Southern New England Winter Specialties
February 27 - March 7, 2010
From sandy beaches to rocky coasts to sprawling salt marshes, the seacoast of New England offers superb winter birding opportunities and the prospect of seeing extraordinary species usually found much further north. In winter, eagles, owls, alcids, sea ducks, bay ducks, buntings, and longspurs leave the frozen north and move south to the Connecticut River, Long Island Sound, and Atlantic Ocean. For land as well as seabirds, the ocean acts as a barrier to movement and concentrates birds on the coast. Vagrants from the west often wander the coastline. This tour is designed to offer the serious birder the chance explore the southern New England Coast in search of waterfowl, alcids, rare gulls, eagles, owls, winter passerines, and raptors.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival Boston
After meeting at Boston's Logan Airport, we will travel to the northeast coast of Massachusetts. Our destination is the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island, an 8 mile barrier island with diverse habitats supporting a variety of wildlife. WIth more than 4,600 acres of sandy beach and dune, shrub and thicket habitats, bog, swamp, freshwater marsh, salt marsh, river, mud flat, and salt panne, the refuge has recorded more than 300 species of birds. We'll check the waters off the ocean beach for Red-necked Grebe, Surf Scoter, and Northern Gannet. On the inland side of the dunes, we will be on the look out for Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, and Short-eared Owls hunting over the huge expanse of salt marsh. We'll hope for our first views of the magnificent Snowy Owl which often visits the refuge during the winter months. If there is time, we'll visit Massachusetts Audubon's Joppa Flats Visitors Center just outside the refuge.
Day 2 - Parker River Refuge, Merrimack River, Salisbury Beach State Reservation
This morning we will head back to Parker River and spend more time searching the beach, dune, and marsh areas for owls, hawks, and waterfowl . We'll also explore some areas on the shores of the Merrimack River where Bald Eagles winter. Last year we were treated to an amazing wildlife show when three eagles battled over a fish. Common Mergansers, Great Cormorants, and Green-winged Teal can be seen in the river and we'll stop at several access areas to get the best views possible. In the afternoon, we'll go to Salisbury Beach State Reservation in Salisbury, Massachusetts on the north side of the Merrimack. This 521-acre area has an ocean beach that stretches nearly 3 mile along the Atlantic Ocean where we can scope for more sea ducks and check the shore for Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and other shorebirds.. Here we can also check the inlet and along the mouth the Merrimack River for Common Eider, Common and Red-throated Loon, Common Goldeneye, and look for Gray and Harbor Seals sunning themselves on exposed rocks or on the jetty. (B)
Day 3 - Gloucester and Cape Ann
This morning we will leave the Plum Island area and head south to nearby Cape Ann. Our first stop will be the Jofrey Fish Pier in Gloucester where hundreds of gulls mill around the fishing boats and factories. A quick scan through the masses of Herring Gulls is likely to produce Iceland Gulls and Glaucous Gull and we'll check the far side of the harbor for Black-headed Gull. The bay side can holdBufflehead, American Wigeon, and possibly Eared Grebe. We'll stop at Eastern Point Wildlife Refuge, tucked away near the breakwater of the bay to scan the sea for Black Guillemots, White-winged Scoter, and Common Eider against the backdrop of the Boston skyline in the distance. We'll drive along Atlantic Avenue and search the rocky coastline for Red-throated and Common Loons, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Eider, White-winged and Black Scoter. If were lucky, we'll find the King Eider that regularly winters in this area. In the afternoon, we will make our way south of Boston to Cape Cod where we will spend the next two nights. If time permits, we'll being our exploration of the diverse avian life that winters in Cape Cod and perhaps get our first looks at Harlequin Ducks near the Cape Cod Canal. (B)
Day 4 & 5 – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Winter birding on Cape Cod provides the serious birder the unique opportunity for seeing species that come to the coast to escape harsh conditions further north. Species possible include the Great Cormorant, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Black Legged Kittiwake, several Alcid species, sea ducks which might include Scoter, Eider, Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, and Bufflehead. We’ll search coastal areas as well as freshwater ponds for wintering waterfowl, alcids, Iceland, Glaucous, Black-headed Gull, and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Northern Gannet, and maybe a passing Atlantic Puffin. With any luck, we’ll have opportunities to see some northern irruptive species such as Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy Owl, Northern Shrike, and some of the boreal finches. The Cape’s slightly warmer climate and abundance of fruit-bearing shrubs induce a variety of passerines to over-winter here. Catbird, Eastern Towhee, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, and Yellow-breasted Chat are among the many species possible. Based on birding and weather conditions, we will visit the best areas. (B)
Possibilities include:
Chatham and the Lower Cape
The barrier beaches of Chatham provide exceptional Red-breasted Merganser by Steve Birdaccess to ocean birds. From the beaches and overlooks, we’ll scan the offshore waters for Northern Gannet, Barrow’s Goldeneye, King Eider, and Harlequin Duck. We’ll check the dunes for Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, and Ipswich Sparrow. And, we’ll visit the Chatham Fishing Pier for Glaucous and Iceland Gull, Red-necked Grebe, and Red-breasted Merganser and watch the beach for wintering shorebirds. We’ll also see large groups of Harbor and Gray Seals that congregate on the sand bars. Snowy Owl, a bird of the Canadian tundra that moves south in winter, can occasionally be seen hunkered down on the beach or skimming over the dunes in search of mice.
Cape Cod National Seashore
The eastern coast of the Cape curves northward and includes 43,608 acres of shoreline, salt marsh, freshwater kettle ponds, and upland habitats that make up the sprawling Cape Cod National Seashore. Several beaches will offer superb wildlife viewing opportunities and give us the chance to look for Common and King Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Harlequin Duck as well as wintering shorebirds.
Provincetown/Race Point
Arguably, the best winter bird watching on Cape Cod is the narrow peninsula of Provincetown. Provincetown is comprised entirely of sand washed northward from the Cape’s eastern shore. Here the land is sculpted by the sea and all life is subject to the ocean’s influence. There is no other place in eastern North America that offers the potential for seeing pelagic birds and whales close to shore. We’ll explore Race Point at the very tip of Provincetown for Common and Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill, Dovekie, Black Guillemot and watch for humpback, right, and other whales possible offshore. We’ll also check Provincetown Harbor for white-winged Gulls and Kittiwakes.
Day 6 – Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge/Newport Birding
This morning, we will head toward the smallest state, Rhode Island to explore Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, an important stopover and wintering area for many species of migratory birds. Consisting of 242 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats, the Refuge supports more than 200 bird species and is the best place in New England to see the magnificent Harlequin Duck. Barrow's Goldeneye is possible here, as well as Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Red-necked Grebe, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter and possibly King Eider and Snowy Owl in irruptive years. The open scrub and field habitat attracts Eastern Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, Red Fox, Coyote, and Short-eared Owl. Northern Harrier and Rough-legged Hawk often hunt over the open landscape. We’ll also explore other, lesser-known ponds and forests around Newport to add to our list. (B)
Day 7 – Rhode Island Coast to Connecticut
This morning we will visit Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. Beavertail State Park forms one of the finest stretches of rocky shore in New England. In winter, large flocks of Purple Sandpipers feed on the rocks. From several overlooks, we’ll scope the offshore waters for Common Murre, Razorbill, Dovekie, Common Eider, Red-throated and Common Loon, and the extraordinary Harlequin Duck.
In the afternoon, we will visit several national wildlife refuges along the coast that provide safe haven for more than 300 bird species. We’ll explore the oceanfront and nearby ponds, grasslands, brush and shrub, upland, salt marsh, and barrier beach habitats to see flocks of waterfowl that congregate on refuge salt and freshwater ponds. We’ll look for Canvasback, American Coot, Ruddy Duck, Great Cormorant, American Wigeon, Redhead, Canada Goose. Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed Gull and scan pond edges for American Bittern. We’ll watch for Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers hunting above the marshes. (B)
Day 8 – Connecticut River and Coast
From January through March, Bald Eagles (and occasionally Golden Eagles) leave their frozen homes in Canada and other points north for the warmer waters of the lower Connecticut River. Today, we’ll check for eagles from several vantage points along the river. A variety of waterfowl can be found as well, including Great Cormorant, Common, Red-breasted and Hooded Merganser, American Black Duck, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, Northern Harrier, Common Goldeneye, Mallard, and Belted Kingfisher. We’ll bird prime areas along the coast for winter raptors including nesting Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, and Cooper’s Hawk. We’ll search for wintering shorebirds on coastal sand flats such as Dunlin, American 
Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover, and Sanderling. In coastal American Woodcock by Gina Nichol.forests, we’ll look for Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Rusty Blackbird, Common Grackle, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Towhee, Purple Finch, House Finch, and American Goldfinch. In open fields and brushy areas, we will seek out American Pipit, Horned Lark, American Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Eastern Meadowlark, Lapland Longspur, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Snow Bunting. At dusk, if weather conditions permit, we will check an area for displaying American Woodcock. (B)
Day 9 - Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge/Evening Departure
Today we will travel to Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge just west of the John F. Kennedy airport in New York City. This world-renowned preserve is one of the most important urban wildlife refuges in the United States. Encompassing 9,155 acres with diverse habitats including salt marsh, upland fields, forests, fresh and brackish water ponds, open bays, and islands, Jamaica Bay refuge's freshwater impoundments attract large numbers of birds. An amazing 330 species have been recorded here. In the winter, large flocks of Snow Geese and Brant can be found on the West Pond along with Lesser and Greater Scaup, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Mute and Tundra Swan. Nearly every winter brings rarities such as Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck. We’ll check the bay side for Horned Grebes, the marshes for Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl and keep a watchful eye out for Snowy Owl, an irregular visitor. Later in the day, we will depart from John F. Kennedy airport in New York.
Please contact Peg Abbott for more information or call Toll Free 866-900-1146.
Offered in partnership with Sunrise Birding
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Tour
Cost and Travel Arrangements
TOUR COST: $2395.00 per person from Logan Airport in Boston based on double occupancy. Deposit: $500.00 per person
Single Supplement: $550.00 per person (subject to availability)
Maximum Group Size: 12 plus leaders
Included in cost: Includes group transfer at Logan Airport in Boston on the first day of the tour and group drop-off at JFK airport, all meals from after pick-up and before drop off, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, professional guide services of leaders, park and other entrance fees.
Not included: Roundtrip airfare to Boston and from JFK Airport in New York, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, or drinks from the bar; porterage or gratuities for porterage or personal services.
With fewer than 8 participants, a small-group surcharge (typically $100-300 per participant) will apply. Single supplement is $550.00
Transportation/Travel Planning: You are responsible for planning your arrival to Boston, Massachusetts and departure from JFK, New York. Please plan to arrive at Logan Airport in Boston no later than noon on February 27, Plan your departure flight from JFK after 5 PM on March 7.
RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on this tour, contact Peg Abbott for more information or call Toll Free 866-900-1146.
Cancellations and Refunds: Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $300.00 per person will be made only if Naturalist Journeys, LLC is notified in writing of intent to cancel on or before October 27, 2009. No refunds will be made after October 27, 2009. All cancellations must be made in writing. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.
Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Naturalist Journeys, LLC and Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.
Naturalist Journeys, LLC is an equal opportunity service provider and committed to the goal of ensuring equal opportunity for all in employment and program delivery.
Photo Credits:
Harlequin Duck, Great Blue Heron, American Woodcock, Brant, New England Sunrise © Gina Nichol.
Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Surf Scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Iceland Gull, Harlequin Duck, and Purple Sandpiper
© Steve Bird. |
