Europe might not be the first destination that springs to mind when planning your next birding vacation. As a holiday destination, however, Europe is of course high profile, with great museums, awe-inspiring cathedrals, excellent shows, and even the beaches of the Med! But when it comes to birds and wildlife, Europe doesn’t seem to hold its own against the myriad of tropical destinations that beckon the international birder. This is certainly true in terms of biodiversity, since temperate regions can never compete with the tropics when comparing species diversity, yet there’s a lot more than just numbers when it comes to selecting a birding tour. Despite harboring less than 500 bird species (excluding vagrants), Europe nonetheless offers world-class birding, both in terms of really brilliant birds (such as this displaying Great Bustard photographed in Spain by Ignacio Yufera), huge bird flocks and, believe it or not, vast areas of wilderness. Add to this Europe’s diverse cultures, outstanding historical sites, splendid scenery, first class infrastructure, excellent food and wines, and you have more than just a birding tour!

To thoroughly explore Europe’s biodiversity, three regions need to be covered; the Iberian Peninsula, Scandinavia, and Central/Eastern Europe. In the process, a birder would observe most of Europe’s species, endemics and near-endemics, as well as much of the region’s wildlife. We have therefore put together a selection of comprehensive birding tours to all three of these key areas at the prime time of year. Our tours target not only the regional avian specialties, but also sample the outstanding wildlife and main cultural attractions of these fascinating areas.

Upcoming tours this Spring include:
Central & Eastern Europe: 27 May to 8 Jun 2012 (13 days) US$3,750

Finland Extension: 14 to 19 May 2012 (6 days) US$2,250

Birding Denmark & Sweden: 20 May to 1 Jun 2012 (13 days) US$5,700

Birding Spain: 21 Apr to 6 May 2012 (16 days) US$4,980

Spitsbergen Circumnavigation - Land of Arctic Dreams: 9 to 19 Aug 2012 (11 days) from US$7,000 to $8,700

North Spitsbergen - Polar Bear Special: 19 to 26 Aug 2012 (8 days) from US$3,850 to $6,150

Finally, for a mixture of European and Asian avifauna, we also have an Eastern Turkey tour:

Birding Eastern Turkey: 13 to 23 June 2012 (11 days) US$2,810

Please contact the Rockjumper office for more details of these highly recommended tours and spaces currently available.