Howdy from rainy California.

[podocesb]

I've joined this list because I have some questions that I'm sure someone out there will be able to answer.
But first, let me say a few things about myself. I've been a birder since 1971 and have birded all over the world. My life list is currently at 3255 spp.
So, here is my question. Is there a website for independent birders? I mean by that, a site for birders who travel and bird without tourguides, fancy hotels and the rest that goes with it. I would like to see a site where birders post their travel details as well as trip lists. I'm after birding on the cheap, on my own. Well, does such a site exist?

[AndyB]

Hi podocesb and welcome from a slightly drier southern california. Hope you're doing OK up there. To answer your question, there are a lot of trip reports posted both on Surfbirds (http://www.surfbirds.com/Trip%20Reports/trindex.php), Travellingbirder (http://www.travellingbirder.com/), Bird Tours (http://www.birdtours.co.uk/) and several others that are from birders who do the trip on their own (no one leading them). There's also Birding Pal (http://www.birdtours.co.uk/) that attempts to advertise local birders who will lead visitors for free. Now I also thought there was a group/site that was based in the States that was putting together a directory of birders worldwide that would be willing to host out of towners for free too. I cannot find that address right now. Not sure if any of this is new info or you already know of these websites and you were after something else. Best, Andy

[podocesb]

Andy Thanks for the reply to my post. It looks like I'll be in So Cal this Febuary looking for a few long wanted ticks. Mainly Le Conte's Thrasher, that little gnatcatcher split on the coast and whatever happens to pop up at the Salton Sea. I'm waiting for a copy of the ABA So Cal site guide to figure out just where I need to go. Although I used to live in the southern half, I haven't been there in 30 years. Well, maybe we'll see you down there, Mike

[antshrike]

Hi Podocesb, I'm new to the forum also though I've been a regular Surbirder for years. Glad to see there are other independent world birders who don't have to be led around by the nose.

[Vermfly]

Hi Podocesb. A group of my friends do exactly what you are looking to do. I'm planning on being able to join them sometime soon. They travel on the cheap camping out and roadtripping around. A couple of my friends went to Jamaica recently and spent less than 1000 dollars for the whole two week trip. They got all the Jamaican endemics and a good numbers of the near endemics. They only spent two nights in cheap hotels and didn't spend a dollar on guides.

[RaptorBirder]

Hi Mike,

I'm not aware of any single website for birders travelling independently but as I'm sure you're aware there's now a huge amount of valuable information available on the web.

I've travelled independently or leading small teams to over 50 countries using a combination of birding trip reports, Lonely Planet/Rough Guides, in-country contacts (often non-birders), etc. I've never hired a bird guide simply because I want to explore new areas and find my own raptors.

Incidentally, if you're planning to go somewhere off the beaten track, one of the most valuable starting points (for a British citizen at least) is the UK Government's FCO website:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390572

No doubt your US equivilent is equally useful.

[GlenU]

Hello Mike,

I saw your posting last February, and waited to respond because at that time I was working on a website that would meet the needs of birders who wanted to save money while traveling. The name of our website is BirdersHostingBirders.com, and we are an international network of traveling birders who are willing to open our homes to other birders as they are traveling the world. We are relatively new, but our membership is growing daily. If you take a few minutes to visit our website, you might find this is the solution you are looking for.

Take care,

Glen

[AndyB]

Nice concept Glen, hope it takes off.