Guyana Birding News Vol 3 - Sept 2007
| IN THE NEWS | BIRDING SITES | FEATURE BIRD | BIRDING PEOPLE |
Welcome to Guyana Birding News,
We're pleased to bring you the third edition of the newsletter sponsored by www.guyanabirding.com. We hope you'll find this publication full of interesting information and useful resources for planning your next birding adventure to the unspoiled wilderness of Guyana.
As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions about how to improve both our newsletter and our website. For those of you who have traveled to Guyana, we invite you to send your trip reports, photos and tips for birding in Guyana.
Happy Birding!
IN THIS ISSUE
IN THE NEWS: All the latest news about Guyana birding
BIRDING SITES: Karanambu Ranch
FEATURE BIRD: Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata)
BIRDING PEOPLE: Ron Allicock, Forest Ranger, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development
IN THE NEWS
New Species of Nightjar Discovered
From his home in the North Rupununi village of Yupukari, Guyana guide, naturalist and explorer Ashley Holland discovered a new species of bird for Guyana...more>>
Important Bird Areas Programme Launched in Guyana
The Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme of BirdLife International is a global initiative that aims to identify, document and protect a network of critical sites for the conservation of the world’s birds. IBAs are selected according to internationally agreed scientific criteria...more>>
Guyana Exhibits at the British Birdwatching Fair
Representatives from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) Birding Tourism Program have recently returned from this year’s British Birdwatching Fair (BBWF)... more>>
Guyana’s Birds Featured in Several Articles
Besides the tradeshow appearances, Guyana’s birds have also been popping up in articles in a variety of different publications. An article titled, “Cotinga Central,” appeared in the February 2007 issue Birdwatch magazine... more>>
Guyana Guidebook to be Released
In another media-related, but not entirely bird-focused piece of news, Bradt Travel Guides is getting set to release a Guyana guidebook. The guidebook includes chapters on Guyana’s history, the local people and culture, natural history (with a special section on birds)... more>>
Many Top Tour Operators Introduce Guyana Tours
It seems that all of the media, trade show appearances, and attention garnered by the Birding Tourism Program has caught the attention of some of the world’s finest birdwatching and nature-based tour operators... more>>
ABA and RSPB Support Guyana’s Birding Guide Development
In an effort to help promote birdwatching and conservation within Guyana, several programs have donated equipment to local guides and programs... more>>
Guyana Birding Tourism Program Announces Fourth Familiarization Tour
Following on the heels of the three very successful product familiarization trips organized by the Birding Tourism Program in 2006 and 2007, a fourth is planned for early November 2007...more>>.
Pick of the Flock
We here at Guyana Birding News realize that some of our readers are only now beginning to become familiar with Guyana, so to help with your pre-trip planning and geographical knowledge, we are recommending an excellent map of Guyana.. more>>
BIRDING SITES
Karanambu Ranch
Comprised of 125 square miles of private protected lands densely populated with flora and fauna and home to a conservation trust, an orphaned Giant River Otter rehabilitation program, and some exceptional birdwatching and wildlife spotting, Karanambu Ranch is one of Guyana’s finest eco-tourism destinations.
The history of Karanambu goes back to 1927 when Tiny McTurk homesteaded the area in Guyana’s north Rupununi Savannas. On lands steeped in Amerindian legends, Tiny established a successful balata collection station and bustling cattle ranch, but he never lost sight of the area’s beautiful natural surroundings and the indigenous population that had been living in there for thousands of years. Tiny was a businessman, but he was also a passionate naturalist and conservationist – two beliefs that helped start the legendary hospitality of Karanambu. Using the beauty of his home as a draw, Tiny welcomed such renowned guests as Gerald Durrell, Michael Swan and David Attenborough...more >>
FEATURE BIRD
Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata)
The Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata) is a magnificent little bird averaging four inches (10cm) in length, and with striking vermilion plumage, especially on the males. In the early 20th century, the Red Siskin used to flourish in the foothills of northern Venezuela where it was commonly found in open country, along forest edges (both moist evergreen forest and dry deciduous woodlands) and in grassland areas with trees or shrubs. But because of their beautiful red color, wild populations of the Red Siskin have greatly decreased. For more than 150 years the birds endured hunting and capturing by breeders trying to create a red canary for the caged-bird industry..... more>>
BIRDING PEOPLE
Ron Allicock, Forest Ranger,
Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development
Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development plays a key role in promoting conservation and sustainable development, including eco-tourism. When Ron Allicock joined the Iwokrama Ranger Training Program, he received a package with Nikon binoculars in it. Seeing tourists get so excited to see all the birds that he saw on a daily basis - he could never understand why they would be so excited. After seeing all the beautiful colors that birds have, he began to get excited as well..... more >>
