New Birdlife & Wildlife Voyages Around Spitsbergen with Robert Brown OBE, 12 Years Director of RSPB (NI)

St Austell, United Kingdom, March 14, 2012 --(PR.com)-- This July, birding expert and former RSPB director (Northern Ireland) of 12 years, Robert Brown OBE, will be leading three of Aqua-Firma’s Birdlife & Wildlife Voyages Around Spitsbergen. Whilst Robert will be able to provide a special insight into the birds of the Arctic, he will be joining an expert team of wildlife guides with keen eyes for spotting polar bears, walruses and other wildlife we can expect to see during this, the height of the Arctic summer. Together, this onboard team will guide guests by way of onshore nature walks, coastal cruises in small rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and provide insightful presentations about the region’s ecology, geology and rich history of exploration.

July is an excellent month to observe Spitsbergen’s birdlife. As chicks emerge from their nests, adults soar the skies, dive into the Arctic Ocean or prey on other bird species in their search for food during this time of plenty. Many species are highly territorial around their nests, in particular Arctic Terns which attack anything that dares to come close to a nest – even polar bears and inquisitive birdwatchers. Adult Arctic Skuas have an ingenious defence technique, whereby they feign an injury to lure unwanted predators away from their young to themselves, only to fly to safety at the last minute.

This voyage will go in search of some of the best locations from which to observe and photograph birdlife, including the towering cliffs of Alkefjellet in the Hinlopen Straits, where hundreds of thousands of Brunnich’s Guillemots can be sighted. Another interesting location includes Fugelsangen, where Little Auks congregate in their thousands.

Ptarmigans are the only year round birdlife residents of Spitsbergen. Like the Arctic Fox, these birds change from pure white to mottled brown and white during the summer.

Arctic foxes are highly reliant on plentiful summer birdlife and are often see loitering beneath bird cliffs, ready to pick off fledglings that fall from their nests.

Other birdlife you can hope to see in July are puffins, Eider ducks, red phalaropes and ivory gulls – all set to the dramatic backdrop of sea ice, calving glaciers, deep fjords, snow-capped mountains and sheer cliffs.

For further information about Aqua-Firma’s Arctic Voyages, please visit www.aqua-firma.com .

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Notes to Editors

1. Birdlife & Wildlife Voyage Around Spitsbergen Dates & Prices

84 Passenger Vessel
(1st – 10th July, 2012)

Twin Inside: £3550
Twin Porthole: £4090
Twin Deluxe: £4550
Superior: £5050

100 Passenger Vessel
(12th – 21st July, 2012)

Quad Share: £2890
Twin Share: £3450
Twin Port Hole: £3990
Twin Window: £4150
Superior: £4950
Suite: £5490

100 Passenger Vessel
(21st – 30th July, 2012)

Quad Share: £2890
Twin Share: £3450
Twin Port Hole: £3990
Twin Window: £4150
Superior: £4950
Suite: £5490

Aqua-Firma can arrange all international flights if clients need.

2. Aqua-Firma is the only travel company to offset the carbon emissions of its clients' polar voyages, and flights booked through the company in joining its polar journeys. Aqua-Firma does this via a Rainforest4Climate programme set up in partnership with Rainforest Concern.

3. Aqua-Firma the company is fully ATOL bonded (bond no. 6947) and able to arrange flights, accommodation and additional activities before and after a voyage.

For further press information and photography please contact Ralph Pannell at
Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd. on 0844 412 0848 / 01428 620012 or email
ralph@aqua-firma.co.uk