Merry Christmas

I just posted the second episode of the Bucket List Birding Podcast. This time with world birder Peter Kaestner, who has a lot of interesting stories to share. 
We talk about searching for newly described and split Antpittas in Peru, about India and Taj Mahal and what great birding tools eBird and Merlin are. 

Check out the shownotes and link to the podcast here. 

If you haven't yet listened to the podcast episode with Nigel Marven, you find the shownotes and links to the podcast here. Nigel is a well-known Natural History presenter on Discovery and Nat Geo, etc.

 

In this episode,  Nigel lists his top three Natural History experiences. Two of those are in Mexico. The interaction with the Gray Whales in Baja California and the concentration of 50 million Monarch butterflies close to Mexico city. 

I have just made an outline for a new 7 Wonders Birding trip including both these highlights, as well as snorkeling with Whale shark, a shot at all Baja California endemic bird taxa (some very likely future splits), the Mexico city specialties such as Red and Red-faced Warbler and Sierra Madre Sparrow, as well as some Aztec culture in Mexico City. The best time is Jan-February.
All in 6 days. Great for birder/non birder couples 

Although one usually needs to reserve the Gray Whales far in advance, doing this in early 2022 is possible, as tourism in general is still down. I am free in Early January and early February. 
Otherwise, I will take requests for 2023, and this way we can set up a fixed departure. 

I am fixing the last details for a short tour to Ecuador in February for which hummingbirds is the main focus, but also other spectacular birds will be on the hit list. I shall be guiding. Maybe you would want to join. We can take a few more people. 
Good lodging overall. 
After this trip I will return to Peru and organize a North Peru trip over 10 days or so. 
Details forthcoming in the next newsletter. 

The Flock of Marion cruise is still happening, but I had to cancel my plans, as I can't be sure to come back to Peru.  South Africa still is the only country on the Peru red list.  Hence all South Africa plans have been postponed. 

Instead I find myself going on a slightly different cruise. A Disney cruise to Bahamas! 🤪😂🙃😱

Crazy, huh?

Seems like hell compared to albatrosses and whales!

 

But, hey it shall not be too bad. It is good for family harmony. My daughter is turning 15, which is a big thing in Peru, and a Disney cruise is what she wants to do. 
There are also several endemic Bahamas birds. Bahama Woodstar, Bahama Swallow, Bahama Mockingbird and Bahama Yellowthroat. I can also catch up with birds like Mangrove Cuckoo and Western Spindalis. Other good birds include Audubon's Shearwater, White-tailed Frigatebird, Cuban Emerald, Cuban Pewee, Cuban Grassquit and Greater Antillean Bull-Finch.

I think I may survive this. It is only five days. And some quality time with the family should not be underestimated for the harmony index.  

If anyone with kids is keen to join on the same cruise as I am going on it is the four night one leaving from Miami on Jan 27. There are still vacancies.  My daughters are 12 and 15 by the way.
 

That is all folks, I shall be back shortly with a new newsletter about all the upcoming trips in 2022. 
Spread the word about our tours to your friends.  Thanks!

Saludos

 

Gunnar

P.S. Have you thought of any new year's resolutions yet?