2020 WORLD BIRDING TRAVEL TALKS
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Winter Birding in Central & Northern Thailand
Presented by Andy Walker of Birding Ecotours
Date: Sunday, May 10
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Join us as we take a journey through the amazing birding hotspots of Thailand! This region offers incredible diversity in species as well as habitat, scenery and culture. Think of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Pittas, Hornbills, Broadbills, Rubythroats and many more jaw-dropping birds. You don't want to miss out!
Date: Sunday, May 10
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Join us as we take a journey through the amazing birding hotspots of Thailand! This region offers incredible diversity in species as well as habitat, scenery and culture. Think of Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Pittas, Hornbills, Broadbills, Rubythroats and many more jaw-dropping birds. You don't want to miss out!
Exotic Miami and its birds and ecosystems
Presented by Nature is Awesome
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Where the northern temperate zone intermingles with the subtropical influence of the tropics, creating habitats found nowhere else in North America. This rich diversity in habitats, flora and fauna is unmatched among states east of the Mississippi. As a result, the southern tip of the Florida peninsula is rich in avian diversity, both of native and exotic introduced origins. In addition, its proximity to the Caribbean tropics offers birders the chance of seeing vagrants and species that are at the northern limits of their range. Making South Florida a must stop for any birder wishing to see species that are seldom seen anywhere else in North America.
Join the enthusiastic duo, Angel & Mariel Abreu of Nature is Awesome Tours on a fun and informative digital tour of the birds and ecosystems of South Florida. This tour will take you through South Florida's unique habitats, highlighting the ecological significance for its residents as well as neotropical migrants that are passing through during perilous migrations. From the headwaters of the Everglades to the salt pans of the Florida Keys, this adventure will introduce you to South Florida's fabulous birding opportunities.
See you there, sandals and shorts optional!
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Where the northern temperate zone intermingles with the subtropical influence of the tropics, creating habitats found nowhere else in North America. This rich diversity in habitats, flora and fauna is unmatched among states east of the Mississippi. As a result, the southern tip of the Florida peninsula is rich in avian diversity, both of native and exotic introduced origins. In addition, its proximity to the Caribbean tropics offers birders the chance of seeing vagrants and species that are at the northern limits of their range. Making South Florida a must stop for any birder wishing to see species that are seldom seen anywhere else in North America.
Join the enthusiastic duo, Angel & Mariel Abreu of Nature is Awesome Tours on a fun and informative digital tour of the birds and ecosystems of South Florida. This tour will take you through South Florida's unique habitats, highlighting the ecological significance for its residents as well as neotropical migrants that are passing through during perilous migrations. From the headwaters of the Everglades to the salt pans of the Florida Keys, this adventure will introduce you to South Florida's fabulous birding opportunities.
See you there, sandals and shorts optional!
The Best of Birding in Central America – Which Country is Right for You?
Presented by Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours
Date: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Join Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he explains what factors you should consider when deciding which country in Central America you want to visit. From birding and experiencing the culture of Guatemala to discovering the remote and exciting Darién province in Panama, Rob will help you explore all the best birding options in this incredible region!
Date: Tuesday, May 12
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Join Sabrewing Nature Tours owner, Rob Ripma, as he explains what factors you should consider when deciding which country in Central America you want to visit. From birding and experiencing the culture of Guatemala to discovering the remote and exciting Darién province in Panama, Rob will help you explore all the best birding options in this incredible region!
The Natural Splendor of Panama
Presented by Carlos Bethancourt of Canopy Family Panama
Date: Wednesday, May 13
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Panama, though scarcely the size of South Carolina, but perfectly positioned as a narrow land bridge between North and South America, is blessed with an incredible natural beauty and biodiversity second to none. Over 1,010 bird species, hundreds of mammals, reptiles & amphibians, and a staggering 10,000 plant species have been recorded here. Join knowledgeable and entertaining Canopy Family senior guide Carlos Bethancourt, on a photographic journey of the tropical birds, bizarre mammals, unusual reptiles & amphibians and spectacular habitats from the Canal Zone of Central Panama, into the foothills of western Panama, and then into the wilds of the Darién in eastern Panama. From toucans to hummingbirds, anteaters to tongue-wielding Orange Nectar Bats, Carlos will keep you spellbound with his stories of discovery and vivid images. Come experience why Panama is indeed the country of natural wonder!
Date: Wednesday, May 13
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Panama, though scarcely the size of South Carolina, but perfectly positioned as a narrow land bridge between North and South America, is blessed with an incredible natural beauty and biodiversity second to none. Over 1,010 bird species, hundreds of mammals, reptiles & amphibians, and a staggering 10,000 plant species have been recorded here. Join knowledgeable and entertaining Canopy Family senior guide Carlos Bethancourt, on a photographic journey of the tropical birds, bizarre mammals, unusual reptiles & amphibians and spectacular habitats from the Canal Zone of Central Panama, into the foothills of western Panama, and then into the wilds of the Darién in eastern Panama. From toucans to hummingbirds, anteaters to tongue-wielding Orange Nectar Bats, Carlos will keep you spellbound with his stories of discovery and vivid images. Come experience why Panama is indeed the country of natural wonder!
Birding Peru, from the Andes to the Amazon
Presented by James Adams of Natural Selections
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
As a nation, Peru has the largest number of bird species in the world and the third-largest number of mammals. Peru contains the second largest area of Amazon forest in South America, next to Brazil. The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, extending from the high Andes in the west, to lowland rainforests in the east.
Begining in the ancient Inca city of Cusco, James Adams will take us on a journey from the misty peaks of Andean cloud forests to the Amazon basin, showcasing the emblematic and birding-famous Manu Road and Manu National Park which is a huge, tropical wilderness area roughly the size of Connecticut. This route passes through a rich mix of habitats along an elevational gradient of roughly 8,000 feet and is home to an incredible variety of tropical flora and fauna. Manu National Park protects forests, wildlife, indigenous groups, and an incredibly rich biodiversity, with over 1,000 bird species and is indeed one of the Earth's great birding treasure troves.
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
As a nation, Peru has the largest number of bird species in the world and the third-largest number of mammals. Peru contains the second largest area of Amazon forest in South America, next to Brazil. The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, extending from the high Andes in the west, to lowland rainforests in the east.
Begining in the ancient Inca city of Cusco, James Adams will take us on a journey from the misty peaks of Andean cloud forests to the Amazon basin, showcasing the emblematic and birding-famous Manu Road and Manu National Park which is a huge, tropical wilderness area roughly the size of Connecticut. This route passes through a rich mix of habitats along an elevational gradient of roughly 8,000 feet and is home to an incredible variety of tropical flora and fauna. Manu National Park protects forests, wildlife, indigenous groups, and an incredibly rich biodiversity, with over 1,000 bird species and is indeed one of the Earth's great birding treasure troves.
A Glimpse of the Galapagos
Presented by Kevin Loughlin of Wildside Nature Tours
Date: Saturday, May 16
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Kevin Loughlin has led 31 tours to the Galapagos, and has taken over 100,000 photos while there! There won’t be time to show you all of them, so he will choose the images that he hopes will truly convey how incredibly special this destination is and why you need to visit! From the iconic Blue-footed Booby and its comical dance, to the famous (infamous?) Darwin’s Finches that helped turn the beliefs of the world upside down, the Galapagos offer more to than immediately meets the naturalist’s eye.
Date: Saturday, May 16
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge
Fee: Free with festival registration
Registration Required: No
Kevin Loughlin has led 31 tours to the Galapagos, and has taken over 100,000 photos while there! There won’t be time to show you all of them, so he will choose the images that he hopes will truly convey how incredibly special this destination is and why you need to visit! From the iconic Blue-footed Booby and its comical dance, to the famous (infamous?) Darwin’s Finches that helped turn the beliefs of the world upside down, the Galapagos offer more to than immediately meets the naturalist’s eye.