66 Days to Go Before BB-2018 Peru.

Hello,

Yesterday I talked about The wonderful Champions of The Flyways event and how my team is struggling this year to get enough funds to go.

So, if anyone can help the three young birders, Erin, George and Samuel please contact them via the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory email at :

alison@nrbo.prestel.co.uk 

For details please see yesterday's blog. Thanks everyone.

Now 66 days to go before I start birding a reserve just south of Lima called Los Pantanos de Villa.

Maybe not the most scenic of reserves in Peru, I love the place and the staff and volunteers who work there. It has always been a delight, providing an interesting start and end to my times in Peru. A great reserve to get to grips with some coastal and wetland birds. 

Located a few miles south of Lima's Miraflores district, where I will be starting from on that first morning in April, Inca Terns and Peruvian Boobies, Peruvian Pelicans and various gulls, such as Kelp, Belcher's and Franklin's will start my Green Bird list; adding to the various common birds of the Miraflores parks, Long-tailed Mockingbirds, Western Peruvian and Croaking Ground Doves, Saffron Finches, Vermilion Flycatchers and Amazilia Hummingbirds.

With a visitor's centre from where a permit is to be bought, birding will take me through high reedbeds surrounding brackish water lagoons and along pathways to tall hides overlooking large lakes. Black Vultures are everywhere, either perched up on palm trees or circling around overhead. On the smaller lagoons there will be numbers of Pied-billed Grebes and various duck, whilst small herons perch awaiting a small fish to pass; both Night Heron species, Yellow and Black-crowned, Cattle and Snowy Egrets. In the reeds the amazing Multi-coloured Rush Tyrant is a must to see.

Along the road, heading for the sea, a diversion should bring Burrowing Owls and Peruvian Thicknees, with American Kestrel, various waders such as Greater and Lesser yellowlegs, peeps and Killdeer, Peruvian Ibis and Back-necked Stilts.

So down to the never ending sandy beach with adjacent saltwater lagoon and Pacific Ocean views. Black Skimmers by the hundred, passing Guanay Cormorants by the tens of thousands, American Oystercatchers, Spotted Sandpipers, White-cheeked Pintail, Little Blue Herons, Giant Grebe and thousands of gulls, terns and boobies. 

So with maybe a couple of days here to start the Big Green Bird List - Biking Birder Peruvian Adventure 2018, a list when leaving of near to 100 different birds may be on. That list may even include Humboldt Penguins! I have seen them here before.

So please visit my Just Giving page where you will find that the adventure is in aid of Birdlife International. Every donation to this wonderful international charity is a huge boost to my efforts so thanks everyone.

Birdlife International Just Giving page

Have a great life and see you tomorrow

Love to you all, 

Gary xxx

Gary Brian Prescott Facebook page

Biking Birder 2018 Facebook page

68 Days until BB 2018 - Peru and thoughts on Champions of The Flyways

Last year, back in March, The Champions of The Flyways event took place in Eilat, Israel. This 24 hour, midnight to midnight, bird race brings together birding teams from around the World with two aims; to raise money for Birdlife International and to compete for the coveted title of Champions of The Flyways. 

Champions of The Flyways home page

The winners last year were The Arctic Redpolls from Finland. In fact there was actually a plethora of winners as different categories of competing brought different elements to the race.

Here are the winners :

Award winners and Flyway Champions:

The Champions of the Flyway – The ZEISS Arctic Redpolls – with 181 species

The Guardians of the Flyway – The Birding Ecotours Youth Africa Birders – €8835 raised

The Knights of the Flyway – The Birding Ecotours Youth Africa Birders

The “Green” Champions of the Flyway – The Spokes Folks – 122 species

The Israeli Champions of the Flyway – The Wallcreepers – 181 species

The Israeli Guardians of the Flyway – The JBO Orioles – close to 9000 NIS raised

Teams came from many different countries and raised $65,000 for Birdlife International in Turkey. 

This year the event will be supporting Birdlife International's work in Croatia and Serbia. As it states on this year's event webpage  . . . 

 The Champions of the Flyway project is back and stronger than ever. We are proud to continue waving the flag of bird conservation along the Flyways. Following a great campaign in 2017 in which we raised over $65,000 for projects tackling the illegal killing and trapping of birds in Turkey and for projects in Israel, we are happy to team up with BIOM (Birdlife Croatia) and the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (Birdlife Serbia) to try and tackle the burning issues of illegal killing and trapping of birds along the Adriatic Flyway.

25 million birds are killed every year around the Mediterranean region and each year COTF supports the work to try and prevent some of this slaughter from happening.

Another very important aspect of the event is the way it brings people together. It is a vital part of COTF that teams come from the USA and China, Britain and Finland but also that Palestinians participate and that there are joint Palestinian - Israeli teams. This fact reminds me of the incredible Women's Peace march that took place in October last year. Thousands of Palestinian and Israeli women marched through the desert, united in their demand for peace.

Noam Weiss, a Palestinian organiser of the COTF says :

The COTF is a wall and barrier breaker in 

many ways. It is a fund raising event that seeks to 

prevent the illegal killing of millions of birds along the 

Flyway. With no regard to political and other 

boundaries, the funds raised go to where they are 

needed most. 

It is a meeting point between birders from different 

countries and birding cultures. A major event that 

introduces birders and nature conservationists, from 

places and backgrounds that are in need of help and 

support, be that technical, financial or even just 

recognition, to other conservation and birding 

organizations that can give them a hand. It is friendly, 

family-like and it is open for all.

The Palestine Wildlife Society, Mahmiyat.ps, and 

Palestinian individual birders, not only chose to take 

part in this event year after year but do so within a 

joint Palestinian-Israeli team. This participation came 

naturally to them. Yes, Palestinians participate despite 

the occupation and all are looking forward to 

Palestinian independence but until then, all 

participating birders appreciate our help and 

friendship. 

All keep their passion for nature conservation higher 

than their political struggles and thoughts. 

Participation for Palestinians means global recognition 

in a Palestinian independent conservation effort and 

this brings all sorts of help from BirdLife partners, 

such as community renovated optics from the 

Netherlands. The equipment from other partners and 

all international connections bring many benefits that 

we Palestinians will most surely use whenever the need 

arises.

Noam Weiss, Director

International Birding and Research center,

Eilat

Israeli Ornithological Center

Society for The Protection of Nature in Israel

Now a Green Birding event, as may be seen in the winners list above, involved teams that either cycled or walked. The winning team, The SpokesFolks was comprised of three amazing young birders who work at the wonderful North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory in Orkney, Scotland UK.

Together with the fantastic NRBO trio, with Erin Taylor, George Gay and Samuel Perfect, was an older birder, young at heart, in other words myself.

The pride one feels when three young birders who exemplify a true birding attitude and spirit, who bring youth, vitality and superb knowledge, field skills and commitment to an event of such immense importance, is at times over whelming.

To be with them on the winning rostrum as applause rang around the large conference room was something none of us will ever forget.

We hope to be able to take part this year, to return to try to repeat last year's performance . . .  or even beat it!

At the moment we haven't been able to raise enough money to go, we need about £1,000 more. I pay for myself but the three youngsters, who are either volunteers at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, or staff do not have a lot of money and rely on people helping them.

OK. I hope the next time I write up the blog I will have better news about our participation but until that please have look, or better still buy my book, The Biking Birder 2016 - The Quest for 300.

It tells of my Biking Birder Adventure and is the first of a series

of four books.

At the moment it is available on Kindle only and a paperback

version is imminent. Please click on the link below to access a

purchase page ; 

Biking Birder 2016 - The Quest for 300  

artwork for the paperback version to come by Steve Cale

So, time to head south. Tomorrow more details on the Biking Birder Adventure 2018 - Peru.

Have a fabulous day wherever you are.

Love to you all,

Gary xx

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Biking Birder 2018 - Facebook

69 Days to go to Biking Birder 2018 - Peru and News on a New Book

Retirement!

I have never been so busy.

My first book published on Kindle, preparing for Peru, giving talks to RSPB local groups and Ornithological Societies, working at the fabulous Stratford Upon Avon Butterfly Farm . .  . and all the travel in between.

Phew!

Let's start with the book. My first is the story of the 2016 Biking Birder adventure, the first book which will probably be a series of four; the series being called The Biking Birder Adventures.

A paperback edition will be available soon. I am just awaiting the artwork from one artist. 

To hopefully tempt you into making a purchase, here is the blurb from the Amazon-Kindle page on the book :-

"Chris Boardman, Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Chris Froome, Laura Trott, Bradley Wiggins .... in 2016 one Gary Prescott attempted to add his name to this long line of illustrious British cycling champions. At sixty years old, asthmatic and (by his own admission) slightly over-weight, Gary - often simply referred to as the Biking Birder - cut a slightly surprising figure as a potential cycling record holder but what he may have lacked in physical prowess he more than compensated for in sheer will and determination and in 2016 he reached for the stars in attempting to set a new European Green Birding for the most species recorded in one calendar year."

The thought of seeing 300 different birds in a year in the UK is one that many birders dream of. To achieve such by cycling over 7,000 miles from Lands End to Shetland, to see those birds, whilst challenging for the European record is an undertaking few would take on. In fact this book tells of a unique quest. 

Green Birding is a growing, yet vital phenomenon. Whereas most will know of a birders desire to list the birds seen, or maybe be aware of a twitcher's need to travel possibly hundreds of miles to see a lost waif, a bird far away from it's chosen migratory path, a Siberian Accentor or a Franklin's Gull; few will know that there are some birders who pursue birds through Green means. 

Gary details not only his remarkable journey undertaken in 2016 and how he saw over 300 bird species but also tells of people met, the places seen and fills the pages with anecdote and nostalgia. Some stories are taken from his previous Biking Birding years, those two years when Gary cycled to every RSPB and W&WT nature reserve in the UK - twice!
The first in a forthcoming series, The Biking Birder Adventures, Gary will be cycling and kayaking around Peru in 2018, aiming to become the World Green Big Year record holder.

Each book sold will mean a donation will be given so that a tree will be planted in Peru. In the High Andes the natural forest has been largely removed and replaced by Eucalyptus trees. The project I will be supporting is trying to rebuild the Polypsis forest.

OK, now you have decided to buy a copy of this wonderful book, modest as ever, please follow the link below :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biking-Birder-2016-Quest-Adventures-ebook/dp/B07969N4HH/ref=nav_signin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1516619834&sr=1-1&keywords=biking+birder+2016

Now away from the excitement of the book the last three days were spent working at the Butterfly Farm.

As usual the thrill of working here is not just being amongst butterflies and the other assorted insects, Tarantulas, lizards, snakes, birds, frogs and fish, not forgetting of course my favourites, the leaf-cutter ants but meeting and watching people. Being able to share their delight at seeing everything and sometimes holding insects, is absolutely fantastic. The staff here are just amazing and the seven hours I spend here each day flies by.

http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php  

Talks, well tonight I am giving a talk to the Aylesbury RSPB local group. Jonathan Seabrook has been superb with coordination and help and I really looking forward to it. So far this year I have given talks to the Chesterfield RSPB, South Shrops RSPB near Ludlow and the North Staffs RSPB in Stoke. Each group's audience have been lovely and the pleasure I get from seeing and meeting people, not only prepared to come out on frosty and even snowy nights to come to the meetings but also how they are with each other, is immense.

George Monbiot in his latest book, How Dd We Get into This Mess? calls for community to re-establish a new politic. Well RSPB groups show this as a working practice.

Indoor Meeting with Gary Prescott, the Biking Birder.

Location: Prebendal Hall Community Centre, Fowler Road, Aylesbury,Bucks.
Postcode: HP19 7QW (Google map)

'Worldwide Green Birding, including personalities and their achievements' &
'Birds seen during Biking Birder years'.

This promises to be a lively and entertaining evening with Gary, who cycles
most of the time whilst spotting birds and raising funds and profiles of the
RSPB, WWF & others.

Visit Gary's website http://bikingbirder2016.blogspot.co.uk

All are welcome to our talks.

Time: 7.30 pm

Price: Group members £ 3.00 or £ 4.50 for non-members. This includes refreshments.

Read more at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/aylesbury/events/#2mV19HfBthIdIt3w.99 

So to Peru.

69 days to go before I start my Biking Birder Adventure for 2018. This time supporting the Worldwide bird conservation charity, Birdlife International and still supporting the Chaskwasi-Manu project for the indigenous children of The Manu, I will start my Green Birding - fossil fuel free adventure from Lima, with a couple of days birding at Los Pantanos de Villa and San Isidro/Miraflores. Then over the first 100 miles heading east the road will take me to 15,000 feet!

Now over the next 69 days I will detail the planned route, show some of the birds I hope to see and talk about how everything is going.

So, to close for today, thanks everyone for continuing to support and follow my adventures.

Please do buy my book and please do make a donation to either Birdlife International :

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

A link may be found near the top of this page to the right.

or Chaskawasi-Manu

http://www.chaskawasi-manu.org/en/donation-for-chaskawasi-manu-project/  

Once again a link is at the top of the page on the right.

 . . . . .  or better still both!

Thanks everyone and love to you all,

Gary xx

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