WingsBirds Updates

Paul Holt reports from Bhutan

Wings Staff — 2024-04-18 09:41:19

A fantastic encounter with four Blood Pheasants early in to the second half of our Bhutan tour stole the Bird of the Trip award although Satyr Tragopan (we saw three separate birds superbly well), a pair of Beautiful Nuthatches, a couple of gaudy Himalayan Monals, a solitary White-bellied Heron, four Ibisbills, umpteen Rufous-necked Hornbills and a flock of 20 Fire-tailed Myzornis all pushed it hard…But Bhutan’s far more than just impressive birds – there’s the spectacular mountain and forest scenery, the country’s unique culture and fascinating Buddhist heritage and of course our fabulous ground agents. Bhutan has so much to offer...

Blood Pheasant romped away with the 'Bird of the Tour' award...

but Black-tailed Crake pushed it hard...

Capped, one of three species of langur we saw.

Punakha dzong – one of the country's more spectacular fortress-monasteries

Steve Howell and Luke Seitz report from the conclusion of their trans-equatorial odyssey on the Chile to California cruise.

Wings Staff — 2024-04-08 12:16:06

This trip transits over 5000 miles through the waters of 12 countries (this year, with documented first country records for four of them!). Some 33 species of tubenoses, ranging from five albatrosses to a remarkable 12 storm-petrels, topped the pelagic bill, here the handsome Hornby’s (or Ringed) Storm-Petrel.

Although up-close Blue Whales several times...

And fancy Striped Dolphins weren’t too shabby either!

Point-blank Nazca Boobies joined us on several days...

Intent on hunting flyingfish (like this Pied-tailed Necromancer) that the ship flushed

From Humboldt Penguins...

And Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

To Guadalupe Furseals the trip was an eponymic delight!

Birds at our varied landings ranged from this curious White-throated Tapaculo

And cryptic Peruvian Thick-knees...

To the ultra-fancy Inca Tern

And the eye-burningly bright Orange-breasted Bunting.

Memories of this remarkable trip will last a lifetime—happy oceanic birding!

Susan Myers reports from our recent India: The North tour

Wings Staff — 2024-04-05 16:40:15

A happy and healthy group enjoyed an amazing three weeks in India's northwest where we took in the deserts, woodlands, foothills, and the mountains of the Himalayas. So many highlights! Including the Taj Mahal, Sloth Bears, Ibisbills, Gharials, Mount Everest, and much more. But the undoubted highlight was a remarkable 11 Tigers (yes, eleven!) seen at Ranthambore and Corbett National Parks. Nothing short of breathtaking, and a truly memorable experience.

Queen of the Jungle! This is Arrow-head, she has just seen her three cubs cross the road and she’s checking to see if they’re safe.

Sloth Bear

Brown-headed Barbet

Ibisibill

Eurasian Hoopoe

Small Niltava

Susan Myers reports from Japan in Winter

Wings Staff — 2024-03-19 16:04:36

Our winter tour in Japan this year featured the usual array of fantastic birds – the incredible numbers of cranes, wildfowl and eagles never fail to impress. And then there are some special rarities such as Japanese Murrelet and Blakiston’s Fish Owl, that can only realistically be seen in this country that counts so many of their birds as National Treasures, an official title. We were also lucky this year to have encounters with several species that we always hope for but can’t necessarily count on, of note the Japanese Waxwings, Baikal Teal, Stejneger’s Scoter, Green Pheasant, and Siberian Crane. While the birds we encounter on our winter tour are always amazing, Japan's charm extends far and wide – from its serene temples and cozy inns to the exquisite culinary delights, ensuring that our tour offered an enriching experience in every aspect.

On the far north island of Hokkaido, we spent plenty of time with the White-tailed Eagles…

that keep company with the migratory Steller’s Sea Eagles that descend on Hokkaido in winter because it’s warmer here than on their breeding grounds!

Amongst the overwintering passerines we found Hawfinches, that often come into feeders…

as well as the white-bellied race of Eurasian Nuthatch…

stunning Daurian Redstarts…

charming Chinese Penduline-tits…

and cute Japanese Tits.

Our nature cruise off the Nemuro Peninsula was super productive for Spectacled Guillemots and other alcids.

Amongst the multitudinous White-naped Cranes (and Hooded Cranes) on the southern island of Kyushu…

we were very lucky to encounter the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane.

In our spare time we took in some cultural experiences, including a brief visit to the stunning Matsumoto Castle, steeped in history…

a couple of spectacular feasts…

and wonderful scenery.

Happy Birding!

Trinidad and Tobago

Will Russell — 2023-11-15 11:39:28

Lying just off the coast of Venezuela, the island of Trinidad shares much of its birdlife with the nearby continent. A large percentage of South America’s avian families are represented but without the confounding variety of species encountered on the mainland. For this reason, combined with its pleasant island atmosphere, its logistical accessibility (English is the official language), and world-renowned accommodations, Trinidad has long been considered the destination for fostering an understanding of Neotropical birds.

Alaska: The Pribilofs and Utqiagvik (Barrow) in Fall

Will Russell — 2023-09-21 09:30:41

Alaska’s Pribilof Islands lie in the Bering Sea some 300 miles southwest of the nearest bit of Alaska’s mainland. We’ve scheduled an extended stay on the rocky island of St. Paul at a good time for Asian and other vagrants. Even though the breeding season is over, the sea cliffs and surrounding waters will still have hundreds alcids and good numbers of the near-endemic Red-legged Kittiwake, and the Northern Fur Seal colony will be overflowing with young seal pups.

Colombia: Central

Will Russell — 2023-09-18 16:17:02

Hummingbirds galore plus sparkling tanagers, elusive antpittas and even Mountain-Toucan, all while enjoying a cup of Colombian coffee!

Poland in Spring

Will Russell — 2023-08-01 11:34:14

Birding in Eastern Poland in late May is magical. Every mile of road has at least one pair of White Storks nesting on top of a roadside telegraph pole, the incessant crex crex call of Corncrakes can, as dusk sets in, be almost deafening, and Common Cuckoos seem to be in every patch of woodland or reed. The general area hosts a range of habitats, from the extensive Biebrza Marshes – home to a significant proportion of the world’s breeding Aquatic Warblers – to the primeval Bialowieza Forest. Accordingly, a wide variety of species can be encountered, many in numbers seldom found elsewhere in Europe.

Remembering David Fisher

Matt Brooks — 2023-05-18 12:43:48

It’s been almost two years since we lost David Fisher, world birder, co-owner of Sunbird, and tour leader known to many WINGS participants. David was also the Chairman of the Neotropical Bird Club, working tirelessly in that role for years. Such was his contribution to the NBC that the club has created a Memorial Lecture in David’s name. The very first David Fisher Memorial Lecture has just taken place and has been recorded for posterity on YouTube. The lecture is given by Dr. Alex Lees on the subject of bird migration through the Neotropical region and you can view it via this link - it’s a fascinating talk and well worth watching.

David left his estate to be divided between Birdlife International, WWF, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), to whom he also donated his extensive collection of books on ornithology. The RSPB holds one of the largest libraries of bird books in the UK and had reached a point where the collection needed to rehoused in a more modern and accessible facility. Part of David’s legacy to the Society has been used in the building of the new library, which opened last year in the new Avocet building at the Society’s headquarters in Bedfordshire, England, where a plaque has been placed by the entrance acknowledging David’s contribution. Both the plaque and the biannual lecture will be a lasting reminder of someone who was so well-liked and who is so greatly missed. -- Steve Rooke