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“South Texas: Leap Year Week Specialties in the Rio Grande Valley”
February 25 - March 3, 2012, $1890. Leader: John Yerger
Join us for a trip to one of the premier birding destinations in the United States: the Lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. With resident specialties like Least Grebe, Green and Ringed Kingfishers, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee, Green Jay, Altamira Oriole, and Tropical Parula, how can you miss? We’ll explore such classic hotspots as Sabal Palm Sanctuary (one of the last remaining palm forests in the U.S.), Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Frontera Audubon Thicket, and other lesser-known local secrets. We’ll have a chance at rarer residents such as Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Hook-billed Kite, Clay-colored Robin, and White-collared Seedeater to name a few. There is no telling what vagrant species from Mexico may be present, but we'll definitely make an effort for them! We’ll sample all habitats from tidal mudflats to subtropical thornscrub to prime Chihuahuan desert. Taste the full flavor of south Texas biodiversity on this trip, with a guide who has lived and birded there.
This trip is scheduled at a time when rarities from Mexico can often be found on our side of the "Rio Bravo del Norte." Our itinerary is designed to be flexible enough to chase any rarities that are reported during our trip. The sample itinerary provided below is subject to change prior to (or after) the start of the trip.
To sign up for this or any other Adventure Birding tour, please email
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for a printable registration form, or call 520-495-0229 to have one mailed to you.
Blue Bunting - a rare but regular visitor to south TX Plain Chachalaca - up close and personal! The ever-stunning Green Jay White-collared Seedeater (female) Crimson-collared Grosbeak - an extreme vagrant, not to be expected on any trip to the region Birders waiting for the next great rarity to show itself! (In this case, a White-throated Thrush...)
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Blue Bunting - a rare but regular visitor to south TX Plain Chachalaca - up close and personal! The ever-stunning Green Jay White-collared Seedeater (female) Crimson-collared Grosbeak - an extreme vagrant, not to be expected on any trip to the region Birders waiting for the next great rarity to show itself! (In this case, a White-throated Thrush...)
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ITINERARY:
Saturday, Feb 25th – Day 1
Tour begins this evening in Harlingen. Participants will be picked up at the Harlingen International Airport. Brief welcome, orientation to the area and birds, and dinner. Night in Harlingen.
Sunday, Feb 26th – Day 2
We hope to spend this morning at Sabal Palm Audubon Center, where species like Green Jay, White-tipped Dove, and Plain Chachalaca abound. This has also been a good area in the past for rarer residents like Groove-billed Ani. (However, if the sanctuary is closed due to homeland security or fiscal reasons, we have a nice alternative ready as a backup.) In the afternoon we will cruise the coastal plain looking for shorebirds and raptors, including the delightful (though not yet “ABA countable”) Aplomado Falcon. Good chance for White-tailed Hawk. Night in Harlingen.
Monday, Feb 27th – Day 3
This morning will see us at Estero Llano Grande for such possibilities as Green and Ringed Kingfisher, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, waders and shorebirds. The afternoon may be used to visit the Frontera Audubon Center in Weslaco, a small patch that is excellent for up-close views of Valley specialties - and often good for rare wintering vagrants. Night in McAllen.
Tuesday, Feb 28th – Day 4
The incomparable Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge will provide our birding entertainment this morning. Rarities such as Hook-billed Kite and difficult residents such as Buff-bellied Hummingbird have made their home here. We’ll move on from this area as birds and time dictate, but the afternoon will be used for stops such as the McAllen sewage ponds, Edinburgh wetlands, and other local hotspots. This should put us in a good position to chase down some parrot flocks before dinner. For those who wish, we will make a post-dinner attempt for Common Paraque. Night in McAllen.
Wednesday, Feb 29th – Day 5
One of our guides’ personal favorite locations, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is on this morning’s agenda. In years past, it has been reliable for Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Least Grebe, and other specialties. A local favorite, Anzalduas County Park, may afford us glimpses of Gray Hawk and Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet in the early afternoon. As time and birds dictate, we’ll make our way towards the western end of the Valley. Night in Zapata.
Thursday, March 1st – Day 6
Sunrise birding at Salineño and Chapeño can be unbeatable. This is still one of the only reliable places in the U.S. to see Red-billed Pigeon, although other borderland specialties like Brown Jay and Audubon’s Oriole have become more difficult here in recent years. We’ll also spend some time near Falcon Dam area to diversify our experience with some species more typical of true Chihuahuan Desert. In the afternoon, we’ll try our luck at Muscovy Duck and White-collared Seedeaters. Night in Zapata.
Friday, March 2nd – Day 7
This morning will remain open to continue the search for Seedeaters or and any other missed birds. Afternoon will be open for rarity chasing, etc while returning to Harlingen. Night in Harlingen.
Saturday, March 3rd – Day 8
Tour concludes this morning in Harlingen. Farewells and cheers to the birds!
PACE:
This trip will be focused on finding as many of the specialty bird species as possible. As such, there will be many early mornings to take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures and high bird activity just after sunrise. Once in the field, however, we will generally bird at a relaxed pace. The exception to this may be if we learn of newly reported rarities elsewhere in the Lower Rio Grande Valley; if this happens, we may need to make a long drive rather suddenly!
TRIP COSTS:
Trip price is $1890 based on double occupancy and a minimum of 4 people. Single supplement is $350. We will attempt to pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you choose, but if this is not possible you will be charged the single supplement fee. The trip price includes van transportation from Harlingen International Airport (and transportation throughout the tour), all lodging, meals, guides, park entry fees, and bird feeder donations.
The following are not included: airfare to the starting point of the trip, alcoholic beverages, tips for the guides, and costs resulting from illness, injury, or emergency evacuation, program changes, and delays beyond our control.
To register for this tour, contact
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or call 520-495-0229. A deposit of $200 per person is required to reserve a space on the trip. Full payment of the tour fee is due ninety days prior to the tour departure. If you have any questions, please contact us.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Refunds are made as follows.
-Cancellations in writing made more than 90 days before departure will forfeit the deposit.
-Cancellations made 60 to 90 days before departure will forfeit 50% of the trip price.
-There is no refund for trips cancelled less than 60 days before departure. No trip substitutions can be made for cancellations. One name change allowed up to 21 days before departure.
It is highly recommended that you consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance to cover your financial investment in this trip. A few examples of companies from which you can purchase such insurance are listed below:
http://www.csatravelpro.com/
http://www.travelinsured.com/
http://www.travelsafe.com/
In the rare event that the Adventure Birding Company must cancel a trip, 100% of all payments received to date will be refunded. The Adventure Birding Company is not responsible for non-refundable airfare or trip insurance.
Also note that your insurance company may not cover you for medical expenses incurred while traveling. As such, you may wish to consider additional coverage provided by the same companies that offer trip cancellation insurance.
GENERAL TRIP INFORMATION:
Please note: this information is offered to give a general impression for what is to be expected for the listed trip. If the reader requires any clarification or wishes for more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact a representative of the Adventure Birding Company. Please remember that we are not a travel agency, and as such will not be held liable for any errors or omissions made in the presentation of this information.
ENTERING THE COUNTRY: Non-U.S. citizens should check with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to learn about the latest requirements for travelers entering the United States. Most travelers will only need a valid passport, but some may require a tourist visa. Information for both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens may be found here: http://travel.state.gov/.
HEALTH: Generally speaking, south Texas does not pose any significant danger to visiting birdwatchers. Primary hazards are sun exposure and insects in the form of mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers. Insects will not generally be a problem in the areas we will visit, but can occasionally be a nuisance. Insect repellent can be useful.
WEATHER: Temperatures at this time of year tend to range from 60º F in the morning to over 80º F during the day. However, recent changes in climate have led to both late freezes and early heat waves at this time of year, so check the 10-day weather forecast before you pack your bags. Rain and/or wind are possible at any time.
CLOTHING: Be prepared for the occasional cool day down to the low 50’s F. Also be prepared for the odd afternoon where it might reach 90º F. Long pants, sturdy shoes, and a broad-brimmed hat are all recommended. Sun protection begins with clothing, but is enhanced by a sunscreen of 30 SPF or greater. And don't worry - our restaurants won't require your best evening formalwear.
EQUIPMENT: Binoculars should be brought by the participant. Trip leader will carry a spotting scope and tripod; it is not necessary for participants to bring one. You may wish to bring a camera for 'souvenir' photos. There may be limited opportunities for bird photography, but remember that the primary focus of this trip is to see the birds, not photograph them.
LODGING: We select hotels that are clean and comfortable with good reputations.
FOOD: Each of our hotels will provide a continental-style breakfast. Lunches will consist of healthful picnic food when our meals are taken in the field, but may be provided in standard restaurants if our daily itinerary allows. Dinners will be provided in standard restaurants with a focus on local cuisine (Mexican-American, steakhouses, etc). Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the tour. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know.
TRANSPORTATION: Transport to and from the Harlingen International Airport will be provided by the tour guide in the group tour van. Transportation throughout the tour will be provided in this same van.
SMOKING: Smoking is strictly prohibited in the vehicles or in close proximity to the group. Smoking is permitted well downwind of the group in outdoor settings, unless otherwise dictated by the policies of the locations in which we are visiting. If you are sharing a hotel room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room and be mindful of any cigarette odors that may travel with you into the room.
DETAILED INFORMATION PACKET: Each tour participant will receive a packet containing detailed information on all of our policies, as well as all remaining pertinent information for the trip (where/when the group will meet on the first day, specific locations of our hotels, etc). This will be mailed several weeks in advance of our departure date.
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