MBWeeks

 

MINNESOTA BIRDING WEEKS & WEEKENDS

MARCH 2010 - FEBRUARY 2011 / OUR 25th SEASON


As Minnesota Birding Weeks & Weekends (MBW) enters its 25th season offering unique, modestly priced birding trips in association with the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (we originated in 1986 as MOU Birding Weekends), we have now accumulated a total of 320 MBWeekends, 5,700+ registrations, and a composite Minnesota list of 355 species.


In addition to a wide selection of MBWeekends, our schedule of out-of-state MBWeeks will not only continue (to South Texas, Big Bend, Arizona, and California) but expand, with the addition of destinations guided previously for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours: e.g., Platte River, Colorado grouse, Churchill, and Newfoundland/Nova Scotia.


In all, there have been a total of 46 MBWeeks since 1988, and additional MBWeeks are planned for future seasons – and be sure to compare our inexpensive fees to similar trips by other birding tour companies.


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Registrations and MBWeekend fees / MBWeek deposits will accepted on a “first-come-first-served" basis, based on U.S. mail postmarks, and please note that some MBWs can become filled months in advance. Maximum registration for most MBWeekends is 15 participants; for MBWeeks the maximum is between 11 and 13.

Multiple MBWs can be included on a single registration form and on a single check: please make checks payable to M B W. All MBW registrations must include an e-mail address. Unless a MBW is filled, checks are deposited as they are received and registrations are confirmed by e-mail.

Confirmed registrants canceling at least one week in advance of a MBWeekend will receive a refund of 80% of their registration fee; refunds for later cancellations would depend on individual circumstances. The cancellation deadline for refunds of MBWeek deposits is generally one month prior to the MBWeek, when full payment of the MBW fee is due.

Please note, however, that those who cancel out of a MBWeek for which they were confirmed may be obligated to cover certain expenses: e.g., if any non-refundable payments were already made on their behalf, or if their cancellations result in higher per-person fees for shared trip expenses.

Those on waiting lists who are not confirmed for a MBW will receive full refunds; canceled/shortened MBWeekends (e.g., due to weather) would also result in refunds.

The meeting time and place and other information is sent by e-mail to those registered, usually about 4 weeks in advance of the MBWeekend, or 3-4 months before a MBWeek. MBWeek fees generally include transportation (usually by rented vehicles) and lodging during the MBW. Air fare or other travel expenses to/from the arrival/departure city is not included, and meals are generally not included.

MBW participants, especially those who are Minnesota residents, are encouraged/expected to join the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (http://moumn.org/join.html).


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- 2010-2011 MINNESOTA BIRDING WEEKS -

Click on the HIGHLIGHTED NAME of the MBWEEK for a previous summary  of this MBWeek (or a similar trip led for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours)


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MBWEEKS



• APRIL 10 - 18, 2010 / COLORADO GROUSE


(Click here for summary of this MBWeek)



• MAY 1 - 9, 2010 / BIG BEND, DAVIS MTS, TEXAS HILL COUNTRY


(Click here for summaries of the 2010 & 2009 MBWeeks)



• JUNE 5 - 12, 2010 / CHURCHILL (SW Manitoba option June 12-14)


(Click here for summary of this MBWeek)



• JULY 5 - 18, 2010 / NOVA SCOTIA & NEWFOUNDLAND


(Click here for summary of this MBWeek)



• JULY 31 - AUGUST 8, 2010 / SOUTHEAST ARIZONA I


(Click here for summaries of the 2010 & 2009 MBWeeks)



• DECEMBER 27, 2010 - JANUARY 2, 2011 / SOUTH TEXAS I / $100 deposit


Our 25th South Texas MBWeek: 2 days shorter than February's trip, even less expensive, and for those with time off at the holidays. [Also note below that a February 19-27, 2011 MBWeek is scheduled as well.] Muscovy Duck, Plain Chachalaca, Least Grebe, Hook-billed Kite, White-tailed Hawk, Whooping Crane, Red-billed Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Red-crowned Parrot, Groove-billed Ani, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Common Pauraque, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Ringed Kingfisher, Great Kiskadee,  Couch's Kingbird, Green Jay, Black-crested Titmouse, Clay-colored Thrush, Tropical Parula, Olive Sparrow, Altamira & Audubon's orioles are all regular here, and no where else in the U.S.! Also likely: strays from Mexico, up to 200 species, and 70º highs – 50 degrees warmer than in Minnesota. (Estimated cost $650 double-occupancy + air fare + meals)


Status as of 25 August 2010: 5 vacancies (limit 7 participants). 



• JANUARY 22 - 29, 2011 / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / $100 deposit


This MBWeek and winter vacation will be expanded to a full week in California's coastal, montane, and desert habitats near San Diego, the Salton Sea vicinity, and along the Colorado River. Some 200 species are likely, including a long list of non-Minnesota species: Brant, White-tailed Kite, Mountain Plover and other shorebirds, Yellow-footed and other gulls, Nuttall's Woodpecker, Cassin's Vireo, Oak Titmouse, California Gnatcatcher, Le Conte's and California thrashers, Sage Sparrow, Tricolored Blackbird, and many others. Note this trip will start in San Diego, end in Phoenix, and can be combined with Arizona – for two weeks of temperatures expected in the relatively balmy 60s! (Estimated cost $950 double-occupancy + air fare + meals)


Status as of 25 August 2010: FILLED (limit 12 participants), 3 on waiting list.



• JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 6, 2011 / SOUTHEAST ARIZONA II / $100 deposit


As noted above, you can take this MBWeek alone, or combined with California for a full two-week winter vacation. Though many summer Arizona specialties will be absent, the weather is warm (rather than hot), and we can still see Gambel's and Scaled Quail, Western and Whiskered screech-owls, 4 or 5 hummingbirds, Arizona Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Western Bluebird, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Painted Redstart, several towhees and sparrows, Yellow-eyed Junco, and much more – Ruddy Ground-Dove, Rufous-backed Robin, and other Mexican rarities are regularly seen. Combine this with the California MBW, and up to 250 species will be quite possible! (Estimated cost $900 double-occupancy + air fare + meals)


Status as of 25 August 2010: FILLED (limit 12 participants) 0 on waiting list.



  1. •FEBRUARY 19 - 27, 2011 / SOUTH TEXAS II / $100 deposit


See the December 27 - January 2 South Texas MBWeek description above. Our traditional 8-day February MBWeek in South Texas will again be offered in addition to the December-January MBW, giving those interested in this popular destination a choice of dates, trip length, and cost. (Estimated cost $850 double-occupancy + air fare + meals)


Status as of 25 August 2010: 4 vacancies (limit 7 participants).