About the Tours

List of Tours

Standards for Endorsement

ABA-ENDORSED BIRDING TOURS

Canada, North America, ABA Area | Caribbean | Mexico | Central and South America |
Europe | Pacific Ocean | Asia | Africa | Antarctica

Short Trips for Target Species

Skagit Valley & Puget Sound
Begin in Seattle for travel through NW Washington and SW British Colombia for Gyrfalcon, Northwestern Crow, Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swan, Rhino Auklet, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Black Scoter and raptors galore. 5-10 February. Contact Paradise Birding, www.paradisebirding.com, (541)408-1753.

Texas: High Island Migration
Take in the coastal beaches and marshes for huge numbers of shorebirds, to the famed migrant traps of High Island, then inland to the Pineywoods for that Red-cockaded Woodpecker. 14-18 April and 21-25 April. Contact Birding America, www.birding-america.com, info@birding-america.com, (800)744-6150.

Texas Hill Country Springtime
From San Antonio, head to the hill country for Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, plus Cave Swallow, Green Kingfisher, Gray Vireo, Pyrrhuloxia, Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Plus all those wildflowers! 20-26 April. Contact Paradise Birding, www.paradisebirding.com, (541)408-1753.

Texas Pineywoods & Upper Coast
After arriving in Houston, head for the pine forests for Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, plus Bachman's Sparrow. More migrants and shorebirds as we head to High Island. 27 April-3 May. Contact Paradise Birding, www.paradisebirding.com, (541)408-1753.

Canada, North America, ABA Area

ABA Convention at Snowbird, Utah
Join ABA for our 2008 Convention at Snowbird Village, in beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon outside Salt Lake City. The Cliff Lodge will be hosting our workshops, evening presentations, trade show, ABA SALES, and of course our lodging and field trip departures. Come breathe the fresh mountain air, listen to hummingbirds buzz by, take in the beauty of hillsides of wildflowers, and see some fabulous western birds. Mark the dates of 23-29 June 2008 on your calendar! Convention brochure and registration information is included in this Winging It. Pre and Post tours will be available. Target birds: Black Rosy-finch, Chukar, Franklin's Gull, White-throated Swift, Steller's Jay, Pinon Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Plumbeous Vireo, American Dipper, Virginia's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Western Tanager, Cordilleran Flycatcher, plus the spectacle of flocks of phalaropes, avocets, grebes, and gulls!

Pribilofs – St. Paul Island
St. Paul Island is home to millions of seabirds nesting in easily observed colonies along the steep shores of the island. Thousands of migrating gulls, shorebirds, seabirds, ducks and passerines are drawn to this remote island in the Bering Sea. 23-26 May 2008. Wilderness Birding Adventures, www.wildernessbirding.com, info@wildernessbirding.com, (907)694-7442.

Gambell and Nome Tour
Visit two of the most famous birding spots during spring migration where streams of birds fly by. Great opportunities for Asian migrants and unusual breeders in a very special place. 28 May-5 June 2008. Wilderness Birding Adventures, www.wildernessbirding.com, info@wildernessbirding.com, (907)694-7442.

Caribbean

Zapata Peninsula, Northern Archipelago & Western Endemic Regions of Cuba
Once again, pending license from the US Treasury, the Cuba Bird Study Program will visit the birding hotspots of Cuba. This is always an opportunity that depends on government relations at the highest level, however their past history has been successful in receiving the required permits. 29 Mar – 9 April. Contact Gary Markowski, Cuba Bird Study Program, cubirds@aol.com, (860) 350-6752; CBSP, PO Box 355, New Milford, CT 06776.

Mexico

Central and South America

Family Birding Trip in Ecuador
This Ecuador trip is designed for families who are interested in the best variety of nature, culture and birding in the Quito region. Trip includes subtropical rain forests, hummingbird reserve, waterfalls and swimming holes, and evening walks for bats and owls. 8-15 March 2008. Contact Tropical Nature Travel, www.tropicalnaturetravel.com, (877) 888-1770.

Birding in Peru with Barry Walker
This favorite tour includes lodges in Lima (sea level), Cusco (11,600 feet), Machu Picchu and of course the Manu Wildlife Center. To fully enjoy this trip, participants must be in sufficient good health (walking, uneven ground, high elevations). Find high Andean waterfowl, mixed flocks of tanagers, flycatchers, furnarids, plus plus! Target endemics of the area, with several days at the Manu, known for its high biodiversity, thus abundant variety of bird life. 10-21 May. Contact Siemer & Hand Travel, www.siemerhand.com, (800)451-4321.

Birding Costa Rica
Enjoy ten days in one of the birdiest places in Central America. Resplendent Quetzal by your cabin at Savagre Lodge, Great-green Macaw overhead at Selva Verde Lodge, a hummer fest at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, more trogons at the fabulous Hanging Bridges, and the wonderful grounds of the Hotel Arenal. 10-19 June 2008. Trip repeated 9/23, 10/28, and 12/09. Contact Rick Houlk, Ocoee Adventure Travel, www.ocoeeadventuretravel.com, rhoulk@bluemooncruises.org, (888) 723-8622.

The Galapagos Islands
Cruise the islands of Ecuador, beginning with a land trip in Quito, and ending in Guayaquil. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, for those special species of the Galapagos. The La Pinta is the newest ship in the fleet of Metropolitan Touring. 18-28 June 2008. Contact: Jane Kress, Avalon Waterways, www.avalonwaterways.com, jkress@globusfamily.com, (877) 303-7735.

SE Brazil: Atlantic Rainforest & Savannah
Visit the best sites in both regions for maximum birds: endemic antbirds, cotingas, flycatchers, and tanagers of the coastal rainforest, plus the specialties of the drier savannah and gallery forests of the interior. 4-21 October. Contact Tropical Birding, info@tropicalbirding.com, www.tropicalbirding.com, (800)348-5941.

Europe

Late Migrants & Winter Wildfowl of North Norfolk
Visit the premier birding county in the UK to catch the over wintering specialties as they settle in, enjoy late migrants, and possibly encounter a few rare species. Traditional guest house accommodations. 15-22 November. Contact Neil Donaghy, Celtic Tours, birds@celtictours.org.uk, www.celticbirdtours.com, 044 1656 645 709.

Pacific Ocean

Hakalau Forest Nation Wildlife Refuge Birding Adventure
Hakalau means "many perches", and aptly describes this Hawaiian native rainforest generally closed to the public. Target species include: Akepa, Akiapolaau, Amakihi, Apapane, Hawaii Creeper, I'iwi, Elepaio, Omao, Io and Pueo. All trips by previous arrangement and reservation. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles. January to December, 2008. Contact Hawaii Forest & Trail, Ltd., www.hawaii-forest.com, info@hawaii-forest.com, (808) 331-8505.

Rainforest & Dryforest Birding Adventure
Explore two rare habitats, the cloudmist kipuka rainforest on Mauna Loa and the sub-alpine dry forest of Puu Laau on Mauna Kea. Here are two places that represent Hawaii before human contact; places where plants and birds are found nowhere else on earth. Target species include: Nene, Palila, Akiapolaau, Amakihi, Apapane, Hawaii Creeper, I'iwi, Elepaio, Omao, Io and Pueo. All trips by reservation. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles. Weekdays only. January to December, 2008. Contact Hawaii Forest & Trail, Ltd., www.hawaii-forest.com, info@hawaii-forest.com, (808)331-8505.

Asia

China: Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau
Referred to as the "Heavenly Kingdom", this area's natural beauty and spectacular scenery provide a wonderful backdrop for most of the central Chinese endemics as well as up to 10 amazing pheasants. 26 May – 9 June 2008. Tropical Birding, www.tropicalbirding.com, info@tropicalbirding.com, (800)348-5941.

Africa

Drakensberg Mountains to the Elephant Coast of Kwazulu Natal
Leaving Johannesburg, we will search the arid kopjes for No. Black Korhaan, Orange River Francolin, Red-eyed Bulbul, Chestnut-backed Finch Lark and Black-throated Canary. On the rocky slopes of the mountains, we look for Jackal Buzzard, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin and Bearded Vulture. Drop down to lower elevations for such birds as the Knysna Turaco and Cape Parrot before heading to the coast (Purple-crested Turaco, Pink-throated Twinspot, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Green-spotted Wood-Dove), plus raptors. Continue to the grasslands for Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Korhaan, Yellow-breasted Pipit, and the rare and endanged Rudd's and Botha's Larks. Optional 3 night extension. 28 Sept – 12 Oct 2008. Contact Avian Leisure, www.avianleisure.com, enquiries@avianleisure.com, +27 21 786 1414.

Madagascar
Madagascar's flora and fauna are so different from anywhere else on Earth that it is often regarded as an eighth continent. Great chance to see all of the five families of birds that are found only here, as well as most of the 120 endemic species. 3-18 October and 24 Oct-8 Nov. Contact Tropical Birding, info@tropicalbirding.com, www.tropicalbirding.com, (800)348-5941.

South Africa: Fairest Cape to Kruger
Expect to see over 400 species on this tour, including bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, barbets and sunbirds in the beautiful country also rich in wildlife. Diversity increases with visits to tropical savanna, golden-green grasslands, the semi-desert Karoo and the heath-like fynbos. 12-26 October 2008. Contact Tropical Birding, info@tropicalbirding.com, www.tropicalbirding.com, (800)348-5941.

South Africa 2008
Do you have target birds you want in Africa, and don't want to take a standard tour as the birds you need are scattered hither and yon? Do you have a few friends that you like to travel with that want to see specific birds in a specific region? Contact Avian Leisure for custom tours as you like it – you pick the place and the pace. January – December Avian Leisure Birding & Wildlife Safaris, enquiries@avianleisure.com, www.avianleisure.com, +27 21 786 1414.

Antarctica

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