Dry Tortugas: Apr 30—May 03, 2009

Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas — Photo: Barry Zimmer

Unique birding experience featuring pelagic birds in the Gulf of Mexico, nesting colonies of tropical terns and frigatebirds, the potential for migrating warblers and other passerines grounded by tropical downpours, and the rich history of Fort Jefferson.

Seventy miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico lies a small group of islands known as the Dry Tortugas. These islands are actually the westernmost limit of the Florida Keys and the only tropical islands associated with the mainland United States. The Tortugas are most famous for their colonies of nesting seabirds, most of which are found nowhere else in North America. On tiny Bush Key, birders can witness the gathering of tens of thousands of Sooty Terns and Brown Noddies, the only breeding site of these pelagic species in the United States.

Nearby Long Key and Hospital Key are home to smaller but unique colonies of Magnificent Frigatebirds and Masked Boobies respectively. Garden Key, site of historic Fort Jefferson and headquarters of Dry Tortugas National Park, also serves as a stopover for migrating land birds including warblers (up to 20 species possible), thrushes, cuckoos, and buntings. There is always the possibility of finding a West Indian stray, and past tours have seen White-tailed Tropicbird, Red-footed Booby, Black Noddy (seen most years), La Sagra's Flycatcher, "West Indian" Cave Swallow, Bahama Mockingbird, Shiny Cowbird, and Bananaquit. During the boat trips to and from Key West we will look for Audubon's Shearwater, Brown Booby, Pomarine Jaeger, and Bridled and Roseate terns.

Comfortable sleeping accommodations on boat all three nights; excellent meals on board; half-day passages to and from the Tortugas potentially rough; leisurely and short bird walks; sunny and warm weather likely, with rain showers possible.