Himalayan Snowcock Tour 2007
“I applaud your tour and your leadership. Great!”Arthur Bergey, York Pennsylvania
The Himalayan Snowcock, successfully introduced to mountains in northern Nevada, provides one of the greatest challenges of any resident bird in North America. Even though they are as large as our largest grouse, the snowcock is nevertheless very skilled at avoiding detection amongst the rocks and cliffs of some of the most rugged and remote mountains in the lower 48 states. To even get a chance to see them requires a considerable physical effort (or a helicopter!). Those who go to this effort are rewarded with not only a chance to see this spectacular bird, but also some of the most stunning scenery anywhere. There are also some other great birds, such as Black Rosy-Finch, and Lewis’ Woodpecker, to be found there. Although even our best efforts cannot guarantee that we will see the snowcock, we have been successful on over 90% of our tours, and have been successful on every tour for the last eight years.
We start very early on the first morning, and hike the first two miles (from elevation 8600 ft. to 9500 ft.) in the dark. We need to be in position to see the birds at first light. The rest of the climb is off-trail, and increasingly rugged. How far we need to go depends upon the birds.
We allow two mornings to get the bird. If we are successful the first morning, then we chase other “want-list” birds for the rest of the weekend. If not, we try again the next morning. The trip includes all meals, lodging and transportation from Salt Lake City.
Brief Schedule:
Day 1: Tour starts mid-afternoon in Salt Lake City. We drive to Elko, Nevada with a short birding stop and dinner in Wendover, Utah, and get to bed early in Elko.
Day 2: Meet at 3 am (coffee and snacks available), for the 45 minute drive to Lamoille Canyon and the trail head, hike to Island Lake, where we will await dawn before heading up the cirque to look for the snowcocks (breakfast at the trail head and on the trail). Hike back late morning.
After lunch we take a short break for a nap, a swim or relaxation, and then spend the late afternoon birding in the Elko area. We return to Elko for dinner at one of the town’s famous Basque restaurants.
Day 3: One last chance for the snowcock (if we need it) before birding our way back to Salt Lake City. Or, a relaxing day of birding in Nevada and Utah, looking for other “want list” birds such as Pinyon Jay, Juniper Titmouse, or an evening try for Flammulated Owl.Day 4: Some early morning birding near Salt Lake City before catching your flight home, filled with memories of one of the lower forty-eight’s most exciting bird quests.
Arrival and Departure information: The tour begins in Salt Lake City as soon as everyone arrives on Day 1 (but not after 3 p.m.), and lasts through morning of Day 4. Flights to and from Salt Lake City should be arranged to arrive no later than 3 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 4. As an alternative, you may fly into Salt Lake City a day earlier. You will be responsible for your own accommodations in Salt Lake City on the extra night (we can make a reservation for you, however). Transportation is provided to and from the airport or your hotel at both the beginning and the end of the tour.
If you have further questions regarding this trip, please call toll free (866) 552-0221, or e-mail to cbirds@westwings.com
“Just wanted to let you know how much I thoroughly enjoyed the couple days we spent chasing birds together. You did a terrific job leading and taking us to some great birds. You run a class show . . . the highlight was the bird. What a bird and what a location! The Alpine glow, the sunrise, the wild flowers. It was just a great day. I told you I pick my bird of the year each year based on the overall Gestaldt of the chase. It will take a real adventure to top this one. Thanks for the experience.” Paul Berrigan, Farmington Hills Michigan
This is the list of birds seen in recent years on this tour. Birds marked with an asterisk (*) are rare, and not to be expected on most tours. If the snowcock is seen on the first morning, a trip list for this tour will typically be about 110-130 species. The birds seen on any tour will vary, according to the yearly fluctuations in bird numbers, the desires of tour participants, and luck.
Please send reservation forms and other mail to Westwings, Inc. P.O. Box 521720 Salt Lake City UT, 84152
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