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03 Jun Big Blue Ranch - Nebraska - Prairie Chickens - 5 stars ["rrfreed1" ] 13 Jan Manu Tours, Tony WIlson, New Zealand, 5 stars ["krbaum13" ] 13 Jan Manu Tours, Tony Wilson, New Zealand, 5 stars ["krbaum13" ] 25 Sep Jamaica ["paul522460" ] 28 Jul Los Angeles Audubon Society Deep Water Pelagic Trips ["Terry Hunefeld" ] 05 May SE Arizona with Wings [Tom Thomas ] 26 Apr The Great Ornifolks Colorado Chicken Hunt with Mike Flieg ["Terry Hunefeld" ] 26 Apr April Lek-A-Day Colorado with Mike Flieg. Tight van & schedule. Good bargain. ["gradydiane AT bellsouth.net" ] 07 Apr Peru and Kolibri Expeditions ["manisteepanama" ] 10 Mar Re:Quick tours Miami ["Donald Lewis" ] 09 Mar Quick tours Miami ["manisteepanama" ] 06 Mar re: New Zealand birding [] 06 Mar New Zealand birding ["Karen Rosenbaum" ] 30 Jan Tenerife ["paul522460" ] 24 Jan Costa Rica guide recommendation ["ljhugs" ] 31 Oct FONT (Focus on Nature) tours? ["Karen Rosenbaum" ] 22 Aug Ocho Rios -Jamaica ["paul522460" ] 11 Aug Caligo Ventures Trinidad and Tobago ["wendydreskin" ] 04 Aug Sonir Bekir ["paul522460" ] 11 Feb Birding guide for Yellow Rail? [justlookitup ] 31 Jan Tipping birding guides? [feather4851 ] 31 Jan Tropical Birding, northwest Ecuador, five stars [leona6308 ] 30 Jan New Zealand birding [justlookitup ] 05 Feb Ricardo Matus, Punta Arenas, 5 Stars ["Peter Ginsburg" ] Subject: Big Blue Ranch - Nebraska - Prairie Chickens - 5 stars From: "rrfreed1" <rrfreed AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:37:05 -0000 My wife and I did a birding tour of several midwest states, and the Big Blue Ranch was recommended to us as a place to see Greater Prairie-chickens displaying on a lek, even though we were traveling in mid-May, after the traditional peak of the season. We stayed in the lodge at the ranch, a beautiful facility located on their cattle ranch. Photos of the lodge are available on their web site at www.bigblueranch.com, and the lodge is even more beautiful and comfortable than the photos show. We sat on the porch and listened to great horned owls and coyotes, as we watched several species of birds at the lake in front of us. The next morning the owners, Scott and Billie Kay Bodie, picked us up before dawn and took us to a cattle trailer that sits on top of a grassland hill, and is used as a blind. Shortly after dawn, a flock of prairie-chickens flew in and six males displayed, fought, and made all sorts of strange sounds for an hour and a half, about 30-40 feet in front of us. It was something we'll never forget, and we highly recommend Big Blue Ranch for a unique birding experience. Ron Freed Carlisle, PA Subject: Manu Tours, Tony WIlson, New Zealand, 5 stars From: "krbaum13" <benkaren AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:13:43 -0000 We were delighted with the 18-day tour of both main islands and Stewart Island, planned by Tony Wilson and his wife Carol Harker, of Manu Tours. This small NZ company provided us a fine and very personal tour. We missed a few species, but managed to see 135--including great views of Northern and Southern Brown Kiwis, four species of penguins, all the grebes, all albatrosses, most mollymawks, all the rails and waterfowl, and almost all the songbirds. AND we were able to enjoy NZ's most spectacular places. Karen Rosenbaum and Ben McClinton, Kensington, CA Tony Wilson and Carol Harker, Manu Tours, 106 Ocean Beach Road, Tairua 3508 New Zealand. ph/fax 64 7 864 7475 Email: Manutours AT nzbirding.co.nz Web: www.nzbirding.co.nz Subject: Manu Tours, Tony Wilson, New Zealand, 5 stars From: "krbaum13" <benkaren AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:06:00 -0000 We were delighted with the 18-day birding tour (Nov. 4-21) of both New Zealand islands (plus Stewart Island!) that Tony Wilson and his wife Carol Harker planned. This was a much more personal tour than other tours we've experienced. We missed a few species, but managed to see 135. Great looks at Northern and Southern Brown Kiwis, all the grebes, four penguin species, most of the seabirds, almost all the rails and songbirds--and we were able to enjoy the magnificent scenery. Tony is competent, thorough, calm, and very committed. Subject: Jamaica From: "paul522460" <illadopsis AT googlemail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:26:51 -0000 I have recently returned from Jamaica having seen all 28 endemics with the guidance of Reliable Adventures Jamaica. The company and guides were exceptional,knowledgable and great company. I would advise anyone going to Jamaica, either having one day or several days to contact this company as I feel they are the best. www.reliableadventuresjamaica.com e-mail wolde99 AT yahoo.com Paul Gaffan Subject: Los Angeles Audubon Society Deep Water Pelagic Trips From: "Terry Hunefeld" <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:37:59 -0000 Greetings, The sold-out Condor Express was brimming with more than 75 birders as it departed Santa Barbara Harbor at exactly 7:00 a.m., July 25, 2009. There were hushed whispers of pterodromas being seen in deep water by research ships earlier in the week. The day was no less than awe inspiring for all who participated – indeed, a day that will be talked about and remembered for decades. 136 Cook's Petrels were seen well by all participants with close passes by the boat, flocks of petrels on the water and petrels readily coming in to chum slicks. The complete play-by-play trip report including GPS trip track, eBird species lists, trip totals and incredible photos of the pterodromas in flight is now posted at: http://socalbirding.com/tripreports/santabarbarajul252009.html Saturday was 2009's third seabirding trip on the Condor Express. The first trip recorded Parakeet Auklets. The second saw a Horned Puffin. This third trip recorded a tropicbird and 136 Cook's. One more trip is scheduled this year on the Condor Express: an 8 hour trip on September 26 that will head out past the Channel Islands at the peak of fall seabird migration. A Streaked Shearwater was seen near Santa Cruz Island on September 7, 2002. Can we keep our "streak" going? We hope you will join us and find out. Details: http://socalbirding.com/upcomingtrips/santabarbarasep262009.html The 48-hour August 24-26 Grande trip from San Diego is sold out. The September 7-11 deep-water trip aboard the live-aboard SEARCHER may have one spot available and provides your best chance of seeing these rarities in this exceptional year for SoCal seabirding - call Celia now to get the last spot or a place on the wait list. Details: http://socalbirding.com/upcomingtrips/searchersep711.html 2009 is proving to be an outstanding seabirding year. The Queen of Seabirding, Debi Shearwater, has several trips designed especially to find rarities and pterodroma. Her Fort Bragg trips have incredible success ratios for finding Hawaiian Petrel. This is the year. Carpe Diem. Shearwater Journeys: http://socalbirding.com/shearwaterjourneys.html Other SoCal pelagic trips are scheduled in Sept, Oct and Nov from San Diego and Dana Point. Two are 48-hour deep water trips, two are day trips. Details: http://socalbirding.com/upcomingtrips.html W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole "Come on out with us to see what's out there." Southern California Seabirding Trips Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands, Channel Islands to the Edge of the Continental Shelf Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SoCalBirding Subject: SE Arizona with Wings From: Tom Thomas <tomtom218 AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 05 May 2009 14:31:29 -0400 Just got back from a great 3 day S E Az private tour with Rick Wright of Wings. Spent 3 days target birding for my life list and got 19- most were great looks, too. Rick was amiable and certainly knew the area and the birds well. Highly recommended Tom Thomas tomtom218 AT comcast.net Subject: The Great Ornifolks Colorado Chicken Hunt with Mike Flieg From: "Terry Hunefeld" <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:05:41 -0700 Greetings, Much thanks to Diane for posting her review about the Great Ornifolks Chicken Hunt. I have not met Mike but have heard much about him, and it's all good. He runs these trips for love of birding and sharing, not for much (if any) profit. From what I understand, he is a great guy, and Ornifolks is a great outfit. http://ornifolks.org/Ornifolks.htm Reminder: All posts should contain the full name and city of the poster. Thanks, and good birding! W. Terry Hunefeld, List Moderator Life is short. Seabird often. Seabirding Trips From Southern California Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands Nine-mile, Thirty-mile, Sixty-mile Banks Cortes & Tanner Banks Channel Islands -----Original Message----- From: BirdingGuideReviews AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:BirdingGuideReviews AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gradydiane AT bellsouth.net Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:28 AM To: BirdingGuideReviews AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [BirdingGuideReviews] April Lek-A-Day Colorado with Mike Flieg. Tight van & schedule. Good bargain. Guide: Mike has done this tour for over 20 years. He knows it all and has good contacts to keep him updated on conditions. About $1295.inclusive except meals. Share your room or pay an upcharge fo a single. Contact Ornifolks AT sbcglobal.net Mike has been all over the world in his 69 years and is a great storyteller. He is also a bit crusty at times so enjoy his stories and let some opinions slide off your back. (He is a softy and did save an escaped puppy on a dusty backroad from roadkill fate.) He brought Alan Sander along, a terrific photographer, birder and conversationalist. Be enthusiastic and flexible for this group. We were a congenial mix ages 50 to 89! 3 women; 8 men. Mostly world birders who knew their stuff and swapped continent stories. Of course this is serendipity. A jerk could have been a pain due to the close quarters. I was the least experienced or traveled (my first tour) and really enjoyed it. I am a 63 year old grandmother, recently widowed, who felt very comfortable and entertained by the wonderful birding and people. Specific Pluses We hit almost all TARGETS including grouse, 2 of 3 rosy finches, both prairie chickens, 2 of 3 longspurs, mountain plover. Only missed WT ptarmigan and black rosy finch due to season and weather. No owls but they were not targets. You get out of the van alot and have many good chances to see most birds, esp. the important ones. Many other great sightings every day. I added 11 birds to my lifelist which was at 615. We had some very experienced world birders and they were all quite happy. Logistics The 15 passenger van was definitely no frills and packed tight with 11 people. It is not a comfy trip but certainly not miserable. It is a fast and furious Sun to Sat run-for-the birds. 4:00 a.m. wakeups daily. Not strenuous. Not much walking or hiking required but the 11,000 feet altitude is an adjustment. We zipped from 5000 at Denver to 11,000 at Loveland Pass to 3000 in Wray. Arrive a day early and try to acclimate if possible. Limit fluids if you can. Pit stops are infrequent and it is embarrassing to keep asking. You'll be glad to fall into bed at night. Prima Donnas and birding snobs might look elsewhere. If you are infirm, this trip is not for you. We had a capable 89 year old, experienced birder, who could move pretty well, but had companions with him to assist him. We used nice motels 3 nights and scruffy ones 3 nights. Tiny, Elhardt, KA motel was not for the squeamish. Lesser prairie chickens were worth it. Mostly fast food at lunch, interesting and good local restaurants at night. Pack some water and snacks in your one soft duffle. I had a huge rolling duffle from Costco. I was not the only one. Some guys had a big backpack and a small duffle. Duffles and scopes take up ALL the storage room. Your daypack/backpack will have to go on your lap or under seat and you are already squeezed against your neighbor. You may not be able to get into your duffle during day so plan your daypack carefully. Wear the SAME clothes daily LAYERED because we went from freezing high altitude, windy snow to 85 degree on the prairie. Everyone seemed to have sage or beige or brown . Everyone did it. I suggest: deoderant, smart wool hiking sox, lightweight,vented long sleeve shirt, long sleeve lightweight thermal shirt, lightweight fleece jacket or quilted vest, goretex type lined waterproof good windbreaker with tie up HOOD, stretch cargo pants of tight weave. Add a knit HAT, hiking boots, gloves, and sunglasses. At some point you will be wearing all of this then strip down to pants and shirt. I also brought one short sleeve cotton shirt. Alarm clock since the scruffy motels may not have one. Cell phones worked everywhere. I packed a laptop and had wifi in all but Elkhardt hotel. I overpacked with a second set of unneeded hiking boots because I was afraid to ruin the trip if one pair got soaked. I had travel clothes in a second piece of luggage but talked my first night hotel into storing it. It would not have fit into van. Some minor annoyances: 1. Smokers: even if they smoke far away, their clothes carry the smell for awhile. I am sensitive to it. Others were not. 2. Seating: I missed knee room, wiggle room and cupholders. I like having 10 people, a nice sized group, but would pay a little more to get a little more room. You may miss some good views due to where you are sitting and other's photography equipment blocking view. We rotated seats daily.I favored the door side because I could stretch my legs into the well between the seats and the door. 3. Cameras: At leks, we all saw well, however, there were 3 big cameras onboard that often hogged the window view. The "papparazi clicking" when the best birds arrived was annoying. I like to sit quietly and let the bird and nature sounds take over. The chickens and grouse make wonderful sounds. Papparazzi birding was not constant but happened enough to become a bit of a nuisance. Personally, I feel the tight space of this van does not lend itself to big photography equipment. Overall, this trip provided excellent birding, fun companions and acceptable degrees of discomfort due to timetables and logistics. If I had done it alone, I would have missed a lot of birds and still spent about 75% of what I paid Mike. He was certainly worth it for his knowledge and making plans. Subject: April Lek-A-Day Colorado with Mike Flieg. Tight van & schedule. Good bargain. From: "gradydiane AT bellsouth.net" <gradydiane@bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:28:01 -0000 Guide: Mike has done this tour for over 20 years. He knows it all and has good contacts to keep him updated on conditions. About $1295.inclusive except meals. Share your room or pay an upcharge fo a single. Contact Ornifolks AT sbcglobal.net Mike has been all over the world in his 69 years and is a great storyteller. He is also a bit crusty at times so enjoy his stories and let some opinions slide off your back. (He is a softy and did save an escaped puppy on a dusty backroad from roadkill fate.) He brought Alan Sander along, a terrific photographer, birder and conversationalist. Be enthusiastic and flexible for this group. We were a congenial mix ages 50 to 89! 3 women; 8 men. Mostly world birders who knew their stuff and swapped continent stories. Of course this is serendipity. A jerk could have been a pain due to the close quarters. I was the least experienced or traveled (my first tour) and really enjoyed it. I am a 63 year old grandmother, recently widowed, who felt very comfortable and entertained by the wonderful birding and people. Specific Pluses We hit almost all TARGETS including grouse, 2 of 3 rosy finches, both prairie chickens, 2 of 3 longspurs, mountain plover. Only missed WT ptarmigan and black rosy finch due to season and weather. No owls but they were not targets. You get out of the van alot and have many good chances to see most birds, esp. the important ones. Many other great sightings every day. I added 11 birds to my lifelist which was at 615. We had some very experienced world birders and they were all quite happy. Logistics The 15 passenger van was definitely no frills and packed tight with 11 people. It is not a comfy trip but certainly not miserable. It is a fast and furious Sun to Sat run-for-the birds. 4:00 a.m. wakeups daily. Not strenuous. Not much walking or hiking required but the 11,000 feet altitude is an adjustment. We zipped from 5000 at Denver to 11,000 at Loveland Pass to 3000 in Wray. Arrive a day early and try to acclimate if possible. Limit fluids if you can. Pit stops are infrequent and it is embarrassing to keep asking. You'll be glad to fall into bed at night. Prima Donnas and birding snobs might look elsewhere. If you are infirm, this trip is not for you. We had a capable 89 year old, experienced birder, who could move pretty well, but had companions with him to assist him. We used nice motels 3 nights and scruffy ones 3 nights. Tiny, Elhardt, KA motel was not for the squeamish. Lesser prairie chickens were worth it. Mostly fast food at lunch, interesting and good local restaurants at night. Pack some water and snacks in your one soft duffle. I had a huge rolling duffle from Costco. I was not the only one. Some guys had a big backpack and a small duffle. Duffles and scopes take up ALL the storage room. Your daypack/backpack will have to go on your lap or under seat and you are already squeezed against your neighbor. You may not be able to get into your duffle during day so plan your daypack carefully. Wear the SAME clothes daily LAYERED because we went from freezing high altitude, windy snow to 85 degree on the prairie. Everyone seemed to have sage or beige or brown . Everyone did it. I suggest: deoderant, smart wool hiking sox, lightweight,vented long sleeve shirt, long sleeve lightweight thermal shirt, lightweight fleece jacket or quilted vest, goretex type lined waterproof good windbreaker with tie up HOOD, stretch cargo pants of tight weave. Add a knit HAT, hiking boots, gloves, and sunglasses. At some point you will be wearing all of this then strip down to pants and shirt. I also brought one short sleeve cotton shirt. Alarm clock since the scruffy motels may not have one. Cell phones worked everywhere. I packed a laptop and had wifi in all but Elkhardt hotel. I overpacked with a second set of unneeded hiking boots because I was afraid to ruin the trip if one pair got soaked. I had travel clothes in a second piece of luggage but talked my first night hotel into storing it. It would not have fit into van. Some minor annoyances: 1. Smokers: even if they smoke far away, their clothes carry the smell for awhile. I am sensitive to it. Others were not. 2. Seating: I missed knee room, wiggle room and cupholders. I like having 10 people, a nice sized group, but would pay a little more to get a little more room. You may miss some good views due to where you are sitting and other's photography equipment blocking view. We rotated seats daily.I favored the door side because I could stretch my legs into the well between the seats and the door. 3. Cameras: At leks, we all saw well, however, there were 3 big cameras onboard that often hogged the window view. The "papparazi clicking" when the best birds arrived was annoying. I like to sit quietly and let the bird and nature sounds take over. The chickens and grouse make wonderful sounds. Papparazzi birding was not constant but happened enough to become a bit of a nuisance. Personally, I feel the tight space of this van does not lend itself to big photography equipment. Overall, this trip provided excellent birding, fun companions and acceptable degrees of discomfort due to timetables and logistics. If I had done it alone, I would have missed alot of birds and still spent about 75% of what I paid Mike. He was certainly worth it for his knowledge and making plans. Subject: Peru and Kolibri Expeditions From: "manisteepanama" <tanager AT manistee.com> Date: Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:23:43 -0000 Just finished a highly rewarding, scenic and adventurous trip in Peru with Kolibri Expeditions. Had several guides including Gunnar Engbloom the owner, and guides Alejandro, Thomas, Yuri, and especially Alex Durand. All guides were excellent, they knew their birds, were equipped to call them out and led me to some places that you could tell were known only by experience to be the best place to find difficult species. Especially rewarding was a short trip to find Humboldt Penguin in a place that another birding group encountered on the trip said was not possible. They were there, dozens of them cavorting in the surf just below our perch on a cliff-side site that I would never have thought was possible to see penguins. BA Subject: Re:Quick tours Miami From: "Donald Lewis" <donlewis AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:32:38 -0700 For a Miami guide, try Larry Manfredi http://www.southfloridabirding.com/ He is a professional bird guide and I can recommend him. He gets busy in April, however, if that's your timing. Don Lewis Lafayette, CA donlewis AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Quick tours Miami From: "manisteepanama" <tanager AT manistee.com> Date: Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:45:21 -0000 I have a six hour lay-over at Miami airport during an upcoming trip. Does anyone know of a quick tour for some of the local specialty birds like Spot-breasted Oriole, Chevron-winged Parakeet, etc? Thanks, BA Subject: re: New Zealand birding From: JLobel AT aol.com Date: Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:46:24 -0500 We used Kiwi Wildlife to help organize our self-guided tour a few years ago and they did very well for us. We developed the route with them, they then made reservations for the pelagic trips, kiwi excursions, hotels, rental cars, parks, and so forth. They also provided detailed maps & directions. They were helpful, quick to respond, flexible, reasonably priced, and friendly: all you could hope for. I'd use them again and recommend them unreservedly. We did not speak to any of the other companies so I can't comment on them. There is also a great deal of info on the web about NZ; one of the sites that helped us squeeze a lot into a few brief weeks was this one for driving distances and travel times: http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/new-zealand-map/interactive_map_home.cfm It's a great place with everything you could ask for: fantastic birds, people, scenery, food & wine, and it's really easy to get around, though distances and travel times are long. You'll like it! Good luck, John Lobel Sherman Oaks, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New Zealand birding From: "Karen Rosenbaum" <benkaren AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:14:48 -0000 We've read one very positive review of Manu tours. We're interested in other experiences with New Zealand birding groups--in particular, Naturequest, Wrybill, and Kiwi Wildlife. We are considering a fall 2009 trip. Thanks for sharing any NZ birding tips! Subject: Tenerife From: "paul522460" <paul AT tropicbird.co.uk> Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:56:48 -0000 Can anybody recommend a guide for the island of Tenerife to enable the sighting of the endemics. Thanks in anticipation Paul Subject: Costa Rica guide recommendation From: "ljhugs" <Rsand14592 AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:54:07 -0000 I just returned from a wonderful trip led by Noel Urena with Sunny Feathers. There was a group of 13 birders and I think he did an admirable job of getting the birds for us. I have been on trips with many other leaders and he is my favorite. Plus, the accommodations, food were all great and the price was quite reasonable. Despite having to deal with a devastating earthquake, the trip went smoothly. He can be reached at noel AT costaricabirdingtours.com or tel: +506-2771-9686. Subject: FONT (Focus on Nature) tours? From: "Karen Rosenbaum" <benkaren AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:57:06 -0000 Does anyone have any experience with this tour company--especially its Japanese tours? We have found one very negative review of Armas Hill's FONT trip to South America. We are considering a birding trip to Japan, and FONT offers one of the few spring trips to that country. Can anyone recommend another tour company that takes birders to Japan in the spring? Subject: Ocho Rios -Jamaica From: "paul522460" <paul AT tropicbird.co.uk> Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:36:07 -0000 My son has decided fortunately to get married in Ocho Rios next September and I am lokkoing for a guide for a days birding around the area. Does anyone know such a guide? Many thanks Paul Gaffan Subject: Caligo Ventures Trinidad and Tobago From: "wendydreskin" <wendydreskin AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:57:03 -0000 I went to Trinidad and Tobago in June on a Caligo Ventures trip. Our group was small (6 people) and the guides were excellent. I was unhappy with the mood-making in the itinerary. Birding in a "wetland" turned out to mean a sewage pond. We did see the promised birds, but it was hardly a natural setting. "Lowland savannah" turned out to be an old World War II runway in an area where a large Tech Mall is under construction. Again, we saw the promised birds, but it was far from what we expected from the description, and the itinerary had us going there 3 times! (The group opted out of the third time.) We were taken to very garbage-filled beaches (seems to be the norm in Trinidad)with no idea this might not be our idea of a pleasant place for lunch or birding. If you have any compunction about use of recordings to call in birds, this tour is not for you. The guides make heavy use of recordings. Another caveat - tide-pooling was listed on the itinerary but the guide didn't know the most common shells (and didn't seem aware there was any expectation he'd know them), and Caligo represented that the guides were all around nature guides who could identify butterflies (and lizards, plants, etc) but this was generally not the case. Check if the van you'll be in has seatbelts for all passengers if that is important to you. Don't assume, as we did, it will have them. Drivers were good drivers. In summary, you probably will get to see the birds mentioned in the write-up, but mostly in unpristine settings (2 sewage ponds, roadsides, garbage-filled canals and beaches). The Asa Wright Center itself has very nice trails and the birding from the veranda, looking down on the platforms where they put bread and fruit, is delightful. We also enjoyed the oilbird cave although only 2 or 3 people at a time can go in (and we were part of a larger group here) so each person gets a very short glimpse. The forest reserve in Tobago where we spent part of a day is primary rainforest, preserved in the 1780s. Unless you are looking for a target species you can't find elsewhere, there are many places with much more pleasant birding surroundings than Trinidad. Subject: Sonir Bekir From: "paul522460" <paul AT tropicbird.co.uk> Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:34:08 -0000 Does anyone have the current mail address for Sonir Bekir of Bird Guides Turkey? I am trying to contact him prior to the British Birdwatching Fair. Thanks in anticipation Paul Gaffan Subject: Birding guide for Yellow Rail? From: justlookitup <justlookitup AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:06:12 -0000 A friend is seeking a birding guide to help him find a Yellow Rail, mostly likely in the Gulf Coast area. He can travel the week of March 16-20. If anyone can recommend someone, please email Bill Cook at cook AT sunyagcc.edu. Thanks! __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Calendar Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity *  6 New Members Visit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Game Day Companion Live fantasy league & game stats on TV. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Best of Y! Groups Check out the best of what Yahoo! Groups has to offer. . [nc3=4763758] __,_._,___ Subject: Tipping birding guides? From: feather4851 <dmarsh2 AT columbus.rr.com> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:19:03 -0000 We will be staying at a Central American eco-resort and using the resident guides. I believe they are basically paid room and board and tips. How much is the usual tip per person per day for the guides and for a driver (if there is a separate driver)? I really appreciate any information you can give. Thanks!! __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Calendar MARKETPLACE ____________________________________________________________________________ Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net. Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity *  2 New Members Visit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Game Day Companion Live fantasy league & game stats on TV. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Dog Groups on Yahoo! Groups Share pictures & stories about dogs. . [nc3=4836043] __,_._,___ Subject: Tropical Birding, northwest Ecuador, five stars From: leona6308 <leona6308 AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:18:21 -0000 A friend and I booked a private tour with Tropical Birding in early January. I chose the itinerary based on descriptions in their catalog. I had been to this part of Ecuador several times, and I still needed some life birds. Our guide was José Illanes, a young but experienced, very knowledgeable birder. He has superior spotting and listening skills, and he was able to get a scope on most of the birds he found. I was very pleased that he worked hard to get me the life birds I wanted to see most. We stayed at Tandayapa Lodge, which was very comfortable and provided easy access to the top birding areas at that elevation. Our other hotel was the Mirador Río Blanco in Los Bancos, at a much lower elevation. The rooms were comfortable, and with the exception of the loud party across the street one of the nights we were there, it was an acceptable place to stay. In my opinion the food was mediocre, though my companion would give it a higher rating. The advantage of staying there rather than in Mindo is that it is very close to Milpe bird sanctuary, one of the top birding sites, and also closer to Río Silanche reserve. We are intending to book another private tour with this organization. We felt the price was very reasonable for the quality of experience we had. __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Calendar MARKETPLACE ____________________________________________________________________________ Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net. Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity *  2 New Members Visit Your Group Health Zone Look your best! Groups to help you look & feel great. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Autos Group on Yahoo! Groups Discuss ways to fix your car. . [nc3=5170413] __,_._,___ Subject: New Zealand birding From: justlookitup <justlookitup AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:20:47 -0000 If anyone's looking for New Zealand birding guides, we highly recommend Manu Tours, based in New Zealand. We saw their ad in the ABA's newsletter "Winging It," and via e-mail, they customized the perfect trip for us. We spent three weeks touring around the South Island, Stewart Island, and North Island two winters ago, with Manu's Tony Wilson and Wendy Hare. We've been on many, many birding tours. These folks were organized, easy to get along with, and excellent birders. New Zealand is one of the most ideal places in the world: the species list isn't big, but the habitat is extremely diverse and the scenery spectacular. Manu does other Pacific islands too; we hope to set up a tour with them again for Solomon Islands and Australia sometime. __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Calendar MARKETPLACE ____________________________________________________________________________ Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net. Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity *  2 New Members Visit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Access it for free Get Fantasy Sports stats on your TV. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups w/ John McEnroe Join the All-Bran Day 10 Club. . [nc3=5202322] __,_._,___ Subject: Ricardo Matus, Punta Arenas, 5 Stars From: "Peter Ginsburg" <pagins AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:56:38 -0000