The tour will begin at the Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia. If everyone can arrive by about noon, we will have time for birding on the way to the Outer Banks. The first planned stop is Fort Story, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. We'll also visit nearby Seashore State Park. Between the two locations we will bird open ocean, beach, dunes, pine forest, and cypress swamp. Birds will range from Brown Pelican and Royal Tern to Pileated Woodpecker and maybe a Barred Owl. We'll then head south to the Outer Banks, watching for a Bald Eagle along the way. ALL 5 NIGHTS will be in the same motel in either Manteo or Buxton, near Cape Hatteras, depending upon which dock we use for our pelagic trip.

Our first full day on the Outer Banks will include birding at Pea Island, Oregon Inlet, Coquina Beach, and Bodie Island. The Pea Island impoundments yield Marbled and Hudsonian Godwits, along with American Avocet and many additional shorebirds. Hedgerows and thickets are great for sparrows, warblers, vireos, and other songbirds. Herons, egrets, ibis, pelicans, and terns are abundant at Oregon Inlet. We'll save time late in the day to search for bitterns and rails at Bodie Light, then get a good night's sleep for tomorrow's pelagic trip.

We will spend the day at sea in the nearby waters of the Gulf Stream with Brian Patteson. Some of the species that we may see include Black-capped Petrel, Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Sooty and Bridled Terns, Cory's and Audubon's Shearwaters, and Pomarine Jaeger. Whales, dolphins, and sea turtles are likely, and unusual species such as Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, Long-tailed Jaeger, and South Polar Skua are well within reason. There is always the chance for something VERY unusual, perhaps a White-tailed Tropicbird (that we saw on the 2007 tour), Herald Petrel, or White-faced Storm-Petrel.

Our day will begin at Hatteras, famous for its gulls, terns, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Nearby hedgerows will yield more songbirds and perhaps a rarity such as Lark Sparrow or Dickcissel. The ferry ride will produce many aquatic species, then we'll explore Ocracoke Island's vast thickets, salt marshes, and miles of beautiful beach. Although rare in North Carolina, Shiny Cowbird, White-winged Dove, and Eurasian Collared-Dove have all been found there.

Bodie (pronounced 'body') Island has a great combination of edges and hedgerows for songbirds, pinewoods for Brown-headed Nuthatch and Pine Warbler, and lots of marsh and wetlands for aquatic species. We'll spend more time at Pea Island and Hatteras Point, especially at some of the known vagrant traps where we might find Western Kingbird or Clay-colored Sparrow. Any extra time is useful for scoping the vast flats at Oregon Inlet or looking for migrant seabirds from Coquina Beach. We'll spend our final night on the Outer Banks.

We'll have one more morning on the Outer Banks, then we'll work our way north to Norfolk International Airport and the end of a wonderful experience on the North Carolina Coast. Plan your flights home for noon or later.

The Outer Banks Birding Extravaganza will be led by Bob Schutsky who has birded coastal North Carolina dozens of times. The birding and coastal scenery will be spectacular.

$1455 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodation is available at an extra charge of $275.

Expert guide service, lodging for five nights, ALL meals, entrance fees and permits, pelagic trip and ferry rides, and ground transportation from Norfolk, Virginia. 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 the cost of airfare to and from Norfolk. BIRD TREKS will, upon request, help you to obtain the best possible airfare. Also not included are the costs of alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.

A $300 deposit will assure your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 20 June 2008. EARLY RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY so that we can secure your spot on the pelagic trip, which may fill 3-6 months in advance.

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.

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.