Nature Trip Blog



Category Archives: Trip Reports

“Living the Lifers” in South Texas: April 2016

Our annual 10 day adventure to South Texas is timed to blend the Gulf of Mexico spring migration phenomenon with excursions through the distinctive sub-tropical habitats of the Rio Grande Valley to observe unique wildlife, especially the avifauna that exists no where else in the U.S.

Birds such as the stunning Green Jay, the plucky Altamira Oriole, the secretive Olive Sparrow and over 25 other specialties are possible.  The Rio Grande Valley, with its wonderful variety of habitats, is the only place many of these birds can be seen in the U.S.

Cerulean Warbler - always a thrill to see one of these uncommon beauties!
Cerulean Warbler – always a thrill to see one of these uncommon beauties!

 

In April 2016 we experienced some of the best diversity we’ve had in years on “A South Texas Adventure” detecting 232 species of birds including 26 neo-tropical warbler species. A slightly earlier than typical start to the tour allowed us to find 30 shorebird species We also enjoyed many, many butterflies, reptiles, amphibians and mammals and relatively robust bloom as the 10 year drought has subsided in South Texas.

 

Click here for the Trip Report of “A South Texas Adventure April 2016”

Click here for the April 9-18, 2017 tour details

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  • Altamira Orioles add color to A South Texas Adventure

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Taiwan Recon: Babbling about Wulai

This afternoon was spent traversing north to Wulai, a popular hot springs resort town and another great place for birds. Upon arrival we took a brief walk from our guest house and quickly added a number of good birds to our trip list: Plain Flowerpecker, Bronzed Drongo and very colorful Varied Tits. Other species present…Continue Reading

Taiwan Recon: Serpent Eagles rule!

Crested Serpent Eagles (Spilornis cheela) are the most conspicuous of raptors seen on the island. Throughout the mountains from low to high we often heard and regularly saw this mostly dark broad-winged eagle catching a thermal or deeply flapping. Today we had time for a visit to the Xindian–Guanhsin Wetland area, one of the primary drinking…Continue Reading

Taiwan Recon: getting the 411, birding the Lowlands

Ah, the benefits of modern communications. On or about December 16, 2014 a critically endangered according the the International Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN), Siberian Crane showed up seemingly out of nowhere in a northern Taiwan wetland, the island’s first ever record of this species. Our guides (who had seen the juvenile bird numerous…Continue Reading

Taiwan Recon: tale of the Pheasant trail

Our very knowledgeable guides brought us much good fortune, at times extraordinarily so. We spent a fair amount of time waiting and wishing for a glimpse or longer of three endemic ground birds: The Taiwan Hill Partridge, Mikado and Swinhoe’s Pheasants to magically appear out of the forests. There are a few well known locations along…Continue Reading

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