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Agenda
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1
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Meet at Lafayette Airport at about noon, where the tour begins. Due
to Hurricane Rita we did not conduct this tour in 2006. It was great
to return to this beautiful area in 2007, and the birding was
excellent. Our first stop will be nearby Lake Martin for the
impressive long-legged wader rookery, Roseate
Spoonbills, and nesting Prothonotary Warblers. We may also
see Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Anhinga, and
Northern Parula. We'll spend the first night in nearby
Lafayette, just in case anyone's flight is late in arriving.
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2
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This morning we'll bird our way southwest to the Gulf Coast, looking
for Wilson's Phalarope, Purple Gallinule, and
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck along the way. We'll spend the
full day birding in Louisiana's famed marshlands and beaches. We'll
concentrate on Sabine (pronounced suh BEAN') Refuge and Holly Beach.
Target species include Neotropic Cormorant, Fulvous
Whistling-Duck, Purple Gallinule, and Least Bittern.
Rarities in the Holly Beach area during recent spring migrations
include Masked Duck, Tropical Kingbird, and Shiny
Cowbird, among many others. On recent tours we found a Western
Grebe swimming offshore and a small flock of Black Scoters
migrating along the coast. Our next four nights will be near the town
of Cameron.
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Wilson's Phalarope does it's twirling feeding display.
--David Nelson
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3
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Today we'll drive east to Oak Grove and Grand Chenier to look for
Neotropical migrants, Barn Owl, and Least
Bittern. Whenever the proper weather conditions prevail we will
abandon our afternoon plans and bird the nearest chenier. Northerly
winds can bring down thousands of Gulf migrants, and the trees may be
alive with warblers, vireos, thrushes,
tanagers, grosbeaks, and other songbirds.
Fallouts such as these have produced first state records including
Townsend's Warbler, Hepatic Tanager, and Hooded
Oriole. Let the north winds blow!
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We are likely to find a Barn Owl or two.
--Jim and Deva Burns/
Natural Impacts
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4
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A full day in the coastal refuges including Lacassine, Rockefeller,
and Cameron-Prairie. Here we should find Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher, Dickcissel, Painted Bunting, and a nice
variety of waterfowl. Some time spent scoping rice fields may
produce flocks of Marbled and Hudsonian Godwits,
Franklin's Gull, and many other aquatic species. We'll
search for Crested Caracara, the northernmost population on the
continent. Whenever we have a free hour early or late in the day,
East Jetty Beach is excellent for shorebirds, gulls, and
terns, and oak groves in and near Cameron can yield interesting
songbirds.
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5
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This is a good day to drive into east Texas to visit Sea Rim State
Park and Sabine Woods. On a recent tour we planned our visit with the
mid-day arrival of a cold front and brief, heavy rain. This resulted
in the fallout of hundreds of Neotropical migrants: 50 Orchard
Orioles, 75 Indigo Bunting, half a dozen Painted
Buntings, 4 Cerulean Warblers, Western Kingbirds,
Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireos, almost 20
different warblers, and many more wonderful birds. It was quite an
afternoon!
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"Dutch and I had a great time on our birding adventure. Viewing many
birds we've seldom seen and adding some new ones to our list was
exciting. Becoming more acquainted with Southwest Louisiana was fun.
The residents were interesting, and the food was delicious. Thank you
both for making this wonderful adventure happen."
Tour participant Judy S. from Oregon, describing the 2007 Southwest
Louisiana Tour that was led by Bob and Nancy Schutsky.
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6
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A return to Holly Beach may yield a few seabirds such as a
Parasitic Jaeger or Northern Gannet. Sabine Lake and
Blue Buck Pond are good for Whimbrel, Long-billed
Curlew, and a variety of waterfowl. By now we should have
seen Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, and Eurasian
Collared-Dove. Other possibilities include Anhinga,
Summer Tanager, and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Overnight in
Lake Charles, 40 miles north of Cameron.
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7
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Today's birding will be an inland loop through Calcasieu and
Beauregard Parishes. We'll look for Mississippi and
Swallow-tailed Kites at Niblett's Bluff, Greater
Roadrunner at Old River, and pine forest specialties such as
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman's Sparrow, Pine
Warbler, and Brown-headed Nuthatch in Kisatchie National
Forest. The river bottoms should be good for Barred Owl,
Red-headed Woodpecker, and Swainson's and
Prothonotary Warblers. A second night in Lake Charles.
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8
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Our final morning will be open for anything we want to do. If we have
missed Red-cockaded Woodpecker, there will be more time to look
for it. If our target species cooperated, then another search of the
rice fields may yield an unusual shorebird such as a Curlew
Sandpiper or Ruff. If the cheniers are full of
songbirds, we'll take time to enjoy them and look for new
species. After lunch we'll return to Lafayette Airport, where the
tour ends.
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Leader:
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The
BIRD TREKS
tour to SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA will be led by
Bob Schutsky. Bob has lots of experience with all of the target
species, having led previous tours to Louisiana and nearby Texas,
Florida, and Mexico.
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Price:
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$1755 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations
are available for an extra charge of $325. Remember the
discount if you also go on the Dauphin Island, Alabama Tour.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, entrance fees, all ground transportation within
Louisiana, ALL meals, and lodging for 7 nights. 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 Lafayette, Louisiana.
BIRD TREKS
will, upon request, help you obtain the least expensive air
transportation. 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 $400 deposit will assure your space on the tour. The balance is due
1 February 2008. We expect this tour to fill quickly; please send
your deposit SOON to avoid disappointment.
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"Thank you both for your hard work and dedication in making this a
wonderful birding trip -- a truly memorable experience!"
Tour participant Kathleen B. of Virginia, also on the 2007 Southwest
Louisiana Tour.
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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.
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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