The page also includes members who, although not having written a specific report, will be happy to provide information for members about the birding areas they mention here.

Reports
Algarve/Alentejo (July 1998 and spring 2000);
Cyprus  (spring 1999)
Portugal (May 2000)
Extremadura (spring 2001)
Spanish Pyrenees/Zaragoza Plains (spring 2002)
Andalucia (October 2002)
Andalucia October 2003
North East Greece in May 2004
Andalucia October 2004
Andalucia September 2005
Hungary (May 2005)
Pyrenees (March 2006)
Greece (September 2006)
Cyprus (April 2007)
Extramadura  and Sierra de Gredos (May 2008)
Bulgaria (September/October 2008)
Lesvos (April/May 2009)
Bulgaria - Black Sea Coast (September 2009)


Almeria (SE Spain)
Fuerteventura (Canaries)
Driving through Scandinavia to the
North Cape /Varangerfjord
 

The Baltic Coast of Lithuania and Latvia,
9th April – 17^th April 2004
By John Perry (United Kingdom) and Per Grenabo (Sweden)

Ian Kinley
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ian.kinley@btinternet.com


JeremyRoberts
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clod@globalnet.co.uk per.grenabo@vgregion.se


JeremyRoberts
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jafowler@dmu.ac.uk

COLININMAN3@aol.com

Bob Jones in the Pyrenees  September 2006 with Wildlife Provencal

 I had an excellent weeks holiday in the western end of the Pyrenees with most of our time spent looking for migrants (mainly raptors) on the cols between France and Spain.

 There was visible passage through most of the cols we visited of hirundines, storks and raptors although actual birds seen in any one place depended on weather conditions.

Unexpectedly we saw groups of Cormorant high over the mountains on three occasions one going west and the other two south. We also had Cattle Egret high in the mountains on its way south.

 Numbers of birds appeared to vary as the week went on with more Red Kites at the end of the week and more Ospreys and  Short Toed Eagles earlier in the week.

 The Col at Organbedexca is the most noted site but probably only because regular observations have been taking place for 20 years. We had two afternoons there

The first ,earlier in the week (with low cloud into which the birds were disappearing)

produced in about 3 hours 19 Short Toed Eagles, 4 Booted Eagles, 8 Ospreys,6 Marsh Harriers, Merlin, 2 Hobbies  ,1 Black Kite, a few Red Kites and a steady flow of Sparrow Hawks. Also 3 Black Storks

 The second visit produced in a couple of hours 6 Honey Buzzards, 4 Short Toed Eagles, 4 Marsh Harriers, 6 Booted Eagles , 2 Ospreys ,25 Red Kites ,3 Black & 2 White Storks – of course “ we should have been there the previous day when they had had more than 130 raptors in the afternoon”. We also saw very distantly a “kettle” of about 50 raptors but too far away to identify.

 Whilst these numbers are not large compared with hot spots like Gibraltar it is fascinating to watch these birds at close range making their way south through just one of the dozens of cols.

 We also got most of the high mountain species Griffon Vultures (everywhere), Lammergeir, Golden Eagle, Wall Creeper, Rock Thrush, Citril Finch , both Choughs and Rock Bunting .

 We also had a couple of visits to a coastal reserve just in Spain where we saw Corry’s, Balearic and Sooty Shearwaters as well as Pomarine and Arctic skuas and Yellow legged Gulls. Bushes were full of passerine migrants and pools had Med Gull, Osprey, Little Stint and a Common Scoter in the estuary. 

 We stayed in a gite with meals in hotels.

Finally we have added another section in which members can recommend Tour Companies which specialise in birding/wildlife holidays.  If you have had a pleasurable and rewarding experience with a tour company and you feel able to recommend the firm, its organisation and knowledgeable guide(s) please let us know.  Include its name, address and website, the location of the tour and if possible the name of the guide. 

 If contributors would be happy to provide further information to interested members they can either ask for their email address to be added to the information displayed on this webpage or the webmaster will be happy to keep such details and give them to any member who enquires here

NB: Recommendations made here must NOT be taken to imply that on another occasion any company or guide so recommended will show an equivalent level of service. CBC and its officers cannot be held liable for any difficulties which may arise through contracts or other arrangements made between readers of this page and any company mentioned here.  Those contributing to this page must have no financial interest in the company they recommend

Cotinga Tours in Costa Rica
Welcome to Cotinga Tours, where you find the best bird-watching safaris and natural history expeditions in Costa Rica. Our tour company is operated by nature lovers for nature lovers.

Paco Madrigal is co-founder of Cotinga Tours and master-guide.   Full details on their website at www.cotingatours.com


Hinterland Safari Tours  in Namibia
Hinterland Safaris was founded in 1997 and is managed by the owners, Hannes and Louna Reinders. 
"Our hobby has become our professional and Hinterland Safaris in the result.  The love of Africa, its people and wildlife is the focus of our motivation and therefore, we have been successfully escorted numerous guests to our favourite wilderness areas".
For clients, who prefer a more rustic experience, our combination safari - lodging and camping - is just perfect.  The itineraries range from 12-16 days.   These safaris are suitable for individuals, couples and small parties

Hannes Reinders leads almost all his tours  
Website at www.hinter.com.na