Zugunruhe Birding Tours - Adak spring 2011

ADAK, ALASKA: Spring Migration

May 13-20, May 20-27, and May 27 - June 3, 2012

(other combinations of dates are possible; please for more information)

Adak, an island located in the central Aleutians, is 1200 miles southwest of Anchorage and 400 miles east of Attu. It's the westernmost location accessible by commercial air service in North America. Until recently, it was the site of a naval base and access was highly restricted. With the Navy's departure, the island is now open to birders seeking vagrants from Asia plus some interesting resident species, such as Red-faced Cormorant, Gyrfalcon, and a subspecies of Rock Ptarmigan endemic to the central Aleutians.

During each day of the tour, we will bird as many areas of the island as possible, often birding from the vehicle. Our experience has shown that this strategy is the most successful way of finding rarities. Since 2005, some vagrants that we've found in spring include Tundra Bean-Goose (2 years), Spot-billed Duck, Smew (3 years), Wood Sandpiper (4 years), Gray-tailed Tattler, Common Greenshank (3 years), Eyebrowed Thrush, Brambling, and Hawfinch. As long as conditions permit, there will be a half-day boat trip to see Whiskered Auklets and other seabirds.

An annotated species list with links to photos from previous spring tours is available.

TOUR FEE: $3795 per person. The tour fee includes lodging on Adak for seven nights, all meals from supper on the first day of the tour to lunch on the tour's final day, ground transportation during the tour, a half-day boat trip, and guide services. It does not include transportation to and from Adak before and after the tour, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, or any items of a personal nature. Lodging is in two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhouses with a washer and dryer among other amenities. A discount may be available for participants sharing a bedroom (there's one bed per bedroom). If conditions do not permit us to take a boat trip, $325 will be refunded.

GROUP SIZE: This tour is limited 12 participants. A minimum of 3 is required to confirm the tour. An additional guide will be added for groups larger than 6.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS/WEATHER: Participants should be able to sit in a vehicle for up to 3 hours. There is a limited amount of walking, but some may find it moderately difficult due to terrain and/or weather conditions. Walking portions of the tour are optional. Note that almost all species, including Asian vagrants, have been seen from our vehicle. Please notify us if you have any medical conditions that may affect your participation. High temperatures vary between 30 and 50 degrees Farenheit. There is frequent rain and wind.

REGISTRATION and DEPOSIT: A deposit of $900 and a signed registration and release form will reserve your spot on this tour. Please e-mail for more information on the registration procedure and forms (contact info below). The balance of the fee is due by 60 days prior to the tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY: All fees received will be refunded with more than 90 days notice of cancellation. With 60-90 days notice of cancellation, all fees except the deposit will be refunded. No refund is possible with less than 60 days notification.

TRIP and MEDICAL INSURANCE: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect yourself in case you need to cancel, luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged, a medical emergency occurs, or other unforeseen circumstances. Note that many insurance policies require that you purchase it at the time you make the initial deposit for the tour and terms and coverage differ among policies.

We also strongly recommend that you check that your medical insurance covers medical evacuations. A medical emergency will require an evacuation flight, which costs tens of thousands of dollars. If your regular medical insurance does not cover evacuations, please consider purchasing supplemental coverage to protect yourself.

For more information and registration forms, please us.