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Welcome to our August emailing!
August is a bit different from other months at Field Guides. We operate tours early and late in the month, but in the third week we gather for our annual business meeting. Most of our guides, office staff, and even a few retirees come together for a few days. Once again this year we met in Portal, Arizona. Of course, we get quite a bit of business done, but the “Biz Meeting” is also very much about catching up, relaxing, and spending time with folks we don’t often get to see in person. Our meeting has just wrapped up, and while a few of us are still traveling homeward, we’re already gearing up for what’s next. In the coming week, we’ll be hitting the ground running again with tours heading out to France, South Africa, Bolivia, California, and Morocco.
In this month’s email, we’re going a bit deep. We cover three Southern Hemisphere cruises: two that explore Antarctica, and a third that’s a remarkable trans-Atlantic journey. Could this be the year you finally make it to Antarctica? There’s also a section on our two-part Costa Rica tour—because, honestly, it takes both parts to truly take in all that Costa Rica has to offer. We have two departures for the same itinerary to the wilderness paradise of Guyana, one of the truly underrated birding venues on Earth. And finally, there’s a look at this year’s comprehensive Spectacular Southeast Brazil tour, which focuses on scores of endemic species.
Beyond tours, we’re sharing a couple of interesting recent articles you might enjoy. And as always, you’ll also find our regular features: a new Recent Photos Gallery with 100 images from 11 departures of 14 tours on three continents. We also have five new reports from recent tours, eight fresh itineraries, and links to a couple of short videos from recent trips to Borneo and Guyana. Finally, if you’re the spontaneous type, we’ve gathered a convenient list of tours with openings between now and year’s end.
Many thanks to tour participant Robert McNab for contributing the photo above of an Ochre-breasted Antpitta, which he took during last month's Cloudforests of Ecuador: All the Best of the Wild Northwest tour.
Our thanks as well to participant Doug Clarke for the fun photo below of a Western Yellow Wagtail from our recent Spain: La Mancha, Coto Donana & Extremadura tour.
Your time and attention mean a lot to us—thank you for reading. And if a particular tour catches your eye, just contact our office, we’re happy to help you make it happen.
| | Antarctica & Atlantic Odyssey | | If exploring the world’s most remote oceans and bird-rich coasts sounds like your kind of adventure, we have three remarkable voyages to tempt you. Our classic 19-day Antarctica, South Georgia, & the Falklands cruise combines the Falklands, South Orkneys, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. For a more adventurous twist, our new Emperor Penguins in the Weddell Sea itinerary aims for one of the most iconic birds on Earth: the Emperor Penguin—while skipping the Falklands and South Georgia to maximize time in this rarely visited region. And for those drawn to a truly one-of-a-kind seabirding journey, our Atlantic Odyssey: South Georgia to Tristan da Cunha and St. Helena traces a remarkable path from South America to St. Helena, calling at South Georgia, Gough Island, and the Tristan da Cunha group en route. You can read a bit more about each of these cruises below. | | |
Antarctica remains one of Earth’s most extraordinary frontiers—a vast realm of glaciers, volcanoes, islands, and sea, where the raw power of nature is always on full display. From Puerto Madryn, Argentina, our Antarctica, South Georgia, & the Falklands cruise sets sail on a 21-day voyage aboard the 108-passenger MV/Ortelius, with landings planned at the endemic-rich Falklands, the South Orkneys, the Antarctic Peninsula, and spectacular South Georgia. Using the ship’s Zodiacs, we’ll visit remote shores to seek King, Adelie, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Magellanic, Macaroni, and Rockhopper penguins, and at sea we'll scan the horizons for Wandering, Black-browed, and Light-mantled albatrosses, Snow Petrel, prions, storm-petrels, and more. We’ll also look for rare oceanic birds and a wealth of marine mammals—from Leopard Seals to Humpback, Fin, and Minke whales, Orcas, dolphins, and perhaps elusive beaked whales. This tour is only two months away, so act quickly if you'd like to be a part of it. We have two spaces available!
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| |  | Our Atlantic Odyssey is a cross-Atlantic voyage from Ushuaia to St. Helena, visiting some of the world’s most remote islands and incredible seabird breeding grounds. We begin with three days at sea crossing the Antarctic Convergence, scanning for prions, petrels, and albatrosses before arriving at South Georgia, home to vast colonies of King Penguins, Wandering Albatross, Macaroni Penguins, and the southernmost songbird on Earth, South Georgia Pipit. After exploring South Georgia and the historic whaling station at Grytviken, we head north to the Tristan da Cunha group, the most remote inhabited islands on Earth. At Gough Island, we’ll cruise in a Zodiac near one of the richest seabird colonies in the South Atlantic, with chances to glimpse endemic landbirds and Moseley’s Rockhopper Penguins. On Tristan da Cunha island, we’ll visit the small settlement of Edinburgh and seek abundant Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Weather permitting, we’ll explore Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands for rare endemic finches and the elusive Inaccessible Island Rail. Crossing into warmer tropical waters, we’ll encounter Bulwer’s Petrel, Masked Boobies, and flying fish, finishing at historic St. Helena with its unique Wirebird, seabird colonies, and the legacy of Napoleon’s exile.
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| | | Lastly, the Weddell Sea offers one of the rarest prizes in birding: the chance to see Emperor Penguins on their remote breeding grounds. From Ushuaia, Argentina in late 2026, our Emperor Penguins in the Weddell Sea sails aboard the ice-strengthened M/V Ortelius, equipped with two helicopters to help us reach a colony at Snow Hill Island, east of the Antarctic Peninsula. If ice and weather allow, we’ll land nearby and hike to see these magnificent birds—often with chicks—at close range. Though success is not guaranteed, similar past voyages have had a high rate of sightings. This adventurous itinerary focuses on maximizing time in the Weddell Sea, trading visits to the Falklands and South Georgia for more focused exploration in this icy realm. At sea, we’ll watch for an array of seabirds and marine mammals, and after the Weddell Sea, we plan a stop at the South Shetland Islands before returning to Ushuaia. It’s a rare opportunity to journey deep into Antarctic waters in search of one of the world’s most iconic species.
Whichever tour you choose, each promises unforgettable wildlife, spectacular scenery, and a lifetime of stories. Please contact our office for more information or to sign up.
(Photo credits: a bold Snowy Sheathbill at South Georgia Island by guide Doug Gochfeld; Sooty Albatross, also by Doug; and Emperor Penguins by participant Joyce Takamine.)
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Costa Rica proves the adage that good things come in small packages. Though smaller than most US states, this mighty country offers an impressive diversity of habitats and an extraordinary number of bird species. The variety is so rich that we think no single trip can cover it all. That’s why we’ve crafted a special two-part tour—both parts guided by Chris Benesh and local expert Vernon Campos—to explore regions and species beyond the reach of our long-running Classic Costa Rica itinerary, giving you the chance to experience some of Costa Rica’s outlying treasures—from lush cloudforests and volcanic slopes to rich wetlands and tropical lowlands.
Costa Rica: Birding the Edges (Part One) carries us south from San José into the Talamanca Mountains and toward the Panamanian border, where many birds live nowhere else. We’ll pause in the cool montane forests and páramo of Cerro de la Muerte—home to Chiriqui highland endemics and, with exceptional luck, a Resplendent Quetzal—before visiting Los Cusingos, the beloved historical homestead of naturalist Alexander Skutch. Then it’s on to the Wilson Botanical Gardens near San Vito, where southern specialties mix with hummingbird jewels like White-crested Coquette and Snowy-bellied Hummingbird. Marshes nearby may yield Bran-colored Flycatcher or the rare Chiriqui Yellowthroat. Finally, we’ll descend to the lush lowlands at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, hoping for the endemic Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Yellow-billed Cotinga, and perhaps even recent arrivals like Veraguan Mango or Crested Oropendola.
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| | | Costa Rica: Birding the Edges (Part Two) begins north of San José with highland birding at Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where more hummingbirds—perhaps 15 species in a day, from massive Violet Sabrewings to the tiny Coppery-headed Emerald—vie for our attention with Prong-billed Barbets, Northern Emerald-Toucanets, and Sooty-faced Finches. A stay at secluded Bosque de Paz immerses us in lush cloudforest that is home to Chiriqui endemics like Black Guan and Golden-browed Chlorophonia, as well as rare treasures such as Black-banded Woodcreeper. Feeders draw in colorful birds and even mammals like coatis and the nocturnal Paca. From there we travel to Caño Negro’s vast wetlands, exploring by boat in search of the iconic Sungrebe, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Nicaraguan Grackle, and perhaps the elusive Agami Heron. Grasslands nearby host Nicaraguan Seed-Finch and Spot-breasted Wren, while night brings potoos and owls. We wrap up at Arenal, beneath its perfect volcanic cone, where Caribbean foothill forests shelter Keel-billed Motmot, Lovely Cotinga, antbirds, and a colorful slew of tanagers.
Please contact our office for more information or to sign up.
(Photo credits: Yellow-throated Toucan by tour participant Paul Demkovich, and Fiery-throated Hummingbird by guide Sam Wilson.)
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Guyana remains one of the few places where true wilderness still stretches to the horizon and beyond. Guides Doug Gochfeld and Marcelo Barreiros will each lead one of the two departures of our Guyana: Wilderness Paradise tour (January and February), through Guyana’s vast, unspoiled rainforests, focusing on Guianan Shield specialties. Our journey begins along the coast, where mangroves and mudflats provide habitat for Rufous Crab-Hawk, Blood-colored Woodpecker, and flocks of Scarlet Ibis. From there, we’ll head deep into the million-acre Iwokrama Forest, a sea of towering canopy and winding rivers. Here, macaws wheel over forest clearings, Guianan Cocks-of-the-rock display in dappled light, and a Harpy Eagle might size us up from a bromeliad-draped perch.
In the Rupununi Savanna, ponds and marshes attract Bearded Tachuri, Crested Doradito, and even Giant Otter or Giant Anteater. And no visit to this little-known country would be complete without the breathtaking sight of Kaieteur Falls, plunging 741 feet in a single drop. This tour offers a fantastic adventure that explores one of the world’s remaining, intact ecosystems. To see some of these highlights, there is a short video linked here and below.
Questions or ready to sign up? Just contact our office—we’re happy to assist.
(Photo of Rose Ann Rowlett & Richard Webster doing what they do best by guide Doug Gochfeld.)
| | Spectacular Southeast Brazil | | |
We'd love to get a few more folks to join us on either part (or both!) of our Spectacular Southeast Brazil tour. Guide Bret Whitney provided an overview that we included here a couple months ago. Here is a condensed version of it to stir your interest:
If jewel-like hummingbirds and alluring cotingas stir your soul… if the mystery of a misty dawn trail leaves you wondering whether the next bend will reveal a bamboowren, bristlefront, or streamcreeper… if you’d happily share a picnic dinner with owls and nightjars—then our Spectacular Southeast Brazil tours might be calling your name. But you'll need to be quick to sign up, as these tours are coming up soon!
This ancient Atlantic Forest region—older than the Andes—shelters around 170 endemic birds—many rare, some critically endangered. We regularly see more than 160 of them, from montane specialties to lowland gems, along with many more widespread species. The Northern Hemisphere fall is Brazil’s vibrant spring, perfect for exploring bromeliad-laden forests and high mountain trails. Our two complementary tours, split at the Tropic of Capricorn, maximize your chances of seeing these remarkable species—whether you join one or both, you’ll be immersed in one of the world’s richest birding regions.
Spectacular Southeast Brazil (Part I—"North of the Tropic"), at 18 days, takes you through the tiny but mighty (birdy, that is!) states of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro plus far northern São Paulo.
Spectacular Southeast Brazil (Part II—"South of the Capricorn") picks up from São Paulo and runs for an additional 15 days south through the gaucho country of Rio Grande do Sul, a region settled by Italian and German immigrants and so culturally different from the north that you may wonder if we are truly still in Brazil! Along the way, we'll stay in some charming places, revel in the beauty of mossy mountain forests, and enjoy some fabulous Brazilian cooking. So be sure your seat back is up and tray table stowed, and come on down to Rio!
Please contact our office for more information or to sign up.
(Photo credit: Swallow-tailed Cotinga by tour participant Steve Rannels.)
| | Bird (& bees!) news & notes | | |
There’s been plenty of buzz about avian flu, especially when it comes to backyard bird feeding. We’re not the experts, but we spotted a recent piece from Cornell (August 6, 2025) that seemed worth passing along.
Here's a link to an interesting article that details how eBird data isn't only for the birds. A combination of factors has provided scientists with a metric they call "richness," and it helps determine what might be present in areas where data are scarce—in this case, it's the bees that benefit.
And finally, with this year marking 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, the National Audubon Society published a thoughtful look at the restoration and conservation efforts that grew out of the storm’s aftermath, showing how nature can still pollinate hope.
(Bee and flower photo courtesy of participant Denise Hackert-Stoner.)
| | Short videos from recent tours | | |
Many of our tour reports now include highlight videos featuring birds, wildlife, scenery, culture—or some blend of it all.
The first is from this summer’s BORNEO II tour, a lively reel put together by guide Megan Edwards Crewe. Click here or on the Sabah Partridge below to watch (photo by participant Linnet Tse).
The second comes from our recent GUYANA: WILDERNESS PARADISE tour, a highlight reel courtesy of guide Doug Gochfeld. Click here or on the Hoatzin below to view.
| | Field Guides merch is available! We've got shirts, hats, hoodies, mugs, stickers, tote bags, and more—all a click away at our Field Guides Store. Fashionable and functional—sure to keep you comfortable and looking spiffy—check it all out at the store. | | Reports from recent tours | | We have annotated and illustrated reports from recently completed tours linked below, each with some lovely images and some with video clips, and all with great texts by our guides. Enjoy! | | Comments from participants | |
We carefully read each post-tour evaluation we receive from our participants, so that we can continue to offer the best possible birding experiences and service on Field Guides birding tours. Here are two representative recent comments. From all of us at Field Guides, our thanks for all your valuable feedback. | | |
"I've used several different bird tour companies over the years and always come back to Field Guides, for you are the best. The overall experience was excellent as usual. Besides the fantastic scenery of the Province, Jay VanderGaast and Dan Arndt are exceptional guides. They were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and able to get us on the birds, and they also addressed many other questions regarding the natural and cultural history of Alberta. I would absolutely travel with them again; they are a great team. Tour manager Sharon Mackie and the office staff were very helpful as in the past, and emails and phone calls were usually responded to promptly." S.Y., Canadian Rockies: Alberta, 2025
“I’d done quite a few Field Guides tours before, but I’d never been to Africa and really wanted to go. I’d heard Terry Stevenson was a great guide—he even wrote the standard field guide for East Africa—so he was obviously a good choice. I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it! Terry was great, and our group of six birders made for a fun, easy camaraderie. The food and accommodations were very good, and needless to say, the birds and other wildlife did not disappoint! The Kenyans we met were warm and genuine, which added so much to the experience. I've traveled with other companies, and all my tours have been quite good, fortunately. On the average, I've had better luck (i.e., more consistent good help and info) from the Field Guides staff compared to the others, which is important. Overall, it was an outstanding trip, and I would absolutely travel with Terry and Field Guides again.” E.D., Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari I, 2025
| | Tours with openings through January | | Each month we list in this section the Field Guides departures over the next five months that still have at least two spaces available (unless otherwise noted). | | |
New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment lives up to its name with rose-colored deserts, forested peaks, and vast grasslands. Sam Wilson guides our New Mexico: Birding the Land of Enchantment winter tour (Jan 31-Feb 7), which highlights two unforgettable spectacles: flocks of four Rosy-Finch varieties in the Sandias and thousands of Sandhill Cranes with Snow and Ross’s geese at Bosque del Apache. We’ll also search for desert birds like Crissal Thrasher and Cactus Wren, mountain specialties such as Williamson’s Sapsucker and Pinyon Jay, and grassland birds like Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and multiple species of longspurs. We’ll also explore Santa Fe’s vibrant art scene and historic downtown during a few leisurely hours in the city. (Photo of a Ladder-backed Woodpecker by guide Doug Gochfeld.)
SOUTH AMERICA
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Safari Brazil: The Pantanal & More, Sep 20-Oct 5 with Marcelo Padua
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Central Peruvian Endemics: The High Andes, Oct 4-20 with Dan Lane
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NEW TOUR! Bolivia's Lowland Lodges: Blue-throated Macaws & Beyond, Oct 5-18 with Micah Riegner
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Spectacular Southeast Brazil (Part I), Oct 17- Nov 3 with Bret Whitney & Marcelo Barreiros
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Antarctica, South Georgia, & the Falklands, Oct 20- Nov 12 with Doug Gochfeld
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Spectacular Southeast Brazil (Part II), Nov 1-14 with Bret Whitney & Marcelo Barreiros
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Chile: The Classic Tour, Nov 3-23 with Willy Perez & local guide (1 space)
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Trinidad & Tobago I, Dec 1-10 with Micah Riegner
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Guyana: Wilderness Paradise I, Jan 8- 20 with Doug Gochfeld & local guide
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Nowhere but Northeast Brazil!, Jan 13-30 with Marcelo Barreiros & Bret Whitney
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Colombia's Marvelous Magdalena Valley , Jan 21-31 with Dan Lane & local guide
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Brazil: Bahia Birding Bonanza, Jan 28-Feb 11 with Marcelo Barreiros
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Birds & Wines of Chile and Argentina, Jan 31-Feb 14 with Marcelo Padua (1 space)
NORTH AMERICA
MIDDLE AMERICA & WEST INDIES
AFRICA
EUROPE
ASIA & AUSTRALASIA
To learn more about any of these tours or to hold a space, please contact our office.
| | Recently posted upcoming itineraries | | Click on any image or link below to see the detailed itinerary for the following tours. All of these itineraries are packed with information (and have a few nice photos as well). | |
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