birding hols and non-birding spouse RFI

[mick cunningham]

i have an amazingly indulgent wife who lets me tazz of birding abroad alone at least once a year. We used to have a deal that the other annual hol wouldn't be for birding but no matter where we go i cannot resist birding (selfish I know). So, i'm looking for the best place for a birder to go with a non-birder spouse. The criteria are

1 not in uk
2 must be warm
3 quiet beach nearby
4 good birding on doorstep or via a short drive/taxi
5 clean/good accommodation
6 doesn't have to be dirt cheap but not too expensive either.
7 lots of good restaurants, tho not of 'brits abroad type' (get me!)
7 preferably july to sept as dates

NB we have been to following sev times israel ,goa/n india, med and eastern europe, N America, so somewhere new might be good, tho will return to a spot if it meets criteria.

any ideas? especially from non-birder spouses. reply privately if you wish.

ta

Mick

[Steve Keen]

Mexico? Perhaps not an ideal time of year, though. Yucatan is good, spouse-friendly, some of the archaeological sites are also excellent for birds, not too much new stuff to chase if you've done the States, but enough to keep you happy.
Gambia?

[Colin Key]

Mick,

Have you been to the Algarve? Very good in September (forget August, absolute HELL) and many amenities for non-birding family close to good birding localities.

If interested, I could be more specific.

Colin

[mick cunningham]

Mexico? Perhaps not an ideal time of year, though. Yucatan is good, spouse-friendly, some of the archaeological sites are also excellent for birds, not too much new stuff to chase if you've done the States, but enough to keep you happy.
Gambia?

never been to mexico (tho I hanker after vera cruz in sept: not spouse friendly) - is it any good in July-august?

[mick cunningham]

Mick,

Have you been to the Algarve? Very good in September (forget August, absolute HELL) and many amenities for non-birding family close to good birding localities.

If interested, I could be more specific.

Colin

Hi Colin - yes, been to algarve and liked it - plus spAIN and other med countries - still, if you know some sectret spots!

[Steve Keen]

I think it can be fairly wet through the summer months, but presumably as with most tropical places it would be afternoon rain (time to go the bar then . . .); as get into September there's the hurricane risk.
A good batch of endemics on the Yucatan though, but I should imagine Veracruz would be pushing your luck ;-)

[forktail]

Hi Mick

I visited Yucatan / Belize for five weeks in July and August a few years back and had a great time.

a bit (!) further but Darwin in NT of Australia is cracking and a whole different avifauna

F.

[mick cunningham]

cheers forktail - if you did a trip report i'd be interested to see it - Oz is only place my missus has been without me but i never was drawn ro it.

thanks folks I will ponder your suggestions. guess non-birding spouses don't look at surfbirds (no surprise there)

[forktail]

Hi mick

I didn't do a report but there are a couple of very good site guides such as that by Richard and Sarah Thomas. You probably need a car which will enable you to venture a bit further afield but it's cheap to hire over there.

There are some excellent birds in Darwin itself such as Chestnut Rail, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove and Rainbow Pitta in the monsoon forest, honeyeaters, lots of waders and terns at Lee Point including Great Knot, sandplovers, plus huge numbers of flying foxes at dusk and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos. The beaches are fantastic, huge, and pretty quiet. Plenty of good places to eat and drink.

There are some fantastic sites nearby like Fogg Dam, Holmes Jungle Swamp, Howard Springs etc.

[mick cunningham]

cheers. think i've enough info to start looking - many thanks for posts

[manelson]

I would recommend, Belize, Panama and Costa Rica in September. There are many nice resorts in Costa Rica that would satisfy both of you.

[Two Jugs]

Although I live n Canada and have relatively easy access to these places, I believe that both have vacations from the UK.

The first is Cayo Coco, Cuba. Great resort area, and very easy access to birding. I can suggest a guide who will get you some great endemics.

The second is Huatulco, Mexico. Again, a great holiday destination. Small area without the concrete jungles of Cancun, etc., with great birding in the area and close-by. Great guides are also available for mountain trips, etc.

I am a relative amateur at this game, but check out my photos from these places at www.twojugs.ca

Regards
Tony