Birdgirl's best birds and animals of 2015

This year has been a fantastic year for me.  It started with a new UK bird on the 1st January, Little Bustard. Then a February trip to survey Spoon-billed Sandpiper in Bangladesh, 6 weeks over the summer in Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya ending the year in Chile and Antarctica.

I saw my 4000th bird in the world,  my 450th bird species in Britain and visited my 7th continent.

My best birds of 2015

Emperor Penguin

Seeing Emperor Penguin away from their breeding site is a once in a lifetime event even for those who travel there through lots of times each season.  To jam in on that in my first Antarctica trip is beyond unbelievable.  As well as that they are 130 cm tall, stunning and iconic.  We saw it twice.

Emperor Penguin, Antarctica

King Penguin

These Penguins are 90 cm tall and are beautiful with their colourful orange patches.  We visited a colony of 130 birds and I loved the spectacle of seeing so many well.

King Penguin, Chile

Spoon-billed Sandpiper

Lots of reasons for being number 3; a wader, cute, extremely rare, my connection to Bangladesh where they winter, my connection to WWT Slimbridge near my home, recording 19 birds almost 10% of the remaining population and the connection to my role as World Shorebird Day Ambassador. Gave a talk about them in Dhaka and at the OBC AGM in September.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Bangladesh
Photograph copyright Bangladesh Spoon-billed Sandpiper Conservation Project

Shoebill

A crazy looking bird with an amazing and evil clog shaped bill and in its own family.

Shoebill, Uganda

Green-breasted Pitta

Always great to see a Pitta but especially watching it do its mating dance.

Green-breasted Pitta, Uganda

Red-throated Tit

Special as my 4000th bird seen in the world.

Red-throated Tit, Kenya

Black Stork

This was one of my most common birds that I hadn't seen in the UK.  It had turned up whilst I was away over the summer and dipped it the first weekend we were home.  The following weekend, despite the odds, I managed to see this bird just before dusk.  It was especially important, as it was my 450th bird I've seen in the UK.

Black  Stork, UK

Hudsonian Godwit

A new bird for me but very special as it was on the Somerset Levels, my local patch.  I missed it the first weekend but then caught up with it after school midweek after it was re-found.

Hudsonian Godwit, UK

Snow Petrel

Before I left for Antarctica, this was top of my list of birds I wanted to see.  Normally you would expect to see them close to the boat.  Dad saw one early one day before I was up for breakfast, but I had to wait 4 more days before I got really close views of two above our Zodiac, in a stunning ice covered location.

Snow Petrel, Antarctica

Little Bustard

I really thought that this bird would have gone and so a fantastic start to 2015.

Little Bustard, UK
Photograph taken by and copyright Mark Rayment

My Best Animals of 2015:

1. Mountain Gorilla – Uganda 

Mountain Gorilla, Uganda

2. Leopard - Kenya

Leopard, Kenya

3. Puma - Chile

Puma, Chile

4. Elephant – Uganda & Kenya

Elephant, Kenya

5. Orca - Antarctica

Orca, Antarcica

6. Black Rhino - Kenya

Black Rhino, Kenya

7. Chimpanzees - Uganda

Chimpanzee, Kibale, UgandaCopyright notes from Camelidcoutry.net

8. Big Hairy Armadillo - Chile

Big Hairy Armadillo
Copyright Marceloavis.blogspot.com

9. Lion – Uganda & Kenya

Lion, Kenya

10. Tarantula - Chile

Tarantula, Chile

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Chile Day 10 – 31 December 2015 Altos de Lircay National Park

This morning we were up at 5.30 am for a 6.00 am breakfast. Normally this would be OK, but this morning after two nights lacking in sleep, I felt exhausted most of the morning.

We spent the morning birding Altos de Lircay National Park. We saw Chilean Pigeon around the lodge but despite hours of trying, missed our main target Patagonian Tyrant.  Other good birds were Austral Parakeet and Patagonian Sierra Finch.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig Altos de Lircay National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig Altos de Lircay National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Altos de Lircay National Park

Patagonian Sierra Finch

We then set out for our long drive to Temuco, stopping for Burrowing Parrot on the way, which were colourful and easy to see.

Burrowing Parrot

Burrowing Parrot

We arrived in Temuca early evening and went straight to Cerro Nielol National Park where we saw Rufous-tailed Hawk at the nest and Des Murs' Wiretail.

Rufous-tailed Hawk, Cerro Nielol National Park

We managed to get back to the hotel for dinner and get another quite late night.  Happy New Year everyone.

Best birds of the day:

Burrowing Parakeet
Chilean Pigeon
Chilean Flicker
Patagonian Sierra Finch
Austral Parakeet
Chestnut-throated Whet Whet
Rufous-tailed Hawk
Des Murs' Wiretail
Slender billed Parakeet

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Chile Days 8 & 9 – 29 & 30 December 2015 Altos de Lirca NP

Our flight from King George Island, Antarctica to Punto Arenas, Chile was several hours late.  By the time we got to our hotel room it was 8.30 pm.  It was too late to meet our friends, have dinner or to catch up on blogging.  It was 11.00 pm before I got to bed and knew I would be tired tomorrow as we get to be up at 4.45 am to catch the first flight to Santiago.

The next morning, as we checked in for our 7.10 am flight many of the passengers from our ship were on the same flight.  There was only time for a hello and wave before our flight.

At Santiago Airport, our bird guide from Albatross Birding, Fernando Diaz, was there to meet us in a hire car.  We then headed south, driving to Colburn and then to Vilches birding on the way and arriving at Altos de Lirca National Park early afternoon to catch up on birding before dark.

Chris Craig in Altos de Lirca National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Young Magellanic Woodpecker in a nest hole, Altos de Lirca National Park

White-throated Treerunner, Altos de Lirca National Park

After birding for a few hours, we went back to our lodge for dinner, before going out owling looking for Rufous-legged Owl and Austral Pygmy-owl.  I am not a fan of owling, mainly because I get tired and we often don't  see anything. Tonight was no different and we got to bed at midnight with no success.

Scorpian, Altos de Lirca National Park
Photograph taken by and copyright Young birder Mya-Rose Craig

Best birds of the Day:

Chestnut-throated Huet Huet (a Tapuculo species)

Magellenic Woodpecker

Green-backed Firecrown

White-throated Treerunner

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Bird List for the Drake Passage and Antarctica

Birds and animals seen on Antartica Voyage (Drake Passage and Antarctica):

Birds seen on Antarctica Voyage:

Black-browed Albatross

Southern Royal Albatross and Black-browed Albatross

Gray Mantled Albatross

Northern Giant Petrel

Gentoo Penguin

Adeile Penguin

Snow Petrel
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

30 new birds

Adelie Penguin

Rockhopper Penguin

Gentoo Penguin

Chinstrap Penguin

Macaroni Penguin

King Penguin

Emperor Penguin
Black-browed Albatross

Wandering Albatross

Southern Royal Albatross

Northern Royal Abatross

Grey-Mantled Albatross

Southern Fulmar

Southern Giant Petrel

Northern Giant Petrel

Wilson’s Storm Petrel

Gray-backed Storm Petrel

Black-bellied Storm Petrel

White-chinned Petrel

Cape Petrel

Antarctic Petrel

Snow Petrel

Common Diving Petrel

Snowy Sheafbill

Sooty Shearwater

Great Shearwater

Brown Skua

Southern Polar Skua

Thin-billed Prion

Antarctic Prion

Antarctic Cormorant

Imperial Cormorant

Animals seen on Antarctica Voyage:

Elephant Seal

Fin Whale

Orca

Leopard Seal

Elephant Seal

Antarctic Fur Seal

Crabeater Seal

Weddell Seal

Fin Whale

Humpback Whale

Orca

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter

Antarctica Voyage Day 11 - 29 December 2015, Flying out of King George Island

Today was our last day in Antarctica.  It snowed all morning so it was an apt end to our voyage, which had been in the calm waters and best weather of the season so far.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Vavilov
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

There was a flight load of passengers arriving from Chile to join our ship, whilst we would catch the plane on its return back to Punta Arenas.

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Vavilov with new friends
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

New friends made on Vavilov
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

New friends made on Vavilov
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

We had to have our luggage ready, as it was taken directly to the airport.

We left the boat by Zodiac and then once landed on King George Island, had to take our hand luggage plus coats and walking boots with us. We were still in the ship issue waterproof trousers, coats and wellies as after getting off Zodiac boats at the Chilean Research Station, we had to walk 2 miles (carrying our hand luggage) through deep snow and slush to the airstrip.  

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Helena Craig

Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Memorial to Antarctica Treaty, Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station arrows

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Chilean Research Station
Photograph taken by and copyright Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

I was particularly interested in the research station, to see if there was any rubbish around.  Although I think things would be improved with rubbish cleared up and drums stored out of sight in a safe place, the stations were not too bad.

We were expecting the run way to be tiny, but there were 3 planes waiting for passengers.

First stop was to get our Chilean Antarctica passport stamps in and out, before walking closer to our plane swapping boots, trousers and coats before getting our plane.

Antarctica passport stamp

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig new friends

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

Our flight was delayed but it was still light, as we flew over the continent and sea.

Back in Punta Arenas, we had a quick stop over before a morning flight.

It was a fantastic end to the trip of a lifetime.  Maybe one day I will return as crew…

About the Writer

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig on Scilly

Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Mya-Rose Craig is a 13 year old young birder, naturalist, conservationist, environmentalist, writer and speaker. She is based near Bristol and writes the successful Birdgirl Blog, with posts about birding and conservation from around the world. She loved seeing Mountain Gorillas in East Africa and Penguins in Antarctica over Christmas 2015, her 7th continent. 

Mya-Rose is a Bristol European Green Capital 2015 Ambassador along with Kevin McCloud, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tony Juniper, Simon King, Miranda Krestovnikoff and Shaun the Sheep! See the full list of Bristol 2015 Ambassadors. She has also been listed with the singer songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol's most influential young people. Please like her Birdgirl Facebook Page and follow her on Birdgirl Twitter