Southern California - Bishops to Pelagics by Way of the Salton Sea October 3, 2011

Our newly designed trip to southern California will take us from Palos Verdes to the Palomar Mountains, on to the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert, and finally to San Diego for a pelagic trip and stops at some of that area's top birding sites. Each location, from the shoreline to the foothills, mountains, desert, lakes and ocean, will introduce you to many new species of birds. Some of the specialty birds are Yellow-footed Gulls, California Gnatcatchers, Abert's Towhees, Verdin, Clark's Grebes, Least Storm-Petrel and the exotics Nutmeg Manakin and Orange Bishop. There are many hard-to-find species of birds we will make special efforts for, such as Mountain Quail, White-headed Woodpecker, Rufous-crowned and Sage Sparrows, LeConte's Thrasher, Allen's Hummingbird, Pygmy Nuthatch, Cactus and Rock Wrens, Greater Roadrunner, and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. In the end, we will see over 150 species of birds, with several sites being extremely productive and offering close-up views of many of our target birds. - - - We maintain a low participant-leader ratio for all of our overnight programs. As a result, our guests have an easier time finding and seeing wildlife, and leaders have more time for individualized interactions with each participant. These programs are open to everyone age 18 and older. Fees include all ground and boat transportation, interpretive materials, entrance fees, and lodging unless otherwise noted. Fees are based on double occupancy; optional single rooms available for a supplemental fee except where noted. - - To receive an itinerary, please call: 781-259-2206 or email jriley@massaudubon.org. Registration is required. Call 781-259-2200 for details. See http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=1738-DFP11FA1 for more information.