Zugunruhe Birding Tours

ATTU, ALASKA: Spring Migration

May 16-30, 2010

Attu. A legendary place that needs little introduction to birders. Closer to Russia than mainland Alaska and located in the Eastern Hemisphere, it's been the site of many first North American records. The island has been seldom visited by birders since the last Attour trip in 2000.

We will travel to the island onboard the M/V Pukuk, a 72-foot boat custom built for Alaska charter cruises, giving us ample opportunity for pelagic birding. We should see almost all of Alaska's alcid species including Whiskered Auklet. Short-tailed Albatross, Red-legged Kittiwake, and Mottled Petrel are possible.

The following is a partial overview of the tour. Please for more information

Day 1 (May 16): Depart Adak after transporting participants from the airport to the boat. Begin sailing to Attu once everyone is aboard (estimated 7-8 PM). Unless weather reports suggest a possible delay in arriving at Attu, we will first go to Little Tanaga Strait to the east of Adak, a site where Whiskered Auklets are often seen in the thousands during spring.

Day 2 (May 17): In transit to Attu.

Day 3 (May 18): In transit to Attu with an arrival at Massacre Bay in the evening.

Day 4-12 (May 19-27): Birding on Attu during the day and overnight on the boat. Breakfast and supper will be on board the boat and box lunches on the island. We will use a skiff to travel between the boat and land.

Day 13 (May 28): Birding on Attu as time permits. Departure for Adak, most likely around noon. The departure time will be dependent on forecasted weather conditions, and the captain will make the final decision when to leave to ensure an arrival at Adak in time for the flight to Anchorage.

Day 14 (May 29): In transit to Adak.

Day 15 (May 30): Arrive at Adak in the afternoon, allowing for enough time to transport passengers to the airport for the return flight to Anchorage.

TOUR FEE: $8,695/person plus fuel surcharge. If fuel prices are $3/gallon, the fuel surcharge is estimated to be $738/person. At $4/gallon, the surcharge is estimated to be $984/person. (As of early September 2009, fuel is about $2.80/gallon.)

A 10% discount of the tour fee (not including fuel surcharge) will be offered to the first licensed physician qualified to provide emergency care who submits the tour fee. This discount will only be offered if the tour has eight participants. The physician will be expected to bring a reasonable amount of medical supplies for providing basic emergency treatments at his or her expense.

The tour fee includes roundtrip travel between Adak and Attu (tour participants may also travel on board the boat between Homer, Dutch Harbor, and/or Adak at no additional expense except for meals), all meals from supper on the first day to lunch on the tour's final day, and guide services. It does not include transportation to and from Adak (or Dutch Harbor or Homer if you choose to board or leave the boat at these locations) before and after the tour, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, or any items of a personal nature.

LEADERS: John Puschock, owner of Zugunruhe Birding Tours, and Bob Schutsky, owner of Bird Treks, will be your leaders for this tour. John and Bob have led numerous tours to Adak in the central Aleutians.

GROUP SIZE: This tour is limited 8 participants.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS/WEATHER: Attu is infamous for its weather, and birding on the island is physically demanding. Participants must be prepared to hike and bike up to 25 miles per day over rough terrain in rain, high winds, and cold temperatures. We recommend reading the book "Attu: Birding on the Edge" for an idea of what to expect. As we will be traveling by boat, participants should expect to encounter rough seas.

REGISTRATION, PAYMENT, and CANCELLATION POLICY: Full payment is required at the time of registration. Full payment includes the tour fee plus an estimated fuel surcharge. The actual fuel surcharge will be calculated after the boat returns to Homer, at which time an additional payment may be required or a refund will be issued. Signed registration and release forms are also required at the time of registration. Please to obtain forms.

No refunds will be made unless another participant is available to take your place and submits payment or if we cancel the tour due to under subscription. If you cancel, priority for the open space will be given to those on the wait list, if there is one. Even if there is a wait list, keep in mind that we may not be able to find a replacement for you, particularly if your cancellation occurs close to the departure date.

We regret having to institute these payment and cancellation policies, but they are required due to the need to provide a commitment to both the boat owner and other tour participants far in advance of the departure date.

TRIP and MEDICAL INSURANCE: Particularly due to the restrictive cancellation policy, 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 occur. 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. When purchasing trip insurance, please read and understand what is and is not covered by your policy.

We also STRONGLY recommend that you check that your medical insurance covers medical evacuations, and if it does not, please consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance. Medical care will be extremely limited to non-existent during this tour. A medical emergency will require an evacuation flight, which costs tens of thousands of dollars.

Again, this is a partial overview of the tour. Please for more information and to obtain registration forms.