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News in Brief: Cyprus, Portugal, Bhutan, India & Nepal
December 2024
‘It was an undeniably wet Christmas in Cyprus but this didn’t stop us from having some wonderful plant and bird sightings and a fantastic holiday, with added rainbows too’, writes tour leader Andy Bunten.
‘We had great views of the much sought-after Finsch’s Wheatear; Long-legged Buzzards soared overhead with their gorgeous cinnamon plumage, avoiding dive-bombing Peregrines; the elusive Black Francolin gave a brief glimpse as it zipped across a field; a Scops Owl showed itself to some and a Bluethroat appeared magically from a bush along Mandria Beach. Flamingoes stalked, while Spur-winged Plovers cried in the wetlands as Common Snipe and a Jack Snipe burst from the vegetation.
December rain can help the plants and we saw some spectacular Fan-lipped Orchids (Anacamptis collina); beautiful, and abundant, Crown Anemones (Anemone coronaria) in colours from white through to purple; delicate, endemic squill (Hyacinthella millingenii) and both the Cypriot and Persian Cyclamens.
We thrilled to the mythologically sinister Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) with its imperial purple flowers and to the Castor Oil plant (Ricinus communis) from which we abstract the ‘delicious’ medicine castor oil and the deadly toxin Ricin. We admired a variety of endemic plants including Golden Oak (Quercus alnifolia) with its dark-green leaves which are golden underneath and Bosea cypria, an unassuming green-leaved bush looking very unlike other members of its Amaranth family.
Potentially, plants of the trip were a wonderful glade of Bunch-flowered Daffodils (Narcissus tazetta) and the stunning sight of 20 spikes of the early-flowering Ophrys omegaifera subsp. israelitica.
As always, the food delighted with some amazing local bakeries, fabulous tavernas and healthy and delicious breakfasts – plus our skilful driver Pieris’s wife made a special Cyprus Christmas cake just for us.
That’s a Christmas to remember!’
December 2024
'Eight days of sunshine with frequent temperatures in the early 20s°C was just the tonic after a stormy and wet UK, and our hotels were ideal bases for our wildlife-watching forays’, writes tour leader Neil McMahon. ‘Our day out to the Castro Verde area proved productive, with close views of roosting Long-eared Owls being the highlight for many, with Great Bustards, hundreds of Calandra Larks, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Cinereous Vulture creating a very special day out on the plains!
Coastline areas in the east Algarve also proved successful with winter birds enjoying the sunshine including Stone Curlew, Osprey, Caspian Tern, Western Swamphen, Audouin's Gull and some fabulous, bouncy Iberian Hares! The estuaries and saltpans provided a full complement of waders and bigger birds were Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, White Stork and a selection of heron and duck species. Raptors included plenty of Booted Eagles and warblers in profusion were Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler and Blackcap. Finding a vagrant Isabelline Shrike was certainly unexpected.
The fabulous western Algarve with its dramatic Atlantic coastline provided the ideal backdrop to our trips out to the Aljezur area and the south-westernmost tip of mainland Europe – Cape St Vincent. A brief view of a Eurasian Eagle Owl, Black-winged Kites, more waders and raptors, and woodland birds in the shape of Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Woodlark made it a very full checklist but more importantly more wildlife memories. We squeezed in trips to Monchique, the highest point of the Algarve and visited the Alvor Estuary and lovely little valleys running to the South Atlantic coast. On the last day we watched Caspian Terns fishing successfully, a wandering Griffon Vulture and almost our last bird was a male Bluethroat hopping around the edge of a Faro saltmarsh.'
November 2024
‘Our “Best of Bhutan, Manas and Kaziranga" tour was absolutely amazing and a huge success’, writes tour leader Swanand Deshpande.
‘Incredibly, we saw around 300 different bird species, along with over 60 Greater One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants, and even a Tiger in both the Sundarbans and Kaziranga. We also got to see some fascinating animals such as Hoolock Gibbon, Water Buffalo, Yellow-throated Marten, and Capped Langur.
In Bhutan, the cultural experiences were just as memorable – visiting the monasteries and soaking in the serene landscapes was truly special. One of the highlights was attending the Black-necked Crane Festival, and to top it off, a flock of five cranes gave us a spectacular show, which we could observe right from our hotel gallery. It was such an unforgettable experience, packed with wildlife, culture, and memories to cherish forever!’
November 2024
‘Our “Best of Bhutan, Manas and Kaziranga" tour was absolutely amazing and a huge success’, writes tour leader Swanand Deshpande.
‘Incredibly, we saw around 300 different bird species, along with over 60 Greater One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants, and even a Tiger in both the Sundarbans and Kaziranga. We also got to see some fascinating animals such as Hoolock Gibbon, Water Buffalo, Yellow-throated Marten, and Capped Langur.
In Bhutan, the cultural experiences were just as memorable – visiting the monasteries and soaking in the serene landscapes was truly special. One of the highlights was attending the Black-necked Crane Festival, and to top it off, a flock of five cranes gave us a spectacular show, which we could observe right from our hotel gallery. It was such an unforgettable experience, packed with wildlife, culture, and memories to cherish forever!’
November 2024
‘Our 17-day adventure explored the incredible wildlife and cultural heritage of India and Nepal, spanning Kathmandu, Chitwan, Darjeeling, and Kaziranga’, writes tour leader Anurag Yadav. ‘The group encountered 25 mammal species, including Tigers, Greater One-horned Rhinos, Hoolock Gibbons, Ganges River Dolphins, and Asian Elephants, and recorded an impressive 255 bird species, including Amur Falcons, Pallas’s Fish Eagles, and Scarlet-backed Flowerpeckers.
The journey began in Kathmandu, with birding at Khotsey and sightings of species such as Yellow-throated Martin. At Chitwan Tiger Reserve, highlights included rare Tiger and Greater One-horned Rhino sightings during jeep safaris and a serene boat ride featuring Gharials and Mugger Crocodiles. In Darjeeling, participants admired Kanchenjunga at sunrise, explored tea estates, and enjoyed a ride on the heritage Toy Train.
Kaziranga offered unforgettable safaris with close-up views of Greater One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants, and Barasingha, as well as a visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary to observe Hoolock Gibbons, Pig-tailed Macaques, and Capped Langurs. Memorable birding moments featured species such as Swamp Francolins and Peregrine Falcons.
The tour blended thrilling wildlife encounters with cultural exploration, culminating in Kolkata. It left participants with lasting memories of India and Nepal’s spectacular biodiversity and landscapes.’
November 2024
‘Our journey was a thrilling adventure through India’s vibrant wildlife and rich history’, writes tour leader Akshay Pacharne. ‘The days were filled with exhilarating safari rides through lush forests, where the air was always thick with the anticipation of spotting elusive Tigers. Every morning, we set off before dawn, hearts racing at the sounds of alarm calls and the promise of new sightings. The landscape unfolded with mesmerising beauty as we ventured deep into the wilderness, catching glimpses of Tigers – some crossing paths right in front of us, others silently slipping through the underbrush.
Evenings brought a new sense of magic. After full days of tracking animals and birdwatching, the group would gather for hearty dinners, sharing stories and marvelling at the day’s discoveries. The air was always filled with laughter and excitement, as we eagerly shared our experiences. Whether it was a rare sighting of a Dhole, a Jungle Cat, or the majestic Barasingha, each moment added to the tapestry of unforgettable memories. With every Tiger sighting, whether from a distance or up close, our sense of awe deepened.
The journey wasn’t just about the thrill of wildlife sightings but the camaraderie that grew over shared experiences in the wild, making every sunset, every sighting, and every meal together an unforgettable chapter in our adventure.’
November 2024
‘Our two November tours to Nagarhole National Park were filled with diverse wildlife experiences and took us through some of India’s most stunning wilderness’, writes tour leader Syamkumar. ‘From our base at Kabini River Lodge, our groups enjoyed vehicle safaris, leisurely walks and boat rides filled with thrilling wildlife encounters.
Highlights from the two trips included a Tigress hunting a Gaur, further majestic Tiger sightings, Leopards, herds of Asian Elephants (including a Tusker, Asia’s largest tusked elephant), Dhole, Mugger Crocodiles, Flying Foxes and even an Indian Ornamental Tarantula!
Amongst the vibrant birdlife adding colour to each safari, we enjoyed sightings of Blue-faced Malkoha, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Indian Pitta, Brown Fish Owl, Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Spot-billed Duck, Bar-headed Goose and various hornbills.
Daily checklist sessions fostered camaraderie, while hearty meals and seamless logistics enhanced the experience, leaving guests with unforgettable memories of Kabini’s breathtaking wildlife and natural beauty.’
October 2024
‘The pre-tour extension began with a flight to Nagpur, from where we transferred to Tadoba Tiger Reserve’, writes tour leader Kaustubh Mulay. ‘Highlights here included Tiger cub sightings, a Leopard, and various herbivores, birds, and crocodiles. The group observed the Tiger cubs multiple times and eventually also saw their mother, "Choti Tara" – an unforgettable experience! Afternoon safaris provided other memorable Tiger encounters and birdwatching opportunities.
The main tour began with a transfer to Pench Tiger Reserve, where safari highlights included witnessing a male Tiger crossing a reservoir, a Leopard with its cubs near a kill, and bird species such as vultures and raptors. Next, the group moved to the scenic Kanha Tiger Reserve, enjoying game drives into the reserve, which provided views of a sub-adult Tigress marking her territory and attempting to hunt, majestic Barasingha and bird species such as the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
The post-tour extension to Satpura involved boat rides and jeep safaris, and gave us sightings of Sloth Bears, Gaur, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, including nesting storks and kingfishers. Memorable moments here included hearing Tiger growls and a night safari with views of civets and nocturnal birds.
Finally, the group explored Bhimbetka Rock Shelters with their prehistoric paintings before concluding the journey in Bhopal. The tour offered a mix of wildlife sightings, cultural exploration, and serene natural experiences, leaving the participants with vivid memories.’
