Helen had to visit Madrid for work, and since she still needs a couple of species in Spain we used the occasion to visit the steppes around Belchite for short weekend trip.
NE Brazil [2015/2016]
A three-week independent trip to NE Brazil together with Marten Hornsveld and Vivian Jacobs. For logistic convenience we decided to do a roundtrip from Salvador, leaving birding around Fortaleza for a next trip. We visited the Atlantic Rainforest sites of Tamandare, Frei Caneca, Murici, Estancia, Michelin, Boa Nova, Serra Bonita and Mata do Passarinho. Furthermore, we explored the caatinga inland at Boa Nova, Chapada Diamantina, Canudos and Crato.
With almost 450 species it was a fantastic experience of all the great birding NE Brazil has to offer. Many thanks to Ciro Albano and Caio Brito whom we ran into and provided us with crucial birding information, Kevin Flesher and Alexandre Enout for arranging our visits to Michelin and Balbina. Bill, Charles Douglas, Josepha for excellent guiding and Vitor Becker for a wonderful stay at the Serra Bonita Reserve.
Madrid [2015]
When checking the flight to Brazil we found an option with excellent flight times, but with a long lay-over in Madrid on the way there. This provided an opportunity to try for Spanish Imperial Eagle a lifer for Helen.
Colorado [2015]
In December Helen had to spend a week in Denver due to work obligations. This gave the opportunity to spend the weekend in the Rocky Mountains to search for some new birds.
Malaysia [2015]
With trips planned this year in March and December we decided in June the gap between those two trips was to big. So we fit in a one week birding trip to Malaysia. We decided on Malaysia because of ease of travel, season, and of course a chance for Rail-babbler. With Rail-babbler easily found on our first afternoon this made for a perfect bonus-trip. Our 8 days of birding we divided between the two popular birding spots Taman Negara and Fraser’s Hill.
Colombia [2015]
In our previous trips to Ecuador and Peru we became a big fan of birding in the Andes. We decided that the next South America destination would be Colombia. We were joined by Jelmer Poelstra, Sander Bot and Janne Ouwehand and together we planned a nice 2.5 week trip through the Central and Western Andes. We visited Rio Claro, Anori (Chestnut-capped Piha reserve), Urrao (Dusky Starfrontlet reserve), Bolombolo, Jardin, Apia, Montezuma road, Rio Blanco, Nevado del Ruiz and Monterrondo. Since Jelmer, Sander and Janne had a few days extra they also visited Otun Quimbaya & Parque Florida (and skipped Monterredondo).
Sulawesi & Halmahera [2014]
A three week independent trip to Sulawesi and Halmahera, a popular combination of islands since it offers two very different sets of species with lots of endemics. In the first two weeks we visited Central and North Sulawesi (Lore Lindu, Tangkoko, Dumago Bone and Gunung Ambang). The last week we travelled to Halmahera to visit three sites: Binagara, Galela and Weda.
Bayern [2014]
After reading a report by other Dutch Birders in 2011 (see literature) we formed the idea to copy their trip for a long weekend of snow, german beer and a couple of lifers. We decided to go there during Easter and were joined by Marten Hornsveld and Vivian Jacobs.
Jamaica [2014]
We had planned a 2 week trip to Cuba late February 2014. While making the itinerary it turned out we had some days left and decided to spend these on an extra trip to Jamaica. A Birdwatchers guide to Cuba, Jamaica etc. mentioned that all 29 endemics should be possible to see in just a couple of days so we booked a long weekend from Cuba arriving Friday afternoon and leaving Monday afternoon.
Cuba [2014]
We decided Cuba would be a nice escape of European winter with a good number of endemics, beaches and snorkeling. And of course to experience the unique culture that still exists in present day Cuba; colorful houses and empty roads with a nice selection of ancient cars and horse carts. While making the itinerary it turned out we had some days left and decided to spend these on an extra trip to Jamaica.
Penguinbirding 
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