Birding By Bus

Birding By Bus Dream. Discover. Bird On!
(2)

08/16/2026

HOW DO YOU FIND A BIRD YOU CAN’T SEE?

Last night in Miami, I put a new tool for birders to the test. And an Eastern Screech-Owl made the perfect subject.

Meet the Rovex, a new handheld thermal camera from Nocpix Nature. Unlike traditional thermal monoculars, the Rovex has a big 5-inch screen, is lightweight and incredibly easy to use.

And the really cool part? You can actually see the bird hiding in the darkness.

I put together a quick video showing how it works, including a split-screen look at the thermal image vs. what was actually happening in the trees. The difference between “I know there’s a bird in there” and actually finding it can be pretty amazing.

Could this change the way we search for birds?

Last-minute opportunity for COLOMBIAN ANDES birding!We just had a cancellation on our Charm of the Colombian Andes tour,...
08/13/2026

Last-minute opportunity for COLOMBIAN ANDES birding!

We just had a cancellation on our Charm of the Colombian Andes tour, September 12–20, 2026. So we now have one space available.

This is a particularly good opening because the space includes a single occupancy room, and we're waiving the $900 single supplement.

Over 9 days, we'll explore the bird-rich mountains and valleys of the Coffee Triangle, looking for hummingbirds, tanagers, mountain-toucans, antpittas, and many other Andean specialties. Want to see what birds you could expect? Check out last year's eBird trip report from this tour route: https://ebird.org/tripreport/397636

It's a small group of just 10 participants with 3 trip leaders (great guide-to-guest ratio!). The primary trip leader is our very own fearless leading trailblazer, Eliana Ardila Kramer, and sharing Colombia's beauty is her life's mission. When you travel with us here, you don't just visit Colombia - you experience it through the eyes of someone who grew up among its mountains, forests, and people, and who carries an endless passion for showing others how special it is. The result is an experience that goes far beyond checklists. It's birds, yes - spectacular, world-class birding - but it's also stories, flavors, friendships, and a deeper understanding of a country that has so much to offer. That's why Colombia will always be one of our favorite places to share with you.

September 12–20, 2026
One space available
Private room included
Single supplement waived
Departing in just one month

A quick note regarding the recent earthquake in Colombia: We've had a few people ask whether it will affect our upcoming tour. At this time, it does not affect our itinerary or our plans to operate the tour as scheduled. We're continuing to monitor the situation and are in regular contact with our local partners.

The guest who cancelled had an unexpected medical emergency and is unable to travel. Their cancellation was unrelated to the earthquake.

If Colombia has been on your birding wish list, this is a genuine last-minute opportunity to join us. Once this space is filled, the tour will be full.

Feel free to send us a message if you'd like more information or want to see the full itinerary.

Nos vemos en Colombia!
Marc & Eliana

Valentina got a manicure and pedicure this week... Volkswagen style! She rolled into our friend Ian's house in Miami, wh...
08/01/2026

Valentina got a manicure and pedicure this week... Volkswagen style!

She rolled into our friend Ian's house in Miami, where the crew from Al's Mobile Tire gave her a fresh set of shoes. They did a fantastic job, and she's ready for many more birding adventures.

While we were there, we also found the perfect new home for one of our favorite pieces of art… a giant canvas of Valentina crossing the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge near Mt. St. Helens during our 2008 road trip. It looks right at home hanging in Ian's barn!

07/29/2026

Can You Identify 20 Birds from Nome, Alaska? Let’s take the eBird Photo Quiz together!

I put my birding skills to the test with a 20-question eBird Photo Quiz featuring birds from one of North America's most exciting birding destinations. Along the way, I share the field marks and identification tips I use in the field. And yes, there are a few birds that make me stop and think!

How many can you identify? Watch the video, keep score, and let me know your final tally in the comments. I'd also love to hear which bird you found the trickiest.

If Nome has ever been on your birding bucket list, I think you'll enjoy this little preview of the incredible species that make Western Alaska so special.

ARCTIC WARBLERS were more abundant than we've ever seen in Nome (Alaska) this June! It was a great numbers year for them...
07/09/2026

ARCTIC WARBLERS were more abundant than we've ever seen in Nome (Alaska) this June! It was a great numbers year for them.

This is North America's only breeding Phylloscopus/Old World warbler and is one of our very few "Trans-Bering Migrants" -- birds that breed in Alaska in summer, then migrate all the way across the Bering Sea to winter in the Old World (Asia/Africa/Australia). Quite the journey!

Arctic Warbler may not have the flashy colors of some of our varicolored New World warblers, but is an epic must-see Nome breeding resident and a strong vocalist. Love capturing these guys singing their heart out in the willows and alders.

Ready to visit Nome for highlight birds like this one along with Bluethroat, Vega Gull, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Stejneger's Scoter, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and Long-tailed Jaeger? Join us for our Nome: Edge of the Arctic tour next year: June 6-10, 2027!

Yesterday we shared the story of a lucky Green-winged Teal that escaped an adult Bald Eagle at Contractor's Marsh on Ada...
07/03/2026

Yesterday we shared the story of a lucky Green-winged Teal that escaped an adult Bald Eagle at Contractor's Marsh on Adak Island. Sometimes, fortune is on your side. But nature has a way of reminding us that every day is a new challenge.

The very next day, in that same marsh, we watched a Short-eared Owl methodically hunting low over the sedges. Unlike the eagle's dramatic high-speed chase, the owl relied on patience, silence, and surprise. This time, the hunt ended successfully.

Predation can be difficult to watch, but it's an essential part of healthy ecosystems. Every predator, from a Bald Eagle to a Short-eared Owl, depends on successful hunts to survive, raise young, and keep the natural balance intact. The lives of predator and prey have been intertwined for millions of years, and witnessing these interactions is one of the most fascinating parts of spending time in truly wild places.

Adak Island never disappoints. You never know what the next moment will bring, and that's one of the reasons we keep coming back.

We'll be returning to the Aleutians next May for another unforgettable birding adventure. We'd love to have you join us!

We're finally getting caught up after an incredible month leading tours across Alaska, and it's time to share some of ou...
07/02/2026

We're finally getting caught up after an incredible month leading tours across Alaska, and it's time to share some of our favorite moments from the field!

We'll begin on Adak Island in the Aleutians at Contractor's Marsh, where the Green-winged Teal had to stay constantly on alert.

One afternoon we witnessed an adult Bald Eagle explode into pursuit, sending a teal racing across the marsh in a desperate attempt to escape. The chase was fast, intense, and had all of us holding our breath. Against the odds, the teal got away.

But as we quickly learned, life in Contractor's Marsh offers no guarantees. We'll share another remarkable hunting encounter from this very same spot tomorrow!

06/27/2026

Not every Brown Bear in Alaska is feasting on salmon!

It's still a bit early in the season for the famous salmon runs, and with this year's late spring, the coastal sedge meadows are just coming into peak condition. These fresh, nutrient-rich sedges are like the ultimate high-protein salad bar. We got to see this bear so close we could hear it chew!

Address

Miami, FL

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Birding By Bus posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category