DELAWARE BAY OF NEW JERSEY & DELAWARE
CAPE MAY POINT & BOMBAY HOOK NWR
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Dates:
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Friday, 25 May through Wednesday, 30 May 2007: 6 days and 5 nights.
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This long Memorial Holiday Weekend includes . . .
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The Horseshoe Crab spectacle on the Delaware Bay, when
thousands of shorebirds gather to feed upon millions of
Horseshoe Crab eggs.
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Lots of time to explore the Jersey Coast, from Cape May
to Brigantine (Forsythe) NWR and many great places off the
beaten path.
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A ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to look for seabirds.
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The vast Central Delaware Marshes, including Bombay Hook
NWR, Port Mahon, Woodland Beach, and Kitts
Hummock.
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New Jersey - Delaware Shorebird Extravaganza
25-30 May 2007
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Day |
Agenda
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1
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We will meet at the Philadelphia International Airport: plan to arrive
by about noon. If your travel plans do not include the airport, an
alternate meeting place can be arranged. We will bird the New Jersey
side of the Delaware Bay for our first views of the Horseshoe Crab
Spectacle. Moore's Beach and Jake's Landing are good areas to see
thousands of shorebirds and other species feasting upon
the Horseshoe Crab eggs. These spots are also good for King
Rail, Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow, and Glossy
Ibis. We'll finish the day in Cape May searching for
shorebirds at the Meadows, raptors at the State Park,
and jaegers and gannets at Sunset Beach. Our first
three nights are all at the same motel in Cape May.
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2
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We'll start the morning at Higbee Beach, where late migrant songbirds
will be feeding in the woods, fields, and hedgerows. Philadelphia
Vireo, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Black-billed
Cuckoo, and late warblers such as Blackpoll and
Mourning are all possible, along with more common breeding
species such as Orchard Oriole, Blue Grosbeak,
Prairie Warbler, and Yellow-breasted Chat. During the
afternoon we'll explore some new areas along the coast in search of
American Oystercatcher, Marbled Godwit, and Black
Skimmer. A late day visit to the South Cape May Meadows is often
good for Piping Plover, Least Tern, Sora, and
Least Bittern. Our second night in Cape May.
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Piping Plovers nest on the Beach at Cape May Point.
--Tom Amico
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3
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American Oystercatcher is big, showy, and easy to identify!
--Bob Schutsky
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Today we'll make our way along the Atlantic Coast to Forsythe
(formerly Brigantine) NWR. This will give us an excellent opportunity
to find some of the shorebirds that are not as easy on the
Delaware Bayshore such as Whimbrel and Red-necked
Phalarope. Curlew Sandpiper in full breeding plumage is
almost annual here in May. Marsh Wren will be common and we
should find Clapper and perhaps Virginia Rails.
Peregrine Falcon and Barn Owl both nest here, as do
Seaside Sparrow and Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow.
There are almost always some lingering waterfowl. We'll make
stops at Stone Harbor Inlet and the Wetlands Institute en route to our
final night in Cape May.
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4
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After breakfast we'll cross the mouth of the Delaware Bay on an
18-mile voyage to Cape Henlopen, Delaware aboard the gigantic Cape
May-Lewes Ferry. With any luck we may find Parasitic Jaeger,
Brown Pelican, Northern Gannet, Wilson's
Storm-Petrel, lingering Common and Red-throated
Loons, a small flock of Black or Surf Scoters, or
even a Loggerhead Sea Turtle. We'll go south along the coast to
Cape Henlopen State Park and Indian River Inlet looking for
Brown-headed Nuthatch, Purple Sandpiper, and more
seabirds. If there are any unusual terns such as
Sandwich or Roseate or lingering sea ducks, we
may go as far south as Ocean City, Maryland before returning to Dover,
Delaware to spend the night.
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5
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We'll spend the entire day in the Central Delaware Marshes including
great locations such as Bombay Hook NWR, Little Creek WMA, Kitts
Hummock, and Woodland Beach. This will give us ample opportunity to
view the Horseshoe Crab Spectacle from the Delaware side of the
Bay and perhaps find a few new shorebirds like a Ruff,
American Avocet, and Black-necked Stilt. Bombay Hook is
reliable for a variety of species and we will tailor our search to
those birds that we have not yet found. We can also look for a few
specialties including Horned Lark, Grasshopper Sparrow,
Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Bobwhite, and Cliff
Swallow. After dark we'll try for Black Rail at Port Mahon,
with a chance for Chuck-will's-widow nearby. Our final night in
Dover.
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6
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We'll spend the morning re-visiting some of yesterday's locations such
as Bombay Hook, or perhaps birding our way north along Route 9
to see some new areas, including Woodland Beach. We will return
to the Philadelphia Airport by noon for your afternoon flights home.
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Leader:
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Our Delaware Bay-Horseshoe Crab Birding Extravaganza will be
led by Bob Schutsky who has been birding New Jersey and
Delaware for three decades. Bob's goal is to give you an enjoyable,
bird-filled, and worry-free tour of this incredible habitat.
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Price:
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$1295 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodation is
available at an extra charge of $275.
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Includes:
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Expert guide service, lodging for 5 nights, ALL meals, entrance
fees, ferry ride, and all ground transportation from Phila, PA. 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 your airfare to Philadelphia, cost of alcoholic
beverages, or items of a personal nature. Upon request,
BIRD TREKS
will help you obtain the best possible airfare.
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Deposit:
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A $300 deposit assures your reservation on the tour. The balance is
due 15 March 2007.
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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 21 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 a 30-60 day 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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