LAST MINUTE AVAILABILITY: One space open on a Colombian mammal trip (starting in Bogota on 4 Jan)
One space has just opened up on a mammalwatching trip focussing on a set of Colombia’s endemic primates including Brumback’s and Grey-handed Night Monkeys; Colombian Woolly Monkeys; Silver-brown Bare-faced Tamarin; Vareigated Spider Monkeys; Ornate, Caqueta and Lucifer Titis and more primates together with a range of other mammals possible....
New Trip Report: Snow Leopards in the Sinjiangyuan Reserve, Tibetan Plateau
What a place! 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. Jon
New Trip Reports: Three Easy Mammalwatching Destinations (Monterey Bay, Fraser’s Hill & Queensland’s Dugongs)
Here is a report – a first report I think – from Michael Johnson. Monterey Bay, Fraser’s Hill & Queensland’s Dugongs: Michael Johnson’s 2019 report of three easy to access mammaling spots. Jon
New Trip Report: Gabon
Here’s Fiona Reid’s report from a productive – but quite challenging – trip to Gabon in August. Gabon, 2019: Fona Reid, 2 weeks & 52 species including Sun-tailed Monkey, Yellow-backed Duiker, Long-eared Flying Mouse and Golden Cat. And here’s Keith Millar’s bird list too. Jon
Borneo’s Rare Mammals Tour – September 2019 – Trip Report – Royle Safaris
In September Royle Safaris ran its annual Borneo’s Rare Mammals Tour and were once again successful in this. We had found 79 species of mammals including rarities such as Sun Bear, Flat-headed Cat, Otter Civet, Malay Weasel and many more species. Borneo’s Rare Mammals – Trip Report – Royle...
Sumatran Rhino Expedition Trip Report – Royle Safaris
A couple of months ago Royle Safaris led a very specialist expedition to try and see one of the very few remaining wild Sumatran rhinos. We cannot give very many details out here, as the location and population and people who helped us are all secret. The fate of...
Gear Review: Top Mammal-Watching Binoculars
About a month ago, Jon posted a gear review of the Swarovski EL 8.5×42 binoculars. I thought I would complement his review with some remarks regarding what I think are the two other top binoculars for mammal-watching, the Leica Noctivid 8×42 and the Zeiss Victory SF T* 8×42. I...
New Mega Trip Report: China
Sophie and Manuel Baumgartner just finished 40 days in China. They saw a lot. Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau, 2019: Sophie and Manuel Baumgartner, 40 days & 61 species including Golden Cat, Snow Leopard & a non-snowy Leopard (japonensis ssp), both Pandas plus Brown and Black Bears! Jon
New Cetacean Guide by Mark Carwardine
There is a new cetacean reference book out and I love it: Mark Carwardine, Handbook of Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises, Bloomsbury, 2020. So far it is just released in UK, but a US version is planned for early next year. At 528 pages, it has a fair heft, yet...
Advertising Pantanal – Jaguar Wildlife Photo Tour: 20 July – 1 August 2020
Join us to the Pantanal, one of South America’s most fascinating nature areas with a unique variety of species. What makes this area so special is the excellent photo opportunities that you find in the open environments. We will explore these, either on foot or safari truck over the...
Looking for the jungle: Ecuador 11/2019 report
During our (largely unsuccessful) two-week search for places to explore the jungles independently, we have encountered 14 mammal species, all new to us. See the attached PDF for more details! ecuador-mammals-report-ebr
Ecuador ID: Woolly Monkey
Another puzzle from Ecuador: Woolly Monkey species are generally hard to ID by fur color, so people would go by range, but the separating line between Brown (L. lagotricha) and Silvery (L. poeppigii) is Rio Napo – so what do you do when you see a group of monkeys...
New Trip Reports: Chile and Peru
A new report from Dominique Brugiere and an old one too. Chile, 2011: Dominique Brugiere’s report of two trips, spanning 2 months plus, including Juan-Fernandez Fur Seal and Darwin’s Fox. Chile and Peru, 2019: Dominique Brugiere, 3 days in Peru and no cats, plus 10 days in northern Chile...
New Trip Report: Madagascar
Seems like everyone is looking for Aye-Ayes these days. Me too next year I hope. Madagascar, 2019: The Travelling Zoologists, 37 days and many species incuding Aye Ayes, Fossa and Malagasey Mouse-eared Bat. Jon
Cyber Monday Special: $180 off an Amazon Cruise in June 2020 with ARDCF
S. Florida trip mammals
Just got back from South Florida where I was for the last week. Saw lots of good birds and lizards, but unfortunately did not see many mammals. Did see 5 or so Florida Manatees in the Flamingo Marina and a Black Rat along Research Rd. both in Everglades N.P.,...
New Trip Report: La Selva Costa Rica
I’ve uploaded a new trip report for a week-long trip to La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica last July/August: http://www.tremarctos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/LaSelvaCostaRica.pdf. Highlights included Silky Anteater, Northern Naked-tailed Armadillo digging up a Bullet Ant nest, and Baird’s Tapir. I’m months behind on photos, but here’s a new set from CICRA...
Gabon Wildlife Adventure – Trip Report from Royle Safaris
Back in the summer of 2019 Royle Safaris ran our first safari to Gabon. It was a pretty good success with 45 species of mammals recorded. Including mandrills, lowland gorilla, black colobus, African forest elephant, servaline genet, golden angwatibo, northern talapoin and many more. Gabon Wildlife Adventure Jul 2019 ...
Kinkajou/Olingo ID Ecuador
Kinkajou or Olingo is apparently the classic conundrum of tropical South America. A kind person on Facebook told me that most of those are likely Kinkajou, but that someone knowledgeable could find an Olingo or two in there. To me, this is a complete mystery – I can tell...
New Trip Report: Borneo
An excellent report from Lennart Verheuvel, with photos of all 45 species! Sabah, 2019: Lennart Verheuvel, 3.5 weeks & 45 species including Clouded Leopard, Marbled and Flat-headed Cat and Otter Civets. Jon
New Trip Report: Madagascar’s Aye Ayes
Here’s a new report from Mac Hunter, who has just seen one of my most wanted species. Madagascar, 2019: Mac Hunter, 2 weeks and some great species including Aye Ayes, Fossa and Eastern Sucker-footed Bats. Jon
Assorted news
1. There is a proposal (Hope et al. 2019) to split pygmy shrew (the North American one) into two species, based entirely on molecular data. The western form would be called Sorex eximius. The two forms apparently co-occur in eastern N Dakota and probably E Manitoba; everything east of...
New Trip Report: Central Mexico
A new report from Venkat Sankar, continuing his quest to see all of Mexico’s mammals, with another great trip. Central Mexico, 2019: Venkat Sankar, 6 days & 36 species including Mexican Volcano Mouse, Mexican Big-eared Bat, Least Sac-winged Bat, Sword-nosed Bat and Ghost-faced Bat Jon
New Trip Report: Poland
A very short report from Romain Boquier who spent a day in Poland on his way to Malaysia from France. I am sure the route made sense to him! Osowe, 2019: Romain Boquier, 1 day & 6 species including Bison and Wildcat. Jon
New Trip Report: Peninsula Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore
Here are two new reports from Romain Boquier Taman Negara and Deramakot, 2019: Romain Boquier, 6 days & 30 species including Tapir, Malayan Slit-faced Bat and Horsfield’s Tarsier Singapore, 2019: Romain Boquier, 2 days & 10 species including Banded Langur, Smooth-coated Otter and Galago. Jon
Two bats to ID, New Guinea region
I hope somebody can help to identify these two bats. The microbat was at Nimbokrang, West New Guinea, roosing in a crack of a wooden tower in lowland rainforest. The flying fox was on a small islet off Waigeo, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, roosting alone in a lower canopy. Tentatively...
Gray Seals at Montauk
While birding out in The Montauk area of Long Island, NY, I had three Gray Seals which is the second time I’ve had them in NY. One was by the docks of Inlet Seafood on Lake Montauk and the other two were right off of Montauk Pt. seen from...
New Trip Report: Queensland Part 4. The Northern Tablelands to Cape York
Here’s the fourth and final part of Jimmy Lamb’s recent 5 week and 65 species trip through Queensland. Great photos! Queensland, 2019 – Northern Tablelands to Cape York: Part 4 of Jimmy Lamb’s 5 week and 65 species trip including both Cuscuses, Godman’s Rock Wallaby, Coastal Sheathtail Bats and...
New Trip Report: Queensland Part 3. The Southern Atherton Tablelands
Here’s the third part of Jimmy Lamb’s recent 5 week and 65 species trip through Queensland. Great photos! Queensland, 2019 – Southern Atherton Tablelands: Part 3 of Jimmy Lamb’s 5 week and 65 species trip including Northern Bettongs, Striped Possums and Feathertail Gliders. Jon
New Trip Report: Queensland Part 2. Eungella to Ingham
Here’s the second part of Jimmy Lamb’s recent 5 week and 65 species trip through Queensland. Great photos! Queensland, 2019 – Eungella to Ingham: Part 2 of Jimmy Lamb’s 5 week and 65 species trip including Unadorned, Allied and Sharman’s Rock Wallabies and Central Greater Glider and Mahogany Glider....
Advert: Kalahari Tracking with the Ju/’hoansi San & Wildlife Watching in the Okavango Delta, March 2 – 12
This sounds like an amazing trip! Supporting indigenous trackers, local people, and community owned businesses with Senior tracker guides Lee Gutteridge and Kersey Lawrence. Original Wisdom. Botswana, Southern Africa, 2-12 March 2020. This program, over a period of ten nights and eleven days, is a once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing experience. You...
New Trip Report: Queensland Part 1: Tolderodden Regional Park to Taunton NP
Here’s the first part of Jimmy Lamb’s recent 5 week and 65 species trip through Queensland. Great photos! Queensland, 2019 – Central Queensland: Part 1 of Jimmy Lamb’s 5 week and 65 species trip including Herbert’s Rock Wallabies and Bridled Nailtail Wallabies. Jon
Leopard (yes Leopard not Snow Leopard) at Qinghai, China
This is interesting! This piece was sent to me by Sid Francis in Chengdu. It was written by his brother in law Zeng Zhang (and auto translated into English – if you are wondering why the grammar is a bit odd). Qinghai Leopard Would anyone like to decide what...
New Trip Report: Ungulates and Cats of the Tibetan Plateau (China), 2019
A new report from Jan Kelchtermans who had a very succesful summer visit to the Tibetan plateau. Qinghai, 2019: Jan Kelchtermans’ report featuring some very good mammals including Snow Leopard, Pallas’s Cat and Lynx. Jon
Advertising: Royle Safaris Javan Rhino & Endemic Javan Wildlife Add-On. June 2020
Javan Rhino Tour June 1 -10, 2020 There are two places left on this unique tour that explores part of the world that are rarely visited, and so to get a good idea of what to expect we recommend you read through the below information thoroughly. We have outlined...
Gear Review: Swarovski Optik EL 8.5 x 42 binoculars
Life has many important decisions. Work. Marriage. Children. But if you make a mistake there are options: you can change careers, file for divorce or leave the kids at an adoption agency. But if you are standing in the Congo, failing to see the Okapi that the guy next...
Red Wolf like canids in Texas and Louisiana
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/11/the-ghost-genes-of-a-nearly-extinct-animal-live-on-in-texas/601624/?utm_medium=offsite&utm_source=yahoo&utm_campaign=yahoo-non-hosted&yptr=yahoo This is interesting. I had no idea there were still any wolf like canids down there. Sure do look like them. Would be interesting to hear what the percentage of wolf genes is. Andrew
Albino Eastern Gray Squirrel
Hi all, Just wanted to post that after a nearly two year absence the albino Eastern Gray Squirrel on my block reappeared again this time just two homes down from me. If I get a good look or photos of it I might be able to tell if it’s...
More news
1. An article about the rediscovery of San Quentin kangaroo rat: https://www.lostandfoundnature.com/blog/2019/10/21/stumbling-upon-an-extinct-rodent-on-the-edge/?fbclid=IwAR3qFA6PPNGwYTS3Vs9JouoANBOz1zJGN-8p-jNCfWMd23A9cJrCenOnSws 2. There is apparently unpublished evidence showing that larger coyotes in SW Louisiana are actually red wolves (I know about it from a job ad at Mammal-L listserve; there is a study planned to confirm this: http://nas-sites.org/dels/red-wolf-study/)....
John Brodie Good (Wildwings)
Photo: Mark Andrews Many people visiting this site will have known John Brodie Good, founder of Wildwings, who sadly died recently after suffering a heart attack. Some will have travelled on Wildwings tours while others will have read trip reports on this site or elsewhere. However what many people...
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[…] 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 […]
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[…] 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