VENTflash #135 January 11, 2012
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 63 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...Dear friends,
I enjoy seeing common local birds such as Cardinals, Blue Jays and Red-bellied Woodpeckers immensely, but I also enjoy the occasional chase to see a rare bird. I am a selective chaser. I like chasing rare birds that are not too far from home and that have a special allure. Since I am so fond of tropical birds, I especially enjoy seeing vagrants from the south that turn up in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Sometimes we are fortunate to find our own rarities. I was with John Rowlett in the Valley many years ago when a Rufous-capped Warbler—the first U.S. record—appeared in response to his imitation of a Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. Then, in 1984, while co-leading a VENT tour in South Texas, I spotted the first wild Muscovy duck ever seen in the U.S.
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Smith's Longspur in Breeding Dress — Photo: John H. Boyd |
Two weeks ago, I drove to Houston with a friend to chase some Smith's Longspurs that had been discovered on a Chistmas Bird Count. Smith's Longspur is a breeding species of the far north that spends its winters in the east-central part of the country, with small numbers ranging into north-east Texas. The appearance of a group of five birds in a large, shortgrass field near the coast, far south of their normal range, was cause for excitement.
We arrived at the field in the late morning, and, after about an hour of walking, we finally flushed five birds. VENT leader David Wolf, who sees them occasionally near his home in Nacogdoches, told me that when flushed, these longspurs stay aloft for as long as five minutes, but that if you can follow the birds long enough to see where they land, you might be able to walk up and see them on the ground at close range. These birds behaved exactly as David had predicted.
We walked toward the location where we thought the longspurs landed: an area of very short grass containing an even smaller area of yellowish grass that was several inches higher. We were within 35 feet of the patch of taller grass before we spotted a stalk of grass moving and, below it, the head of a remarkably well camouflaged longspur. Patience and diligent scanning revealed several more individuals, and subsequent fabulous scope views of male and female birds.
Part of the enjoyment of birds is getting to know an unfamiliar species better and becoming aware of its life cycle. In past years, I have seen this beautiful longspur a few times at Churchill, Manitoba and once in Alaska, but I've only seen this species once in winter, 40 years ago! Looking at these subtly plumaged, but beautiful birds, I was fascinated to think they had bred in the tundra far to the north and had migrated almost to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It was satisfying to have the opportunity to study them in their winter plumage and observe them creeping through the grass as they fed on seeds. This was certainly a chase worth making, and that added some extra pleasure to the joys of winter birding.
In this issue:
NEW INDONESIA CRUISE!
VICTOR EMANUEL JOINS SPRING HAWAII TOUR
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE: JULY 2012
NEW ADDITIONS TO 2012 TOUR SCHEDULE
SPRING BIRDING IN SPAIN
COLORADO GROUSE
CHINA: TWO MARVELOUS SPRING TRIPS
BRAZIL'S PANTANAL: JAGUAR HEAVEN!
KEVIN ZIMMER WILL CO-LEAD BIG BEND AND THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
ALASKA IN 2012—DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
BIRDING ACROSS AMERICA BY TRAIN: SPACE AVAILABLE
LATE WINTER & EARLY SPRING TOURS WITH SPACES AVAILABLE
CLOSING THOUGHTS
NEW INDONESIA CRUISE!
I am delighted to share news of an exciting addition to our 2012 cruise program: a specially designed, chartered birding and natural history cruise to the islands of eastern Indonesia. Announcement of this departure comes at relatively short notice, but we found out about this opportunity only recently, and I knew the prospect of such a trip was so rare that I simply did not want to wait an extra year to offer it!
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Sea Safari VIII — Photo: Courtesy International Expeditions |
This remarkable expedition, Indonesia Cruise: Sulawesi and Halmahera, July 19-August 7, 2012, begins at the western tip of New Guinea (Irian Jaya), home to a host of spectacular endemics, several of which cannot be seen in Papua New Guinea. From Sorong we will sail northwards to the island of Waigeu. Here we will search for two marvelous endemic birds-of-paradise in addition to a range of other exotic species. From Waigeu we will cross Lydeker's Line and at last arrive at the island of Halmahera. Here we will have three days to explore Halmahera's wonderful collection of endemics, namely the incomparable Wallace's Standardwing, rediscovered by David Bishop in 1983.
Working our way southwards, we will cruise to the little-known island of Obi. From here we cruise to our most southerly destination, the northern coast of Seram, where a whole suite of exciting endemics, including the globally endangered Seram Cockatoo, may be found. From Seram we will turn westwards across the Seram Sea to the rarely visited island of Taliabu in the Sula Islands. A little further to the west we'll explore yet another little-known island, Peleng in the Banggai Islands. Each island, while sharing some species, also hosts its own distinctive endemics. From Peleng we will head north to the island of Sulawesi, which hosts more than 115 endemics, a high percentage of which we should see during our two full days exploring the Tangkoko-Batuangus Reserve.
As one might imagine, most, if not all of these islands are blessed with gorgeous, deserted white-sand beaches; transparent, jasmine waters; and astonishingly beautiful coral reefs. In fact, these coral reefs are widely regarded as the world's most diverse! The snorkeling in this region is some of the best in world as well. Couple this together with some fabulous landscapes and intriguing cultures and you have the makings of a world-class experience.
Our adventure will take place aboard the Sea Safari VIII, a two-masted, luxury vessel made of ironwood. Twelve staterooms comfortably accommodate 22 passengers and include either twin or double bed sleeping arrangements, en suite facilities with shower, closets, writing desk with chair, window or porthole, and air-conditioning.
VENT has operated a variety of Indonesia tours in recent years, but not in many years have we had the opportunity to visit this remote corner of the world with the opportunity to travel in such sheer comfort. I hope you will join us on this inaugural trip for what promises to be an unforgettable adventure!
Indonesia Cruise: Sulawesi and Halmahera, July 19-August 7, 2012 with David Bishop, Dion Hobcroft and Brian Gibbons; fee to be announced from Jakarta, Indonesia (ends in Manado, Sulawesi). Limit 16.
VICTOR EMANUEL JOINS SPRING HAWAII TOUR
Through more than thirty years of tour leading, I have been very fortunate to have visited many of the places where VENT operates tours. One major exception is Hawaii. Despite the fact that VENT has had a strong Hawaii program for many years, my own travel schedule, and other demands, have prevented me from experiencing the beauty and wildlife of our 50th state. This year finally presents the opening I've been waiting for, and I have decided to join our Spring Hawaii tour, February 26-March 5, 2012.
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Apapane — Photo: Brian Gibbons |
I will co-lead this trip with Bob Sundstrom, who has anchored our Hawaii tours for two decades.
Central features of our Spring Hawaii tour include beautiful coastlines, towering volcanoes, and rugged canyons; excellent accommodations and cuisine; and, of course, marvelous native forest birds. In visiting the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii, we'll search for endemic birds on the slopes of Mauna Kea, visit the moon-like landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walk in Kapiolani Park, and view the famed Na Pali Coast. Incredible Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge boasts a seabird spectacle second to none, with Laysan Albatross, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Great Frigatebirds, and Red-footed Boobies all nesting. Among the standout native birds are the famed Nene goose; beautiful I'iwi, Apapane, and Palila; and the shy forest thrush, the Omao.
There is an obvious mystique to the Hawaiian Islands, and I am very excited about seeing them for the first time. I hope you will join Bob and me on this wonderful trip. This departue is limited to 12 participants, but only 4 spaces remain.
Spring Hawaii, February 26-March 5, 2012 with Bob Sundstrom and Victor Emanuel; $3,945 in double occupancy from Honolulu (ends in Hilo).
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE: JULY 2012
This summer VENT will again operate a birding and natural history cruise to the extraordinary Galapagos Islands, July 5-17, 2012. Featuring the most comprehensive itinerary we've ever offered, participants will have a chance to see all the endemic birds of these islands. Our trip includes visits to all the major islands, and 10 nights aboard one of the best ships that cruise these waters, the 40-passenger Isabela II. The fee for this cruise is $6,995 per person in double occupancy. A discount of $500 per person is available if registering before February 15.
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Nazca Booby — Photo: Barry Zimmer |
The Galapagos Islands are among the planet's most famous destinations. I have been there many times and regard it as among my favorite places. The combination of amazing volcanic scenery and tame and abundant wildlife sets the place apart from any other. Moreover, the historical significance of the islands and the legacy of Darwin is a source of considerable fascination. A sample of the many wildlife spectacles you will experience includes a wonderful variety of seabirds such as Waved Albatross, Nazca Booby, Flightless Cormorant, and Galapagos Penguin; some marvelous landbirds, headlined by an assortment of Darwin's finches, Galapagos Flycatcher, Galapagos Martin, and several species of mockingbirds; and an array of other mammals and reptiles including Galapagos fur seal, marine iguana, and Galapagos tortoise.
In cruising the Galapagos, we prefer using a ship that is not too small or too large. Small ships have cramped public areas and can be very bouncy, even in moderate seas. In our opinion, the Isabela II is the perfect size. For this cruise, we will take a maximum of 38 participants along with two VENT leaders. We used this ship for a similar cruise we operated last summer, and with great results. Our leaders and participants thought the ship was superb.
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Isabela II — Photo: Ramiro Salazar |
The Isabela II is among the highest quality vessels available for a Galapagos Islands cruise. Spacious outside cabins feature private bathrooms and air-conditioning; the yacht's three decks offer plenty of public space including a bar, library, lounge, dining room, and sun deck.
Galapagos Islands Cruise aboard Isabela II, July 5-17, 2012 with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $6,995 in double occupancy from Quito. Register before February 15 and pay $6,495. Limit 38.
Please note that those desiring more time in Ecuador should consider joining our Ecuador: Summer Eastern Slope of the Andes tour, July 16-24, 2012 with Paul Greenfield and a second leader to be announced; $2,795 in double occupancy from Quito. Combine the two tours and receive a discount of $110 in double occupancy and $70 in single occupancy.
NEW ADDITIONS TO 2012 TOUR SCHEDULE
Since the start of the new year, our 2012 tour schedule has expanded with the addition of new tours to Colombia, Ecuador, and Papua New Guinea. None of these departures appears in our 2012 tour catalogs, but information about them can be found on our website. I hope you will consider joining us on any of these exciting departures.
Colombia
Our inaugural Colombia: Santa Marta Getaway tour debuted this January as a sold out departure. Our next Santa Marta Getaway tour, June 27-July 3, 2012 has already sold seven of 10 spaces, and we expect that tour will sell out as well. Steve Hilty, who designs our Colombia tours, recently came up with the idea of adding an extension to our summer departure to give participants an option of extending their stay in Colombia and experiencing an entirely different set of birds.
The Santa Marta Getaway is only a week long, and focuses on a unique region of northern Colombia. Our short Santa Marta Getaway Extension to Bogotá focuses on one site in the mountains east of the Colombian capital of Bogotá and on several often-overlooked highland areas north of the city. More than a dozen specialty species are possible, including such exciting birds as Black-billed Mountain-Toucan, Black-backed Mountain-Tanager, and Crimson-mantled Woodpecker.
Colombia: The Santa Marta Getaway, June 27-July 3, 2012 with Steve Hilty and a local leader; $3,395 in double occupancy from Santa Marta or Barranquilla. Limit 10; 3 spaces remain.
Colombia: Bogotá Extension to Santa Marta Getaway, July 3-8, 2012 with Steve Hilty and Luis Urueña; $2,895 in double occupancy from Bogotá.
Ecuador
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Andean Cock-of-the-rock — Photo: H. Hendriks |
The eastern slope of Ecuador's Andes demonstrates beautifully the richness of the American tropics. A remarkable transect of habitats, from above the treeline at Papallacta Pass down to the heavily forested Andean foothills, holds an extraordinary collection of birds, many of which are among the most celebrated of Ecuador's birds, including quetzals, mountain-toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, and much more.
Our new Ecuador: Summer Eastern Slope of the Andes tour presents an ideal opportunity to experience the avian riches and cool cloud forests of one of Ecuador's premier birding areas while escaping the heat of summer at home. This tour may be taken either as a stand-alone tour or as an extension to our Galapagos Islands Cruise, July 5-17, 2012. Paul Greenfield, co-author of the seminal field guide, The Birds of Ecuador, will lead this trip.
Ecuador: Summer Eastern Slope of the Andes, July 16-24, 2012 with Paul Greenfield; $2,795 in double occupancy from Quito. Combine this tour with our Galapagos Islands Cruise, July 5-17, 2012 and receive a discount of $110 in double occupancy and $70 in single occupancy.
Papua New Guinea
Our only Papua New Guinea Highlights tour scheduled for 2012 (September 5-18) sold out so quickly that we have added a second departure, September 21-October 4, 2012. As with the first tour, this trip will seek many of New Guinea's most alluring and attractive species including huge, flightless cassowaries; strange mound builders; a gorgeous array of doves, parrots, and kingfishers; exquisite fairywrens; and fascinating bowerbirds. Interesting mammals include numerous little-known marsupials, in addition to some striking and weird reptiles and amphibians, and a wondrous plethora of butterflies, including the spectacular birdwings.
Papua New Guinea Highlights, September 21-October 4, 2012 with David Bishop; $11,195 from Brisbane, Australia.
SPRING BIRDING IN SPAIN
Spain's long held status as one of Europe's top birding countries is richly deserved. Dominating the Iberian Peninsula, the country's remarkable collection of habitats and ecosystems are home to a significant number of Europe's breeding bird species and some of its finest scenery.
VENT has operated Spain tours for over 20 years. Last year we overhauled our traditional itinerary to ensure that we continue providing the best Spain birding tour available.
As leader Brian Gibbons wrote in his report following the 2011 tour:
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Great Bustard — Photo: Javier E. Pozo |
"Spain did not disappoint. Birds, wine, amazing scenery in the mountains and plains, and delicious cuisine satisfied every sense. Each of these aspects was brought to the forefront at some point during the tour, particularly the alpine scenery, which was unforgettable. The rugged peaks dominating the skylines of the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees were sublime. We saw flamingos, spoonbills, storks, bustards, eagle-owl, eagles, hawks, falcons, harriers, sandgrouse, pratincoles, eight species of larks, Firecrest, Bluethroat, Snowfinch, bee-eaters, Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, and Golden-Orioles. Our remarkable raptor list topped 23 species including Booted, Spanish Imperial, Bonelli's, Short-toed, and Golden eagles. A total of 221 species were seen."
Among the treasures sought on our Spring Birding in Spain tour are a number of the continent's scarcest and most attractive birds including Black Stork, Eurasian Black Vulture, Lammergeier, Bonelli's and Spanish Imperial eagles, Great Bustard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Wallcreeper, DuPont's Lark, White-winged Snowfinch, and many others.
In addition to superior birding, Spain also possesses no shortage of wonderful cities and fascinating cultures.
I hope you will decide to join us for what promises to be another outstanding Spain tour.
Our next Spring Birding in Spain tour will operate April 29-May 15, 2012, with Brian Gibbons and Santiago Villa; $5,795 in double occupancy from Sevilla (ends in Madrid). Limit 12; 3 spaces remain.
COLORADO GROUSE
Few avian spectacles are as marvelous to witness as the courtship displays of grouse during the breeding season. Nowhere are these spring rituals more vividly demonstrated than the shortgrass prairie and sage-covered basins of majestic Colorado.
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Greater Prairie-Chicken, Wray, Colorado — Photo: Brian Gibbons |
VENT pioneered the first "grouse tours" in the 1980s, when, for the first time, it became possible to see all five species of prairie grouse (Greater and Gunnison sage-grouse, Greater and Lesser prairie-chickens, and Sharp-tailed Grouse), plus, in many years, Dusky (formerly Blue) Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan, on a single tour! VENT has traveled to Colorado every spring since, continuing the tradition of observing these special birds on their display grounds or "leks."
I have led our Colorado Grouse trip several times, and I feel unequivocally that it is one of the most special trips in our entire repertoire of tours. I have a keen interest in bird behavior, and seeing grouse in full courtship activity is one of the premier birding experiences in North America. Typically, these displays consist of a bizarre exhibition of strutting, foot-stomping, and "booming," in which male birds inflate air sacs on their breasts or necks, and then release the air ("booming"), in an effort to establish dominance within the group and thereby attract females.
Beyond the allure of grouse, few places are as pretty as Colorado in April. The mountains still retain winter snow, rivers and streams rush with fresh runoff, and the prairies of the Pawnee National Grassland are festooned with new grass and flowers. Additionally, this tour records a variety of other special prairie birds including Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owl, Lark Bunting, Chestnut-collared and McCown's longspurs, and many others.
Our next Colorado Grouse tour will operate April 6-15, 2012, and will be led by Brian Gibbons and Michael O'Brien. The fee for this tour is $2,745 in double occupancy from Gunnison (ends in Denver).
CHINA: TWO MARVELOUS SPRING TRIPS
With China in the news seemingly every day, namely for economic and geopolitical reasons, it is easy to overlook the fact that it is also a marvelous place to see birds and other wildlife. This spring we will offer two China tours: China: Birds and Culture and Classic China: Beijing & Sichuan. Both trips seek many of the special birds of China, but differ in that one is more bird and natural history oriented while the other is more geared for those who desire a trip that places more emphasis on the country's natural history and cultural wonders. Our China tours are led by Dion Hobcroft, who has years of experience leading tours throughout Asia.
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Blood Pheasant — Photo: K. David Bishop |
If you wonder about the quality of Chinese services, I can assure you that improvements in that country's infrastructure have been astonishing in the years since VENT operated its first China tours. Good paved roads now provide access to just about all the sites we visit, and the quality of the accommodations has improved markedly. The birding has also improved; with increased forest protection and a ban on hunting, we are now finding a lot more of the rare and shy species.
China: Birds and Culture, April 16-May 1, 2012 with Dion Hobcroft; $8,315 in double occupancy from Beijing.
This two-week trip visits some of China's top birding and cultural sites. The early focus of the tour will be on several of China's most famous cultural attractions—the Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace—before exploring several protected natural areas for excellent early spring birding. Avian highlights may include a range of globally threatened birds ranging from Crested Ibis, Swan Goose, Great Bustard, and Jankowski's Bunting to Siberian, Red-crowned, and White-naped cranes.
Classic China: Beijing & Sichuan, May 10-June 2, 2012 with Dion Hobcroft; $9,995 in double occupancy from Beijing.
This tour presents the best of Chinese birding in the heart of the nation's great forest reserves, spectacular mountain scenery, outstanding wildflowers, and interesting mammals. We will visit sacred Buddhist mountain sites like Emei Shan and the Leshan Buddha, Wolong Panda Reserve, the forests of Wawu Shan, the World Heritage Jiuzhaighou Nature Reserve, and the eastern Tibetan plateau where we will see Black-necked Cranes.
Among the many birds we'll seek, few are as captivating as the pheasants. Sichuan is the epicenter of pheasant diversity, and we'll spend time searching for the cosmic Temminck's Tragopan, and Golden, Lady Amherst's, Koklass, Blood, White Eared- and Blue Eared- pheasants. Patient scoping of mountain faces may reveal one of the rarest birds in China—the incredibly-colored Chinese Monal. Other elusive skulkers we will search for include Verreaux's Monal-Partridge, Snow Partridge, Chinese Bamboo-Partridge, Severtzov's Grouse, and, on the high passes, the robust Tibetan Snowcock.
BRAZIL'S PANTANAL: JAGUAR HEAVEN!
The extraordinary Pantanal region of Brazil ranks among the world's premier wildlife viewing regions. Seasonally flooded savannas support throngs of birds and mammals while the entire region is one of the birdiest locations on the planet. I have been to the Pantanal, and I contend that it is the one place in the Western Hemisphere that legitimately rivals Africa and India for sheer diversity of birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
The prospect of seeing an abundance of large mammals—capybara, marsh deer, black howler monkey, giant anteater, Brazilian tapir, giant otter, crab-eating fox, coatimundi, ocelot, and even jaguar—is exhilarating, while the menagerie of herons, ibis, storks, raptors, and kingfishers is reminiscent of Africa.
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Jaguars in the Pantanal, Brazil — Photo: Charlie Munn |
In recent years, our recent track record for finding jaguar at this season has been excellent, and we will make a concerted effort to find this most magnificent of New World cats. This year, I am very excited that our Pantanal tour will stay in facilities provided by the South American operator SouthWild: either its luxury tented camp or, if the camp has not yet been completed, the Transpantaneira Floating Hotel. Either of these facilities will give our participants the best possible chance of seeing jaguars. On a recent scouting trip to see these lodges, tour leaders Kevin Zimmer and Andy Whittaker had prolonged observations of jaguars on two of the three days they were in the field. Staying in either the luxury tented camp or the floating hotel will also offer our participants better birding experiences. We are confident this itinerary change will make our Pantanal tour better than ever.
Beyond observation of the array of mammals and waterbirds of the Pantanal, we'll seek a number of South America's most sought-after birds including Greater Rhea, Maguari Stork, Jabiru, Plumbeous Ibis, Southern Screamer, Blue-throated Piping-Guan, Bare-faced Curassow, Sunbittern, the incomparable Hyacinth Macaw, Golden-collared Macaw, Toco Toucan, White Woodpecker, and Red-billed Scythebill.
Our Pantanal tours are led by Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker—the two men selected by Princeton University Press to write the definitive field guide to the birds of Brazil.
Brazil: Pantanal Safari (Birds & Jaguars) & Chapada dos Guimaraes, August 6-18, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker; $5,595 in double occupancy from Cuiaba.
KEVIN ZIMMER WILL CO-LEAD BIG BEND AND THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
We have recently experienced a surge in registrations for our annual spring tour to Big Bend National Park and the Texas Hill Country. As a result, Kevin Zimmer will now co-lead this tour with his brother Barry Zimmer. This tour is limited to 14; 4 spaces remain.
The Big Bend and Hill Country regions generate great interest among birders and nature enthusiasts for the unique collection of birds, plants, and animals found there. This tour seeks the premier birds of central and west Texas, namely Common Black-Hawk, Montezuma Quail, Golden-cheeked and Colima warblers, Black-capped and Gray Vireos, Crissal Thrasher, along with a splendid assortment of other breeding and migratory species.
An added bonus is the opportunity to travel with the Zimmer brothers. Their leadership skills, ability to find birds, and brotherly rapport assure a delightful and fun travel experience.
Big Bend National Park and the Texas Hill Country, April 23-May 2, 2012 with Barry Zimmer and Kevin Zimmer; $2,895 in double occupancy from San Antonio (end in El Paso).
ALASKA IN 2012—DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
Perhaps more than any other destination, Alaska conjures images of wild, unspoiled wilderness. It is, as the saying goes, "The Last Frontier," a place whose extraordinary scenic renown is burnished by larger-than-life vistas of snow-capped mountains, countless glaciers, islands teeming with seabirds, coastal fjords edged with fog-drenched forest, vast boreal taiga, and untold miles of rolling tundra.
VENT has offered tours to Alaska for over 30 years. In 2012, the tradition will continue with four tours to our 49th state. Each of these trips will be led by top leaders, and each promises a superb variety of birds, landscapes, and wildlife. I want to remind you that discounts of $500/person are available on registrations we receive by January 31, 2012 for our Grand Alaska: Gambell/Nome Pretrip, Grand Alaska Part I, and Grand Alaska Part II tours.
Grand Alaska: Gambell/Nome Pre-trip, June 2-10, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; $4,975 in double occupancy from Anchorage. Only 3 spaces remain. Register by January 31, 2012 and pay $4,475. Combine this tour with Grand Alaska Part I for an additional discount of $500 in double occupancy or $750 in single occupancy.
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Bristle-thighed Curlew — Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Our Gambell/Nome trip offers exciting birding for Bering Sea specialties and Siberian vagrants at two western Alaska outposts. We should witness spectacular movements of seabirds, along with good chances of Asiatic rarities at Gambell; breeding Bluethroats, ptarmigan, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Gyrfalcon, and others, with musk ox, grizzly, and moose all possible at Nome.
Grand Alaska Part I: Nome & the Pribilofs, June 9-18, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; $6,895 in double occupancy from Anchorage. Register by January 31, 2012 and pay $6,395. Combine this tour with the Gambell/Nome Pre-trip for an additional discount of $500 in double occupancy or $750 in single occupancy.
This tour focuses on two of the best birding areas in Alaska: Nome and the Pribilof Islands. We will emphasize finding Alaskan specialty birds and mammals in Nome while the Pribilof Islands offer an incomparable seabird experience. Thousands of Least, Crested, and Parakeet auklets, Thick-billed and Common murres, Horned and Tufted puffins, and Northern Fulmars nest along its towering cliffs and can be observed almost within touching distance, as can Red-faced Cormorants and Black-legged and Red-legged kittiwakes. Resident land birds include Rock Sandpiper, Pacific Wren, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting. With luck, we may even turn up an unexpected Siberian vagrant or two.
Following is an excerpt from Kevin Zimmer's 2011 Grand Alaska Part I tour report:
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Bluethroat in Full Song — Photo: Barry Zimmer |
"We enjoyed excellent birding and had particular success with the many special breeding birds of the Nome region. Topping everything was our experience with the iconic Bristle-thighed Curlew. A displaying male came flying overhead just 30 minutes into our hike, and circled us a few times (singing all the while) before putting down a hundred meters upslope. With a little bit of maneuvering, we managed to flank him, and the bird froze in plain sight for exceptional views. After lengthy studies, a second curlew (seemingly a rival male) sang from some distance upslope, immediately eliciting counter songs from our bird, following which he launched himself in the direction of his rival. Our entire hike took 90 minutes, of which a solid 30–45 minutes was spent watching the bird!
Grand Alaska Part II: Anchorage, the Denali Highway & Kenai Peninsula, June 18-26, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; $3,795 in double occupancy from Anchorage. Register by January 31, 2012 and pay $3,295.
Our focus will be on the many special breeding birds of south coastal and interior Alaska, with excellent opportunities for seeing many of Alaska's iconic mammals, as well as some of the most spectacular scenery that the continent has to offer.
Following is an excerpt from Kevin Zimmer's 2011 Grand Alaska Part II tour report:
"I wanted desperately to find a hawk owl for the entire group. Mile after mile we scanned the spruce tops, but every suspicious blob resolved into either a Gray Jay, Merlin, or a tuft of spruce needles. Finally, I decided to stop in an area that just looked good and play some tape. Immediately, the robins and Gray Jays started alarming. Their alarms heralded a long-tailed, gray ghost of a bird, flying toward me at eye level. "Hawk owl, hawk owl—everyone out of the van!" I shouted. I grabbed for the radio and signaled the others while racing back for the scope. As it turned out, I needn't have hurried. The hawk owl swooped up to the top of a spruce at the edge of the road and sat there clucking with indignation as Brad pulled his van in behind ours. Over the next 45 minutes we took turns enjoying the scope-filling views and attempting to photograph the repeated attempts of the robins to dive-bomb the owl… Eventually, the robins tired of their sport, the owl was preening and otherwise preoccupied, and we felt the pull of the ticking clock. It's not easy to turn your back and drive away from a close Northern Hawk Owl, but we did it."
Alaska Mainland, June 15-26, 2012 with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $6,695 in double occupancy from Anchorage.
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Denali Highway, Alaska — Photo: Barry Zimmer |
This tour offers a complete cross section of birds. It focuses upon three very different areas: the rugged hills, tundra, and seacoast around the old gold-rush boomtown of Nome; breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park and the adjacent Kenai Peninsula; and the sprawling wilderness in the shadow of majestic Denali (Mount McKinley), North America's highest peak.
Following is an excerpt from Barry Zimmer's 2011 Alaska Mainland tour report:
"On our second full day in Nome we ventured north out the Kougarok Road. It was yet another glorious weather day with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60s. We stopped about 18 miles out as an Arctic Warbler was singing right next to the road. The warbler, a real Alaskan specialty, responded quickly, offering superb views. Someone in the group then spotted three grizzly bears on a distant hillside. We had nice scope views of a mother and two nearly grown young ambling up an open slope for about ten minutes.
"…Just as we came to a stop, I heard the wonderful skylarking song of a male Bluethroat on the left side of the road. We quickly piled out of the vans and almost immediately had very close scope views of this incredible bird. Time after time he ascended up against a backdrop of snowy peaks and then floated down to a willow top for all to admire. The stunning blue and red throat shone brightly in the morning sun, like a brilliantly colored Indian blanket. Another Arctic Warbler perched up just feet away from the Bluethroat. I finally took a moment to look at the eagle nest up to our right and noticed that the adult bird was sitting up nicely in full view.
"We finally dragged ourselves away from this embarrassment of riches and within ten minutes had come across a bull muskox right next to the road. A pair of Northern Shrikes feeding young followed, then a close pair of Northern Wheatears at our lunch stop, a dizzying array of tundra flowers, a large herd of muskox with babies and, finally, walkaway scope views of three Bristle-thighed Curlews. Welcome to Alaska!"
BIRDING ACROSS AMERICA BY TRAIN: SPACE AVAILABLE
This May we will operate our fifth Birding Across America by Train tour. As time passes so quickly, it's hard for me to believe that it has already been more than six years since this special trip debuted. The idea for the tour was mine, and though I suspected this kind of a trip would be well received, I had not foreseen it developing into one of our most popular domestic departures.
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Yellow-headed Blackbird, North Dakota— Photo: Brian Gibbons |
The premise of this adventure is a two-week traverse of the United States in which three major geographical regions—New York's Adirondack Mountains, the High Plains of North Dakota, and Puget Sound of Washington State—are linked by travel aboard an Amtrak train. There are many reasons why I enjoy this trip so much, but three I'd like to share with you are: 1) Participants are exposed to almost the entire northern part of our country including wildlife, cities, people, and an extraordinary collection of landscapes; 2) This tour routinely records about 225 bird species, among them an incredible representation of birds from the eastern, central, and western regions of the country (How many VENT tours promise Scarlet Tanager and Black Oystercatcher on the same trip?); 3) No other nature tour company has ever offered this kind of trip, thereby making the VENT trip totally unique.
This spring, VENT will again operate Birding Across America by Train, May 20-June 2, 2012, and will be led by Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis. As many of you know, Michael is one of the country's top field observers in addition to an accomplished author and illustrator; Louise is a first-rate observer and naturalist. Together, I can't recommend a trip with them too highly.
The fee for this tour is $6,695 in double occupancy from Albany (ends in Seattle). Limit 14; 5 spaces remain.
LATE WINTER & EARLY SPRING TOURS WITH SPACES AVAILABLE
February, March, and April are perhaps our busiest months at VENT. It is this late winter/early spring transition period when we operate the majority of our tropical tours, while the specter of spring migration portends a surge in interest in VENT tours right here at home. Many of our trips departing in the next several months are full, but I wanted you to know that spaces are still available on a slate of attractive tours. I hope you will consider joining us on a VENT tour soon!
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Lovely Cotinga, Honduras — Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Honduras: The Lodge at Pico Bonito, February 11-18, 2012 with David Wolf and a local leader; $3,695 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula. 5 spaces remain.
Honduras: Copán, February 17-22, 2012 with Brian Gibbons and a local leader; $2,295 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula.
Honduras: The Lodge at Pico Bonito, February 22-29, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and a local leader; $3,695 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula.
Colombia: The Central & Western Andes, February 19-March 6, 2012 with Steve Hilty and Luis Urueña; $7,195 in double occupancy from Bogotá. 1 space remains.
Short Costa Rica, February 25-March 3, 2012 with David Wolf and Mimi Wolf; $3,385 in double occupancy from San José. 4 spaces remain.
Grand Belize Part I: Crooked Tree and Hidden Valley, March 1-5, 2012 with Barry Zimmer; $2,495 in double occupancy from Belize City.
Grand Belize Part II: Chan Chich Lodge, March 5-11, 2012 with Barry Zimmer; $3,995 in double occupancy from Belize City. 2 spaces remain.
Combine Grand Belize Parts I & II and receive a discount of $175 per person.
Belize: Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge, March 13-18, 2012 with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $3,995 in double occupancy from Belize City. 4 spaces remain.
Central Vietnam, March 16-27, 2012 with David Bishop; $4,395 in double occupancy from Ho Chi Minh City (ends in Hanoi). 3 spaces remain.
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American Pygmy Kingfisher — Photo: Michael O'Brien |
Belize: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, March 18-25, 2012 with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $2,995 in double occupancy from Belize City. 4 spaces remain.
Mexico: El Triunfo, March 19-29, 2012 with Brian Gibbons and Bob Sundstrom; $3,150 in double occupancy from Tuxtla Guttierez, Mexico (ends in Tapachula). 5 spaces remain.
Best of Costa Rica, March 20-April 1, 2012 with David Wolf and Mimi Wolf; $4,965 in double occupancy from San José.
Spring in South Texas, April 1-10, 2012 with Barry Zimmer and Kevin Zimmer; $3,115 in double occupancy from Corpus Christi (ends in Laredo). 2 spaces remain.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
January is always a stellar month for VENT. On New Year's Day, VENT groups were enjoying great birding in Antarctica, Belize, Panama, and Venezuela. That same day, other VENT travelers departed for tours in Colombia and Ghana. Before this month is over, we will have operated 16 tours including trips in the American Southwest and Florida where the weather is generally much milder than in many areas of the country.
VENT will be well represented at this year's Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival in Titusville, Florida, January 25-31, 2012. I will be in attendance at the festival along with Barry Lyon, Michael O'Brien, and Louise Zemaitis. As part of the activities, I will give a keynote presentation entitled The Greatest Birding Experience of my Life—which recounts the extraordinary discovery of an Eskimo Curlew, a bird thought to be extinct, on the Upper Texas Coast in the spring of 1959. My talk will be delivered on the evening of January 28.
Michael O'Brien will lead a South Florida Post-Festival Tour, January 30-February 4, 2012; $2,045 in double occupancy from Orlando. 4 spaces remain.
There is no better way to begin the New Year than out in the field enjoying good birding. We hope you have been doing just that, and hope to see you on a VENT tour soon!