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Click images on this page to see the report of the tour/trip on which we photographed the bird.

Note all photographs on B2A tours & guided trips taken ‘after’ participants got plenty good views.

        

Please note that this is only a selection of all the tours and trips we’ve undertaken. While most of the main tours do get a report it would be hard to keep up posting reports for every one of our guided trips/custom tours. Nevertheless we hope you may enjoy reading our selection of reports below.

 

Philippines - Luzon, Bohol, Cebu, Mindanao  - February 2013

   We walked away with a great many highlights on this tour; A few special ones to remember were 17 species of raptor, with six of them endemic and 1 of them “the Eagle”, a gathering of 16 Stripe-breasted Rhabdornis on Kitanglad, Philippine Tarsier and Visayan Broadbill on Bohol, at least 50 Long-snouted Flipper Dolphins to entertain those not completely taken away by ‘August Rush’ on the fast ferry crossing Bohol – Cebu, daytime stake-out owls good for excellent photos to be taken; Philippine Eagle-Owl at Angano and Everetts Scops Owl on Bohol (and daytime Palawan Scops seen on the extension as well), and then there were the Purple Needletails...

   

Philippines - Palawan  - February 2013

   A selection of opportunity shots made on the extension to the main Philippine tour above.

 

   

TaiwanEndemics and Black-faced Spoonbills - December 2012

   It is no wonder why Jan Willem and Marion had chosen our custom tour and Taiwan as their birding holiday destination; Jan Willem is a keen bird photographer and as you may notice from any of our trip reports, photo opportunities in Taiwan always are excellent! ...

 

ThailandThe North + Central Thailand extension - November - December 2012

   A selection of opportunity shots made on the trip.

 

TaiwanEndemics and Black-faced Spoonbills - November 2012

   November in Taiwan proved to be quite interesting again with some good surprises/bonuses found. A pair of Taiwan Thrush (the immensely distinct Island Thrush of Taiwan, see photos in our Dec. trip) was probably best as this is one of the hardest to find birds on Taiwan. The time of year, late November, proves no stranger to our sighting…I had not seen them on 5 previous trips at other times of the year. Plenty other Thrushes were encountered with migration still going on. A female Japanese Thrush found on the Hehuan Pass came as a nice surprise as it is a rare passage migrant on Taiwan...

 

TaiwanEndemics and Fairy Pitta - May 2012

   Another most enjoyable and highly successful tour left us wondering why so few foreign tourists make it to Taiwan. We were privileged! This beautiful island has it all; superb mountains and forests, nice beaches, interesting culture, most friendly people, plenty activities, a good infrastructure, delicious food and most important of all fantastic birding. On our trip we met foreigners twice, 50% were birders! From these figures at least we can note that Taiwan has become popular for birdwatching. Both birders from abroad and Taiwanese join to enjoy goodies like Mikado Pheasant, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Fairy Pitta, Taiwan Partridge, Golden Parrotbill, Flamecrest...

       

Philippines - Luzon, Bohol, Cebu, Mindanao  - March 2012

   I can remember John to note at the end of this tour; “Yes, it is possible indeed to see a great deal of the endemics on an enjoyable 2 week trip.” Of course I can only agree with John. With a very nice group of keen birders, a good itinerary, all arrangements that went smooth as always on our tours, mostly good weather, a couple good local guides and safe travel one may just have experienced the ingredients for a successful trip. Even the birding itself felt reasonably easy this time...

 

Philippines - Luzon, Bohol, Cebu, Mindanao  - February 2012

   How about Aleutian Tern then? There’s only a couple records (recent) for Philippines while the Kennedy field guide (published 2000 Oxford) only knows it from specimens taken in 1984. Perhaps it may have been a lifer for most of you? Oh sorry, endemics right! We did very well, we always do. I can keep this short. Check out last year’s report. Check out the trip list of this tour. Compare with the list of our second tour from March this year...

   

ThailandThe North + Central Thailand extension November 2011

   I may have written this in other trip reports. B2A does like a good start to a trip. But what if the first bird seen turns out to be the best one? Regard anything else a bonus? That would be hard with sightings of Red Avadavat, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Spectacled Barwing, Jerdon’s Bushchat, Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler, White-gorgeted Flycatcher, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Silver-eared Mesia, White-browed Shortwing, White-headed Bulbul, Rosy Pipit, Speckled Piculet, Eurasian Wryneck (Tijs), Grey-headed Parakeet, Collared Falconet, male Pied Harrier, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Barbet, Grey-headed Lapwing, Black-tailed Crake…

    

IndonesiaSulawesi & Halmahera – August 2011

   This tour itself is very rewarding in terms of endemics and unique birdlife. Seeing the slower paced lifestyle of the local and seemingly content people gives reason for reflection. The environment is relatively unspoiled, especially on Halmahera. The trip however is not for those who want a huge long list but for those who understand the uniqueness of these islands and is willing to put up with early mornings and long hours in the field. I personally walked away with a feeling of being blessed to have had the opportunity again to sample this very rich birdlife and wonderful islands…

 

Thailand - Six day tour of central peninsular Thailand - April 2011

   As we were getting our equipment ready we heard a Hooded Pitta calling from nearby. It took a while but it eventually flew up to an open branch and we all had good views…

Next up was a Mangrove Pitta. Games found it after it started calling. You have to love Pitta season…

Along the way we found a pair of Blue-winged Pittas that flew into a close tree to state their claim on the territory…

As we approached the bridge at the start of trail “B” we heard a Malayan Banded Pitta calling. As we approached we also heard a Gurney’s Pitta calling. We found ourselves in the middle of a border dispute between the two birds. The female Banded called from the forest floor on the left of the path while the male Gurney’s stood on a fallen log to the right and shouted back. We couldn’t have asked for better views. Five Pittas in five days – remarkable…

  

TaiwanEndemics and Black-faced Spoonbills - April 2011

   If one highlight sticks out it must be our Taiwan Partridge sighting. The usual brief views were exchanged for prolonged photo opportunities. You may also note that some other goodies performed exceptionally well with as a result photographs of Taiwan Bamboo Partridge, Flamecrest, Mountain Scops Owl and Pale Thrush to appear for the first time in our Taiwan trip reports. Both Mikado and Swinhoe’s Pheasants didn’t disappoint either and where have I heard this previous –after a male Swinhoe’s proudly showed for 5 minutes on end? It’s worth the trip alone!

 

Philippines - Luzon, Bohol, Cebu, Mindanao  - February-March 2011

   Our tranquil wait at the viewpoint on Mt.Kitanglad traditionally interrupted by excited shouts; EAGLE!!! Last year it was Danny to give alarm first, this year Carlito’s son. Last year we looked out above the forest canopy, this year we looked… UP! I’ve never seen this gigantic Eagle closer, it must have been at 30 meters distance max. circling above our heads where it suddenly appeared and stayed long enough gaining height slowly to allow for some photographs –digiscoped yep-. In fact, Carlito’s Eagle kept showing on the wing for a full 7 min. (11h45 – 11h52) until it went to perch on the forested mountain slope opposite the viewpoint…

 

 

TaiwanEndemics and Black-faced Spoonbills- November 2010

   We enjoyed clear blue skies for the first 5 full days of the trip by which time we had seen most endemics indeed. After my November 2007 trip to Taiwan, this journey was a very nice confirmation that November is a prime birdwatching month on the island. Most species are pretty vocal even in autumn and can be found with about the same ease or difficulty as in spring. We had no problems locating species as Taiwan Shortwing, Taiwan Wren-Babbler, both Scimitar-Babblers, Taiwan Barwing, both Bullfinches etc. and what about a record 16 Mikado Pheasants seen! Also Swinhoe’s Pheasant performed perfectly again with an amazing number of 11 different individuals seen.

 

Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera - August 2010

   This was the first B2A scheduled tour to Wallacea and the extraordinary birdlife of this region was well enjoyed. That this serves as an indication for more to come is clear as our great success simply needs no less than a follow up. (2011 report)

-Highlights in Lore Lindu National Park were numerous, Piping Crow, Sulawesi Thrush, Diabolical Nightjar...

-Scaly Kingfisher is one of the most difficult to find endemics on Sulawesi but persistence paid off for us at Gunung Ambang besides the rare Matinan Flycatcher found in a mixed flock and the recently described Cinnabar Boobook appeared for us in the spotlight twice...

-Halmahera produced the extremely rare and seldom seen Great Cuckoo Dove for us, the Standardwing Bird of Paradise experience was completed successfully and we did manage walk away views of Ivory-breasted Pitta...

 

TaiwanEndemics quest (all of 'm)- April 2010

   Taiwan is ‘the’ perfect location for a most enjoyable and rewarding shorter birding holiday. Enjoyable because.....rewarding because one can find all endemics in a single short visit, as we did on this tour. It is clear, after this trip that we enjoyed so much; I can highly recommend any birding trip to Taiwan with a big portion of fresh enthusiasm! It would not be possible of course, to force anyone to believe my words, therefore, if I may, I would like to note again that all images on this report’s pages have been taken ‘on’ the trip and as you may know, my photographs don’t lie!

 

Philippines - Mindanao, Cebu, Bohol & Luzon - February-March 2010

   This year’s tour took off with our successful visit to Mt.Kitanglad and consequently scored on ‘the’ Great Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle right away on the first full birdwatching day on the mountain. Excellent start and together with plenty other highlights inclusive Red-eared Parrotfinch, Apo Myna and Sunbird, White-cheeked Bullfinch, Blue-capped Wood Kingfisher, Mountain Shrike, Bukidnon Woodcock and an incredibly obliging Philippine Frogmouth, left Mindanao to pick up the endangered Black Shama on Cebu. We did extremely well on Bohol and simply confirmed Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape has some of the very best and enjoyable birding in the Philippines, not to be missed on any Philippine tour. Our Bohol list is long...

Report loaded with trip photos and sound recordings of over 50 species.

 

Thailand - Summary of short guided trips from Bangkok - winter 2009 - 2010

   We have been very busy with guided trips in Thailand for the winter season 2009- 2010 with 4 longer trips in Northern Thailand in November and December alone. Additionally we did cater for a number of day trips and shorter trips with a start in Bangkok, all of which have been highly successful, not at least in finding the often most wanted for target species, the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, and consequently all participants enjoyed great sightings in the Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia wader areas. It’s not just Spoon-billed Sandpiper that makes these short trips to this area so popular. A number of other specialities feature on the list and include the sought after Nordmann’s Greenshank and White-faced Plover.

 

  

ThailandKrung Ching Waterfall – December 2009

   The area around the HQ, and the trail to Krung Ching waterfall -encompassed in Khao Luang NP in southern Thailand- is one of the most rewarding spots for birding in South Thailand. Any short trip is likely to be highly productive with both bird activity and the number of sought-after species around surprisingly high!

 

Thailand - North & Central - December 2009

   Never thought we would end up with a high count on the bird list for this trip as we had concentrated on finding a few scarce species rather than do the more general birding where besides specialities also the more regular species get attention. Never bothered counting really until I got to compose the trip list for this report, (due to a lack of time months after the trip) -393 species…in just 12 days!!!

 

LaosNa Hin Forest – December 2009

   Ashly Banwell, Albert Low, Neil Bostock, Carlton Collier and Stijn De Win / Birding2asia on a visit to Na Hin Forest confirmed again how excellent an area for birdwatching this place in Laos is…with nothing less than some superb additions to the Na Hin Forest bird list to prove!

 

Thailand - Mountains of the North - November 2009

   We got the taste of a high day list fresh still. So why not, after yesterday, usually comes today…but not always at 117 species! Doi Chiang Dao always is superb, beautiful open mixed forests and superb birds, yes that’s inclusive Giant Nuthatch. After that, we made our way to Thaton, mainly to get positioned perfect for our Doi Lang visit tomorrow but this also means a chance to visit the fields and paddies near the town. Pied Harrier and Small Pratincole and Citrine Wagtails…but also a surprise Amur Falcon.

 

Thailand - North & Central - November 2009

   I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for your guiding and overall organisation over the past 2 weeks. It was excellent. Without you I suspect that we may have only seen 50% - 60% of the species we did see, and I guess that we would have missed many of the good ones. Thanks also for the efforts you made to ensure that Marie got good looks at the birds. She really appreciated that and it enhanced the holiday for her. She is still on high after our mammal spectacular at Kaeng Krachan.

 

TaiwanEndemics & Black-faced Spoonbills – April 2009

   We didn’t wait long before the male Swinhoe’s Pheasant came out feeding at the roadside which made us to enjoy a real show.  The female did pretty much the same before we went on for the drive to our hotel that we did not reach before seeing yet another male Swinhoe’s Pheasant and a couple Chinese Bamboo Partridges…

Report with plenty photos of our most enjoyable week birding in Taiwan.

ThailandLaem Pak Bia area & The South – March-April 2009

   It was only after our count in the evening we were surprised to have seen 116 bird species in the area. Anyway, we never focused on numbers, as quality is what one should go for at Pak Thale – Laem Pak Bia and we did not fail. A superb male Watercock that performed well right in the open at the edge of an irrigated rice field was the perfect way to start the day. No problem this morning to find 1 or 2 Spoon-billed Sandpipers and 31 Nordmann’s Greenshank attended their stakeout area...

This report describes our successful Laem Pak Bia – Southern Thailand combination trip.

 

PhilippinesLuzon, Bohol & Cebu – February-March 2009

   Thanks go out to those people protecting the magnificent forests and areas we have visited. 

It’s been a privilege to visit the forest at Subic Naval Base and Rajah Sikatuna NP in particular, as few forests in Asia enjoy this level of proper protection…

Report with numerous images of birds photographed on tour.

 

ThailandLaem Pak Bia area & Kaeng Krachan – February 2009

   Another successful Birding2asia trip to the area produced the high total of 184 species in just 2 days, inclusive all targets at Pak Thale and Laem Pak Bia ; Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, ‘White-faced’ Plover and Chinese Egret.  In Kaeng Krachan NP on our relaxed second day, we enjoyed Banded + Silver-breasted Broadbills, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Great Hornbill…

Plenty photos of ‘trip birds’ go with this report.

 

Thailand“Lage landen” birding – February 2009

   De volgende morgen om 7 uur waren we op de “lepelbekplek” in Pak Thale en binnen een minuut of 5 de

eerste in het vizier. Whow, dat is nog es een start van de dag...

Samenvattend; We hebben twee dagen in zeer uiteenlopende biotopen gevogeld en met de deskundige

begeleiding van Stijn een optimaal resultaat behaald. Voor ons alle reden om alweer naar een volgend

bezoek uit te kijken.

  Dit is een Nederlandstalige versie van het voorgaande verslag op de website van Avifauna Groningen.  Een voortreffelijk artikel geschreven door Jans & Trudi.

Steere's Pitta Ruddy Kingfisher Collared Bush Robin

Thailand – Laem Pak Bia, Pak Thale & Kaeng Krachan – December 2008

   A short but highly successful birdwatching trip to these superb sites in Thailand produced the high

total of 207 species recorded, inclusive Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Chinese

Egret, Grey-Peacock Pheasant and Black-and-Red + Banded + Silver-breasted Broadbills,

White-hooded Babbler and Ratchet-tailed Treepie…

Report of a short guided trip from Bangkok

 

ThailandNorth and Central National Parks – November 2008

  Thailand was a surprisingly bird rich, diverse and friendly country and I really enjoyed

joining this tour which resulted in one of the best planned and most smoothly executed

trips I have ever made…

   A report written by Bernard Burgess.

 

ThailandMountains of the North – March 2008

   A complete run of all the good mountain birding sites near Chiang Mai got us 281 bird species in just a week time...

Download Peter Waanders' report from the same trip. (pdf)

 

ThailandThe South – June 2007

   The morning saw us at the northern edge of Khao Phanom Bencha NP in an area that was surprisingly active with birdlife. In no time we got a decent list of birds inclusive 4 superb Dusky Broadbills, easily crowned bird of the day. Other goodies were Black-bellied Malkoha, Raffles’ Malkoha, Gold-whiskered Barbet, 5 Wreathed Hornbills, Grey-bellied Bulbul, Green Broadbill and Black-capped Babbler…

A report on a trip that Tom guided for Bob & Jessica Allen.  Written by Bob Allen and posted on the Surfbirds website.

 

Red-bearded Bee-eater Sultan Tit Philippine Trogon

 

We do get to see some amazing mammals now and then. Click image for report.

Philippine Tarsier Black Giant Squirrel Dusky Langur Philippine Colugo