With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, twitchers travel far and
wide to get a glimpse or catch the call of their favourite feathered
friends. Modern-day shooting parties armed with cameras and binoculars
flock to these 10 birdwatching hot spots.
1. Papua New Guinea
This largely untouched and isolated archipelago has much wonderful
natural habitat intact. The stars of the show are the fantastical birds
of paradise, of which there are more than 40 species, all individually
bizarre. With brilliant colours and showy, sweeping plumes, they engage
in dazzling courtship displays, jumping, carolling and opening their
feathers like Chinese fans. Another well-known character is the
cassowary, a large flightless bird with a horny casque on its head to
help it crash through the thick rainforest, and a fiercely sharp middle
toe giving it a (probably exaggerated) reputation as the world’s most
dangerous bird. Varirata National Park is one of the top birdwatching sites.
2. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Better known for the Big Five of wild animals, Kruger is also the
place to spot South Africa’s 'big six' birds – an irresistible challenge
for birdwatchers determined to collect the set. They are the southern
ground hornbill, Pel’s fishing-owl, lappetfaced vulture, saddle-billed
stork, martial eagle and the kori bustard. All large and impressive,
though not the most beautiful of creatures (particularly the vulture),
they are mostly easy to spot. With much less kudos but just as thrilling
for the traveller are the ostriches, often seen streaking across the
savannah, and the common-as muck but oh-so-beautiful glossy starling, a
shimmering jewel-like iridescent blue. There are safaris and
accommodation options for all budgets at Kruger National Park; the northern section, particularly around the Luvuvhu River, is the best area to spot the birds.
3. Rift Valley, Kenya
You’re sure to have seen this image before – it’s part of the lovely flight scene from Out of Africa,
for example – a flock of flamingos like a swirling drift of pink petals
covering a lake. But seeing it in the flesh is one of those
spine-tingling moments that stay with you forever. The noise is raucous.
Up close, the elegant birds are almost comical, performing their
elaborate, synchronised courtship dance. The lake in question is Kenya’s
Lake Nakuru, but sadly, for reasons that aren’t quite certain, the
numbers of flamingos returning to the lake is dropping each year. It’s
worth catching while you can. Lake Nakuru National Park is 2km south of the centre of Nakuru. There is a large public campsite just inside the main gate.
4. The Pantanal, Brazil
A major destination for birdwatching trips, the Pantanal
is home to more bird species than all of North America. In this wetland
region birds fly in flocks of thousands and six different species may
nest on a single branch. The biggest Brazilian bird is also found here –
the flightless rhea, which resembles a small ostrich. The smallest
birds are the numerous hyperactive types of hummingbird. These beautiful
little birds, with their dazzling iridescent colours, can be seen all
over the country. They flit rapidly, almost insectlike, from one spot to
the next, and can even fly backwards. The lyrical Brazilian name for
them is beija-flor (flower-kisser). You can arrange guided tours (or head off on your own) from the gateway towns Cuiabá, Corumbá and Campo Grande. Reservations are needed for all accommodation in July.
5. Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
This wildlife region has become one of NZ’s hottest attractions, and
its main drawcard is the birdlife. Taiaroa Head is the site of the
world’s only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can
observe the incredible spectacle of soaring albatrosses, with up to 3m
wingspans, coming in to land like a succession of 747s. Stewart Island
is the best place to see the much-loved but very shy national icon, the
kiwi, a flightless fluffy brown ball. The island is also home to one of
the world’s rarest penguins, the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, named
for their yellow feathered eye masks. The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head is open daily and offers various tours as well as colony viewing. Bookings are essential.
6. Antarctica
Vast icy landscapes of haunting beauty are one drawcard for travellers; penguins, the symbol of Antarctica,
are definitely another. With their comical waddle, social nature and
will to live in the most inhospitable terrain on earth, penguins capture
the imagination. Because of the scarcity of people, quiet observers may
find themselves approached by curious birds. The four main species are
the Adélie, chinstrap, gentoo and emperor, and they number literally in
the millions. Emperor penguins are known for their valiant breeding
cycle, marching miles from the ocean to their ancestral breeding
grounds, where they endure bitter winters huddled together to incubate
their eggs, before making the arduous journey back again to finally
feed. Penguins will be a feature of all tours. The International
Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website (www.iaato.org) provides lots of contact information.
7. Queensland, Australia
As with its peculiar animals, Australia’s
isolation has evolved some unusual birds. The laughing kookaburra
really does sound like it’s laughing, while the spectacular tailed
lyrebird sounds like any bird or other sound it chooses to mimic – in
touristed areas it often sounds like a camera shutter. Then there are
bowerbirds that compete for female attention by creating towering nests
from pretty shiny things; the flightless emu – the world’s second
largest bird after the ostrich; and a seemingly endless array of
brilliantly coloured parrots. These birds can be mostly seen all over
the country, but one place you’re sure to encounter them all is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland,
where flocks of friendly lorikeets are a hallmark attraction. Currumbin
Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Currumbin on the Gold Coast.
8. Ecuador
Like Brazil, Ecuador
has a huge diversity of birdlife – over 1500 species. Among the best
known and most colourful groups are toucans, which have huge
rainbowcoloured beaks, sometimes as long as their bodies, enabling them
to reach berries at the end of branches. Toucans live at forest treetop
level and are often best seen from boats. Also at home in the rainforest
canopy are macaws, particularly the blue and yellow variety. These
large parrots’ clumsy antics and raucous music provide plenty of
entertainment while exploring the jungle around the headwaters of the
Amazon River. The riverside town of Tena is a natural jumping-off spot for rafting; many tour operators can be found on Avenida 15 de Noviembre.
9. Danube Delta, Romania
If you want to go birdwatching in Europe, word is that the Danube
delta is the place to go. This network of channels, lagoons, reed
islands, woods and pastures on the Black Sea coast, though sadly
depleted by the activities of humans, remains a natural wonderland.
Ornithological highlights include thousands of pelicans, herons, ibis,
ducks, warblers and white-tailed eagles, but the real appeal of the
region is the proximity you can get to them. Areas of the wetlands are
only accessible by kayak or rowboat, from where you can watch the
wildlife a mere arms-length away. The visitor permit required to enter
the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve can be purchased from travel agencies and hotels in the gateway town of Tulcea.
10. Alaska,USA
Much like great cats, birds of prey command respect and are always an
object of fascination. One of the most sought after birds to sight is
America’s emblematic bald eagle. Living atop lofty mountains and soaring
to heights of 3,000m (10,000ft) they represent freedom, the nation’s
most prized value. These magnificent raptors with their white heads and
tails can be found in every state except Hawaii, but are most prevalent
on the northwest coast. The best place to see them in large numbers is
October to December on the Chilkat River in Alaska, where they gather for the annual salmon run. Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve has excellent eagle-viewing areas about 30km from Haines along the Haines Highway.
