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Top birdwatching destinations and avian hotspots

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Eastern Friesland
Tea, tidal flats and car-free islands
7.4
Eastern Friesland's coastal marshes support large numbers of breeding and migrating shorebirds. Flat, wet grasslands here provide ideal nesting habitat for several wader species. Visitors can spot godwits and other waders across the region's managed wetlands. Nearby Wadden Sea mudflats also draw migrating flocks each season.
Highlights:
  • ⛴️ Explore the scenic East Frisian Islands by ferry
  • ⛪ Visit historic churches with unique leaning towers
  • 🚴‍♂️ Cycle through charming East Frisian villages and dikes
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Wild red-crowned cranes gather each winter in the marshes of eastern Hokkaido. Conservationists once feared the species extinct before a small population was rediscovered in the 1920s. Visitors can watch the cranes perform mating dances in the snow. Nearby coastal cliffs also host massive gatherings of white-tailed eagles each winter.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
Shiretoko National Park
Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido
8.3
Shiretoko's coastal wilderness shelters Steller's sea eagles, among the world's heaviest raptors. Birds gather in large numbers along the coast during the winter months each year. Visitors can spot eagles perched on drifting sea ice from boat tours. Nearby forests also host owls and woodpeckers within the park's remote interior.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Hike to Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and soak feet
  • 🛥️ Take a wildlife boat cruise to see bears
  • 🌲 Walk the scenic Shiretoko Five Lakes boardwalk
Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
7.3
Sri Lanka's varied habitats support a wide range of South Asian bird species. Endemic species, including the Sri Lanka blue magpie, occur only on this island nation. Visitors can spot endemic birds while exploring the island's rainforest reserves. Nearby wetlands also draw flamingos and other waterbirds seasonally.
Highlights:
  • 🚂 Take a scenic train ride through the tea plantations to Ella
  • 🐘 Spot elephants on safari in Minneriya National Park
  • 🪨 Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress and admire its ancient frescoes
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