SALTON SEA of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
for YELLOW-FOOTED GULL & MANY INTERESTING SPECIES
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Dates:
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Wednesday, 30 July through Sunday, 3 August 2008: 5 days & 4 nights.
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We'll visit:
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The Salton Sea in the middle of the desert, a haven for a wide
variety of aquatic species, including the rare and local
Yellow-footed Gull. The Salton Sea has a great reputation for
attracting vagrants.
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On our way to and from the Salton Sea we'll visit Imperial
Reservoir and the Dateland Shrimp Ponds, additional magnets
for aquatic birds.
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And we'll search for the elusive Le Conte's Thrasher at several
good locations.
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Join us on this new adventure to the Salton Sea. We'll depart Tucson
by noon at the end of the Southeast Arizona Tour with a couple of
stops en route to Yuma--Red Rocks for Ruddy Ground-Dove and the
Dateland Shrimp Ponds for a large variety of shorebirds, herons,
egrets, and other aquatic species. The next morning we'll spend some
time at Imperial Reservoir NWR before we move onto Calipatria,
California, our staging area for the Salton Sea. Target species are
highlighted by the very local Yellow-footed Gull, along with Clark's
Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, Burrowing Owl, Fulvous Whistling-Duck,
Gull-billed Tern, Stilt Sandpiper, Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes,
Le Conte's Thrasher , Blue Grosbeak , Abert's Towhee, and
Yellow-headed Blackbird. Rarities such as Wood Stork , Magnificent
Frigatebird , Blue-footed Booby, and Roseate Spoonbill are always
possible.
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Yellow-footed Gull is a Salton Sea specialty.
--John Puschock
Wilson's Phalarope
--David Nelson
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Day |
Agenda
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1
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We'll depart Tucson at about noon, at the culmination of the Southeast
Arizona Tour. Our first planned stop is the Red Rock Cattle Feedlot to
the northwest of Tucson. This has become a fairly reliable locale to
find Ruddy Ground-Dove. Flocks of Eurasian
Collared-Doves will be readily seen. Further west is our next
destination, the Dateland Shrimp Ponds. They have achieved quite a
reputation in the past few years for an excellent assortment of
aquatic birds, including numerous rarities. We'll push on to Yuma,
near the intersection of Arizona, California, and Mexico. That is
where we will spend the night.
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2-3
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After a small jog north to check out Imperial Reservoir, we'll
continue into California to Calipatria. The Salton Sea and
surrounding areas offer incredible birding, and we'll have two full
days to explore the possibilities. Desert birding will be the focus
early in the day. Our targets will be Gambel's Quail,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and
Crissal Thrasher, among others. Ruddy Ground-Dove is a
possibility. We'll search for Long-billed Curlew and
Burrowing Owls in the agricultural fields that surround the
southern portion of the Salton Sea. Heading back to the Sea itself,
shorebirds and other aquatic species will round out our list for the
day. Yellow-footed Gull should be relatively easy; we'll spend
as much time as we need to find this local species. The flocks of
Red-necked Phalaropes and other shorebirds can be
incredible. Both nights are in Calipatria.
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Expect LOTS of Red-necked Phalaropes at the Salton Sea.
--John Puschock
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4
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We'll spend as much time as we like scanning the Salton Sea this
morning. New birds drop in throughout the day and night. Then we'll
get back on the road toward Gila Bend in Arizona, where we will spend
the night. Any extra time will be well spent at nearby Painted Rock
Dam.
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5
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An early start will have us back in Tucson by noon for your early
afternoon flights home.
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Leader:
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This trip will be led by Bob Schutsky, immediately following
the Southeast Arizona Tour.
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Price:
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$995 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are
available for an extra charge of $295.
Special Discount Offer! Combine this 5-day Salton Sea Tour with
the Southeast Arizona Tour and save $150. Contact
BIRD TREKS
for complete details.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, lodging for four nights, ALL meals,
entrance fees, US Forest Service permits, and all ground
transportation within Arizona and California. ALL tips are also
included in the tour fee, except for anything that you may wish to
give to your tour leader(s).
Does not include cost of airfare to and from Tucson, Arizona.
BIRD TREKS
will, upon request, help you obtain the best airfare. Also not
included are the cost of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal
nature.
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Deposit:
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A $200 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance
is payable 25 May 2008. Send your deposit soon to insure your
reservation on the tour and to obtain the best possible airfare.
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Extra
Services:
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We offer the services of our exclusive
BIRD TREKS travel agent,
Lori Heathcote, in arranging your air travel. Lori has 22 years
of experience in the travel industry and is a veteran birder. Contact
her through Bailey Travel at 1-800-224-5399, or you can e-mail
lori@baileytravel.com.
By dealing with Lori you have the security of a 24-hour toll-free
telephone number in case of any travel emergency. She can also assist
you with all pre- and post-tour travel plans.
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Refund &
Cancellation
Policy:
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With written notice more than 60 days prior to the first day of the
tour, 100% of your deposit will be refunded, minus a $75 service fee.
With 30-60 days notice, you will receive a 50% refund of the full cost
of the tour. No refund can be made with less than 30 days notice. You
will receive a full refund if you provide a replacement for your spot
on the tour. No partial refund can be given once a tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip
cancellation insurance to protect your investment in case of injury or
illness to you or your family prior to or during a tour. Click on the
following link to Access America or contact
BIRD TREKS for information
on obtaining this coverage.
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Robert M. Schutsky
216 Spring Lane
Peach Bottom, PA 17563
Phone: 717-548-3303
Fax: 717-548-3327
e-mail: info@birdtreks.com
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