From here, we will drive to the coast and birding en route should yield more common birds such as Red-winged Blackbird, Turkey Vulture, and Loggerhead Shrike and possibly our first sighting of the beautiful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Depending on timing, we may pull of to survey the open country for our first Buff-breasted or Pectoral Sandpipers or perhaps American Golden Plovers. We will stop at sites to look for Cinnamon Teal, King Rail, Eastern Kingbird, and the first returning Dickcissels of the spring.We'll check into our accommodation near High Island where we spend the next five nights. Nights Winnie.

Days 3 to 6 -
High Island / Anahuac / Bolivar
We are now based on the doorstep of some of the most exhilarating birding imaginable. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, with its wealth of marshes and pools is excellent for a great variety of species including Fulvous Whistling Duck, White-faced Ibis and sometimes Glossy Ibis.  Rails are well represented including Sora, King, Clapper and even Yellow Rail. Black Rail is also possible here if we are lucky.  We can look for Little and American Bittern among the reeds and watch for Purple Gallinules peering out from the lily pads, and waders such as Wilson’s Phalarope, Baird's, Buff-breasted, Stilt and Pectoral Sandpipers can be found.

At High Island, we will make regular visits in the mornings and evenings to both Boy Scout and Smiths Oaks Woods where a profusion of brightly colored warblers will vie for our attention. Up to 25 species of warbler in a day is not unusual and among those we will be seeking are Yellow-throated, Mourning, Worm-eating, Swainson’s, Cerulean, Blackburnian, Hooded, Magnolia, Prothonotary, Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided, Golden-winged, Kentucky and Blue-winged, plus Northern and Louisiana Waterthrush, Ovenbird and Northern Parula. There will be many other species migrating through the area, such as Indigo and Painted Buntings, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted and Blue Grosbeaks, Wood Thrush, Veery, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, and Black-billed Cuckoo to name but a few.

Bolivar Flats is a huge tidal lagoon where thousands of waders, gulls and terns congregate. Here and among the surrounding fields, we will be able to get very close views of Western, Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, Buff-breasted and Upland Sandpipers, Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, Wilson’s and Piping Plovers, American Oystercatcher, Willet, Brown and White Pelicans, Caspian, Royal, Forster’s, Least and Gull-billed Terns, Black Skimmer, and in the marshes bordering this incredible area Nelson’s, LeConte’s and Seaside Sparrows.

On one day we will pay a visit to Silsbee in Big Thicket country where we will search for Bald Eagle, American Swallow-tailed Kite, Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Prairie Warbler. These days will provide a relaxed yet bird-filled experience in Spring Migration heaven.  Nights in Winnie.

Day 7 - Departures from Houston
Hopefully there will be time this morning to do some last birding before heading to Houston for our flights home.

Leader: Frank Mantlik

TEXAS:
Spring Migration
Registration Form>>

April 17 - 23, 2012
TOUR PRICE:   $1795.00 per person from Houston, Texas based on double occupancy.

Deposit:  $500.00 per person    

Single Supplement:  $325.00 per person
(subject to availability)

Maximum Group Size:  12 plus leader(s)

Included in cost:  Included in cost are accommodations in good quality motels based on twin rooms en-suite, meals, transport throughout the tour by air conditioned vehicle, entrance fees and guiding services of the leader(s).

Not included: The cost does not include transportation to or from your home to the arrival and departure points in Texas; drinks, insurance, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, porterage, maid gratuities, or beverages from the bar.

Travel Planning: You are responsible for planning your arrival to Houston on April 17 and departure from Houston in the afternoon of April 23. You will be advised when to book your flights for this tour.  Please do not make your flight arrangements until we have confirmed the specific schedule with you.

Final Payment: Final payment for this tour is due January 16, 2012 and must be paid by check or bank transfer.

Cancellations and Refunds: No refunds will be made after January 16, 2012. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.

Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. 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.

Questions? Contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding.com 
Phone: 203.453.6724