[anngatt]

Hello, we are keen birdwatchers and want to go somewhere warm (not too hot) in Dec/Jan for a week/10 days, for some good bird watching. Any ideas?

[Edward woodwood]

Watcha

Canaries - a few endemics
Southern Spain
Goa - might not be too warm then
Morocco -can be very nice that time of year and great birding
Israel -

outside bet
Gambia - popular with birders, might be a tad warm

[KCFoggin]

Hello Ann and on behalf of the staff here at BirdForum.net, a warm welcome to you. Also, I would like to thank you for taking a moment to say hello to us.

Are you looking to stay in your area in Dec/Jan or are you looking to travel some?

[jpoyner]

Originally Posted by anngatt

Hello, we are keen birdwatchers and want to go somewhere warm (not too hot) in Dec/Jan for a week/10 days, for some good bird watching. Any ideas?

I reckon that within Europe the Camargue and surrounding areas takes a lot of beating in Jan. Not too warm though.

JP

[gusford]

Andalucia & Algarve would be a nice trip (Fly & drive).

[John Butler]

Originally Posted by anngatt

Hello, we are keen birdwatchers and want to go somewhere warm (not too hot) in Dec/Jan for a week/10 days, for some good bird watching. Any ideas?

Hi Ann.

Why not try Donana, a major wetland and conservation area that is teeming with birds in December and January. We get massive wintering flocks of Common Cranes, Greater Flamingos, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, egrets, herons, ducks, geese and waders. We also have excellent numbers of Marsh and Hen Harriers, Ospreys, Red Kites, Black-shouldered Kites, Peregrines, Purple Swamp-hens, Squacco, Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons, Stone Curlews, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Iberian Magpies, Hoopoes and many passerines.
Both Booted and Short-toed Eagles can be found in the winter, along with the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Griffon Vultures and several owl species.

Nearest airports are Seville, Jerez and Faro.

Weather is normally 10 - 15C degrees warmer than the UK at that time.

Regards from Donana.

John.

[anngatt]

Originally Posted by KCFoggin

Hello Ann and on behalf of the staff here at BirdForum.net, a warm welcome to you. Also, I would like to thank you for taking a moment to say hello to us.

Are you looking to stay in your area in Dec/Jan or are you looking to travel some?

I would just like to say that I am pleasantly surprised at the response received to my question! We were looking to travel some and I had thought of Costa Rica, but members have given me some other ideas to check out which I am really grateful for.

[Jos Stratford]

Could come out to Lithuania ...would see nice flocks of Steller's Eiders and other sea duck and wouldn't be too hot!!! Nan, probably this is a place to avoid in January - even with your long-johns, it's a tad chilly at a possible -20 C!!!

[Jos Stratford]

More seriously, would suggest Nepal - was there last Dec/Jan and it was amazing for birds, mammals and, of course, stunning Himalaya! Warm in the lowlands and, even at higher altitude, days are pleasantly warm

[scampo]

Originally Posted by jpoyner

I reckon that within Europe the Camargue and surrounding areas takes a lot of beating in Jan. Not too warm though.

JP

My visit to the Camargue was in mid winter. It was marvellous for birds - but my that cold wind makes viewing a trial.

[Steve G]

I would add my support to the Donana area. Safe, comfortable, warm & lots of birds -all easy to see. A winter visit can be done very cheaply with accomodation very reasonably priced & very cheap flights available (esp. to Faro & Malaga via the no-thrills companies such as Easy-Jet, etc). You could also add a few days in Extremadura which is a fairly easy 3 hour drive away-the weather is cooler than Andalucia but is usually sunny & settled. Such a combined trip could yield: Span. Imp/Golden/Bonelli's Eagles(a few Booted & Short-toed now winter in Donana), Black & Griffon Vultures, White (& a few Black) Storks, Sandgrouse, Great & Little Bustards,Egrets,Herons,Spoonbills,Glossy Ibis, Cranes.......... Why not do Donana/Extremadura & use the money you save for a more exotic trip next Spring, to Trinidad & Tobago for example.

[anngatt]

Originally Posted by Steve G

I would add my support to the Donana area. Safe, comfortable, warm & lots of birds -all easy to see. A winter visit can be done very cheaply with accomodation very reasonably priced & very cheap flights available (esp. to Faro & Malaga via the no-thrills companies such as Easy-Jet, etc). You could also add a few days in Extremadura which is a fairly easy 3 hour drive away-the weather is cooler than Andalucia but is usually sunny & settled. Such a combined trip could yield: Span. Imp/Golden/Bonelli's Eagles(a few Booted & Short-toed now winter in Donana), Black & Griffon Vultures, White (& a few Black) Storks, Sandgrouse, Great & Little Bustards,Egrets,Herons,Spoonbills,Glossy Ibis, Cranes.......... Why not do Donana/Extremadura & use the money you save for a more exotic trip next Spring, to Trinidad & Tobago for example.

Many thanks for recommendation. Will definately investigate Donana. Did go to Tobago about 5 years ago and it was wonderful.

[anngatt]

Originally Posted by John Butler

Hi Ann.

Why not try Donana, a major wetland and conservation area that is teeming with birds in December and January. We get massive wintering flocks of Common Cranes, Greater Flamingos, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, egrets, herons, ducks, geese and waders. We also have excellent numbers of Marsh and Hen Harriers, Ospreys, Red Kites, Black-shouldered Kites, Peregrines, Purple Swamp-hens, Squacco, Purple and Black-crowned Night Herons, Stone Curlews, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Iberian Magpies, Hoopoes and many passerines.
Both Booted and Short-toed Eagles can be found in the winter, along with the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Griffon Vultures and several owl species.

Nearest airports are Seville, Jerez and Faro.

Weather is normally 10 - 15C degrees warmer than the UK at that time.

Regards from Donana.

John.

Many thanks. 2 recommendations for Donana must mean its worth investigating.

Ann

[anngatt]

Originally Posted by Tim Allwood

Watcha

Canaries - a few endemics
Southern Spain
Goa - might not be too warm then
Morocco -can be very nice that time of year and great birding
Israel -

outside bet
Gambia - popular with birders, might be a tad warm

Thanks for suggestions. Morocco sounds interesting and worth investigating.

Ann