Birdwatching Activities
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A
Karaka Bird Hide
Built with compensation funds from the Rainbow Warrior bombing, this hide can be reached by a boardwalk through the mangroves just off Brown St.
reviewed
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Castle O'Burrian
Just 1.5 miles north of the ferry pier, a cute little wooden signpost marked 'puffins' points the way to Castle O'Burrian, the most accessible puffin-watching spot in Orkney. A 10-minute walk from the road leads to a clifftop view of the puffin colony on the sea stack's grassy summit; the birds are in residence from late April to August.
reviewed
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Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Maintains several reserves on south Mainland and on the island of Fetlar.
reviewed
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Birdwatching
From March to May and August to October, if the levante (easterly wind) is blowing or there's little wind, the Tarifa area, including the spectacular Mirador del Estrecho lookout point, is great for watching bird migrations across the Strait of Gibraltar. The volunteer-staffed Estación Ornitológica de Tarifa, 5km northwest of town, provides lots of information on the area's birds. Andalucian Guides leads recommended birdwatching day trips in the area from €135 for one to three people.
reviewed
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Sarapiqui Eco Observatory
La Virgen's newest attraction is an American-owned private preserve that uses bird feeders to attract critters, which translates into epic photo ops, but also calls the 'eco' moniker into question. Nevertheless, there are 200 species of bird on this 10-acre reserve, laced with trails that run through secondary forest all the way down to the Rio Sarapiqui.
reviewed
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Bravo Adventure Cruises
To see a kiwi in the wild, Bravo Adventure Cruises runs twilight tours ($140). In order to protect the kiwi, numbers are limited so make sure you book well ahead. Kiwi-spotting is also available with Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience.
reviewed
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Scottish Wildlife Trust
reviewed
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Birdlife Malta
reviewed
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Doñana Reservas
English-speaking guides with expertise in identification of birds, wildflowers, mushrooms and mammals. Tours focus on the marshes and woods in the northern section of the park. Binoculars, telescopes and checklists are provided.
reviewed
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B
Matheson Wetlands Preserve
The Nature Conservancy oversees the 890-acre preserve just west of town. At the time of research, a wildfire had closed sections of the park indefinitely. Check for updates before heading out with your binoculars.
reviewed
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C
Albatross Encounter
Kaikoura is heaven for bird-nerds, who fly at the opportunity for a close encounter with pelagic species such as shearwaters, shags, mollymawks, petrels and the inimitable albatross.
reviewed
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Islay Wilderness Guide
Offers wild food foraging trips, and wildlife safaris by bike or on foot (£30/60 per half-/full day). There are also family bicycle safaris (two adults plus children £60 per half-day) teaching wild camping and cycle touring skills.
reviewed
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Huntly Peregrine WildWatch Centre
Just off the A96, 3 miles northwest of Huntly, is the Peregrine Wild Watch Centre, a centre where you can observe rare peregrine falcons, both live from a hide and via a remote camera monitoring their nest site.
reviewed
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D
Belvedere Castle
For a DIY birding expedition with kids, pick up a ‘Discovery Kit’ at Belvedere Castle in Central Park. It comes with binoculars, a bird book, colored pencils and paper – a perfect way to get the kids excited about birds. Picture ID required.
reviewed
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Sea Eagle Hide
The RSPB runs escorted trips to a viewing hide in Glen Seilisdeir where you can watch white-tailed sea eagles. Tours (£6/3 per adult/child) leave at 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday, from the B8035 road about a mile north of Tiroran (advance booking essential, by phone or at the Craignure tourist office).
reviewed