Mark your calendars for two upcoming international trips in 2027! More details will be shared with members soon.
Costa Rica Birding
Dates: April 3–13, 2027
Tour Operator: Flyaway Birding Tours
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an 11-day journey through northern Costa Rica — from volcanic foothills and tropical dry forest to misty cloud forests and Pacific mangroves.
With over 930 recorded bird species, Costa Rica offers extraordinary avian diversity within a compact and conservation-focused landscape. Highlights include Arenal Observatory Lodge, Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Rosa National Parks, Monteverde’s cloud forests, and a Tárcoles River mangrove boat excursion.
Expect iconic species such as Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Coppery-headed Emerald, Turquoise-browed Motmot, and Scarlet Macaw — alongside immersive experiences with local conservation partners.
Tour Leader: Jon Dunn
Jon has served on the California Bird Records Committee for more than 30 years and has been a member of the American Ornithologists’ Society’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature since 2000. A charter member and past president of WFO, Jon received the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award for lifetime achievement and was honored with WFO’s Alan M. Craig Award in 2024 for his dedication and service.
Registration opens in October 2026.
South Africa with WFO
Dates: July 20–August 1, 2027
Optional Cape Town Extension: July 31–August 4, 2027
Tour Operator: Holbrook
Join WFO for an unforgettable birding and wildlife safari to South Africa. The main safari explores premier birding regions, including world-famous Kruger National Park, where participants can expect extraordinary bird diversity alongside dramatic landscapes, rich natural history, and opportunities to see iconic African mammals, including the Big Five.
An optional extension to the Cape Town region will focus on endemic and near-endemic species and unique flora. Highlights may include Cape Rockjumper, African Penguins, and a cable-car ascent of Table Mountain for sweeping views (weather permitting).
WFO Trip Leader: Kurt Leuschner
Join former WFO President and longtime African guide Kurt Leuschner for a birding and wildlife safari through some of South Africa’s most celebrated regions. Kurt brings more than three decades of guiding experience, deep knowledge of African birdlife, and a passion for education that makes each trip both rewarding in the field and rich in natural history.
Registration opens in April 2026.
March 2026
I am very interested in attending…