The Falkland Islands are a wildlife photographer’s dream come true. The Islands are one of the last wildlife wonders of the World. Unspoiled beaches, rolling tussac fields and cliffs provide a natural safe-haven for the species that have made the Falklands their home.

Watch albatross soar gracefully through the air against a backdrop of beautiful blue sea and sky, elephant seals sparring on the beach, the tiny endemic Cobb’s wren hopping along the shoreline, killer whales circling offshore in pursuit of a meal or sit patiently alongside king penguins and wait for the fluffy chicks to come and take a look at you! The possibilities for enjoying the wildlife experience are endless, as are the photographic opportunities.

Note: You will need to arrive in Santiago, Chile at least one day before the workshop starts. Book a flight to MNP Falklands leaving on the Saturday with LAN Airlines to MNP Mount Pleasant Falkland.

The Falklands is home to a number of specialties and endemic taxa, with some 14 endemic tax known. Although only a few are currently recognized as species they are all of interest all the same in the dynamic, ever-changing world of taxonomy. Some of specialties we will focus our attentions on include Striated Caracara, Cobb’s Wren, Ruddy-headed Goose, and the unbelievably confiding Blackish Cinclodes that can even sometimes be observed walking across people’s shoes! Other landbirds in the island include Long-tailed Meadowlark, Correndera Pipit and Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant. Falkland Steamerducks are also to be expected as they are fairly common on the islands.

In addition to these specialties we will also see breeding Black-browed Albatrosses, visit colonies of Rockhopper Penguins at West Point and Magellanic Penguins at Carcass Island and enjoy views of many of the Southern Giant Petrels that breed on these rich subantarctic islands. Other attractive species that we will search for include the handsome Rufous-chested Dotterel and striking Two-banded Plover, in addition to a number of commoner species also easily found on Tierra del Fuego, including Magellanic Oystercatchers, Dolphin Gulls, and Chilean Skuas.

In contrast to Antarctica at this time of year ice will not dominate the scenery but lush grass-covered hills and rocky cliffs that play host to the profusion of breeding seabirds, like petrels, albatrosses, and cormorants. Birds though will not be the only wildlife on offer with Peale’s and Commerson’s Dolphins possible offshore and South American Sea Lions are possible along the scenic coastlines. We also plan to make a landing in the capital of the islands, Stanley that is steeped in history and also has a fascinating museum.

This workshop has been designed to maximize our photography opportunities to shoot as many species as possible that the Falklands has to offer. We will be photographing on five different islands during this tour after the different specialties of each location. Like that, we will stay 3 nights at Stanley, 3 at Carcass, 4 at Saunders, 4 at Sea Lion and 2 Pebble.

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TRIP CONSIDERATIONS

CLIMATE: Average daytime temperature is 45 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress in layers. Long sleeve shirts, sweaters and long pants. Wind breaking outer wear is essential. It is very windy most days in the Falklands. Waterproof hiking and/or knee boots are the norm for footwear..

DIFFICULTY: This trip is easy and slow paced, designed to spend lots of time in front of wildlife

ACCOMMODATION: Good and rustic in some places.

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