The tour begins at the Inn at Nottingham, Nottingham, PA at 7:00 AM. If you are flying from out of town on the previous day, you can be shuttled by van from Philadelphia International Airport to the Nottingham Inn, where you will spend the night. Planned birding stops on the first day of the tour include Bombay Hook NWR, Prime Hook NWR, and Ocean City Inlet. We'll find many of the puddle and bay ducks, a few rails and shorebirds, and raptors including Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier. A search through the blackbird flocks may produce Yellow-headed or Brewer's Blackbird. We'll scope for Harlequin Ducks, Common Eiders, Red-throated Loons, and Canvasbacks at Ocean City Inlet. Overnight in Chincoteague, Virginia.

Our day's birding will be at Chincoteague NWR and nearby environs. We'll head for the causeway for the early morning Snow Goose flight, which is incredibly impressive. This area will also give us lots of shorebirds, usually including American Oystercatchers in the oyster beds, plus a nice variety of long-legged waders, waterfowl, and a Northern Harrier or Merlin. There are some good spots toward the southern end of the island that often yield Brant, Marbled Godwit, Black Skimmer, and Brown-headed Nuthatch. After looking for Clapper Rails near the bridge, we'll make our way into the refuge. Birds here can range from Pine Warbler to Hermit Thrush and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and, with any luck, an American White Pelican. There will be shorebirds, gulls, and terns on the beach, and scoters, loons, Brown Pelican, and possibly a Parasitic Jaeger offshore. Our second night in Chincoteague.

There is always plenty to look for at Chincoteague; another day there will certainly be well spent. But, if we are content with what we found there yesterday, we may decide to head south and explore some new areas. Two likely candidates are Kiptopeke State Park and Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR. The brush pile at Kiptopeke holds a nice variety of sparrows, the marsh has Clapper and Virginia Rails, and we'll check in at the hawk watch to see what raptors are moving. The flats at Oyster and Willis Wharf are known for shorebirds, especially Marbled Godwit and Whimbrel. We often have excellent looks at Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Either way, we'll finish at Chincoteague for another great dinner and our third and final night.

We can spend as much of the morning as we wish in Chincoteague, maybe for a few more migrant seabirds or some late warblers. Bombay Hook is always worth a return visit, especially if we're still looking for the diminutive Ross's Goose. Woodland Beach and other areas along Route 9 are excellent for waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. We'll make the final drive north and return to Nottingham at about 7:00 pm, the end of a wonderful four-day weekend on the Delmarva Peninsula.

BIRD TREKS' Delmarva Fall Migration Tour will be led by Bob Schutsky or another of BIRD TREKS fine tour leaders. Bob and his associates have birded this area many times and will show you all the best that it has to offer. We will be in touch with local hotlines and personal contacts to help us seek out any rarities along the way.

$995 per person based upon double occupancy. Single accommodations are available for an extra charge of $165.

Expert guide service, ALL meals beginning with breakfast the first day of the tour, all entrance fees, lodging for three nights, and ground transportation from Nottingham, PA. All tips are also included, except for anything extra that you may wish to give to your tour guide(s).
Does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages, items of a personal nature, your flight to Philadelphia, or your overnight stay in Nottingham.

A $200 deposit assures your reservation on the tour. The balance is due 15 August 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.