Here’s the big news: Palawan Peacock-Pheasant is showing reliably again!
Back in November 2024, only one guy in my group saw it, and only after heroic amounts of playback and patience. Now there’s a regular feeding site where the bird comes in beautifully.
When it steps into the open… wow. It’s a cracker.
Add all the usual Palawan specials—Palawan
Scops-Owl, Palawan Hornbill, Palawan Blue Flycatcher, Palawan Tit, Palawan Flowerpecker, and more.
The Palawan extensions starts on Jan 19 in the afternoon in Puerto Princess.
Bonus Trip: Palawan + Luzon, February 1–7
I’ve also set up another Palawan + Luzon trip from February 1–7 for another party of two.
We can easily accommodate a few more people on this departure as well for the best price.
It’s
an efficient combo covering both Luzon and Palawan endemics.
And yes, another crack at the Palawan Peacock-Pheasant at that new feeding spot!
For anyone who can’t join in January but still wants Philippine endemics early in the year, this February departure is perfect.
Luzon + Palawan + Mindanao = classic Philippine combo.
The way the January program is set up, you can:
Do the full three-island
circuit, or
Pick individual segments (Luzon / Palawan / Mindanao)
Either way you get a generous slice of the Philippine endemic cake without needing a month off work.
If you’re thinking of joining in January or February, hit reply and let me know:
Which dates/segments you prefer
If you’re traveling solo or with a friend/spouse
Your must-see targets (I tailor the pace depending on the group)
I’ll send the latest itinerary, logistics, prices, and
availability.
Other upcoming trips.
I am working on the calendars for 7 Wonders Birding and Kolibri Expeditions. The latter are still missing a lot of fixed departures, but
this doesn't mean we are not busy. There are bunch of private trips set up and these are not in the calendar. For instance both January and February are full of trips in Northern Peru. I am uploading more trips constantly, so come back and check the websites. And don't hesitate to write me and ask for particular tours you are interested in.
North Peru is selling like hot cupcakes!
(N.B. Interesting idiom. In Swedish we would say "selling
like butter (in the sun)"...read as disappearing very fast. In Spanish it is selling as hot bread - pan caliente)
There are scheduled trips to Northern Peru in March. Both a full 16 day North Peru itinerary March 1-16 and a short 5 day tour covering the essentials like Marvelous Spatuletail and Long-whiskered Owlet March 16-20. The trips in March will have super fresh info on the whereabouts of the birds with the experience of the trips run in January and February.
Taiwan
Still spaces for Taiwan March 23-29. Check out the new improved itinerary and the cutest endemics in the world.
Andalucia, Spain & Petra, Jordan - New Dates! April 6 and April 12
Due to a reunion in Panama in late April with my friends from my exchange student year 1976-1977 in California, I need to change the dates of Andalucia and Jordan. The people who have booked already are OK with the change.
The good thing is that these two tours can be booked back
to back. A wonderful opportunity to compare two different sides of bird fauna and culture of the extreme ends of the Mediterranean.
Back on the track where it all started 48 years later!
I had the chance to visit Rowland High School and do some intervals on their very nice track on my way to Revel Big Bear Half Marathon (full marathon was cancelled).
I needed to some interval training for the South American Master's Track and Field Championships in Santiago and
Rowland Heights was conveniently on my route. The head coach graciously accepted my self- invitation.
