Saiga at Stepnoi 19-27 May 2020
19-27 May 2020 trip to see Siaga (and other mammals and widlife) at Stepnoi. Two spaces available, strictly sharing costs (not for profit), around Euro 1300/person for transport, accommodation and park entrance. Food to be bought separately. Please contact keith@tropicalbirding.com Amazing image of Saiga taken at Stepnoi by Andrey...
Wakodahatchee Nature Preserve, Delray Beach FL, Marsh Rabbit
On a tip from a friend went to Wakodahatchee Wildlife Preserve last night, Feb 20,2020 looking for Marsh Rabbit. The preserve is quite small and easy to get into and out of with ample close parking if you are short on time. Walked the half mile boardwalk 30 minutes...
What does using a heat scope look like?
Here’s an interesting post from Charles Hood. I have done a before and after shot of a fake mouse, first by torch and then by heat scope, for those of us who have not used one before. / Charles Hood
Anyone want to join us for a long weekend bat blitz in Costa Rica?
If you read my short report yesterday about Sylvan in Costa Rica you might understand why I am in a rush to get back! In short Fiona Reid has run several bioblitzes there in recent weeks and has been catching some really exciting bats. So Venkat Sankar and I...
HMW 9
I finally finished going through the last volume of Handbook of Mammals of the World. It is the best one in the series: parts of the text look like they’ve actually been proofread, and only a handful of maps are misplaced or don’t correspond to the text. The plates...
Sylvan: Golfito, Costa Rica
In late November 2019 Amber and I popped down to Costa Rica to visit Fiona Reid at her new ecolodge, Sylvan, and see my son Patrick who was volunteering there. It wasn’t a mammal trip and I had to spend a lot of time working, so I didn’t see...
Inquiry for a friend regarding Iberian Lynx
Hi everyone! I have an RFI for a friend – please reply and enlighten him with all your wisdom. Before I copy&paste the note that my friend asked me to share, I will give a quick intro: So good things come out of the mammal watching blog, sometimes from...
New Trip Report: Way Kambas, Sumatra
A short report – with some nice pictures – from Hugh Lansdown. Way Kambas, 2019: Hugh Lansdown, 5 days & 22 species including Sun Bear, Malayan Weasel and Pen-tailed Tree Shrew. Jon
A Mammalwatcher’s Code of Conduct
A little over a year ago Richard Webb triggered a lively discussion around a mammalwatching code of conduct. Although opinions differed on some of the content, many of us felt it was an important initiative. So – with Richard’s agreement – I decided to take it forward, and consulted...
Hairy Nosed Otter out and about in U Minh Thuong National Park, Vietnam
Daniel Willcox at the IUCN, who is doing great stuff trying to promote better links between scientists and the mammalwatching community, let me know about a Hairy-nosed Otter that is showing well in U Minh Thoung National Parlk. So just in case anyone is in the neighbourhood…. Let me...
Marrick Safari private safari – Looking for some other people august 19th to 21st
Hello all, As the title says: we’re looking for some people to join in Marrick. To share costs, but also to have an extra set of eyes and some fun. We’re two brothers travelling from Holland to South Africa. We’ll probably do 2 or 3 night drives somewhere...
New Trip Report: Mozambique
Here’s another report from Tom Clode. Gorongosa NP, 2019: Tom Clode, 6 days & 25 species including Wild Dogs, Bushpig and Sable Antelope. Jon
Rio Aripuana and Rio Madeira Cruise, Brazil: October 2019
With Cheryl Antonucci, Jon Hall, Patrick Hall, Morten Joergensen, Stefan Lithner, Marcelo Marcos, Keith Millar, Fiona Reid, Mike Richardson, Micah Riegner, Martin Royle, Lynda Sharpe, Nozomi Takeyabu, Sarah Winch and the crew of the Tumbira. In June 2017 I joined Fiona Reid on a spectacularly successful cruise through the Amazon,...
New Trip Report: Ghana
Here’s a great report and I was VERY happy to hear that Robert Nkator is still going strong, finding Pangolins and remembered showing me my first Pangolin over 10 years ago. I also particularly approved of these sentiments “this was, in design and practice, mostly a birding trip, and...
dolphin phylogeny
There is a new paper on dolphin molecular phylogeny: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790320300282 The paper shows that: 1. Burrunan dolphin is not a valid species (but a good subspecies). 2. Genera Stenella, Delphinus and Lagenodelphis should be lumped (Delphinus has priority). This actually has been clear for some time, but here’s another...
New Trip Report: Poland
A new report from Valentin Moser on the hunt for European Bison. Eastern Poland, 2020: Valentin Moser, 4 days & 8 species including European Bison. Jon
New Trip Report: Benin
And here is a second report from Tom (not Tim … sorry) Clode Pendjari National Park, 2017: Tom Clode, 8 days & 20 species including Roan, Serval and Patas Monkey. Jon
New Trip Report: Kenya
Here is Samuel Marlin’s latest report. Kenya, 2019: Samuel Marlin, 8 days & 44 species including Serval, Gerenuk and Desert Warthog. Jon
App Review: Guide to the Mammals of Europe from Chris and Mathilde Stuart
There are many mysteries in life. What is the universe expanding into? How can time pass more slowly at the top of a mountain than at the bottom? Why was the ending of Games of Thrones so disappointing? And,now, how do Chris and Malthilde Stuart find the time to...
Book Review: Mongooses of the World by Andrew Jennings & Géraldine Veron
Mongooses of the World, released late last year, is the latest in the growing array of books to cover a particular group of mammals comprehensively. Mongooses might be some of the most underrated mammals on the planet. I don’t know any mammalwatcher who loathes them, but few of us...
New Trip Report: Iberian Lynx at Sierra de Andujar
A new report from John Weir Sierra de Andujar, 2020: John Weir, 4 nights & 8 species including Iberian Lynx. Jon
Advertising: Tibet Snow Leopard Wildlife Expedition. September 2020
In December you might have read William Boehm’s report of a 2019 trip to Tibet. Sinjiangyuan Reserve, Tibetan Plateau: William Boehm’s account of a fabulous 2 week trip deep into Tibet with Snow Leopard, Brown (Himalayan Blue) Bear and Pallas’s Cat. So if you were as envious as I was then good news...
New Trip Report: Senegal
Here’s a first report from Tom Clode, who promises more reports – largely in search of Wild Dogs across Africa – will follow. Niokolo-Koba National Park, 2018: Tim Clode, 2 weeks & 24 species including Honey Badger, Red-flanked Duiker and Patas Monkey. Jon
New Trip Report: Mustelid Watching in the Netherlands
This seems like an interesting spot, particularly if you want to see a European Polecat which is a beast both beautiful and difficult to see. Mustelids near Amsterdam: Ingrid den Boer’s report on a photographic hide home to regular Polecats, Badgers and both Pine & Stone Martens. Jon
Ethiopian Wolf best sites
I am wondering if anybody has updates on the best sites for Ethiopian Wolf? There are forum posts from 2018 and then often with respondents looking back 2 or 3 years, but given the ongoing problems with livestock incursion and canine distemper virus I thought it sensible to ask...
Sri Lanka Mammals and Birds Dec 2019
SRI LANKA trip report My wife, daughter and I made our first visit to Sri Lanka in December of 2019. We spent ten days on tour with a guide from the Bird and Wildlife Team. We saw 39 or 40 species of mammal and 213 birds. Highlights included daytime...
Advertising: Borneo’s Rare Mammals, August 2020 with Royle Safaris
There are five places open still on a Rare Mammals of Borneo trip with Royle Safaris focusing on Sunda clouded leopard, sun bear, flat-headed cat and a wealth of other life in Sabah. Details are here. The tour comes with an optional extension to the Tawau hills. Details are here....
Madera Canyon and Tucson, Arizona
Here’s a summary of a short trip I made to Tucson and specifically the Madera Canyon last month. Highlights included Ringtail, Hog-nosed skunk and Antelope jackrabbit.Madera Canyon and Tucson
New Trip Report: Xinjiang (China)
Another report – and more great photos – from Kevin Zhong Xinjiang, 2019: Kevin Zhong, 5 days & Siberian Ibex, Goitred Gazelle, Kulan and Przewalski’s Horse. Jon
How many gorals?
A new (from last April) paper that I almost missed, with a review of goral & serow taxonomy: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mam.12154
New Trip Report: Spain and Portugal
Here is the latest report from Vladimir Dinets. Spain and Portugal, Christmas 2019: Vladimir Dinets, 2 weeks & 31 species including Polecat, Genet and Snow Vole. Jon
New Trip Report: South Africa
Here is Mark Hows’ latest report. South Africa, 2019: Mark Hows, 18 days & 64 species including plenty of bats and rats. Jon
Advertising: Gabon, July 2020 with Royle Safaris
There are three places open still on a Gabon Wildlife Adventure with Royle Safaris, focusing on mandrill, lowland gorilla, forest elephant and the very possible chance to track giant pangolin among many other species. More details are here. This tour has an optional extension to Ivindo National Park. Details are...
New Trip Report: Tibetan Plateau
An excellent report and some stunning photos from Kevin Zhong. Qinghai and the Tibetan Plateau, 2019: Kevin Zhong, 19 days & many species including Snow Leopard, Pallas’s Cat, Alpine Musk Deer and Argali. Jon
Madagascar – October 2019
Here is a quick summary of our trip to Madagascar last year. There are links in the document to daily reports and photos. Spoiler: It seems like we were the only mammalwatchers to NOT see aye aye on a recent trip to Madagascar. Madagascar 2019
New book
My new book Finding Mammals in Japan will be available as PDF starting Feb 1. The format is similar to my Peterson’s Guide to Finding Mammals in North America, but with more extensive country intro and lots of species identification tips. 122 pp, 13 color maps, 300 color photos...
New Trip Report: Oman
Dominique Brugiere was back in beautiful Oman over Christmas, where the mammal watching gets better and better. Oman, 2020: Dominique Brugiere, 1 month & some nice species including Caracal, Striped Hyena, Honey Badger, Arabian Tahr and Blanford’s Fox. Jon
New Trip Report: Central & Southern Chile
Here’s an interesting report, with some wonderful pictures, from Jono Dashper. Central & South Chile (and southern Argentina), 2019: 2 months & many mammals including Kodkod, Large Hairy Armadillo and multiple Monito del Montes Jon
Advertising: One space open on April 2020 Sichuan Panda Trip (Red & Giant) with Royle Safaris
A late cancellation means a space has just opened up on a Royle Safari’s trip to Sichuan with a focus on the area’s best mammals including both panda species. More details are here https://www.mammalwatching.com/2019/07/19/sichuan-mammal-watching-tour-march-2019-royle-safaris-trip-report-2/ I will be back in Sichuan about the same time. Jon
New Trip Report: Brazil
Here’s a very useful report (with loads of good contacts) of a successful trip across Brazil. Brazil, 2019: Ben Balmford, 4 weeks & 57 species including Ocelot, White and Black Uakaris, Pampas Cat and much more. Jon
[…] the new site. If you don’t remember your password then request a new one when you login at mammalwatching.com and – if the password reset email doesn’t arrive – check your spam […]
[…] so there are many resources to help you plan your trip: visit birding web sites and the Mammal Watching blog for help. You can even book organized birding tours with expert […]
[…] is certainly growing – in no small part due to Jon Hall. He runs a Mammal Watching web site and blog filled with trip reports, new sightings and […]
[…] Where to See: Marbled polecats are widely distributed from eastern Europe to western China, but seem most common in the steppe and aridlands of Central Asia. But they’re not easy to find. Mammal watching master Jon Hall spotted one in Mongolia, and other enthusiasts occasionally report sightings on the Mammal Watching forum. […]
[…] Where to See: Marbled polecats are widely distributed from eastern Europe to western China, but seem most common in the steppe and aridlands of Central Asia. But they’re not easy to find. Mammal watching master Jon Hall spotted one in Mongolia, and other enthusiasts occasionally report sightings on the Mammal Watching forum. […]
Hello blog,
I wish to organize a 10-day stay in Nepal in mid-February 2020 with my family (including two of my boys aged 12 and 14). I would like to visit the Chitwan National Park first and then move towards either the Bardia Park or a trek in the Langtang Valley.
So I have several questions: on Chitwan, do you know a good guide or good lodge to organize a stay of 3/4 days accés mainly on the mammals watching?
On Langtang, I would like to organize a trek to try to see the red panda and the Himalayan Thar. Do you know an agency or specialized guide in Nepal to offer a trek of 3 days in this zone?
Do you know if the Red Panda is visible in the Langtang area?
The trip will be organized around mid-February and I do not know if the valley is passable at this time?
If this is not the case, I will move towards a 3-day stay in Bardia Park. Here again, do you know a guide or a lodge that specializes in mammals?
I’m a little afraid that Chitwan and Bardia are quite similar in wildlife. For that I will first of all go towards the possibility of Langtang.
I am interested in any information.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards.
Philippe Paraire