Japan

13-28 February 2009

Steller's Sea Eagle is the largest eagle in the world and many spend the winter in Japan. Photo: Chris Harbard

Japan is like no other country, and this extensive tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience its traditions and culture combined with excellent birding. Visit forests, highlands, islands, coasts and seas in search of White-naped and Hooded Cranes, Baikal Teal, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, White-tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles, Copper and Japanese Green Pheasants, Japanese Murrelet, Short-tailed Albatross, Tristram’s Storm-petrel and Long-tailed Rosefinch.
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Price: £3,995. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by Birdwatching Breaks (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 4324). For reservations, call the company on 01381 610495 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Antarctica: Cape to Cape

21 March-9 April 2009

Chinstrap Penguins are one of the few species that are confined to Antarctica. Photo: Chris Harbard

This amazing tour commences in Argentina, then visits the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha and Inaccessible Island, before flying back from Cape Town. It takes in three continents, nine species of penguin and perhaps 20 of cetacean, while the number of albatross and petrel species seen will be phenomenal. This is surely the ultimate Southern Ocean birding itinerary.
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Price: £6,950. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by Bird Holidays (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 5546). For reservations, call the company on 0113 391 0510 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Syria

2-11 April 2009

Only a few pairs of the Critically Endangered Northern Bald Ibis remain in Syria. Photo: Richard Bartz (Wikimedia commons)

This underwatched and unspoilt country is home to the Middle East’s last Northern Bald Ibises, as well as See-see Partridge, White-breasted Kingfisher, Desert Eagle Owl, Iraq Babbler, White-eared Bulbul and Syrian Serin.
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Price: £1,695. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by Birdwatching Breaks (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 4324). For reservations, call the company on 01381 610495 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Texas and Mexico

15-26 April 2009

Green Jay is a speciality of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Photo: Dominic Mitchell

Get the best of two birding worlds on this amazing twin-centre tour. We begin in Texas, looking for Rio Grande Valley specialities such as Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Audubon’s Oriole and Hook-billed Kite, before heading into Mexican cloudforest and wetlands in search of Little Tinamou, Boat-billed Heron, Northern Potoo, Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl, Altamira Yellowthroat and Flame-coloured Tanager. Unmissable!
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Price: £2,479. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by WildWings (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 5429). For reservations, call the company on 0117 965 8333 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Sweden

21-24 May 2009

The Pygmy Owl is Europe's smallest owl. Photo: Steve Young (www.birdsonfilm.com)

We return for another short but highly productive spring trip to the forests of southern Sweden, targeting such desirable specialities as Great Grey, Ural, Eagle, Tengmalm’s and Pygmy Owls, Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, White tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Common Crane, Black, Grey-headed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Crested Tit, Nutcracker and Common Rosefinch.
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Price: £799. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by WildWings (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 5429). For reservations, call the company on 0117 965 8333 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Azores

13-20 October 2009

The Critically Endangered Azores Bullfinch is endemic to one island in the Azores. Photo: Dominic Mitchell

The locally endemic Azores Bullfinch and regionally endemic Atlantic Canary will be among our targets, and we will also search proven rarity hot-spots for vagrants. Nearctic herons, waders and wildfowl are expected annually, and we will also visit Corvo to maximise our chances of American landbirds – the Western Palearctic’s first White-eyed Vireo and second Summer Tanager are among previous finds here. This trip is a must for Western Palearctic listers.
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Price: £1,181. This tour is operated for Birdwatch by Archipelago Azores (fully bonded and licensed  through the CAA, ATOL licence 6059). For reservations, call Archipelago Azores on 01768 775672 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Guatemala

6-19 December 2009

The Black-crested Coquette is just one of dozens of hummingbirds that could be seen. Photo: Jerry Oldenettel (Wikimedia commons)

History mingles with stunning birds in this little-watched corner of Central America. From Pink-headed Warbler, Resplendent Quetzal, Black-crested Coquette, Azure-rumped Tanager, Sungrebe, Mangrove Cuckoo, Horned Guan and hummingbirds to ever-changing habitats and amazing Mayan ruins, the sights and sounds of Guatemala will stay with you for a lifetime.
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Price: £2,995. This tour is operated for Birdwatchby Birdwatching Breaks (fully bonded and licensed through the CAA, ATOL licence 4324). For an reservations, call the company on 01381 610495 (or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Book with peace of mind

Our programme of reader holidays offers an unrivalled birding experience. We work in partnership with professional specialist companies to offer exciting itineraries led by experienced guides – and at prices that offer superb value for money. What’s more, you can book your holiday with complete peace of mind – all of our partner companies are fully bonded with the CAA and hold ATOL licences, so your money is fully protected.

The basic cost of holidays usually includes return flights from London, all accommodation, ground transportation, some or most meals and some other items, but the exact terms and conditions may vary – please contact the company operating your holiday for further information and a detailed itinerary.