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WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
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Chile Pumas Again!
Our 2008 Puma tour has been a great success with seven Pumas being seen once again, a family of five animals (four cubs) and two single adults. The family were seen three days running and prolonged views were obtained on all 3 days. On the second & third days they were watched for a total of almost 3 hours on a Guanaco kill. Full details here
Voyages News
Western Pacific Odyssey
Due to last minute cancellations there are a few berths become available again for the 2008 voyage, contact us now! We will again list the main sightings from this voyage as it progress’s on this website, check back! We also have a few berths still for 2009 plus 2010 is now fully on sale too. For more information click here.
Antarctica, The Falklands and South Georgia
Our 2007 group have just returned from the ultimate trip on the best ship on the best date with one of the world’s best leaders! The trip report (along with previous years) is now on this website, most cabin grades are still available for 2009 as of 1/3/08. Prices have been reduced since our 2008 brochure was published, now from £5335*pp. Click here for the full story.
The Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia
Another ‘must-do’ trip for seabirds and island endemics, the 2009 voyage is now confirmed and booking but cabins are very limited, contact us now!
Spitsbergen and the Arctic 2009
Demand for this region still outstrips supply, our annual group departure led by Tony Marr is now booking (21st – 29th June) as our independent voyages to the Scottish Islands, Spitsbergen and Greenland.
Save the Albatross (www.save thealbatross.net)
We continue to support this critical campaign and recently made another four figure company donation. This was swelled further by personal contributions from a number of our clients who have added their own amount to either their deposit or balance payments. A big thank you to all of you and please keep it coming! We have also just signed up to the Birdwatch Magazine Big Day 2008 and our contribution will also go to help the world’s tubenoses.
WildWings Thailand
Our first small group trip has just come home, you may have already seen some of the photographs on Surfbirds world rarities photo gallerys. They can also be seen on Mark Andrews’s website www.smandrews.com. The northern portion of the trip saw a staggering 46 species of wader (approx 25% of the world’s total!) including up to 8 Spoon-billed Sandpipers daily at close range and the potentially new species of shorebird, ‘White-faced” Plover. The Southern portion of the trip yielded both pairs of Guerney’s and Banded Pittas at close range from our local guide’s hide plus much much more. The species list can be found here and we plan two departures in February 2009, full details soon and the 2007 trip report.
Ecovolunteers
As of 29/2/2008 we are no longer UK agents for this organisation.
WildOceans brochure supplement 2008..... OUT NOW!
Our further selection of the best whale and dolphin holidays are available now, and booking. The Bay of Biscay, an ideal introduction to whale watching, The Maldives, new unique itineraries to the Seychelles and Aldabra, Patagonia, Californian Pelagics, Tonga Humpbacks and many more. Order your copy here or see the holidays online.
New Zealand Pelagic NEW!
A short expedition voyage up the east coast of both South and North Islands is also now booking, open to all, not just passengers on the Western Pacific Odyssey which follows. A host of southern seabirds are expected along with a nice selection of cetaceans.
Western Pacific Odyssey updates
Belated video footage from the 2007 voyage would seem to strongly suggest Christmas Shearwater can be added to an already amazing seabird list! News also that the Scarlet Robin of Australia has recently been split adds another species on Norfolk Island, Pacific Robin. We have also tweaked the latter parts of the voyage as we reach Japan and now Japanese Murrelet is strongly on the cards too! In addition, we also hope to see Laysan Albatross and Humpback Whales and have been granted permission to go close to Torishima Island in 2008 where Short-tailed Albatross breeds. We have a berth left in 2008 and one in 2009 currently, whilst we are also taking advance registrations for 2010 with a number of berths still available.
Western Pacific Odyssey tour page
Midway Atoll about to re-open!
After being closed to visitors for several years now this tropical seabird paradise is being re-opened to visitors in 2008. Contact us for full details when available! The atoll supports one of the largest colonies of Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses plus up to 17 more species of seabird. The endemic Hawaiian Monk Seal is also found here, a resident herd of Spinner Dolphins and Green Turtles.
Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia news
We hear as this year’s voyage is in it’s final stages that for only the third time this decade, Magenta Petrel was seen by all on board as the vessel headed north for the Chatham Islands from the Bounty Islands. This voyage offers the only real chance of seeing this highly desired species, along with about 40 other species of tubenose and much more! 2008 and 2009 voyages are currently full but we can still waitlist for cancellations, or advance register for 2010.
WildWings Whale and Dolphin Watching Holidays
Despite months of talks with WDCS in respect of a planned merger with their ootb programme, we were unable to reach agreement on terms by a previously agreed deadline. We therefore terminated our interest in this project on September 17th, 2007. A 20 page WildOceans supplementary brochure will now be released in mid November 2007 instead. This will include some superb new trips including multiple departures of our Maldives ‘whale and dolphins in paradise’ cruises in March and April 2008, the Seychelles in autumn, a new California cetaceans and seabirds tour in September 2008 and the ultimate Patagonia tour in November 2008. These are in addition to the UK’s best choice of whale and dolphin watching holidays around the world. Check back on this website over the coming weeks for the new progamme in the meantime.
braziljaguars 2007...WildWings does it again!
This year’s second group is heading home after another successful mammal and bird extraganza. The first group in August enjoyed superb views of two Jaguars in addition to 37 other species of mammal. This was capped by the second group enjoying a stunning 45 minutes of a pair of Jaguars courting and then mating right in front of them! Some of Mark’s photos can be seen here……. Congratulations to our leaders Mark Andrews and Regina Rebeiro for their sterling fieldwork again! Regina is independently rated as being one of the top three wildlife guides in South America and said it was the best wildlife experience of her life! Both our 2008 departures are waitlist only currently but you may now advance register for our 2009 departures. Just one place remains on our March 2008 Chile Pumas tour too by the way.
Ultimate Galapagos 2007....WildWings does it again 2 !
We believe we are one of the very few tour companies around the world, let alone the UK, which have delivered all the Galapagos bird endemics to their clients for the last three years in a row. Congrats to Dick Filby and the team in Ecuador but recent changes in the rules set by the National Park authorities are not going to make it easier in the future! Special itineraries for vessels have become very difficult to get permission for nowadays and are finally granted only a few months in advance. Beware anyone offering ‘guaranteed itineraries’, no one can! We’ve come pretty close though and by now using a combination of island hopping for the first few days and the perfect seven night vessel itinerary your best chance of seeing all the birds and key wildlife are still with us. The ‘Mangrove Finch’ landing will be subject to special permission by the Park in due course however. Revised dates for 2008 and beyond and the full details here.
Incident in Spitsbergen, August 2007
Whilst we had no clients onboard Aleksey Maryshev when she was hit by a large wave from a glacier calving, it was encouraging to receive a number of calls expressing support from past passengers. Oceanwide Expeditions tell us, pending the official report, that the wave hit the vessel beam on, causing the intense rolls. The vessel was at least three times the distance from the ice face, as it is high, the recommended minimum distance. As an extra precaution, they have informed the Masters of their vessels to stay at least 400m from all glaciers in the meantime. What has emerged already, is how strong and sturdy these vessels really are.
Save The Albatross update
WildWings continues to send regular cheques to this vital campaign, we have now agreed with the RSPB that our payments will be used specifically towards buying tori lines for fishing vessels for the immediate future. This means as we sleep in our beds at night we know those lines are hanging in the Southern Oceans saving tubenoses. The ‘task force’ is gaining strength in numbers and impact, the tide is finally starting to turn the bird’s way again. Thanks again to the many WildWings customers who are now making their own donations with their deposit or balance payments. We will be sending out the excellent RSPB/Birdlife campaign booklet with all donation receipts. You can keep up to date with the campaign at www.savethealbatross.net We also understand copies of the excellent limited-edition John Gale ‘Wandering Albatross’ print are still available to purchase too.
Expedition (Nature) Cruise News
Since our brochure was published in August 2007 we have added more voyages to our programme including Spitsbergen and Greenland for Arctic Summer 2008 with the Polar Pioneer and Antarctic Dream’s schedules joining our tariff. Click here or e-mail us for your own copy in Microsoft Excel. We also have more voyages in the Russian Far East for summer 2008 although serious birders should really hold back for spring 2009. Our 18th June 2009 Kamchatka voyage is nearly sold out by the way, hurry for the last cabins/berths. WildWings leader will now be Chris Collins for this departure. His 2007 trip report can be found here. We may be able to get a last berth or two on the 2008 Atlantic Odyssey whilst 2009 is booking strongly at the moment, from the freezer to the oven in one voyage. We have a few berths left on the Western Pacific Odyssey in 2009 whilst 2010 is now open for advance registrations. It seems another highly desired seabird may be retrospectively added to the 2007 inaugural voyage list, Christmas Shearwater, video-grabs are being looked at by experts in Australia currently. We may also be adding a 5 night pre-voyage up the coast of New Zealand from South Island to Auckland in 2009 before the main voyage sails north into the Pacific. This will be available to all in addition to the WPO passengers, standby for more news shortly. Demand for the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia voyages (Birding Downunder) also remains intense, contact us soon if you want to go in 2009 or beyond.
| Puma Tour 2007 | |
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After the success of our Jaguar tours the question was could the success be repeated with Pumas. The odds looked less promising but the inaugural Puma tour proved yet again the value of putting in the effort with an astonishing series of sightings, with Pumas being seen on four consecutive days with a minimum of seven individuals being seen.
A female with four small kittens was watched for over an hour and another female with a large young one in tow was seen on four consecutive nights close to our hotel. On two nights we even saw a Puma catch a Brown Hare near the hotel. In addition we also saw what was probably another individual on a ridge in the spotlight but although the bright eye-shine suggested Puma the animal was too far away for a conclusive identification in the spotlight. |
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Add to this a totally unexpected Kodkod (South America’s smallest cat), several Blue Whales (at two sites), Commerson’s, Chilean & Peale’s Dolphin, Grey (Chilla), Colpeo & Darwin’s Foxes, Marine & the endangered Southern River Otter, Southern Pudu, Southern Huemel & another 6 species of mammal and the tour was a resounding success. We will be modifying the itinerary slightly for next year which will probably mean that we do not see Commerson’s Dolphin but will have more time on Chiloe increasing our chances of seeing Kodkod & Southern River Otter. The 2008 tour (1-16 March) is already almost fully booked but one or two places remain and if demand is sufficient we may run a second tour. We are also taking advance registrations for 2009. For further information, bookings or advance registrations please contact Emma Brown at the Wildwings office. Richard Webb |
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Tsunami/ Earthquake Solomon Islands
We have had a number of calls from relatives on those on board about the earthquake/tsunami that occurred inthe Solomon Islands on Sunday. The ship is currently in Noumea, and is due to sail to the Solomons in the next few days.
We have heard from both John and from Heritage Expeditions that all is well and that the ship was not affected in anyway by the earthquake/tsunami.
Arctic 2008
We now have advance details of many of our voyages for Summer 2008, all of which are booking now! Demand for summer 2007, especially Spitsbergen has been overwhelming so you may want to get in early. In addition to our Spitsbergen and Greenland itineraries we also have the dates and prices for the spring Scottish Island voyages in May plus a selection of re-positioning trips from the UK up to the Arctic in June. Click here for more details.
BA to the islands!
British Airways now serve Trinidad direct from London Gatwick and so we have revised our Birding Trinidad and Tobago programme to reflect this new superior air service. Our famous Birding Package based at the delightful Pax Guest House now cost from only £1299 per person including return flights, 7 nights full board accommodation and 6 days guided birding, amazing value.
Western Pacific Odyssey update
The first, historic voyage is about to depart from Auckland, New Zealand. A full report from this pioneering trip will appear on this website in early May 2007. In the meantime the Solomon Islands recce report has just been added. We have a few berths left in both 2008 and 2009 and we will open up the 2010 voyage for advance registrations shortly.
Birdwatch Magazine Sweden : Autumn Migration NEW!
Our new 2 centre trip to Oland and Falsterbo is now open for bookings, see the April 2007 issue of the magazine for full details including the recce report or click here for the tour details only. 22nd – 29th September 2007, led by Anders Eriksson, £999pp sharing a twin room.
Big Cats.
As briefly mentioned below, our Chile Pumas recce tour was judged a complete success with not only multiple close sightings of Pumas with cubs and small kittens too but all the other target mammal species were seen including Blue Whales, Commerson’s and Chilean Dolphin. Full trip report now available here. Our first tour, led by Richard Webb will depart 1st – 16th March 2008. Contact our tours department for more details in the meantime, maximum of 10 clients only. Due to continued demand for our braziljaguars Tours we now have two departures again in 2008, 19th July – 4th August (Mark) and 23rd August – 8th September (Richard). In the meantime we continue to search for both Clouded and Snow Leopards in Asia, watch this space!Chile Pumas Recce March 2007
Great news from Richard Webb, still in Chile. 4 sightings of Puma during the first night's spot lighting including as close as 30m! Our first full tour will run in March 2008, please contact us if you want to be amongst the first to receive details. tours@wildwings.co.uk
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| Male Gurney's Pitta, Thailand, Feb 2007 Mark Andrews | Nordmann's Greenshank, Thailand Feb 2008 JBG |
Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Thailand Feb 2007 Mark Andrews |
| NEW! Thailand 'Spoon-billed Pitta' Tour As a result of a recent short, but frantic visit to Thailand by Mark Andrews and JBG, we are putting together a new small-group trip for February 2008. This trip, to be led by Mark, will concentrate on a number of key species including the now critically endangered wader, Spoon-Billed Sandpiper (along with a good chance of Nordmann's Greenshank) plus will seek Blue, Eared and Giant Pitta. An optional 3 night extension to Southern Thailand will concentrate on Gurney's and Banded Pittas plus another chance for Nordmann's Greenshank. If you would like details of this new trip when finalised, please contact us at tours@wildwings.co.uk |
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AIRLINE HAND BAGGAGE
VERY IMPORTANT
Due to the continuing heightened security introduced last summer please note that you are only allowed ONE piece of hand baggage, regardless of airline and/or class of travel with the following Maximum dimensions.
56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22” x 18” x 10”)
In addition, strict restrictions apply to ALL forms of liquids, a maximum of 100ml per type, which MUST be in a clear transparent plastic bag, not greater than 1 litre in volume.
Baby foods and prescription medicines are also allowed.
Notes: We understand these regulations are being strictly enforced, note nothing is allowed in your pockets either. Binoculars, telescopes, cameras and lenses, laptops etc are allowed in your hand baggage.
These restrictions also apply to inbound flights to the UK. The situation at overseas airports varies currently, check with your onward carrier locally (if applicable)
Galapagos Photo Exhibition, Shrewsbury
Regular client, Jonathan Cutbill has an exhibition of 325 photographs taken during a WildWings Ultimate Galapagos Tour at The Gallery, Pride Hill Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury throughout the month of February 2007 as part of the fifth Darwin Festival. (Currently a lady share place only available on this summer’s voyage by the way). Admission is free.
Save the Albatross Campaign Update
We are delighted to have been able to send another four figure cheque to the campaign this month as our annual company contribution from our client’s travels to the Southern Oceans in 2006. This essential long-term project has really moved up a gear in recent months with the RSPB now having a ‘Task Force’ team in action on fishing vessels from various countries. If you wish to make your own donation via WildWings please just add the amount to your final invoice and mark it ‘STA’. A receipt will be sent to you at the time and an extra thank you will also be sent at the beginning of next year when we make our next annual donation which will include any personal ones made to us. Or simply visit the special website and make your own donation direct, please! www.savethealbatross.net
Environmental Offsetting
The world seems to be going ‘green’ at last and we wholeheartedly support this concept in respect of international air travel. If you are going to pay money to offset your environmental footprint please give it to an existing bird or wildlife charity instead. And what better than the Save the Albatross Campaign, in support of Nature’s ultimate flyers!
Suggested amounts would generally seem to be as follows (per person, return)
Europe £5
Arctic £10
N America (East) £12
N. America (West) £20
Caribbean £15
S America £25
Antarctica £30
Middle East £15
Far East £25
Australasia £40
(Note: We would also be very happy to pass your payment on to the Albatross campaign, simply add the amount you wish to donate to any WildWings booking form , with your deposit, or your balance invoice, a receipt will be supplied.)
Expedition Cruise News
We continue to offer the best choice of voyages to both the Antarctic and Arctic. With nearly 50 vessels alone going south this winter, the choice of operator, itinerary and dates are becoming more critical to ensure the best wildlife experience. We only work with the ships we know and trust, our advice is free (15 years experience) and we offer the best prices too (Always check with us for the latest situation). Demand for the Arctic this coming summer is huge, with many Spitsbergen voyages full already. If you want to get in early for 2008 contact us soon, rates and dates are coming in now. Speaking of which, we can now offer lower prices on the Atlantic Odyssey in 2008, led by Tim Cleeves, contact us soon for your berths (all booked clients will pay the lower prices too of course). The Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia has just opened for bookings for 2008 , (2007 has long waitlists only), book soon if you want to experience this tubenose fest, prices from £3879*pp, 9th – 27th November 2008. Our ‘world first’ Western Pacific Odyssey 2007 is soon to depart (full report on this website from early May 2007), 2008 and 2009 are booking now too. The first season of Icebreaker voyages to the Emperor Penguin colony at Snow Hill Island were all a great success from client reports and photos. Four departures are now on offer this coming autumn, with reduced prices now from £5099*pp. The October voyages are the best, the chicks should still be on the adult’s feet. And for the very first time, one of the voyages will allow a lucky few (experienced divers only) to join the Emps in the ocean itself ! (supplement £1215).
Christmas Island Bird Week
The second such event has just been announced and we are taking bookings now, 1st – 7th September 2007. We have one week packages from both Singapore (from £829pp twin share) and Perth (from £1099pp twin share). Endemic seabirds and landbirds in this tropical paradise including Abbott’s Booby and Christmas Island Frigatebirds not to mention the stunning ‘Golden Bosuns’ plus much more. Ideal for photographers, artists, ringers, island fans and of course seabird buffs too. Limited places only.
Upcoming Tours
We still have some places on our spring and summer trips available, first come, first serve. The first Eilat Bird Festival has proved popular and bookings must close by mid-February. Tom Gullick has a few spots left on both his Spring Central Spanish trips and his Pyrenees trips in June (Wallcreeper or your money back!). Bookings are still open for our famous Polish Bird Festival in May, now with flights from Manchester as well as London. Our short breaks to Sweden in conjunction with Birdwatch Magazine have a few places left too (“10 out of 10”, a 2006 client). A few final berths remain on our return to Kamchatka and the Kuriles voyage in June (closing very soon). Our annual Ultimate Galapagos voyage has just a lady share place at time of press, as does our first braziljaguars Tour this summer. Finally, we just took a cancellation on our Baja California & Sea of Cortez whale and dolphin watching voyage in late March, one twin cabin.