Photo Gallery
We begin in Yangon with a visit to the gleaming Shwedagon Pagoda.
Leaving the capital we descend into the Irrawaddy Plain…
and reach Bagan.
Here a complex of magical temples is set amidst parkland and jungle allowing us to combine sightseeing and birding.
We start to encounter some of the special birds of Myanmar such as this Hooded Treepie,
and the colourful Jerdon’s Minivet.
While other local species include White-throated babbler,
Plain-backed Sparrow,
the distinctive local race of Collared Dove (a potential split),
and Asian Openbill.
Bagan is nestled on the banks of the mighty Irawaddy River and we’ll take to the waters in a local boat to see what birds we can find.
Later we cross the river and venture towards the Chin Hills,
home to the Chin Hills Wren Babbler,
and the familiar, but wild Red Junglefowl.
We reach Mt Victoria National Park which holds an impressive array of birds.
We’ll search for two endemics - White-browed Nuthatch,
and Burmese Bushtit,
as well as species such as Mt Victoria Babax
Black-eared Shrike-babbler,
and the perky Black-throated Bushtit.
Reaching Lake Inle we stay in a wonderful hotel set on the lake.
Famous for its ‘leg rowers’,
where fishing is an important source of food.
We’ll take to the water as well, but in search of birds rather than fish.
The boats allow us to glide silently alongside the reeds,
where we hope to encounter the special bird of lake Inle - Jerdon’s Bushchat.
The reedbeds and lakeside vegetation is also home to Chinese Grassbird
and there is always the chance of a handsome male Pied Harrier sailing overhead.
and Black-browed Reed Warbler,
Towards the end of our tour we visit the hill station of Kalaw where we hope to find Burmese Yuhina around another lake - Yay Aye Kan.
And then it’s time to leave this fascinating country with it rich culture, amazing birds, and friendly people.