September 2023

‘This wonderful 10-day cruise from Bali to Komodo explored many sites in Komodo National Park, spoiling us with fabulous tropical snorkelling, forest hikes, deck watches and sunset walks, all of which sought out the best wildlife this region has to offer’ writes tour leader Sara Frost. ‘Every day we snorkelled over kaleidoscopic reefs teeming with life, allowing us to admire a dazzling feast of colourful fish and corals, as well as turtles, reef sharks, cuttlefish, octopus and lobster. The undoubted snorkelling highlight for all was an unexpected morning swim (or kayak) with a group of six Whale Sharks! Swimming alongside these 7-metre gentle giants was a true privilege and something none of us will ever forget. A subsequent morning snorkel with several huge Manta Rays was the icing on the cake!

Cruising each day on our 5-star motor yacht, we enjoyed a good variety of cetaceans at sea including Melon-headed Whales and Spinner, Spotted, Fraser’s and Rough-toothed Dolphins. Walks on land yielded plenty of birds including the resplendent Green Junglefowl, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Olive-backed Sunbird, Blue-tailed Bee Eater, Collared Kingfisher, Black-naped Oriole, a variety of drongos, the critically endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo and much more! Of course, the land highlight for many was coming face-to-face with the formidable Komodo Dragons, of which we saw several on both Komodo and Rinca.

Those joining the extension to Bali Barat National Park enjoyed an additional two full days of birding, the highlight being finding the critically endangered Bali Myna in the dry forests, plus barbets, flowerpeckers, kingfishers and a huge amount more, all rounded off by relaxing on beautiful white sandy beaches sipping from a coconut! It was with great reluctance that we had to return home, having enjoyed a marvellous wildlife cruise in the tropics.’

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September 2023

‘This year’s Small Mammal Day Trips hosted by Jim Andrews in Old Basing were a great success’ writes operations assistant Tommy Saunders. ‘Some of the highlights across the day trips included Pygmy Shrew, Yellow-necked Mouse and even some Dormice! Other sightings that were enjoyed included Wasp Spiders, Vapourer Moth and plenty of migratory birds including a Yellow-browed Warbler which is a scarce migrant through Hampshire.

The days were spent with local expert and tour leader, Jim Andrews, who offered an insight into the lives of the small mammals that call this local nature reserve home, and shared his knowledge on how the habitat is specifically managed for Dormice and other rodents on site. Over 20 mammals of seven species were caught across the four single day trips, with the most common being Wood Mouse and Bank Vole.’

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