Waterfowl and Seabird Migration at Hamlin Beach, New York
November 1 - 3, 2002

Every fall, over 300,000 loons, grebes, swans, geese, ducks, jaegers, gulls, and terns - what we collectively call waterbirds - migrate along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. Hamlin Beach State Park, designated a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, is the premier location for observing this spectacle. This tour is timed to capture the peak of diversity, with over 20 species of ducks present. Peak movements of specialties like Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Brant, and scoters are possible, along with Red-throated Loons, Red-necked Grebes, jaegers, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Little Gulls, and much more. This workshop will concentrate on identification techniques and the dynamics of the migration, such as weather conditions and geography. We will visit several other areas to observe staging birds, as well as look for winter finches and other songbirds attracted to habitat within Hamlin Beach Park.

Day One: Arrive in the afternoon for check-in. Meet at 5:00 p.m. and proceed to dinner (included). This will give us all a chance to get acquainted and discuss all the possibilities and the dynamics of the migration at Hamlin Beach State Park. A presentation on the migration at Hamlin Beach will follow.

Day Two: Meet at 6:15 a.m. for the drive to the park. Early morning is the peak time for waterbird migration, so we will immediately focus on identifying and appreciating the passing birds. Staging birds in front of the watch site will also be observed and discussed. We will break for lunch around 11:30, and afterwards proceed to nearby ponds and bays to continue our study of fall waterbirds. Throughout the course of the day, other types of birds may be evident, and we will take the time to enjoy them. We will return to the B & B aound 4:00 p.m., before enjoying a relaxing dinner (included) and reviewing the day’s sightings.

Day Three: Meet at 6:15 a.m. for check-out, before heading to the park for another morning of loons, ducks, and gulls. A search of nearby habitat may yield a number of passerine species. We will bask in the beauty of the birds and the lakeshore until around 12:30, at which time we will summarize our sightings and conclude the tour. You are welcome to stay and enjoy more of the migration on your own.

Tour Details
This tour includes two nights of accomodations at a quiet and comfortable bed and breakfast, located on six wooded acres! Rooms are furnished with either one or two beds. Dinner at two of the area’s well-known eating establishments are included (Friday and Saturday), as well as breakfast each day before birding.

Also included are professional guide services for the duration of the tour. Brett M. Ewald will be the tour leader on this exciting and educational workshop. As well as being an accomplished birder, naturalist, and biologist, Brett possesses an intimate understanding of the waterbird migration. Along with being the founder and director of the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch for Braddock Bay Raptor Research, he recently co-authored a publication on waterbird movements on Lake Ontario. He looks forward to sharing the wonders of waterbirds and Hamlin Beach with you!

Besides the remarkable birding, the Lake Ontario Plain is known for its pastoral setting. For those also wanting to experience a faster pace, Rochester is less than thirty minutes away.

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

• Double: $199.00 
  
• Single: $279.00
  
• Workshop only (no lodging needed but includes dinners): $109.00
  

Terms and Conditions
A $75.00 deposit is required at time of booking. Any balance due is required September 30, 2002. 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 September 30, 2002. Cancellations after September 30, 2002 will forfeit the entire $75.00 deposit. Transportation is the responsibility of the participant(s).