WHAT'S NEW!
This is where we'll announce changes to upcoming ventures and the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first.
Check out our monthly Photo Quiz! The rules are as follows: Everyone is allowed one entry per month and the drawing of the correct answers will be drawn at the beginning of the following month. Prize will be a Ventures gift certificate for a day trip (value $30) or this amount can be deducted from a longer Venture.
Click Here to try your skill (or luck)!
Click Here for our complete list of trip reports!
Greece: How can one go wrong there? Blue skies and warm winds, red wine, plump Delphi olives, tsatziki, ancient ruins, abundant wildflowers and birds - of course!
Click Here to see the complete report!
I had not known quite what to expect on our recent trip to Chile, but was
surprised at almost every turn by the sheer beauty of the country, the ease of
birding and the modern infrastructure to be found throughout the country.
Click Here to see the complete report!
The Gambia, the smallest country in Africa, provides an
excellent introduction to African birding.
Over our recent two week Venture, we counted 275 species, mostly African
but this included a good selection of Palearctic migrants.
Click Here to see the complete report!
Please click on the following link to view the Adobe Acrobat version of our current newsletter.
NOTE - you will need Acrobat Reader Software in order to open, view, and/or print this newsletter. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can get this free downloadable software at Adobe's website. Click Here to go to their website to get Adobe's FREE Acrobat Reader software. Then use the "Back" button to return to our site to view the newsletter.
Check the Calendar below & click a Venture to find out what is planned. Note that tour dates are provisional and subject to change.
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2009/2010 |
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For more information on the below Ventures, click here. |
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| Dates | Venture | Status |
| May 16-24, 2009 | Arizona | |
| May 21-30, 2009 | Ecuador Highlands | |
| May 23, 2009 | Blue Ridge Birding | |
| May 26-31, 2009 | St. Paul, Pribilofs | 2 Spaces Left |
| May 31- June 15, 2009 | Grand Alaska | 4 Spaces Left |
| May 31 - June 10, 2009 | San Isidro and Eastern Lowlands, Ecuador | |
| June 10-14, 2009 | Amazonian Extension, Ecuador | |
| June 17, 2009 | Roan Mountain | |
| June 18, 2009 | Roan Mountain | |
| June 18-21, 2009 | Asheville, NC | |
| July 11, 2009 | Butters and Dragons | |
| Jul 31 - Aug 10, 2009 | Central Peru | |
| Aug 24 - Sept 4, 2009 | Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| Oct 4, 2009 | Fall Migration, Jackson Park | |
| Oct 5-16, 2009 | Veracruz Hawkwatching | |
| Oct 29 - Nov 12, 2009 | Southern Argentina | |
| Nov 21-29, 2009 | Thanksgiving in Jamaica | |
| Dec 11-18, 2009 | Trinidad | |
| Jan 15-18, 2010 | Jekyll Island and Coastal GA | |
| February 2010 | Hawaii | |
| March 12-21, 2010 | Ecuador Highlands | |
| April 9-25, 2010 | Bhutan's Himalayan Kingdom for Pheasants, Babblers and Flycatchers!! | |
| May 18 - June 1, 2010 | Kazakhstan | |
| July 2-10, 2010 | Churchill, Manitoba | |
| July 15-23, 2010 | NW Peru 1 | |
| July 23-31, 2010 | NW Peru 2 | |
| November 19-28, 2010 | Caribbean Islands | |
| Nov - Early Dec 2010 | Madagascar | |
| Dec 10-26, 2010 | South Africa - Cape & Durban to J'burg | |
| Dec 27, 2010 - Jan 6, 2011 |
Columbia | |
NOTE:
Please confirm these dates by calling the Ventures office. Also
contact us for additional information or to reserve a space on any Venture
There are an excellent number of bird walks throughout western North Carolina at very good birding locations. There is no charge for any of these walks, and visitors are always welcome. Bring good walking shoes, binoculars and rain gear. All of the walks are led by knowledgeable volunteers, who are familiar with both the birds and the local area. Bird walks will be announced as soon as they are set!
For further Information please contact Simon Thompson at 1.828.253.4247, toll free at 1.866.253.4247, or write to PO Box 1095, Skyland, NC 28776
Simon Thompson joined Chimney Rock Park as staff ornithologist in 1989. He has written our guide to the Birds of Chimney Rock Park and updates it annually for Park guests. Simon also owns and operates Ventures, Inc., and regularly leads wildlife and nature tours abroad in England, Kenya, Ecuador and the Peruvian Amazon, and to many locations within the Carolinas and the US. Join Simon on any or all of the "Simon Says" guided birding hikes.
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Dates: |
Apr
19th |
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Time: |
9am-noon |
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Ages: |
10 and up |
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Cost: |
$19;
$3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Grady’s Kids Club
Members |
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Spot spring migrants like Black-throated Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Blue-headed Vireos. World-traveled ornithologist and birding expert Simon Thompson is your guide on this easy-to-moderate walk.
Occasionally, a substitute guide may lead walks.
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Dates: |
May
17th |
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Time: |
9am-noon |
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Ages: |
10 and up |
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Cost: |
$19;
$3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Grady’s Kids Club
Members |
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Dozens of species of warblers live and breed in the Park. Join birding expert Simon Thompson to see or hear all these species, including Worm-eating, Swainson's, Black-and-white, Hooded and Yellow-throated.
Occasionally, a substitute guide may lead walks.
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Dates: |
Jun 28th |
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Ages: |
12 and up |
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Cost: |
$19;
$3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Grady’s Kids Club
Members |
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Summer is a time of frenzied activity for many resident birds. Park Ornithologist Simon Thompson will point out Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers who will be noisily feeding their young. Both the summer resident Scarlet Tanagers and Wood Thrushes should be singing and establishing their territories as well.
Occasionally, a substitute guide may lead walks.
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Dates: |
Sep
21st |
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Time: |
9am-noon |
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Cost: |
$19;
$3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Grady’s Kids Club
Members |
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This weekend
is usually the peak weekend for the Broad-winged Hawk migration. Large flocks ,
sometimes numbering as many as 500, can be seen soaring over the Park on their
way to South America for the winter. Smaller numbers of Sharp-shinned,
Cooper’s and Red-shouldered Hawks also pass through. This walk is part of our
"Simon Says" Guided Bird Walk Series led by world-traveled
ornithologist Simon Thompson.
Please
call 800-277-9611 to register.
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Dates: |
Oct
26th |
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Time: |
9am-noon |
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Cost: |
$19;
$3 for Annual Passholders; $8 for ages 6-15; free for Grady’s Kids Club
Members |
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The Hickory
Nut Gorge is the annual stop-over for many winged visitors making their way
south. Ornithologist Simon Thompson completes the 2008 "Simon Says"
Guided Bird Walk Series and will point out mixed flocks of tanagers, warblers
and vireos move through the Gorge, and Chimney Rock Park, on their journey to
warmer climates.
Please call
800-277-9611 to register.
Jackson Park in nearby Hendersonville is arguably one of the finest migration spots in the Carolinas, with a wide range of habitats being represented in the park’s 317 acres. Here on a late September morning it may be possible to find over 70 bird species as they pass through the park on their way south. Spring migration is slower, but can include such local rarities as Connecticut and Mourning Warblers. Other birds of note that have been seen in Jackson Park over the years have included Olive-sided Flycatcher, Baird’s Sandpiper, Barn Owl and Philadelphia Vireo.
Jackson Park bird walks are very popular and are held throughout the year. They meet in front of the Henderson County Parks and Administration building in Jackson Park and are held on the second Saturday of every month. Times are from 9 AM - 11 AM from October to May and from 8 AM - 10 AM from June to September.
Directions: Jackson Park is located near downtown Hendersonville
and is easy to access off I-26.
The equally popular Beaver Lake bird walks are held throughout the year. They meet at the gazebo at the sanctuary on Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville and are held on the first Saturday of every month. Times are from 9 AM - 11 AM from October to May and from 8 AM - 10 AM from June to September.
Directions to Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary (The Sanctuary is open from dawn until 30 minutes after sunset):
From downtown Asheville, follow Merrimon Avenue (US 25) north for about two miles. After you see an Ingle's supermarket on your right, begin watching for the Sanctuary on your left. After you pass the new North Asheville Public Library, you will see stone pillars at a pair of driveways leading to the Sanctuary parking lot.
From US 19/23 north of Asheville: Exit at the Merrimon Avenue exit. Follow Merrimon Avenue until you see Beaver Lake on your right. Continue past the lake to the Sanctuary parking lot
Two local clubs also offers walks as part of their programming:
Henderson County Bird Club: Contact Barbara Neal on 828.697.7257
Transylvania County Bird Club: Contact Norma Siebenheller on 828.884.5443
We now offer Caps and Bird Checklists for sale. Also buy your books from the Ventures Office at a 20% discount. CLICK HERE to go to our Sales Page.
