ALASKA TRIP REPORT
Specialties & a World Rarity!
Our Alaska trip was a smashing success getting all of the target species including Bristle-thighed Curlew, Smith's Longspur, Spectacled Eider, Whiskered Auklet, and many more.  The biggest surprise was during our Dutch Harbor extension when we had prolonged looks at the rare Short-tailed Albatross.  This juvenile is one of the rarest albatrosses in the world and these birds nest on only one island, the Japanese island of Torishima The world population of Short-tailed Albatross is currently estimated at between 1000-2000 birds. We are planning another tour in 2010.  Stay tuned for details!

Click here for the 2008 Trip Report>>

INDIA: BIRDS, TIGERS, &
THE TAJ MAHAL
November 21 - December 5, 2008
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08india/
What could be more thrilling than seeing a wild Tiger? This photo of a tiger cub was taken from elephant back on our 2006 trip and is one of ten tigers seen on that trip. This tour is designed for the wildlife enthusiast and offers the chance to see some of the most spectacular wildlife in Asia including the rare and elusive Tiger. During our travels, we’ll have the chance to experience and learn about the diverse cultural heritage of this welcoming country. The itinerary includes the fabulous Bharatpur sanctuary filled with water-loving birds, a boat safari on the Chambal River to look for the endemic Gangetic Dolphin and the endangered Gharial, a visit to the majestic Taj Mahal, and four days at Kanha National Park in the remote wilderness of Central India - the famed setting for Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book and home to the endangered Bengal Tiger. Join us for an incredible adventure in the bird and wildlife-filled marshes and jungles of central India!   2006 trip photos>>

For itinerary information, go to http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08india/

Indian Skimmers. Chambal River, India. 
Photo by Steve Bird

HAWAII Avian Specialties &
Natural History
March 29 - April 10, 2009

Aloha! Join us for a tour of these lush tropical islands with avian specialties, active volcanism, verdant and varied native forests, and the surrounding wilderness of the Pacific Ocean! We will visit the four best islands in search of the island's unique inhabitants - Oahu, The Big Island, Maui, and Kaua`i. The island chain’s endemic bird families, particularly the Hawaiian Honeycreepers or Drepanids, have long attracted birders. The diverse forms that comprise this family evolved from a single ancestor akin to a North American finch, into nectarivores, bark-pickers, insect gleaners, or borers, of many brilliant colors. Our tour of Hawaii will be focused on seeing the endemic forest species, seabirds, and other Hawaiian avian specialties. David Kuhn will be our local guide. Between birds we will immerse ourselves in a comprehensive Natural History of HAWAII.

For detailed itinerary information, go to http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09Hawaii/

2008 - 2009 BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS
Sunrise Birding offers personalized, authentic, affordable travel adventures and learning opportunities intended to reveal the splendor and diversity of the natural world.  For a complete list of tours and itinerary information, go to http://www.sunrisebirding.com/tours.htm 

LATEST ADDITIONS: 
CHILE -- Specialties & Endemics -- October 3 – 24, 2009
This beautiful country features the mighty snow-capped Andes stretching from the Atacama Desert in the north to the wind swept plains of Tierra del Fuego and its sub-Antarctic bird life in the south. Our comprehensive tour offers the chance to bird in diverse habitats in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Earth, from dry desert to rich forests, high altitude paramo, ice-fields, waterfalls and glaciers. These varied habitats are home to a unique array of South American endemics including Crag Chilia, Dusky and White-throated Tapaculo, Slender-billed Parakeet, Short-billed Miner, Dusky-tailed Canastero, Moustached Turca and many more. With internal flights we can get to the very best areas for the country’s prized specialties and endemics. In addition, a pelagic trip in the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current will provide opportunities for albatrosses, petrels, penguins and dolphins. In the high grasslands we will look for one of the rarest and most sought after waders in the world, the exquisite Diademed Sandpiper-Plover. If you need to further temptation to consider going on this incredible tour, see the photos from our 2006 trip at http://www.sunrisebirding.com/06Chile_web/index.htm
More info on this tour: http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09Chile/

Ecuador's Feathered Gems -- Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Antpittas, Oilbirds and more!  November 16 - 28, 2009
This small South American country is simply overflowing with birds. It is particularly famous as the hummingbird capital of the world. This glittering family will feature high on our list, as we could see up to 60 species of dazzling hummingbirds most of which will be just a few inches away on feeders and flowers within the grounds of our comfortable lodges. We will also search out some of the 70 species of gaudy, exotic and bright tanagers. That is just a part of the 400+ species we expect to see on this easy paced tour, where most of our birding will be from roadsides or wide open tracks. Our guides will be seeking to show you many very sought after birds including rare and skulking species, such as Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Toucan Barbet, Ocellated Tapaculo, Golden-headed Quetzal, Torrent Duck and the amazing Andean-Cock-of-the Rock. We have the opportunity to see up to 8 species of Antpitta, including Giant and several others now coming in to hand fed worms! As a bonus we will also be the only visitors to go to a newly discovered Oilbird colony! With the magnificent Andes Mountains and its 30 volcanoes as our backdrop, we will explore a variety of habitats including paramo grasslands, highland lakes, mountain slopes, and tropical forests in search of Ecuador's feathered gems.
More info on this trip:  http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09ecuadorHT/

Click the links below for more detailed itineraries!

GALAPAGOS & ECUADOR - Sept/Oct 2008 - 2 spaces left!
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/galap/08index_trip2.html

HUNGARY & ROMANIA - September 19 - October 2, 2008
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08Hungary/

BRAZIL - Wildlife Safari, The Pantanal and Harpy Eagle - October 2008
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08Brazil/

INDIA: Birds, Tigers,and the Taj Mahal - November/December 2008
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08India/

ECUADOR - Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Oilbirds - Nov/Dec 2008
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/08ecuadorHT/

HAWAII - Avian Specialties & Natural History - March/April 2009
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09Hawaii/

MONTANA, YELLOWSTONE, & GRAND TETONS - May/June 2009
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09Montana/

PAPAU NEW GUINEA: Birds-of-Paradise - June/July 2009
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09png/

CHILE - Specialties & Endemics - October 2009
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09Chile/

Ecuador's Feathered Gems - Hummingbirds, Tanagers, Antpittas, Oilbirds and more!  November 2009
http://www.sunrisebirding.com/09ecuadorHT/

Coming in 2010:
Southern Costa Rica, Alaska, Texas, Serra dos Tucanos, and more!

TRIP REPORTS ONLINE
Check our trip reports and photo galleries for narratives of the incredible sightings and encounters we have on our tours.  

• Alaska 2008>>
• Point Pelee 2008>>
• Antarctica 2008>>
• Costa Rica 2008>>
• Ecuador 2007>>
• Galápagos 2007>>
• Montana 2007>>
• Texas 2007>>
  
• New England 2007>>
  
• Costa Rica 2007>>
• Big Bend, Texas 2006>>
  
• India: Birds & Tigers 2006>>
  

LOCAL BIRD WALKS IN CONNECTICUT
Summer 2008 Schedule

Local Bird Walks with Luke Tiller
Confirmation and directions are sent via email a few days before each walk to registered participants. Registration form>>

Sunday, July 27, 2008 -- 9 AM -- Stratford Tour
Saturday, August 2, 2008 -- 9:30 AM -- Grace Salmon Park
Saturday, August 9, 2008 -- 8 AM -- Sandy Point, West Haven
Saturday, August 16, 2008 -- 8 AM -- Westport Shore
Saturday, August 23, 2008 -- 11 AM -- Milford
Saturday, August 30, 2008 -- 1 PM-- Wesport
Questions?  Please contact Luke directly at 203.981.9924

Local Bird Walks with Gina Nichol
Confirmation and directions are sent via email a few days before each walk to registered participants. Registration form>>
  
Thursday, August 7, 2008 -- 6 PM -- Sandy Point, West Haven
Saturday, August 9, 2008 -- 8 AM -- Sandy Point, West Haven

GOOD BIRDING!

Gina Nichol
Sunrise Birding, LLC
203.453.6724
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Web site: http://www.sunrisebirding.com