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NORTH CAROLINA & THE GULF STREAM

Birdquest's North Carolina birding tour offers one of the more unusual North American birdwatching experiences. Our North Carolina tour features two full-day seabird pelagics off Cape Hatteras, for Black-capped and Fea's Petrels and much more besides, as well as Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Henslow's and Bachman's Sparrows on land.

Sunday 18th May - Sunday 25th May 2014
(8 days)

Leaders: Matt Denton and assistant

Group Size Limit: 12

Tour Category: Easy

The waters off Cape Hatteras in eastern North Carolina offer some of the best pelagic birding in North America. The happy juxtaposition of the cold, south-flowing Labrador Current and the warm, north-flowing Gulf Stream, and the presence of the Continental Shelf as little as 20 miles (32km) offshore, make for perfect conditions for attracting a very wide selection of seabird species. The proximity of the shelf to the coast means that only a little time is spent travelling out to the best area, and at this time of year the conditions are often relatively calm, making for an easier pelagic birding experience than is typically the case on the Pacific Coast of the United States.

Undoubtedly the best area on the East Coast for seeing unusual seabirds, the waters off Cape Hatteras in late May routinely attract Black-caped and Fea’s (or Cape Verde) Petrels, Cory’s, Sooty, Audubon’s and even Manx Shearwaters, and Wilson’s, Leach’s and Band-rumped (or Madeiran) Storm-Petrels. We also have a very good chance of seeing Pomarine, Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers (or Pomarine, Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas). Rarities that regularly turn up at this season, but which we would be lucky to see more than one of, include the critically endangered Bermuda Petrel, Herald Petrel, the lovely Red-billed Tropicbird and both Bridled and Sooty Terns.

The eastern part of North Carolina has a lot more to offer than its fantastic pelagic birding, so we will happily take the opportunity to explore its pine woodlands, hardwood forests, remaining meadows and coastal beaches and marshes.

We will start our journey at Raleigh/Durham and from there travel south to Southern Pines so that we can explore Weymouth Woods, the best place in the state for the declining Red-cockaded Woodpecker and also home to such interesting species as Red-headed Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Bachman’s Sparrow.

At Howell Woods near Smithfield we will be targeting the superb Prothonotary Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler and Mississippi Kite, while further towards the coast, the uncommon Henslow’s Sparrow still nests in one of the few surviving areas of prairie.

Our visit to Cape Hatteras will undoubtedly be the highlight of our North Carolina journey. In addition to our two full-day pelagics, we will have time to explore the coastline in search of such interesting birds as Wilson’s and Piping Plovers, Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Fish Crow, Seaside Sparrow and Boat-tailed Grackle. There is even a slim chance of a Black Rail.

All in all, eastern North Carolina has a lot to offer the visiting birder: some extraordinary seabirding combined with a long series of landbird specialities.

(Note: The above is a summary of the tour. For more information please download the detailed, day-by-day itinerary. The button is at the top right of the page.)

Accommodation & Road Transport: The hotels/motels are of normal Birdquest standard throughout. Road transport is by minibus/passenger van or car.

Walking: The walking effort is easy throughout.

Climate: Warm to hot, with a mix of sunny and overcast weather (some rain is likely). It can feel quite cool offshore, especially early and late.

Bird Photography: Opportunities are quite good.

Linkable Birdquests: The Bahamas including Central Florida; Michigan & New Hampshire

Tour Price: (provisional): $2460 Raleigh-Durham/Raleigh-Durham. Price includes all transportation (including two pelagic boat trips), all accommodations, all meals, some drinks, all excursions, all entrance fees, all tips for local drivers/guides and for accommodations/restaurants, leader services.

Single Room Supplement: (provisional): $403.

Deposit: 10% of the tour price (excluding any single supplement).

Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency can arrange your air travel in connection with the tour from a departure point anywhere in the world, or you may arrange your own air travel if you prefer. We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to travel in advance of the tour (and spend a night in an hotel so you will feel fresh when the tour starts), or return later than the end of the tour, or make a side trip to some other destination, or travel business class rather than economy, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.

Download Detailed Itinerary 117kb

Birdquest LLC, 3721 Executive Center Drive, Suite 268, Austin, TX 78731

Ph: 512-343-1700, Fax: 512-343-1701

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