Newburyport & Cape Ann, Massachusetts 
January 14 - 17, 2005

Let yourself be overwhelmed by one of the country’s best wintertime birding locations! The beauty and atmosphere of the Atlantic Ocean will be all around us as we search for the special birds of the Massachusetts coast. The numerous coves, harbors, jetties, beaches, dunes, saltmarshes, and other habitats play host to a wide variety of species. Most notable of these are the seabirds and waterfowl. Among the multitude of wonderful common species, such as Great Cormorant, Horned Grebe, Common Eider, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, and Purple Sandpiper are feathered jewels like Red-necked Grebe, Northern Gannet, King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Black-headed Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Common Murre, Thick-billed Murre, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, and more! We will encounter wintering raptors along barrier beaches and extensive marshes, like Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, and Snowy Owl, with a chance at other wintering species like Short-eared Owl or Northern Shrike. We will come across passerines, as well, such as Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting, and any winter finches that might be in the area. To top it off, be ready to appreciate the beauty of Harbor Seals. Get ready for all that this region has to offer! 

Day One: Arrive in the afternoon for check-in. We will meet and proceed to dinner (included) at 5:30 p.m. - this will give us all a chance to get acquainted while discussing the possibilities presented by the area.

Day Two: Meet at 6:00 a.m. for the drive over to Andrew’s Point and a morning of seabirds and waterfowl. We will break for breakfast at around 8:30 a.m. and then proceed to cover other beaches and coves of the Rockport area. After lunch, we will peruse the coast and harbor around Gloucester, encountering a variety of coastal birds. Dinner and the evening are on your own to explore and enjoy this beautiful region.

Day Three: Meet at 8:00 a.m. to head north to Salisbury Beach, Newburyport, and Plum Island National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, we will search the coast around Ipswich, keeping our eyes open for the “Ipswich” Savannah Sparrow and other wintering birds. We will finish the day out with a relaxing dinner (included) and review the day’s sightings.

Day Four: Meet at 6:00 a.m. for a final morning of coastal treasures. We will concentrate on species we may not have encountered yet, and once again enjoy the spectacular birding in the numerous coves or on the beaches. Return to the hotel at 10:15 for check-out, a sightings summary, and the conclusion of the tour.

Tour Details
This tour includes three nights of beachfront accomodations at a seaside motel! All rooms have a balcony with panoramic ocean view, one double bed and a pull-out couch that opens into a double bed, and the usual amenities. Dinner at two of the area’s well-known eating establishments are provided (Thursday and Saturday), as well as entrance fees to the Parker River N.W.R. Transportation and corresponding tolls are the responsibility of the participant(s).

Also included are professional guide services for the duration of the tour. Brett M. Ewald will be the tour leader on this exciting excursion. As well as being an accomplished birder, naturalist, and biologist with experience from around the country, Brett has been involved in numerous research projects involving many of the species that will be encountered. He looks forward to sharing the wonders of the Cape Ann area with you!

Besides the spectacular birding, the North Shore area (north of Boston) is known for its beautiful beaches, rocky headlands, and history. Newburyport is the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard, Gloucester is the nation’s oldest fishing center, and Rockport is the site of a well-known artists’ colony. All of this is less than an hour drive from Boston.

Tour Pricing
Prices listed are per person, based on your level of occupancy. 

• Double: $374.00 
  
• Single: $474.00
  

Terms and Conditions
A $100.00 deposit is required at time of booking. Any balance due is required November 15, 2004. Confirmation and an informational packet, including details and directions, will be sent upon receipt of deposit. Make your check or money order payable to Lakeshore Nature Tours. If the tour is full, a waiting list will be taken, and filled according to the date of registration. A $25 service fee will apply to cancellations before November 15, 2004. Cancellations after November 15, 2004 will forfeit the entire $100.00 deposit.