St. Kilda & the Hebrides - cruising to the Edge of the World

In a world where long-haul travel is now so accessible, it can be all too easy to overlook the treasures in our own backyard. St Kilda is a very special place, and one of only 35 sites in the world to hold joint UNESCO World Heritage status for both cultural and natural heritage. This exciting talk will take you on a journey to St Kilda from Oban, as Sara details the excitement of sailing to this remote archipelago through the beautiful Inner and Outer Hebrides. She also gives insight into the life of the hardy St. Kildan people, which was one of remarkable self-sufficiency. Having lived in the Hebrides for 3 years as a Wildlife Guide, Sara recounts the wonderful wildlife which inhabits these islands and surrounding waters – from otters, eagles and seabirds to dolphins, sharks and whales.

Antarctica, The Falklands & South Georgia

Antarctica is a land of superlatives. It is the coldest, windiest, driest, iciest and highest of all the major landmasses of the world. It is a continent of extremes, but also one of extreme beauty! In this talk, Sara takes you on a journey from Ushuaia (Argentina) to The Falklands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, describing the countless wildlife delights en route – up to 7 species of penguin, a host of seabirds (including the wonderful Wandering Albatross) and a colossal amount of cetaceans, all to the backdrop of breathtaking scenery. With Shakleton’s infamous expedition also providing listeners with some historical and cultural interest, an evening of ‘armchair travel’ to this remote continent is not to be missed!

Indonesia - Sailing from Bali to Komodo

The archipelago of Indonesia comprises a staggering 17,000 islands, of which Bali and Komodo are two. This talk covers the wonderful wildlife of this remote archipelago (famously explored by the great naturalist Alfred Wallace), much of which is encountered on Naturetrek's exciting cruise which sails from Bali to Komodo, the latter being well-known to naturalists for being home to the world’s largest species of lizard, the formidable Komodo Dragon! Indonesia is also home to an astonishing 30 species of whales and dolphins, such birds as the Red-tailed Tropicbird and the critically-endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo, the mighty Manta Ray and pristine coral reefs teeming with colourful fish. Visiting here is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in tropical wildlife!

Baja California and the Sea of Cortez

There are few, if any, whale watching destinations that can rival Mexico’s Baja California! In this talk, Sara will transport you to Mexico’s vibrant waters to enjoy a breath-taking array of whale and dolphin species, from huge Blue Whales to the diminutive Harbour Porpoise. Other highlights include ‘eye-to-eye’ encounters with Grey Whales, thousands of dolphins in the Sea of Cortez and several other whale species. Northern Elephant Seals, turtles, sea lions and a variety of birds make up a fascinating supporting cast – hearing about this fantastic part of the world is not to be missed!

Whales and Dolphins of the Azores

Twenty three species of cetacean have been recorded in the Azores, including the largest animal to ever have lived, the Blue Whale. This is without a doubt the best whale watching in Europe – and it is possible to see 7+ species in a single visit, including the rare and elusive ‘beaked whales’ which live at depths of 2000m! This talk takes listeners through the biology of the cetacean species which inhabit the waters around these islands – from the deep-diving Sperm Whales which raise their calves here in the safety of these waters, to the attractive Striped Dolphins, which arrive in the Azores for the summer months. Sara also touches on other areas of interest to the natural historian, including huge lava caves, stunning UNESCO vineyards and Europe’s largest colony of Cory’s Shearwaters.

Spitsbergen – The Realm of the Polar Bear

The Arctic islands of Svalbard are breathtaking! In this talk, Sara highlights the natural wonders of this archipelago and our 9-day cruise aboard our ice-strengthened ship. We'll see our first wildlife from the very start of the trip in Longyearbyen, with Arctic Terns overhead and Common and King Eiders off the shore. Once aboard, we'll visit spectacular nesting colonies of Little Auk, see our first Reindeer, and continue our journey looking for sea mammals such as Blue Whale and even Beluga. In addition to the incredible seabird colonies (including Brunnich's Guillemots), we'll be looking for the more famous inhabitants of these islands – Walrus and of course, the Polar Bear. Seeing a Polar Bear, the King of the Arctic, out on sea ice is one of the most magical wildlife encounters to be had, and Sara's talk will bring this experience to life!

Trekking and Birding in the Everest Region

In 2017, Sara spent 3 weeks trekking to Everest Base Camp and around the Gokyo Lakes – an adventure she still remembers vividly: lack of oxygen, camping in -12c and trying to avoid frostbite, all the while with binoculars in hand! Nowhere in the world is the mountain scenery as magnificent as the Everest National Park and, in this talk, Sara takes you in search of the region’s sought-after pheasants, thrushes, bluetails, rosefinches, grosbeaks and other birdlife, as well as flora and smaller mammals, to a truly breathtaking backdrop of glaciers and peaks. In equal balance, she also covers the rich history of mountaineering on Everest – from early explorers first sighting the mountain, to it finally being conquered in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.

Spirit Bears, Grizzlies & Humpbacks – Cruising Canada's Great Bear Rainforest

This talk explores one of the wildest and most biologically rich regions on Earth: Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, home to one of the largest remaining tracts of temperate rainforest remaining in the world. Travelling by water through this remote landscape of moss-draped forests and dramatic fjords offers a unique perspective on a place shaped by sea, salmon and seasons. Timed to coincide with the annual migration of millions of Pacific salmon returning to spawn, the journey reveals how this great natural event sustains the rainforest’s remarkable wildlife, from Grizzly and Black Bears and Wolves to Bald Eagles and the rare white Kermode Bear, the ‘Spirit of the Rainforest’. Cruising the sheltered waterways of the Inside Passage and exploring secluded fjords, the talk also features encounters with Humpback Whales and Orca, completing a portrait of a truly extraordinary wilderness not to be missed!

Birding Morocco

A rich and memorable experience awaits the traveller to Morocco. Although separated by a short sea crossing from Europe, the culture and the wildlife are so different making Morocco such a popular place to visit. Richard has led many tours to Morocco and will take you through one of the most popular tours starting off in the sensory overload of Marrakech, crossing the spectacular Atlas Mountains and into the edges of the mighty Sahara, before heading west to explore the rich estuaries of the coast. During this talk, Richard will introduce many of the spectacular species you can expect to see (including several found nowhere else on earth), from the delightful Moussier's Redstart, the bizarre Bald Ibis, many species of wheatears and larks, sandgrouse and highlights such as roosting Pharaoh Eagle Owl and Egyptian Nightjar.

Spitsbergen – The Realm of the Polar Bear

The Arctic islands of Svalbard are breathtaking! In this talk, Richard highlights the natural wonders of this archipelago and our 9-day cruise aboard our ice-strengthened ship. We'll see our first wildlife from the very start of the trip in Longyearbyen, with Arctic Terns overhead and Eiders off the shore. Once aboard, we'll visit spectacular nesting colonies of Little Auk, see our first Reindeer, and continue our journey looking for sea mammals such as Blue Whale and even Beluga. In addition to the incredible seabird colonies (including Brunnich's Guillemots), we'll be looking for the more famous inhabitants of these islands – Walrus and of course, the Polar Bear. Seeing a Polar Bear, the King of the Arctic, out on sea ice is one of the most magical wildlife encounters to be had, and Richard's talk will bring this experience to life!

Antarctica, the Falklands and South Georgia

One of the world's best wildlife destinations? Definitely!  

This talk details the incredible experience of joining Naturetrek's cruise to the southern oceans – from Ushuaia, along the Beagle Channel towards the Falkland Islands, passing spectacular seabirds and cetaceans. After a few days exploring the Falklands, we sail to one of the most beautiful places on earth – South Georgia, where we walk amongst thousands of penguins and seals. Our last few days are around the spectacular Antarctic peninsula, enjoying the incredible richness of this polar habitat – from whales and albatrosses to immense icebergs.  With many landings throughout, this really is the trip of a lifetime!

Wildlife and Birds of Poland

Join Richard on a virtual tour of Poland’s most well-known wildlife locations. Richard has made many trips to Poland over the last twenty years, and this talk will firstly illustrate the breath taking the world-famous Biebrza National Park Marshes – home to terns dancing over the wetlands and waders galore, including the bizarre Great Snipe and multi-coloured Ruffs. The fields and meadows here are also home to iconic species such as Corncrakes and Cranes. Richard will then show you the atmospheric primeval forests of Białoweiza, where most of the European woodpeckers can be found, alongside Nutcrackers, Pygmy Owl and the star of the show – European Bison.

Wildlife of Southern Africa

Africa is the world’s greatest wildlife continent, and Southern Africa in particular contains some of the most spectacular natural landscapes left on Earth. In this varied talk, Ben will take you on a tour of the region’s wildest places, from the immense oasis of the Okavango Delta to the dramatic cliffs and rich coastal waters of the Western Cape. Remarkable mammals are everywhere, many (but by no means all) familiar to nature-lovers worldwide. Ben will cover such iconic species as Lion, Leopard, White Rhinoceros and Southern Right Whale, while more obscure – but equally fascinating – creatures include Aardvark, Caracal, Aardwolf and Black-footed Cat. The birdlife is just as astonishing, with giants like Ostrich, Southern Ground Hornbill and Lappet-faced Vulture complemented by a glittering array of bee-eaters, kingfishers and barbets. He will also discuss interesting aspects of conservation and animal behaviour, and suggest how you can experience Southern Africa’s natural abundance for yourself.

Costa Rica – a wildlife photographer’s paradise

This tiny central American country (the size of Wales), is rightly renowned among wildlife enthusiasts for the huge range of species to be found here. From the incomparable Resplendent Quetzal to the majestic King Vulture and Great Green Macaw, to the throng of diminutive, but bedazzling, hummingbirds, it’s hard to know where to begin! In addition to birds, Costa Rica offers mammals, insects, orchids, reptiles and amphibians in abundance as well as some spectacular scenery. Ben takes us on a tour of this country and shows just some of the wildlife to be found and photographed on a holiday there.

Uganda

The land of the Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Chimpanzee and the mighty Shoebill.

Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands

In this two-part talk, Andy first explores the richness of mainland Ecuador, from the moss-laden cloudforests of north-west Ecuador, to the high Andes and the lowlands of the Amazon in the east, where Andy once spent a year as a resident naturalist guide. The talk features stunning photography of such iconic species as Cock of the Rock, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Giant Anteater, Torrent Duck and Hoatzin. After the break we move on to the Enchanted Islands, covering the geological history and geography of the archipelago, the Darwin story, current conservation issues and the visitor experience, including snorkelling, marine life, seabird and sealion colonies, Giant Tortoises, Marine and Land Iguanas, the Darwin’s finches, Galápagos Penguins and much more!

The Birds of Ecuador & Colombia

On this talk Andy begins in Ecuador, showcasing the wonderful birding to be enjoyed in the subtropical forests of north-west Ecuador, with stunning photography capturing the myriad colours of the resident hummingbirds, tanagers and other species. Moving to the Amazon next, we cover the birds, mammals and ecology of the humid lowlands of eastern Ecuador before finishing on the high, desolate slopes of the Papallacta pass with stunning views across to the hulking mass of volcano Antisana. After a break we move to Colombia and the varied habitats of the Cauca Valley, western and central Andes, and the endemic-rich Santa Marta mountains.

Wildlife of Peru

Peru is a magnificent country full of contrasts, from the richness of the Humboldt Current offshore, to the high Andes and the pristine lowland rainforest of the Amazon basin. In this talk Andy delves into the marine ecosystem of the Peruvian coast and its countless seabirds and sealions. The talk then moves to the jungles of south-east Peru, where Andy spent a year as a guide, looking at antbirds, primates, macaw clay licks and oxbow lakes. We then move to the Andes, with glittering hummingbirds and tanagers and spell-binding mountain scenery, framed by a welcoming and colourful people and a rich history, culminating in the remarkable conquest of the Incas and the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu. This is a talk not to miss!

Wildlife of Spain

With this popular talk, Andy offers a breath-taking tour of the wildlife of the spectacular Spanish mountains and wilderness. Beginning with the ferry journey across the deep, rich waters of the bay of Biscay, we visit the Cantabrian mountains, the Pyrenees, steppes, wetlands and other wonderful habitats and destinations across this wildlife-rich country, taking in along the way whales, dolphins, eagles, bustards, cranes, Brown Bears, Wildcats, orchids, butterflies, stunning landscapes, blue skies, blue cheese and vineyards! We also touch on conservation, looking at the current status of the Iberian Lynx and Iberian Wolf, and discussing how to see these iconic species in the wild!

Florida – the Sunshine State

Florida is one of the best birdwatching locations in North America and this talk covers some of the special species that you might expect to see on a winter visit such as Roseate Spoonbill, Snail Kite, Sandhill Crane, Burrowing Owl and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. In addition to birds, a wealth of other species – from dolphins and manatees, to butterflies, dragonflies and both crocodile and alligator – can be found. This talk covers many of Florida’s outstanding wetland and coastal habitats, including the world-famous Everglades National Park, with its impressive concentrations of herons and waterbirds. Florida is the perfect introduction to American birds!

Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear

The Arctic islands of Svalbard are breathtaking! In this talk, Matthew highlights the natural wonders of this archipelago and our 9-day cruise aboard our ice-strengthened ship. We'll see our first wildlife from the very start of the trip in Longyearbyen, with Arctic Terns overhead and Eiders off the shore. Once aboard, we'll visit spectacular nesting colonies of Little Auk, see our first Reindeer, and continue our journey looking for sea mammals such as Blue Whale and even Beluga. In addition to the incredible seabird colonies (including Brunnich's Guillemots), we'll be looking for the more famous inhabitants of these islands – Walrus and of course, the Polar Bear. Seeing a Polar Bear, the King of the Arctic, out on sea ice is one of the most magical wildlife encounters to be had, and Matthew's talk will bring this experience to life!

Islands to Highlands – The Magic of Wildlife Photography Tours

No matter your skillset or experience, a wildlife photography tour offers you the chance to capture inspiring images with the tuition from an award winning wildlife photographer, along with the additional expertise of local guides too. In this presentation, Oliver covers a range of locations to which he leads photographic tours - both in the UK and overseas - covering Scotland, Northumberland, Thailand and several countries in Africa.

Africa Through the Lens – Wildlife Photography Adventures

As a wildlife photographer, you simply cannot avoid the beauty and diversity of nature and landscapes in this beautiful continent. From desert to rainforest and from mountain to coast, there is something for all tastes. This presentation covers three Naturetrek photographic tours Oliver leads to The Gambia, Madagascar and Uganda, where he will be showcasing some of the highlights. Amongst the many wonderful species in these destinations, Oliver will discuss photographing lemurs and reptiles in Madagascar; gorillas, chimpanzees and Shoebill in Uganda as well as a suite of beautiful birds in The Gambia.

The Wild West of Scotland: from Ardnamurchan to the Uists

A combined look at the wildlife of the UK's most beautiful and remote places, with breathtaking scenery and unique habitats, delivered in an informal, anecdotal style. Ardnamurchan is probably the best remaining example of Atlantic Rainforest in the UK, with an impressive range of archaeological features also! Its remoteness is characterised by single-track roads and sparse human habitation, with Red Squirrels, Pine Martens and Red Deer seen regularly. The woodland, lochs and beaches are a delight to explore, with Eagles and Otters amongst the main attractions and the flora features some fascinating ecological adaptations. Boat trips almost always feature cetaceans.

The Uists are the Western frontier, featuring white sandy beaches attracting thousands of wading birds, some of which can be transatlantic. In the spring, it is one of the last remaining UK strongholds of the iconic Corncrake and, in Glyn's view, probably one of the easiest places to see Golden Eagle. The famous machair (fertile, low-lying grassy plain) features a spectacular carpet of flowers and the moors are home to many Red Deer, Divers and Skuas. The journeys to - and from - these remote places can also encounter fabulous scenery and wildlife, which also feature in the talk!

The Best of Portugal

This talk celebrates the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes of southern Portugal, from the Algarve and Alentejo to the Monchique Hills and Cape St. Vincent. In spring, the region bursts into life with vibrant wildflowers, migratory birds, and the rich diversity of heathlands, dunes, saltpans and Cork Oak forests. In autumn, the Algarve and Alentejo take on a different character, as the southern Atlantic flyway brings a wave of migrating birds and rarities to the wetlands and marshes. Bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, larks and raptors fill the open plains, while the south-western tip of the continent offers dramatic coastal scenery, pelagic seabirds, and playful dolphins. Through stories of both seasons, this presentation captures Portugal’s rich habitats, spectacular scenery, and the unforgettable wildlife experiences they offer.