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 locations 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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

We'll spend the morning re-visiting some of yesterday's locations such as Bombay Hook, or perhaps birding our way north along Delaware Route 9 to see some new areas, including Woodland Beach. We will return to the Philadelphia Airport by noon for your afternoon flights home.

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.

$1435 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodation is available at an extra charge of $275.

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.

A $300 deposit assures your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 15 March 2008.

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 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.