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INTERIOR WASHINGTON

15 - 19 Jan 2009

Winter snows bring a small but interesting mix of birds to the interior of Washington state.  Two of our main targets -- Sharp-tailed Grouse and Gray Partridge -- are resident but only regularly seen when the snow makes them much more conspicuous.  Other target birds are visitors from the north.  Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike, and Bohemian Waxwing are fairly common.  Numbers of Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl, and winter finches vary year to year, but there are usually a few around.  Some other birds that we should see include Gray Jay, Black-billed Magpie, and Snow Bunting.  We'll also spend some time looking for Great Gray Owl.

Day 1 (Jan 15): Meet in the late afternoon/early evening in Spokane, WA. 

Day 2 (Jan 16): After an early breakfast, we'll begin our drive to Omak, our base for the next two nights.  Of course, we'll bird along the way.  Our route will be somewhat dependent on recent reports -- we'll go where the birds are being seen.  One likely route will take us across the Waterville Plateau, a spot where  Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl, and Gray Partridge are possible. 

Day 3 (Jan 17): One of our first stops this day will be near Conconully at a reliable location for Sharp-tailed Grouse.  From here, we'll drive into the Okanogan Highlands to look for finches such as Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Red Crossbill, and with a bit of luck, perhaps Common Redpoll or White-winged Crossbill.  Gray Jay and Clark's Nutcracker are some of the other great birds in this area.  At dusk, we'll try our best to find Great Gray Owl.

Day 4 (Jan 18): If we weren't successful the previous evening, we'll start the day at dawn trying for Great Gray Owl again.  The rest of the day will be spent looking for whatever we might have missed up to this point.  We may take more time in the Highlands for finches, or we may head south to the agricultural areas for open country birds like Prairie Falcon, Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting.  As dusk approaches, we'll begin the drive back to Spokane.  

Day 5 (Jan 19): After breakfast, we'll return to the airport for flights home.

TOUR FEE: $960 per person based on double occupancy (single accommodations may be available for an additional charge of approximately $340).  The tour fee includes lodging for four nights, all meals from breakfast on Jan 16 to breakfast on Jan 19, ground transportation during the tour, and guide services.  It does not include transportation to and from Spokane, WA before and after the tour, phone calls, laundry, room service charges, alcoholic beverages, or any items of a personal nature.  If you would like to arrange your own accommodations in Spokane, please contact us for a revised fee.

LEADER: John Puschock, owner of Zugunruhe Birding Tours and a resident of Washington, will be your leader for this tour.

GROUP SIZE: This tour is limited 6 participants.  A minimum of 3 is required to confirm the tour.  An additional guide may be added for groups of 5 or 6.

PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS/WEATHER: Participants should be able to sit in a vehicle for up to 2 to 3 hours and be able to walk at a slow to moderate pace on uneven terrain for up to 2 hours.  Please notify us if you have any medical conditions that may affect your participation.  Temperatures will be cold.  High temperatures in mid-January are often less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit.  Snow and fog at times may interfere with travel and birding. 

REGISTRATION and DEPOSIT: A deposit of $250 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 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.

For more information and registration forms, please us at info@zbirdtours.com.

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