WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide

Paul French reports from Mongolia: Mongolia is one of the world’s unique places. There are few places where you spend this much time off-road, off-grid and just following your nose when choosing which tracks to follow. It’s a truly special place, where people are scarce and wildlife is everywhere - if you stop and look! Our highlights were many, including Black-billed Capercaillies and Pallas’s Rosefinch in the forests of the north; Kozlov’s Accentor, Oriental Plover, Saxaul Sparrow and Henderson’s Ground Jay in the deserts of the south; Baer’s Pochards, White-naped Cranes, Mongolian Larks, Mongolian Short-toed Lark and Sakers in the steppes and lakes, and finally Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Altai Snowcock and Asian Rosy-Finch in the central mountains. All this while “glamping” in style with our amazing camp crew and drivers.

all photos Paul French

Oli Reville reprots after a successful Bulgaria tour: Bird of prey enthusiast looking for a spring vacation? Our 2024 Bulgaria in Spring tour recorded 21 species of birds of prey, from the huge Eurasian Griffon Vulture to the rare Eastern Imperial Eagle. Of course there were plenty of other avian highlights, with Wallcreeper, 8 species of Woodpecker, and rare European species like Sombre Tit, Masked Shrike, Paddyfield Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Pygmy Cormorant, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears, Semicollared Flycatcher, and Black-headed Bunting all featuring during the tour.

Ebird trip report link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/245407

Fabrice Schmitt reports from the recent Northern Finland and Arctic Norway tour: Blessed with wonderful weather for the duration, we were very successful having fantastic views of no less than six species of owls, but also repeated encounters with Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse and two species of Ptarmigan! We also found many arctic specialties like Pine Grosbeak, Rufous-flanked Bluetail, Hoary Redpoll, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, and Lapland Longspur. This is a fantastic trip to admire shorebirds in their breeding plumage, displaying and singing: Dunlins, Terek Sandpipers, Eurasian Dotterels, Bar-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpipers, Common Redshanks, Red-necked Phalaropes just to name a few…but most charismatic were definitely the colorful Ruffs! Visiting Hornoya Island with its tens of thousands of breeding seabirds was a highlight, along with a beautiful adult Yellow-billed Loon in breeding plumage, smart male Bullfinch and Bluethroat, numerous White-tailed Eagles on the Norwegian coast, and elegant Long-tailed Jaegers on nests! It was a dream trip! The eBird report can be seen here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/243795

Stephen Menzie reports from his recent tour in eastern Poland.

Our May repositioning cruise was a smashing success, with a great diversity of seabirds and marine mammals! As with our April tour, we were able to see all four of our "targets", with great looks at all three petrels AND Laysan Albatross! The Murphy's Petrels were a bit more scarce, but we had good numbers of Hawaiian and Cook's Petrels, including some fairly close to the ship. Our mammal list included Fin, Sei, Humpback and S***m Whale; Cuvier's Beaked Whale; Orca; Dall's Porpoise; and several pinnipeds, including point-blank looks at Northern Elephant Seal!

We were also treated to spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis (see pictures at the end).

All photos credit Ed Corey.

We're excited to offer a Fall tour this October, with a focus on seabird migration and rarities, as well as two more Spring trips in 2025!

Skye Haas reports: The WINGS April 2024 West Coast Seabird Cruise was a total success with a great selection of both seabird and sea mammals observed. All four the "big targets" were seen well, and while Cook's & Hawaiian Petrels were a bit scarce, we did well for Laysan Albatross and had a fantastic total of 240 Murphy's Petrels for our time at sea. Other highlights included flocks of Sabine's Gulls, a pair of Brown Bo***es, alcids like Tufted Puffins and Cassin's Auklets, multiple Pomarine and Long-tailed Jaegers, and a nice selection of Storm-Petrels with Leach's, Fork-tailed, Ashy and Black all being observed. The cetacean show was unbelievably good as well with Blue, Fin and Humpback Whales, Cuvier's & Baird's Beaked Whales, and on the last morning a trio of Orcas! Pinnipeds were well represented too with rarities like Elephant Seal and Guadalupe Fur Seal.

Susan Myers reports from the recent Vietnam tour: Once again, the Vietnam tour exceeded expectations, showcasing diverse birdlife, stunning landscapes, and rich cultural encounters. Beginning in Hanoi and ending in Saigon, each step revealed varied ecosystems, picturesque vistas, and fabulous birds. Our journey southward started at Cuc Phuong, Vietnam's premier national park, established in 1960, and led to remarkable bird sightings amidst limestone karst mountains and verdant valleys. Exploring Van Long Nature Reserve, we marvelled at its labyrinthine waterways and diverse bird species. Phong Nha, with its vast karst system and caves, provided sightings of elusive birds like the Sooty Babbler. In Khe Sanh area, site of an historic battle, we spotted many excellent birds, including Silver-eared Mesia and Black-crowned Barwing, and pursued the elusive Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrushes. Ngoc Linh offered sightings of Grey-bellied Tesia and Brown-crowned Scimitar-Babbler, while Yok Don showcased a mosaic of forests with species like the Black-headed Woodpecker. Di Linh’s unique fauna included the Blue Pitta and Bar-backed Partridge. Cat Tien National Park provided a finale with diverse habitats and remarkable bird sightings, rewarding us with encounters with endemic species like the Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant and Indochinese Green Magpie. From vibrant cities to remote villages, Vietnam offered an unforgettable birding experience, showcasing its rich biodiversity and natural wonders.

Paul Holt reports from the recent Taiwan tour: Once again we saw all of the island’s 31 endemics on this year’s Taiwan tour– with several Swinhoe’s and Mikado Pheasants, multiple Taiwan Thrushes, several Taiwan Blue Magpies, Rusty Laughingthrushes and four Chestnut-bellied T**s as well as umpteen Taiwan Yuhinas perhaps topping the bill. As is so often the case Taiwan Partridge proved the most awkward and required two visits to their preferred bird blind. Other goodies included the endemic race of Maroon Oriole, several close range Malayan Night Herons, two equally obliging Fairy Pittas and a whole host of migrant song (six Pechora Pipits) and shorebirds (think Red-necked, Long-toed and Little Stints, Great Knot, Grey-tailed Tattler, Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers)… Despite a few small tremors than lingered after the early April earthquake and the effective closure of the spectacular road down through the Taroko Gorge we still saw some stupendous scenery…

Skye Haas reports from the recent Colorado: Lekking Grouse tour: WINGS has once again successfully completed yet another tour of Colorado, Kansas & Nebraska for the various lekking species of grouse. We observed 140 species of birds this year, including all our target grouse species as well as a bonus pair of White-tailed Ptarmigan. Other highlights include a Eurasian Wigeon, Barrow's Goldeneye, Mountain Plovers, American Goshawk, several Ferruginous Hawks, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Burrowing Owl, Pinyon Jays, Pine Grosbeaks, and all three species of Rosy-Finch- Gray-crowned, Brown-capped and Black! In addition to the fantastic list of birds observed, we enjoyed lots of charismatic mega-fauna such as American Bison, Pronghorn, Elk, Bighorn Sheep as well as the more demure such as Yellow-bellied Marmot, White-tailed Jackrabbit and the endangered Gunnison Prairie Dog. And of course, all of this was set against the incredible scenery that the Rocky Mountains provide around every corner!

Stop by the WINGS booth at The Biggest Week to say hi to our leaders, Ethan Kistler and Frank Nicoletti, and check out our upcoming tour selection. Happy Birding!

Jon Feenstra reports the Texas Upper Coast: We just finished up a great week on the Texas coast, where it only takes the right kind of wind to turn a good place into a great place. Though south winds dominated, the north wind blew for two days and we were treated some to bird-filled woods. It was busy, and on one day we saw 24 warbler species. (all photos Jon Feenstra)

From Alcatraz to Galapagos… in Mexico!

Steve Howell & Luke Seitz report from a brief research trip to Mexico’s Islas Marias, until 2019 a legendary, high-security prison but now a newly minted tourist destination! In the company of biologists Jonathan Vargas and Sinead Gomez Rosas, and with the gracious support of Biosphere Director Pablo Zamorano de Haro, of Mexico’s Commission of Protected Areas, Steve and Luke spent an intensive two days and managed to find all 24 (!) of the island’s currently recognized endemic bird taxa, some treated as full species (with several more that seem good species candidates), and some never encountered previously by birders! Almost all of the endemics vary from tame to absurdly tame, recalling the avifauna of the Galapagos Islands—Steve really should have had a zoom lens!

Luke Seitz and Steve Howell report from the recent Mexico: Oaxaca and Western Chiapas tour

Paul Holt reports: A fantastic encounter with four Blood Pheasants early in to the second half of our Bhutan tour stole the Bird of the Trip award although Satyr Tragopan (we saw three separate birds superbly well), a pair of Beautiful Nuthatches, a couple of gaudy Himalayan Monals, a solitary White-bellied Heron, four Ibisbills, umpteen Rufous-necked Hornbills and a flock of 20 Fire-tailed Myzornis all pushed it hard…But Bhutan’s far more than just impressive birds – there’s the spectacular mountain and forest scenery, the country’s unique culture and fascinating Buddhist heritage and of course our fabulous ground agents. Bhutan has so much to offer…

Steve Howell and Luke Seitz report from the conclusion of their trans-equatorial odyssey on the Chile to California cruise.

Susan Myers reports from our recent tour to India....A happy and healthy group enjoyed an amazing three weeks in India's northwest where we took in the deserts, woodlands, foothills, and the mountains of the Himalayas. So many highlights! Including the Taj Mahal, Sloth Bears, Ibisbills, Gharials, Mount Everest, and much more. But the undoubted highlight was a remarkable 11 Tigers (yes, eleven!) seen at Ranthambore and Corbett National Parks. Nothing short of breathtaking, and a truly memorable experience.

Just a few of our amazing 2024 tours coming up!

- Spain in Autumn with leader Oli Reville, 7-17 Sept 2024 - Andalusia features vast plains, towering mountains, stunning coastlines, and rolling countryside, we could connect with up to 25 species of shorebird, 20 raptors, and about 170-190 bird species along the way!

- Brazil: Southeast Atlantic Rainforest with leader Fabrice Schmitt, 19 Oct - 3 Nov 2024 - We’ll visit national and state parks and private lodges and reserves where sizable chunks of habitat has been preserved and where a large number of intriguing endemics can be found.

- Trinidad & Tobago with leader Ethan Kistler, 17 - 27 July 2024 - With its pleasant island atmosphere, easy accessibility, and the now-refurbished Asa Wright Nature Center, Trinidad & Tobago is a perfect introduction to South America’s avian families.

- Peru with Rich Hoyer, 17-27 Aug, 29 Aug-9 Sep, 9-20 Sep - Come join us this fall on any one (or all three!) of our trips with remarkable birder/naturalist Rich Hoyer as we sample the breathtaking birds and wildlife of Peru.

See our Tour Index here: https://wingsbirds.com/tours/
Come birding with WINGS this year!

Skye Haas reports from the recent Belize tour: Belize is a beautiful gem of a country with its extensive emerald-colored forests, pastoral farmlands and sparkling Caribbean beaches. WINGS had not been to this beautiful and birdy country since the Covid shutdowns had actually canceled our tour midstream, but as the nine participants on the spring 2024 tour quickly learned, it was worth the wait! Over the course of this twelve-day tour we traveled extensively across the country, starting out in the coastal mangrove groves on the outskirts of Belize City; onto the expansive marsh and Yuacatan savannas of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary; up to the highlands of the Mountain Pine Reserve; and deep into the tropical jungles of La Milpa, Cockscomb Preserve, & Bocawina and Blue Hole National Parks among many other fantastic birding locals. We visited on several occasions Mayan ruins, including the uncovered fabled cities of Caracol and Chan-Chich. The overwhelming abundance and richness of avian life in this small nation is outstanding and our group consisted of participants exploring their first international trip, as well as long-time veterans of neotropics- and all got multiple lifers and incredible experiences they will treasure for years to come. We tallied in an impressive 351 species of bird, featuring 16 species of hummingbird, 33 diurnal raptors, 31 flycatchers, 24 warblers and 16 species of tanager! Some of our highlights included Orange-breasted Falcon, Lovely Cotinga, Pheasant Cuckoo, Keel-billed Motmot, Agami Heron, Yucatan Nightjar, Black-throated Bobwhite, Striped Owl, Gray-throated Chat and both Black-and-White & Ornate Hawk-Eagles at the nest!
https://ebird.org/tripreport/209277

Susan Myers reports from NW India: A happy and healthy group enjoyed an amazing three weeks in India's north west where we took in the deserts, woodlands, foothills, and the mountains of the Himalayas. So many highlights! Including the Taj Mahal, Sun Bears, Ibisbills, Gharials, Mount Everest, and much more. But the undoubted highlight was a remarkable 11 Tigers (yes, eleven!) seen at Ranthambore and Corbett National Parks. Nothing short of breathtaking, and a truly memorable experience 😍

Gavin Bieber and Stephen Menzie report from the recent Tasman Sea and New Zealand cruise: It was a fantastic two weeks aboard the Coral Princess, with scores of seabirds during our days at sea and a host of endemic landbirds during our onshore days in New Zealand. In contrast to previous tours, the cruise started in Brisbane this year, which gave the group opportunity to catch up with some warm-water species, such as tropicbirds and bo***es – a distinctly different avifauna to the cold-water species found off New Zealand’s coasts. As expected, the pelagic birding on this trip was dominated by the tubenoses – the albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and the like; in total, an impressive 40 species of tubenoses were logged by the group during the tour.

All photos by Stephen Menzie.

Jon Feenstra reports from his recent trip in the Ecuadorian Amazon: We just returned from Sani Lodge, deep in the Amazon rainforest of eastern Ecuador. It’s way out beyond any roads and quite an adventure just getting there.

Jake Mohlmann has just finished an amazing tour full of rarities in South Texas: We recently wrapped up another trip through the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. This year’s tour was truly unbelievable in not only the species diversity, but also the extreme rarity of so many of the birds we encountered. Resaca de La Palma State Park was hosting a serious suite this year. We packed our rarity list with highlights including Rose-throated and Gray-collared Becard, Roadside Hawk, Tropical Parula, and Dusky-capped Flycatcher.
(all photos Jake Mohlmann)

Jon Feenstra has just finished an excellent East Slope of the Andes tour in Ecuador: Tour completed and more than 10000 feet of elevation change later, we’re back from birding the Amazon slope of the Ecuadorian Andes. We began the tour at and above treeline in the high paramo.

Steve Howell reports from the conclusion of another great week in San Blas, Mexico - full of sun, birds, great food, and great memories...

Fabrice Schmitt reports from Colombia -The Santa Marta Mountains: a fantastic tour to escape the boreal winter, spending a week in the tropics, enjoying wonderful Caribbean food, staying in fantastic lodges, and seeing around 300 birds species!

The Sierra Nevada Cordillera and the Guajira Peninsula are home to an amazing list of restricted-range species, and we had excellent views of White-whiskered Spinetail, Chestnut Piculet, Vermilion Cardinal, Orinocan Saltator, White-lored Warbler and Black-backed Antshrike, just to name a few. Obviously, we had a long list of “Santa Marta” species, such as Santa Marta Blossomcrown, Antbird, Tapaculo, Antpitta, Foliage-gleaner, Woodstar and Brushfinch! Besides these very local species, we also enjoyed stunning encounters with Northern White-fringed Antwren, the lovely Blue-naped Chlorophonia coming to the fruit feeders, a pair of the critically endangered Blue-billed Curassow, the charismatic Russet-throated Puffbird, a beautiful pair of Rusty-breasted Antpitta, Golden-winged Sparrow, and so many more great sightings! Our eBird trip report can be seen here: https://ebird.org/tripreport/194030
We also enjoyed an endless list of butterflies, moths, nice reptiles including good views of Green Iguana, and a few mammals such as Colombian Red Howler, and Cotton-top Tamarin.
Some of the plants and animals photographed during the tour can be seen on the iNaturalist trip report here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wings-santa-marta-colombia-january-2024

We just wrapped up another Winter Week tour through Southeast Arizona. The highlights were many, including perfect weather throughout. Our group got along swimmingly as we covered the vast desert valleys and snow-capped peaks scattered throughout the region.

Many of the resident species were enjoyed, especially the gregarious Bridled Titmouse, voted a favorite for one participant and a close second for others.

This tour is designed to visit areas where more tropical species reach the northern edge of their range. We were excited to get great views of a pair of Rufous-backed Robins in Patagonia, only confirmed breeding in the state since 2018.

Another rare wintering species that we scored was a male Elegant Trogon. This bird was coming into a pyracantha bush full of berries and repeatedly sallied up to pluck the bright red fruit…almost as colorful as its own belly color.

The Chiricahua Mountains are not to be missed for several reasons, most of which may be the fact that this range is the only place north of the Mexican border where the public can get access to see the Mexican Chickadee. We lucked into a couple of them high up in the pine forests it prefers.

We had fun with raptors on this trip. A multitude of Red-tailed Hawks of many flavors were seen daily, so we were excited to finally find a few regal Ferruginous Hawks in the mix in the Sulphur Springs Valley.

In the San Pedro River Valley, we witnessed the rarest raptor of all. A seldom seen dark morph Northern Harrier was spotted hunting over the marshes of the Sierra Vista EOP.

This was a good winter tour for seeing owls well. Among the highlights were both Whiskered and Western Screech-Owls in their natural habitats.

We spent time on several days looking for longspurs out in the desert grasslands. Finally, we scored a major highlight for some with fantastic looks (and photos) of a Thick-billed Longspur trying to blend in with cow pies.

The Sandhill Crane show at Whitewater Draw often leaves visiting birders in awe as they watch swirling flocks of thousands of birds come in for an afternoon loaf. This year the birds got quite close.

Join us next year on this tour! See more about the tour here:
https://wingsbirds.com/tours/arizona-winter-week-southeast/

Steve Howell & Luke Seitz report from their recent Antarctica and Cape Horn cruise.