BURMA'S LEADING BIRDWATCHING TOUR OPERATOR SINCE 1995
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Established in 1995, specializes in bird watching, nature adventure and trekking tours and expeditions to remote areas of Myanmar like Mt.Victoria, Bwepar Mt. and Kyaukpantaung Wildlife Sanctuary of the Chin State, Phonganrazi Wildlife Sanctuary, Hkakaborazi National Park, Hukaung Tiger Reserve, Indawgyi Bird Sanctuary, Emowbon and Majed mountain range of Kachin State, Mt.Saramati of Naga area and easily accessible areas like Pyay, Bagan, Inlay, Kalaw, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, Alaungdawkathapha National Park of Central Myanmar and Shan State, and the Sundiac forest of Tennesserim (Tannintharyi) Division.
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Our agency is the first one to rediscover White-browed Nuthatch in Mt.Victoria in 1995, Blyth's Tragopan and White bellied Heron in extreme North Myanmar (Phonganrazi Mt range) in 1998. These were the first records for our country within the last 60 years.We have also rediscovered the critically endangered Gurney's Pitta in south Tanintharyi in 2003 which was though to be extinct in our country during last 90 years. Together with the local NGO Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), we have successfully rediscovered the Critically Endangered Spoon billed Sandpiper in the Gulf of Mottama and Rakhine Coastal Areas. We are also continuously trying to explore and identify rare birds, new areas and lost cultures which will help boost ecotourism in our country.
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Our agency also act as a ground agent for worldwide birdwatching agencies such as BirdQuest, Birdtour Asia, Rockjumper Birding, Kings Bird Tour, VENT, Sunbird Tours, Avi Fauna, Wildbird Eco, Vietnam Birding, etc.
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In 2013 WATT entered into a partnership with Wild Bird Eco Tour (http://www.wildbirdeco.net) to support a bird watchers from around the world.
Tony Htin Hla (Founder)
Tony Htin Hla, the founder of the company, was the pioneer of Birdwatching Tour business in Myanmar. Tony was a medical doctor, however, it had never been his passion. He was introduced to Birdwatching by his former boss while he was working for a veterinarian company. He was then asked to operate the first Expedition to Mt.Victoria in 1995, where a globally threatened White browed Nuthatch. Another expedition was in North Myanmar where the globally threatened Blyth's Tragopan was rediscovered, along with many other endangered species of bird. Tony was also a chairman of the leading local NGO Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), which led him to run many surveys such as the rediscovery of Critically Endangered Gurney's Pitta survey in 2003 and 2004, surveys on identifying Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs), Critically Endangered Spoon billed Sandpiper, etc.
Tony has also led numerous bird tours and he was greatly appreciated by the clients.
Tony passed away in 2013 November.
Thiri Htin Hla (Director)
Thiri was introduced to Birdwatching by her later father, Tony Htin Hla, the founder of the company, since she was 12. She has been on many birdwatching tours with her father before she started guiding in 2005.
Thiri's passion for nature conservation ensures that Wildbird Adventure Travels and Tours (WATT) continues to offer specialized tours in bird watching, nature adventure and trekking tours & expeditions to remote part of Myanmar. Thiri is exceptionally good at logistics and social skills, and has a great knowledge on birds. Thiri continues her father's legacy as a Bird Tour Leader in Myanmar.
Gideon@ Sa Myo Zaw (Lead bird guide)
Gideon’s passion in birds started when he was a kid, and he began bird-watching in his early 20’s. He met Tony Htin Hla in 1998, and then started working with Tony, not only running bird-watching tours, but also in bird conservation on a variety of projects. He has worked with the local NGO Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) which is an affiliate of BirdLife International. He has worked on continuous Pink Headed Duck surveys in the North Myanmar, Gurney’s Pitta Surveys in the South Myanmar (Teneserim Area), defining Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the North Myanmar, White rumped Vulture Surveys in North, West and East Myanmar and various other ornithological surveys all around the country. He is now working as a local guide for Wildbird Adventure Travels & Tours and over the years has led tours for a wide variety of worldwide companies as well as private indivuals.