Although the WildWings team have been exhibiting for the past 12 years at the British Birdwatching Fair - set in Rutland Water, one of the best inland nature reserves in England - this is an exceptional year (for them!) as it’s the first year of launching a WildWings brochure at Birdfair.  Copies of the new brochure will be prominently displayed at the WildWings stand 51/52 in Marquee 4.  For the birders, there are plenty of new and exciting tours in the new 2006-07 program:

Western Pacific Odyssey Spring 2007  - designed and developed by WildWings, this unique voyage sails northwards from New Zealand to Japan and focuses on an area of the Pacific Ocean relatively unexplored by keen sea watchers until now.  The voyage includes many sea-days travelling through waters rich in highly desirable seabirds and cetaceans and features island stops for endemics. The unique Kagu of New Caledonia will be one of the star species.

Emperor Penguins – WildWings are offering two very different opportunities to see the Emperor Penguin, the most fascinating of all birds and the only one to breed in Antarctica in the middle of winter.  The absolute ultimate is the ‘air photo safari’ led by WildWings guide, Dick Filby.  Fly to the remote Weddell Sea coast and camp on the ice with the Emperors, surrounded by ice cliffs, pressure ridges and icebergs and completely immersed in the sights and sounds of the colony. Departing by private jet from Chile in November 2006 from £21,349.  Or, take an icebreaker down into the Weddell Sea, October/November 2006 from £4,719.

Christmas Island – lying south of Indonesia and northwest of Australia, this tropical paradise boasts two full endemic seabirds – Abbott’s Booby and Christmas Island Frigatebird, both the rarest members of their family - and at least four full endemic land bird species.  In addition to the birding, superb snorkelling is on offer, as well as a resident group of spinner dolphins and also whale sharks at certain times of year.  Reached by frequent flights from Perth and a weekly flight from Bali, WildWings recommend a 4x4 vehicle and five nights accommodation at the aptly named property - ‘Sunsets’ - to fully absorb the magic of the island.

Ukraine & Slovakia - two new destinations for the WildWings spring 2006 bird watching program: two–centre departures to the Danube Delta and the steppes of the Crimea with some good Western Palearctic species to be seen, and Gerard Gorman will lead an exploration of the mountains and forests of Slovakia on the lookout for grouse, owls and woodpeckers.

Humboldt Current – a new pelagic voyage onboard the Polar Star, sailing along the west coast of South America from Lima and the Andes all the way down to Ushuaia and Cape Horn.  Now booking for the 3-22 November 2006 departure, from £2599 (excl. international flights).

Santa Catarina Island, Brazil – join a research project on the highly endangered Red-breasted Toucan of south-eastern Brazil.  £219 per week (excluding flight/travel costs).

Who from WildWings will be at BBWF?

On any of the show’s three days you can meet John Brodie-Good (founder and MD of WildWings), Wendy Coe (Tours Manager and Expedition Cruise specialist) and Sarah-Jane Thompson (Trinidad, Jamaica & Christmas Island specialist). 

However, on Friday 19 August, they will also be kept company by some of the Wildwings birding experts/guides, all of who will be happy to talk about their particular areas of expertise.

Gerard Ramsawak, owner of Trinidad’s Pax Guest House, never fails to be a hit with his birding guests.  Set in the idyllic gardens of a monastery, Pax Guest House has been run as a favourite birding destination by Gerard and his wife, Oda, for the last 12 years. The property will celebrate its 90^th anniversary next year (it was built in 1916).

Ornithologist, lecturer, writer and photographer, Tony Marr, has been leading WildWings tours since 1994 and, although he specialises in polar expeditions, he’s also led tours to other exotic birding destinations such as China, West Africa and India.

Dick Filby is one of the UK’s most experienced leaders to Antarctica.  He’s been a WildWings guide for over ten years travelling extensively around the world, yet he remains very active on the UK birding scene.  Dick pioneered the UK Rare Bird Alert pager service, now expanded to encompass mobile technology and the web.   

Artist, photographer and bird illustrator, Mark Andrews, is one of few experts on the birds of the Cameroon.  He is author and illustrator of a new field guide to African mammals and will exhibit his work in BBWF’s art marquee.  

Richard Webb has recently swapped his professional life as a pensions manager for the travel industry - over the past 22 years he’s visited 56 countries so has sound credentials.  He has recently returned from Brazil where his group had close-up views of a male and female Jaguar.

Derbyshire man, Dave Fell, has been a keen birder since 1980 and has recently relocated to Norfolk where he co-runs a birding ‘b&b’ near Cley. He’s involved in leading the WildWings Goa and Polish bird festivals. 

Notes to editors:

1)    The British Birdwatching Fair will take place at Egleton Nature Reserve, Rutland Water from Friday 19 August through to Sunday 21 August. 

2)    WildWings are in Marquee 4, stands 51/52

3)    Each year, the Birdfair adopts a different BirdLife conservation project and, for 2005, the project is ‘Saving Gurney’s Pittas and their forest home’.

4)    For a press pass to visit the Birdfair please call the organisers on 01572 771079 or email bbwf@rutlandwater.clara.net

For press enquiries please contact Debra Taylor at toucanmoon 01491 613424 debra@toucanmoon.com

WildWings
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wildinfo@wildwings.co.uk www.wildwings.co.uk

Prepared by toucanmoon /12 January 2005
St John’s Hall, Shirburn Street, Watlington OX49 5BT
(t) 01491 613424 (e) debra@toucanmoon.com