There are two pick-up points. If you are meeting me near my home we will depart at 7:00 AM by van from Lancaster, PA. Or, we will pick you up at Newark International Airport in New Jersey if you are arriving from out of town. Our first stop is Jamaica Bay to look for Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and late shorebirds and herons. There is often a Tufted Duck in the NYC area. We'll bird our way east on Long Island, looking for sea ducks, gulls, falcons, and bitterns. We'll dine at the Shagwong Restaurant and spend the next three nights in Montauk.

After a hearty breakfast at Mr. John's Pancake House, we'll enjoy the maritime scenery, Harbor Seals, and thousands of ducks at famed Montauk Point. Migrant seabirds may include shearwaters, phalaropes, kittiwakes, and alcids. Parasitic Jaegers may be seen close to shore. Montauk has a great reputation for western vagrants that may include sparrows, warblers, flycatchers and such incredible finds as Say's Phoebe or Pink-footed Goose. Dinner at O'Murphy's Pub, on-the-green in Montauk.

We have another full day at the Point to search for King Eider, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, and additional pelagic species. Songbirds may include Baltimore Oriole, Blue-headed Vireo, Evening Grosbeak, or a flock of Red Crossbills. The woods at the recycling center often have large numbers of Hermit Thrushes, a few lingering warblers, and perhaps a Lark or Clay-colored Sparrow. We can usually find an unusual gull such as Little, Black-headed, or Iceland in the harbor. Hopefully there will be a rarity to chase; past tours have yielded Northern Lapwing, Varied Thrush, Sandhill Crane, and Lark Sparrow.

As we drive west toward New York City, we'll look for American Bittern along Dune Road at Shinnecock, rare gulls at Sagaponnick Pond, and Snowy Owl at Jones Beach. Point Lookout is renowned for its flock of Harlequin Ducks, an occasional Eared Grebe, and a nice flock of Bonaparte's Gulls that has produced Little, Black-headed, and even Ross's Gull in past years. Our final stop will be Jamaica Bay for more songbirds, waterfowl, and another opportunity for Northern Saw-whet Owl. We'll spend our final night near Jamaica Bay.

Harlequin Ducks always bring a smile! --Tom Amico

We'll have most of the morning to return to Jamaica Bay. The possibilities there are almost endless. If time allows we'll visit nearby Fort Tilden, Breezy Point, and the Gateway National Recreation Area. This location often holds a vagrant or two, and is a good vantage point for seabirds. We'll return to Newark International Airport for your afternoon flights home, then make the three-hour drive to Lancaster, PA, where the tour ends.

Bird Treks' Autumn Montauk Tour will be led by Bob Schutsky, who is familiar with all of the good Long Island locations and has birded this area many times.

$1245 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge of $225.

Expert guide service, entrance fees, ALL meals, all tips, lodging for four nights, all ground transportation from PA, and lots of great birds.
Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, anything extra that you may wish to give to your guide/driver, or items of a personal nature.

A $300 deposit assures your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 1 September 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 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.