September 2001

Dear Birding Friends,

I'm starting to get into the swing of these news-letters and plan to send one bi-monthly. I've been especially gratified by the positive responses I've received.

We're starting to wind down for this year so that we can wind up again for 2002. We've have a very busy schedule next year, but one that I think will appeal to many of you.

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ALASKA 2002

I'm already hard at work getting prepared for next year's Alaska trips. We have continued expand the schedule because of the popularily of our Alaska trips. Since I sent out the last newsletter and calendar, I have made some changes, for the better, I hope. We are now able offer two Gambell trips at the peak of the migratory season. The first, from May 24 - 31 gives us a full 7 days on the island.

This last week in May typically brings the highest yield in birds migrating along Northeast Point. Typically, we see Arctic & Yellow-billed Loon, Emperor Goose, Spectacled and Steller's Eider, Ivory Gull and, rarely, Ross's Gull. Asiatic shorebirds begin showing up during this period. Red-necked Stint is an early arrival and begins setting up nesting. Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Gray-tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper and many others are regulary seen in late May and

early June. Asian passerines, e.g., Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Dotterel and Siberian Ruby-throat usually make their appearance the last few days of May and the first few days of June. Our second trip to Gambell--June 1 - 7--will afford an excellent opportunity to see some of these species as well as the migratory birds along the Point.

I'm really excited about our Gambell schedule this year because it gives us maximum coverage during prime time. Don't forget, of course, the Pribilofs trips preceding Gambell 1. Our early trips to the Pribilofs have been very productive, typically yielding several Asian vagrants as well as the incredible display of sea cliff nesters, e.g., Red-faced Cormorant, Northern Fulmar, Crested Auklet, both Puffins and others. This year, we offer an additional 2-day extension for those who wish to stay longer on the Pribilofs.

Combining the Pribilofs, Gambell and Nome ensures the greatest opportunity for seeing numerous Asian vagrants along with the Alaska specialties.

Not to be ignored, however, are our late June trips to Barrow, Nome and Dutch Harbor. These trips have produced an enthusiastic response from our fellow birders. The inclusion of a pelagic trip from Dutch Harbor has been especially well-received, and we expect to fill this trip very quickly. We already have several signups. The good news is that with John Lucking's new 43' ocean-going Delta, we can accommodate 16 people. So, there's still space. Get your reservation in now if you're interested!

You can read a superb report of our Pribilofs, Gambell & Nome trips in 2002 by Phil Davis at: http://www.surfbirds.com/Features/pdalaska01-01.html

I'm especially pleased to announce that Phil and Barbara Davis, both of them highly experienced birders and very personable folks, have agreed to co-lead some of the trips with me in Alaska in 2002.

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MEXICO 2002

SONORA

We have received a pretty strong response for our premier trip to Hacienda de los Santos in Alamos. We still have vacancies, though. The trip is limited to ten. All guests will be staying in

Junior Suites. I've stayed in luxury hotels and inns all over the world, and none have matched the ambiance and comfort of the Hacienda. I can't

say enough about this incredible inn. And, don't forget the raft trip down the beautiful Rio Mayo or the great birding in the tropical deciduous forest surrounding Alamos.

We'll be offering an additional trip to Sonora, March 22 - 31, that includes the high Sierra Madres, Alamos, and the estuaries of the Sea of Cortez. You get nine nights lodging for a very reasonable price, and we stay at the MacKay's charming hacienda in Alamos. This is a wonder-ful inn greatly enhanced by our delightful hosts, Dave & Jen MacKay. David will also be join-ing me in Alaska as a co-leader for his third year.

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OAXACA

This is our inaugural trip to Oaxaca (February 17 - March 2), and I'll be co-leading it with David MacKay. Oaxaca has the largest number of bird species in Mexico, nearly 700. It is the only destination where we can easily access both the Atlantic and the Pacific slopes In between is a plethora of habitats that harbor many endemics. Combine this incredible birding with the opportunity to immerse youselves in Old Mexico at its best, and you have a trip that you won't want to miss.

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COSTA RICA

Don't forget our inaugural trip to Costa Rica with Ornithology Expeditions (April 13 - 27) Marcus England will be co-leading this trip. He spent over a year living in and researching the birds of Costa Rica. We plan to stay the premier eco-lodges including the Monteverde Lodge, Tortuga Lodge and Rancho Naturalista. We expect to see the Resplendent Quetzal, along with many of the difficult-to-see species.

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BELIZE

We're off to Belize again, Marcus and me, to hopefully repeat our enormously succesful trip of last year. The number of species--327--was certainly impressive. But, more impressive, was the quality of species we were able to see. Excellent looks at Ornate Hawk-eagle, Agami Heron, Pinnated Bittern, Green Shrike-Vireo, Tody Motmot and Lovely Cotinga were among the highlights of the trip. For an excellent narrative of our April trip by Marcus England, go to: http://www.belizebirds.com/HLTrip.htm

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Other Trips & Info

Please don't forget our very popular New Year's at Ramsey Canyon Inn December 28, 2001 to January 2, 2002. This trip is filling up. We'll be dining at our favorite restaurants: Cafe Roka, High Desert Inn, Ricardo's and Coso Buono. Those of you who have been here know what a food lover's delight these restaurants are! Of course, we expect to fit in some exceptional birding as well. We have reserved all of the rooms in Ramsey Canyon Inn, and we do expect to fill this trip, so make your reservations early!

We filled Ecuador and Galapagos for November 2001. We expect to offer this trip with Paul Greenfield again in the Summer 2003.

Hope to see you all soon. Until next time, Adios!

Forrest Davis, President

Karen Michaud, Office Manager

2002 CALENDAR (revised)

Dec 28 - Jan 2: New Years at Ramsey Canyon

Jan 12 - 19: Alamos: Hacienda de los Santos

Feb 15 - 19: Winter Weekend at Ramsey Cyn

Feb 17 - Mar 2: Birds of Oaxaca, Mexico

Mar 16 - 27: Belize Ornithological Expedition

Mar 27 - 30: Tikal, Guatemala (ext)

Mar 30 - Apr 4: Chan Chich Lodge (ext)

Mar 22 - 31: Birds of Sonora

Apr 13 - 27: Birds of Costa Rica

May 1 - 11: Birds of Southeast Arizona 1

May 16 - 22 (24): Pribilof Islands

May 24 - 31: Gambell 1

June 1 - 7: Gambell 2

June 1 - 6: Nome 1

June 8 - 13: Nome 2

June 13 - 16: Barrow 1

June 21 - 24: Barrow 2

June 25 - 29: Nome 3

June 30 - Jul 4: Dutch Harbor

July 6 - 13: Kenai Peninsual & Kenai Fjords

July 14 - 21: Denali National Park & Highwy

July 19 - 22: SE Arizona Specialties Weekend

Aug 1 - 11: Birds of Southeast Arizona 2

Aug 24 - 31: Hummingbirds of SE Arizona

Sept 20 - 28: San Blas & Durango Highway

Oct 4 - 13: Birds of Sonora

Nov 16 - Dec 1: The Best of Belize: Chan Chich Lodge, Robert's Grove, Lamanai Outpost, Blancaneaux Lodge

Dec 1 - 4: Tikal, Guatemala

Dec 28 - Jan 2, 2003: New Years at Ramsey

For trip descriptions and reservations, please contact:

High Lonesome Ecotours

570 S. Little Bear Trail

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Toll-free (U.S.): 1 (800) 743-2668

(520) 458-9446

email: hilone@hilonesome.com

website: www.hilonesome.com

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