Zugunruhe Birding Tours - Gulf of Alaska Pelagics 2011

GULF OF ALASKA PELAGIC

Aug 18-21 and 21-24, 2011

Join us on these three-day trips as we explore the waters of the Gulf of Alaska. We'll be looking for Alaskan pelagic specialties, particularly Short-tailed Albatross and Mottled Petrel. Alcids such as Horned and Tufted Puffin, Marbled, Kittlitz's, and Ancient Murrelets, and Thick-billed and Common Murres should be common, particularly near breeding colonies. We also hope to find species that are not often seen by birders in Alaskan waters, such as Buller's Shearwater, South Polar Skua, and Flesh-footed Shearwater.

We will be on board the M/V Pukuk, a 72-foot vessel custom-built for Alaska charters. The Pukuk has an advanced electronic stabilization system, high railings around the deck plus a large number of other safety features, four staterooms, two heads (bathrooms) with showers, a washer and dryer, and a galley with a full-time cook.

Here's a list of species that may be seen:

Expected/Probable: Laysan, Black-footed, and Short-tailed Albatrosses; Northern Fulmar; Mottled Petrel; Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwater; Leach's and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel; Pelagic, Red-faced, and Double-crested Cormorants; Black-legged Kittiwake; Arctic and Aleutian Terns; Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaeger; Common and Thick-billed Murre; Pigeon Guillemot; Marbled, Kittlitz's, and Ancient Murrelets; Cassin's, Parakeet, and Rhinoceros Auklets; Horned and Tufted Puffins

Probable/Possible: Flesh-footed, Buller's, and Pink-footed Shearwaters; South Polar Skua; Pomarine Jaeger.

Here is a tentative itinerary. Weather conditions may dictate changes:

Day 1: Depart Homer in the early evening.

Day 2: Arrive at Portlock Bank late in the morning. We will bird this area while continuing in the direction of the continental shelf edge.

Day 3: We will spend much of the day birding the area of the shelf edge and then begin our return to Homer late in the day.

Day 4: Return to Homer in the afternoon. We will bird around the Barren Islands as time permits, plus we'll look for Red-faced Cormorant and Aleutian Tern upon our return if we have not encountered them yet.

TOUR FEE: To be determined. Expect about $1350 plus a fuel surcharge

The tour fee includes all meals from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 4. It does not include transportation to and from Homer.

LEADER: John Puschock, owner of Zugunruhe Birding Tours, will be the trip leader.

GROUP SIZE: This trip is limited 9 participants.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS/WEATHER: Sea conditions may be rough, and trip participants may experience seasickness. Participants, particularly those prone to seasickness, should bring a seasickness remedy. Rough sea conditions also may result in the shortening or cancellation of the trip; such decisions are at the discretion of the boat captain.

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.

If the trip is canceled due to weather, problems with the boat problems, or an insufficient number of participants, the entire payment will be refunded. If the trip is shortened due to weather or other reasons, a portion of the trip fee will be refunded. Otherwise, no refunds will be made unless another participant is available to take your place and submits payment. 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. Please consider purchasing trip insurance.

TRIP 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.