world reviewer
Alan McBride
Alan McBride lives in Sydney, Australia. Alan grew up in Lancashire, moved to New Zealand and then Australia in the 1970s. His interest in birds and indeed anything that swims, flies, crawls or otherwise moves, started early and has never waned. Alan has travelled all over the world to look for birds (he even has over 600 species on his US list) but it is Australia and the surrounding region, including New Caledonia and New Zealand, where he has a special expertise. Here, he is a very experienced guide (having already led 100 + birding tours) and knows Australia intimately, having visited just about every important birding locale on the continent, often on many occasions. With 764 species on his Australian list, he is now down to hoping for Night Parrot or some other extreme rarity! Alan was instrumental in getting the famous Sydney / Wollongong deep water pelagic trips off the ground in 1978; trips that subsequently recorded many bird and cetacean firsts for Australian waters. After over 850 pelagic trips, including selling and guiding the first commercial trip to the sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia, his seabird identification is well-honed! Alan is a past President of the New South Wales Field Ornithologists Club (now Birding NSW) and has been heavily involved with a number of other ornithological organizations in Australia such as Birds Australia, Seabird Group and Wader Study Group amongst others. His photographs have appeared in such publications as Readers Digest book of Australian Birds, National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife and numerous photographic field guides, including Peter Harrison's famed Seabirds guide.
Alan's other interests include France and French goodies, writing, travelling, Scuba diving, hiking, photography, music and anything to do with natural history.
Birding Australia, Writing the World: Travel Write
Alan McBride's activity
- 26 Jun 2009
Alan McBride commented on Birding the Dannum Valley in Sabah, Malaysia
To help you plan to get there: See www.borneonaturetours.com and www.sabahtourism.com "
- 03 Jun 2009
Alan McBride commented on Birdwatching in Sepilok in Sandakan, Malaysia
For all travel in Sabah it's best to talk with http://www.sabahtourism.com They do know it all!"
- 21 May 2009
Alan McBride reviewed Birdwatching in Sepilok in Sandakan, Malaysia
Sandakan is the main entry point in Sabah, Island of Borneo, East Malaysia for Sepilok and the Bornean jungle. Around a 30 minute drive from Sandakan, Sepilok is famous for the Orang utan Rehabilitation Centre, well worth a visit around feeding time for …"
- 20 May 2009
- 13 Apr 2009
Alan McBride commented on Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn in Northern Territory, Australia
"Make sure you take the early morning Yellow Waters Wildlife cruise. Outstanding."
Alan McBride reviewed Great Barrier Reef in Great Barrier Reef, Australia
I was fortunate to travel as naturalist / bird guide in October 2005 on MS Orion, now called MV Orion. Operated by Orion Expedition Cruises out of Sydney, Orion offers luxury, expedition style cruising to The Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Gre…"
- 07 Jun 2008
- 05 Jun 2008
Alan McBride reviewed Christmas Island in Christmas Island
With a shape like a Scottie dog, Christmas Island lies in the Indian Ocean some 2,600km northwest of Perth, Western Australia. An Australian Territory, its nearest neighbour is Java, Indonesia about 360km away. Christmas Island has 63% (over 85 sq. km…"
- 04 Jun 2008
- 13 Aug 2007
Alan McBride reviewed Birding in Tasmania in Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania, situated about 250km below mainland Australia this small, stunningly wild and beautiful island has a number of attractions for the birder. Not least of which is 12 endemic species of bird and a number of others that may be seen here much easier…"
Alan McBride reviewed Capertree Valley Birds in New South Wales, Australia
Situated around 180 km west of Sydney, the road from Capertee to Glen Davis through the Capertee Valley offers some of the best birding in Australia. Capertee is approximately 35 k north of Lithgow on the Gt Western Highway and the valley is the largest …"
- 16 Jul 2007
Alan McBride reviewed Birdwatching in Kakadu in Kakadu, Australia
Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed area approximately 250 km east of Darwin in Australia Northern Territory. The park covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and has some outstanding birding spots along the stunning 500 km long sandstone esca…"
- 10 Jul 2007
Alan McBride reviewed Sub-Antarctic Island Birdwatching in New Zealand
The only way to visit this area (apart from becoming a scientist) is with a commercial cruise company: there are many operators now specialising in this region. Bird and mammal wise these islands offer incredible diversity with vast numbers of albatr…"
