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Citreoline Trogon. Photo by Peter Candido.Winter Getaway!
SAN BLAS ENDEMICS
March 21-27, 2010
plus Durango Highway
March 27-30, 2010

Long recognized for its species diversity and shear numbers of birds, the area surrounding San Blas in the Mexican state of Nayarit offers the opportunity to see more than 30 Mexican endemics, tropical birds at their northern limit, as well as a large numbers of neo-tropical migrants at their wintering grounds. Bird watching in the San Blas area generally tends to be easy on the birder, as the best sites are very local and close in, requiring only short driving distances.



Join us for a warm, winter birding getaway in search of Mexican endemics while enjoying the unique charm of San Blas!


Specialties of San Blas:
Below are some of the target species for this tour.  All are Mexican endemics:

  • Mexican Parrotlet
  • Sinaloa and Happy Wren
  • Citreoline Trogon
  • Blue Mockingbird
  • White-throated Flycatcher
  • Lilac-crowned Parrot
  • Colima Pygmy Owl
  • San Blas Jay
  • Gray-crowned Woodpecker
  • Golden Vireo
  • Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow
  • Mexican Woodnymph
  • Bumblebee Hummingbird
  • Elegant Quail
 Highlights of this tour:
  • Up to 30 Mexican endemics and numerous other tropical specialties
  • Large numbers of neo-tropical migrants at their wintering grounds
  • Easy birding, short travel distances
  • Pleasant weather conditions
  • Great accommodation and food
  • Diverse habitats, including salt marshes, mangrove forests, palm and thorn forests, coffee plantations and pine-oak tropical highlands.
  • Boat trip on San Cristobal River
  • Night boat trip for Potoos, Nightjars, & Boat-billed Heron

Much of San Blas’ enduring charm is due to the fact that it has never been developed for large-scale tourism and lacks the big Mexican beach resort “feel” that is prevalent in many coastal towns. In addition to the wonderful and relaxed atmosphere of the town, we will stay at one of the most birder-friendly hotels anywhere. Arriving in San Blas, you would never expect to find accommodations of such caliber, much less a restaurant with a Cordon Bleu trained chef! The hotel is a family run business, offering a wonderful swimming pool, superb food and a very attentive and friendly staff.

Trip Cost and Travel Planning  |   Registration Form

For a detailed itinerary, please contact us at 203.453.6724
or via email gina@sunrisebirding.com

Tufted Jay. Photo by Peter Candido.DURANGO HIGHWAY
March 27-30, 2010

The Durango highway stretches over the Sierra Madres in the 1200-mile expanse between the U.S. border and Guadalajara. Climbing from sea level to nearly 8000 feet in about 60 miles it continues to be one of the most impressive and scenic drives in Mexico. The acute elevation change along the highway, coupled with significant rainfall amounts and rugged topography, offer an abundance of unique habitats with an incredible variety of bird life. This Durango Highway extension offers the potential to see upwards of 34 Mexican endemics, many which are not possible or very difficult to find in the San Blas area.

Our birding purpose will focus primarily on exploring the higher elevations in search of the incredibly showy and very regional endemic Tufted Jay. The Durango highway offers the only easy access for locating this fantastic bird. The highlands also offer an amazing number of other interesting birds, including Eared Quetzal, Green-striped Brush-finch, Red-headed Tanager, Golden-browed and Red Warbler’s to mention a few. In addition, we will take advantage of the opportunity to bird in the incredibly diverse dry tropical deciduous forest that dominates the lower elevations. This habitat that holds numerous Mexican endemics including Happy and Sinaloa Wrens, Mexican Parrotlets, Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Colima Pygmy Owl, and Black-throated Magpie Jay.

 

Trip Cost and Travel Planning  |   Registration Form



For a detailed itinerary, please contact us at 203.453.6724 or via email gina@sunrisebirding.com

 Targets of this tour::

  • Tufted Jay
  • Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
  • Black-throated Magpie Jay
  • Red-breasted Chat
  • Flammulated Flycatcher
  • White-naped Swift
  • Fan-tailed Warbler
  • Blue Bunting
  • Mountain Trogon
  • White-striped Woodcreeper
  • Brown-backed Solitaire
  • Red-headed Tanager
  • Golden-crowned Emerald
  • Russet-crowned Motmot
  • Military Macaw
  • plus much more!

Northern Potoo. Photo Dave MacKay.SAN BLAS ENDEMICS
March 21-27, 2010

TOUR PRICE:  
$2095.00 per person from Puerto Vallarta
based on double occupancy

Deposit:  $500 per person    
Single Supplement:  $395.00 per person (subject to availability)

Maximum Group Size:  14 plus leaders

Included in cost:  Includes group transfer at Puerto Vallarta on the first day of the tour and group drop-off at Puerto Vallarta airport at the end of the tour, all meals from after pick-up and before drop off, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, professional guide services of leaders, park and other entrance fees.


Not included:  Roundtrip airfare to and from Puerto Vallarta, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, or drinks from the bar; porterage or gratuities for porterage or personal services.


Transportation/Travel Planning:   You are responsible for planning your arrival to Puerto Vallarta on March 21 and departure on March 27.  Please wait for more details about pick-up and drop-off before booking your flights. 

Tufted Jay. Photo by Peter Candido.DURANGO HIGHWAY
March 27-30, 2010

TOUR PRICE:  
$995.00 per person from San Blas, Mexico
based on double occupancy

Deposit:  $500 per person    
Single Supplement:  $195.00 per person (subject to availability)

Maximum Group Size:  14 plus leaders

Included in cost:  Includes group transportation from San Blas to Durango Highway and group drop-off at Mazatlan airport at the end of the tour, all meals from after pick-up and before drop off, transportation during the journey, all accommodations, professional guide services of leaders, park and other entrance fees.


Not included:  Transport to San Blas to meet the group on the first day of the tour and airfare from Mazatlan, items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone, or drinks from the bar; porterage or gratuities for porterage or personal services.

Transportation/Travel Planning:   You are responsible for planning your arrival to San Blas on March 27 and departure from Mazatlan on March 30.  Please wait for more details about pick-up and drop-off before booking your flights.
RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on either or both of these tours, complete the Registration/Release Form and mail it with a deposit of $500 per person per tour to Sunrise Birding, LLC.  Instructions are on the form. 
 >Download and print the Registration Form. 

For detailed itineraries, please contact us at 203.453.6724 or via email gina@sunrisebirding.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Final payment is due by November 21, 2009 and must be paid by check.  If a minimum enrollment is not met, Sunrise Birding, LLC reserves the right to levy a small group surcharge for this trip. 

Cancellations and Refunds:  Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $300.00 per person will be made only if Sunrise Birding, LLC is notified in writing of intent to cancel on or before November 21, 2009.  No refunds will be made after November 21, 2009.  All cancellations must be made in writing.  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

For photo credits, mouse over each photo.