Following in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s footsteps, explore the White Continent’s rugged landscape, meeting vast penguin colonies in South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands, greeting albatross in the Falkland Islands, and enjoying every long moment of daylight in the austral summer.
Jim Wilson
Ornithologist
Jim hails from the seaside town of Cobh, County Cork, Ireland. He is a highly respected ornithologist and ecologist with more than 40 years of birding experience in Ireland, Europe, USA, Africa, the Antarctic, and the Arctic. Before setting out as a full-time freelance wildlife author, tour guide, and broadcaster, Jim had a career in medical laboratory science and pathology IT administration. He has written a number of books including, The Birds of Ireland – A Field Guide (2013), Freshwater Birds of Ireland (2011), Shorebirds of Ireland (2009), Irish Garden Birds (2008) and An Identification Guide to Irish Whales and Dolphins (2006). He has produced two educational DVDs, Bats of Ireland (2009) and Whales and Dolphins of Ireland (2004). He also co-produced an iPhone app called Antarctic Wildlife Guide (2015), the first photo-ID guide app to the birds, whales, dolphins, and seals of the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Beagle Channel, and Ushuaia. As well as being involved in many national and international conservation projects, he set up the long-running national Irish Garden Bird Survey. He was national chairman of Birdwatch Ireland, Ireland’s equivalent of the Audubon Society and is a former director of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
Jim's Blog Posts
What Was Your Favorite Wildlife Experience of 2016?
Even Our Staff Agrees - You Don't Want to Miss the Baltic!
Jim's Upcoming Expeditions
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Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
January 24 — February 14, 2019 -
Iberian Peninsula
April 18 — May 3, 2019Join this brand-new itinerary highlighting the very best of the Iberian Peninsula’s diverse history, cultural traditions, and architectural wonders. Tour the Alhambra, visit the Sagrada Familia Church, stroll through the old town of Porto, and follow in the footsteps of ancient Christian pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
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Wild & Ancient Britain with Ireland
May 3 — May 18, 2019Witness some of Europe's largest seabird colonies—puffins, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and more—on our return to the British Isles. Visit Giant’s Causeway, Neolithic monuments, and a variety of architectural wonders.
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Wild Norway & Svalbard
May 17 — June 2, 2019The Arctic summer and its lingering daylight allow ample time to discover Norway and Svalbard, with their abundant wildlife and stark natural beauty—journey by Zodiac and on foot, meeting the region’s hardy residents.
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Best of the Baltic
July 4 — July 18, 2019Discover the scenic beauty of Bornholm Island; visit Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once trading center of the Hanseatic League; and tour the historic districts of Gdansk, Riga, and Tallinn.
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Path of the Vikings: Reykjavik to Quebec
August 27 — September 12, 2019Cruise along chiseled fjords packed with icebergs for up-close views of glittering glaciers on our brand-new expedition that explores the Arctic region of Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. You'll search for beluga whales, and seabirds such as razorbills, guillemots, and kittiwakes, and enjoy a hike through Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Circumnavigation of Sicily
September 22 — October 4, 2019Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Agrigento and Syracuse; cruise among the scenic Aeolian Islands and enjoy up-close views of still-active Stromboli Volcano; and tour Monreale’s impressive 12th-century Cathedral, hailed as Italy’s most beautiful Norman church.
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Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
January 4 — January 25, 2020Following in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s footsteps, explore the White Continent’s rugged landscape, meeting vast penguin colonies in South Georgia, greeting albatross in the Falkland Islands, and enjoying every long moment of daylight in the austral summer.
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Wild & Ancient Britain with Ireland
May 11 — May 26, 2020Witness some of Europe's largest seabird colonies—puffins, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and more—on our return to the British Isles. Visit Giant’s Causeway, Neolithic monuments, and a variety of architectural wonders.
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Circumnavigation of Iceland
June 10 — June 22, 2020Iceland—a land of hot springs, glaciers, lava fields, and waterfalls—is a nature lover’s paradise. Explore the country’s fabled Golden Circle—Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center—and look for a variety of breeding seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots, and puffins.
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Circumnavigation of the Black Sea
June 26 — July 10, 2020Centuries of history and architecture come to life as you discover the countries surrounding the Black Sea—Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria—and its busy bazaars, archeological treasures, and stunning landscapes.