Central Andes, Colombia - Nov 1 - 9, 2023
With over 1,900 avian species—more than any other country in the world—Colombia is a birder’s paradise waiting to be discovered. This 9-day program focuses on the highlights of the Central Andes region, famed for its high level of species diversity, including the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, Rio Blanco Reserve, and Los Nevados National Park.
Explore Andean cloud forest, farmland, and páramo habitats in search of an array of tropical avifauna, including flycatchers, hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, and more. Throughout your journey, meet members of local communities and learn about conservation efforts to use birding as a sustainable development resource.
Trip cost is $4,545 and is all inclusive including airfare from Pittsburgh.
A complete itinerary and registration information can be found at our travel partner Holbrook Travel.
November 11-18, 2023. Rio Grande Valley Texas
Arguably the best birding location in the United States, the Rio Grande Valley contains a long list of birds not found anywhere else in the United States. During this experience, we will explore the series of World Birding Centers within the valley.
Locations such as South Padre Island, Estero Llano Grande and Santa Ana contain a suite of birds whose northernmost range crosses the border. Highly localized birds will also be sought at locations such as King Ranch, Salineno and Falcon. Target birds include Least Grebe, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Hook-billed Kite, Green Parakeet, Brown Jay, Green Kingfisher, Morelet’s Seedeater, Altamira Oriole, and Olive Sparrow.
This all-inclusive experience, including airfare from Pittsburgh is $2,795 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement available.
Click here for detailed itinerary
February 11-19, 2024, Birds of Central Panama
This experience will feature the birds of Central Panama from two world famous locations – The Canopy Tower and The Canopy Lodge. Through daily excursions from each lodge, we will explore the diversity of habitats in the surrounding environs.
From the Canopy Tower, we will discover the bird-rich lowland tropical forests of the Canal Zone, at famous locations such as Pipeline Road.
From the Canopy Lodge, we will uncover birds of the foothills and cloud forests of El Valle de Anton. And of course, throughout the entire week, the grounds, feeders and observation platforms at both locations will be thoroughly utilized.
This all-inclusive experience, including airfare from Pittsburgh is $4,550 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is available.
Click here for detail itinerary
Hill Country and Big Bend, Texas - April, 2024
This experience will center on two regions of Texas that contain highly celebrated birds. The
lush oaks of the Edwards Plateau harbor breeding populations of Black-capped Vireo and Golden-cheeked Warbler. While searching for these species, the collision of eastern and western species in this region will be obvious – the songs of Indigo Bunting and Great-crested
Flycatcher will intermingle with those of Canyon Wren and Brown-crested Flycatcher.
Further west, Big Bend provides a very different landscape and very different suite of birds. The Chisos mountains rise to over 8000 feet from their desert surroundings, providing a wonderful mix of habitats and birds. The bird list at Big Bend will be diverse and may include Common Black-Hawk, Montezuma Quail, Crissal Thrasher, Vermillion Flycatcher, Flame-colored Tanager, Gray Vireo and Painted Redstart. Topping this list is Colima Warbler, another highly prized, locally breeding bird.
Details of this trip are still being developed.
Registration is expected to open in fall 2023.
