Kuril Islands cruises, bird watching cruise, Russia

Description of Kuril Islands cruises, bird watching cruise, Russia

Russia’s Far East is one of the most dramatic places on earth to observe the Pacific Ring of Fire which manifests itself at numerous points along our expedition route. Here, the Pacific plate sub ducts under the North American plate and the resulting volcanic and geothermal activity has built a unique and amazing landscape. Perfect conditions for seabirds and cetaceans are created by the up-welling from deep trenches formed by this action and the currents which surround the many islands. As a result this area is one of the richest in the world, both in terms of the number of species and their sheer abundance. The undoubted highlight for many birders are the auks, and during our voyage it is possible to see up to 14 species including tufted and horned puffins, parakeet, whiskered and rhinoceros auklets, as well as spectacled and pigeon guillemots.

Laysan albatross, mottled petrel, fork-tailed storm-petrel, red-faced cormorant, red-legged kittiwake and Aleutian tern are other seabirds we regularly encounter. Those keen on cetaceans should keep an eye out for blue, fin, sperm, humpback and grey whales, orca (killer whales), Baird’s beaked whale and Dall’s porpoise.

The human history of this region is equally fascinating. The original Ainu and Itelmen settlers were displaced by the arrival of the Cossacks in the 18th century after the explorer Vitus Bering had put the region on the map. At the height of the Cold War the Soviet empire’s formidable Pacific Fleet was based here and secrecy demanded the region be ‘closed’ even to Russians, who had to get special permits to visit the area. Two decades on from Perestroika people can now travel relatively freely, although there is still very little infrastructure to support visitors.

The region we explore on this expedition cruise is defined by three quite distinct and unique geographical regions. These are the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Commander Islands (at the western extremity of the Aleutian Islands) and the Kuril Islands. Each region is very different and has its own unique story, endemic plants and birds. Join our small expedition ship as we go in search of those people, plants, animals and birds that make this part of the Pacific Ring of Fire so remarkable.

A special message for the keen birders and cetacean watchers reading this: Space doesn't allow us to list all species on a day-by-day basis in this itinerary. Please ask for an expedition dossier or a bird and mammal list from a previous expedition.