2008-2009

Polar Bears of Hudson Bay

November 1-6, 2008

Every fall more than 1,000 polar bears gather along the west shore of Hudson Bay near Churchill , Manitoba , to wait for the sea ice to form that will give them access to the seals upon which they prey. During the few weeks from mid-October to early November these normally solitary bears—the world's largest terrestrial carnivores—are easily observed and photographed at extraordinarily close range from the safety of tundra buggies. Unquestionably it is one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities available anywhere. And in addition to the bears, there's a good chance of seeing other wildlife species, such as arctic hare, arctic fox, ptarmigan, snowy owl, and gyrfalcon.

Plus, if the weather cooperates, the northern lights put on a magnificent show. Churchill is an outpost town on the edge of the Canadian Arctic, but it is readily accessible and well equipped to accommodate visitors who travel there from around the world to see its wildlife. Note: this tour is completely “carbon neutral.”

Bob Bittenbender, host

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Migration Magic in the Mid-Atlantic

November 3-7, 2008

Fall migration along the East Coast can produce some spectacular birding. Geographic leading lines, such as mountain ridges and coastlines, in combination with favorable northwest winds can produce effects that funnel birds into major concentrations. Few areas of the world have better places to observe this phenomenon than the mid-Atlantic region. From our start in Philadelphia we'll head to coastal New Jersey and Cape May , world-renowned as a birding destination. Migrating hawks are a particular draw here, but shorebirds and passerines can be spectacular too, as they gather before crossing Delaware Bay . After birding Cape May we will cross Delaware Bay ourselves and bird our way up the string of National Wildlife Refuges that line its western shore. At Bombay Hook NWR we'll witness the cloud of snow geese returning by the thousands to their evening roost. From there we will travel north to the world's oldest sanctuary for birds of prey. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in eastern Pennsylvania has been the site of an active hawkwatch since 1934. The passage of a timely cold front while we're there could produce a red-tailed hawk parade, unobstructed views of northern goshawks, and the best chance for seeing golden eagles anywhere in the East. A few hours of northern saw-whet owl banding on our last night will cap this excursion that should generate a checklist that will surely please any birder.

Eric Hynes, host

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Trinidad and Tobago

March 20-29, 2009

This exotic Caribbean birding destination has been a favorite for many years. Based at the world-renowned Asa Wright Nature Center and Lodge, a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary in Trinidad's rain-forested northern mountain range, and at the charming Blue Waters Inn in Tobago , birders will travel to several unique natural areas on both islands. While sipping your morning coffee or afternoon rum punch on the verandah of the Asa Wright Nature Center, you may not even need binoculars to see 25 to 30 species visit the feeding station. Excursions to view red-bellied macaw, scarlet ibis, oilbird and common potoo are highlights. On Tobago , your days combine swimming, snorkeling and cruising in the glass-bottomed boat. Daily birding targets species such as red-billed tropicbird, red-footed and brown boobies, manakins, jacamars, honeycreepers and more.

Eric Hynes, host

South Texas before the Wall

April 18-25, 2009

The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a birder's paradise filled with famous destinations such as Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park . An effort to fence the border with Mexico , though, threatens to wall off many of these special places—so see them while you still can. The species composition here cannot be found anywhere else in the United States: plain chachalaca, least grebe, Harris's hawk, white-tipped dove, common pauraque, buff-bellied hummingbird, ringed kingfisher, golden-fronted woodpecker, northern beardless-tyrannulet, great kiskadee, green jay, olive sparrow, and Altamira oriole are just a few of the unique residents likely to be encountered. This tour coincides with the peak of spring migration in south Texas so thousands of migrant birds will be pouring through as well.

Eric Hynes , host

Newfoundland: In the Footsteps of the Vikings
June 26-July 7, 2009

Walk in the footsteps of the New World's first peoples and explore the home of the first Viking explorers. This exciting holiday starts and ends in Deer Lake, Newfoundland , and explores the nature and geology of the country's western coast. Gros Morne National Park, a United Nations World Heritage Site; L'Anse aux Meadows, North America's only known Viking settlement; and Red Bay, the Labrador home of over 1,500 Basque whalers during the 1540s, are some of the highlights of this unique vacation. This trip also features the northern terminus of the Appalachian Mountains , many birds and wildlife, a Viking feast, and a short journey to the “center of the Earth” (hills formed by the uplift of a deep portion of the Earth's crust). Enjoy Newfoundlanders, their culture, and landscape on this unforgettable holiday as they celebrate the 1,109th anniversary of the Vikings walking our shores.

Bob Bittenbender and Margi Huber , hosts