The Holbrook Explorer
Birding
Community Conservation in Costa Rica: Celebrating the Inaugural Raptor Migration Festival
A remarkable phenomenon takes place each fall, when millions of raptors – including hawks, kites, vultures, and falcons – migrate southward from North America. It’s an epic journey that creates a stunning spectacle; the birds are sometimes so abundant they seem to completely fill the sky. A new...
Back From the Field: Birding the Cauca Valley and the Central Andes
Guest Post by Kendell Loyd As a high school biology teacher and birder, my favorite way to spend my spring break each year is traveling with friends to see new birds. Last March, I got just the chance on a 9-day birding trip to Colombia with Holbrook Travel, focusing on the Cauca Valley and the...
An Interview with Holbrook Birding Guide Mario Córdoba
Mario Córdoba Hidalgo is a familiar face to many Holbrook travelers. Born in 1973 in Quesada, San Carlos, he has been a birding and nature guide in Costa Rica for more than 25 years and has introduced many visitors to his country's beauty and biodiversity. He's also given various talks and...
eBird Trip Reports: Brazil
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Brazil? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what you might encounter on your own birding expedition. June 2024 (7 days) – Mato Grosso do Sul | Mato...
eBird Trip Reports: Cuba
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Cuba? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what you might encounter on your own birding expedition. Feb. 2020 (8 days) – Pinar del Río | La Habana...
eBird Trip Reports: Belize and Guatemala
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Belize and Guatemala? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what you might encounter on your own birding expedition. eBird: April 2024 (9 days) –...
eBird Trip Reports: Chile
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Chile? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what you might encounter on your own birding expedition. February 2022 (8 days) – Magallanes | Región...
eBird Trip Reports: Tanzania
Want to know which species other Holbrook travelers have seen on their birding trips to Tanzania? Check out these eBird trip reports shared by past groups to see their checklists and get an idea of what you might encounter on your own birding expedition. May 2024 (9 days) – Arusha | Mara |...
5 Citizen Science Opportunities for Birders
Scientists can’t be everywhere at once, which is why they sometimes rely on the eyes and ears of volunteers to make observations and collect data. If you love birds and want to help protect them, consider becoming a citizen scientist—many projects require little more than an Internet connection and...
The Great Backyard Bird Count
Every year, volunteers around the world look to their backyards and beyond in the name of science during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The observations recorded during this citizen science event help researchers better understand population trends and migrations patterns—and you can help. The...
Back from the Field: Tracking the "River of Raptors" in Costa Rica
“It’s often called the River of Raptors because the sky is completely black with birds. It’s unbelievable how many birds you see,” recounted Debbie Jordan, Holbrook Ambassador, after witnessing the hawk migration in Costa Rica on her recent trip with Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. Debbie and her...
Holbrook’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Birders
There’s still time to find the perfect holiday gift for the birder in your life…or drop a hint about your own wish list. From feeders to field gear, here are a few ideas to inspire you. Under $20 Rite in the Rain Birder’s Journal This waterproof notebook is perfect for the avid birder, willing to...