I recently discovered this series of “Inside Birding” videos on YouTube. In this one, they explain about how a bird’s habitat can help you identify it.
Inside Birding: Habitat
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Inside Birding: Size And Shape
I recently discovered this series of “Inside Birding” videos on YouTube. In this one, they explain about how a bird’s size and shape can help you identify it. I would still like to know how to implement this when the bird is zooming over your head at the speed of light!
Inside Birding: Behavior
I recently discovered this series of “Inside Birding” videos on YouTube. In this one, they explain about how a bird’s behavior can help you identify it.
Different Kinds Of Bird Watchers (Just For Fun)
Someone sent me this on Facebook and I got a bit of a giggle out of it! 🙂
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If I had to pick just one, I’d be mostly a 5 with a hybridized version of 11 more from my travel experience rather than that snobbish attitude the character is showing. I’d be more like “the Pantanal is amazing but you really should go to Amazonia, it’s the only place where Golden Conures can be regularly seen”! By my standards I’d also be a 7 but compared with professional photographers my 400mm lens isn’t even close!
The best birding guides I’ve met around the world are mostly 8’s with the added gift of ultra-vision as well.
From these categories, what kind of birder are you?
Birding The Sorong Lowlands
This was where I made a mistake – I didn’t book a guide in advance, thinking it would be easy to just call one when we got there as it was low season. Wrong! I already had some sources such as Benny from Biak who has guide contacts in Sorong and a website that was advertising day birding trips. The itinerary from Papua Expeditions looked great- several Birds of Paradise (BOPs) and Black Lories amongst other birds. First thing I did upon checking into the Royal Mamberamo was to load the website to get the phone number and call or text them. But wait – no phone number on the whole site! I sent an email but didn’t get a reply. Benny from Discover Papua texted me back that his guide wasn’t replying. My husband and I were on our own. I went back online to try to find phone numbers for other guides or at least trip reports showing where the best places were. I found a couple trip reports that said Black Lories were in the Hutan Lindung area at km 14, about 8km past the airport.
Hutan Lindung
And this report had a similar bird list.
We had the hotel book us a car and driver, explain to the driver where we wanted to go and tell us the price – 70,000 rupiah an hour. First we went out on the Makbon Road in search of lowland forest that looked “birdy”. We passed a few villages and finally found a likely spot. The villagers were curious about us but understood that we wanted “burung” which means birds. One of them even knew where to find a Twelve-wired BOP further away but we would have been too late. We walked down the road but didn’t hear or see anything interesting, just a few barn swallows.
Village on Makbon Road
Curious villagers
Barn Swallow
Mosque on Makbon Road
Interesting monument on Makbon Road
We went back to Hutan Lindung to try our luck. It was around 11am by now so too late for real birding but we tried! We did hear the screech of cockatoos flying in the distance but couldn’t see them. We gave up and had the driver bring us back to the hotel.
The next morning, we got up early and once again hired a car and driver, bringing our bags with us so we could be dropped at the airport afterwards. Last chance birding for West Papua! We would only have time for a couple hours in Hutan Lindung. This time we did much better. Cockatoos were heard but not seen again. We saw a pair of Black Lories doing a fly-by off in the distance. And I could swear I heard Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrots in a tree near the road but within the foliage. They sounded like the ones we saw in Nimbokrang and I could see movement but not a clear shot of a bird. As usual, I got great photos of leaves! Then again, I managed to get some butterfly shots so it wasn’t a total photographic loss!
Taxi we hired by the hour for trip to Hutan Lindung
Entrance to Hutan Lindung Taman Wisata
Entrance to Hutan Lindung Taman Wisata
Lowland forest of Hutan Lindung
Trees where we heard the Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrots
Tiny bird on branch near the bottom
Silhouetted bird in tree, anyone know what it is?
Butterfly
Butterfly
Just missed the Black Lories who did a quick fly by
I’m Taking The Pledge – To Fledge!
The Global Birding Initiative is a grassroots movement to get new people interested in birding. Not just the exotic travel like I do but everyday birds in your backyard or anywhere! So here’s the official pledge:
As a birder, I have savored the sights of nature’s most spectacular works of art. I have felt the pride of discovering a rare bird in my area. At times, my spirit has been soothed by the songs of our winged wonders. I wish EVERYONE could experience these joys.
By building public appreciation for local birds, communities can realize the intrinsic, aesthetic, and ecological value of birdlife and nature in general. This life-fulfilling appreciation also serves as the requisite foundation for bird conservation action.
With this in mind, I make the following ‘Pledge to Fledge’ . . .
I pledge to actively share my enthusiasm for birds with non-birders by taking them into the field to show them birds and foster their own appreciation for birds whenever possible. I will strive to be friendly, patient, helpful, and welcoming when approached by ‘non-birders’ or asked about birds by acquaintances. I believe that individual birders, as part of an international grassroots movement, can effect positive and profound change for our shared birds and their future.”
I have the perfect tool to get started with this blog. I’ve been sharing my worldwide trips, currently the one to West Papua. But even in my own backyard, I have a wealth of wild native Aussie birds. Sulpher Crested Cockatoos and Short-billed Corellas fly over my house every day. Rainbow Lorikeets come to feed on my grevilleas, bottlebrushes and umbrella trees. Sometimes Pale-headed Rosellas come to the banana trees.
There are some great tips in their “How to Fledge” online document.
Fledging a new birder
I am going to do the first one I circled tomorrow in a local park. I already do the other 3 I circled. I don’t have a conventional office job so I can’t do the uncircled ones in person though I do them here on this blog, hope that counts!
Is anyone here in Brisbane? I’d love to meet you in one of our local parks for birding! SInce most of you are probably NOT in Brisbane, do you need any advice on how to get started? Have you seen an interesting bird in your neighborhood you would like to share (any species)? Please post in the comments!
Interesting Podcast – Drawing Room: Twitchers
I really enjoyed this interview with a couple of Australian Twitchers (keen bird watchers). Unlike Mr Dooley, I don’t have a life list. I am trying to see as many parrots as possible and also any interesting birds in the area but I can’t afford to take off at at the drop of a hat when someone reports a rare bird someplace. I like to spend as much time as possible observing the birds but sometimes a quick fly-over is all you get! I do have to work within my limitations on time and especially money and just be grateful for the birding travel I get to do with frequent flyer miles.
There were some parts I could really relate to like when he talks about nature being in our lives no matter where we are. I could also relate to when he said he saw a rare bird in the Roman Forum, something most tourists wouldn’t notice. When I was at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, I think I paid more attention to the Rose-Ringed Parakeets than the architecture!
I have to agree with the “Holy Grail” bird – the Night Parrot. I would just be happy to know they are alive and well and are not extinct!
- Broadcast:
- Tuesday 16 April 2013 7:40PM (view full episode)
Tonight in the Drawing Room, you’re joined by a couple of twitchers. Not people who twitch, but people who are rather fond of birds.
Sean Dooley once broke the Australian record for spotting the most species of birds in one year, and he has just written the forward to the re-issue of one of our most loved bird books, Mateship With Birds by A.H. Chisholm.
You’ll also be joined by Michael Veitch, actor, comedian, author and birdwatcher.
New Club Carlson Visa Gets 2 – 3 Free Nights Near Panama’s Soberania National Park
Panama is a fantastic place for birders! Soberania National Park is less than an hour’s drive from the airport and there is even the Metropolitan National Park right in the city of Panama City! The bird lists are very impressive! Birders on a budget can stay at the Radisson Summit on points and drive over to the Canopy Tower for a day visit. Birders with more to spend can also stay overnight.
There is a special way to get up to 3 nights FREE at the Radisson Summit or any of their other hotels with the Club Carlson Visa. They currently have only a USA version of this card but they do say they will introduce cards in other countries. ***Disclaimer, this is not an affiliate link, these links go direct to Club Carlson’s site. Just sharing an awesome deal!
The USA one with US Bank comes in 3 varieties:
Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature card Highlights
- 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
- 5 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
- Up to 85,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
- 40,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card4
- Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for cardmembers!
- Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Gold Elite Status after you activate and use your card
- Already reached Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 15 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card6
- Enjoy all of these benefits for $75 Annual Fee
Club Carlson Rewards Visa Signature card Highlights
- 6 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
- 3 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
- Up to 60,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 10,000 points once you spend $1,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
- 25,000 renewal bonus points each year when you renew your card4
- Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for cardmembers!
- Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Silver Elite Status after you activate and use your card
- Already reached Silver, Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 10 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Gold or Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card.6
- Enjoy all of these benefits for $50 Annual Fee
Club Carlson Business Rewards Visa card Highlights
- 10 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases at participating Carlson Rezidor hotels3
- 5 points per $1 spent in eligible net purchases everywhere else3
- Up to 85,000 Bonus Gold Points – receive 50,000 Gold Points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points once you spend $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days1
- 40,000 renewal bonus pointseach year when you renew your card4
- Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.2Exclusively for business owners!
- Your upgrade is automatic5 – Your Club Carlson membership will be upgraded to Gold Elite Status after you activate and use your card
- Already reached Gold or Concierge Elite Status? You will receive 15 qualifying nights toward obtaining or maintaining Concierge Elite status after you activate and use your new card6
- Enjoy all of these benefits for $60 Annual Fee
Remember, I am not a financial advisor so it is up to you to make sure you should have this credit card.
Club Carlson is a great program for non-frequent travelers as they have several promos throughout the year where you can earn points, so even if you don’t want the credit card, still join Club Carlson and be on their mailing list for promos. Usually chain hotels suit eco-travelers best as gateway hotels but we are lucky that Club Carlson has a great option right near the Soberania National Park.
Depending on which card you get, you will have 1 or 2 free nights right off the bat! But these cards have a little something extra! Did you notice this part?
Bonus Award Nights – When you redeem Gold Points for 2 or more consecutive Award Nights, your last night is free.
This means that to get this (or any other Carlson hotel), you would redeem 38,000 points and get the last night free! This effectively reduces rewards to half price, a fantastic deal any way you look at it! I would recommend staying here 2 nights, birding along Pipeline Road and into Soberania National Park, then move to one of the other hotels in the city, go birding at the Metropolitan National Park and check out the Panama Canal, Panama Viejo or any of the markets, redeem one night and get the second night free. This makes for 4 nights all up in Panama free!