Sunday, June 4, 2023

BIRDWATCHING VACATIONS, “FIELD STUDY ABROAD”


BY CLAY LARROY

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!



Today’s bird watching enthusiasts are not limited to their backyards or local parks to pursue their passion. Never have so many wonderful destinations been accessible for seeing rare and exotic species. Whether you are a novice birder looking for an introduction to the great sport of birding, or whether you are an expert bird watcher looking for new destinations or a particular species, there are tremendous opportunities in all corners of the world just for you.
Travelers wishing to go on a bird watching vacation have a number of options with regard to their destinations, the tour operators they choose, the size of the group they travel with, as well as the degree of comfort they experience at their ultimate destination. Some trips include back-country meals as good as any fine restaurant, while others are far more basic fare. Some involve heavy trekking and others are, literally, a walk in the park.


If you already are a birder, you know the joy of seeing a rare species or one that you have never before seen. Add to that experience the thrill of traveling to a new, perhaps exotic, destination to bird watch and you have a real adventure at hand. Setting off on a bird watching vacation in a distant land may seem daunting, but in reality will add an entirely new dimension to your birding adventures. If you are new to bird watching, traveling with a tour company that provides expert guidance is one of the best possible introductions!
This TRO guide will explain the various considerations for considering and planning a birding vacation. There is literally a world of destinations from which to choose, and each offers its own rewards and challenges.
Guided trips through tour operators are the most common type of birding vacation when visiting destinations outside of the traveler’s home territory. Going with a guide greatly enhances the opportunity for viewings of a variety of species or particular birds. Guides know which areas afford the best viewing possibilities and where the birds most actively habitat. Good tour companies provide guides that are a treasure trove of local natural history. When selecting a company, ask about the experience and knowledge of your guides.

When planning with a tour operator, make sure that your departures are termed "guaranteed" which means that the trip will not be cancelled by the tour operator by reason of too few participants. Bird watching trips tend to interest persons of varying skill and experience levels. If you are a highly experienced birder, you may find yourself surrounded with novices. If you are very physically fit, you may have some in your crowd that will hold you back from exploring as much territory as you would like. Conversely, if you are a novice, you would probably like to have some experienced birders in your group. If you are not physically robust, you do not want to be made to feel as though you are not enabling your group. For these and many other reasons, it is important to discuss your preferences with your travel consultant so they can find exactly the right trip for you in terms of the experience level of the groups and the physical demands of any particular trip.
Most birders opting to travel choose their trip based on either a destination they would like to visit or species they would like to see. The destination and the habitat of the species sought after will greatly determine the types of accommodations and the physical demands of the trip. Some settings lend themselves to relatively easy access and afford hotel quality comfort. Others such as rainforest treks, however, are more demanding and a tent and a campfire may be the most welcome sites to greet the tired birder at the end of each day. It is important to convey your preferences to your travel consultant at the outset to make sure the trip you choose closely matches your expectations!

REFERENCE SITES:

“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds 
going about their bright, oblivious business” 
Grant Hutchison

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!


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