and hoopoes (4 families, 74 species) – Family Upupidae – hoopoes (4 species) – Family Phoeniculidae – wood hoopoes (9 species) – Family Bucorvidae – ground hornbills (2 species) – Family Bucerotidae – hornbills (59 species) • ORDER PICIFORMES – woodpeckers and allies (9 families, 443 species) – Family Galbulidae – jacamars (18 species) – Family Bucconidae – puffbirds (37 species) – Family Capitonidae – New World barbets (15 species) – Family Semnornithidae – toucan barbets (2 species) – Family Ramphastidae – toucans (46 species) – Family Megalaimidae – Asian barbets (32 species) – Family Lybiidae – African barbets (42 species) – Family Indicatoridae – honeyguides (17 species) – Family
  • Namibia & the Okavango

    Namibia & the Okavango

    Southern White-faced Owl gave wonderful views. What a special owl! (JM) NAMIBIA & THE OKAVANGO 23 SEPTEMBER – 8 OCTOBER 2019 LEADERS: STEVE BRAINE and JULIEN MAZENAUER The 2019 Birdquest tour to Namibia & The Okavango continued on a long run of successful trips, despite the extreme drought Southern Africa is experiencing at the moment, resulting in the lack of many usually common migrants like Cuckoos and Warblers. Anyway, we managed to get good views at all the endemics and possible near-endemics of the area. We manage to record 379 species, a good tally given the severe drought. The first day at Windhoek produced many of our first near-endemics like Bradfield’s Swift, Short- toed Rock Thrushes, Violet-eared Waxbills, Rosy-faced Lovebirds, South African Shelducks and many more. Moving on the Spreetshoogte, we gained great views of the sought-after Herero Chat, followed by Layard’s Warbler and Verreaux’s Eagle. The Namib specials were on the show, with repeated sightings of Rüppell’s Korhaans, Gray’s and Stark’s Larks, Red-headed Finches. Dune Lark showed exceptionally well near Rostock Ritz, and our stay at Walvis Bay was highlighted by thousands of waders including 1500 Chestnut- banded Plovers, hundreds of White-fronted Plovers, 15 Damara Terns, a surprising African Penguin and a 1 BirdQuest Tour Report : Namibia & The Okavango 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com Northern Giant Petrel as write-in. Huab Lodge delighted us with its Rockrunners, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, White- tailed Shrike, and amazing sighting of Southern White-faced Owl, African Scops Owl, Freckled Nightjar few feet away and our first White-tailed Shrikes and Violet Wood Hoopoes.
  • Accelerated Reader List, 4Th Grade

    Accelerated Reader List, 4Th Grade

    Accelerated Reader Quiz List - Reading Practice Quiz No. Title Author Book Level Points 7652 EN Addy Saves the Day Porter, Connie 4 1 25292 EN Against the Odds: Grizzly Attack Strasser, Todd 4 4 302 EN All About Sam Lowry, Lois 4 3 17552 EN B. Bear Scouts Save That Backscratcher, The Berenstain, Stan/Jan 4 1 19206 EN B. Bears Get Their Kicks, The Berenstain, Stan/Jan 4 0.5 32327 EN Blork's Evil Twin (Space Brat 2) Coville, Bruce 4 1 46246 EN Carol of the Brown King: Nativity Poems Hughes, Langston 4 0.5 2885 EN Chimps Use Tools Llewellyn, Claire 4 0.5 309 EN Circle of Gold Boyd, Candy Dawson 43 41519 EN Crazy Horse's Vision Bruchac, Joseph 4 0.5 44961 EN Elevator Family, The Evans, Douglas 4 1 55718 EN Emperor Lays an Egg, The Guiberson, Brenda Z. 4 0.5 14666 EN Encyclopedia Brown...Disgusting Sneakers Sobol, Donald J. 4 1 11761 EN Everglades George, Jean Craighead 4 0.5 45253 EN Everything Book, The Fleming, Denise 4 0.5 42389 EN Fighting for the Forest Rand, Gloria 4 0.5 10776 EN George's Marvelous Medicine Dahl, Roald 4 2 9264 EN Ghost Ship Mystery, The Warner, Gertrude Chandler 4 3 50488 EN Grandpa Blows His Penny Whistle Until the Angels Sing Roth, Susan L. 4 0.5 6470 EN Great Rescue Operation, The Van Leeuwen, Jean 4 4 17568 EN Guide Dog Mystery, The Warner, Gertrude Chandler 4 2 265 EN Hello, My Name Is Scrambled Eggs Gilson, Jamie 4 4 28568 EN Is There Room on the Feather Bed? Gray, Libba Moore 4 0.5 11772 EN Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival Pennington, Daniel 4 0.5 10475 EN Jewish Holidays in the Spring MacMillan, Dianne M.
  • Bird Sites of the Osme Region 6—Birding the Palmyra Area, Syria DA MURDOCH

    Bird Sites of the Osme Region 6—Birding the Palmyra Area, Syria DA MURDOCH

    Bird Sites of the OSME Region 6—Birding the Palmyra area, Syria DA MURDOCH The oasis of Palmyra (Figure 1) lies in the centre of the Syrian Badia, the northern end of a vast desert that extends continuously through the Arabian peninsula to the Indian ocean. Twice a year, hundreds of millions of migrants pass along the eastern Mediterranean flyway, breeding in eastern Europe and western Asia and wintering in Africa, and these drylands constitute a formidable barrier for them. As a large oasis far into the desert, Palmyra has always attracted migrants, but until recently birders were unable to visit Syria. The situation has now changed and ecotourists are welcome; and even with limited coverage, the desert round Palmyra has emerged as one of the best birding areas in the OSME region. The recognition of Palmyra is closely linked to the discovery of its most famous bird, the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. After 1989, when the last birds of the colony at Birecik, Turkey, were taken into captivity (van den Berg 1989), Northern Bald Ibis was believed extinct in the eastern Mediterranean; and in 1994 it was placed on the IUCN Critically Endangered list. But in 1999, a famous local hunter, Adib al-Asaad (AA), shot and ate a large black bird that he did not recognise in the hills near Palmyra (it tasted disgusting). A few years later, by then a passionate conservationist, he leafed through an identification guide belonging to Gianluca Serra (GS) and found an illustration that matched the bird he had shot. There had been no Syrian records for 40 years but he To Jebel Abu Rigmin To Sukhne and Deir Ez-Zor Douara Arak Sed Wadi Abied To Homs Palmyra town Palmyra oasis T3 Maksam Talila Sabkhat Muh Abbaseia 10 km To Damascus Figure 1.
  • Extremadura: 15Th-17Th March 2018

    Extremadura: 15Th-17Th March 2018

    Extremadura: 15th-17th March 2018 I first visited this area at the start of May 2017 and had a wonderful time exploring the area and its wildlife. So when planning this year's visit I decided that I would like to return to this area but at a different time of the year, hence mid-March. Note on birds mentioned In the daily recording the birds mentioned are those that are either Lifers (LF) or those of the greater interest. Many other birds were seen each day but while not being mentioned have been recorded and will be listed at the end of this report. Thursday 15nd March Arrived into Seville mid morning and it soon became apparent that the weather was going to be 'interesting'; one minute sunshine, the next sheets of rain. Made a couple of stops on the way, one being at Valdesalor for the Bustards. However the road through the plains was very soft and muddy from the heavy rain and so I had to retreat. Thursday 16th March: Caceres and Belen Plains A bitterly cold morning with the threat of rain. Headed down to the plains around Caceres and Belen to search for Bustards. First stop was the hide off the road to Santa Marta (39.4771, -6.19334). The bitter wind made observations difficult as it was driving straight into the hide. However got a brief glimpse of two Black-Bellied Sandgrouse before they disappearing leaving just Crested Lark, Corn Bunting and Calandra Lark to help pass the time. For a bird so big I'm not sure where it came from but a Black Vulture walked up a far field to harass a rather ill looking sheep.
  • Birds of North Greece Holiday Report 2013

    Birds of North Greece Holiday Report 2013

    Birds of North Greece Holiday Report 2013 Greenwings Wildlife Holidays Tel: 01473 602389 Web: www.greenwings.co Email: [email protected] ©Greenwings 2013 Day 1: Monday 6th May Our late afternoon flight meant an evening drive from the airport to our base next to Lake Kerkini. During our journey we heard Nightingales every 50 metres and had first sightings of Hoopoe, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Bee-eater. The Nightingales awaited us at our hotel too and with windows open at night, their melodic song could be heard in all directions. Once settled in we all took a very leisurely stroll to a taverna in the village square and discussed plans for the week ahead over a traditional and delicious mezedes style meal. Bird watching didn’t stop entirely for food and wine; Scops Owl was heard and White Storks were seen sitting on their telegraph pole top nests. All in all a good start to the holiday! Day 2: Tuesday 7th May After a good breakfast we drove to nearby Mandraki Harbour for our first proper view of Lake Kerkini. Steve and Hilary explained the lake’s importance to many birds, including the Dalmatian Pelicans seen fishing further out on the lake. We also learnt about the pressures facing the drowned forest due to changes in water levels in recent years and the associated impact this has had on various breeding bird species. Our view of it was distant and it wasn’t easy to appreciate the scale of it and the sheer richness of life it supports. Our boat trip planned for another day would bring us up close and personal though! The air was thick with buzzing insects chased by House Martins and Swallows and in the phragmites we could hear a Great Reed Warbler.
  • EUROPEAN BIRDS of CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, Trends and National Responsibilities

    EUROPEAN BIRDS of CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, Trends and National Responsibilities

    EUROPEAN BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN Populations, trends and national responsibilities COMPILED BY ANNA STANEVA AND IAN BURFIELD WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM CONTENTS Introduction 4 86 ITALY References 9 89 KOSOVO ALBANIA 10 92 LATVIA ANDORRA 14 95 LIECHTENSTEIN ARMENIA 16 97 LITHUANIA AUSTRIA 19 100 LUXEMBOURG AZERBAIJAN 22 102 MACEDONIA BELARUS 26 105 MALTA BELGIUM 29 107 MOLDOVA BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 32 110 MONTENEGRO BULGARIA 35 113 NETHERLANDS CROATIA 39 116 NORWAY CYPRUS 42 119 POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC 45 122 PORTUGAL DENMARK 48 125 ROMANIA ESTONIA 51 128 RUSSIA BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is a partnership of 48 national conservation organisations and a leader in bird conservation. Our unique local to global FAROE ISLANDS DENMARK 54 132 SERBIA approach enables us to deliver high impact and long term conservation for the beneit of nature and people. BirdLife Europe and Central Asia is one of FINLAND 56 135 SLOVAKIA the six regional secretariats that compose BirdLife International. Based in Brus- sels, it supports the European and Central Asian Partnership and is present FRANCE 60 138 SLOVENIA in 47 countries including all EU Member States. With more than 4,100 staf in Europe, two million members and tens of thousands of skilled volunteers, GEORGIA 64 141 SPAIN BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, together with its national partners, owns or manages more than 6,000 nature sites totaling 320,000 hectares. GERMANY 67 145 SWEDEN GIBRALTAR UNITED KINGDOM 71 148 SWITZERLAND GREECE 72 151 TURKEY GREENLAND DENMARK 76 155 UKRAINE HUNGARY 78 159 UNITED KINGDOM ICELAND 81 162 European population sizes and trends STICHTING BIRDLIFE EUROPE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.
  • Bird Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar

    Bird Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar

    Bird Migration in The Strait of Gibraltar 10 - 17 September 2014 Led by Yeray Seminario Greenwings Wildlife Holidays Tel: 01473 436096 Web: www.greenwings.co Email: [email protected] ©Greenwings 2014 Introduction The narrowest point of the Strait of Gibraltar is a mere 14 km across to the African continent. The clear views of the Jbel Musa, on the other side of The Strait, were one of the first things we would see in the morning during this tour. The combination of constant changing winds and powerful thermals makes this area a unique strategic crossing point for raptors, allowing stunning views of these and other avian migrants. We travelled to the best observation points to enjoy the spectacle of migration and explored the areas in the surrounding countryside. We visited the beautiful and quiet Ojen Valley where we saw Griffon Vultures, the regular and rarer Rüppell's Vultures, Northern Goshawks and Bonelli’s Eagles. We drove through the ancient lagoon of La Janda, which was at one time, the largest freshwater lagoon in Southern Europe, to see Marsh and Montagu's, Lesser Kestrel, Black shouldered Kite, Bonelli's and Spanish Imperial Eagle. In the rice field corners and ditches we saw waders, Spanish Wagtails, Hoopoes, Wheatears, Whinchats, Tawny Pipits, Corn Buntings, Calandra, Crested and Greater Short-toed Lark. We also watched Purple and Grey Herons, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbills, Black‐ winged Stilts, Black‐tailed and Bar‐tailed Godwits, Ruff, Little Ringedovers, Pl Kentish Plovers and Pied Avocets in the Bonanza saltpans, as well as good numbers of the threatened Marbled Duck and White‐headed Duck.
  • Birding and Culture in Southern Germany

    Birding and Culture in Southern Germany

    Birding and culture in Southern Germany Eurasian Hoopoe 28 May – 6 June 2021 $2,570 – $3,120 Day 1 - Arrival After transfer from the airport, we check into our hotel ‘Haus Goethe’ in the medieval town of Staufen. Welcome with coffee and cake and in- troduction to the trip with our guide. On a first walk we explore the surroundings of the old city, looking for Green Woodpecker, Red Kite, Yellowhammer, and Cirl Bunting. Evening European Bee-eater exploration of the medieval town, dinner in one of Germany’s oldest restaurants with seasonal white asparagus on the menu. BirdingTours and OOS’ Dr. Stefan Gleissberg have designed this unique 10 days/9 nights tour exclusively offered to OOS members. Join us to explore diverse birds, landscapes and cultures in the Three-Country-Corner where Germany, France, and Switzerland meet. The mild climate here already attracted neolithic people, and we will often encounter traces of roman and medieval cultures. Expert guide Christoph Hercher will help us find the colorful Bee-eater, the unique Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Melodious Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Spotted Nutcracker, Citril Finch, Common Crossbill, Red Kite and Black Kite, White-throated Dipper, Common Nightingale, Crag Martin, Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Wryneck, Hobby, Honey Buzzard, and many more. Nutcracker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Citril Day 5 - High Rhine, Switzerland Finch, and Water Pipit. Target birds include the After breakfast, we descend from the higher Crag Martin, a rare cliff nester. Hiking distance: elevations of the southern Black Forest to the 6 miles. Return to Staufen and dinner in a Hochrhein (High Rhein valley) that borders winemaker’s pub.
  • South Africa: the Southwestern Cape & Kruger August 17–September 1, 2018

    South Africa: the Southwestern Cape & Kruger August 17–September 1, 2018

    SOUTH AFRICA: THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE & KRUGER AUGUST 17–SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 Leopard LEADER: PATRICK CARDWELL LIST COMPILED BY: PATRICK CARDWELL VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM SOUTH AFRICA: THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE & KRUGER AUGUST 17–SEPTEMER 1, 2018 By Patrick Cardwell Our tour started in the historical gardens of the Alphen Hotel located in the heart of the Constantia Valley, with vineyards dating back to 1652 with the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck, the first Governor of the Cape. Surrounded by aging oak and poplar trees, this Heritage Site hotel is perfectly situated as a central point within the more rural environs of Cape Town, directly below the towering heights of Table Mountain and close to the internationally acclaimed botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch. DAY 1 A dramatic change in the prevailing weather pattern dictated a ‘switch’ between scheduled days in the itinerary to take advantage of a window of relatively calm sea conditions ahead of a cold front moving in across the Atlantic from the west. Our short drive to the harbor followed the old scenic road through the wine lands and over Constantia Nek to the picturesque and well-wooded valley of Hout (Wood) Bay, so named by the Dutch settlers for the abundance of old growth yellow wood trees that were heavily exploited during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Our skipper was on standby to welcome us on board a stable sport fishing boat with a wraparound gunnel, ideal for all-round pelagic seabird viewing and photographic opportunity in all directions.
  • Studies on the Reproduction and Growth of Hoopoe (Upupa Epops) in District Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

    Studies on the Reproduction and Growth of Hoopoe (Upupa Epops) in District Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan

    Studies on the Reproduction and Growth of Hoopoe Vol. 10 (2), December 2019 Open Access ORIGINAL ARTICLE Full Length Article Studies on the Reproduction and Growth of Hoopoe (Upupa epops) in District Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan Muhammad Idnan1,*, Hafiz Muhammad Jamil2, Arshad Javid3, Muddasir Hassan Abbasi4, Muhammad Altaf5, Asif Shahzad2, Asma Naeem1 1Department of Zoology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 2Department of Zoology, Minhaj University, Lahore, Pakistan 3Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 4Department of Zoology, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan 5The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan ABSTRACT Background: Hoopoe, Upupa epops belongs to the family Upupidae. It is found across Asia, Europe and Africa. Its habitat includes grasslands, savannas, wooded steppes, and forests. Main threats to the survival of the Hoopoe are habitat loss and climate changes. Objectives: The present study was planned in district Gujrat (32.7037°N, 73.9585°E), Punjab Pakistan. Due to habitat loss and cutting of Sheesham tree (Dalbergia sissoo), the natural nesting sites was very scarce. Methodology: Thirty three nested sites of Hoopoe were spotted and checked for chick’s presence regarding timing and breeding at the interval of one week. Egg size was measured using Dial clipper and weighed with electrical weighing balance. Results: The percentage clutch size 7.04 ± 0.64, brood size 1.76 ± 0.70 and nesting success of 81% was recorded. The following trees provided the nesting sites as hole/cavities Ficus benghalensis (Barh) (23.5%), Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham) (35.2%), Acacia nilotica (Kikar) (11.7%), Ficus religiosa (Peepal) (14.7%), Mangifera indica (Mango) (8.8%).