NEW ENGLAND 21–31 October 2010 21–31 October 2011 Leader: James P. Smith

New England in autumn has a unique charm. The famous fall foliage is at its most vibrant whilst the southbound migration of Northern breeding birds is in full swing. Using only three bases we intend to target some difficult species including Northern Saw-whet Owl, Cackling Goose and Saltmarsh Sparrow as well as enjoying the spectacle of migration amidst glorious colour and picturesque New England scenery. We can expect late wood-warblers, early winter visitors and a good sprinkling of rarities. Two hundred species could be seen on this trip.

Day 1 Flight from London to Boston followed by a drive to Hampton, New Hampshire for a three-night stay.

Days 2–3 Rich and varied habitats from Scarborough Marsh in Maine to Cape Ann in Massachusetts will be full of birds. Offshore and in the sheltered harbours, bays, beaches and tidal marshes we may find King Eider, Harlequin Duck, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Bufflehead, American Golden-plover and Semipalmated Plover, Hudsonian Godwit, Semipalmated and White-rumped Sandpipers and both Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows.

Passerines in the adjacent dunes, scrub, woods, and fields should include Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped, Palm and Blackpoll Warblers and Chipping, Savannah, Song, Swamp, White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows. Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, American Kestrel and other raptors are possible and one evening we may try to locate Barred Owl. Scarcer birds at this season might include Snow and Cackling Geese, Snowy Owl, Orange-crowned Warbler, Clay-coloured, Lark and ‘Ipswich’ Savannah Sparrows and Pine Siskin.

Days 4–6 Birding stops on our journey inland to the small town of Hadley, Massachusetts, will include Great Meadows in the Concord area. Waterfowl, Sora, Virginia Rail, Marsh Wren and rarities can be found here in October. Moving west, the scenic Quabbin Watershed supports Wild Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, Bald Eagle, American Woodcock, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco and Northern Cardinal, as well as Moose, Black Bear and Bobcat!

Hadley, where we’ll spend the next three nights, is an ideal base to explore the flood plain of the Connecticut River Valley. We will search arable farmland, weed-choked fields, hedgerows, thickets and mixed hardwood forests for an assortment of birds including Cackling and White-fronted Geese, Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Killdeer, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Brown Thrasher, Blue-headed Vireo, Carolina Wren, (Eastern) Winter Wren, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Buff-bellied Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Towhee, American Tree, Fox, Lincoln’s and White-crowned Sparrows, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Rusty Blackbird and American Goldfinch. Purple Finch and Evening Grosbeak may be found in the hill country, with Pine Grosbeaks and White-winged Crossbills possible in ‘flight-years’. If conditions permit, we will spend a couple of evenings looking for owls: Eastern Screech-owl, Great Horned and Barred Owls are the most likely, but the major prize would be that denizen of the north woods, Northern Saw-whet Owl. Depending on the latest bird news, we may venture further afield to western Vermont, coastal Connecticut or coastal Rhode Island; all of these areas offer exciting birding in late October.

Days 7–9 We leave Hadley early for the long drive to Cape Cod, with a birding stop at Cumberland Farm Fields on the way. After crossing the Cape Cod Channel, we will be on the unique headland of Cape Cod, which curves hook-like towards the north; Provincetown, at its very tip, is effectively some twenty-five miles out in the Atlantic Ocean! Unsurprisingly, the Outer Cape has an unrivalled reputation for seabirds, which, at this time of year could include Cory’s and Greater Shearwaters, Roseate and Forster’s Terns, Kumlien’s Gull, Little Auk and Brünnich’s Guillemot, not to mention Black-headed, Little and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Brewster, where we will stay for three nights, is an ideal centre from which to visit Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet Bay and Nauset Beach on the Outer Cape.

Elsewhere on the Cape we will look for Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, American Bittern, Tree Swallow and Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows. Cape Cod offers fine opportunities for many other species, including major rarities. This is a wonderful place with the potential to produce almost anything!

Day 10 We will go birding on Cape Cod until late morning then, after brunch, embark on a casual birding drive to Logan International Airport in Boston to catch our evening flight.

Day 11 Arrival back in London at the conclusion of the tour.

General Information New England weather is notoriously changeable at this time of year. Expect some warm, sunny days whilst other days may have strong winds and perhaps heavy rain. The pace of the tour will be fairly relaxed with only a moderate degree of fitness required. There are no special medical requirements; however, ticks, especially deer ticks (which can carry Lyme’s disease), can be found in long grass and woodland. Visas (free, on line) are needed.

Group size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6; maximum group size: 9 with 1 leader, 16 with 2 leaders.

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