Top 5 Birdwatching Destinations
The world abounds with numerous destinations for bird watching
. There are presently 8,500 different species in the world. For enthusiasts, bird watching is a lifetime ticket to the theatre of nature. Here are the top 5 bird watching locations around the world.1. India
In the world today there are 8,650 migratory and originating species of birds. As many as 1,200 of these birds make their home in India. This vast number is surely enough to make this one of the best bird watching destinations in the world.
Kaziranga National Park has been identified by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. It is home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds. Birds such as the Lesser White-fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard duck and Asian Openbill Stork migrate from Central Asia to the Park during winter.
In India, bird watching and eco tourism go hand in hand. India provides numerous protected wildlife sanctuaries that are perfect for bird watching.
2. Tanzania
Tanzania is one of the top birding destinations in the world. Bird watching is best undertaken through Walking Safaris - passing through forests in Mkomazi Umba Game Reserve, Mount Kenya, Mount Ruwenzori mountains, Mombasa, Zanzibar Island, Gombe Stream, Victoria falls and Kruger National Park.
Tanzania boasts 1,038 species of bird. Eight of the 10 families endemic to mainland Africa are accounted for. Raptors, plovers, parrots, turacos, bee-eaters, barbets, starlings, weavers, pipits and sunbirds are well represented.
In particular, the flora and fauna of Eastern Arc Mountains have evolved into a significant number of endemic and near-endemic species. The Uluguru, Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains are home to Fuelleborn's Boubou, White-chested Alethe, Usambara Akalat, African Tailorbird, Chapin's Apalis, Mrs Moreau's Warbler, Spot-throat, Loveridge's, Banded, and Uluguru violet-backed Sunbirds.
3. Bulgaria
On the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria is one of the best European bird watching destinations. Bulgaria is home to more than 400 bird species. In Bulgaria you can enjoy spotting species such as the: Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Rock Partridge, Pygmy Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Masked Shrike, Olive-tree and Paddyfield Warblers, Sombre Tit and many more birds.
Two of the big European migratory routes pass through Bulgaria - Via Pontica and Via Aristotelis. During the autumn you can observe thousand of migrating birds along these routes, some of which include: White and Black Storks, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Lesser Spotted, Spotted and Booted Eagles, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Cranes, etc.
In winter in Bulgaria you can spot populations of Red-breasted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, White-headed Duck, plus many more.
4. Iceland
Iceland is often referred to as a bird watcher's paradise. Large colonies and breeding grounds are found in various locations throughout the country. Lake Myvatn, Latrabjarg in the West Fjords and the Snefellsnes peninsula in the west are among the best places for bird watching in Iceland, while closer to Reykjavik, visits to the Reykjanes peninsula and the Westman Islands are always rewarding.
In total, 241 species of birds are known to have visited Iceland at one time or another. Of those, 72 nest regularly, 6 are common passage migrants, about 30 are regular migrants, while the rest end up in Iceland by chance. Sea birds, waterfowl and waders are the most common indigenous birds. The best time for bird watching in Iceland is spring to autumn.
Iceland is one of the main breeding grounds for waterfowl in Europe. There are no fewer than 16 species of duck known to nest in Iceland, including two American species; Barrow's goldeneye and the harlequin duck.
5. Ynys Feurig, North Wales
Ynys Feurig is the name for a set of three small interconnected inshore tidal rocky islets, lying off from the west coast of Anglesey, North Wales, just north of the village of Rhosneigr. They are also known by the English name Starvation Island. The islets are accessible from the mainland at mid to low tide.
The islands are important for their tern colony, in particular for Roseate Tern, for which this is the most regular breeding site on Anglesey. Because of this the island has been designated as part of a Special Protection Area along with two other nearby sites, Cemlyn Bay and The Skerries, and all three are also classed by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.
This area is considered a fabulous point from which to observe some of the rarest birds in the world, thus is a hotspot for bird watching.
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