Sunset over the town of Madrigal, Extremadura - photo Stephen Daly  

Below is a selection of client comments received by email or letter

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An “imperial” day with Stephen Daly in and around La Janda

Stephen brought us safely through the extremely wet La Janda in his Land Rover. In spite of all the water the area was rather empty on birds. A few cranes, storks, spoonbills, great egrets, some purple swamphens and marsh harriers. We were more lucky further north. Two hen harriers passed by close to the car. Seven lesser short-toed larks were feeding by the roadside and finally a young imperial eagle appeared exactly where Stephen expected. After a few minutes it was accompanied by an adult bird. We spent about 20 minutes watching the two eagles hang in the wind over some corkoak-hills.

Thanks Stephen for a very nice day enjoying your broad knowledge of birds, plants and local history.

It’s a pleasure to recommend you. We look forward to another trip with you as our guide, if possible at a similar-for us- favourable price level

Ola Jornstedt & Arne Lindholm, Sweden, February 2010

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Dear Stephen,

Thans for a most rewarding and varied day's birdwatching, in Pelagic, highland and wetland environments with such beautiful views. All was delightfully led at an agreeable pace by Stephen who knows where to find everything from Bonelli's Eagle to the Black winged Kite. As travellers, it was special help to stay on location in his cottage, use his equipement and be escorted by Land Rover off-road and through some restricted terrain.

Much Recommended!

Tudor Smith and Anne Martin, Bermuda, Two nights at Hoopoe Cottage and one day's birding in December 2009

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Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the great photos, holiday info and your great hospitality.

We stopped off at Palmones on our way to the Airport as recommended and picked up another eight species...thanks for the tip.
We arrived home safely albeit chilly with ground frost at night.
Both of us really enjoyed our stay at Hoopoe Cottage and your guided tour was incredible!

Thanks once again,

Julie and Dave Bullock, Nottingham, UK, One week stay at Hoopoe Cottage with guided birding, October/November 2009

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Stephen!

Thank for wonderful days in your Hoopoe Cottage in Barbate, and very good excursions to the area. You can use the following text in your blog if you want:

Two Norwegians coming from the ornithological society in Fredrikstad visited Barbate in South Spain in the end of September 2009. We did find the address of Stephen Daly on the internet, which looked very promising for a good visit to the area! We were not dissatisfied!

Stephen has a unique combination of detailed knowledge to the area to find the best places for raptor migration and waterfowls and waders, permissions to go to non-public areas and not the least decades of experience as a field ornithologist! This made the days as can be seen from Stephens blog, really wonderful. We had a lot of new species for our record list, and really good opportunities for good photographs. The carcass with the Rüppell's Vultures was a really hot spot!
We will definitely come back and use the services of Stephen again, which also includes excellent and safe driving and nice company during long days in the sun!

Kind regards

Tone Røed and Ole Jørgen Hanssen, Norway, Biridng and accommodation-tailor-made holiday, September 2009

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Dear Stephen,

Thank you so much for making our recent holiday so enjoyable; it certainly exceeded our expectations.

The combination of your friendly manner, considerate nature, excellent birding skills and local knowledge all contributed to a memorable holiday. Having such good views of Black-winged Kite (a ‘lifer’ for both of us) was a real bonus.

We particularly liked the pace of the holiday and enjoyed the relaxed lunches at local ‘ventas’.

This was our first visit to Andalucia and we definitely intend to return.

Thank you once again,

Brian and Jean Hallam, UK, (Limosa Autumn Raptor Migration Tour, Southern Spain, September 2009)

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Hi Stephen,

Back with a crunch to business of work, eased by fine weather for the past few days so I had a lovely bike ride over the Pentlands to Bavelaw on the Balerno side and back this afternoon.
I want to say a big thank you for a lovely week. As a relative beginner I find many 'ordinary' birds as exciting as the rarities. I finally got a close up view of a sardinian warbler near the top of the rock at Gibraltar. Lots of highlights, I suppose best being the range from firecrest to all the egyptian vultures on the Alcornocales road. I don't particularly count but I think I saw 43 species new to me - not counting the distant ones you identified like the Bonelli's eagle.
I'd love to come back with Fran sometime and stay at Hoopoe Cottage.

Best wishes to you and Patty,

John McLean, Penicuick, Midlothian, (Limosa Autumn Raptor Migration Tour, Southern Spain, September 2009)

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Stephen,

I hope you are keeping well, my apologies for taking so long to get in touch....i just visited your website for the first time, looks really good. Goes to show you what marraige does to you slows ye down!!.......but we have great news, Liz is pregnant and due in may with our honey moon baby. I reckon the good weather and the birdwatchin did the trick. Anyway i just wanted to drop a bell and say hello, we still reckon your trip was one of the top highlights of the holiday, the Alhambra didnt have a look in.....seriously.
So all our love to your family, and if you get the time give me a mail my old Celt, and we'll catch up.

Hasta luego,

Niall and Liz Kane, Ireland, Day Tour, August 2009

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Hi Stephen

Just got your mail as it’s my first day back at work today J. We both enjoyed our trip out with you, thanks for the pictures, I also had a look at those on your blog, they’re great. We had a couple of ‘firsts’ on this trip over to Spain – the Egyptian Vulture and Black shouldered kite with you and then later in the holiday we saw a Black Wheatear, Redstart and we also think we got some Icterine Warblers, a Rufous Bush Robin plus one other unidentified bird which may have been some type of crossbill – we also got great views of the Bee Eaters around Gaucin in the early mornings when they were flying around in the bottom of the valleys rather than miles above our heads, we think we may have seen them leave for Africa as one morning we watched them group together in the sky, the flock then started to fly around in a circle and then two other large flocks appeared and the 3 groups merged together, circled several times and then disappeared out of sight – we didn’t see the Bee Eaters again!
Anyway thanks again Stephen – hope to see you again sometime

Regards

Julie and Pete Martin, UK, Day Tour on The Strait of Gibraltar, August 2009

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Hi Stephen and familia

Hope you have returned safely from the drudgery of having to go to the Caribbean-must have been awful!!

Just to thank you again for our great day out which we hope to do again when we come in October. It would be great as well if you and the family came up to eat with us one night, if you wished to of course.

Best wishes,

David and Dee Griffiths, Northern Ireland, Day tour, June 2009

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Stephen,

I hope you are keeping well, my apologies for taking so long to get in touch....i just visited your website for the first time, looks really good. Goes to show you what marraige does to you slows ye down!!.......but we have great news, Liz is pregnant and due in may with our honey moon baby. I reckon the good weather and the birdwatchin did the trick. Anyway i just wanted to drop a bell and say hello, we still reckon your trip was one of the top highlights of the holiday, the Alhambra didnt have a look in.....seriously.
So all our love to your family, and if you get the time give me a mail my old Celt, and we'll catch up.

Hasta luego,

Niall and Liz Kane, Ireland, Day Tour, August 2009

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Dear Stephen and Patricia,

Just a few lines by way of our recommendation of Hoopoe Cottage......
"I came across Hoopoe Cottage as a result of surfing the internet for news of migrating birds this spring. A friend had invited me to stay with him and his partner and friends at a villa near Nerja, and we were both keen to do at least some birding, and so we wanted up-to-date news before we travelled. Stephen's blog provided just that, but better than that it also provided the basis of an idea for my summer holiday with my young daughters. I contacted Stephen by e-mail, and he was more than helpful, so that everything was quickly sorted out, and 3 or 4 months later, there we were.

Hoopoe Cottage proved the ideal base for the 3 of us, as it offered all the comforts we needed, plus the huge bonus of our 'own' outdoor pool, and terraces. Better still the girls had two playmates to share their days with, and all of us enjoyed the company of Stephen, Patricia and Lucia and Amelia, in and around the pool, and during our shared barbecues. Better, better still, (for me!), Stephen was on hand to provide pertinent bird and wildlife advice, and better, better, better still, (courtesy of Patricia taking all four girls to the nearby beaches and ice-cream parlours of Barbate), he and I were able to get in a few hours birding together in and around the nearby hotspots of the Barbate Estuary and La Janda.

Not that we needed to go that far for good birding; my Hoopoe Cottage list included Red-necked Nightjar, (a tick for me), Short-toed Eagle, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Bee-eater, White Stork, Griffon Vulture, Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, etc.. However, within easy driving distance are lots of areas of good habitat for birds and also other wildlife including, for example, pine and cork oak forests. A highlight was whale-watching in the Strait of Gilbraltar, but we also went cultural one day with a trip to Cadiz. Finally, besides its excellent sandy beaches and ice-cream parlours, Barbate itself offers a refreshing, (if down to earth), alternative to 'Costa del Blackpool' Espana. Most places we went to there and elsewhere were solidly and reassuringly Spanish, (no greasy laminated menus in several North European languages to be seen!), and any tourists appeared to be from Madrid rather than Manchester".

Best wishes,

Brian and Ellen and Tessa Minshull, Edinburgh, Scotland  (Family Holiday, Hoopoe Cottage, July 2009)

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"Hi!

I got home yesterday and have been catching up today. However, I must thank you and Gary (Elton) for a super birding holiday. It's interesting to see how groups adapt and we all got on well - thanks in no small part to the good humour and endless patience of the leaders.
Happy holidays to you and the family and again many thanks for a great holiday and great birds.

Love to all,"

Mabel Rennie, Aberdeenshire, UK (Limosa Holidays Tour to The Bavarian Alps, June 2009)

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"Dear Stephen

I hope your journey home was without problems. Although we had a long wait I did not find it as tiring as the outward journey and we were home by 6pm, our time.
Anyway it was a great holiday and we both enjoyed it very much. Because of all this I have not yet made a start on flower lists although I have found a little book of "Alpenblumen" photos which would have been very useful last Monday.

Thank you again.

Chris & Brian Surfleet, Chester, UK. (Limosa Holidays Tour to The Bavarian Alps, June 2009)

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"Steve,

I enjoyed my holiday so much in Bavaria have now booked up to go to Morocco in October!
Arrived home on Wednesday by 14.30 after a good flight ,weather very rough on arrival and my chauffer and car were waiting.

Thanks for your good service.

Tim Royston, Crawley, Surrey, UK. (Limosa Holidays Tour to The Bavarian Alps, June 2009)

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"Hi Stephen,

Tina & I would like to thank you for a great day birding. We had a wonderful day with some great people. Lunch was good too. I have attached our list for the day and 17 of them were life ticks for me. Once again thanks and be assured I will be singing your praises every where I go.

Regards,"

Adrian and Tina Slater, UK. Day tour on The Strait of Gibraltar area, May 2009)

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"Dear Stephen,

We had a very relaxing week at Hoopoe Cottage in early May 2009, exploring the local pueblos blancos and various rural footpaths and minor roads. Stephen provided an amiable and relaxed morning outing around La Janda and environs that was a balanced approach, catering for my birding aspirations and my wife's general interest in natural history. In summary, a great place to stay with easy access to a wide variety of haunts in the Vejer and Barbarte area."

Richard, Naomi Wilson, Leeds, UK. (Hoopoe Cottage guests, May 2009)

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"Hi Steve

Returned home to very cold conditions and a Giant Petrel's head on my desk (a la Godfather!) but plenty of live birds in the bush (yellow robins, spinebills, and wattle birds). Just a note to say thanks for the great time on the Guadalquivir, hope all is going well and the poms aren't getting you down. I showed a couple of mates your website and they are interested to know the camera and lens you used to get those great flying shots. The little tern blowing its nose is great!

Regards"

Nick Dexter, Department of the Environment, NSW, Australia. (Day Tour to the Guadalquivir area, May 2009)

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"We were so glad we chose to have a couple of days birding with Stephen.

We stayed at Hoopoe cottage for two nights and had two full days with him. Not only is he an excellent birder but fun to be with . He has a very good knowledge of his own patch and knows exactly where to find a whole range of birds. Also very interesting were the different points he made about the local area and we hope to return again. The lunches we had with him in the restaurants at lunch time were very good ... equal to any restaurant we dined in later in Marbella and by far much better value!

We really enjoyed ourselves and hope to see you again.

Regards,"

Yvonne and Geoff Beasley, UK. (Hoopoe Cottage Short Break, March 2009)

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Comments on the Autumn Raptor Migration

"There must be many listeners to Radio 4’s “World on the Move” who have been enthralled by migration and the fact that the smallest of living things has the ability to fly thousands of miles to find food and breed. We would like to encourage you now to forget the armchair and the radio and go to witness the most amazing spectacle; the Autumn migration from Europe to Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Go and stand on the hill over-looking Tarifa, the closest point to the African coast and there, between the Atlas Mountains and the Sierras you will see an astonishing sight: wave after wave of birds, all heading South. Short-toed eagles, booted eagles, black storks, marsh harriers, vultures, kestrels, swallows, swifts and many other species. We tend to see eagles as solitary birds or in pairs – many is the time we have scanned the Scottish Highlands for a glimpse of a Golden or a White-tailed sea eagle with no success. The skies at Tarifa are more crowded than Heathrow on a Friday night with hundreds of birds rather than aircraft stacking to come in.

If the Levante (wind) is blowing, the birds will often come long the coast from the west in large groups, ready to tack across the Strait. If they don’t, and come straight from the north they run the risk of being blown off course into the Atlantic and almost certain death.

So, this is great, you might say, I’d like to see one of nature’s spectacles but I don’t know one eagle from another. No problem! You will if you go with Stephen Daly of Andalucian guides. He will drive you to the best vantage points, keep your bins focused and give you the benefit of his vast knowledge in a patient yet enthusiastic and informative way so that, in a very short space of time you will know how to tell a short-toed eagle from a booted eagle and a griffon vulture from an Egyptian vulture and lots of others besides. The time will literally fly by and just when you are considering that it might be time for a little something, Stephen will take you to one of many restaurants in the area for a satisfying lunch in typical Andalucian style.
There’s more bird watching before you drive back to Barbate where you can stay in Hoopoe cottage in the grounds of his villa and meet Patty, his wife and the girls.

Stephen will also take you out to the west, to the edge of the great marshlands of the Donana National Park. Last week, although neither of us do tick-lists, we couldn’t help counting up when we got back from a trip to the Donana and arrived at a total of around fifty species for the day. These included rarer species like the marbled and white-headed duck; beautiful little birds. But they are all beautiful and it’s such a privilege to see them in the company of such a knowledgeable guide. Stephen is also a great conversationalist, a raconteur and can fill you in on the human history of the area too.

Gibraltar and Sevilla are the closest airports with services direct from the UK and Stephen will book you into a convenient local hotel should you prefer not to do it yourself.

We also highly recommend the Spring migration when you can hear (and sometimes see) nightingales, see rollers and bee-eaters, cuckoos, raptors of all shapes and sizes and dozens of other species …………… Do go! It’s a wonderful experience".

Myra & Phil Miller, London. (Andalucian Guides, Septermber Raptor Migration 2008)

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And.......Some Comments in German

"Lieber Stephen,

Es sind nun schon wieder ein paar Wochen ins Land gezogen, seit ich mit meiner Frau einen wunderbaren Urlub in Südspanien verbrachte.
Der Arbeitsalltag hat uns wieder fest im Griff , daher möchte ich möchte jetzt ein paaa ruhige Minuten nutzen um die schöne Zeit, die wir in Andalusien hatten Revue passieren zu lassen.
Wir waren gekommen um den herbstlichen Vogelzug erstmals zu beobachten, Land und Leute kennenzulernen und Ruhe und – entspannung vom Alltag zu finden. Nun, alle unsere Erwartungen wurden erfüllt, auch dank dir. Da wir noch nie in dieser Gegend waren, hatten wir uns entschlossen, die im Internet angebotenen Dienste von Andalucian Giudes zu nutzen. Eine Entscheidung, die wir niemals auch nur eine Sekunde zu bereuen hatten.
Sehr bequem konnten wir per email die Termine vereinbaren, wobei du uns schon durch einige von dir gemachte Fotos von ziehenden Greifen sehr neugierig auf die Exkursionen gemacht hast. Pünktlich vom Hotel abgeholt, kurze und freundliche Begrüßung und los gings die wunderschönen Landstriche an der Straße von Gibraltar zu erkunden.
Von Beginn an hatten wir eine entspannte, freundliche und sehr angenehme Atmosphäre an beiden Exkursionstagen. Du bist ein hervorragender Guide und zeichnest dich durch sehr gute Kenntnis der Örtlichkeiten, durch Sensibilität und Flexibilität für die Wünsche deiner Kunden und auch durch deine Sprachkenntnisse (Englisch, Deutsch, Spanisch, …) aus. Deinem umfassenden ornithologischem Wissen merkt man an, dass es von früher Kindheit an gepflegt wurde und schlussendlich aus einem Hobby eine Profession wurde. Wir als deine Kunden profitierten davon und konnten dadurch wundervolle Momente erleben die uns noch sehr lange in Errinerung bleiben werden. Bienenfresser die wie Blaumeisen auf dem ausgestreckten Arm sitzen, erfolgreiche Fotopirsch auf den Ziegenmelker, beeindruckende Schwärme von ziehenden Wespenbussarden, Störchen und Schwarzen Milanen sowie ganze Trupps von Schlangenadlern und Zwergadlern sind nur einige Erlebnisse davon.
Bei passender Gelegenheit gibst du aber auch Einblick in die Nicht-Avi-Fauna und Flora, eine gesamt-naturkundliche Sicht die wir zu schätzen wussten.

Wir haben die Exkursionen und den Urlaub wirklich sehr genossen.

Vielen Dank"

Michael Lindermann, Austria. Andalucian Guides, September Raptor Migration 2008

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Hallo Stephen,

Ich hatte das Riesenglück, Daß mein Liebster Michael im Internet Stephen Daly fand und wir im September 2008 unvergeßliche, wunderbare Tage mit diesem profunden Kenner der Vogelwelt verbringen durften!!!
Ich lebe östlich von Wien auf einem Bauernhof und über den Sommer sind viele Zugvögel meine hochgeschätzten Gäste(Mehlschwalbennester unterm Dach, Rauchschwalbennester im Stall, Rotschwanzerl in der Werkstätte, Weißstorch auf Nachbars Schornstein, Bienenfresser im Weingarten, Adler in den Donauauen usw......)
So erfüllten wir uns den Traum mal zu schauen wie so ihre Reise verläuft.....Vielleicht den einen oder anderen am Zug wiederzutreffen;-))))

Michael buchte bei den Dalys online....alles verlief freundlich professionell und reibungslos....Wir landeten Sonntag, Montag früh holte uns Stephen charmant, freundlich, höflich und überpünktlich von unserem wünderschönen Quartier "Palomar de la Brena"(ehemaliger Taubenschlag inmitten eines Schirmpinienwaldes, behutsam revitalisiert,charmant!!)ab.

Empathisch holte er uns nicht nur physisch ab, in einfühlsamen Gesprächen checkte er unsere Erwartungshaltungen, Vorkenntnisse, Wünsche(Michael ist lebenslanger Kenner, ich Anfänger)Er holte jeden von uns genau dort ab wo ers brauchte, ich bekam als Geschenk das Buch "Guide to the Common Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar"was für mich sehr hilfreich und wichtig war und das ich alle zwei Wochen dauernd konsultierte, reinschrieb...TOLL...es liegt nun ein bißl abgegriffen hier neben mir und bedeutet mir sehr viel!Stephen hat damit für mich einen guten Grundstein gelegt, aber auch meine vielen, vielen Fragen wurden GANZHEITLICH, fachlich natürlich unglaublich kompetent(die lebenslange birdwatchingerfahrung Stephens ist für den Kunden ein solches Geschenk!!!)geduldig und so VIELSPRACHIG beantwortet!!!(mühelos switcht Stephen zwischen Englisch, Deutsch, Französisch und spanisch und kennt auch die lateinischen Namen der Vögel)Außerdem führt er in seinem Wagen jede Menge Fachliteratur mit um nachschlagen zu können)

Teilweise stellte ich so spezifische, ganzheitliche Fragen(Meine Tochter ist Tierärztin und absolvierte ein Praktikum in einer Eulen und Greifvogelstation)bezüglich Recherchen, Organisationen, Brutplatzsicherungen Horstbewachungen, Findlingen, Mutationen, Klima.......Stephen hat in jeder Hinsicht den STATE of ART!!Egal was ich fragte, er erklärte geduldig, übersetzte, stellte Zusammenhänge her, ein nährender Austausch. Verblüffend für mich war auch seine excellenten Kenntnisse über Österreichische Besonderheiten, Plätze, Projekte, Zustände........Ja Vögel haben einen weiten Horizont und Stephen ist ein Kosmopolit......hat die Fähigkeit sich in die Metaebene zu begeben.
Auch der gute Kontakt zur lokalen Bevölkerung bereichert alle.

Ja Körper(Stephen zeigte uns Geheimtips um echt phantastisch zu speisen, das Auto war sehr Gemütlich, die Temperatur perfekt.....
Geist und Seele wurden bestens genährt!Niemals hätte ich erwarte wirklich Alle Vögel persönlich beobachten zu können, es ist eingetroffen und sogar noch mehr.....Alle Arten zeigten sich, weil Stephen uns die besten Plätze zeigte und uns völlig selbstlos alle Insiderinformationen weitergab-

Zudem ist Stephen mit einer Fähigkeit ausgestattet die mich sehr fasziniert, ich nenne es den siebenten Sinn!Er spürt meiner Meinung nach ganz deutlich wenn ihn ein Vogel beobachtet!Kongenial spürt ER die Anwesenheit So passierte es z.B. oftmals während der Autofahrt, daß Stephen uns , während ER den Wagen lenkt, einen Vogel zeigte der für mich stehend und mit Gucker, wegen der perfekten Camouflage, erst nach dreimaliger Erklärung sichtbar war(grauer Steinkauz auf grauem Stein, Ziegenmelker im Gebüsch........)Riesengeschenk für die im Auto befindlichen!Nie hätte ich all diese wunderbaren Geschöpfe so wahrgenommen, und Stephen macht das alles behutsam und achtsam ohne die Vögel zu stören. Authentizität ist sowieso eine hervorragende Eigenschaft Stephens (Ich fühlte mich sehr privilegiert seine wunderbare Frau Patricia und seine Elfenhaften entzückenden Töchter Amelia&Lucia kennenlernen zu dürfen)Hier wird Naturverbundenheit, Liebe und Achtsamkeit einfach GELEBT.Leider war das Gästehaus schon belegt, ein energetisch phantastischer Platz!Na nächstes mal!

In Österreich sind wir ja verwöhnt was Freundlichkeit, Service, Charme, Höflichkeit, Fachkompetenz usw. anbelangt..All das ist für Stephen Daly sowieso selbstverständlich, Er berührt Alle Sinne und hat mir eine Welt der Vogelbeobachtung erschlossen, für die ich ihm sehr dankbar bin!

Guides gibt es viele, aber nur einen Stephen Daly!!!!DANKESCHÖN


Petra Kropil Regelsbrunn, Austria. (Andalucian Guides, September Raptor Migration 2008)

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"Hello Stephen

Sorry for the delay in replying to you after our holiday!

We would like to thank you for the most marvellous day out bird watching with you in Tarifa. As it was our first professional bird watching trip you undoubtedly noticed how inexperienced we were with the use of our spanking brand new equipment and also with the identification of species that we have only ever looked at in books. We are more used to the humble blue tits, the odd sparrow hawk and occasional goldfinches that visit our garden in the spring and winter months than watching the Griffon Vultures perching on the edge of a cliff face or the Short-toed Eagles and Harriers swooping across the rice fields.

What an experience we had with you on a day that started off with heavy clouds and threatening skies before dashing along the coast road to follow the most promising break of sky in the distance. We were well rewarded with your persistence and knowledge of the area when after a welcome morning coffee break, followed by a superb local lunch in the mid afternoon (which was a vast improvement on the poor quality fare on offer in the touristy Costa’s I hasten to add) we turned off the road into the fields to enjoy the most wonderful day we have ever had in the pursuit of our feathered friends. All throughout the afternoon your enthusiasm for the sheer enjoyment of birds rubbed off on us, pointing out and directing us with our scopes and binoculars to see such a mixed variety of species that we never get the chance to see in Britain. We did manage to spot the odd thing you didn’t and although we couldn’t identify it, we soon realised that a Grey Shrike was something special when you excitedly jumped from the car into a ditch standing underneath the tree where it was resting and then following it along the telephone wires with your camera to try and get a good picture. We hope you managed it and will be able to see the evidence on your website in the future knowing that we played a tiny part in your success (the emphasis being on tiny!)

We hope that we will be able to join you in the future for another exciting trip as we learnt such a lot from you, and that one day we will to be able to identify on sight birds that are outside of our everyday experience. You have given us the confidence to carry on in an interest that we have both always had but have had little time to pursue. We came home with the resolution to make time, as bird watching for us is a sheer joy.


Thank you for your good company, knowledge, patience and enthusiasm for the day we shared with you. Although you must have done this sort of trip a million times before for us it was a trip in a million.

Kindest Regards

Angela and Mike Lomax"  UK (Andalucian Guides Day's Birding and Wildlife Tour, September, 2008 )

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"Dear Stephen,

I thought I'd let any potential clients know what it's like to spend a day out with you.....

 - Another great day with Stephen. The bird life in Andalucia is amazing – but having someone to take you to the best locations, help with some of the more tricky identification and provide an endless source of useful bird and local information makes the twitching even more memorable. I visit friends in Medina Sidonia once a year and a trip out with Stephen is always on the itinerary. Treat yourself, you won’t be disappointed!”

Rich Cole, UK. (Andalucian Guides Day's Birding and Wildlife Tour, June, 2008 )

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Copy of letter sent to The Travelling Naturalist

"Dear Travelling Naturalist,

As the Bavarian holiday was a first timer, I thought It might be helpful I gave further comment than the form (you sent to each of us after the holiday)

allows.

First of all, it was abrilliant trip. The weather wasn't always good but it in no way spoilt the enjoyment. We saw lots of very different habitats. The flowers were unbelievable  and the hotel was the nicest I've ever stayed in! The staff were especially friendly and helpful and the view from the dinning-room was spectacular. You could see Goosanders swimming past and Honey Buzzards fly overhead as you had dinner and the food we had was delicious!

The leader of course is all important as to whether a holiday is successful or not. Stephen is an exceptionally good leader and he is a very caring, friendly person with lots of patience. His knowledge of the birds is excellent as is his command of the German language and local knowledge.

All in all, it was one of the best week's I've had in a long time.

Best wishes,

Celia Paterson , Madrid, Spain. (LimosaHolidays/Travelling Naturalist Tour to The Bavarian Alps, June 2008)

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"Dear Stephen,

I am writing to let you know how much I enjoyed the week in the bavarian Allps with you and 'the group' in June this year.

It is a wonderful area for wildlife and the perfect time of the year to observe birds, butterflies, dragonflies and plant-life. The Alpine flowers were a treat, at or near their blooming peak (pardon the pun), while the flowering meadows in the valleys and lower areas were spectacular.

At the end of each day it was good to 'come home' to the warm welcome and excellent food at our hotel overlooking the lake at Kochel-am-See.

Thank you for looking after us so well, Stephen.

With very best wishes,

Cherry Taylor, Market Herborough, Leicestershire. UK (LimosaHolidays/Travelling Naturalist Tour to The Bavarian Alps, June 2008)

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"Dear Stephen,

I have to say it was wonderful time in your house and I would like to spend much more time there, but you know, we have to work!

Thanks for all your hospitality.
Wish you and your family happy Easter.
Dr. Ladislav Vit and two friends, Plzen, Czech Republic. (Hoopoe Cottage guests with a weeks birding, March 2008)

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"Dear Stephen,

Many thanks again for your invaluable contribution to making last week's birding such a success. It was a great holiday and I thought the whole group got on together very well.
I checked my books on the Peninsular War and found out that Wellington had his headquarters for a time at Finca Santa Marta (almost!). After defeating the French at Talavera, he was in a numerically weaker position than the French who were moving armies south to cut his line of communication with Lisbon. He had to hurriedly get his army south of the Tajo at Arzobispo in August 1809 and then marched by side roads to regain the main highway to Badajoz at Jaraicejo. The Light Brigade crossed the hills to secure the bridge at Almaraz before the French advance guard got there. Wellington then camped for several weeks north of Trujillo before finally retreating to Portugal behind the Lines of Torres Vedras.

Many thanks,

Mary Vitoria-Ashwin, Norfolk, UK. (Spanish Steppes in Autumn - Limosa Holidyas tour to Extremadura, November 2007)

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"Dear Steve,

You said one evening at Finca Santa Marta that you would let us have some of your photos. Is it posssible to have a couple of crane shots? They are what I will remember best about the tour.
I am sorry I didn't get a chance to thank you at the airport. Your input made a great difference to the enjoyment of this particular not-really-a-bird-watcher participant!
Regards,
Marion (& Brian)Emes, York, UK (Spanish Steppes in Autumn - Limosa Holidyas tour to Extremadura, November 2007)

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Thanks Stephen,

we arrived home safe. would also like to thank you for your expertise on Bird watching. we realy enjoyed it.
Kind Regards

Chris and Linda Syms, Wales. (Hoopoe Cottage guests and one day's guiding, October 2007)

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"Hi Stephen !

We landed safely last tuesday in Amsterdam and had a wonderfull time not only because of the nice wetter we had all the time.
Thank you again for the nice stay in the Hoopoe and the showing of the birds in La Janda, Bonanza etcetc
It was really a great time also for Nancy who was with me for the first time in a birding holiday- she enjoyed it also very much.
After we left your place with a stop at the Laguna Medina(many w.headed ducks and little grebes) we went off for El Rocio ( 1 Squacco !!!) and stayed two nights and had only a halve day birding tour from Alex.
But ok we had also bad luck because of the heavy wind but saw approx 3000 Cranes and many Greylag Geese, also 1 flock of 82 StoneCurlew- 1 sat stuck in the wire and we thought it was death but as we approached it opened the eyes and we took it off and let it on the ground for surviving or for the red kites(many seen of the) We saw 1 Spanish Imperial Eagle on the ground, found the only saw 2 hoopoes, some litte owls, black sh.kite, goshawk etc.
We ended up with 187 species so we donot complain about our list. Many thanks,

Jacob de Vries and Nancy Bergman, Terschelling, Holland. ( Hoopoe cottage guests and two days birding, October 2007)

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"After a lifetime spent birding in the States, my first opportunity to view European species occurred when my daughter moved to Gibraltar. We joined Stephen for two days in September in beautiful Andalucia to witness the annual fall migration. Our tour set an extraordinarily high standard for all future birdwatching: 27 life birds on the first day in the eastern side of the Parque Nacional de Donana at Sanlucar, with flocks of migrating flamingos and eurasian spoonbills, rare marbled and white-headed ducks, 26 life birds the following day in Tarifa and La Janda with thrilling views of hundreds of raptors and kettles of white and black storks soaring against a backdrop of cumulus clouds.

Enormous thanks, Stephen, for sharing your telescopic vision and your love of the Spanish countryside.

Cheers -

Tally and Allison Spadone, NYC, USA. (Two days Raptor Migration, September 2007)

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"Hi Stephen

hope you had a lovely holiday,many thanks for taking care of my booking i had a brilliant day and saw lots of birds all new to me. The G spotted cuckoo was brilliant aslo the ''BLUE CHICKEN'' as you called it. I think you have it trained to appear when you arrive!
El Palomar hotel was brilliant, dovecot was something else
once agian many thanks and i will contact you again
for another trip in the future
Peter Rooney, Ireland. (Day Tour, June 2007)

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"Dear Steve,

Many thanks for your excellent leadership on our holiday to Extremadura and the Gredos Mountains last week and for all the fun and humour that made it a happy and memorable holiday.

Great to have met you and hopefully one day we shall be on another trip you are leading.

Enjoy your next trip and all the best from us both,

Fran and Angie Allen, Jersey. (Limosa, Extremadura and The Sierra de Gredos Tour, May 2007)

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Stephen,

Lorraine and I had a marvellous holiday with you in Turkey, and would like to thank you for your super guiding and arrangements. A very agreeable bunch of fellow travellers, lots of birds and splendid weather. We both learnt a lot and I got lots of photos some of which are very promising although I haven’t had time to do more than a brief look and keywording.

Attached is one 'bird' known as ‘nymph’ and I shall send you some more for comment shortly.

All best wishes.

Harold & Lorraine Ludman, London. UK. (Andalucian Guides Tour to SW Turkey April 2007)

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"Hi Stephen,

I hope that things are well with you and your family. I have been remiss in thanking you for the great time we had, Ruth Ann and I during our birding trip in March.
I have attached a few of the most noteworthy photos that I took during our trip. The griffon vulture was awe-inspiring. The hoopoe was icing on the cake.
The kestrel was taken in Calahonda, just as it launched itself from a balcony railing.
If we're ever in your neck of the woods, we'll make sure to drop in and say hi.
Best wishes,
Dan and Ruth-Ann Beaudry, Ottowa, Canada (Hoopoe Cottagge guests and day tour clients, March 2007)

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"Dear Stephen,

A rather belated thank you for a really fantastic holiday 7-14 April. I was reminded of you when I caught the end of "The Chateau" on the
television tonight. Quite ghastly!! You rather rashly offered to send a couple of bird photos from our holiday if we sent you an email. Absolutely no hurry though - I know how busy you are. I see from the BirdGuides website that we have an influx of Glossy Ibis near Slimbridge and there are a couple of hoopoes in Hampshire but I have no inclination to go and see them - it was so much nicer to see them in their proper surroundings in Spain.
Thanks again for a really memorable first birding holiday abroad.
Best wishes,
Sarah Priest, Newbury, UK (Limosa Extremadura and Andalucia in Spring, April 2007)

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"Hi Stephen!

Hope you arrived back safely at Gibraltar. Just a short note to thank you both for yet another inspiring birding holiday! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I feel that I am making a bit of progress in that I can recognise a few more LBJs and also learning how to spot some waders. When we get back from Canada we shall make a trip to the east or west coast to 'do waders'!!
We are now back up north and I must say that the weather has been beautiful since we got back; lots of blossom trees out (have'nt seen it like this before) makes it more difficult to spot those birds!! Not as warm as Turkey or S. Spain, but good enough for Yorkshire!!!
Thank you both once again for a really enjoyable birding holiday. As always we learnt alot and of course really enjoyed your company!! Hope to see you both,maybe in September to tie in with the migration.
Lots of love xxx
Jill and Dave McDougall, West Yorkshire, UK (Andalucian Guides Tour to SW Turkey April 2007)

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"Dear Stephen,

We wish to express our appreciaton of the excellent Turkish tour we so much enjoyed recently. Good birds, accommodation, food and transport.
Ray's birthday lunch much enjoyed particularly the onion. How did you guess it was just what he wanted?
We now have at least 12 new species to add to our list.
Many thanks once again.
Best wishes
Ray and Vanda Balfour, Cambridge, UK. (Andalucian Guides Tour to SW Turkey April 2007)

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"Hi Stephen,

Hope you got back OK. I am here in Rome after another excellent few hours in Istanbul. Many thanks to you for a most enjoyable week of birding. It is really late so I will not write at length - just wanted to send you the bird list. Catch up again soon.
Love to you all - hugs all round. X
Jenny Heney, Rome, Italy, (Andalucian Guides Tour to SW Turkey April 2007)

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"Hullo,

Trust your trips went according to plan, perhaps your still away, writing to say thank you for our tour earlier this month. Still persevering with language, however I dont think Castillian cuts much ice in Andulcia!
Anyway, have good season, best regards to Dr Knapp.
The last meal in Zahara was a very kind thought, great to sample new food etc.
Best of luck
Waine Foster, Welsh-Wales, (Andalucian Guides Spring Migration Tour, Donana & The Strait, April 2007)

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"Dear Patty and Stephen,

Thanks for being such pleasant hosts. We really enjoyed our stay at Hoopoe Cottage and really appreciated Patty's friendly and welcoming style. Next time I will have to come on a trip with Stephen booked and really get among the elusive Andalusian species which seemed to elude me this time.

I wonder if Stephen might look at these two photos for me. One is of a beautiful and strange looking flower which we found at our walk from the hotel in the Barbate woods and the second is of a flock of 23 raptors seen on our evening drive through the marshes. Are they all kites?

Oh yes, one last favour to ask Patty. You remember that I lost a coat with my car keys in? Well I was so sure that I didn't take it to Barbate that first evening but having drawn a total blank with the airlines and airport I now begin to wonder and kick myself for not at least checking the restaurant. El Rufio??? I would be very grateful if you could give them a ring and ask, just in case. It was a white coat, nylon, zip up, with a bunch of house and car keys in one pocket and a pair of sunglasses in the other.Finally, I attach my "blog" for this trip to give you a flavour of our feelings. Once again, thanks for all your help and kindness.

Jay Nicholson, Kent UK. (Hoopoe Cottage guest, April 2007)

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"Hi Stephen,

Trust that you are able to get a little rest and relaxation between trips. Thanks for your hard work on the recent Limosa trip to Spain - it was much appreciated (can you just fix the weather next time though !!). If you could send me some bird photos I would be grateful.
Thanks.

Sue and Martyn Cligg UK. (Limosa Extremadura and Andalucia in Spring, April 2007)

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"Dear Stephen,

Thanks for a great week in Spain - hope Turkey and Austria trips go well.
Any photographs very welcome to add to your good efforts and my dismal attempts with my digital camera.
Did I notice an unmentionable bird on the web site?
John and Kate Barlow, Sunderland, UK. Limosa Extremadura and Andalucia in Spring, April 2007)

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"Hi Stephen,

Just a quick message to thank you for the weeks holiday in Andalucia. I had a great time. Seeing 40 new species was excellent, and I really enjoyed the concentrated bird watching. I have a family who will tolerate me bird watching for a few hours, and then they get fed up and tempers get frayed!, so it was a treat to spend so much time without a complaint..
I hope you had a good week in the Extramadura.
Last week I was in Applecross with my family and I saw some good birds. Great northern divers and a golden eagle being the best, also our friend the wheatear(northern variety).
The weather in Scotland is just extraordinary at the moment. No rain for a month and extremely warm, hot even. People are looking very tanned! Everything is at least 3 weeks ahead , I just hope we don't get a frost.
Best wishes,

Christina Macmillan, Aberdeenshire, UK. (Spring Migration Tour with Andalucian Guides 2007)

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"Stephen,

I just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you for the time that we spent with you birding around the Cadiz province. We both really enjoyed the birding and were very grateful of all your help and advise whilst we were there. The food at the restaurant on the Sunday was really lovely and some of the best that we experienced the week that we were in Spain.

We both still have a lot to learn as birders, but we both felt that we had picked up some more tips and tricks - we just wish we were there for the migration. I have just seen your photo of the Egyptian Vulture crossing into Spain which looks fantastic. Still in a few more years, we will not have our holidays dictated to us by the school holidays and then we should be able to get back mid March when the migration is in full flow.

After leaving you on the Tuesday, we headed north around Ronda & Teba and managed to pick up on about another 10 birds for our list despite the mixed weather. The hotels were great and the mountains were awesome - some of the best scenery we have seen in Spain when we crossed through the mountains from Medinia Sedonia through to Ronda.

All the best and we hope that we can catch some more birding with you again in the future.
Regards, Peter

Peter & Jennifer Tennant, Huddersfield, UK (Three days birding, February 2007)

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"Dear Stephen,

We really did enjoy our day with you on Friday and hope that we can repeat this next time we are in Vejer.Thank you so much for a lovely time.
Thanks also for your Christmas wishes and we wish you and your family eine frohe Weinachten und alles gute im Neujahr.
Hope to see you next year
Rosalind and Mike Clough, St Ives, UK. (Day Tour December 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

I'm sorry to have rushed off at Schiphol airport, but there was a particular train I needed to catch from Kings Cross, and fortunately I made it. I very much appreciate all the work you put into the trip, which for me was very rewarding. In sheer numbers I added about 10 new birds to those I've ever seen, and some of the sights were ones never to be forgotten.
You mentioned the possibility of sending me a photo of the red throated diver. I wonder if I could also ask for one of the owls if you have one. Maureen, my partner, is most envious of the latter and it might serve to encourage her to think in terms of the rewards to be gained from enduring a certain amount of wind and cold. I think of myself as a bit of a fair weather birdwatcher, but for her this is certainly true.
All best wishes,
Tony Wooton, UK, (Limosa/Travelling Naturalist "Wild Goose Chase" Holland Winter 2006)

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"Hi Stephen

Just a quick note to say thanks again for looking after us and for two good days exploring your area. We had an interesting day out around the Salinas north of Bonanza, quite different to what we have seen previously. We must arrange a trip to coincide with the migration some time.
It was nice to meet Patty and the girls and thanks for your hospitality and kind invitation to your BBQ, I'll look out for some German wheat beer having sampled it at your's.
We're rapidly settling back in, parrots collected, foxes waiting for us on our return and rest of the entourage slowly returning. Very hot + humid here since we returned, just having a last UV blast between beers, watering and BBQ, work tomorrow for me and no doubt more sun for Sheila.
Don't forget the offer if you do decide to come to the Bird Fair, it will be good to see you again. In the meantime all the best and thanks again.
Ian and Sheila" Appleton Melton-Mowbray, UK. (Two day Birding Tour, July 2006)

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"THANK YOU!

You are probably thinking 'about time too'!!
Many apologies Stephen for not getting in touch earlier - no excuses. very lazy when it comes down to using the computer!
Just to say thanks again for a great day out at the beginning of June whilst we were staying at Medina Sidonia.
We are still talking about some of the birds and scenery that we saw that day - so very often trips are pretty unmemorable but yours was far from that. a really special day during a really relaxing week in the area.
Thanks again and look froward to hearing from you in the future.
regards
Ann and Chris Brentnall" ,UK. (Day Tour - Birding and Wildlife, June 2006)

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"Morning Stephen,

Thanks once again for a fantastic afternoon. We all really enjoyed it and spent a lot of time talking about it afterwards. You are truly gifted in what you do and have a fantastic way of imparting information about the birds in an informative and enthusiastic way without alienating people that are very green to the subject (me!)
Cheers,
Kirsty" Biston, Medina -Sidonia, Andalucia, Spain. ( Birding and Wildlife Day tour, June 2006)

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"Dear Stephen

Life rather quickly reverted to fast pace on our return but have had a look at the website. It was lovely to look at your wonderful photography as it transported me instantly to our wonderful trips. It is now on my favourites bar and as suggested I will dive in from time to time. I do not think Peter has got there yet as he has been head down and has yet to come up for air.
Thank you for your great introduction to birds of southern Spain it was fantastic and I hope we may return.
The journey back to the airport went very well until we had a flat tyre on the outskirts of Malaga, about 5 mins drive from the airport, while searching for a petrol station . We then found, for different reasons, that neither of our phones were operational so that certainly taxed Peter's Spanish and sign language skills to their limit but all ended well.
Have a good summer.
Chris" and Peter Bachelor, London, UK (Two day's birding and Wildlife, June 2006)

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"Dear Stephen

Jill and I caught a train within 15min and were in Atocha station 50 mins later. We hope you had as equally a straightforward journey to the airport and on to Jeréz.
We just want to say how much we enjoyed our week’s birding in Extremadura. I don’t think either of us realised how much actual bird-watching there would be and the amount of new birds that we would see. We now have to revisit our sightings with the Collins and try to assimilate some of the vast input of the week. Our thanks go to you for the way you patiently dealt with some of our more obvious questions and for your good company and friendship throughout the week.

Anyway a big thank you once again.
Abrazos de
Dave & Jill" McDougall, Maidstone, UK. (Extremadura and Avila Tour May 2006)

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"Stephen,

Thanks for an excellent holiday. Weather, birds and scenery were outstanding and gave us a very favourable impression of " real Spain " as did the accommodation. We found the organisation and day to day leadership excellent with an enjoyable atmosphere with all the party. Our thanks to you for all your hard work. your patience and good humour was greatly appreciated. A quick trip out today gave us buzzard, various gulls and geese, little egret and green headed duck but no vultures or bustards.
many thanks.

John and Ann" Dawson, Chester, UK. (Extremadura and Avila Tour May 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

Great hol and you guided brilliantly with fantastic birdie views for all - your best attribute - one of them anyway!
We and especially I am much refreshed and keep looking in the sky for something interesting - we did have a red kite at Harewood Hall in Yorkshire though! Ron is also in good form and reminiscing about the wonderful species we saw.
What a super group of people you gathered and sorry ken and sheila couldn't share it too - they would I am sure have loved it. James is very jealous and also most interested - we would all 3 love to join you again next year- I wonder if the smiths might too, that would be even better. I have a few good piccies but also a lot of pixel ones.Tell the dates soonest if you plan one if we are invited!
love,

liz and Ron" McClure, Chester, UK.(Extremadura and Avila Tour May 2006)

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"Good evening Stephen,

Sorry for the delay in writing to you but it has been rather hectic here since we last saw each other.

Val and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for the excellent 2 day bird tour we had with yourself in May this year. Considering the weather conditions, high winds and being shot blasted by the dust and sand, we had a wonderful time. We really appreciated all your
efforts to ensure we got good value for money and I must say you took us to some of the most beautiful places where we saw a great variety of birds some of which we had never seen before. The highlights for us were the Griffin Vulture chick on the nest, the Bonelli's Warbler, the Glossy Ibis and the Calandra Lark to name but a few. I must say, we never expected to get so much pleasure from seeing the Calandra Lark and the Tawny Pipit. All in all, we had a great time and your choice of watering holes on route only added to it. We enjoyed it so much we would like to join you again in September for one of your migration tours. We will also be down in Sotogrande again from 21st June - 2nd July and wondered if you had room for one person on a day trip during this period.

Kind regards,
Glyn  and Val "Cork, UK. (two days birding in May 2006)

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"Hi Stephen,

I have not forgotten about you, but I've been up to my eyeballs in work and school since my return!
First, I want to reiterate that I thoroughly enjoyed birding with you, and hope to do so again in the future. Depsite the levante wind that was blowing hard for two of our three days, you were able to find several special birds that I was hoping to see, particularly the Rufous Bushchats that were bouncing around the sheltered valley. However, I think the bird of the trip had to be the three Red-necked Nightjars that flew around us and displayed the first evening - what a treat!
Good birding and all the best to your family.
Bob Orenstein Atlanta USA (four day spring tour of Andalucia May 2006)

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"Hi Stephen,

It was a lovely surprise to receive your e-mail with the photos of our day out which brought back pleasant memories of our holiday. We have been keeping up to date with your newsletter and have to say that your web-site is really first class and improving all the time. The e-mail with the bird photographs has not arrived yet but if they are half as good those on the web they willbe worth waiting for.
Best wishes to you, Patti and children.

Dot and Roy Ledgerton, Essex, UK  (Hoopoe Cottage and day tours April 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

This is to let you know that we arrived home safely at the planned time after a pleasant journey and enjoy reminiscing on events of the period.
Freda and I wish to convey to you our gratitude and appreciation for the very pleasant and enjoyable tour. It was well organised and executed and at an affordable price. We discoved some of the delights and interesting aspects of the Donana, Parque de Naturale, Cadiz province, including the Laguna de Medina and many other highlights too numerous to mention.

The topics seen and observed were as diverse as the terrain, with a particular continuous well informed focus on the Fauna and Flora of each location.

The daily de-briefing was particularly helpful in memorising the amazing variety of birds immediately and positively identified extending to almost 150 different species, the largest of which are strangers to the more temperate zone of the UK to which we are accustomed.
With your kind help and guidance, we were able to flavour some thing of the culture and lifestyle of the areas visited for the first time and enjoyed every minute of the experience which now, as always seems to have been so brief.

We were particularly pleased to meet the lovely family (for which our parting gesture at the Airport was designed) and wish them all well in days ahead with encouragement in your admirable efforts in the realm of care and provision. Please convey our greetings to Pattie.

We hope it may be possible to meet up again sometime in the future, or at least keep in touch after a very enjoyable tour.

Again, thank you.
Yours sincerely,

Rollo & Freda Wallis, West Sussesx, UK (Spring Birding and Wildlife Tour April 2006)

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"Hello Stephen,

We all arrived safe and sound at Heathrow on Sunday to be greeted by driving rain and 9 degrees! We nearly went over to the departure lounge!
We enjoyed our week enormously and want to thank you for everything including your patience in showing us birds that took us, particularly Myra, a long time to see. There were so many highlights that it's almost impossible to say what we liked best but the little owls and the nightingales have to be somewhere near the top, as do the bee-eaters, the black-eared wheat-ears, all the raptors and the wonderful landscapes, including the beach at Zahara and not forgetting the Donana itself which was magic!
We also enjoyed meeting your lovely family and would hope to again one day.
We will send photos as soon as Phil has got them organised.
Love and best wishes,

Myra and Phil" Miller, London, UK (Limosa Holidays/Travelling Naturalist Spring Tour to Southern Spain, April 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

This is just to say how much the four of us enjoyed our day out with you. It was a superb start to our week in Andalucia.I also enjoyed your trip report. Also, Thank you very much for booking the Almadraba for us. It was great and we couldn't believe the bill! I'm sure we will come again.
We also had an excellent day out with Stephen Knapp. Please tell him so when you see him.
Many thanks

Ann (the tall ex-Doctor)" Lancashire, UK. (Two days Birding on the Strait of Gibraltar, March 2006)

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"Dear Stephen

A very belated thank you for the wonderful days out in March, and our names in "print" in your news report. As well as enjoying the local area it was very interesting going further a field to the Coto Donana.
Hope you and your family had a good Easter break. We have a busy few months ahead but will keep watching the web site and if time and funds allow we might get back to Spain in September - if we do we will contact you before we decide on dates.
Again many thanks to both of you
Kind regards
Gill & John Henley", N.London, UK (Two days in Spring - Birding and Wldlife, March 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

It is over a week since my day of seeing your wonderful array of wildlife. The birds were intriguing and certainly made the largest contribution to my enjoyment. However, being a countryman at heart, I could not help taking in and equally enjoying the great variety of countryside - domestic animals, crops, trees and bushes. There is so much to see and I would have missed most of it had it not been for Stephen Knapp. Please thank him
Now that I am back home amidst our more sparse and mediocre collection of birds it is evident that our Goldfinches are more colourful with a background of snow!!

Thank you and regards to you both.

Yours aye,Alex ( Akki ) R. Manson. ", Aberdeenshire, UK. (Day Tour, March 2006)

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"Dear Stephen,

Here is something for your guestbook:

Spending six hours of a lovely early spring day with Stephen were really great. We did see so many birds: Northern Wheatears and a Black-eared Wheatear, a Subalpine Warbler, Lesser Kestrels, Short-toed Eagles, Booted Eagles (both phases), Black Kites, Common Buzzards and Hundreds of Griffon Vultures. My wife liked the Purle Swamp Hens, I got really exited watching a Black Shouldered Kite as good as never before in my life - hunting for about ten minutes directly above us! Nice and close impressions of Hoopoes and Calandra, Thekla and Crested Larks and Little Owl. And what is the best, is Stephen himself: He avoided silly talking, entertained and informed in a really amazing and interesting way. So we would think about spending a whole week with him. We will come back soon.
Best regards,

Robert and Nicole from Wuppertal, Germany" (Day Tour, March 2006)

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"Thanks for a great day out Stephen - we both really enjoyed it, plus I think we managed in our 3 days to see well over half the birds (non-passerines at least) on my list. Flamingoes, Little Bittern, White-headed Duck, Night Heron and Black-necked grebes were nice additions on the way back to Seville. All in all a fantastic trip.
I have a feeling you will be seeing us again one of these days.
Hope your Moroccan trip goes well!
Thanks again
Peter Humphreys", New York State, USA. (Day Tour, March 2006)

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"Just to say "Muchos Gracias" Stephen for the splendid days birding we had last week. You certainly know every nook and cranny of your area. I was most impressed with your ability to find all the birds that we wanted to see and got more into the bargain! Mary sends her regards and thanks for the lovely photos of the Little Owl. I never knew there were so many in southern Spain. We will be thinking about renting Hoopoe Cottage sometime in the future if you can send us some deatils.

All the best

Jack and Mary Graham", Newcastle, UK (Day Tour March 2006)

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Hi Stephen,

Just go back to mountains of mail but thought we'd write and thank you so much for the 2 fantastic days birding on the Strait of Gibraltar. I lost count of the numbers of Little Bustards we saw flying about the lovely landscape and sitting in the meadows too!!- really wonderful! The Black Vulture and the Bonelli's Eagles in the countryside and the Bald Ibis flying along the cliffs were all great memories of birds I thought I'd never see. Thank you again for your patience and good humour!

We will both be back again that's for certain.

Keep up the good work

Best wishes for the future,

James and Anne Bolton", London, UK (Day Tour, December 2005)

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"Hi Stephen,

Thanks you so much for showing us such a beautiful area. The mountains that literally come right down to the sea and the awesome background of Morocco across the water really will stick in our minds as being memories of a great time in Spain. I mustn't forget the birds! Something special for both of us were the seventy or so Little Bustards on the ground in that field and more flying overhead were wonderful. So many Eagles and White Storks flying around in your area - and great close-up views too! My favorite birds were the Little Owls in the country, and the Tawny Owls in the woods near your home - Jake liked the Griffon Vultures. We hope the Bald Ibis introduction is a success for your Spanish colleagues too. Wish them every success with the project and we felt privileged to see these strange but beautiful birds!

Keep up the great work!

Best regards,

Alice and  John ("Jake") Black, Newark, NJ USA. ( Two day Tour, October 2005)

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"Hi Stephen,

Greetings from rainy Tokyo! Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say how much Adrian and I enjoyed our time with you in Andalucia. Great birds, great food, great scenery! Adrian has not stopped talking about the trip and has already bought bins and the Mullarney guide!.. For my part, the birding was great as was the company! I will definitely be in touch when I am coming out next to do an Extremadura trip with you. Be warned though..I checked when I got back and I have over 30 targets! With these ins and outs I saw 16 life birds and 20 of my targets-pretty darn good. Add that to some crippling views of some very cool birds (my favorite was the Audouin's Gull-great bird, great spot, best time of day) and you lead an awesome trip!

Anyway, hope you and the family are well and that you had a good visit from your brother. I will be in touch when my next visit to your part of the world is set.

All the best,

Jeff Peters", Boston, Mass. USA and Adrian Misarti, Ovierto, Umbria, Italy. (Four day Tour, October 2005)

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"Dear Stephen

We thoroughly enjoyed the day and got exactly what we wanted from it in terms of more knowledge about the area.

We caught up with the cranes later in the week and realised, of course, that what I seen as flamingos earlier had in fact been cranes. We also tested the speed with which the lagoon can fill when the tide turns; I hadn't realised that Jeannine can still be quite nimble when necessary. We finally decided to retrace some of the steps that you had shown us on the Tuesday and, naturally, got hopelessly lost. We did provide some entertainment for the locals who watched us drive down roads that they knew to be dead-ends then waved cheerfully as we passed them again five minutes later.

All in all we really enjoyed the week finding it an infinitely preferable time of year to August; we are now tempted to visit in April sometime but this is unlikely to be next year.

We did have one down side that you might help me with. We visited Barbate marshes for the main road using the tracks that you had advised and enjoyed an hour or so of pleasurable birding. On walking down one of the lesser tracks I was attracted to some melodious whistling which I quickly discerned was coming from caged birds, accompanied by a number of men stringing nets. Naturally we quickly departed but I found it quite unacceptable that trapping appears to be accepted within a Parque national and would like to write to the appropriate authorities to express my feelings. As a non-resident I can probably do this without compromising myself. What would help me is if you could suggest to whom I should write, including the local authority copied to the state authority, National authority and even the appropriate office within the EC. Any advice that you can provide on this would be most welcome - I can make quite a nuisance of myself if the mood takes me!With best regards from sunny Huddersfield,

Alf and Jeannine King", Huddersfield, UK ( Day Tour, September 2005)

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"Hi Stephen

Thanks again for two very enjoyable / informative days out, we enjoyed your company and we'll do it again sometime. Thanks also for the photos they're very good. Sorry we haven't replied earlier but its been mental since we got back, next week-end will be the first we've had free since we got back
See you have updated your web site and recognise some of the photos! We will be at the Bird Fair and hope to see you there.
Best Wishes,
Ian and Sheila Appleton", Melton-Mowbray, UK. (Two day Tour, July 2005)

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"Dear Patricia and Stephen,

yes, we arrived at home tonight, after a very fine day in Cadiz, too, a beautiful and characteristic city with friendly and happy inhabitants (and with parakeets nesting in the palms in the city parks, as well as amazon parrots and other parrots ...)

We are very happy for the stay at Hacienda Sajorami, and the birdwatching with Stephen.

The photos that have arrived, are wonderful, and they stimulate for further study and maybe we will have the opportunity to go with Stephen once again.
Also the German couple, Jürgen and Hilde, with whom we got very good contact during the birdwatching with Stephen, and after that during some glasses of Tio Pepe in the sunset after the return to Hacienda Sajorami: They told me that they were interested to know if I would go on at an other excursion with Stephen at some time in the future - I think that they also would like to consider to join if something like that would materialize once in the future.

Louise, too, is very happy with the experiences from the bird-watching trip with Stephen, and especially the flocks of bee-eaters that left their final take-off point for the crossing over to Africa (from the vulture cliff), was a great sight for her.

Just now, I am into my school for some hours where I can use the internet. Tomorrow I will end the summer holiday, and will be on the internet during the working time, until regular connection is restored at home so that I can be online all the day and night again.
As soon as my internet is OK, I want to send you a couple of pictures, too, as well as the reference / recommendation report from the bird-watching that Stephen would like to have ( I must have some days in order to come into order before I can start some work with that )

We have had a perfect week in Spain / Andalucia that was very nice for us, and we thank you again for all your assistance and help, both in finding a perfect accomodation and a highly qualified bird-watching guide.

All the best,

Terje and louise Hungnes", Begen, Norway. (Day Tour, July 2005)

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"Hi Stephen,

Thanks for looking after my parents so well and for the fabulous recommendation of the Hotel Almadraba. They have come back with wondrous tales of storks flying past so close they could hear their wings flap, the lovely hotel, the beach, the weather etc.
I am now worried for their safety on the roads, as no doubt they will be bird spotting continuously as they drive along the campo (they have always done this albeit very badly!!).
I would have no doubt in recommending you to any friends and family and will also pass your details to the guest relations department in the hotel I work in.

Many thanks,
Leanne, Brian and Ida Delaney", Gibraltar. (Raptor weekend, September 2005)

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"Dear Stephen,

Thanks for the excellent photos of dotterel, it was a first for both of us.
We had a superb holiday and hope to meet you again in the future. Some of our birdwatching friends have shown an interest in Andalucia and might be contacting you.
Regards,
Harold and Valerie Fielding, UK ". (Migration Tour with The Travelling Naturalist, September 2005)

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"Dear Stephen

First-thanks for some great birding moments - we'll certainly tell our birding friends about you, so they may well be in touch! We really enjoyed the rest of our stay in Tarifa. We walked up (twice) from our hotel to the place you took us to-where they fed the vultures. There we saw 12 Black Storks circling the thermals and then setting off in a straight line for Africa.

There was another day when we stood in the stunted woods near the beach and wave after wave of swallows and martins battled the wind, low overhead. What a journey lay ahead for them!! Not forgetting the Griffons and Egyptian Vultures and the Short-toed Eagles and the kites. We walked miles-as we didn't hire a car. We didn't need one! Thanks too for the photographs - wonderful.

Barbara Lammas " . (Two day raptor migration Tour, September 2005)

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"Hello, Stephen,

Remember us… ? Peter and Linda  …The policeman and the non-birdwatcher…Spanish Steppes… last November.
We wanted to e-mail before to thank you and John (Muddeman) for a very enjoyable trip,
We would both like to thank you for your time and patience and great company.  The bird report was excellent, but I really don’t remember saying that “the bee was friendly” ! all the other adjectives, yes … but not friendly.
We certainly hope to catch up with you again.
Kindest regards to you and your family."
Linda and Peter Vaughan", UK. (Limosa Spring Tour to Extremadura and the Sierra de Gredos April 2005)

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"Dear Stephen,

Thank you so much for our fantastic day out in May. The Bald Ibis seen right on the edge of Barbate was superb and the spectacular views of three Black-shouldered Kites nearby was such a treat. I have my photos pointed out and can say that the memories shall stay with Mary and I for a long time to come. Thank you again for your expertise and patience.

Kindest regards,

Brian and Mary Temple", London, UK. (Day Tour,  June 2005)

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"Stephen

Thanks for the photos by email, following a very memorable day with you on Thursday 30th June. Top shot of the rufous bush chat!
I recall Jayne saying she really liked your website!
Keep up the good work.
Regards
John and Jayne Cutler", Workington UK. (Day Tour,  June 2005)

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"Hi Stephen,

Just a few lines to say how much we enjoyed you company and skills on the tour to the Coto Doñana and on the Strait of Gibraltar during the springtime migration period. I had never been to this part of Spain before and I wa so amayed with the wildlife, especially watching so many different kinds of beautiful birds. The hotels were great and the food was well cooked and very tasty.

We would love to hear from you if you have any tours planned for France, especially the Camargue.

Keep in touch and thanks once again,

Jonh and Edith Wilson", Bath, UK. (Andalucian Guides "Classic" Spring Tour of the Coto Doñana and the Strait of Gibraltar April, 2005)

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"Dear Stephen,

Bob and I want to thank you very much for your kindness, patience and humor during our tour of the south of Spain.

What can I say! The whole tour went like clockwork - I booked you on the internet from the States after finding you on "BirdingPal", and from then on everything was as you said. I managed to get 23 lifers and even although I have been to Spain twice before, I thought that my hit-list may have been too optomistic. I was impressed by not only your birding skills but also how you find such out of the way places where there are open spaces with succh a variety of different birds! The Stone Curlews, Short-toed Eagles, Rufous Bush Robins, and in the Sierras, the Dipper, Bonelli's Eagles, Black Wheaters were all top birds for us.

Give our love to your two lovely daughters.

Thanks once more,

Sally and Bob Connor ", New England, USA. (Andalucian Guides "Classic" Spring Tour of the Coto Doñana and the Strait of Gibraltar April, 2005)

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"Dear Stephen,

Just felt we had to say once again a big 'thank you' for such an excellent holiday in the Extremadura.
It was all,(except Judith's Tum!!) first class, and greatly enjoyed. The flight home was good, more or less on time, and even the M1 was reasonable. Arriving home however, the lawns were, and still are, covered with snow. Have just had a quick look at your website, a super job, lets hope we can come down and see you again some time. Hope your flights were good and you are now happy, fully involved in helping your poor overworked wife with the domestic duties, nappy changing etc!!
Best wishes to you all and every success,
Judith and John Pidd", UK. (Limos Holidays Tour of the Spanish Steppes, November 2004)

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"Dear Stephen,

Just wanted to thank you for giving us such a great day a couple of weeks ago. We thoroughly enjoyed learning a bit about the birds in our area and also more about the local ecology etc. I hope you wont mind if we contact you again when we are next out!We are now back in cold and windy Scotland. Its all a bit grim and we are already looking forward to our next trip to some warmth! When we saw you you had mentioned that you could let us have a list of the birds that we saw. Would it possible for you to email it to me at some stage. No hurry but it would be nice to have to remind us and also to add to over the years.Once again thanks. Good luck with the business and the family
Kind regards,
Malcolm and Casha.(the one that asked too many questions!) McNab", Scotland. (Day Tour, September 2004)

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"Dear Stephen,

We were sorry to have missed your departure at Madrid airport after our most enjoyable and fruitful trip, and would now like to thank you for the sun, the friendship and the expertise you brought to making our holiday so worthwhile.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Margaret and Basil Lewis", St Albans, Herts, UK. (Limosa Holidays, Extremadura and the Sierra de Gredos Tour, May 2004)

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"Such a splendid holiday.

We appreciated staying at a family-run Spanish hotel with local clientele. The plumbing at the Almadraba worked as did the hot water system. The meals were good and interesting, it was clean and the staff were helpful and friendly. Your own constant attention was most welcome particularly at the evening meal when language problems could otherwise have complicated choice. "Happy Ray Sunday" was most impressed.
As for the migration watching itself, we certainly covered a lot of ground and saw many different habitats and birds (111) in one week thanks to your local knowledge and expertise.
There were many highlights. One of the most memorable has to be when we were standing at the Cabo de Plata (Atlanterra), watching wave after wave of swallows, house martins, sand martins, and red-rumped swallows flying low around us, heading along the coast line towards Tarifa. At one point several hundred of them decided to cross the Strait from where we were standing and rose higher in the air to the height of the lighthouse, calling all the time, with even more deciding to join them. Then this huge cloud of birds left the coast and headed across to Tangiers whilst we watched them as far as we could see.
There was also the day when we were on a hill above Tarifa watching two Booted Eagles hunting in the valley when a melanistic Montagu's Harrier appeared from the west and flew further down the coast.
In spite of the strong east wind a Short-toed Eagle and 6 Black Storks decided to cross at Tarifa quite low over the Strait (and a tanker) and we watched them until they disappeared out of sight. I could go on."

Best wishes,
Vanda and Ray Balfour, Norwich, UK. (Andalucian Guides, Autumn Raptor Migration week, Strait of Gibraltar 2003)

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"Thank you Stephen

once again for the 2 day trip both Tracey and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we found the pace, the sites and the array of birds exactly what we wanted. we would certainly use you again".
Ian and Tracy Durie - Colchester, UK. (Two Day Tour, Spring migration 2003)
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“Turned two hesitant novice birders into confident enthusiasts”.
John G. Hunter, Cambridge, UK. (Limosa Holidays Tour to the Coto Doñana and the Strait of Gibraltar, May 2003)
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Dear Stephen,

" Thanks for the digital photos of the birds on the trip - all happy memories"
Ruud and Braam van Halewijn, Holland (Day Tour June, 2003)
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Hi Stephen

“Unlike most experts he actually knew something about subjects outside his specialist area!”
Clare Brennan, Edinburgh, UK. (Andalucian Guides, Autumn Raptor Migration Week, Strait of Gibraltar 2003)
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" This was the most enjoyable guided trip I have ever been on. Stephen is great company and the small group numbers keep it like a real holiday of exploration".
Mathieu Lachever - Brittany, France. (Day Tour, May 2002)

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“Can't praise him highly enough. His knowledge of birds we found amazing”.
Mrs N. Wylde, Christchurch, Dorset, UK. ( Day Tour, May 2002)

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-All Andalucian Guides Tours are especially aimed at responsible clients who wish to participate in environmentally friendly, low-impact nature tourism.

- Andalucian Guides is committed to conservation, animal and avian welfare and environmental Protection.

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- Andalucian Guides works closely with Limosa Holidays and The Travelling Naturalist in the UK