Biking Birder 2018. Advice please for a route in Peru next year.

Morning! Xx

OK, time to get the plans, routes, bird lists, equipment list, flight details and charity links all set in stone for the next Biking Birder adventure in Peru next year, starting in April 2018.

I have set up a Just Giving page as I will be supporting Birdlife International. Please make a donation to this incredible charity. Thanks.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bikingbirderperu2018  

Concerning the route, I have already mapped the two months of cycling and four months kayaking and trekking route if I chose to start from the Peruvian coast near to Laguna de Mehia. This route would take me to Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, Machu Picchu and down the Manu Road to the Madre de Dios river.

Now the problem, as I see it, with this choice of route is that I would need to get carbon transport from Lima to the Ilo District and I really don't want to do this. I prefer a route where I start in Lima and head off inland after a week or so birding around Lima, including a visit to one of my favourite reserves, Los Pantanos de Villa.

Now if I do choose to start at Lima, which way should I go inland. One route would be via Junin, another would be to head south to The Paracas.

Once decided upon I can concentrate on sorting out bird species likely to be encountered.

Also has anyone got any advice over taking one's own bike by plane? I want my Claude Butler with me.

So, OK, any advice please?

Love to you all, xx

Gary

Worcestershire to North Ronaldsay . . . Eventually!

Back to North Ronaldsay

People, fascinating and diverse people make travel constantly . . . fascinating.

Thursday September the 7th

A brush with the British Transport police, which may lead to a problem with the law, started my journey north. I refused to get off a Virgin train in Wolverhampton. I had a ticket for the train. I had a seat reservation. My ticket stated I had paid £105 for both. I was on my way to Aberdeen. This was train number three of a five train combination. If I missed this one I would miss the other two and therefore miss the overnight ferry to Orkney and therefore the daytime ferry to North Ronaldsay.

What I didn't have was a reservation for the bike! Naively, stupidly I didn't even know I needed one. I have never required such a thing before. I needed one today.

I stayed put, politely arguing that surely my little bike, loaded with four very full panniers, a large sleeping bag, a tent, a large projector for future talks and of course, The Lads, could fit in the space behind the driver's door. No chance.

Twenty minutes later I left the train. Details were taken and the ominous words, “we'll be in touch!”

Having missed the first major train connection I decided that instead making my way to Aberdeen, as per my expensive tickets, I would stop at Edinburgh and attend a hastily organised protest at Holyrood, the home of The Scottish Parliament.

A laughing chat with a couple from South Wales, the journey from Wolverhampton to Edinburgh went quickly and soon I was booked into the Edinburgh Youth Hostel.

Friday September the 8th

Next day, at Holyrood, around twenty five of us stood, met a couple of Green Party MSPs, Alison Thomason and Andy Wightman, and protested the fact that yet again another juvenile had been murdered whilst flying over a driven grouse shooting moor. I won't use the word allegedly here. It was murder. After two weeks the satellite tag on Calluna, the juvenile Hen Harrier had stopped working. The grouse shooting proponents have tried to claim that the bird's disappearance is due to a faulty satellite tag. Strange then how two other juvenile Hen Harriers, tagged on The Isle of Man, who each sadly died had their tags found still working even when one of them had died whilst flying towards the Scottish mainland and had landed in the sea. The decaying corpse was found on a distant beach with tag still signalling. Weird how they only stop working over grouse shooting moorland.

The protest attendees including Shirelle, an enthusiastic bird lover and artist from Aberdeen. Shirelle and made a couple of painted banners for people to carry and a few hundred leaflets to give out to passers by. Other people included Caroline, who talked about Fair Isle and her dreams about the fair isle.

The protest finished so back to the hostel to prepare fro another change of direction. An American Redstart, a bird that had been possibly pushed across the Atlantic by the remnants of the Texas hurricane, had been found on Barra, the southern most inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides, west of the Scottish mainland. I wouldn't be able to get to North Ronaldsay before next Tuesday so I had a few days to get over there and see the mega.

Saturday September the 9th

7:15 a.m. I am on a train to Glasgow, ticket is for Oban. I sit with a lovely Norwegian lady, Hanne, who talks about her belief that William didn't do what all think William did but it was indeed a group including Francis and

Shakespeare didn't write his plays, didn't write his sonnets, didn't write his poems. Links to webpage evidence were shared, names of authors explaining the conspiracy were given also.

At Glasgow I had hoped that this conversation would continue but no, the dreaded you can't get on this train with that bike, reared its head again. A kiss on each cheek from Hanne and I was off to try to find out how I could get the next train. Missing this one would mean that I would miss the only ferry to Barra that day. Thomas, the train conductor who refused me access, even, I thought at the time, told me to start peddling! His strong Glaswegian brogue had actually told me that he could get me to Crainglarich and I would have to start peddling from there, around forty miles from Oban but I only was able to discern the last part of that sentence.

Off into Glasgow centre, to explore now that I had two hours before the next train to Oban, I sat down with a homeless woman, Marianne. She told me that she only received £43 as benefits every two weeks! Maybe Ian Duncan Sith, oops I mean Smith, could boast in Parliament that he could live on that.

Onto the train to Oban, I am surrounded by lads on a stag do. Gary, Gary the soon to be bridegroom, Colin, Alan, John, Brian, Mark and Zander were all great company until they left to take a boat trip along the centre of Loch Lomond to a secret island with a pub.

Into Oban and along to yet another Youth Hostel. Greeted at the reception with a “welcome back, Mr Prescott,” it was nice to know that one makes an impression.

Sunday September the 10^th

I am on the ferry to Barra on time for a change and am talking to a Father and Daughter cycling pair when Lee Evans, the famous twitcher comes towards me. With him are a few birders unknown to me. Sit and chat for the next hour or so, we all head outside to seawatch once we get past Mull and the Ardnachmurchan Peninsula.

Not many birds to be seen; a few Manx, three passing Whimbrel, four Arctic Skuas, a couple of Bonxies and Gannets and a few auks.

Two birders kindly offer me a carbon lift to the Yankie passerine and so, after hiding bike and possessions behind an office at the harbour, I am soon watching the special one with ten others all leaning gently against a dry stone wall.

UTB with all features scanned and general jizz of the rarity enjoyed, it was time as darkness fell to head back to Castlebay with the hope of a place to bed down.

The first Bed & Breakfast was full but the proprietor phoned a nearby hostel and a bed was found.

Monday September the 11^th

A day spent searching the village for birds, clearing plastic to pay my eco dues for the mega and dodging heavy showers. Into the Post Office Cafe, I met Cyril from Stoke. He talked abut how his wife died five years ago and since then he had travelled, mostly in South America, listing of the countries he had visited. Back at the hostel the other guests staying there were mostly cyclists who were heading along the Outer Hebridean islands.

Tuesday September the 12^th

I sleep on the floor of the lounge in order not to disturb the other seeping guests in the dormitory. At 2:00 a.m. A very drunk young man comes into the lounge, crashes onto a settee and proceeds to spend the next half hour telling me of his woes as a lobster fisherman on South Uist. He then tells me that he has put some sausages and fish fingers in the oven. He then promptly crashes out and I rush to the kitchen to find smoke coming from within the oven! Removing the charred remains, I open all windows and luckily the smoke alarm doesn't go off and everyone else sleeps on obliviously.

Daylight arrives and I am just in time to catch the ferry. It is close mind as I have to shout at the workers not to raise the drawbridge.

Once the bike is stowed and breakfast is in order, I meet the couple from Chile who arrived at the hostel the previous night. We sit together and I divest myself of my coat and RSPB sweatshirt. The Chilean woman, Camilla, looks at the logo and say that she has a friend who works there. Now the logo is for Dungeness Bird Observatory. To the best of my knowledge only three people work there. What is the chance that a chance meeting with a young woman from Chile would bring about a mutual acquaintance? Three people to my knowledge work there.

“Who's that?” I ask.

“Lee Gregory.”

It is a good job that I didn't have my mouth full of porridge because the crumbs would have been splattered across the table.

Lee Gregory is one of the major reasons why I broke the European Green Birding Year List (F) last year. Lee is a great friend and Camilla is saying she knows him and not just knows him, she counts him as a close friend also.

Questions pour forth and the answer involves the Fair Isle.

Camilla had carried out research on the island this summer, surveying the plants. Lee had helped her and became good friends.

Cath Mendez is mentioned and we both laugh in celebration at the pending marriage of Lee and Cath this November.

We both talk about our mutual love of Fair Isle and talk about the crofters there with affection.

Camilla's partner has been sitting quietly through all this. Kenny McLoud, a great Chilean name, has his own story to tell. Kenny is a travelling sheep shearer and has just spent the summer sheep shearing in Scotland. Kenny is now on his way to The Falklands Islands for the southern hemisphere summer sheep shearing there. Another amazing coincidence, maybe not quite of the scale of the Dungeness – Lee Gregory – Fair Isle one yet important all the same, especially for a future Biking Birder adventure; Kenny runs a bike business in Chile!

A birder who I had seen at the American Redstart and also had a brief chat with yesterday, joins our table, Daryl from Essex. The conversation gets around to cycling and 'hit me with a peat bog,' Darly used to be a British International cyclist! Unfortunately a heart condition gave him the choice, continue cycling and die or stop cycling. Daryl now uses an electric bike to go birding to his local patch. Now when electricity for such bikes is provided by renewable power sources, will that make them available for Green Birding? I feel a new category coming on and more Green than with my use of ferries last year.

Two trains get me to Aberdeen and an evening push gets me to yet another Youth Hostel for the night. How it has changed though. Recently refurbished, the décor is contemporary with a clock theme. I am not too enamoured by it as the rooms look more like a Travelodge than a Scottish Youth Hostel. The kitchen and dining room are the same though, and the dormitories are now en suite with excellent showers.

Wednesday September the 13^th

A day spent relaxing, washing clothes and washing self.

Thursday September the 14^th

The evening ferry to Kirkwall, I sit with around twenty knitters from the US of A. They. All ladies, sit knitting and discuss . . . knitting. They are on the way to Shetland to do things knitting. Lovely ladies with a great sense of humour and you can bet you bottom dollar they know their stuff. Can't pull the wool over their eyes.

A film, Despicable Me 3 is on in the cinema and I see half of I. I fall asleep!

A meal as the crossing isn't too rough and we reach Kirkwall about thirty minutes late. I cycle into Kirkwall centre and find that my usual overnight abode is locked. I sleep somewhere less comfortable.

Friday September the 15^th

I watch as the ferry to North Ronaldsay, the one I should be on, leaves the harbour! My record with Orkney Ferries continues. Twit.

Thinking that I won't be able to get to North Ronaldsay until next Tuesday, I go to the Kirkwall Youth Hostel. An Australian visitor lets me in and gives me a warming cup of coffee. Outside heavy rain falls and a strong northerly blows a fine gale. Her name is Sharon and her accompanying friend, Sandy joins us in the kitchen. Both are retired teachers and both have a passion for science and archaeology. We talk about the demise of Cassini into Saturn's clouds due to happen in a few hours. The most incredible un-manned space mission ever is close to coming to a spectacular close.

Reception opens at 8:00 a.m. I prepare to book in for the night thinking about how I can explore the islands.

The nearby noticeboard has a timetable for Loganair.

Wait a minute! I can fly to North Ronaldsay. I am still in the Biking Birder frame of mind. I never even thought of flying there.

I fly out of the hostel. Half an hour later I have placed my bike and possessions in a large shed on the quayside for it all to be ferried to North Ronaldsay and I am enjoying egg on toast in a Kirkwall cafe, The Pamona, flight is booked for 2:30 p.m.

The cafe owner chats but I will be honest and say I can't understand everything he says; his brogue is strong Orcadian.

Off on a local bus to the airport, more carbon transport, the flight low over so many of Orkney's isles is wonderful. Over with a view of the RSPB reserve at and then with yet another RSPB reserve. Over the sea, so shallow that one can see kelp beds on the bottom, to Westray and beyond to land on Papa Westray. Now this airport used to be the home of the World's shortest commercial flight; Papa Westray to Westray with its three minute flight. No longer flying, our plane takes off once more after seat changing for different customers and a short while later we land on North Ronaldsay.

George Gay, the heart of the SpokesFolks (google this for details of the SpokesFolks team's success in the Champions of The Flyways event earlier this year) is there to greet me and take me down in his car to the famous and fabulous North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory.

Erin Gavin and Sam are there, hugs, Bryony also, hug, and new faces; Simon the new assistant warden and two volunteer interns, Harris and Lewis. Yes, two young men sitting next to each other just like the two Outer Hebridean islands of the same name.

Alison and Kevin arrive with their new electric car, very smart too . . . all three of them.

Great to be reunited with the team and the Bird Observatory staff once more, I go birding, looking for a reported Ortolan Bunting from yesterday. I don't find it but do enjoy the close attention of Common Seals and finding six Purple Sandpipers.

A young couple are camping beside a dry stone wall next to the observatory. James and Sarah spend an hour sharing the story of their three year cycle run from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego!

People, fascinating and diverse people make travel constantly . . . fascinating.

A Rather Diverse Day.

What a contrast in fortunes today. Lesson learnt so far . . . spontaneity will not get me far this year. 

Once again I was denied access to a train; the train from Glasgow that would take me to Oban wouldn't let me on without a reservation. How do you get a reservation . . . oh, you can't, you have to book at least two hours before the train's departure. As that was at 7:15 a.m. this morning there was no way that i could reserve a bike place on the train. Oh well . . .
Missed that train and therefore missed the ferry from Oban to Barra to see the 'still there' American Redstart.

Everything was going so delightfully well before then too. A wonderful Norwegian lady, Hanne, had been superb company from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Hanne talked passionately about Shakespeare and the evidence that Our Bill didn't write any of the plays, sonnets and poems. Interesting, Hanne gave some references and names to look up in order to peruse some of the evidence and current thinking on the matter.
Separated by a bike not being allowed on the next train as mentioned, I find eventually the ticket office and get some help from the train conductor who had denied me access in getting on the next train. The next train to Oban wouldn't be leaving though for another two hours.
The bike is stowed onto that train and as I am not allowed to sit on it until five minutes before it leaves I walk out of the station to explore a bit and get some Boots sandwiches.
Sandwich, snack and drink for £3.39, I get two lots and sit with a homeless woman, Marianne, giving her the choice over which she prefers from my Boots selection. Apparently she only gets £34 every two weeks to live on and therefore a life of sitting on the street is her only opportunity of getting enough to live. She hasn't a bed for tonight but a couple arrive to help her and I leave her with them to discuss what bed can be fund for tonight.
Back to the station, I sit with two ladies waiting for a train to .......

Interrupted by phone call about Adam's plane crash!!!! Puts my problem over missing a ferry into perspective. Thankfully everyone got out alive . . . . .

The two ladies, oh yes, two ladies who had just returned from Gracelands . . . .

Oh now it is the emotion of just hearing the last commentary by Henry 'Blowers' Blofeld on Test Match Special. Another very special man and a wonderful character leaves. It feels like the day Richie Benaud did the same. Tears maybe due to Blowers having gone but also from the incredible close shave that Adam has survived from.

The two ladies talk about their love for Elvis and how they are now on their way to a caravan holiday in Great Yarmouth.

What a day!

Onto the train to Oban at last, I am joined by nine lads on a stag day celebration for the marriage of their mate, Gary. A couple of hours of beers, chat and fun with magnificent views of the World's best country as the train goes beside the Clyde and around to Loch Lomond.

Thanks Gary, Colin, Zander (!), Alan, Paul, another Gary (what three Garys together?), John, Brian and Mark. Brilliant!

Any ladies reading this watch out for the costume that the soon to be married Gary has to wear whilst cruising down Loch Lomond with his mates!

In my solitude after their departure I am joined by the girl who wheels a refreshments trolley up and down the train. She has two interesting tattoos on her arms and talks about her passion for more of them. A young woman with beautiful green eyes, she talks of her dream to have a holiday in Greece. 

We are joined by a young cyclist who now lives in Oban.

Into Oban at last, the weather is beautiful and I go to take some photographs of the bay and the views across to Mull.

The camera's broken! It won't open. Just a black screen. Oh well. Compared to Adam's experience a camera broken and missing a ferry is nothing.

Just to complete an interesting day , . .

Engand have beaten the West Indies at Lords. They win the series and we can go to Australia with two series wins this summer.

Now listening to Blower's walk around the Lord's ground to a standing ovation. Wonderful.

Is life diverse?

Dip, Green Birding Adventurer and Birdfair 2017

Hiya!

Sing along now . . . . 

Everybody needs somebody . . . . . . 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHV0zs0kVGg      

OK. Feel better after that?

Long time no write and so much has happened since last I did.

Yesterday a dip (missed bird) with friends was disappointing but part of the carbon twitching life. Birds have wings. They fly away. Yet after flying the Atlantic from America it, a mega rare Yellow Warbler, could have least have stayed around for longer than the afternoon of the previous day. Oh well, great to catch up with so many friends and if one more birder says, “ did you cycle here?” I'll . . . .

Actually it is rather nice to be recognised by so many strangers to me. One even shouted, “I gave you a sausage roll last year!”

A message this morning from Leonidas, a Green Birder cycling from Miami, USA to Cusco, Peru, saying the birding was slow.

just combining my two passions, starting slow with the birds looking forward to be in Central America. I'm working on my bird list I'll appreciate all your help on this adventure and definitely I'll see you in Cusco next year thank you again

An incredible undertaking, let's all wish the intrepid young man a safe ride with hundreds of birds.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Green-Trip-Adventure-Miami-Cusco-2017-1376947219081850/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1376947259081846

Birdfair last weekend was an incredible, uplifting experience. I particularly enjoyed the talks attended and seeing so many friends there. I also spent a lot of time meeting up with people who will hopefully be involved with my next adventure, the Biking Birder Peru trip 2018.

At last I have got to meet the legendary Gunnar Engbolm!

And David Lindo.

And Mark Thomas.

The Israeli team from The Champions of The Flyway were here.

And the video of the event is superb. My Brummie-accent coming to the fore with my spluttered 'phenomenal day.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lshY9kZMIZ8&t=3s

So many issues, people and events to show in more detail. I will be taking some time to each justice I hope in the next few days.

I gave a talk on Sunday last. Well attended which was a surprise, I had thought it might be one man and his dog, all left laughing at the end. My talk involves elements missing from all others; dancing, singing and audience participation! I do so hope some of you may be able to attend my talks when I go around Britain giving talks this winter.

So back to now. Mum's 85^th birthday today. Love her to bits, my Little Miss Sunshine.

Off to The Isles of Scilly with two Birding Clams this weekend, Jason Oliver and Tony Barter, for a pelagic trip out into the Atlantic, hoping for Wilson's Storm Petrels and Great Shearwaters.

Then an all-dayer competition at my local patch, Upton Warren punctuates my journey north back to North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory. It is going to be fabulous to see the team again.

Love to you all xxx Gary

Hen Harrier Day Approaches.

Hello everyone. I am back in the UK after my fabulous time in Peru. After a couple of weeks working at the superb Stratford Upon Avon Butterfly Farm, I am now down on the south coast of England on my way to a Hen Harrier Day event at Arne RSPB reserve in Dorset.

Today and tomorrow will be a dragonfly searching and birding on Studland and around Durlston, with some time visiting very close friends in Swanage.

Studland has all the British reptiles present on the heathland so hoping to find a few of them; smooth snake and sand lizard being the rarest.

Swanage was the town I lived in with my late wife and children so a visit there is always emotional.

Then to Arne via Corfe Castle.

Sunday is Hen Harrier Day at Arne RSPB reserve and I am really looking forward in joining the crowd of people fighting the evil of driven grouse shooting in the UK and the slide into extinction of hen harrier as a breeding bird in England.

For more on the reasons for this event and details of other events around the UK please go to the following websites. Please give your support in any way you can.

http://henharrierday.org/  

http://markavery.info/blog/

At Rainham RSPB reserve Chris Packham will be giving his views.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/rainhammarshes/b/rainhammarshes-blog/archive/2016/04/12/see-you-on-6-august.aspx

Meanwhile raptor - bird of prey persecution isn't just a hen harrier phenomenon. Sadly and disgustingly many birds of prey are killed across Britain. A superb group monitors, debates the issues and lobbies parties concerning this. More details may be found here. . .

https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/

Thanks everyone.

BCNU all soon with photographs of the next few days. Love to you all.

Gary

Biking Birder Adventure Plans for 2018 - Peru!

Great to be blogging again.

So much has happened since the incredible events in Israel.

I have been in Peru for almost three months, working at the Chaskawasi-Manu Project in Salvacion, Manu for two months and spending time in Cusco, where I am at the moment, preparing for next years Biking Birder Peru Adventure. I guarantee you that it is going to be a Biking Birder experience beyond anything done by any other Green Birder!

Now to tell you what it is all about. Next year I will be cycling-birding in Peru for six months.

The plan is to visit the best birding areas in Southern Peru; the coast, the Altiplano, the High Andes, including Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley. Then down the famous Manu Road to the Madre De Dios river. All of this is to be cycled and walked.

The journey along the Madre de Dios river is going to involve a new form of transport for me, inflatable kayak. Downstream to the confluence with the Manu river and then upstream to access the lowland rainforest. Back downstream to Puerto Maldonado for a finish in the Tambopata National Park.

That is the basic route which may be modified as bird location news becomes more focussed.

During my time here I have been testing myself, especially by exploring the high altitude areas. I need to be sure that I can do what I need to do despite my asthma. The last week has shown me that I can.

The start date will be April 1^st, April Fools Day in Britain (!) after next year's Champions of The Flyway event in Israel on March 26th. As reigning Green Birding Champions at this year's event, the team, The Spokesfolks, Erin, George, Samuel and myself, are hoping to be back there to defend our title. Something tells me there will be more Green Birding teams to compete against!

The distance for Biking Birder Peru, as I will call it, is not as great as the previous Biking Birder adventures, it is obviously the altitude that is key. The route takes me to a height of 15,000 feet at one point.

I will be asking for donations for the Chaskwasi-Manu project as always but also for the fabulous Birdlife International organisation.

Here I need to thank Rob Williams for his incredible support and advice. Also I would like to thank all at ACCA, the Association Para La Conservacion de la Cuenca Amazonica, at Crees in Cusco and at Inka Travel, as well as Amazonas Explorer. The diversity of characters I have met this week is truly inspiring.

So here goes. How many bird species will I see? How many butterflies? Will a bullet ant or ten get me? All will be answered next year.

Meanwhile if anyone has got any advice, any thoughts, any offers of assistance and the like please get in touch. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

Love to you all,

Gary 

A Visit to the Jerusalem Bird Observatory - First of April, 2017

Morning! Xx

Yesterday a visit to the Jerusalem Bird Observatory was suggested. To be honest I wasn't aware that there was one but as my daughter, Rebecca, was at a synagogue for Shabbatt, I took the opportunity to visit.

Situated within a large parkland area west of the Old City, the observatory was easy to find and after stopping to look at a few terrapins in a nearby pool, I entered the Observatory's reserve.

Immediately it became apparent that this was no ordinary bird observatory. To the right beside an open hatched building a group of around thirty people, obviously not birders, were seated watching Observatory staff members ring a procession of various passerine birds. 

Sitting with them, listening to the commentary given as bird after bird was processed and handed to to a young girl to release, was fabulous as the visitors were obviously massively enjoying the ringing and the close views of such incredible small migrants. 

The talk was prolonged and by the visitors' reactions, must have contained amazing facts about the birds' journeys and humour too for they responded with laughter and exclamations of surprise and shock. Questions were asked and answered. All of this was in Hebrew and I didn't understand a word but really didn't need to.

Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Eastern Olivaceous Warblers, they all came one by one to be measured, rung and released.

Meeting with one of the birders met at The Champions of The Flyway, Ron and on receiving a wave from another net there also, the Dougal carrier from when our team, The SpokesFolks, was filmed at KM20, I was introduced to Gideon, the wonderful bird ringing man and his delightful eight year old daughter, Shira.

Given a Jerusalem Bird Observatory t-shirt, I became a member and went birding.

A superb two hour visit to an incredible place, the thrill of being there was in witnessing the visitors to this urban reserve obviously enjoying their close to nature encounter and one can see how the vitality of the staff engages the visitors so completely.

Thanks to everyone there.