wildwings.co · 2 4-5 wildwings calendar ... 18 kamchatka, the ring of fire ... we will travel via...

worldwide travel 2015-2016

2 www.wildwings.co.uk

4-5 WildWings calendar

6 Wild Insights Holidays with Keith and Linda Offord

7 Greenland Whale Safaris

8 North Atlantic Odyssey (Scotland to Spitsbergen)

9 Polar Bears and other Arctic wildlife - Spitsbergen

10-11 The Arctic for independent travellers

12 Hungary in Spring/Poland in Spring/Estonia in Spring & Autumn

13 Hungary in Autumn/Eilat Spring Migration Festival/Hula Valley Bird Festival

14 Birdwatch Magazine Turkey in Spring NEW!

15 Ethiopia, mammals and birds.

16 Thailand ‘Spoon-billed Pittas’/Beidaihe & Happy Island, China

17 Goa, birds and curries NEW!/Snow Leopards, Ladakh NEW!

18 Kamchatka, The Ring of Fire

19 Sea of Okhotsk/In Search of Spoon-billed Sandpipers

20 WildOceans Maldives/Sri Lanka/Bali to Komodo

21 WO Solomon Islands NEW!/ Sri Lanka – Your Way

21 Gujurat, India mammals and birds NEW!

22 Western Pacific Odyssey

23 Midway Atoll/Humboldt Current NEW!

24-25 Antarctica, The Falklands & South Georgia

26-27 Antarctica for independent travellers

28 Atlantic Odyssey

29 Sub-Antarctic Islands of NZ & Australia (Birding Downunder)

30 Brazil Jaguars

31 Amazon River Cruise NEW!

32-33 Baja California & the Sea of Cortez

34 Mexico Pelagic NEW!

35 Birding Trinidad and Tobago

36 Birding Jamaica

37 Colorado Grouse Leks

38 Booking form

39 Booking conditions

the whole wild world at your fingertips....wildwings.co.uk

contents

3 Call +44 117 9658 333 for all bookings and enquires

This mini-brochure summarises all our current programmes, bird, mammal plus whale and dolphin watching holidays, and the very the best selection of bird and wildlife cruises available, worldwide.

Our website is our 24 hour a day ‘shop window’ , and full details of all our amazing experiences can be found within, along with previous trip/voyage reports, species lists and more photos. Our website is continually updated, with new tours and voyages now announced online, as well as our blog and news from the field sections. Our experience of over twenty years is at your finger tips, or pick up the phone and talk to us, our advice is free.

The recent strength of the Pound has enabled us not only to hold many prices for next year, and in the case of many voyages, actually reduce them too, always good news!

New for 2015 are two short, but intense birding trips to eastern Turkey, three new departures to the Indian Sub-Continent - Gujarat for Mammals and Birds - Goa for Birds - Ladakh for Snow Leopards and other mammals. Both our first Amazon River Wildlife Cruise and our world first Mexican Pelagic (both with just a few berths left still) will operate, plus the return of our Humboldt Current Exploration (includes searching for the newly described Pincoya Storm-Petrel in Chile). In 2016, WildWings team up with Rare Bird Alert for a whole ship charter from Scotland to Spitsbergen in May. We will travel via Fair Isle, Jan Mayen Land, East Greenland Sea Pack Ice and finally spend two full days in Svalbard itself looking for Polar Bears, Walrus and other Arctic wildlife, having enjoyed a host of seabirds and cetaceans on the way. We are even bringing Tony Marr out of retirement for this one!

JOHN BRODIE-GOOD JULY 2014

We started offering mammal watching tours ten years ago, with the first of our much copied Brazil Jaguar Tours, originally conceived and led by Richard Webb. Our emphasis is somewhat towards big cats and other predators and we offer an ever increasing range of destinations and target species.

mammal watching

Welcome to WildWings...

WildWings Birdwatching Holidays continue to offer exceptional value for money, from only £949 per person, and are led by some of the world’s best professional tour leaders. Over 98% of our holidays ran in 2013, we do not like to speculate with your holiday plans.

birdwatchingExpedition Cruises, often called ‘wildlife’ or ‘nature’ cruises, are voyages of discovery to the remotest regions of our world. Experiencing the wildlife and the journey itself is the purpose of these wonderful trips.

nature & wildlife cruises

We are pleased to yet again present our comprehensive range of the best in responsible Whale and Dolphin watching holidays, our 18th year of WildOceans.

whales & dolphins

For the full details of all our tours and voyages, always visit our website.

If you wish to have a written copy of a tour or voyage, simply hit your print button, it should print all the text for that tour, including from the various tabs if applicable, into one document. Most of our previous trip reports are in pdf form, you can either download yourself a copy or again, simply print it. You may also wish to sign up for our forthcoming e-newsletters, which will be sent every few months or so, with news, new tours and special offers.

wildwings.co.uk

Check out the

website!


WildWings & WildOceans calendar2014-2016

This is a calendar of our upcoming departures as of 21/7/2014. We offer bird-watching, whale and dolphin watching, mammal watching (especially big cats and bears) and the widest choice of bird and wildlife (expedition) cruises, worldwide. We also specialise in flights and can offer tailor-made arrangements to many destinations including top local bird and wildlife guiding services, just for you and your party. WildWings customers have travelled our whole wild world for over twenty years now, from the Edge of Space to the depths of the Oceans, from the North and South Poles and everywhere in-between! Full and the most up to date details can always be found on our website, along with previous trip and voyage reports plus many species lists. www.wildwings.co.uk.

TOUR DATES GUIDES COST FROM

2014

NEW! In the Wake of the Bounty (see website) 3rd-14th November 2014 Chris Collins £7995*

Sub-Ant Islands of Aus & NZ (Birding Downunder) 9 – 25 Nov & 24 Nov – 10 Dec 2014 R. Russ from £6059*

NEW! Maldives Explorer - Whales, dolphins, seabirds & photography. 11th – 23rd November 2014 Chas Anderson £2190*

Hula Valley Bird Festival 16th – 23rd November 2014 Jonathan Meyrav £1359*

Antarctica, Falklands & S. Georgia 20th Nov – 8th Dec 2014Dick Filby & Bruce Pearson

from £7269*

2015


NEW! Goa - Birds & Curries 24th January – 8th February 2015 Dave Fell £1849

Thailand29th January – 4th February, 5th – 11th February 2015

M.Andrews £1195

Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia 31st Jan - 18th Feb 2015 Dick Filby from £8419*

NEW! Gujarat, India Mammals and birds. 8th – 22nd February 2015 Richard Webb £3499

Maldives Tropical whales, dolphins and snorkelling 22nd Feb – 1st Mar 2015 Chas Anderson £1590*

NEW! Snow Leopards 21st February - 12th March 2015 Dick Filby £1945*

Ethiopia Mammals and birds. 5th March – 22nd March 2015 Nigel Goodgame £3599

Eilat Bird Festival, Israel - Now includes all birding excursions and on a half board basis.

15th – 22nd March 2015 Jonathan Meyrav £1209*

Sri Lanka, Blue Whales, Leopards & Elephants 27th February – 12th March 2015 Chas Anderson £2900*

Atlantic Odyssey 23rd March – 23rd April 2015 Simon Cook from £5289*

Midway Atoll Seabirds 23rd – 30th March & 30th March – 7th April 2015

Wayne Sentman £4635* from Honolulu

Baja California & Sea of Cortez 25th March – 7th April 2015 Scot & David £4295

Western Pacific Odyssey (NZ – Japan) 6th April – 7th May 2015 Chris Collins from £3819*

Western Pacific Odyssey (NZ – PNG) 6th – 23rd April 2015 Chris Collins from £3819*

Colorado Grouse Leks 11th – 23rd April 2015 Dick Filby £2639

Western Pacific Odyssey (PNG – Japan) 23rd April – 7th May 2015 Chris Collins from £2119*

Beidaihe & Happy Island 2nd – 20th May 2015 Mark Andrews £2445

Estonia Birds & Mammals 8th – 15th May 2015 Tarvo Valker £1495

Poland Birds & Mammals 9th – 17th May 2015 Tomasz Jezierczuk £1199

Hungary in Spring 10th – 16th May 2015 Gerard Gorman £999

Greenland Whale Safaris various May & June 2015 Expedition team from £1665*

*excludes international flights.


WildWings & WildOceans calendar


Kamchatka & Kurils – Russian Far East 26th May – 8th June 2015 Chris Collins from £4605*

Sea of Okhotsk 9th – 20th June 2015 Chris Collins from £4059*

NEW! Birdwatch Magazine Turkey 15th – 20th & 20th – 25th June 2015 TBA £TBC

Spitsbergen - Polar Bears and Arctic wildlife 17th – 25th June 2015 Dick Filby from £3729

In Search of Spoon-Billed Sandpipers – Russian Far East 23rd June – 7th July 2015 Chris Collins from £5029*

NEW! Amazon River Cruise - River Dolphins, birds and other mammals. 6th – 19th September 2015 Chris Collins from £2795*

Brazil Jaguars - Ultimate Pantanal TBC September 2015 Regina Ribero c£3995

NEW! Estonia in Autumn 25th September – 2nd October 2015 Tarvo Valker £1495

Bali to Komodo, Indonesia Tropical Whales and dolphins, snorkelling. 11th – 20th October 2015 Chas Anderson £2345*

NEW! Solomon Islands -Tropical Whales and dolphins, seabirds & snorkelling.

23rd Oct – 2nd Nov 2015 Chas Anderson £3649*

NEW! Humboldt Current TBC October TBC- November 2015 Chris Collins £TBC

Sub-Ant Islands of Aus & NZ (Birding Downunder) 15th Nov – 3rd Dec 2015 R. Russ from £6365*

Antarctica, Falklands & S. Georgia - Art & Wildlife Voyage 19th Nov – 8th Dec 2015 Bruce Pearson from £7635*

NEW! Mexico Pelagic - Stormies, Shearwaters & Sharks 28th November – 8th December 2015Chris Collins & Steve NG Howell

£2995*

2016 (advance selection only!)

Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia 31st Jan - 18th Feb 2016 Dick Filby from £8419*

Snow Leopards 27th February – 12th March 2016 Dick Filby £1995*

Baja California & Sea of Cortez 25th March – 7th April 2016 Scot & David £TBC

Atlantic Odyssey 26th March – 22nd April 2016 Simon Cook from £4539*

Colorado Grouse Leks 9th – 21st April 2016 Dick Filby £TBC

NEW!! North Atlantic Odyssey WildWings/Rare Bird Alert Ship Charter! Scotland – Shetland – Jan Mayen – Greenland Ice Pack – Spitsbergen

30th May - 9th June 2016Dick Filby, Tony Marr & team

from £2495

Year Round

Sri Lanka - Birds and/or mammals. Year Round Tailor-made Local guides from £1375*

Papua New Guinea-Your Way May – November Local guides 10 nts from £4899*

Trinidad & Tobago Year round Local guides from £1585

Birding Jamaica Year round Local guides from £1895

Christmas Island Year round Self drive 5 nights from £1055*

for the best days of your life…..

6 www.wildinsights.co.uk

Another year flashes past and it has been a busy one for us, our programme taking us to a variety of destinations from Kruger to Estonia. Along the way we have enjoyed yet more fantastic wildlife and have returned with picture libraries full of memorable moments.

Over the last year we have been pleased to welcome a significant number of new people to Wild Insights, in many cases already booking again. It seems that our style of unhurried wildlife appreciation with high accommodation standard receives continued approval all around and is a formula we will be sticking to. Whilst never wishing to abandon our favourite and most popular destinations, we are very aware of the need to develop new ideas. So, having now brought in Sri Lanka into the programme for 2015 we will next be working on another new destination, this time in Europe. Watch this space as they say…

BIRD AND WILDLIFE HOLIDAYS led by Keith and Linda Offord

2015At the time of writing we still have a few places left on our Western Cape Tour. Why not join us for two weeks at the tip of Africa, escaping the British autumn and soaking up summer in the southern hemisphere? This beautiful area combines stunning flower-filled scenery with mighty Southern Right Whales, extraordinary birds like this Cape Rockjumper, and outstanding standards of accommodation.

2016As a result of the immediate sell-out, we are running a second trip to Sri Lanka for those who were on the waitlist. This is already well subscribed and we are deliberately allowing time later in the year to run a third trip should there be enough demand.

Other tours scheduled for 2016 present a blend of enticing and popular short-haul European destinations such as the Netherlands in winter, Estonia in spring and Iceland in summer through to the fabulous Kruger National Park, in South Africa, where we return in September for an abundance of African wildlife such as this leopard which was one of many sightings we enjoyed last year.

We also offer a range of UK-based courses, workshops and short breaks, designed to increase confidence with identification and located in the heart of some of the finest birdwatching destinations here at home.

If you are not on our mailing list please do join – you will then receive a Wild Insights calendar each year which shows you all our plans, home and abroad, for the next two years.

We look forward to seeing you.

Keith & Linda Offord – July 2014

For full details please visit www.wildinsights.co.uk For all overseas tours please telephone WildWings 0117 9658333 or email [email protected]

Cape Rockjumper © Keith Offord

Leopard © Keith Offord


Join the still relatively small number

of adventurers and travel above

the Arctic Circle to a region of wild

beauty, teeming wildlife and frozen

wastelands.

In some of the most sophisticated

vessels afloat, follow in the footsteps

of the early explorers, many of whom

perished in their quests for discovery

and knowledge in simple wooden

boats. Many of these voyages

will also visit sites of these early

expeditions and encounter some of

the current human population, many

native to these remote lands.

BOWHEAD WHALE CRUISESGreenland

These short voyages perfectly encompass our spirit of exploration, sailing amongst some of the most spectacular icebergs in the Arctic, looking for the mighty Ice Whale, the Bowhead. Set in the early Arctic spring, join us on a stunning three-masted schooner for this pelagic adventure. Other whale species are possible on these departures plus Reindeer and a myriad of Arctic birds including auks, shorebirds and a chance of Gyr Falcon. We will enjoy Zodiac iceberg cruises, visit seabird colonies and undertake tundra walks in addition to our time afloat. The first voyages in 2012,2013 & 2014 were judged a big success, with up to 15 Bowheads seen plus Humpbacks Whales too. Other highlights included Harp, Ringed & Bearded Seals, Arctic Fox, Arctic Hare and a selection of true northern birds including Snowy Owl, King Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Phalarope, Ptarmigan, Snow and Lapland Buntings plus of course breeding seabirds such as auks, skuas and Fulmars.

The Arctic

FOCUSWhale and wildlife cruise:birds, whales & dolphins, mammals, scenery, historical sites & photographyWHERE?Aasiatt (Greenland) – Disko Bay – AasiattSAMPLE WILDLIFEBowhead and Humpback Whales, seals, Arctic Foxes and a selection of Arctic birdsCLIMATESpring PolarACCOMMODATION34 passenger comfortable sailing vessel, all cabins with private facilities.

Day 1: Arrive Aasiaat, board vessel and sail.Day 2: Sail along Jakobshavn Glacier, iceberg alley, landing at Avangnardlit, optional hill walk for more spectacular views.Day 3: We sail around the islands of Hunde and Kronprinsens Ejlands, in the mouth of Disko Bay, whose rich waters attract seabirds and whales. We could see Bowheads today, landings and Zodiac cruises are also planned.Day 4: Another day of searching for Bowheads, today we also plan to explore Disko Island including a visit to it’s warm springs.Day 5: Today we will spend time on Disko Island, we plan several landings and tundra walks. We expect to see birds such as Long-tailed Skuas and Grey Phalaropes. Days 6: In the morning we plan to Zodiac cruise a large Kittiwake colony of over 10,000 pairs. In the afternoon we will make a landing and walk to a beautiful lake.Day 7: We will sail through Ata Sund to reach the glacier front at Eqip Sermia and then much later on to Aasiaat.Day 8: Disembark vessel after breakfast.

Dates: 26th May – 2nd June, 2nd – 9th June, 9th – 16th June 2015Leader: Ship’s expedition team.Prices per person sharing: £1665 Triple with private facilities and porthole £1835 Inside Twin with private facilities £2039 Twin with private facilities and porthole Single cabins 1.7 twin share price.

itinerary

Price includes: Accommodation and all meals aboard ship (with free tea and coffee), port taxes, Zodiac landings, services of ship’s expedition staff, daily sea watching sessions (at sea), group transfers in Greenland to and from ship. £1 = Euros 1.20.Price excludes: Flights Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq to Aasiaat return from £1095, flights UK – Copenhagen return (from c£100),

pre and or post cruise hotel nights at Copenhagen airport if required (from £110 per room per night), other drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature onboard, crew gratuities (we suggest E10 per passenger per day aboard ship), passport fees, travel insurance.

prices & dates

at a glance....


SPITSBERGENPolar Bears and Arctic wildlife

Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, is only 600 miles from the North Pole. About the same size as Ireland, its name means ‘pointed mountains’. It is the summer home for an abundance of special birds, mammals and plants in a land of spectacular scenery and fascinating history.

This tour will appeal to all who have a spirit of adventure and who love wild, remote and peaceful places. The bird and mammal list is small, but very special. From the spectacle of teeming colonies of thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots and Little Auks, to the grace and beauty of Ivory and Sabine’s Gulls; with colourful Grey Phalaropes and drake King Eiders alongside breeding Purple Sandpipers and Snow Buntings; with nesting Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas; and where Ptarmigan and Red-throated Divers’ calls echo across the tundra; Spitsbergen has a very special appeal to the birder. Add Polar Bears, Walruses, Minke Whales, Arctic Foxes and Reindeer, and over 170 species of flowering plants, and it’s appeal is irresistible to any naturalist.

Our vessel for this expedition cruise will be the very comfortable Plancius, specially converted for expedition cruising. With a maximum passenger capacity of 114, we can expect to make two landings and/or Zodiac cruises each day. She is quiet stable and a ‘scope and tripod can often be used on deck, whilst at sea! She has lots of open deck space in all directions, at all levels, and is ideal for sea and landscape watching and photography. The ship is very comfortable with good food. She has a large ‘picture-windows’ observation lounge with bar and library. Her experienced staff and crew are dedicated to ensuring that you have a successful, comfortable, safe and enjoyable trip and that you see as much of the wildlife as possible. The Zodiac drivers will take us safely ashore, and also on more leisurely cruises as well, so we gain an even more intimate and unique perspective of the seabirds and marine mammals in this stunning wilderness.

The atmosphere on board is relaxing and informal and meals are taken at a single open sitting in the dining room (breakfast and lunch are buffet-style). Western chefs produce an international choice of cuisine throughout the voyage. The cabins are comfortable and all have an outside view, lower berths, desk and chair plus storage space and power points. All cabins have private shower/washbasin and wc.

Price includes: Economy class air travel, all airport and port taxes, transfers in Longyearbyen, hotel accommodation in Oslo with buffet breakfast, morning bird walk in Longyearbyen, accommodation and all meals on board the vessel in chosen cabin grade, coffee, tea and hot chocolate (24 hours), Zodiac shore landings accompanied by naturalist guides, lectures aboard ship, wellington boot loan aboard ship, services of WildWings tour leader and ship’s expedition team, WildWings evening log call sessions, pre-tour information pack and WildWings daily checklist of birds and mammals.

Price excludes: Travel insurance, dinner in Oslo, lunches in Longyearbyen, other drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a personal nature, crew and staff gratuities (suggested Euros 10-15 per passenger per day onboard ship) and fuel surcharge if levied (if the price of Brent Crude exceeds US$120 a barrel, 90 days prior to departure).

Previous tour reports available.

“Terrific wildlife encounters, the WildWings group were all great company and Dick was a really good leader, always at hand and helpful”Spitsbergen M.I June 2013

prices & dates2015Dates: 17th – 25th June 2015Leader: Dick Filby and the ship’s expedition teamSingle supp: on request (approx 1.6 twin share price)Deposit: 20%

Group size: The maximum number of WildWings participants will be 20 plus the leader

Prices per person, all cabins with private facilities.£3729 Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole £4259 Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole £4729 Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole £4949 Twin share – (lower berths) - window £5169 Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window £5649 Double share superior (double bed) - window

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow (1300) to Oslo and overnight at an airport hotel.Day 2: Morning flight to Longyearbyen. Transfer to ship and sail early evening.Day 3: Krossfjorden for seabirds colonies and seals, afternoon Ny Alesund. Day 4: Liefdeforden, Andoya and the Monaco Glacier.Day 5: Hinlopenstretet and Alkefjellet, Brunnich’s Guillemot colony, a good sea area for whales and if sea ice a good chance of bears.Day 6: Phippsoya, our most northerly planned point, only 540 nautical miles from the North Pole, a good area for bears again.Day 7: Raudfjord and Ytre Norskoya.Day 8: Prins Karls Forland or St John’s Fjord. Afternoon cruise through Borebukta.Day 9: Disembark at Longyearbyen early morning. Morning bird walk or time free to explore town. Fly Longyearbyen via Oslo back to London Heathrow arriving late evening (2130).

Exact sea itinerary subject to ice and local conditions on the day.

itinerary

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise:Land mammals, birds, seals, whales, scenery & photography.WHERE?Longyearbyen (Svalbard) – exploring west and northwest Spitsbergen and islands – LongyearbyenSAMPLE WILDLIFEPolar Bear, Walrus, various seals, Arctic Fox, Reindeer, breeding seabirds, Ivory Gull, King Eider, Grey PhalaropeCLIMATESpring Polar.ACCOMMODATION100+ passenger very comfortable expedition cruise ship, all cabins with private facilities.

at a glance....


THE NORTH ATLANTIC ODYSSEY 2016Scotland to Spitsbergen – In search of Polar Bears, Arctic birds and other wildlife

The wild, spectacular and seabird-filled islands of the North Atlantic are ideal for visiting by expedition cruise ship and also offer an affordable introduction to this wonderful type of travel for those yet to experience it. The inaugural voyage in 2011 enjoyed two Polar Bears, Walrus, Bearded, Ringed & Hooded Seals plus twelve species of cetacean including Fin, Humpback and a fantastic Blue Whale encounter! The expected birds were seen including Ivory Gull and King Eider. The second voyage did almost as well, no bears but a similar fantastic Blue Whale encounter amongst many other highlights. The 2013 voyage highlights included approx 20,000 Harp Seals on sea-ice near Jan Mayen Land (!), three Polar Bears and two Walrus.

Single cabins x 1.8 of twin share price All prices per person.Deposit 20%

Deposit 20%Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, Zodiac cruises and landings, port taxes and landing fees, use of ship’s rubber boots, services of WildWings leader, lectures and services of the ship’s expedition team, daily sea watching sessions and evening recap, pre-voyage information pack and day by day bird and mammal checklist. Price excludes: Flights (Longyearbyen – London Heathrow from £319, arriving 2130, same date as voyage finishes), fuel surcharges if levied (if the price of Brent Crude exceeds US$120 a barrel, 90 days prior to departure), gratuities (suggested Euros10-15 a day on board ship), travel insurance, other drinks and items of a personal nature.

Day 1: Embark Aberdeen late afternoon and sail.Day 2: Fair Isle, a landing is planned, close to the Bird Observatory, we plan around six hours ashoreDays 3-4: At sea, looking for seabirds and cetaceans as we sail.Day 5: Jan Mayen Land, a morning landing is planned, with either a short bird walk for King Eiders via breeding Little Auks and Brunnich’s Guillemots plus then sail around the west end of island or a cross island walk (also passing seabird colonies) and be picked up from the north of the island early afternoon. Sail northwards late afternoon. Days 6 - 8: We sail on north/northwest in search of the spring pack ice which congregates off the east coast of Greenland and we then plan to sail along it’s edge, looking for Polar Bears, Bowhead Whales, Harp Seals and birds such as Ivory Gull and Long-tailed Skua. We must finally sail northeast for Spitsbergen itself, and plan to cruise over the continental shelf edge looking for Fin, Humpback and other whales along the way. Days 9-10: We have two full days look for Polar Bear and Walrus and plan to visit seabird colonies. Potential sites include Fuglehuken and Alkhornet and we should also encounter Reindeer and Arctic Fox ashore. We will also keep our eyes out for Beluga Whales, seals and Arctic birds including breeding species newly returned such as Grey Phalarope, Purple Sandpipers, Arctic Terns, Snow Buntings and Barnacle Geese as we cruise through the breathtaking snow and ice-covered early spring scenery.Day 11: Disembark Longyearbyen after breakfast. Morning bird walk to dog kennels for close range breeding Eider, Glaucous Gull and chance of Ivory Gull. We will scope the fjord for King Eiders and look for Ptarmigan in town itself.

NB Exact itinerary subject to weather, ice and local conditions on the day.

itinerary

prices & dates

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise:Birds, whales & dolphins, seals, Arctic pack-ice and scenery plus photography.WHERE?Aberdeen (Scotland) – Fair Isle – Jan Mayen Land – East Greenland Sea Ice Pack - West Svalbard – Longyearbyen (Spitsbergen).SAMPLE WILDLIFEPolar Bear, Walrus, Harp and other seals, Arctic Fox, Reindeer, Puffins, Little Auks, Brunnich’s Guillemots and other breeding seabirds, Ivory Gull, King Eider, Fin, Beluga, Northern Minke and other whales. CLIMATESpring Temperate to Polar.ACCOMMODATION100+ passenger expedition cruise ship, all cabins with private facilities.

A

WHOLE-SHIP CHARTER!

£2495 Quad berths (upper and lower) portholes & private facilities

£2795 Triple berths (upper and lower) portholes & private facilities

£2995 Twin share (lower berths) portholes & private facilities

£3295 Twin share (lower berths) window/s & private facilities

£3445 Superior share (double bed) window, private facilities & day room

£3645 Suite (double bed) window, private facilities & day room

Dates: 30th May – 9th June 2016Leader: Dick Filby, Tony Marr, Simon Cook and the rest of the ship’s expedition staff. Aboard M/V Ortelius.

In 2014, we enjoyed another Polar Bear, lots of Walrus and thousands of Harp Seals again on the open sea-ice.

The expected birds were seen including Ivory Gull and King Eider. The second voyage did almost as well, no bears but a similar fantastic Blue Whale encounter amongst many other highlights. The 2013 voyage highlights included approx 20,000 Harp Seals on sea-ice near Jan Mayen Land (!), three Polar Bears and two Walrus. This is an upgraded itinerary which now deserves the title ‘Odyssey’, timed when the seabird colonies are at their busiest. Fair Isle has breeding populations of Gannets, the always popular and comical Puffins, Guillemots, Black Guillemots and Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Add Great and Arctic Skuas, a variety of terns including Arctic which will later in the year migrate all the way down to Antarctica, waders, duck and gulls. Atlantic Grey Seals can also be found in these waters. This spring voyage could also find a surprise or two, including overshot spring migrants or even vagrants (A Western Subalpine Warbler was seen on Fair Isle during our 2013 visit, a River Warbler present in 2012). We may also stop at the tiny island of Mousa, to witness the Storm-petrel colony at dusk. Cetacean possibilities include Orca, Northern Minke Whale, Bottlenose, White-beaked and Atlantic White-sided Dolphins plus Harbour Porpoise. Enjoy and photograph the rugged yet beautiful scenery and skies as the ship takes you on your northern islands adventure.

We continue on from Scotland crossing the Arctic Circle via Jan Mayen, and will now plan to spend two to three days exploring the edge of the Arctic ice-pack, finishing in western Spitsbergen with a day for zodiac cruises and/or landings before disembarkation in Longyearbyen. Little Auk and

Brunnich’s Guillemot can be added to the list of breeding seabirds above, plus true northern delights such as Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas, Ivory & Sabine’s Gulls, Grey Phalarope and King Eider. Additional potential seal species include Harp, Ringed and Bearded plus Svalbard Reindeer and possibly Arctic Fox ashore. Cetacean prospects on this voyage continue to be very good too with Blue, Fin, Sperm and Humpback Whales, Orca, Beluga, Long-finned Pilot and Northern Bottlenose Whales all being recorded previously. Four Bowhead Whales were seen around Jan Mayen Land just two days before our visit in 2013. This has the real potential to be a very exciting voyage indeed!

The opportunity to do all this is thanks to the annual repositioning of the comfortable expedition vessel Ortelius (106 passengers). In the spring 2016 she travels back north from her expedition cruising grounds in the Antarctic to her summer cruising areas in the Arctic. The Ortelius is a true expedition ship and all her cabins now have private facilities with two porthole or window/s. All the cabins on Deck 5 were completely refurbished in 2014. She has one of highest ice-classes, and is able to slowly push into multi-year pack ice, there is lots of open deck space at all levels, perfect for wildlife and scenery viewing plus photography. She features a very large bridge (usually open to passengers), a one-sitting restaurant (the food is good to very good), a spacious bar/lounge with fantastic coffee machine (ideal for doing your notes, downloading photos etc) plus a dedicated lecture room. Passenger e-mail facilities and a 24 hour satellite phone are also available (at additional cost).

Dick Filby will lead a world-class team of birders and naturalists, photographers and an artist, on this very special, superb value WildWings voyage, we do hope you can join us!


TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin, upper and lower berths. Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except Vavilov / Ioffe - where a bathroom is interconnecting between two cabins

TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower berths except Enderby (upper and lower berths) SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE - PLEASE ASK FOR PRICES

ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights & pre/post cruise accommodation)

ARCTIC EXPEDITION CRUISES for the independent traveller

START END NTS SHIP BOARD OFF QUAD/TRIPLE TWIN TWIN.PF

03-Jun-15 12-Jun-15 9 Sergey Vavilov Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,997 £3,938 £4,350

05-Jun-15 12-Jun-15 7 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,262 £3,175

11-Jun-15 18-Jun-15 7 Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,262 £3,175


12-Jun-15 24-Jun-15 12 Sergey Vavilov Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £3,997 £5,409 £6,174


04-Jul-15 13-Jul-15 9 Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087

05-Jul-15 14-Jul-15 9 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087

03-Jul-15 13-Jul-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £3,232 £4,409 £5,056

13-Jul-15 22-Jul-15 9 Sergey Vavilov Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,997 £3,938 £4,350

14-Jul-15 23-Jul-15 9 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087

22-Jul-15 01-Aug-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £3,232 £4,409 £5,056

23-Jul-15 01-Aug-15 9 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087

31-Jul-15 09-Aug-15 9 Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087

01-Aug-15 10-Aug-15 9 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087


18-Aug-15 27-Aug-15 9 Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,857 £4,087


27-Aug-15 03-Sep-15 7 Plancius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,262 £3,175

28-Aug-15 04-Sep-15 7 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £2,262 £3,175

SPITSBERGEN 2015 - Dates and prices correct as of 28/07/2014. ALWAYS CHECK WITH US FOR YOUR UP TO DATE QUOTE!

SPITSBERGEN - NORTHEAST GREENLAND - ICELAND


03-Sep-15 15-Sep-15 12 Plancius Longyearbyen Akureyri £3,492 £5,000

04-Sep-15 16-Sep-15 12 Ortelius Longyearbyen Longyearbyen £3,492 £5,000

SCORESBY SUND (GREENLAND)


15-Sep-15 22-Sep-15 7 Plancius Akureyri Akureyri £2,262 £3,175

16-Sep-15 23-Sep-15 7 Ortelius Akureyri Akureyri £2,262 £3,175

HIGH ARCTIC CANADA


22-Jul-15 02-Aug-15 11 Ioffe Iqaluit Iqaluit £4,526 £5,291 £6,350

02-Aug-15 12-Aug-15 10 Ioffe Iqaluit Kangerlussuaq £4,115 £4,821 £5,762

NORTHWEST PASSAGE


12-Aug-15 24-Aug-15 12 Ioffe Kangerlussuaq Cambridge Bay £4,938 £5,879 £7,056

ACROSS THE TOP OF THE WORLD - WRANGEL ISLAND


21-Jul-15 04-Aug-15 15 Enderby Anadyr Anadyr £6,588 £6,882

18-Aug-15 01-Sep-15 15 Enderby Anadyr Anadyr £6,588 £6,882


Polar bear leaping © Dick Filby (www.rarebirdalert.com)


prices & dates

HUNGARY IN SPRING with Gerard Gorman 2015

FOCUSBirdwatching holiday:Birdwatching holiday: birds and other natural history.WHEREBudapest (Hungary) – Kiskunsag National Park – Zemplen Hills - Budapest

SAMPLE WILDLIFEa great selection of central European bird species.CLIMATETemperate spring.ACCOMMODATIONroad travel by minibus, local guest houses, all rooms with private facilities.

Day 1: Depart London Gatwick to Budapest (approx 1625). Gerard and his driver will be waiting with the vehicle for your arrival. Days 2 - 6: Five full days birding in Hungary. Group

evening log call every night. Day 7: We have almost another full day of birding before returning to Budapest for your evening flight back to London Gatwick (arrive back approx 1925)

Dates: 10th – 16th May 2015Leader: Gerard Gorman.£999 per person based on sharing a twin room£89 per person – single supplement£250 per person - deposit Group size: 6-16 plus leader.Birds: Expected no of species: 160+

The 2013 report and species list is on our website.

We are delighted to offer this fantastic fully inclusive two-centre tour, our second departure after the success of the 2013 trip. Led by Gerard Gorman, the acknowledged expert on Hungary and author of the definitive books of the region, such as The Birds of Hungary (Helm), Woodpeckers of Europe (Bruce Coleman Books) and Birding in Eastern Europe (Wildsounds) and his team of local guides. His special interest lies in the Picidae (woodpeckers). His latest book is the highly acclaimed ‘Woodpeckers of the World’. Hungary is a fascinating land-locked country that lies at the very heart of Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. It has an excellent selection of central European birds. It is a land rich in folklore and also famous for its full-bodied wines and hearty food. It also offers some of the best bird spectacles in Europe!

Superb birding and

value for money!

Price includes: Return economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transport, accommodation in rooms with private facilities with all meals, reserve permits, bird checklist and services of leader/s in Hungary.Price excludes: Travel insurance, evening drinks and other items of a personal nature. You may reserve your seats on the flights from £6 return.

POLAND IN SPRINGBirds & MammalsFOCUS

Bird & mammal tour: birds, mammals, butterflies, ancient forest & marshes.WHEREWarsaw – Bialowieza Forest - Biebrza and Narew Marshes – WarsawSAMPLE WILDLIFEa multitude of central European birds including woodpeckers, Great Snipe

and Aquatic Warbler. Potential mammals include Bison, Wild Boar and Pine Marten.CLIMATEEuropean spring, cool to warm.ACCOMMODATIONcomfortable country hotels, travel by minibus, all rooms with private facilities.

Day 1: Morning flight from London to Warsaw. Transfer to forest hotel, dinner after arrival.Days 2-6: Five full days in which we will thoroughly enjoy the birds, mammals, plants and other wildlife of Bialowieza Forest and surrounding area. Each day we will have an included birding excursion by minibus. Day 7: We will move to the marshes, today, birding all the

way, and stay for two nights. We will spend the rest of our time in Poland exploring this rich region, including breeding Aquatic Warblers and a traditional punt trip along a quiet backwater. Day 8: Full day birding the marshes area. Day 9: Transfer in the morning back to Warsaw for our late afternoon flight back to London.

Set in far north eastern Poland we travel ‘back in time’ for some of the finest birding in Europe. After over ten years of operating our famous bird festival in this bird-rich area, rising prices, especially since Poland joined the EU, have meant a more conventional bird tour offers better birding value for your money. We have now upgraded this holiday to a small group, two-centre which now includes guided birding throughout with our top local guide.

Dates: 09th – 17th May 2015 Leaders: Thomasz (Jezior) Jezierczuk.Cost:The basic cost is £1199 per person sharing a twin roomSingle supp: £159 per person. Deposit: £250 per personGroup size: Maximum 10.

Price includes: Return economy class flights London -Warsaw*, all airport taxes, transfers to and from hotels, accommodation on a half board basis (breakfast and evening meal) in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, services of WildWings leader, birding excursions as itinerary, pre-tour information pack including a day by day bird and mammal checklist. * Regional UK airport departures may be available for a supplement.Price excludes: Travel insurance, lunches, drinks, tips to local guide and bus driver (suggest £40pp) and items of a personal nature.

FOCUSBird & mammal tour: mammals, coast, forests & floodplains.WHERE?Tallinn (Estonia) – W Estonia – SE Estonia – NE Estonia - TallinnSAMPLE WILDLIFEa multitude of north central European birds including wildfowl, eagles, woodpeckers, Great Snipe and Citrine

Wagtail. Potential mammals include Racoon Dog, Siberian Flying Squirrel, European Beaver, Brown Bear and a chance of Lynx and Wolf.CLIMATEEuropean spring, cool to warm.ACCOMMODATIONComfortable hotels and guest-houses, travel by minibus, all rooms with private facilities. Walking mainly on good level tracks.

ESTONIA Birds & MammalsWe ran our first mammals and birds tour to Estonia in 2011 and are now pleased to offer a revised, fully-inclusive holiday exploring coastal marshes, vast floodplains, mires, bogs and primeval forests, where we will search for mammals including Racoon Dog, European Beaver, Wild Boar, Elk, Siberian Flying Squirrel and Brown Bears and enjoy plenty of good birds as well. We have a chance of seeing one of the more elusive residents such as Wolf and Lynx too.

Dates: Spring- 8th - 15th May 2015 Autumn NEW! - 25th September - 2nd October 2015Leaders: Tarvo Valker and other local guides.£1495 per person sharing a twin room£195 Single supplement Deposit £350 per person Group size: 4-8.Full details of both these departures, including itineraries, can be found on our website.

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick 1220 Arrive Tallinn 1710, transfer to Western EstoniaDay 2 Matsalu National Park; Beaver boat tripDay 3 Leidissoo & Põõsaspea, to South-East EstoniaDay 4 Järvselja & Aardla; Great Snipe lekDay 5 Transfer to North-East Estonia; Bear Hide

Day 6 Birding & tracking; alternative overnight in Bear HideDay 7 Flying Squirrel tracking (and watching)Day 8 Return to Tallinn, city tour, free afternoon. Depart Tallinn 1740 Arrive London Gatwick 1840.

Price includes: Return economy class flights London Gatwick -Tallinn, all airport taxes, transfers to and from hotels, accommodation on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch and evening meal) in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, services of WildWings leader, bird & mammal excursions as

itinerary, pre-tour information pack including a day by day bird and mammal checklist.Price excludes: Travel insurance, drinks, tips to local guide and bus driver and items of a personal nature

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at a glance....

at a glance....

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prices & dates

prices & dates


EILAT BIRD FESTIVAL2015

Eilat and the surrounding areas are known worldwide as one of the best Western Palearctic destination for birders. The dramatic outline of the Rift Valley serves as a corridor for millions of migrants every season. The variety of habitats promises an incredible range of species of many families. Besides the migrant birds that dot the bushes and fill the skies, Southern Israel is also home to many exciting near eastern species that can be hard to come by anywhere else in the region.

Dates: 15th – 22nd March 2015Leaders: Jonathan Meyrav and team.£1209 per person sharing a twin room.£365 – Single supplement£300 – Deposit plus flight costs if applicable.

HUNGARY IN AUTUMNwith Gerard Gorman 2014 & 2015

We are delighted to offer these new fantastic value, fully inclusive autumn small group tours.They will be led by Gerard Gorman, the acknowledged expert on Hungary and author of the definitive books of the region, such as The Birds of Hungary (Helm), Woodpeckers of Europe (Bruce Coleman Books) and Birding in Eastern Europe (Wildsounds) and his team of local guides. His special interest lies in the Picidae (woodpeckers). His latest book is The Black Woodpecker and he is currently working on a guide to all the world’s woodpeckers.

Hungary is a fascinating land-locked country that lies at the very heart of Europe, in the Carpathian Basin. It has an excellent selection of central European birds. It is a land rich in folklore and also famous for its full-bodied wines and hearty food. It also offers some of the best bird spectacles in Europe!

FOCUSBird & holiday:birds and other natural history.WHERE?Budapest (Hungary) – Kiskunsag National Park – Tata - BudapestSAMPLE WILDLIFEA great selection of

central European bird species.CLIMATETemperate autumn/winter.ACCOMMODATIONRoad travel by minibus, guest houses, all rooms with private facilities.

Dates: 1) 1st – 7th November 20142) 31st October – 6th November 2015Leader: Gerard Gorman.Cost: 1) £949 per person based on sharing a twin room2) £989 per person based on sharing a twin room

1) £85 per person – single supplement2) £90 per person – single supplement£300 per person – Deposit Group size: 6-16 plus leader.

Day 1: Depart London Gatwick to Budapest (depart approx 1700). Gerard will be waiting with the vehicle for your arrival. Days 2 - 6: Five full days birding in Hungary. Group evening log call every night. Day 7: We will have almost another full day of birding before returning to Budapest for your evening flight back to London Gatwick (arrive approx 1945).

Price includes: Return economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transport, accommodation in rooms with private facilities with all meals, reserve permits, bird checklist and services of leader/s in Hungary.

Price excludes: Travel insurance, evening drinks and other items of a personal nature. You may reserve your seats on the flights from £6 return.

Birds: Expected no of species: 120

Day 1: Arrive Eilat. Afternoon birding. Dinner and welcome.Days 2-7: Six full days guided birding in southern Israel.Day 8: Last morning’s birding. Depart Eilat.

FOCUSBird Migration Festival: birds and photography.WHERE?Eilat (Southern Israel) and exploring sites in the surrounding areas.SAMPLE WILDLIFEPassing through a multitude of birds will be passing through the area on their way north to their

breeding grounds, raptors, waders and passerines galoreCLIMATEWarm to hot (can be cool at night)ACCOMMODATIONComfortable resort hotel, all rooms with private facilities. Includes all local birding excursions led by world-class local guides.

* The special bus from Tel Aviv to Eilat and return is open to all festival participants, £15 each way. The bus will depart Tel Aviv at approx 0700 on the 15th, and depart Eilat at around 1200 on the 22nd.Hotel Agamim - Superior (pool deck) rooms available on request.

Birding only packages£315pp for 3 days£590pp for 6 days

Price includes: English speaking expert leaders & guides, three or six days guided-birding shuttle bus pass and specialty tours, attendance at evening lectures and presentations.

Price excludes: accommodation, meals, flights to Israel, optional non-birding excursions, travel insurance and items of a personal nature.

For more detailed information, including a potential species list, the 2014 and previous Festival reports, planned festival timetable and full accommodation details, please visit the special website:

www.eilatbirdsfestival.com

HULA VALLEY BIRDFESTIVAL 2014

The Hula Valley, located in the northern part of the Rift Valley, is home to nearly 300 bird species that migrate, winter or are resident in the area. This includes 20 globally threatened species and 16 near threatened. It is also close to other key birding sites in Northern Israel. This major new event for birders is organised by the same team as the proven Eilat Spring Migration Festival. Join us for a fantastic week’s birding with world class bird guides, with all your birding excursions included and for photographers, an almost limitless choice of subjects to keep you busy all week!

Dates: 16th – 23rd November 2014Leaders: Jonathan Meyrav and team.Cost: £1359 (US$2200) per person sharing a twin room£435 (US$700) per person single supplement. £200 (US$300) per person deposit (plus full payment for flights if required)

Day 1: Arrive Tel Aviv and transfer to Festival hotel. Agamon Park birding excursion 1430 until dusk. Opening ceremony.Day 2: A full day’s programme in the Hula ValleyDay 3: Full day tour from the Golan Heights to Mount Hermon (or stay in the Hula Valley)Day 4: Morning tour to Gamla and the Southern Golan, afternoon in the Hula Valley.Day 5: Morning tour in the Hula Valley. Afternoon tour to Upper Galilee.Day 6: Full day tour, from the Sea of Galilee to the Bet Shean Valley (or stay in the Hula Valley)Day 7: Morning tour, lesser known sites of the Hula Valley. Afternoon and evening tour (including night drive) at the Agamon.Day 8: Early morning tour in the Hula Valley or at leisure, a last chance to bird! Transfer back to Tel Aviv airport for late afternoon flights back to UK.

FOCUSBird Migration Festival: birds and photography.WHERE?Tel Aviv (Israel) – Hula Valley with day visits to other key sites in northern Israel – Tel AvivSAMPLE WILDLIFEA bird spectacle to rival anywhere in the world, up to 30,000

wintering Cranes, many other wetland birds including raptors and Middle Eastern specialities.CLIMATEMediterranean warm (cool in evenings).ACCOMMODATIONTransport by a/c minibus, very comfortable country resort hotel, all rooms with private facilities.

www.hulabirdfestival.org

at a glance....at a glance.... at a glance....

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NEW!


BROWN FISH OWL SPECIAL (SOUTH)20-25 June 2015

The recent rediscovery of Brown Fish Owl in southern Turkey is an amazing story, and this special tour has a good chance of connecting with this enigmatic predator. Our itinerary also targets the near-endemic Krüper’s Nuthatch, sought-after Caspian Snowcock and range-restricted Radde’s Accentor. Add to that list such desirable possibilities as Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Chukar, Alpine Accentor, warblers including Olive-tree, Eastern Orphean, Rüppell’s and Eastern Bonelli’s, Wallcreeper, Alpine Chough, Masked Shrike, Asian Crimson-winged Finch, White-winged Snow Finch, Red-fronted Serin and Cretzschmar’s Bunting, and you are in for a treat!

SOUTH TURKEY TOUR (TOUR B):Day 1 (20/6): travel day, clients arriving Antalya direct from London or from Gaziantep via internal connection from e.g. Istanbul/Ankara. Night Manavgat.Day 2 (21/6): dawn start for Green Canyon reservoir, for specially chartered boat trip to see Brown Fish Owl. Thereafter birding in general area and en route to Akseki. Night Akseki.Day 3 (22/6): if no luck with Brown Fish Owl the previous day, repeat trip to Green Canyon for second attempt; otherwise birding Akseki area for Kruper’s Nuthatch, White-backed Woodpecker etc. Either way, late morning depart for Cukurbag village near Demirkazik. Night Özsafak Pension.Day 4 (23/6): dawn tractor ride up Demirkazik mountain for Caspian Snowcock and other mountain specialities, including Wallcreeper and White-winged Snow Finch. All day can be spent on mountain as necessary. Night Özsafak Pension.Day 5 (24/6): depart Demirkazik for Antalya, travelling via e.g. Eregli Marshes or wetland areas. Night Antalya.Day 6 (25/6): any final birding before flight back to London.

TURKEY

with

Magazine

BIRECIK BONANZA (SOUTH-EAST)15-20 June 2015

Turkey’s extraordinary south-east is home to a suite of species difficult to catch up with elsewhere, including Striated Scops Owl, See-See Partridge, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Iraq Babbler, Kurdish Wheatear, Pale Rockfinch, Yellow-throated Petronia and ‘eastern’ Cinereous Bunting. This focused bird-rich tour targets them all, plus many others including Little Swift, Moustached, Ménétriés’s and Upcher’s Warblers, White-throated Robin, Rufous Scrub Robin, Finsch’s Wheatear, Eastern and Western Rock Nuthatches, Masked Shrike, Dead Sea Sparrow, Asian Crimson-winged Finch, White-winged Snow Finch and Black-headed and Cretzschmar’s Buntings.

SOUTH-EAST TURKEY TOUR (TOUR A)Day 1 (15/6): fly London (probably via Istanbul/Ankara) to Gaziantep. Night Gaziantep.Day 2 (16/6): birding Gaziantep early morning, then drive to Birecik, birding there in the afternoon. Night Birecik.Day 3 (17/6): all day in Birecik area, in early morning pistachio orchards and wadi, visit Mustafa’s Bald Ibis, tea gardens for Striated Scops Owl, gravel pits for Iraq Babbler; after lunch travel north-east to farm for tractor ride for larks, sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser etc. Night Birecik.Day 4 (18/6): last birding early on at Birecik, then head east to Blue-cheeked Bee-eater colony, and on to Nemrut Dagi. Night Nemrut Dagi.Day 5 (19/6): dawn start on Nemrut Dagi for Kurdish Wheatear and other mountain specialities. Return for late breakfast at hotel then drive back west to Gaziantep, birding en route. Night Gaziantep.Day 6 (20/6): any final birding before flights back to London, or to Antalya for Tour B ...

TOUR B

TOUR A

Prices and full information will be available soon on our website or email [email protected] for details when ready.

NEW!

Brown Fish Owl © Dominic Mitchell (www.birdingetc.com)


Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, with the Great Rift Valley at it’s centre with stunning scenery and one of the oldest sites of human existence in the world it is one of Africa’s best kept secrets!

It has spectacular scenery, mesmerising history, diverse cultures and fantastic wildlife from Simien Wolf to Stresemann’s Bush-crow. We will endeavour to see as many mammals and birds as possible in our two week small group exploration. With 924 species of birds of which 23 are endemic and 279 species of mammals, Ethiopia offers a truly mouth-watering experience. Our first departure in 2014 came home with 45 species of mammal seen plus 20 of the 23 endemic bird species (31 of the 39 endemics found in the ‘Horn of Africa’). For 2015 we have added an extra day, and hope to add Hartebest, Oribi, Clawless Otter and we will try for Senegal Bush Baby.

Our tour will take us across an astonishing range of scenery from the high plateau of the Bale Mountains to the dry and arid plains of Awash National Park. We will start the tour in the Debre Libanos area where we can expect to find approachable troops of the spectacular Gelada Baboon. Our next port of call is Debre Zeit south-east of Addis Ababa where at 1,920 metres (6,300 ft) we will explore the lakes on route to Awash. Awash National Park at 756 km² offers fabulous birding and mammal-watching. Mammals in the park include Beisa Oryx, Soemmerring’s Gazelle, Northern Gerenuk, both Greater and Lesser Kudu and Salt’s Dik-dik. Grivet Monkey and both Olive and Hamadryas Baboons are present in the surrounding riverine forest. Bilen and Ali Dege Plains are our next port of call to look for Arabian Bustard and Somali Ostriches. Largely protected, the numbers of ungulates here exceeds the numbers in Awash and should include Grevy’s Zebra. Aardwolf was seen on one of the recces and Somali Wild Ass has also been claimed here recently.

ETHIOPIAMammals and Birds

Dates: 5th – 22nd March 2015Leaders: Nigel Goodgame plus local guides.Cost: £3599 per person sharing a twin room.Single supplement: £295Deposit: £750Group size: up to 6 with two 4x4s, 7-8 with three 4x4s

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow in the evening.Day 2: Arrival Addis, and then drive to Debrelibanos. O/n Ghion Hotel.Day 3: Drive to Awash National Park o/n Awash Falls LodgeDays 4-5: Full days in Awash, o/n Falls LodgeDay 6: Drive to Bilen o/n Animalia LodgeDay 7: Full day in Bilen o/n Animalia LodgeDay 8: Drive to Langano o/n Wabishebelle Hotel.Day 9: Drive to Goba o/n Wabishebelle HotelDay 10: Drive to Sanati o/n Wabishebelle HotelDay 11: Drive to Negelle, o/n Maereg HotelDay 12: In Negelle o/n Maereg HotelDay 13: Drive to Yabello, o/n Yabello Mobile HotelDay 14: Full day in Yabello o/n Yabello Mobil HotelDay 15: Drive to Awassa, o/n United African HotelDay 16: Drive to Wondogenet, o/n Wabishebelle HotelDay 17: Drive to back to Addis, days rooms Ghion Hotel.Day 18: Depart Addis and arrive Heathrow early morning.

itinerary

Price includes: International economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transportation in 4x4s, accommodation with private facilities and meals (breakfast only Addis), park entry fees, services of WildWings leader and local guides. Mammal and bird checklist.

Price excludes: One dinner in Addis, travel insurance, laundry bills, drinks, other items of a personal nature, gratuities.

See the trip report section for our highly successful first departure in 2014

POTENTIAL SPECIES LIST

MammalsScrub HareStark’s HareGambian Sun SquirrelCrested PorcupineYellow-spotted Brush-furred RatBlack-clawed Brush-furred RatBlick’s Grass RatAfrican Grass RatGiant Mole-RatSpotted HyaenaAardwolfAfrican WildcatCaracalServalGolden JackalBlack-backed JackalEthiopian Wolf (Simien Fox)Guereza ColobusSenegal GalagoGelada BaboonOlive BaboonHamadryas BaboonBale MonkeyGrivet MonkeyCommon WarthogHippopotamusNorthern Gerenuk Bright’s GazelleSoemmerring’s Gazelle

Harar Dik-dik MadoquEthiopian KlipspringerSudan OribiWaterbuckHartebestOribiMountain NyalaNorthern Lesser KuduMenelick’s BushbuckBohor ReedbuckBeisa OryxSwayne’s HartebeestBush DuikerGrevy’s ZebraRock HyraxYellow-spotted HyraxClawless OtterSenegal Bush Baby

Selected endemic birdsWattled IbisBlue-winged GooseRouget’s RailSpot-breasted PloverSidamo LarkAbyssinian Ground ThrushStresemann’s Bush-CrowSombre Rock ChatPrince Ruspoli’s Turaco

prices & dates

at a glance....

FOCUSMammal and birds tour: mammals, birds, scenery & photography.WHERE?Addis (Ethiopia) – circular tour – Addis.SAMPLE WILDLIFEEthiopian Wolf, Grevy’s Zebra, various cats, baboons and monkeys, gazelles etc plus endemic birds such as Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco and Stresemann’s Bush-crow.CLIMATEFrom cool at night to hot during the day.ACCOMMODATIONHotels with private facilities, travel in 4x4 vehicles.


prices & dates

THAILANDThe ‘Spoon-billed Pitta’ Tours

FOCUSBirdwatching holiday:birds and photographyWHERE?Bangkok (Thailand) - option extension down south to Krabi areaSAMPLE WILDLIFESpoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, White-faced and Malaysian Plovers, Asian Dowitcher, many other waders, gulls and terns. Banded, Mangrove and good chance of Gurney’s Pittas, many forest birds including owls and frogmouths.CLIMATEVery warm to hot..ACCOMMODATIONComfortable hotels and lodges, all rooms with private facilities..

Day 1: Depart UK for Bangkok (non-stop). Day 2: Arrive Bangkok early morning, day in the field then drive to our hotel and check-in.Day 3: A full days birding in the saltpans area including one boat trip to the sandspit.Day 4: We will spend whatever time we need to mop up in the saltpans before moving towards KK. Rest of the day at KK. Overnights outside the park.Day 5: A very early morning drive to arrive in Kaeng Krachen for park opening. A full days forest birding with a picnic lunch.Day 6: Morning and early afternoon birding at Kaeng Krachen. Afternoon drive back to Bangkok airport for flights home or south to Krabi.Day 7: Arrive UK

29th January – 4th February 2015 (24th January – 4th February 2015 with Krabi pre-extension) Leader: Mark Andrews (Yotin Meekaeo in Krabi).£1995 per person sharing a twin room£109 single supplement£800 per person deposit Group size: Maximum 6 plus the leader and local guides.Krabi Extension c£650pp twin share.

Most birders will have done a double-take when they saw their first plate or photograph of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper. This enigmatic little shorebird is one of most highly desired species for many people because of its unique spatulate shaped bill.

That it breeds in the far east of Siberia only adds to its mystique (see the In search of Spoon-billed Sandpipers voyage for probably the last chance to see them on their breeding grounds). It has been long known to winter in various locations in SE Asia but always in low numbers, thinly spread and with no easily accessible hotspots. The best chance for many years was to see one on spring migration in Hong Kong, but even there sightings were very hit and miss and have become more so in recent times. Then a few years ago small numbers were discovered wintering within a few hours drive of Bangkok, in a vast area of coastal salt workings. Birdlife International are now surveying these birds, and in 2007 up to 14 birds were then present in the area. Sadly, there are now thought to be less than 200-300 pairs left in the world, and numbers are still declining. In February 2007, WildWings conducted a recce crewed by Mark Andrews, John Brodie-Good and Angus Wilson.

Price includes: Return economy class non-stop flights London to Bangkok including pre-paid taxes, ground transport by a/c minibus, accommodation in a/c rooms with private facilities with breakfast and lunches, dinners at KK, water and soft drinks in the field, bird checklist and services of leader/s. Extension – return air travel from Bangkok to Krabi, overnight hotel Bangkok Airport for one night (trip 1 only, single supplement £60) ,ground transportation, accommodation at KNC and other sites with private facilities (single supplement approx £50), Yotin and team’s guiding services including night

birding, boat trip, park admissions, water, coffee, fruit in the field and most meals. The exact extension price may vary with party size.Price excludes: Insurance, dinners in the north, drinks and other items of a personal nature. Extension - other drinks.Currently no visas or compulsory vaccinations are required for UK passport holders.

Birds: Expected number of species 125+ (main tour) 170+ (extension).

BEIDAIHE & HAPPY ISLAND, CHINAFOCUSBirdwatching holiday:Birds, more birds and bird photography.WHERE?Beijing (China) – Beidaihe, Happy Island, Old Peak and coastal strip – BeijingSAMPLE WILDLIFEA stunning collection of East Asian migrants, many of which occur in the UK and Europe as rae migrants or vagrants,

the majority of which are in full spring plumage. Plus a nice selection of Chinese avian specialities. CLIMATETemperature spring.ACCOMMODATIONTravel will be by 33 and 21 seat buses (for only 15 people), staying in Chinese tourist-class hotels, all rooms with private facilities.

Beidaihe has earned an enviable reputation among western birders for its consistently exciting spring migration. WildWings have led over twenty tours to this eastern mecca and each one has been outstandingly successful. We have been taking birders there for longer than anyone else, we have the best local contacts and know all the best sites including some we have exclusive access to only.

Despite pressures from development, which are beginning to seriously affect some of the habitats, the volume and variety of migration continues unabated each spring, with dramatic falls of regular Siberian migrants plus rare and unseasonal species, most of which will be in full summer plumage!

The main attraction of Beidaihe is the opportunity to see much-sought-after Siberian and other Far Eastern species in a country where the people, culture and way of life are so different from our own. Add a reasonable price, the sure knowledge that the group will include some top birders from around the UK to help to find the good birds, and it becomes irresistible. Whether you measure it in terms of new species, total number of species, or per mile travelled, the cost represents excellent value for money - a two and a half week trip to the other side of the world, a round trip of some 10,000 miles, and about 240 species of birds.

Dates: 2nd – 20th May 2015 Leader: Mark Andrews£2445 per person sharing a twin room. £300 per person – Single supplement. £750 per person – Deposit (plus flight supplement if applicable)Group Size: The maximum number of participants will be 15 plus the leader. The group invariably breaks up into smaller parties and couples/ or singles, so rarely are you birding all together. We encourage this independence in Beidaihe and Happy Island in particular, as we can cover more ground and hopefully find and see more species.No of bird species: approx. 250+ species.The flights are based on a non-stop London departure, regional airports are also available for this tour but may incur a flight supplement. Please ask for your local airport at the time of booking.

Day 1: Afternoon non-stop flight from London Heathrow.Day 2: Arrive Beijing in the morning, transfer by coach to Beidaihe. Into the field!Days 3-4: Birding around Beidaihe, we will keep the bus for introducing you to the local sites.Days 5-6: Birding the Beidaihe area.Days 7-11: Move south to visit estuaries, woods and Happy Island. Stay on Happy Island.Day 12: Birding the Beidaihe area.Day 13: Full day excursion for Ibisbill and more.Day 14: Birding the Beidaihe area.Days 15-16: Old Peak. Stay overnight.Days 17-18: Birding the Beidaihe area.Day 19: Very early bus back to Beijing for flights home, arriving back UK late afternoon/early evening.NB: Exact itinerary in China subject to local conditions and government permissions.

Price includes: Economy class air travel with BA, Heathrow to Beijing return, including prepaid airport taxes and current fuel surcharges (flight allowance is £700), group transfers Beijing to Beidaihe and return, accommodation in Beidaihe on a half board basis in twin rooms with private facilities, accommodation with private facilities and half board at Old Peak and Happy Island (full board), birding excursions as per itinerary, services of WildWings leader, local guides and interpreters, WildWings pre-tour information pack and daily checklist of birds.

Price excludes: Lunches in Beidaihe and Old Peak (allow approx £7 per person per day), drinks, laundry and other items of a personal nature, travel insurance, Visa fees (c£85 for UK passport holders), other transport around Beidaihe eg taxis.

at a glance....

itinerary

itinerary

prices & dates

at a glance....


prices & dates

The ‘Spoon-billed Pitta’ Tours

GOA Birds & CurriesFOCUSBird tour:birds, excellent Indian food, photography.WHERE?Goa (India) - exploring the coastal strip and staying in a unique camp in the Western Ghats.SAMPLE WILDLIFEan excellent introduction

to Indian birds, of many habitats, our main highlight may include Indian Pitta.CLIMATEHot to warm. Nights at the camp can be cool.ACCOMMODATIONGround travel by minibus, tourist class hotel and a comfortable year-round tented camp..

prices & datesDates: 24th January – 8th February 2015 Leader: Dave Fell and local guides £1849 per person sharing a twin room with en suite facilities, fridge and ceiling fan. Rooms with air-conditioning, and which overlook the Baga fields are available for a supplement of £100 per room, please request at the time of booking!£95 - Single Supplement Group size: Will be between 6 & 10 plus the leader and local guides.Bird species: The number of species expected to be seen is approx 250+

Previous Goa trip reports available on our website or on request from us.

Advance register for 2016 for only £50p.p.

Day 1: Depart London Gatwick on our evening flight for Panjim Airport, GoaDay 2: Arrive in early morning and transfer to Beira Mar Hotel, Baga - local birding on foot, in and around the hotel.Days 3-8: Birding the coastal strip in minibuses with our local guides, includes a river cruise.Days 9-12: Birding around Backwoods camp.Days 13-14: Two more days of birding the coastal strip.Day 15: Our last full day, at leisure or local birding on foot.Day 16: Depart Goa late morning to arrive back London Gatwick late afternoon

Price includes: economy class air travel on charter flights, all airport and departure taxes, transfers airport/hotel return, hotel accommodation with en suite facilities and breakfast for eleven nights, three nights at Backwoods Camp in comfortable tents with private facilities and all meals, services of WildWings tour leader and local guides, all birding excursions as described, WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-to-day bird checklist.

Price excludes: Travel insurance, Indian visa fees (approximately £92 per person), lunches & dinners in Baga (twelve days), sanctuary camera fees (if applicable), drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other items of a personal nature.

IN SEARCH OF SNOW LEOPARDS FOCUSMammal-watching:mammals, birds and photographyWHERE?India: Leh, Ladakh – Hemis National Park – Leh – (optional extension)SAMPLE WILDLIFESnow Leopard, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Asiatic Ibex, Ladakh Urial (Red Sheep).

CLIMATEDry cold, cold nights, cool days. Note most of the time we will be between 12,000’-14,500’ above sea level. Outside temperatures at night can be down to -25. Daytime temperatures barely above freezing. ACCOMMODATIONComfortable hotels and lodges, all rooms with private facilities..

Day 1: Arrive Leh early morning, transfer to our hotel. After lunch we will take an optional short drive to look for birds. If you prefer you may rest at the hotel.Day 2: All day around Leh. We will have two excursions – each one involving some gentle walking. We will visit some marshes along the Indus river valley in search of Solitary Snipe, Redstarts and along the braided river itself, we’ll make a special effort to find the legendary Ibisbill. We’ll also visit the famous Thikse monastery.Day 3: After breakfast we will drive to the trailhead for our camp. All our bags will be transferred to be carried by pack animals, except anything we wish to Days 4-12: Nine full days of searching for Snow Leopards,

Blue Sheep and other wildlife.Day 13: After breakfast, and a last look for Snow Leopards, we will load the bags onto the pack animals and then walk back to the transfer point. We will be met by our minibuses and drive back to Leh and check back in to our hotel. Lunch and dinner are at the hotel. We will have the opportunity for an afternoon excursion to look for any birds that we missed at the start of the trip, or, for those who prefer, some sightseeing around town.Day 14: For those not taking the extension, you will be transferred to the airport (where your tour concludes) for your morning flight to Delhi.

Dates: 27th February – 12th March 2015Leaders: Dick Filby plus local guides.£1945 per person sharing a twin room/tent.£340 Single room/tent supplement£600 DepositGroup size: 8-12 plus leader and guides.

Optional Extension£379 per person sharing a twin room.£39 Single supplement (applies to Leh night only)NB prices available in US$ on request.Advance register for 2016 for only £50p.p.

This trip offers an excellent chance of seeing the almost mythical Snow Leopard in their natural habitat. In February and March 2014 we spent over 20 hours watching Snow Leopards on the same trip we are now offering you!

The remote and starkly beautiful mountain valleys of Ladakh in NW India, close to Tibet, north of the main Himalayas, are the venue. Here, bisected by the headwaters of the mighty Indus river, Ladakh’s vast, rocky, dry, seemingly barren landscapes are dotted with only occasional tiny hamlets, but with an average population density of less than two people per square kilometre, Ladakh is truly sparsely inhabited and little impacted by man. In the areas that we visit, the very few people that do live there are in the vast majority Buddhists of Tibetan descent, and are as warm and friendly as you’ll meet. Living in traditional mud and stone buildings, adorned with prayer flags, their flat roofs act as storage areas for fuel and cattle feed. Occasionally you see a few, small, terraced fields for wheat or at the highest altitude, barley. Domestic yaks, horses and goats graze the sparse vegetation by day, but every evening they must return to fenced enclosures to avoid nocturnal predation by the omni-present Snow Leopards and Wolves.

Price includes: All ground transportation in Ladakh, all accommodation and meals, tea, coffee and water whilst camping, park entry fees, services of WildWings leader, trackers, local guides, porters, camp staff, cook etc. WildWings pre-tour information pack with gear suggestions plus a mammal and bird checklist.

Price excludes: Air travel to and from Leh (international gateway - Delhi), travel insurance, visa fees, sleeping bag, laundry bills, other drinks, other items of a personal nature, gratuities. Overnight hotel at Delhi airport from £75 per room per night.

Advance register for 2016 for only £50pp, departure again planned for February.

Personal portersYou will not need to carry anything from the trailhead up to camp at the beginning of our camp, nor back to the road at the end of the camp.

at a glance....

at a glance....

itinerary

The former Portuguese enclave of Goa, running for some 65 miles alongside the Arabian Sea on the west coast of India, has rapidly established itself as one of the premier winter birding destinations for European birders.

The reasons are not hard to find. The previous WildWings bird festivals have yielded a combined list of well over 300 species. For 2015 and beyond, we are now pleased to offer small group tours, including all the birding excursions and a stay at the famous camp in the Western Ghats! In a relatively small area, one can find a remarkable variety of habitats and an extraordinary selection of birds, with the tameness and approachability characteristic of the Indian Subcontinent. A large number of typical Indian species, with several southern Indian endemics, are joined by a whole range of much sought after Palearctic species that winter there.

With estuaries, mudflats, mangroves, and rivers, freshwater lakes and marshes, ricefields, lowland jungle and monsoon forest, there are almost endless habitats for rewarding exploration and birding. Guaranteed sun, a well-developed infrastructure and easy travel around by minibus, all contribute to one of the best value-for-money long haul birding holidays currently available.

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NEW!

NEW!


“‘Amazing scenery, lots of good birds, staff and crew on ship excellent!’

KAMCHATKA G&J.C.JUNE 2012

WildWings pioneered expedition cruises to this region in the mid-nineties, however, our original ship is no longer operating, so we now offer this exciting itinerary on the expedition vessel ‘Spirit of Enderby’ (55 passengers), run by Rodney Russ and his team. Being a Russian flagged ship, these expeditions can now visit sites previously not open to Western vessels. We have had clients on these voyages every year since 2007 and 2015 will be the sixth time that Chris Collins will have travelled this itinerary.

This region of spectacular scenery has only been accessible since 1994 and still remains rarely visited, far more people have been to Antarctica! The species list is truly mouth-watering and is surely headed by one of the world’s ultimate raptors, Steller’s Sea-eagle. Seabirds are also here in abundance, with the potential alcids including Spectacled, Brunnich’s and Pigeon Guillemots, Whiskered, Rhinoceros, Crested, Parakeet and Least Auklets, Tufted and Horned Puffins, and both Ancient and Long-billed Murrelets. Black-tailed, Glaucous-winged and Slaty-backed Gulls are all present, along with the range-restricted Red-legged Kittiwake and highly distinctive Kamchatka Gull. We also stand a good chance of seeing Aleutian Tern too.

Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition teamDates: 26th May – 8th June 2015

Prices & Dates

£4605 Sharing a triple basic (upper & lower berths)

£5335 Sharing a twin basic (lower berths)

£5759 Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)

£6119 Sharing a superior twin with facs. (lower berths)

£6365 Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds)

Deposit: 25%Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US$, please ask for rates.

KAMCHATKA The Ring of Fire

Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, tea/coffee, shore excursions, lectures and services of WildWings leader and the rest of the expedition team, day by day bird and mammal checklist. Pre-cruise hotel night, with breakfast (twin share), transfers airport to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to airport.

Price excludes: Landing fees and port taxes (currently US$500, payable onboard the ship), return economy class flights from £855 (London – Petropavlovsk/Sakhalin - London), other meals at hotel in Petropavlosk, extra pre/post cruise hotel nights if required, optional land birding around Petropavlosk (approx £79 per

excursion), travel insurance, onboard gratuities (suggest US$10 per day), Russian visa (c£95) and other drinks. Single supplement for hotel in Petropavlovsk £75. Contact us for the ship’s colour brochure and our previous trip reports.

Our other Russian Far East voyages are the Sea of Okhotsk 2015 and In Search of Spoon-billed Sandpipers 2015.

We are expecting this voyage to operate in 2016 again, you may advance register for £100pp.

Day 1: Arrive at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, overnight group hotel. Day 2: Transfer from hotel and board the vessel. Day 3: At sea heading to the Commander Islands. An opportunity to look for cetaceans (eg Blue Whale in 2007 and 2009), as well as Mottled Petrel and Red-legged Kittiwake. Day 4-5: Two days in the Commander Islands. Visit the community of Nikolskoye where we look for Rock Sandpiper, Pechora Pipit and Glaucous-winged Gull. Zodiac cruise Arij Karmen Island for Parakeet Auklet and Brunnich’s Guillemot. Explore further east for Horned Puffin, Red-faced Cormorant, Grey-crowned Rosy Finch, Pacific Sea Otter and Baird’s Beaked Whale.Day 6: Zhupanovo River, Kamchatka Peninsula. Zodiac cruise for nesting Steller’s Sea Eagles and then ashore searching for Long-toed Stint, Lanceolated Warbler and Yellow-breasted Bunting.Day 7: Bukta Russkaya, Kamchatka Peninsula. Likely species include Harlequin Duck, Long-billed Murrelet and Kamchatka Leaf-warbler.Day 8: Onekotan and Atlasova Islands. Ashore Buff-bellied Pipit, Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler and Siberian Rubythroat can be expected and whilst cruising between the islands we should find Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Pigeon Guillemot and Ancient Murrelet.Day 9: Ekarma and Toporkovy Islands. Two spectacular zodiac cruises with vast flocks of seabirds including Tufted and Horned Puffins.Day 10: Yankicho and Simishur Islands. Morning zodiac cruise at Yankicho for Crested and Whiskered Auklets and then to Simushir with its abandoned submarine base, where we could find Nutcracker, Brown-headed Thrush, Siberian Rubythroat and Pine Grosbeak.Day 11: Chiripoy and UrupIslands. Ashore we will look for Japanese Bush Warbler, Oriental Cuckoo and Japanese Grey Bunting. Day 12: Iturup Island. A trip into the highlands with possibilities including Japanese Robin, Japanese Accentor and Black-faced Bunting and Spectacled Guillemot offshore.Day 13: Kunashir Island. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Crested Kingfisher and Eastern Crowned Warbler could be found.Day 14: Arrival at Sakhalin and disembark at Port of Korsakov. Transfer to hotels and airport.

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, mammals, scenery & photography.WHERE?Petropavlovsk – Commander Islands – Kamchatka coastline – Kuril Islands – Sakhalin.SAMPLE WILDLIFELaysan Albatross, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Spectacled Guillemot, Pigeon Guillemot, Whiskered Auklet, Crested Auklet, Horned Puffin, Tufted Puffin, Red-legged Kittiwake, Aleutian Tern, Steller’s Sea-eagle, Long-toed Stint, Rock Sandpiper, Siberian Rubythroat, Humpback Whale, Baird’s Beaked Whale, Dall’s Porpoise, Brown Bear and Sea Otter.CLIMATETemperate to cool.ACCOMMODATION50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and without private facilities

Itinerary...


Prices & Dates

Prices & Dates

SEA OF OKHOTSKLocated in the north-west corner of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Okhotsk is almost unknown to anyone outside Russia and when WildWings Tour Leader Chris Collins returned from our 2012 trip, he described it as “probably the most amazing wildlife expedition I have ever been on”.

Day 1: Arrive Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, overnight group hotel. Day 2: Transfer from hotel to Korsakov and board the vessel. Rest of day at sea with an opportunity to look for Dall’s Porpoise, as well as Rhinoceros Auklet, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Short-tailed Shearwater and Pelagic Cormorant.Day 3: Tyuleniy Island. This small island is a stronghold for Northern Fur Seal and Steller’s Sea-Lion and we can expect to see good numbers of both species. We should also find Crested Auklet and Tufted Puffin.Day 4: Piltun Bay, Sakhalin Island. We will zodiac cruise for Western Grey Whales and Largha Seals and ashore should find Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Aleutian Tern, Pine Grosbeak, Dusky Warbler and Siberian Rubythroat.Day 5: Iony Island. This tiny island is only half a mile long but is home to spectacular concentrations

of wildlife. We should see thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots, as well as Least, Crested and Whiskered Auklets. Several hundred Steller’s Sea-Lions come ashore here to pup and the beaches are likely to be crammed with animals.Days 6-7: Shanter Archipelago. Our plans will be entirely determined by the state of the sea-ice but we should see good numbers of the spectacular Ribbon Seal along with Bearded, Largha and Ringed Seals. Bowhead and North Pacific Right Whales can also be found here but both species are extremely rare. We do, however, stand a good chance of finding Northern Minke Whale and Orca, as well as Horned Puffin, Ancient Murrelet and Crested Auklet. Day 8: Mal’minskie Islands. There will be a zodiac cruise around this small archipelago which is home to large numbers of Spectacled Guillemots and a high concentration of Steller’s Sea-eagles. We

should also see Parakeet Auklet, Tufted Puffin and Brunnich’s Guillemot and ashore will be looking for Brown Shrike, Olive-backed Pipit, Siberian Accentor and Long-toed Stint.Day 9: Okhotsk Town. Today will be largely devoted to a visiting the town of Okhotsk which is where Vitus Bering sailed from when he first explored this area in the 1720s and 1730s. Birds could include Black-tailed and Kamchatka Gulls, Far Eastern Curlew and Aleutian Tern.Day 10: Talan Island. Another tiny island where tens of thousands of seabirds breed and we plan to zodiac cruise and then land. Ashore we should find Middendorf’s Grasshopper Warbler and Siberian Rubythroats, whilst out on the water, there should be spectacular numbers of Tufted Puffins, Crested Auklets and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Day 11: Magadanskiy Reserve, Koni Peninsula. A day of expedition landings in this isolated nature

reserve, where the possibilities include Brown Bear, Steller’s Sea-eagle, Harlequin Duck and Nutcracker and whilst cruising we may find Dall’s Porpoise.Day 12: Yamskiye Islands. It has been suggested that this archipelago has the largest colonies of seabirds in the north Pacific, with an estimated seven million birds nesting on the main island of Matykil. We plan to zodiac cruise the shoreline (as landings are not permitted) and should find Least, Crested and Parakeet Auklets, Horned Puffins and Steller’s Sea-Lions. As evening approaches, the concentrations of birds are truly incredible and in 2012, we estimated that there were over one million Least Auklets in the sky – a truly impressive end to what should be a spectacular expedition.Day 13: Arrive at Magadan and disembark. Overnight in group hotel with optional excursions available.Day 14: Transfer to the airport.

Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team. Dates: 9th – 20th June 2015 Sakhalin to Magadan






The balance of deposit will be due 1 year prior to departure.Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US$, please ask for rates.

Itinerary...

IN SEARCH OF SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPERSWith its unique spatulate-shaped bill, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper is surely one of the world’s most extraordinary shorebirds and whilst Wildwings have run a number of highly successful trips to see this species on its wintering grounds in Thailand, very few people have had the privilege of watching it on the breeding grounds in the far east of Siberia. This, however, is precisely what this special trip is aiming to achieve.

Leaders: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition team. Dates: 23rd June – 7th July 2015





£6789 Sharing a suite with facilities from (beds) Deposit: 25%Prices based on £1 = US$1.65 Payment may also be made in US Dollars, please ask for more details.

Day 1 Arrive Petropavlovsk and overnight group hotel.Day 2 Transfer from hotel in Petropavlovsk to board the vessel and sail. Day 3 Zhupanovo River, Kamchatka Peninsula. Zodiac cruise for nesting Steller’s Sea Eagles and then ashore searching for Long-toed Stint, Lanceolated Warbler and Yellow-breasted Bunting. Days 4&5 Two days in the Commander Islands. Visit the community of Nikolskoye where we will look for Rock Sandpiper, Mongolian Plover, Pechora Pipit and Glaucous-winged Gull. Zodiac cruise for Parakeet Auklet and Brunnich’s Guillemot. Explore further east for Horned Puffin, Red-faced Cormorant, Red-legged Kittiwake, Grey-crowned Rosy Finch, Pacific Sea Otter and Baird’s Beaked Whale.Day 6 Karaginsky Island. Morning at sea, we will

look for Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Crested Auklet and Tufted Puffin. An afternoon landing, with opportunities to see an excellent range of waterfowl, waders and passerines including Harlequin, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Dusky Warbler, Red-throated Pipit and Pallas’ Reed Bunting.Day 7 Verkhoturova Island and Goven Peninsula. A morning ashore on this spectacular island where we can expect to have some incredible views of the vast seabird colonies including close encounters with Tufted Puffins and Brunnich’s Guillemots. Steller’s Eiders have also been seen here previously. In the late afternoon, zodiac cruise the Goven Peninsula for Brown Bears and sea ducks such as King Eider, Black and Stejneger’s Scoters and Harlequin Duck.Day 8 Tintikun Lagoon and Olyutorskiy Bay. Explore a spectacular lake in the morning with the chance of

Harlequin, Vega Gull, Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian accentor and Dusky Thrush with the possibility of Aleutian Tern and other seabirds later in the day.Days 9&10 Chukotka coastline. Two days to explore isolated bays looking for new breeding sites for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Other species we could encounter include Gyrfalcon, Sandhill Crane and Pechora Pipit.Day 11 Bukhta Natalia. A spectacular alpine walk with the chance of finding Asian Rosy Finch, Bluethroat and Siberian Accentor as well as the poorly known Kamchatka Marmot.Days 12&13 Meinypil’gyno. The main monitored Spoon-billed Sandpiper breeding site. We hope to be able to take all participants to at least one territory although viewing is likely to be at a minimum of 50 – 80 metres (i.e. scope views).

This area is rich in wildlife and we could also see Emperor Goose, Beluga and Grey Whale.Day 14 Cape Navarin. This coastline is rich in marine mammals and we will look for Walruses and Grey Whales. Although the Walruses move between sites on previous visists we have seen over 3000 individuals here! There is also a chance of finding Kittlitz’s Murrelet and Least Auklet.Day 15 Anadyr. Disembark and transfer to hotel or airport.

Please note: All itineraries are subject to weather, local conditions and final approval by the relevant Russian authorities.

Itinerary...

See our website for what’s included/excluded.

See our website for what’s included/excluded.

At a glance...

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, mammals, scenery, historical sites & photography.WHERE?The Russian Far EastPetropavlovsk – Zhupanovo River – Commander Islands – Meinypil’gyno – Chukotka – Cape Navarin – Anadyr..SAMPLE WILDLIFESpoon-billed Sandpiper and other shorebirds, breeding alcids including Whiskered Auklet and Spectacled Guillemot plus many other seabirds, Red-legged Kittiwake, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, seaduck, pipits, warblers, thrushes, flycatchers and finches. Brown Bear, Arctic Fox, Pacific Sea Otter, Walrus, Steller’s Sea-lion, other seals, Orca, Beluga, Sperm, Gray and Northern Right Whales etc.CLIMATETemperate to summer Polar.ACCOMMODATION54 passenger comfortable expedition ship. Cabins with, and without private facilities.

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, other marine mammals & photography.WHERE?Sakhalin – Sea of Okhotsk and islands – Okhotsk – Koni Peninsula – Yamskiye Islands - Magadan.SAMPLE WILDLIFEbirds including 14 species of auk, Steller’s Sea-Eagle, Aleutian Tern, cetaceans including a chance of Bowhead and North Pacific Right Whales plus Western Gray Whale, seals including Ribbon, Ringed, Largha and Northern Fur Seal plus Steller’s Sea Lion.CLIMATETemperate to cool.ACCOMMODATION50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and without private facilities

At a glance...


Prices & DatesPrices & Dates

MALDIVESWhales and Dolphins in Paradise

WildOceans have offered these tropical cetacean bonanzas for some years now and the word is finally getting around on how good they are, so early booking is strongly advised. Hundreds of Spinner Dolphins are seen during our cruises. These energetic and acrobatic dolphins are always a delight, and are named for their high spinning leaps. We will spend plenty of time with them, even swimming with them if conditions are suitable and they choose to visit us. But Spinners are so abundant in the Maldives that after a few days we will be happy to pass them by as we go in search of an astonishing array of other whales and dolphins.

Prices & Dates

Leader/naturalist: Dr Charles ‘Chas’ AndersonDates: Standard Trip (8 days) 22nd February – 1st March , 5th – 12th April, 27th September – 4th October 2015£1590 per person twin share, Single supplement £440Dates Maldives Explorer (12 days) 1st – 12th October & 11th – 23rd November 2014, 20th April – 1st May & 9th – 20th November 2015£2190 per person twin share, Single supplement £540Facilities: All cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities and porthole. Upper deck cabins with windows are also available for a supplement from £180 per cabin (2014).Deposit: £350Max group size: 16 (10 on Explorer departures)

2016 trips: Advance register for only £50pp. Provisional trip dates, TBC February, TBC April, TBC October & November 2016. Maldives Explorers will also operate.

Day 1: Arrive Malé and transfer to our live aboard vessel. Set sail around midday for our first afternoon’s whale watching. We may even see our first cetaceans within sight of the airport.Days 2- 6: Cruising amongst the Central or Eastern Atolls of the Maldives, looking for and watching whales, dolphins and seabirds. Each evening we will anchor in a sheltered lagoon, near a coral reef, uninhabited island or resort. Day 7: Our final full day whale-watching, overnight at anchor off Male.Day 8: Disembark Malé after breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

NB “Explorer” trips are longer, less snorkelling, more seabirds & photography.

Itinerary...

Price includes: Transfers to from Malé airport, cruise including all meals, tea and coffee on board, use of snorkeling gear, naturalist guide, tourist tax and atoll permits.

Price excludes: Flights UK - Male (available from £669), vessel fuel surcharges if levied, travel insurance, other drinks, local airport tax (US$12), gratuities and other items of a personal nature. We can also arrange hotels and resorts in the Maldives, should you wish to extend your visit.

Previous trip reports available from us plus more detailed information sheets.

SRI LANKA Blue Whales, leopards & elephants

WildOceans are delighted to offer this excellent revised holiday run by our good friends Chas and Sue Anderson, well known for putting the Maldives, then the Seychelles and also Sri Lanka on the map in cetacean terms. They are now also offering wildlife cruises in Indonesia (including Komodo Dragons) and yet another new programme, to the Solomon Islands. Sri Lanka is arguably one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whales, but has very much more to offer as well. Chas predicted and discovered this now popular Blue Whale hotspot, so you will be travelling with the expert. In addition, our small groups and exclusive-use boats mean more time on the water (typically twice as long as most other operators) and uncrowded views of the whales and dolphins that we encounter. Add looking for Leopards and wild Elephants, plus other mammals, lots of birds, butterflies and dragonflies, friendly people and great food and you have the recipe for a superb natural history holiday.

Dates: 20th – 31st March 2015Guide: Charles ‘Chas’ Anderson£2900 per person sharing a twin room£590 single supplement£500 Deposit

Optional Extension31st March – 3rd April 2015£1149 per person sharing a twin room£170 single supplement

Facilities: All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities. Max group size: 8 plus guides.

BALI TO KOMODO WILDLIFE CRUISES - INDONESIAIndonesia is the largest archipelago on the planet, with over 17,000 islands and offers some of the most diverse marine life to be found anyway. The furthest point east of these voyages will be the legendary island of Komodo, with it’s endemic lizards which can grow to over 10’ in length! Join Chas Anderson and his team for a leisurely cruise through some of these amazing islands, in search of whales and dolphins, tropical seabirds, and a myriad of reef fish and other marine life under the water. Demand is already very strong and early booking is highly recommended.

Dates: 19th – 28th October & 29th October – 7th November 2014Guides: Dr. Charles ‘Chas’ & Sue AndersonCost: £2269 per person, sharing a lower deck cabin (no windows)£2499 per person, sharing a main deck cabin with window.£2679 per person, sharing the master suite.£359 single supplement (subject to availability)Deposit: £700 Max group size: 14

Also booking 11th-20th October 2015 from £2345pp and 14th-23 October 2016 from £2565pp.

At a glance...

FOCUSWildlife Cruise:whales & dolphins, birds, other marine life, snorkelling & photography.WHERE?Malé, (Maldives, ) – cruising the Atolls - MaleSAMPLE WILDLIFETropical whales and dolphins, seabirds, reef fishes, turtles, Mantas etc.CLIMATETropical, warm to hot.ACCOMMODATION16* passenger comfortable liveaboard vessel, all cabins with private facilities and air-conditioning (* 10 passenger vessels on the Explorer itineraries)

Price includes: Transfers to/from Colombo airport, hotel accommodation as described with meals as shown, three whale-watching excursions (six if on the extension), other excursions as described, naturalist guides and ground transport including game drives, national park and whale-watch permits.

Price excludes: Flights UK - Colombo (available from £499 including current pre-paid taxes and fuel surcharges), visa (currently US$30), whale-watching ‘swim-with’ permits if applicable, travel insurance, vessel fuel surcharges if levied, other meals, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

Previous trip reports available from us plus more detailed information sheets.


Prices & Dates

SOLOMON ISLANDS – Tropical Wildlife Cruises

SRI LANKA – YOUR WAYTailor-made Bird and Wildlife holidays“Ayubowan” – may you be blessed with a long life, Sri Lanka’s gesture of welcome and respect, which is how you will be received throughout the country.

A bird and wildlife gem set in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offer 35 species of endemic birds plus many more residents and migrants and is also becoming one of the best places in the world to see Blue Whale and Leopard.

Prices & DatesDepartures year round, 10 days from £1495 per person sharing a twin room. Based on a minimum of two people travelling.

Price includes: Ground transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with driver/guide throughout, rooms with private facilities and breakfast, lunch and dinner, porterage, jeep excursions in National Parks, entrance fees, boat trips if applicable, and taxes.

Price excludes: Air travel (UK – Colombo from £599 return), visa (currently US$20), drinks, driver/guide tips, travel insurance and items of a personal nature.

We also offer a suggested 12 day Whales and other Mammals tour from £1899 per person.

Please contact Sarah-Jane Thompson at WildWings for more information and your quote today!

A sample itinerary and more information are available from us or from our website wildwings.co.uk

GUJURAT (INDIA)Mammals and BirdsGujurat lies in north west India, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west. The region is known as the dry-state, and is essentially a lowland area with much desert-type habitat.

This exciting new tour offers excellent opportunities to see and photograph, a wide range of mammals and birds in open country.

Although this is first and foremost a mammal tour with highlights expected to include ‘Asiatic’ Lion, Striped Hyaena, Wolf, ‘Desert’ Wildcat, Jungle Cat and Blackbuck the birding is also outstanding and among the many species we will be hoping to see are Great Indian and Macqueen’s Bustard, Demoiselle Crane, Indian Courser and Grey Hypocolius to name a few.

Dates: 8th – 22nd February 2015Leaders: Richard Webb and local guides£3499 per person, sharing a twin room/tent.£399 - Single Supplement £750 - Deposit per personGroup size: Will be between 6 & 8 plus the leader and local guides.

The full itinerary and more information are available from us or from our website wildwings.co.uk

Price includes: economy class air travel including all airport and departure taxes, all transfers and ground transportation, accommodation in twin rooms/tents with private facilities, all meals, bottled water, services of WildWings tour leader and local guides, all mammal and birding excursions as described, WildWings pre-tour information pack and day-to-day mammal and bird checklist.

Price excludes: Travel insurance, Indian visa fees (approximately £104 per person), sanctuary camera fees (c£6 per camera, per safari at Velavadar, Gir and Little Rann), other drinks, laundry, souvenirs and items of a personal nature.

The Solomon Islands. A rugged, jungle-clad island chain in the south Pacific.

Remembered for fierce WW2 battles, but largely overlooked in the decades since. This forgotten archipelago is home to a splendid diversity of island peoples, many still leading a traditional village life. The islands are also home to a rich diversity of wildlife, while the seas support kaleidoscopic coral reefs and an astonishing array of cetaceans.

Prices & Dates2015: 23rd October – 2nd November 2015£3649 per person, sharing a twin cabin with private facilities and a/c.£1199 single supplement (subject to availability)£750 DepositMax group size: 172016: No departure.2017: 31st October – 10th November 2017£3799 per person, sharing a twin cabin with private facilities and a/c.£1249 single supplement (subject to availability)£750 DepositMax group size: 17

NEW!

At a glance...

FOCUSBird and/or mammal-watching holidays: birds, whales and dolphins, other mammals and photography.WHERE?Colombo (Sri Lanka) – your choice of itinerarySAMPLE WILDLIFEUp to 35 species of endemic birds including the superb Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, many other birds, Blue & Sperm Whales, Leopard & Asian Elephant (Sri Lanka sub-species).CLIMATETropical, warm to hot.ACCOMMODATIONA variety from jungle lodges to beach resorts, all rooms with private facilities. Excursions by minibus with excellent local guides

At a glance...

FOCUSMammal tour: mammals, birds & photography.WHERE?Gujurat (India) - exploring the key habitats of this ‘dry-state’SAMPLE WILDLIFEAsiatic’ Lion, Striped Hyaena, Wolf, cats, plus bustards, cranes and many other birds.CLIMATEWarm to hot. Nights can be cooler..ACCOMMODATIONGround travel by minibus, lodges and a comfortable year-round tented camp.

NEW!


Relatively unexplored by keen sea watchers until now, WildWings conceived and designed this ‘world first’ voyage, sailing northwards from New Zealand through the Pacific Ocean to Japan, with the inaugural departure being in spring 2007 followed by almost annual and equally successful departures.

The voyage includes many days at sea, travelling through waters where some of the least known seabirds on the planet can be found. The itinerary also includes a number of landings on rarely visited islands, rich in bird endemics. The unique Kagu of New Caledonia being an example of one of the many special species we will seek ashore. There will also be some optional snorkelling and general island exploration opportunities for the not so keen birder.

The main purpose of the voyage, however, will be the seabirds and cetaceans, and we will use chum and fish oil during the voyage to target specific seabirds. We will have radios for constant communication onboard, to help maximise everyone’s sightings. Photographic opportunities are generally good to excellent..

Dates:New Zealand – PNG 6th – 23rd April 2015(Section 1)PNG – Japan 23rd April – 7th May 2015 (Section 2)Leader/s: Chris Collins and the rest of the ship’s expedition teamPrices: For the entire voyage, just add the two sections and their landing fees together!

Section 1 - NZ - PNG £3819 Sharing a twin with washbasin (lower berths) £4899 Sharing a twin with private facilities (upper & lower berth or both lower berths)Landing Fees (which includes donations to conservation projects and villages we will visit) £305pp.

Section 2 PNG - Japan£2119 Sharing a twin with washbasin (lower berths) £2969 Sharing a twin with private facilities (upper & lower berth or both lower berths)Landing Fees (which includes donations to conservation projects and villages we will visit) £60pp.Prices based on £1 = $1.65 Payment can also be made in US$, please contact us for rates.

prices & dates

Section 1Day 1: (Optional excursion from Auckland via Miranda by bus for Wrybill and other NZ specialities.) Embark late afternoon in Tauranga, NZ and sail.Day 2: We will sail north through the Hauraki Gulf in the morning, looking for the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel, as well as Grey Ternlets, Black Petrels and other seabirds.Days 3 & 4: At sea. Expected species include White-necked, Black-winged and Grey-faced Petrels plus Buller’s, Wedge-tailed and Flesh-footed Shearwaters.Day 5: Norfolk Island (Australia). We plan to seek the three endemics, Norfolk Island Parakeet, Norfolk Gerygone and Slender-billed White-eye, plus the recently split Pacific Robin. In the afternoon, we plan to visit a tropical seabird colony where White Terns, Black Noddies and Red-tailed Tropicbirds breed.Days 6-7: At sea. New tubenoses on this sector could include Kermadec, Providence and Magnificent Petrels plus Sooty Terns and Great Frigatebirds. We will also be looking for our mystery storm-petrel, the ‘New Caledonian Storm-Petrel’, which has been seen on four WPOs and was first discovered on WPO 2008. Arrive Noumea early evening on Day 7.Day 8: Noumea (New Caledonia). We will explore the Parc de la Riviere Bleue for the unique Kagu and other endemics such as New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon, White-bellied Goshawk, New Caledonian and Horned Parakeets, New Caledonian Myzomela, New Caledonian Whistler, New Caledonian Crow, New Caledonian Cuckoo-Shrike, New Caledonian Friarbird, Crow and Barred Honeyeaters, Yellow-bellied Robin, Cloven-feathered Dove, Green-backed White-eye, Red-throated Parrotfinch and Striated Starling.Days 9-11: At sea. Potential new tubenoses on this sector include Collared, Gould’s, Tahiti and possibly Vanuatu Petrels, Polynesian Storm-Petrel and Tropical Shearwater. Day 12: Rennell (Solomon Islands). We shall seek a number of Solomon endemics including the five species restricted to Rennell, Rennell Shrikebill, Fantail, White-eye and Starling plus Bare-eyed White-eye on this small tropical island.Day 13: Makira (Solomon Islands). We will search for more endemics on this rarely visited island including White-headed Fruit Dove, Mottled Flowerpecker, White-collared Monarch, Makira Flycatcher, Sooty Myzomela, San Cristobal Melidectes and many more.Day 14: Honiara (Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands). Morning birding excursion to

nearby Mount Austin. Solomon Island group endemics found here include Ultramarine Kingfisher, Solomon Islands Cuckoo-Shrike, Ducorp’s Cockatoo, Claret-breasted Fruit-dove and Midget Flowerpecker.Day 15: Kolombangara (Solomon Islands) in the afternoon. We hope to find Roviana Rail (the species was only described in 1991), as well as Solomon Sea-Eagle, White-capped and Kolombangara Monarchs, as well as other endemics such as Yellow-vented Myzomela and Solomon Islands White-eye.Days 16-17: At sea. We plan to spend some time exploring the waters off Bougainville and New Ireland, which are rich in cetaceans and the now known range of Beck’s Petrel and Heinroth’s Shearwater, both seen on all previous voyages.Day 18: Arrive Kokopo/Rabaul, PNG. Disembark if ending your journey here.

Section 2Day 1: Embark Kokopo/Rabual, PNG and sail.Days 2-3: At sea. Days 4&5: Chuuk (‘Truk’, Federated States of Micronesia). Ashore in this diver’s paradise we will look for Caroline Islands White-eye, Reed Warbler, Swiftlet and Ground Dove as well as Oceanic Flycatcher. An optional trip to Tol South may be offered for two birds with some of the smallest ranges in the world, Chuuk Monarch and Faichuuk White-eye, but this is not for the fainthearted as a steep, slippery trail is involved.Days 6-12: Back at sea. New seabirds should include Matsudaira’s Storm-Petrel, Bannerman’s Shearwater and Bonin Petrel, with Christmas Shearwater also a possibility.We will sail past the Bonin Islands, looking for Black-footed Albatross, Tristram’s Storm-Petrel plus Humpback Whales and dolphins. Bryan’s Shearwater is also believed to breed in the Bonins and we will certainly be looking for this recently described species. Other new seabirds could include Laysan Albatross and Streaked Shearwater.Day 13: At sea. We plan to sail close to Torishima (Japan, landing not allowed) and will search for another one of the major seabird highlights, Short-tailed Albatross, which we hope to see at close quarters.Day 14: At sea. Miyake-jima Island (Izu Islands). We will cruise past some small islets which are a breeding site for Japanese Murrelet.Day 15: Disembark Yokohama, Japan, after breakfast.

NB: As applies to all expedition cruises, the exact itinerary will be subject to weather and local conditions. All landings are subject to government permissions.

itinerary

Prices include: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals aboard vessel, tea and coffee, guided shore excursions as described, lectures and services of WildWings leader and ship’s expedition team, day-by-day bird and mammal checklist and evening log-call.

Excludes: Flights, transfers in Auckland and Japan, pre and post voyage hotels, travel insurance, drinks, crew tips (suggest US$10 per day), visas and other items of a personal nature.

An optional pre-cruise pelagic will also be on offer from Sandspit, in search of New Zealand Storm-Petrel, details TBC.

WESTERN PACIFIC ODYSSEYSpring 2015

NEW LOWER PRICES & 2 SHORTER SECTIONS AVAILABLE!

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, remote islands & photography.WHERENew Zealand – Norfolk Island – New Caledonia – Solomon Islands – Chuuk – Japan.SAMPLE WILDLIFENumerous temperate and tropical Pacific seabirds including Short-tailed Albatross, Beck’s Petrel, Magnificent Petrel, Heinroth’s Shearwater, Polynesian, New Zealand and ‘New Caledonian’ Storm-Petrels, Japanese Murrelet, as well as Solomon Sea-Eagle, Kagu and many other island endemics. 20 + species of whales and dolphins are also possible. See the itinerary section for a more comprehensive list.CLIMATETemperate to tropical and back to temperate..ACCOMMODATION50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and without private facilities.


itinerary

Price includes: Return economy class charter flights Honolulu – Midway Atoll (the majority of the cost!), 7 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities, guided excursions as per itinerary including services of naturalist guide throughout (transportation by golf cart), two boat excursions, all meals on Midway, water, juices, tea and coffee, taxes and fees.

Price excludes: Flights UK - Honolulu, fuel surcharges if levied, pre/post hotel in Honolulu, travel insurance, other drinks, gratuities and other items of a personal nature. Golf Carts may be rented for US$25 per day, Bicycles for $5 a day. Snorkel gear can also be rented if required.

MIDWAY ATOLLNearly 2 million seabirds breed on this tiny island group in the centre of the Pacific Ocean including the world’s largest colonies of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross. Closed to the public for many years the US Fish and Wildlife service re-opened the area in 2008 for a very few lucky people. We have again a limited number of small group departures, the avian spectacle that is offers is simply second to none, with point blank views of almost everything, it is simply seabird heaven! 2011 brought heavy storms and overwash from the Japanese tsunami but in spite of this the wonderful news that Short-tailed Albatross bred for the first time on Eastern Island. Another chick hatched in early 2012 too!

FOCUSNatural History Trip:: seabirds, dolphins, a few landbirds, other marine life, snorkelling & photography.WHEREMidway Atoll (USA) – explore on foot and rented bicycle. At least one boat visit to Eastern IslandSAMPLE WILDLIFEBreeding seabirds including Laysan, Blackfooted and Short-tailed Albatross, Christmas Shearwater, Bonin Petrel, Grey-backed Tern, tropicbirds, boobies, frigatebirds, Hawaiian Monk Seal & Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins.CLIMATEOceanic tropical, warm to hot.ACCOMMODATIONrooms with private facilities

At a glance...

Prices & DatesDates: 23rd & 30th March 2015Naturalist: Wayne Sentman£4635 per person sharing a twin room with private facilities (final price TBC).£299 Single supplement.£750 DepositMax group size: 17 plus naturalist/guides.

Day 1: Fly Honolulu to Midway (special charter flight, 4.5 hours duration).Days 2 – 7: Guided wildlife and historical sites excursions. Weather permitting, at least one visit will be made to nearby Eastern Island. One boat based snorkelling trip and unlimited beach snorkelling. Optional participation in service projects (eg beach litter clean-ups, seabird counts etc). Lots and lots of free time, to take photos or just enjoy!Day 8: Return flight Midway to Honolulu.Note: The flights arrive and depart after dark on Midway, to minimise disturbance to the seabirds.

THE HUMBOLDT CURRENT The cold waters of the Humboldt Current off the Pacific coast of South America are home to at least eleven endemic seabirds and on this exciting new itinerary we hope to see many of these, plus an excellent supporting cast of other seabirds and cetaceans.

This unique tour starts in Peru with several days of land-birding, before we join a very comfortable expedition ship for a week as we sail south to Valparaiso in Chile. We will then fly further south for a special boat charter in search of the recently described Pincoya Storm-Petrel.

This exciting itinerary should offer plenty of great seabirds to even the keenest seabirder and possibility include Humboldt Penguin, Pacific, Salvin’s and Waved Albatrosses, Masatierra (De Filippi’s), Stejneger’s and Juan Fernandez Petrels, Pink-footed Shearwater, Elliot’s (White-vented), Markham’s, Galapagos (Wedge-rumped) and Hornby’s (Ringed) Storm-Petrels, Peruvian Diving-Petrel, Peruvian Pelican, Neotropic, Rock, Guanay and Red-legged Cormorants, Grey, Band-tailed and Swallow-tailed Gulls plus Peruvian, Trudeau’s and Inca Terns. An excellent range of cetaceans are also possible which could include Blue, Fin, Sperm and Humpback Whales, Dwarf and Pygmy Sperm Whales, Common, Rough-toothed and Chilean Dolphins and some extremely poorly known beaked whales.

Our tour will start with several days of intensive birding in Peru, where the species we will be targeting include Diademed Sandpiper Plover and the critically endangered Junin Grebe. We will then follow in the footsteps of early explorers and naturalists, such as Charles Darwin, and sail south along this spectacular and arid coastline. Ashore we will look for a further selection of South American landbirds on our exclusive WildWings excursions which are included in the trip price, although optional, non-birding, shore excursions will also be available (operated by the vessel).

We hope to see plenty more exciting species and these could include Andean Condor, Torrent Duck, Peruvian Thicknee, various hummingbirds and a selection of other regional endemics.

The opportunities for photography should be excellent, both for wildlife and landscape with the desert coastlines of Peru and Chile and the Andes providing an amazing backdrop.

Our vessel for the voyage sector will be the French-operated Le Boreal, all cabins are outside with private facilities (house wine is included with meals!). Chris Collins will be leading this new adventure and it will be the third time he has travelled through some of these waters. On our land excursions, we will be assisted by local guides. WildWings operated voyages in this region ten years ago and we looks forward to returning.

Dates: TBC October – November 2015 Prices: £TBC

Full details of this new tour will be available on our website soon, including the itinerary and a potential species list.

Or e-mail [email protected] for the details when ready.

NEW!


Antarctica is truly like nowhere else on Earth, a continent of dramatic ice-covered mountains, never-ending snowfields, innumerable glaciers and colossal icebergs fractured into fantastic shapes. Captivated and spellbound by the incredible and ever changing beauty of our surroundings, you will thrill to the unique wildlife spectacles that unfold daily on these trips

Throughout these voyages, landings are made at the best areas for wildlife. Sturdy Zodiac inflatables allow us to go ashore at the remotest of places with ease and comfort. The days spent at sea on these trips are a major highlight for wildlife observation too. A key element of our success is that by travelling in a group we will have many keen eyes, ensuring that more birds and cetaceans are spotted than on the average voyage. The January voyage includes a day’s bird watching excursion in Ushuaia to visit our favourite local birding hotspots including several in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, and will seek the local specialities including Magellanic Woodpecker.

WildWings have been sending people to Antarctica for over 20 years now and we have learnt that the best bird and wildlife experience needs the right itinerary, on the right ship with the right staff. This new unique partnership with our preferred operator, One Ocean Expeditions, allows us to offer two superb itineraries, both featuring Dick Filby, one of the UK’s most experienced Antarctic tour leaders. Dick will be joining their larger than average expedition teams onboard, and will work closely with the expedition leaders to maximise the wildlife opportunities throughout each voyage. In addition to their expedition staff, One Ocean Expeditions are unique in offering the services of their Adventure Concierges onboard too, to look after every last little detail. There may also be an opportunity on all our special voyages to spend a night, ‘camping’ ashore, for those that wish, a wonderful additional wilderness experience (subject to local conditions on the day). We offer these voyages with extra inclusions (pre-voyage hotel night in Ushuaia) and for the 31st January voyages, a guided birding excursion to the Tierra Del Fuego National Park), now surely is the time to book that life-long dream trip!

These voyages offer all the expected birds and mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula including the crossings of the Drake Passage. Chinstrap, Adelie and Gentoo Penguins, Wandering, Royals, Black-browed, Grey-headed and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, both Giant Petrels, Southern Fulmar, Cape, (Lesser) Snow, Soft-plumaged, Blue and White-chinned Petrels, Antarctic and Slender-billed Prions, Wilson’s and Black-bellied Storm-Petrels, Common Diving Petrel, Antarctic Shags, Snowy Sheathbill, Chilean, Brown and South Polar Skuas, Dolphin and Kelp Gulls plus Antarctic Terns being the expected birds species.

ANTARCTICA, THE FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA

Day 1: Arrive Ushuaia, overnight hotel.Day 2: WildWings Birding excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Board vessel and sail down the Beagle Channel.Day 3: At sea.Days 4 - 5: The Falkland Islands (planned landings may include Carcass and West Point Islands plus Port Stanley)Days 6 - 7: At sea, we will cross the Antarctic Convergence which can be a wildlife hotspot (see 2010 trip report).Days 8 - 10: South Georgia (planned landings may include Salisbury Plain, Prion Island for nesting Wandering Albatross, Grytviken, King Haakon Bay, Peggotty Bluff, Cooper, Royal and Hercules Bays plus Zodiac cruises)Days 11 – 13: At sea via the South Orkneys and northern Weddell Sea (subject to ice conditions).Days 14 - 17: The Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands (planned landings may include Elephant Island, King George, Half Moon, Aicho, Livingstone and Deception Islands, Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay on the continent itself plus Zodiac cruises).Days 18-19: At sea, crossing the Drake Passage.Day 20: Disembark Ushuaia after breakfast.

NB: The exact voyage itineraries are subject to ice, weather and local conditions at the time.

Itinerary...

Price includes: Accommodation and all meals aboard ship (with free tea and coffee 24 hours), port taxes, Zodiac landings, services of WildWing’s Dick Filby (except November 2014 voyage, birder TBA), Bruce Pearson on the November voyage and ship’s expedition staff including lecture and film programmes at sea, pre-voyage WildWings hotel night in Ushuaia (with breakfast), WildWings birding excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia with picnic lunch led by a top English-speaking local bird and wildlife guide (31st January voyages only), daily sea watching sessions (at sea), evening checklist, use of onboard library, WildWings pre-voyage information pack and day-by-day checklist of mammals and birds, group transfers in Ushuaia to and from ship, souvenir voyage CD log and free onboard wet weather gear and boot loan onboard.Price excludes: Flights UK – Ushuaia (available from £999 including pre-paid taxes and current fuel surcharges), additional pre and or post cruise hotel nights in Ushuaia and/or Buenos Aires if required, other meals and all drinks in Argentina, other drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature onboard, crew gratuities (we suggest $10 per passenger per day aboard ship), passport fees, travel insurance.

A colour brochure with more information about the ship is available plus our full recce tour report and species list from the February 2010 voyage to Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia is our website or available from us. The 2012 & 2013 species list are also available online.


Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia (Ioffe) 19th November – 8th December 2015Leaders: The ship’s expedition team including Dick Filby & Bruce Pearson (this voyage will be a wildlife, wildlife art and photography special). This departure is a 19 night voyage.Special inclusions – Pre-cruise night hotel in Ushuaia.5% discount if 50% of the balance is paid within 30 days of booking! (NB Must book at least 180 days prior to qualify)

Prices & Dates

Prices per person sharing:


£8725Twin with semi-private facilities (lower berths)NB Bathroom shared between two cabins only

£9935 Twin with private facilities (lower berths)

£10,419 Twin superior with private facilities (lower berths)

£10,965 Shackleton Suite (double & single berth)

£12,419 One Ocean Suite

£1000: Deposit per person

Single cabins 1.5 twin share price.

WildWings will make a donation equivalent to 5% of the voyage price (between £382 to £621 per passenger, depending on booked cabin type) to the Birdlife International ‘Save the Albatross Campaign’ (administered in the UK by the RSPB) for each passenger who books on this special voyage with Bruce.

Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia (Ioffe)31st January – 18th February 2016Leaders: The ship’s expedition team including Dick Filby.Special inclusions – Pre-cruise night hotel in Ushuaia plus birding excursion to Tierra Del Fuego National Park on day of sailing.

5% discount if 50% of the balance is paid within 30 days of booking! (NB Must book at least 180 days prior to qualify)



£10,055 Twin with semi-private facilities (lower berths)NB Bathroom shared between two cabins only

£11,085 Twin with private facilities (lower berths)

£11,755 Twin superior with private facilities (lower berths)

£12,179 Shackleton Suite (double & single berth)

£13,755 One Ocean Suite

£1200: Deposit per person

Single cabins 1.5 twin share price.

Exchange rate £1 = US$1.65US Dollar prices available for non-UK residents.

Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia20th November - 8th December 2014Leaders: Dick Filby, Bruce Pearson & Tui de RoyPrices from £7269 per person, see website.

Antarctica, the Falklands & South Georgia 31st January - 18th February 2015Leader: Dick FilbyPrices from £8419 per person, see website.

““We had a fantastic time, 7 penguins, 5 albatross species and great whale encounters. Dick was a great leader and extremely helpful.”ANTARCTICA, FALKLANDS & SOUTH GEORGIA - M&F.S. MARCH 2013

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, mammals, scenery, historical sites & photography.WHEREUshuaia (Argentina) – South Atlantic - Falkland Islands – Scotia Sea - South Georgia – Antarctic Peninsula & Islands – Drake Passage – Ushuaia.SAMPLE WILDLIFEPenguins including King & Macaroni, albatrosses including Wandering, Black-browed and Light-mantled Sooty, other tubenoses eg petrels, prions, diving-petrels, storm-petrels and shearwaters etc, various shags, geese, duck including steamer-ducks, waders, skuas, gulls and terns plus Falkland & S Georgian endemics. Potential marine mammals include Southern Elephant, Leopard, Weddell, Crab-eater and other seals, Humpback, Orca, Fin, Antarctic Minke and other whales. Dolphins could include Peale’s, Commerson’s and Hourglass.CLIMATESummer PolarACCOMMODATION90+ passenger comfortable expedition ship. Cabins with, and without private facilities


TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin, upper and lower berths. Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except Vavilov / Ioffe - where a bathroom is interconnecting between two cabins TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower

berths except Enderby (upper and lower berths) SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE - PLEASE ASK FOR PRICES ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights & pre/post cruise accommodation)


01-Nov-14 11-Nov-14 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,160 £5,080

11-Nov-14 21-Nov-14 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,160 £5,080

08-Nov-14 20-Nov-14 12 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,732 £5,203 £5,615

21-Nov-14 01-Dec-14 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,160 £5,080

08-Dec-14 18-Dec-14 10 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,556 £4,968 £5,438

10-Dec-14 20-Dec-14 10 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,556 £4,968 £5,438


19-Dec-14 29-Dec-14 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,760 £5,720

20-Dec-14 28-Dec-14 8 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,291 £4,350 £4,644

21-Jan-15 31-Jan-15 10 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,644 £5,938 £6,232

27-Jan-15 06-Feb-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,644 £5,938 £6,232

03-Feb-15 13-Feb-15 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,760 £5,720

03-Mar-15 14-Mar-15 11 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,680 £5,600

24-Feb-15 06-Feb-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,644 £5,938 £6,232


05-Mar-15 15-Mar-15 10 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,997 £5,409 £5,879

06-Mar-15 16-Mar-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,997 £5,409 £5,879


16-Mar-15 26-Mar-15 10 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £3,997 £5,409 £5,879

2014-2015 - Dates and prices correct as of 28/07/2014. ALWAYS CHECK WITH US FOR YOUR UP TO DATE QUOTE!

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND THE WEDDELL SEA & FALKLANDS


28-Dec-14 09-Jan-15 12 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £5,468 £7,056 £7,409

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, FALKLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA



15-Jan-15 27-Jan-15 12 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £5,468 £7,056 £7,409

18-Feb-15 03-Mar-15 13 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £5,997 £7,644 £7,997

13-Mar-15 24-Mar-15 11 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,680 £5,600

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND POLAR CIRCLE


06-Nov-14 25-Nov-14 22 Ortelius Puerto Madryn Ushuaia £7,120 £8,560

03-Nov-14 21-Nov-14 18 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £6,615 £7,615 £8,674

20-Nov-14 08-Dec-14 18 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £7,269 £8,299 £9,389

21-Nov-14 10-Dec-14 19 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £7,409 £8,468 £9,644


29-Dec-14 16-Jan-15 18 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,400 £10,000

28-Dec-14 15-Jan-15 18 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,174 £9,762 £10,762

16-Jan-15 03-Feb-15 18 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,400 £10,000

31-Jan-15 18-Feb-15 18 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,419 £10,055 £11,085

06-Feb-15 24-Feb-15 18 Sergey Vavilov Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,174 £9,762 £10,762

13-Feb-15 03-Mar-15 18 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £7,800 £9,360


ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION CRUISES for the independent traveller



TRIPLE/QUAD = sharing a triple or four bedded cabin with wash basin, upper and lower berths. Plancius and Ortelius have privates facilities in these cabins TWIN = sharing a twin cabin with wash basin & lower berths except Vavilov / Ioffe - where a bathroom is interconnecting between two cabins TWIN.PF = Sharing a twin cabin with washbasin, wc and shower &lower berths except

Enderby (upper and lower berths) SINGLES CABINS, SUPERIOR CABINS & SUITES ALSO AVAILABLE - PLEASE ASK FOR PRICES ALL PRICES PER PERSON AND ARE VOYAGE ONLY (exclude flights & pre/post cruise accommodation)


16-Nov-15 26-Nov-15 10 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,206 £5,159

21-Nov-15 01-Dec-15 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,206 £5,159




28-Dec-15 07-Jan-16 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,722 £5,754

03-Jan-16 12-Jan-16 9 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,206 £5,159

07-Jan-16 16-Jan-16 9 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,206 £5,159

12-Jan-16 22-Jan-16 10 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,722 £5,754

27-Jan-15 06-Feb-16 10 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,644 £5,938 £6,232

03-Feb-16 13-Feb-16 10 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,722 £5,754

09-Feb-16 18-Feb-16 9 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,206 £5,159

18-Feb-16 28-Feb-16 10 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,722 £5,754

24-Feb-16 06-Mar-16 10 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,644 £5,938 £6,232

28-Feb-16 10-Mar-16 10 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £4,722 £5,754




ANTARCTIC PENINSULA




ANTARCTIC PENINSULA AND POLAR CIRCLE

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, FALKLANDS AND SOUTH GEORGIA


02-Nov-15 21-Nov-15 19 Plancius Puerto Madryn Ushuaia £7,222 £8,651

19-Nov-15 08-Dec-15 19 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £7,945 £9,069 £10,259

16-Dec-15 03-Jan-16 18 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £7,929 £9,484


28-Dec-15 15-Jan-16 18 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,174 £9,762 £10,762

16-Jan-16 03-Feb-16 18 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,492 £10,119

22-Jan-16 09-Feb-16 18 Ortelius Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,492 £10,119

06-Feb-16 24-Feb-16 18 Ioffe Ushuaia Ushuaia £8,174 £9,762 £10,762

13-Feb-16 06-Mar-16 22 Plancius Ushuaia Ushuaia £9,484 £11,389


The Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, the South Orkneys, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena and Ascension Island - a roll call of some of the most remote and romantic places in the world. Add Gough Island and the chance to land on legendary Nightingale & Inaccessible Islands and you have one of the ultimate pelagics, pioneered by WildWings in 1998. Better still, you can stay on the ship to the Cape Verdes, yielding yet more seabirds and cetaceans.

The voyage includes many days at sea, travelling through waters where some of the least known seabirds on the planet can be found. The itinerary also includes a number of landings on rarely visited islands, rich in bird endemics. The unique Kagu of New Caledonia being an example of one of the many special species we will seek ashore. There will also be some optional snorkelling and general island exploration opportunities for the not so keen birder.

The main purpose of the voyage, however, will be the seabirds and cetaceans, and we will use chum and fish oil during the voyage to target specific seabirds. We will have radios for constant communication onboard, to help maximise everyone’s sightings. Photographic opportunities are generally good to excellent..

prices & dates

itinerary

Single cabins x 1.7 of twin share priceAll prices per person.Deposit 20%Based on £1 = Euros 1.2

Advance register for 2017, TBA March – TBA April for £50 per person (refundable). The West African Pelagic may also operate in 2016, a continuation of this voyage, but finishing in Madeira,Please see separate details.

Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, infinite tea and coffee, Zodiac cruises and landings, port taxes and landing fees, specified shore excursions, lectures and services of expedition team, daily sea watching sessions and evening log (at sea), services of WildWings leader (Ushuaia – Cape Verdes), pre-tour information pack and day by day bird and mammal checklist.

Price excludes: Flights (UK – Ushuaia from £599, Ascension – UK from £545, Praia – UK from £499), vessel fuel surcharges if applicable, Ushuaia hotel for two nights from £69 per person per night b & b, gratuities (suggested US$10 a day on board ship), travel insurance, optional birding excursion in Ushuaia (The Tierra del Fuego National Park on the day prior to sailing, approx £139), other drinks and items of a personal nature.

THE ATLANTIC ODYSSEY

The Atlantic Odyssey voyage Itinerary is available online, or please ring 0117 9658 333 or email us for a copy. Our website also has previous voyage reports and species lists available.


£5289 Quad berths (upper and lower) - porthole

£5875 Triple berths(upper and lower)-porthole

£6459 Twin share – (lower berths) - porthole

£6699 Twin share – (lower berths) - window

£6835 Twin share deluxe (lower berths) - window

£7289 Double share superior (double bed) - window

Leader: Simon Cook plus the rest of the ship’s Expedition Team Dates: 23rd March – 23rd April (Ascension – Praia, Cape Verdes) Prices: 2015 Vessel: Plancius

All cabins with private facilities – If the ship’s operator dis-counts these prices prior to 90 days before departure, the discounts will also apply to any already booked WildWings passengers!

23rd – 29th April (Ascension – Praia, Cape Verdes)















Leader: Simon Cook plus the rest of the ship’s Expedition Team Dates: 26th March – 22nd April (Ushuaia – Ascension) Prices: 2016 Vessel: Plancius

All cabins with private facilities – If the ship’s operator discounts these prices prior to 90 days before departure, the discounts will also apply to any already booked WildWings passengers!

22nd – 28th April (Ascension – Praia, Cape Verdes)








at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, remote islands & photography.WHERE?Ushuaia (Argentina) – Antarctic Peninsula – South Georgia – Gough & Tristan da Cunha – St Helena – Ascension (and extend to) – Cape Verde.SAMPLE WILDLIFEPolar, temperate and tropical seabirds galore, penguins, albatross, petrels including Northern Rockhopper Penguin, Tristan & Sooty Albatross’s, Atlantic & Spectacled Petrels (40 species of tubenose possible), island endemics eg Wirebird, Tristan Thrush etc. Well over 20 species of whale and dolphin possible (17 seen in 2013) plus up to 8 species of sealCLIMATEPolar cold via temperate to tropical.ACCOMMODATION100+ passenger very comfortable expedition cruise ship. All cabins with private facilities.


Day 1: Arrive Invercargill, New Zealand’s southern most city, overnight hotel with dinner.Day 2: After breakfast, a museum visit including a video presentation, followed by lunch. Transfer by coach to the port of Bluff (27 km south of Invercargill) to board theSpirit of Enderbyand sail.Day 3: The Snares is the first of the Sub-Antarctic Islands that we will be visiting. It is an amazing island - more birds nest on this small island than there are seabirds around the entire British Isles! We will arrive early morning, and Zodiac cruise the sheltered eastern side. In the sheltered bays we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguins, Tomtit and Fernbird, Cape Petrel, Antarctic and White-fronted Terns and Red-billed Gulls. An estimated six million Sooty Shearwaters nest on the Snares Islands.Day 4: Arrive at Enderby Island, a great island to bird in the Auckland Island group. We make a landing at Sandy Bay, the main breeding ground for the Hookers Sea Lion with observations of the following species: nesting Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, nesting Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Teal, Auckland Island Banded Dotterel, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Pipit, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow- eyed Penguin and nesting Light-mantled Sooty Albatross. We will spend some time searching for the Sub-Antarctic Snipe.Day 5: This morning we will cruise to Carnley Harbour in the south of the main Auckland Islands. There will be an opportunity for the energetic participants to climb to the south west Cape White-capped Albatross colony. Gibson’s Wandering Albatross nest above this colony amongst the tussock too, we should get good views. Those remaining on board will explore the coastal forest with a chance to see New Zealand Falcon and enjoy close encounters with other bush birds.Day 6: We will be at sea all day, another opportunity to see many pelagic species, including Wandering, Royal, White-capped, Light-mantled Sooty, Grey-headed and Black-browed Albatrosses, White- chinned, Mottled, White-headed and Cape Petrel, diving petrels, Grey-backed and Black-bellied Storm Petrel. In 2001 as the ship left for the journey south, 22 species of seabird were in the air at once.Days 7-8: Arrive at Macquarie Island which is, of course the only place to see the Royal Penguin and there is an abundance of these. King Penguins are also found in large numbers. Two other penguin species breed here; Gentoo and Rockhopper. Along the coast we will see the Imperial (Macquarie) Shag. We plan to land at ANARE base and at Sandy Bay. We will also Zodiac cruise Lusitania Bay, where there is a huge King Penguin colony. Pods of Orcas may be seen hunting for ‘weaners’. We continue our exploration of Macquarie Island and then depart for Campbell Island on the afternoon of our second day.Day 9: At sea en route to Campbell Island, we will see a similar range of species to what we saw on our way to Macquarie Island from the Auckland Islands, hopefully with a few Hourglass Dolphins too.Day 10: We will spend the day ashore to see the wonderful nesting Southern Royal Albatross, Campbell Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Campbell Island Shag, Rockhopper Penguin, Southern Skua, Red-billed Gull, Black-backed Gull, Antarctic Tern,

and the New Zealand Pipit. Campbell Island Teal can also be seen, an endemic rediscovered by Rodney Russ back in 1975. Campbell Island Snipe was also seen in 2012. Day 11: At sea en route to the Antipodes, another day for pelagic species. Wandering, Royal, Black-browed, Light-mantled Sooty, Salvins and Grey-headed Albatrosses, Northern and Southern Giant Petrel, Sooty and Little Shearwaters. We will endeavour to sort out Fairy, Fulmar and Antarctic Prions which are not always easy but we should get some great views. Other species to be on the look out for include Soft-plumaged, Mottled, White-headed, Grey-faced and White-chinned Petrels, Grey-backed, Wilson’s and Black-bellied Storm Petrels plus Common Diving Petrel.Day 12: Antipodes Island is one of the most isolated and least known of the New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Islands. We will Zodiac cruise the coastline where we should see the Antipodes Island Parakeet and also the Red-crowned, which is a strong subspecies. We will also seek the Antipodes subspecies of the NZ Pipit. Both Rockhopper and Erect-crested Penguins frequent the coastline and Antipodean Wandering Albatross nest on high. Magenta Petrels are possible from this point onwards.Day 13: En route to the Bounty Islands, inhospitable granite knobs lashed by the Southern Ocean we should see Wandering, Bullers, White-capped and Salvins Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Cape Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar, Mottled Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel, Broad billed Prion, Fulmar Prion, White-chinned Petrel, White-faced Storm Petrel to name a few. Arrive at the Bounty Islands early morning to Zodiac cruise. Erect-crested Penguin and the Bounty Island Shag should feature on our bird lists.Day 14: En route to the Chatham Archipelago will be more time for pelagic watching - we will be especially interested in looking out for the Chatham Island Petrel (it has been seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also Magenta Petrel. Whales and dolphins should be encountered too.Day 15-16: We will arrive at the Chathams travelling past Pyramid Rock - which is the breeding place of the entire world population of the exquisite Chatham Island Albatross. At South East Island (Rangatira) we will Zodiac cruise (landings are not permitted) and should obtain good views of the very rare Shore Plover and the Chatham Island Oystercatcher. Chatham (Forbes) Parakeet is possible too. Our landing on the main Chatham Island will allow us to visit a native forest reserve. This archipelago has been isolated for thousands of years and both the birds and plants show a high degree of endemism. During our birding excursion we should see Chatham Island and Pitt Island Shags, along with Chatham Island Warbler and Pigeon.Day 17: Disembark vessel. Fly Chatham Islands back to Christchurch on specially chartered flight.

NB Exact itinerary subject to weather and sea conditions.

Instead of sailing from the Chatham Islands back to New Zealand as in past years, this sector will be flown in a chartered aircraft to Christchurch. The second departure will operate in reverse, ie fly from Christchurch to the Chatham Islands.

itinerary

Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, shore excursions, lectures and services of expedition team, day by day bird checklist, overnight hotel pre-cruise with dinner and breakfast, group transfers hotel/ship, ship/airport. (2014 voyages also include one way charter flight Chatham Islands to Christchurch or v.v.)Price excludes: Flights (available from £995), landing fees and port taxes (£455), travel insurance, vessel fuel surcharges if levied, onboard gratuities (suggest US$10 per day), drinks, and items of a personal nature.

Advance register for November 2016 for only £50 per person.

SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS of Australia and New ZealandFor birdwatchers, botanists and island enthusiasts, the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby (50 passengers), offers a number of voyages to these rarely visited islands. The itinerary shown here is the ‘Birding Downunder’ trip, which visits all the islands of avian interest, and can be deemed to be an essential ‘WildWings’ pelagic. The shorter voyages offered by the same vessel offer a limited ‘snapshot’ only. Over 40 species of tubenose alone can be expected, over a third of the world’s total! There is not a moment at sea without at least a Cape Petrel, prions and a few albatrosses present. The list of seabirds is staggering and large numbers will be encountered both at sea, and on land breeding in the islands. Albatrosses (up to 15 species), shearwaters, petrels, penguins (eight species) including endemics and shags (up to ten species) head an awesome list. The almost mythical Magenta Petrel seems to be seen much more frequently in the last few years too, with three passes by one bird during the 2011 voyage and the species was seen again in 2012.

Dates: 9th – 25th November & 24th November – 10th December 2014 (Invercargill to Christchurch, Christchurch to Invercargill) Leader/s: Rodney Russ and expedition team.

Prices & Dates

Cost:



£7515Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)

£8179Sharing a superior twin with facilities. (lower berths)


Deposit: 25%

Dates: 15th November – 3rd December 2015 (Bluff to Dunedin) Leader/s: Rodney Russ and expedition team.

Cost:



£7879Sharing a twin with facilities (upper and lower berths)

£8485Sharing a superior twin with facs. (lower berths)


Deposit: 25%Prices based on £1 = $1.65 Payment can also be made in US$, please contact us for rates.Single supplement 1.8 twin share rate.

www.pelagicodyssey.ca

Contact us for the colour brochure, previous trip reports and full bird and mammal lists. For a superb illustrated report of the 2011 voyage,

please visit

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: birds, whales & dolphins, island scenery & photography..WHERE?Bluff (S. Island, NZ) – Snares – Auckland Islands – Macquarie Island – Campbell Island – Antipodes – Bounty Islands – Chatham Islands – Christchurch (S. Island, NZ)SAMPLE WILDLIFESeabirds galore including endemics, penguins including endemic Royal, Snares-crested and Erect-crested Penguins, other island endemics, whales, dolphins & seals.CLIMATETemperate cool to Polar cold.ACCOMMODATION50+ passenger expedition ship, cabins with and without private facilities.


“

There can surely be few Neotropical mammals that hold the appeal of the Jaguar yet some tour leaders with several months (or even years), experience in Central and South America have only seen one or two. Although they have traditionally been considered a forest species it is now apparent that Jaguars are equally at home in open country and the Pantanal has become the place to see them. This is our revised itinerary, spending slightly more time in the Pantanal.

After our two recces during which we saw a total of six Jaguars our inaugural tour in 2004 was a roaring success with no less than four Jaguars seen for prolonged periods at close range. All of our departures since have enjoyed prolonged close views of Jaguars. The first of the 2007 tours came home again with stunning views, two animals in full sunshine on the river bank whilst the second group watched in disbelief as a pair courted and then mated in front of them. Our 2008 departures yielded superb prolonged views again, six Jaguars on the first, two on the second. Our 2009 trip enjoyed no less than seven close encounters with a Jaguar! Our first 2010 saw 44 species of mammal, including four different Jaguars and finally adding Puma and cub to our ever growing multi-year list. The second 2010 trip also enjoyed another four Jaguars including animals hunting and a pair mating, plus another Puma at only 25 metres range, Ocelot, Margay and four Maned Wolves to produce a total of 41 species of mammal! Our 2011 trip enjoyed great views of two Jaguars, one of which was on view for over two hours. Our 2012 group enjoyed 8 – 9 Jaguars.

BRAZIL JAGUARSThe Pantanal

Price includes: International and internal economy class flights including pre-paid taxes, all ground transportation, all accommodation and meals, park entry fees, services of WildWings leader and local guides. Mammal & bird checklist.Price excludes: Travel insurance, laundry bills, drinks, other items of a personal nature, gratuities.

Advance register for 2016 for only £100, departures planned for September & October.

“One of our best travel experiences. Many thanks!”BRAZIL JAGUARS J & E.P. OCT 2013

NotesAccommodation is in tourist class hotels with private facilities.

In the Pantanal temperatures will be high possibly in the 30s during the middle of the day. We will normally spend this time resting.

Mosquitoes can be a problem in the Pantanal and appropriate precautions should be taken although there is no malaria in the areas we are visiting.

All the previous trip reports including 2013, some with photos, are available on our website or on request from us.

Optional extension to Emas National ParkYou may extend your trip by joining Regina and local guides for three full days wildlife watching in Emas National Park. An area of completely different habitat, an area of open grasslands and scrubby woodland. Potential highlights include Puma, Pampas Cat, Maned Wolf & possibly Giant Anteater, plus armadillos and lots of birds. TBC September 2015 - £1695 per person sharing a twin room, single supplement £159pp. Includes domestic flight, ground transportation, accommodation with private facilities and all meals, service of our leader and local guides, and entrance fees. Based on a minimum of 4 persons, and maximum of 8 plus leader and guides. A second extension to a site reachable by road from Emas in search of Giant Armadillos, will be announced soon.

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow late evening.Day 2: Late morning connecting flight to Cuiaba and drive to Pixaim and overnight.Day 3: Morning boat trip for otters. Afternoon drive to Porte Jofre for three nights.Days 4&5: Boat trips from Porto Jofre.Day 6: Drive to Pousada Jaguar and overnight.Day 7:Drive to Araras Ecolodge for three nights.Days 8 & 9: Full days wildlife watching.Day 10: Last morning in the Pantanal, drive to Cuiaba for flight to Sao Paulo and on to London. (or extend your stay in Brazil)Day 11: Arrive London Heathrow early afternoon.

Itinerary...

Leaders: Regina Ribeiro plus local guides.Dates: TBC September 2015Cost: c£3995 per person sharing a twin room.£629 - Single supplement£1000 - DepositGroup size: 6-8 plus leader and guides.

Prices & Dates

at a glance....

FOCUSMammal-watching: mammals, birds and photography.WHERE?Cuiaba – Pantanal – Cuiaba (extension: Campo Grande – Emas NP – Campo Grande) SAMPLE WILDLIFEJaguar, Giant River Otter, Brazilian Tapir, (Maned Wolf), many other mammals plus 200+ species of birds.CLIMATEWarm to hot (the river can be cool in early mornings)ACCOMMODATIONComfortable hotels & lodges, all rooms with private facilties.


Leaders: Chris Collins & Iggy Rojas plus the vessel’s guide & crew.Dates: 6th – 19th September 2015Cost: £2795 sharing a twin cabinSingle supplement £549 Max no of participants: 18Deposit: £500 per person

2016 dates: TBC September, you may advance register for £50pp (refundable).

Prices & Dates

Day 1: Depart London Heathrow for Manaus.Day 2: Arrive Manaus, transfer to live-aboard and sail. Visit to the ‘meeting of the waters’ where the Rios Negro and Solimões meet to form the Amazon.Day 3-7: Explore river islands, varzea (flooded) forest,terra firme (never flooded) forest along the Amazon and its tributaries.Day 8: Visit to Manaus.Day 9-15: Explore the Rio Negro and its tributaries. Visit the world’s largest river archipelago, look for giant water lilies and interact with wild Amazon River Dolphins.Day 15: Disembark in Manaus. Fly to Sao Paulo and onwards to the UK.Day 16: Arrive London.

Itinerary...

Often described as “the green lungs of the planet”, the Amazon rainforest is the most biologically diverse place on Earth and on this exciting new tour we plan to spend two weeks in this wildlife paradise. Whilst many visitors to the rainforest base themselves at a single lodge and then explore the surrounding area, this unique trip will be very different, as we will travel and sleep on a comfortable river boat giving us the ability to explore more widely and visit a diverse range of habitats.

Our adventure starts in Manaus, home of the famous 19th Century Opera House, where we will board our specially chartered live-aboard and home for the next two weeks. Manaus sits at the confluence of the Rios Negro (a “black water” river) and Solimões (a ‘white water” river) and this is where the two merge to form the mighty Amazon. The waters do not, however, mix for several kilometres and we should witness the extraordinary spectacle of the two seemingly flowing next to each other, separated only by their different temperatures, acidities and speeds.

For the first part of our expedition, we plan to travel along the Amazon exploring side channels, larger tributaries, as well as landing on river islands and invarzea (annually flooded) forest andterra firme (never flooded) forest. This will allow us to look for a wide range of birds and animals and our live-aboard comes equipped with motorised canoes to give us maximum flexibility. Whilst our specially chartered vessel can carry 22 passengers, we are limiting this cruise to only 18.

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife River Cruise: birds, river dolphins, monkeys, rainforest scenery and photographyWHERE?Manaus (Brazil) – Amazon River – Rio Negro – ManausSAMPLE WILDLIFEKing Vulture, Harpy Eagle, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Black Skimmer, Red-and-Green Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Festive Parrot, Red-fan Parrot, Hoatzin, Spectacled Owl, Great Potoo, Common Potoo, Great Jacamar, Guianan Toucanet, Toco Toucan, Point-tailed Palmcreeper, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Screaming Piha, Spangled Cotinga, Yellow-crowned Manakin, Paradise Tanager, Golden-handed Tamarin, Guianan and Golden-backed Squirrel Monkeys, Colombian and Guianan Red Howlers, Red-faced and Black Spider Monkeys, Pale-throated Sloth, Amazonian River Dolphin, Tucuxi and mile after mile of virgin rainforestCLIMATEWarm to hot. Generally fine with occasional showersACCOMMODATION22 passenger comfortable live-aboard river boat, twin cabins with bunk beds and private facilities.

AMAZON WILDLIFE CRUISERainforest, River Dolphins, Monkeys, Macaws, Toucans and Giant Water Lilies

Price includes: Travel and accommodation aboard theIracema, a Brazilian registered riverboat built in 2011, in air-conditioned twin (upper & lower berth) cabins. Cabins include a window and private shower, wc and washbasin. There is a restaurant/bar area for relaxing, socialising and eating, plus a small library, laundry facilities and a satellite phone. The upper deck is open with seating for enjoying wildlife and the world passing by (largely shaded by a canvas roof) and there is some limited space facing forward on two decks. We will have three motorized canoes for exploring from the main vessel. All meals are included aboard, transfers to and from the airport for our group flights, services of leaders, canoe and shore excursions, local permits, WildWings pre-trip information pack plus a bird and mammal checklist for use during the cruise.

Price excludes: Economy class flights with TAM from London Heathrow via Sao Paulo to Manaus including pre-paid taxes (UK – UK dates would be 5th – 20th September 2015, approx. £949pp, bookable from October 2014), pre and post cruise hotels if required, drinks, crew gratuities aboard vessel (we suggest $10 per person per day), and other items of a personal nature plus travel insurance.

NEW!

We can combine your cruise with other areas of Brazil eg The Pantanal, Iguazu Falls etc.We also plan to offer an optional extension for Araripe Manakin and other birds to north east Brazil.

If you would like the information when available, please e-mail or phone us.


This island-studded marine wilderness is often referred to as the ‘Mexican Galapagos’ and it boasts one of the greatest diversities of sea life anywhere on Earth. Baja California is one of the longest and wildest peninsulas in the world, stretching from the Californian border to the town of Cabo San Lucas, more than 800 miles to the south. It is flanked on one side by the cool waters of the North Pacific and on the other by the warm nutrient rich waters of the Sea of Cortez.

It is a truly outstanding area for whales and dolphins, quite simply one of the best in the world, and these waters provide rich feeding grounds for Blue, Fin, Humpback, Gray, Bryde’s, Minke, Sperm and Short-finned Pilot Whales. We also expect to see Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins (both inshore and offshore forms), and Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common Dolphins, and for the very keen, Dwarf Sperm Whale. In fact, we are frequently surrounded by herds of dolphins numbering well over a thousand individuals, bubbling out of the sea in every direction, with small groups frequently venturing in to bow ride with us. On previous trips we have been joined by pods of bow riding Orcas, lunge feeding Blue Whales and groups of up to 20 Sperm Whales. In addition to the female Gray Whales and their calves waiting for us even before we dropped anchor in their breeding lagoon, other memorable moments include male Humpbacks that repeatedly breach (one 60 times in succession) just a few metres from us, thirty tons of whale makes quite a noise and a splash when it hits the water! Our ever growing multi-year list also includes False Killer Whales, an hour long encounter with a Whale Shark and Spinner Dolphins, so surprises are more than possible too! A remarkable 13 species of cetacean were seen on one trip alone, including at least 300 whale sightings and well over 6000 dolphins. The endangered Guadalupe Fur Seal, endemic to this region, has also been seen well in the last few years. The 2013 voyage enjoyed all the usuals in good numbers, plus mega-highlights included bow-riding dolphins at night (dolphins and fish ‘exploding’off the bows in bioluminescence waters) and a Whaleshark which swan under the vessel. 2014’s group enjoyed 10+ Blue Whales (some trip this year saw none!), lots of Gray and Humpback Whales, thousands of dolphins and a two-hour encounter with five Orcas.

Some great birds are on offer too, with range-restricted species possible including Guadalupe and Scripp’s Murrelets (both formally known as Xantu’s Murrelet, but split in 2012) plus Craveri’s Murrelet, Black-vented and Townsend’s Shearwaters, Black and Least Storm-Petrels, Grey Thrasher and Xantu’s Hummingbird. Belding’s Yellowthroat is also possible prior to departure from Cabo on the last morning. Two of the three Pacific albatross are likely, tropicbirds, boobies plus for many people, their first taste of ‘desert birding’ ashore. Our co-leader David Wimpfheimer, is a year-round professional bird guide. His optional, small-group birding trip around San Diego on the day of sailing, usually yields about 100 species.

Baja is truly a life experience you cannot afford to miss!

BAJA CALIFORNIAand the Sea of Cortez


Prices & DatesDates25th March – 7th April 201525th March – 7th April 2016Naturalists/guides: Scot Anderson and David Wimpfheimer plus ship’s crew.

Cost: 2015: £4295 2016: £TBC Max no of participants: 26Deposit: £1000per person For 2016 a refundable advance registration fee of £50pp is required.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to San Diego via Detroit, transfer to hotel, overnight.Day 2: Optional birding excursion by bus (0700-1530) or day at leisure, city sightseeing, shopping etc. Early evening board the Spirit of Adventure and sailDay 3: Isla Todos Santos for nesting seabirds and Harbour SealsDay 4: Isla San Benitos to view a Northern Elephant Seal rookery, California Sea Lions, Ospreys and desert plants and to seek the very rare and endemic Guadalupe Fur Seal.Days 5-6: San Ignacio Lagoon for close encounters with ‘friendly’ Gray WhalesDay 7: Magdalena Bay area for more Gray Whales, as well as feeding Blue and Humpback Whales further offshore and around Cabo San Lucas.Days 8-12: Whale watching, bird watching, snorkelling and other activities in the Sea of CortezDay 13: Expedition concludes at Cabo San Lucas, transfer to airport and depart for home via Atlanta.Day 14: Arrive London Heathrow.

Itinerary...

Price includes: Economy class flights with Delta from London Heathrow via Detroit out and Atlanta back including pre-paid taxes (included flight allowance £780 per person, for other routes/airlines a supplements will apply). Overnight hotel accommodation in San Diego in rooms with private facilities including breakfast. Travel and accommodation aboard theSpirit of Adventure, an 88-foot long, U.S registered boat, air-conditioned with mostly twin (two triple) cabins. Cabins are small (for sleeping and changing), with limited storage space only. There is a spacious salon for relaxing, socialising and eating. Four toilets and three hot freshwater showers. Three sturdy long Mexican pangas operated by local fishermen are used for close encounters with Gray Whales in San Ignacio Lagoon (theSpirit of Adventure’s skiffs are used at all other times). All meals aboard theSpirit of Adventure,

all transfers, services of leaders, shore excursions as described, lagoon permits, Mexican visas, WildOceans/WildWings pre-trip information pack plus cetacean and bird checklist for use on tour. Price excludes: Meals in San Diego, drinks, crew gratuities aboard vessel (we suggest $15-25 per person per day), panga boatman tips ($15-20 per person) and other items of a personal nature and travel insurance.

Single room supplement in San Diego £69. Optional birding excursion in San Diego, March 26th £90.

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: whales & dolphins, birds, other marine life, scenery & photographyWHERE?San Diego – Pacific coast – San Ignacio Lagoon – Sea of Cortez & islands – Cabo San LucasSAMPLE WILDLIFEBlue, Gray, Fin, Humpback and many other whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds including Pacific albatross, shorebirds, desert birds and regional endemics.CLIMATECool to warmACCOMMODATION26 passenger live-aboard sports fishing boat, cabins without private facilties.


Following on from the spectacular success of our West Pacific Odyssey, WildWings is delighted to announce another ‘world first’ voyage which will be targeting some of the special seabirds in the East Pacific including Townsend’s Shearwater, Black-vented Shearwater, Ainley’s Storm-petrel, Least Storm-petrel, Black Storm-petrel and Guadalupe Murrelet. We also hope to see a host of desirable cetaceans, seals and other marine creatures including Great White Sharks (although getting a bit late in the season for them) and Giant Manta Rays, so this exciting pelagic should appeal to those with a wide range of sea-related interests.

Our expedition begins in San Diego and after clearing customs just over the Mexican border at Ensenada, we will sail in a south-westerly direction for the island of Guadalupe. This island is probably most famous in seabirding circles for the Guadalupe Storm-petrel, a species which was considered abundant at the beginning of the 20th Century but is now regarded as critically endangered and potentially extinct. With several other seabirds either “coming back from the dead” or being discovered in recent years (eg Beck’s & Fiji Petrels) and only a handful of recent at sea searches in the waters off Guadalupe, there is surely a chance that this storm-petrel could still be out there. Whilst we will certainly be alert to the possibility of this almost mythical bird, our main reason for visiting Guadalupe is to look for another endangered storm-petrel and that is Ainley’s Storm-petrel. Until recently, this was regarded as part of the Leach’s Storm-petrel complex but recent work by Steve N. G. Howell and others has shown that this is indeed a good species. We are pleased to announce Steve will now be joining us as a guest leader. With the birds only known to breed on three small islets off Guadalupe and egg-laying taking place in November-December, our trip has been perfectly time to ensure we have an excellent chance of finding this poorly known bird. Another important bird which breeds here is the highly localised Guadalupe Murrelet which up until 2012 was regarded as conspecific with Scripps’s Murrelet, with both being collectively known as Xantus’ Murrelet. This split has now been widely accepted and whilst we will be at Guadalupe Island outside of the murrelet breeding season, nevertheless, we hope to find both these ‘new’ species during our expedition, as well as the more widespread Cassin’s Auklet. As Guadalupe is a Biosphere Reserve (as is Socorro), landings are not permitted, although we are able to go on skiff rides and hope to find both Guadalupe Fur Seal and Northern Elephant Seal. We will also be on the lookout for one of the world’s most feared creatures, the Great White Shark, as these apex predators are known to gather off Guadalupe (but slightly earlier in the year). Other desirable seabirds we should see around the island include the recently split Guadalupe Murrelet and Black-vented Shearwater, whilst in the deeper offshore waters, Ashy, Black and Least Storm-petrels, Pink-footed Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Black-footed and Laysan Albatrosses are all possible, as well as more widespread species such as Magnificent Frigatebird and Masked Booby.

MEXICO PELAGIC

Price includes:Overnight hotel accommodation in San Diego in rooms with private facilities, on a room only basis. Travel and accommodation aboard theSearcher, an 95-foot long, U.S registered boat, air-conditioned with twin cabins with washbasin and bedside reading lights. Cabins are small (for sleeping and changing), with limited storage space only. There is a spacious salon for relaxing, socialising and eating. Four toilets and two hot freshwater showers. The vessel has 3 metal-hulled skiffs. All meals and beverages aboard theSearcher, services of leaders and crew, Mexican visas, WildWings pre-voyage information pack plus bird and marine mammal checklist for use during the voyage. Price excludes:Flights to San Diego/ from Cabo San Lucas (available from c£750 return from London),

transfers in San Diego and Cabo (taxis from/to airports c$10/$20pp), meals & drinks in San Diego, other drinks onboard, crew gratuities aboard vessel (we suggest $25 per person per day), items of a personal nature and travel insurance.

Single room supplement in San Diego £49/$79 We may be able to offer a few single cabins on the vessel, supplement £500 / US$775.

Subject to demand, we may offer an optional birding excursion around San Diego on November 28th, 100+ species being possible.(* BY kind permission of WINGS)

Day 1: Arrive San Diego, overnight hotel.Day 2: Board vessel in the morning in San Diego and sail. We will clear Mexican customs at Ensenada in the early afternoon and then set a course for Guadalupe Island.Day 3: We plan to arrive offshore of Guadalupe Island by late morning and depending on conditions plan to look for seabirds and offer skiff rides along the coastline. At sea, we will be looking for Ainley’s Storm-petrel and Great White Sharks, whilst closer inshore we hope to find Northern Elephant Seals and Guadalupe Fur Seal.Day 4: Another morning exploring offshore from Guadalupe Island before departing south for Alijos Rocks.Day 5: At sea with possibilities for deep water cetaceans and an interesting mix of seabirds.Day 6: We expect to spend part of today looking for seabirds around Alijos Rocks before continuing towards Socorro Island.Day 7: At sea. Day 8-9: We anticipate arriving off Socorro Island at lunchtime on day 8 and will have the rest of that day and all of day 9 to look for birds and marine wildlife around the island.Day 10: A day at sea as we head back towards mainland Mexico.Day 11: Arrive Cabo San Lucas and disembark after breakfast. Many flights depart for the US around lunchtime and into the afternoon, time enough to go and search for the local endemic, Belding’s Yellowthroat.

Selected target pelagic birds: Ainley’s Storm-petrel, Townsend’s Shearwater, Laysan & Black-footed Albatross, Black-vented Shearwater, Least and Black Storm-petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet, Magnificent Frigatebirds and Masked Booby.

Potential cetaceans: Fin, Minke and Blue Whales; Humpbacks at Socorro; Bryde’s Whales in the sub-tropics; and several more species of toothed whales are expected-Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Pilot Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Killer Whales, other tropical dolphin species such as Spinner and Spotted Dolphins.

Itinerary...

Dates: 28th November – 8th December 2015Leaders: Chris Collins & Art Taylor, plus Guest Leader Steve N.G. Howell*.

Cost:£2995/US$4645 per person sharing a twin cabin£500/US$775 per person depositMax no of participants: 24

Prices & Dates

NEW!

at a glance....

FOCUSBird & Wildlife Cruise: seabirds, whales and dolphins, other marine life, scenery and photographyWHERE?San Diego – Guadalupe Island – Alijos Rocks – Socorro Island – Cabo San LucasSAMPLE WILDLIFETownsend’s Shearwater, Black-vented Shearwater, Ainley’s Storm-petrel, Least Storm-petrel, Ashy Storm-petrel, Black Storm-petrels, Laysan Albatross, Black-footed Albatross, Guadalupe Murrelet, Blue Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Humpback Whale, Orca, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Spinner Dolphin & Giant Manta RayCLIMATECool to warmACCOMMODATION24 passenger live-aboard sports fishing boat, cabins with washbasin only.


BIRDING TRINIDAD & TOBAGOLess than half a day’s flight from here, lie two sun-kissed islands in the Caribbean Sea, yet only a few miles from mainland South America. English speaking, compact, beautiful and bird-filled Trinidad and Tobago await, a true natural history paradise.

Over 430 species of bird have been recorded, over 100 species of mammal, 55 species of reptile, 23 amphibians, over 630 species of butterfly not forgetting at least 2300 types of flowering plants. WildWings continue to work with the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre plus Pax Guest House on Trinidad. On Tobago we offer Blue Waters Inn, set on it’s own beach and the delightful Cuffie River Nature Retreat, set in the cool of the island’s forests. We can tailor-make your dream combination of properties on both islands.

Pax Guest House independent packages

From only £1289 per person, sharing a room with washbasin.

Single room £169 per person per week

For rooms with private facilities: in a twin or single add £79 per person per week.

Deposit: £500 per person

Price includes: return economy class flights from London Gatwick to Port of Spain with BA including pre-paid taxes, transfers, 7 nights accommodation at Pax Guest House on a full board basis in twin rooms with washbasin and a rum punch daily, plus a WildWings bird checklist.

Price excludes: Guided birding excursions (available locally from approx £65pp per day including transport) Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature. Flights supplements for higher BA booking class’s, which will be advised at time of booking if applicable. Weekend (friday-sunday) flight supplements apply.

Trinidad

TobagoWe work with BLUE WATERS INN & CUFFIE RIVER NATURE RETREAT. Enquire for prices.

Contact

Sarah-Jane Thompson

at WildWings for your quote!

Air-inclusive packages to the Asa Wright Nature Centre

From £1495 per person, sharing a twin room with private facilities.

Deposit: £500 per person

Price includes: return economy class flights to Port of Spain with BA from London Gatwick including pre paid taxes, return airport transfers, 7 nights accommodation at the Asa Wright Nature Centre with private facilities, early morning coffee, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and rum punch daily. Introductory guided walk and Oilbird cave visit. WildWings bird checklist.

Price excludes: Other birding excursions, travel insurance, other drinks and items of a personal nature. Flights supplements for higher BA booking class’s, which will be advised at time of booking if applicable. Weekend (Friday-Sunday) flight supplements apply.


The Best of the Islands....

The Best of Trinidad7 nights Pax Guest House Birding Package plus 3 nights at the Asa Wright Nature Centre (including Oilbird excursion) from £1929 per person sharing a twin room with private facilities, full board (valid for travel on a variety of dates).

The Best of Trinidad and Tobago7 nights Pax Guest House Birding Package plus 3 nights at the Asa Wright Nature Centre and 4 nights at Blue Waters Inn from £2185 per person sharing a twin room with private facilities, full board in Trinidad, bed and breakfast on Tobago (valid for travel on a variety of dates)

BIRDING JAMAICAPerhaps the most beautiful part of Jamaica is its unspoiled eastern region with its lush green hills and pristine undeveloped beaches, the peace and solitude offered by the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park and the small town of Port Antonio - an area that has recorded 25 of the island’s 28 endemics!

These year round holidays are perfect for non-birding partners too. Our property, Mocking Bird Hill is listed in the ‘Birds of the West Indies’ as one of the best birding sites on the island, with a garden list of over 40 species recorded. With advance notice, the owners can arrange birding trips with a car and driver plus a local birding guide to the other key sites. We can also combine this property with Forres Park and/or Green Lane, ask Sarah-Jane Thompson for your quote.

Holiday InformationAir-inclusive packages to Hotel Mocking Bird Hill

Departures Year round from £1895 per person, sharing a twin room with private facilities.Single supplements from £690.00 per week

Price includes: return economy class flights from London Gatwick to Kingston with BA including prepaid taxes, transfers (approx 2-2.5 hours each way), 7 nights accommodation at Mockingbird Hill with breakfast and 3-course a la Carte dinner, sharing a garden-view twin room with private facilities and WildWings bird checklist. Price excludes: Local airport tax (US$30), drinks, other meals, gratuities, birding and other excursions, travel insurance and other items of a personal nature.

Deposit: £500 per person.

Sample optional Birding Excursions, bookable locally:Ecclesdown- A morning birding excursion with a stop at Reach Falls and the beach on the way back. Approx £195 for 2 persons including transport and guide.

Blue Mountains-A full day trip with an option to visit a coffee estate on the way back. Approx £245 for 2 persons including transport and guide.

Day 1: Fly London Gatwick to Jamaica. Transfer on arrival to your accommodation.Days 2- 7: Six full days in Jamiaca, many birds can be seen in and around the hotel. Optional excursions to other parts of the island.Day 8: Transfer back to airport for overnight flight home.Day 9: Arrive London Gatwick.

INDEPENDENT TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS: BIRDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Having sent hundreds of people to the islands over the last twenty years we are pleased to suggest our ‘best of’ combinations to maximise your birding.

Sample itinerary


Incredible scenery and great birding make this spring trip to Colorado one of the best birding experiences in North America, indeed clients in previous years have always raved about it.

Many birds and mammals are found more easily in Colorado than anywhere else and your guide Dick Filby spends much of the year in Colorado and knows where to find them. What’s more, the endless vistas of the High Plains give a sense of freedom and space that is difficult to find in many parts of the world whilst the Rocky Mountains, their dramatic peaks still snow capped after 300 inches or more of snow from the winter, tower above great forests and deep gorges carved by gushing rivers. The focus for this trip are the grouse leks for which Colorado is famous, with more grouse species to be found here than anywhere else in North America. There is no better place to view them. The leks are totally spellbinding and in addition to the displays, also offer unusually prolonged viewing of the cryptic plumage of these otherwise shy and retiring species. The supporting cast of other birds and mammals is impressive in its own right.

The grouse leks are some of the most incredible display rituals in the avian world and we will get amazing and close-up views. Each species has its own unique and bizarre performances, which involve ritualised dancing, inflation of brightly coloured air sacs, curious vocalisations and extraordinary postures. As we progress around the state in search of the different species, we will position ourselves at each lek prior to dawn and thrill to a new spectacle unfolding as the sun rises. Captivated, we will spend an hour or more spellbound until the frenzied activity of the males diminish, the visiting females have departed, and we too head for breakfast. We visit leks of Greater Sage Grouse, the recently split Gunnison Sage Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie Chicken and Lesser Prairie Chicken. In addition we will seek displaying Blue Grouse and Wild Turkeys, coveys of Scaled, Gambel and Northern Bobwhite Quails, as well as the enigmatic and beautiful White-tailed Ptarmigan. As we search for the latter, a notoriously difficult-to-find species, we will be truly on the roof of North America, atop the Rocky Mountains, having driven up into the Arctic Alpine zone at almost 12,000 feet. Like the rest of the tour, we will look for the birds close to the road. It is set to be a fantastic culmination to an amazing tour.

COLORADO Grouse Leks

Dates: 11th – 23rd April 2015Leaders: Dick FilbyCost: £2639 per person sharing a twin roomSingle supplement: £295Deposit: £800Group size: 7 plus leaderDates: 9th – 21st April 2016. You may advance register for only £50pp.

Day 1: Fly Heathrow – Denver via Atlanta (Depart approx 0900). Overnight hotel.Day 2: The Eastern Plains. Drive to Springfield birding en route.Day 3: Lesser Prairie Chicken lek, Commanche National Grasslands and South East Canyonlands.Day 4: Lesser Prairie Chicken lek again (optional) then into The Rocky Mountains to Gunnison.

Day 5: Gunnison Sage Grouse lek and the Black Canyon.Day 6: Colorado River and valleys of the central Rockies.Day 7: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Bald Eagles, Sandhill Cranes.Day 8: Greater Sage Grouse, North Park plateau and Cache-le-Poudre valley.

Day 9: Pawnee National Grasslands.Day 10: Greater Prairie Chickens, Bonny State Park and the Eastern Plains.Day 11: AM Eastern Plains, PM drive to Denver area, overnight airport area.Day 12: Departure from Denver (approx 1030) via Atlanta, overnight flight.Day 13: Arrive back in Heathrow (approx 0730).

itinerary

Price includes: Return economy class flights* including airport taxes with Icelandair (an allowance of £700 is included), all ground transportation by mini-bus, accommodation on a room only basis in twin bedded en suite rooms. Lek visits, services of WildWings leader, pre tour information pack and a day-by-day bird checklist. (* You may also fly from some UK regional airports or non-stop from London Heathrow with British Airways, supplement £250pp, please enquire)

Price excludes: Travel insurance, all meals, drinks, souvenirs, gratuities, laundry charges and other items of a personal nature. Allow approximately U$25-40 per day for food and drinks (or more if you choose to celebrate in style). Food is generally at local diners and restaurants, with packed breakfast/lunch on some days. Most of the tour is based in small towns so the restaurant opportunities are adequate and satisfying.

Birds: Number of species expected (approx.): - 180

prices & dates

FOCUSMammal and birds tour: Birds, mammals, scenery & photography.WHERE?Denver (USA) – exploring Colorado, including a day in Kansas – DenverSAMPLE WILDLIFE5 species of lekking grouse plus other ‘game birds’ including White-tailed Ptarmigan, many other resident, winter and summer visitors. A good potential

list of mammals including Coyote and Elk plus a chance of wild cats including Mountain Lion.CLIMATETemperature winter to springACCOMMODATIONTravel will be by 15 seat passenger van (for only 7 people), staying in typical American motels, rooms with private facilities.

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Strand Travel Limited trading as: WildWings, Wild Insights and WildOceans. ATOL 5429

These are the terms and conditions which will apply to our ATOL-bonded air inclusive holidays. Please read them carefully as you will be bound to them.

1. When you make your booking you must complete a booking form accepting on behalf of all your party the terms of these booking conditions and pay a deposit of 10% per person (unless otherwise stated). A contract will exist when on receipt of your deposit we issue a confirmation invoice. (We reserve the right to decline any booking)

All payments must be made in pounds sterling and all cheques must be drawn on a UK clearing bank. All other forms of payment including Euro cheques and foreign currency will incur additional bank charges. These additional charges will be added to your account. Foreign currency payments will be converted to sterling on the day that we receive payment and any shortfall or gain will be notified to you in writing.

All passengers must be fit to travel at the time of booking and expected to still be so at time of travel. Health advice is available at www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice.

It is a general condition that all tour customers must have valid travel insurance for their trip, which must provide sufficient cover for the experience/s they are booking, also bearing in mind their ongoing health and age. All participants should also ensure they have valid travel documents such as a passport and any visas that may be required for the booked trip.

2. WildWings/Wild Insights/WildOceans reserve the right to cancel a tour up to fifty six days prior to departure, should minimum numbers not be attained (up to 30 days prior to departure WildOceans O.S.E trips only).

3. We also reserve the right to change advertised vessels and tour leaders at any time, although in practice do not intend to do so (but real world factors such as illness have to be taken into account). If the minimum number on a tour is not attained we will withdraw the UK leader and run the trip with the overseas leader/s rather than cancel your holiday.

4. The balance of the price of your holiday must be paid by twelve weeks before departure. If the balance is not paid in time we reserve the right to cancel your holiday, retain your deposit and apply cancellation charges set out below. For some holidays we may ask for an interim payment to guarantee the airfare element. If you make any changes to your booking after it has been confirmed, an administration fee of £20 per change may apply.

5. You, or any member or your party, may cancel your holiday at any time providing that the cancellation is made by the person signing the booking form and is communicated to us in writing. As this incurs administrative costs, we will retain your deposit and in addition may apply cancellation charges up to the maximum shown below. The cancellation charge is calculated as a percentage of the holiday price dependent upon the period before departure when written cancellation is received.

CancellationMore than 84 days before departure: Loss of deposit (including interim flight payments if applicable)84 – 71 days before departure 25% of total price (or deposit as above if higher).56 - 70 days before departure 50% of total price.29 - 55 days before departure 75% of total price.0 - 28 days before departure 100% of total price.

Note: If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of an insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. No refunds will be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the travel.

6. If you have a problem during your holiday, please inform our tour manager or local

representative immediately who will endeavour to put things right quickly. If your complaint cannot be resolved locally, please follow this up within 31 days of your return home by writing to our Tours Manager at WildWings/WildOceans/Wild Insights, Davis House, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, BS16 3JB. UK giving your original booking reference and all relevant information. It is unlikely that you will have a complaint that cannot be settled amicably between us.

Disputes relating to your holiday which cannot be amicably settled may, if you wish, be referred to arbitration under a special scheme administered by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The scheme, details of which can be supplied on request, provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration based on documents alone with restricted liability for you to pay costs. This scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person or £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or the consequences of such injury or illness. The rules of the scheme provide that the application for arbitration must be made within nine months of the date of return from the holiday.

7. The prices quoted are based on known costs and exchange rates: US Dollar 1.6 Euro 1.2z. These prices may, however, be subject to surcharges as a result of increases of costs caused by government action, changes in currency exchange rates, over-flying charges, airport charges and increases in scheduled air fares. In the event of an increase in the cost of the holiday WildWings/Wild Insights/WildOceans will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price, excluding insurance premium. If the amount of the surcharge exceeds 10% of the holiday price, the client may elect to cancel the holiday and receive a full refund of all monies paid. The client must exercise his right to cancel for this reason within 14 days from receiving written notification of the surcharge from us, otherwise the surcharge will be deemed to have been accepted by the client. The client shall be notified in writing of any surcharge payable 30 days before departure. Airline and or ship fuel surcharges may be applicable at any time.

8. It is unlikely we will have to make any changes to your holiday, but we do plan the arrangements many months in advance. Occasionally, changes may be made, which we reserve the right to do at any time. Most of these changes are minor and we will advise you (or your agent if applicable) at the earliest possible date. Flight timings and carriers are subject to changes as a result of airline procedures. If a major change becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible, if there is time before departure. Should your tour have to be cancelled within 8 weeks of your departure date for reasons of ‘force majeure’ (circumstances such as, but not limited to, war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear activity, disease, fire or adverse weather conditions), you will be offered a full and prompt refund (excluding insurance) of all monies paid by you. A 5% discount shall apply to your next booked holiday with us.

9. We accept responsibility for ensuring the holiday which you book with us is supplied as described in this brochure and the services reach a reasonable standard.

We accept responsibility for any death, bodily injury or illness caused to you as a result of the proven negligent acts and/or omissions of our employees and agents and our suppliers and subcontractors and their servants and/or agents while acting within the scope of, or in the course of their employment. Except as provided in paragraphs (a) to (d), we accept responsibility for any damage caused to you as a result of any failure to perform, or improper performance of the services we have agreed to provide to you. We will not be responsible to you where such failure or improper performance is not due to our fault or that of our suppliers because:

a) Such failure is attributable to you or any member of your party.b) The unforeseeable or unavoidable fault of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under contract.c) Unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of WildWings /WildOceans/Wild Insights and/or supplier

d) An event of ‘force majeure’

Nevertheless, we will in the circumstances set out in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above, promptly try to help you if you are in difficulty. In addition, if through no fault of your own you suffer personal injury or illness or one of your party dies during your holiday then, even though this may not be as a result of any of the holiday services, we will(subject to our reasonable but sole discretion and where appropriate) give you general assistance including financial assistance; and meet the initial costs of any legal action in relation to a claim against a third party arising out of your holiday.

We will give this general and financial assistance provided that you request it within 90 days of the event which led to such personal injury, illness or death and provided that our total financial liability for such assistance will not exceed £5,000 regardless of the number of people involved. If you are successful in claiming any of your costs against a third party or if any policy of insurance held by you provides cover for these costs then you must repay any financial assistance we have given as soon as you recover it.

Subject to the limitation of liability set out in the following paragraph, our liability to you for any loss or damage which you may suffer (other than personal injury resulting from the non-performance or improper performance of the services involved in the holiday) is limited in accordance with any limitation clause in the trading conditions of the supplier.

Our liability to you for the non-performance or improper performance by air carriers, sea carriers, rail carriers or hotel keepers of any services to be provided by them as part of your holiday is limited to the amount you can validly recover against such carrier or hotel keeper:

a) in accordance with any applicable domestic law or the laws of the United Kingdom, for claims other than for personal injury arising out of travel and carriage within the United Kingdom or which is otherwise not international; and b) for all claims arising out of any other travel, carriage or accommodation, in accordance with the international convention which governs such service, including those which have not been ratified by the United Kingdom.

WildWings/WildOceans/Wild Insights shall in no circumstances be liable in respect of consequential loss or damage, detention, delay or overcharge howsoever caused.

10. Our leaders have full authority on tour and you should abide by their instructions. We reserve the right to dismiss any participant from a tour who in the opinion of the leader commits any illegal act, collects any living material from the wild, or whose behaviour severely affects other members of the group’s enjoyment. Any person dismissed from a tour shall have no cause for complaint or refund, and will bear any additional costs in returning home themselves.

11. It is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure they have a valid passport and any applicable visas plus any compulsory vaccination certificates at the time of travel.

Advice for UK passport holders can be found at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

12. Your Financial ProtectionWhen you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder.

However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust maymake a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

We are also bonded members of ABTA. Voyage customers will travel under their respective ship operator’s terms and conditions, copies of which will be supplied.

13. This contract is made on the terms of these booking conditions which are governed by English Law and is subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

Important Notes:1. The nature of many of the trips means we will be travelling in sometimes remote and sometimes ‘third world’ conditions, with local bureaucracy, poor roads etc Each tour itinerary and/or sea voyages are the proposed one only and we reserve the right to change the itinerary subject to local conditions and weather on the day. Customers should also bear in mind ‘health and safety’ standards abroad generally do not match those in the UK and EU.

2. Birds, cetaceans and other wildlife are free and mobile. We cannot guarantee the sighting on a trip of any species but of course our tours are all timed to maximise the chances of seeing the majority of target species. Previous trip reports are available.

3. All wildlife should be respected and participants should be aware of potentially aggressive species and keep a safe distance from them. Wildlife should not be disturbed by participants and tapes should not used in the applicable breeding season.

4. Customers travelling with a number of the overseas operators we represent and work with, will travel under those operators booking conditions which will be supplied upon request. These will include Manta Marine/Atoll Wildlife/Whale and Dolphin Company, Quark Expeditions, Heritage Expeditions NZ, Adventure Birding, ALE, Island Explorer Holidays, Probirder, Wildland Tours, Oceanic Society, One Ocean Expeditions, Jewel in the Crown, Brasil Aventuras, Oceanwide Expeditions, Trans New Guinea Tours, SOA Charters, Manu Expeditions, Din Tur, RM Tours/SPNI, Estonian NT, Educational Travel, Birdservice, Zegrahm Expeditions, SASPO UK and others.

Data Protection StatementIn order to process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we need to use the information you provide (such as name, address, age, passport details and any special requests). We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to our relevant suppliers which may also include public authorities (eg customs/immigration). If your destination is outside the EEA, controls on data protection may not be as strong as in the UK. If we cannot pass this information on to the relevant parties we cannot provide your booking. In signing our booking form you consent to the relevant information being passed on to the relevant parties. We will send you future mailings of our forthcoming programmes only, we do not provide our customer information to any other third parties. Please contact us if you wish to removed from our mailing lists at any time.

Effective 25/07/2014

ConservationWildWings are totally committed to the conservation of the natural world and we donate money to ‘front-line’ organisations and projects every year. In operating our own tours and holidays, we use local businesses and guides in each destination to inject money and employment into the areas that our clients visit. Since 2004, we have been donating money annually to the ‘Save the Albatross’ campaign for each customer that we send to Antarctica. This is also supported by our tour leaders when they travel on our various expedition ships and we are pleased to be donating thousands of pounds a year to this crucial campaign as a result. Our donations are currently being specifically used to buy tori-lines for use on Southern Ocean fishing vessels. We also continue to fund our annual Oriental Bird Club Conservation Awareness Award too and are corporate members of the African and Neotropic Bird Clubs.

WildWings LIVE!Come and meet the staff and most of our leaders. We are always at the British Bird Watching Fair at Rutland Water in Marquee 4 every August (www.birdfair.org.uk). Stop by for a chat, tell us about your last trip and ask us questions about your next. We look forward to seeing you there.

Your images wanted!We are delighted to illustrate this brochure with many of our customer’s images. If you would like to see your work in print, of birds and wildlife, the people, places and vessels taken on your travels with WildWings, then please submit them via e-mail or on disc, thank you!

www.wildwings.co.ukOur website is kept up to date, year round, with the latest information, dates and prices. Forthcoming tours and expeditions on the website appear as soon as they are available to book. Make our homepage a favourite, with the availability and news pages changing frequently. In many cases there is more information on the website than we have space for here, especially our post tour reports. If you do not have access to the web or encounter problems, please simply contact us and we will print the relevant information and mail it.

The WildWings TeamOur friendly, knowledgeable and highly experienced staff are very happy to answer your questions and look forward to hearing from you soon. We only offer programmes that we really know ourselves and we are all keen travellers too. John Brodie-Good oversees all our tour programmes and looks after our independent expedition cruise clients. Sarah-Jane Thompson is responsible our other tour’s operations including our Trinidad, Tobago, Jamaica, St Lucia and Sri Lanka programmes plus our group voyages and our clients travelling independently, worldwide. Emma Brown looks after our air-inclusive holidays and our Wild Insights customers. Nicky Hudson designs this brochure, website and our adverts and has also recently joined the Baja California fan club! The office staff are backed up by one of the best teams of tour leaders to be found anywhere in the world, based here in the UK, plus our many essential colleagues overseas, we are jointly committed to giving you the best bird and wildlife experiences available, and to have a great time doing it.

Financial SecurityWildWings, based in Bristol, are a division of Strand Travel Ltd, London. The company has been trading for more than 20 years. We are fully bonded and licensed with ABTA (G7745) and hold CAA ATOL license 5429. Payment for your travel arrangements may be made by cash, cheque, bank transfer, debit and credit cards*. (*a 2% surcharge will apply for all payments by credit card.) All our air-inclusive holidays are ATOL-bonded, a certificate will be issued to you at the time of booking. All flights we sell, are also ATOL-bonded.

Warning: Please be aware that if you book and pay with a travel supplier abroad direct, especially one or ones outside of the EU, you have no legal or financial redress if things go wrong. There have been a number of well publicized travel company failures recently, including birding tour companies. In the economically turbulent world we continue to live in, you may want to think very carefully before you book. Only by booking your flights and ground arrangements with an ATOL holder, are you fully protected.

PricesAll payments must be made in Pounds Sterling, US Dollars or Euros. Overseas customers are very welcome, we can quote reductions for ‘ground only’ prices for those of you joining our tours at the overseas destination. You will always be quoted the up to date price by our staff at the booking stage. All our voyages show the exchange rate used and are subject to adjustment at the balance stage. Please note as a business, we buy our foreign currency at close to the market rate, not the rip off ‘tourist’ rates payable on the high street. This gives you the best value for money.

Please note – All information/products and prices subject to change or withdrawal at any time.

Brochure designed and produced by Nicola Hudson and John Brodie-Good. Compiled and edited by John Brodie-Good.

(Thanks to all the tours leaders and staff for their assistance).

In addition to the customers and photographer’s images credited throughout this brochure we would like to extend special thanks to the following people and organizations for the use of

their images. Thanks also to the photographers who submitted images we haven’t used due to lack of space. Copyright remains with all the photographers.

Image CreditsKen Smith (for the amazing Polar Bears, taken during the 2014 WildWings Spitsbergen tour),

Mark Andrews, Scot Anderson, Pete Coe, Chris Collins (birdsandwildlife.com), Keith Offord (keithofford.co.uk), Sarah-Jane Thompson, Brian Egan, Nigel Goodgame, Mike & Liz Scott-Ham,

John Brodie-Good, Chas Anderson, Aaron Russ, Dominic Mitchell, Jonathan Meyrav and Dick Filby (rarebirdalert.co.uk).

Front cover: Atlantic Puffin, Fair Isle 2014 © John Brodie-Good Back Cover : Polar Bear, Spitsbergen 2014 © Ken Smith.

Tel: 0117 9658 333 [email protected]

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