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Happy Holidays, everyone, and welcome to our December emailing!
Birding friends, warm holiday greetings from all of us at Field Guides. Whether you’re easing into the day with a mug of something hot (perhaps spiked with a little eggnog!), stealing a quiet moment amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, or sneaking outside between gatherings to check the feeder one more time, we hope the season is treating you kindly. For many of us, this time of year brings a pleasant slowing of the pace—short days, long evenings, and familiar winter rituals paired with the simple pleasure of watching birds close to home—and of course Christmas Bird Counts. It’s also a season for reflection, anticipation, and perhaps a bit of dreaming about the adventures still to come.
Before the calendar turns, we’ll be in the field with tours to Costa Rica, Mexico, Arizona, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Ecuador. These departures take us from deserts and pine forests to tropical islands and Andean slopes, and they mark a familiar year-end to the Field Guides tour calendar.
In this month’s email, we’re looking ahead in earnest. We're revisiting our Lesser Antilles itinerary for those drawn to island endemics, highlighting a group of spring tours to continental Europe, and spending time with two perennial favorites—Galapagos and Oaxaca—each offering a very different window into evolution, culture, and avian diversity. We’ve also included a brief housekeeping note about trip insurance. As always, we hope there’s something here that sparks your curiosity, and if so, just contact our office—we’re always happy to help.
As always, you’ll find our regular features: a new Recent Photos Gallery with 125 images from 11 departures to nine countries on five continents. We also have 20 new reports from recent tours and a nine fresh itineraries. There are two short videos from tours we ran in the last few months. We also have a few links to newsworthy reports about birds and their habitats. Finally, for those with the luxury of being able to travel on short notice, we’ve got a roster of all our tours with space available through May.
Many thanks to tour participant Kevin Watson for the photo above of group of Red-fronted Macaws adorning a tree during our recent Bolivia's Avian Riches tour, guided by Dan Lane.
Our thanks as well to guide Megan Edwards Crewe for the photo below of our birders in a blind at Scamandre during our France: Camargue & Pyrenees tour from this past fall.
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The Lesser Antilles form a graceful arc of small, volcanic islands between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, and as a collective they host one of the most distinctive—and threatened—avian assemblages anywhere. Our comprehensive tour, guided by Jesse Fagan and Sam Wilson and running April 10–26, is designed to visit ten islands, giving participants the chance to experience an impressive sweep of cultures while searching for nearly all of the region’s accessible endemics. For those who enjoy “collecting” countries as well as birds, this trip delivers on both fronts—we visit six countries, and overseas territories of two European nations.
Although these islands are small, their birdlife is anything but modest. Of roughly 45 Caribbean specialties possible, some 30 are endemic to the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands, including several Amazona parrots and other species found nowhere else on Earth—including the Barbuda Warbler pictured above (courtesy of guide Jesse Fagan). Many are highly endangered, and conservation success stories are an encouraging theme throughout the tour. With carefully chosen sites, most of each island's endemics can be found in a single productive morning, leaving afternoons free for relaxed exploration, cultural visits, or time on the beach.
Despite the number of flights and island hops, this is a genuinely fun and manageable tour, with short travel legs, comfortable hotels, and a steady pace that balances focused birding with the pleasures of island life. It’s a rare opportunity to experience an extraordinary concentration of endemics—alongside a memorable journey through one of the world’s most beautiful regions.
Please contact our office for more information or to sign up.
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Whether you’re drawn to windswept marshes, sunlit vineyards, or ancient mountain landscapes, these three European birding tours offer a wonderful mix of nature and heritage. Explore Britain, with its coastal fens, classic countryside, and spring songbird spectacles. Wander through Hungary & Romania, where hidden valleys, the mighty Danube, and forested highlands reveal a surprising diversity of birds. And for something truly special, join us in Portugal for one of our Birds & Wine trips, where rich avifauna meets renowned wine country in a setting that delights both birders and food lovers alike.
Our Hungary & Romania: The Best of Eastern Europe itinerary covers a stunning variety of habitats—from the Danube Delta and marshes to the Carpathian Mountains and Hungarian steppes. Guided by Terry Stevenson and Lajos Nemeth-Boka, we aim to see up to 200 bird species, including Imperial Eagle, Dalmatian Pelican, Wallcreeper, and Great Bustard. We’ll also sample Central Europe’s rich biodiversity: mammals, orchids, butterflies, and more preserved in UNESCO sites, national parks, and protected reserves. Birding here is combined with culture, as we visit Transylvanian villages, historic fortresses, and wetlands on the banks of the Danube.
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Our Beyond the Ports of Portugal: A Birds & Wine Tour tour combines gentle birding with tasting some of Europe’s most distinct wines. Guided by our in-house wine (and bird!) expert Marcelo Padua, we explore vineyards and protected areas in three top wine regions—Douro, Alentejo, and Lisbon—while targeting over 160 bird species, including European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, and seasonal migrants passing through. Along the way, enjoy medieval villages, historic sites, and comfortable lodging in wine estates and charming towns. This tour isn’t just about birds—it’s designed to savor the flavors, landscapes, and rhythms of Portugal at a relaxed pace.
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On our Birds of Britain tour, we explore England’s East Anglia—one of Europe’s premier birding regions—guided by Willy Perez (who’s based in Britain himself). We’ll enjoy familiar “yard birds” like Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, and Blue and Great Tits, as well as shorebirds and seabirds along the coast. There’s also an optional extension into the Scottish Highlands, where we’ll seek grouse, Scottish Crossbill, Ring Ouzel, and moorland loons, among others. Spring is a magical time there, with lush green landscapes, active migration, and nesting songbirds in full voice.
(Photo of birders near the Black Sea coast by guide Lajos Nemeth-Boka; the Jose de Sousa Winery, Portugal, by participant Victoria Stacey; Blue Tit by participant Doug Clarke)
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Few places capture the imagination of birders and naturalists quite like the Galapagos Islands. Remote, otherworldly, and rich with life found nowhere else, the archipelago is a destination many wildlife enthusiasts dream of visiting. Our Galapagos: An Intimate Look at Darwin's Islands tour offers a small-group, immersive exploration of these remarkable islands, with ample time for birds, photography, and simply being in the landscape. Guided by Mitch Lysinger, the June 13–23 departure provides broad coverage during one of the most rewarding seasons to visit.
Since Darwin’s visit in 1835, the Galapagos have stood as a showcase of evolution. Isolated some 600 miles off Ecuador, their volcanic origins have given rise to extraordinary endemism. Alongside iconic seabirds such as Waved Albatross and Great Frigatebird, we’ll encounter endemic land birds, remarkably approachable wildlife, and classic Galapagos residents including Giant Tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and an array of fascinating reptiles. Our itinerary blends visits to key islands—such as the highlands of Santa Cruz—with several smaller islands, all explored from the Nemo III, a comfortable first-class catamaran that serves as an ideal base for experiencing this bucket-list destination at an unhurried pace.
Please contact our office for more information or to sign up.
(Photo credit: aboard the Nemo III, by participant Byron Chin.)
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Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s great birding strongholds, and we offer two complementary spring tours that together depict just how rich and varied this remarkable region can be. Mexico: Oaxaca Valley (March 1–8), guided by Chris Benesh and Doug Gochfeld, is a classic introduction: relaxed birding from a single base in Oaxaca City, short drives to diverse habitats, deep cultural context, and an impressive concentration of Mexican endemics. It’s an ideal choice for birders who enjoy outstanding species diversity paired with archaeology, history, and excellent cuisine.
For those eager to go farther afield, Mexico: Oaxaca's Atlantic & Pacific Slopes (March 8–19), led by Dan Lane and Bret Whitney, expands on that foundation. This adventurous follow-up traverses cloudforest, coastal dry forest, lowland rainforest, wetlands, and even offshore waters, linking the Pacific and Gulf slopes in a single itinerary. Expect a longer species list, many additional endemics and specialties, pelagic birding, and encounters with marine mammals—all while sampling Oaxaca’s extraordinary landscapes and flavors.
Taken together or separately, these tours reveal why Oaxaca remains one of the most exciting birding destinations in the Neotropics.
For more information, please contact our office and we'll be happy to assist.
(Rose-bellied Bunting photo courtesy of participant Doug Clarke)
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A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology identifies five “great forests” from southern Mexico to northern Colombia as indispensable lifelines for dozens of migratory birds, particularly many familiar eastern species. Together they make up an area the size of Virginia. These remaining tropical forests support a significant share of global populations of several rapidly declining species and face increasing environmental pressure. You can read Cornell's full report by clicking here.
A recent study has reshaped our understanding of how islands are colonized. Surtsey, a volcanic island off southern Iceland that rose from the sea during an eruption beginning in 1963, is one of the youngest islands on Earth and a natural laboratory for new life. Decades of study have revealed that many of its plants arrived not by wind or waves, but carried in by birds—gulls, geese, and shorebirds specifically.
Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has returned to Midway Atoll for the 2026 nesting season—at 75+ years old, the legendary Laysan Albatross has fledged as many as 30 chicks and remains a powerful symbol of seabird longevity and resilience. You can read the full story by clicking here.
| | 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 Papua New Guinea tour, a birdy reel put together by guide Doug Gochfeld. Click here or on the pair of Brehm's Tiger-Parrots below to view.
The second comes from our recent Bolivia's Lowland Lodges: Blue-throated Macaws & Beyond tour, a highlight reel courtesy of guide Micah Riegner. Click here or on the Band-tailed Manakin below to view.
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You may have seen our newly updated Trip Cancellation Insurance page with an easy link to get a free quote for your next Field Guides adventure. Insurance may not be exciting, but it’s one of the best ways to protect your financial investment when your travel plans change unexpectedly.
We’ve partnered with Generali Global Assistance (formerly CSA) for years because their coverage is dependable, flexible, and easy to purchase right from our website. Their plans include optional features like Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR), coverage for pre-existing conditions, and quick, responsive support.
Here’s what one traveler shared about their recent experience with Generali:
“We just wanted you to know how responsive the insurance was. We were reimbursed quickly…. For trip interruption, they divide the cost by the number of nights so we actually got more than requested. Other expenses were also paid.” (CB, Belize 2025)
Get your free, personalized quote by clicking here.
From the FGI Office, travel safe, and happy birding!
| | 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. | | |
Doug Gochfeld and Jorge Montejo-Diaz were both great, and their deep knowledge of the birds and the area combined with an easy-going but professional attitude was just right. Doug was excellent as birding guide, general naturalist, organizer, and communicator. Jorge’s knowledge of the Veracruz region and its migration was inspiring, as it was he who made the raptor migration in this region known to science. Their camaraderie was fun to be around and it was infectious. The spectacle of the migration itself was impressive and moving—several of us had chills watching thousands of Turkey Vultures, Swainson’s Hawks, and Broad-winged Hawks overhead—among many other species. The pacing of the tour was excellent, with days of intensive birding balanced by visits to archeological sites and charming villages. Nicole Cannon was also an excellent tour manager, keeping us informed without overwhelming us. Overall, this was an excellent tour, one I’ll be recommending to many folks.” R.H., Mexico: Veracruz River of Raptors, 2025
"The birds, the habitat, and Pousada Mariza were stellar, but it was our guide Marcelo Padua who definitely takes top honors for both his birding skills and his ability to handle the personality quirks and occasional complications of leading a group. His superhuman hearing practically pulled birds out of thin air—including one stop on a highway where he heard a Ferruginous Antbird as we drove by—despite the traffic. He was patient in bringing birds into view when they weren't cooperative, attentive to ensuring that everyone in the group saw whatever we were looking at, appropriately firm in keeping us on track in terms of how long we spent at each bird or location, and excellent at troubleshooting. At the same time, he recognized that good food and occasional siestas were essential parts of the overall experience. I feel very lucky to have spent eight days with him. He is a fabulous guide, bird-wise and otherwise, and also a wonderful human being. Four of the six people on the trip had traveled with him one or more times previously, and that speaks volumes." R.C., Brazil: Atlantic Forest Getaway, 2025
| | Tours with openings through May | | Each month we list in this section the Field Guides departures over the next six months that still have at least two spaces available (unless otherwise noted). | |
 | | Florida is one of the country’s most interesting birding destinations, and spring adds an extra layer of excitement. From April 25–May 4, Doug Gochfeld leads our Florida: Mangroves & Migrants tour, exploring from Central Florida south through the Keys, at a time for peak migration and breeding activity. South Florida marks the northern edge for several tropical specialties—Antillean Nighthawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, White-crowned Pigeon, and Black-whiskered Vireo among them—which we’ll target along the way. A highlight is a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, which gives us a few hours of warm water, open-ocean birding where we might luck into Sargasso Shearwater (nee Audubon's Shearwater) or even a tropicbird—plus a great opportunity to spot sea turtles. Once we arrive, it is a seabird pandemonium. Elsewhere on the mainland, we’ll sample pine flatwoods, wetlands, beaches, and scrub in search of Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Snail Kite, Limpkin, and the endemic Florida Scrub-Jay. (Photo by participant Holly Kleindienst.)
SOUTH AMERICA
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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