Bird-Photo-Tours Asia Bangladesh expedition is a special photographic quest for the Masked Finfoot with close encounters also possible with other speciality mangrove birds like Buffy Fish Owl, Brown-winged Kingfisher and Mangrove Pitta. The Masked Finfoot used to be a fairly widespread species in the eastern Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, but endless human destruction of its mangrove and riverine habitats has driven the species close to extinction. None of the world’s places where one used to see Masked Finfoot are no longer reliable and the Sundarbans National Forest in Bangladesh is the last remaining stronghold of this species, a bird which is now ranked as Critically Endangered. In order to access the remote, forested waterways of the Sundarbans, where tigers and many other mammals and birds still roam, by far the best solution is to charter a riverboat with sleeping cabins. This is a comfortable option to photograph birds in the Sundarbans. From our riverboat, and by using a smaller boat in the narrow channels, we will patrol the waterways looking for photographic opportunities of the Masked Finfoot as well other mangrove speciality species.
Critically Endangered Birds: Masked Finfoot
Eagles: White-bellied Sea Eagle / Grey-headed Fish Eagle / Crested Serpent Eagle
Kingfishers: Brown-winged Kingfisher / Collared Kingfisher / Ruddy Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Black-capped Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher
Owls: Brown Boobook / Buffy Fish Owl / Brown Fish Owl / Collared Scops Owl
Waterbirds: Gull-billed Tern / Whiskered Tern / Whimbrel / Greater Sand Plover / Lesser Sand Plover / Marsh Sandpiper
Woodpeckers: Streak-throated Woodpecker / Streak-breasted Woodpecker / Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
Others: Common Iora / Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike / Large Cuckooshrike
Pittas: Mangrove Pitta
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Day 1 (0N / 0D / 1S). Arrive Jessore, 2.5-hour drive to Sundarbans [Overnight: Houseboat]
Days 1-8 (7N / 6D / 12S). 6 Full Days of bird photography in The Sundarbans [Overnight: Houseboat]. Photographic Targets: Masked Finfoot / Streak-breasted Woodpecker / Streak-throated Woodpecker / Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker / Brown-winged Kingfisher / Ruddy Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Collared Kingfisher / Black-capped Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher / Mangrove Pitta / White-bellied Sea Eagle / Grey-headed Fish Eagle / Crested Serpent Eagle / Ruby-cheeked Sunbird / Purple-rumped Sunbird / Purple Sunbird / Shorebirds
Day 8 (0N / 0D / 4S). Sundarbans – Jessore – International Departures [END]
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a two-month west-to-east bird photography expedition across Micronesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his forthcoming book Portraits of the Birds of China reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The accommodation on this tour is a houseboat, with each guest having their own room and own bathroom (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping (vi) Bengal Tigers are present in the Sundarbans but whenever we come ashore there will be two armed guides accompanying the group in case there is an encounter with a tiger. Summary: because of the presence of tigers this trip has been graded as 'Medium'.
