Day 1: Los Angeles/La Paz/San Carlos/Embark Ship
Participants fly to Los Angeles and should arrive no later than 12:00 noon. Once the group is assembled, board a privately chartered flight from Los Angeles to La Paz and drive across the Baja Peninsula to San Carlos to board the ship.
NIGHT: Aboard the Sea Bird Days 2-4:
Bahía Magdalena is one of the main breeding and calving areas for the Gray Whale. Each winter, the whales make the longest migration of any mammal — south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and raise their calves in these sheltered waters. Time spent in this otherworldly place will provide opportunities to not only observe these enormous yet gentle animals from the ship, but also at water level from Zodiacs. During the many whale watching opportunities, you will hope for up close and personal encounters with mother and calf pairs.
The whale watching takes place in an exceptional context: Bahía Magdalena is on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula, a vast wilderness of sculpted sand dunes, mangrove channels and protected waters. On its western side lies Isla Magdalena, a narrow, 60-mile long island comprised of enormous dunes. Although VENT has seen dunes and beaches before, the particular way these sweeping desert sands meet the shoreline is unforgettable.
The birding in Magdalena Bay is excellent. Magnificent Frigatebirds will likely be a constant presence overhead, and their various plumages and buoyant flight should be a source of entertainment. You should watch for flocks of Eared Grebes, which winter on the bay and often seem to associate with feeding Gray Whales. Impressive numbers of gulls and terns occur here as well; and you may see flocks of thousands of Doublecrested and Brandt’s cormorants. Some of your time will be spent exploring the quieter channels in the mangrove swamps, on board the ship’s Zodiacs and/or kayaks. Some 12 species of herons and ibis are likely in the mangroves, including Reddish Egret, White Ibis, and both night-herons. Neotropic Cormorants should be present as well, along with a few species of waterfowl. Other species you stand a chance of seeing in the mangrove swamps include Clapper Rail, the chestnut-headed “Mangrove” Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, American Redstart, and even Western Scrub-Jay. Large flocks of shorebirds winter along the mudflats of the bay, with possible species including Black-bellied, Semipalmated, Wilson’s, and possibly Snowy plovers, Willet, both yellowlegs, Marbled Godwit, Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, Dunlin, Sanderling, Least and Western sandpipers, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, and Long-billed and Short-billed dowitchers.
NIGHT: Aboard the Sea Bird Day 5: Los Cabos and Gorda Banks
Today, cruise past the spectacular Friars Rocks at Land's End. Shore excursions at Los Cabos will be offered, including what should prove to be a fantastic morning of birding. The option to visit the historic town center of San José del Cabo is strongly encouraged, both for the scenic qualities of town and for the wildlife watching opportunities. Adjacent to town is the famous Estero San José del Cabo, which will offer the best birding of the tour. This is the best place in the world to see the endemic Belding’s Yellowthroat, which occurs in numbers in the cattails and rank growth. Gray Thrasher and Xantus’s Hummingbird, the other two endemic landbirds, are also possible. The woodland and thickets here host large numbers of wintering landbirds, including several species of warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows, both Hooded and Scott’s Orioles, and numerous Gila Woodpeckers. Best of all, the estero itself and fresh stream flowing into it are a magnets for waterbirds — expect to see several species of herons, egrets, White-faced Ibis, a variety of ducks, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhen, Sora, Black-necked Stilt, and possibly several gulls and terns as well. This is a great area for rarities (a Garganey was seen here on VENT’s March 2006 tour) — you will be on the lookout for Tropical Kingbird and Ruddy Ground-Dove, two rare species that have recently colonized the area. While a full day here could produce over 100 species, this fairly short visit is sure to amass a substantial list in a short time.
The afternoon is spent at the Gorda Banks sea mount, a gathering place for whales and dolphins. Humpback whales are often sighted here at this time of the year. Their variety of behaviors is of great interest as you watch them tail lobbing, flipper slapping and breaching.
Pelagic seabirds will be a possibility on this day, and for the next two days as well, depending on the schedule. While the waters off southern Baja California Sur can sometimes appear quite “dead” for birdlife, areas of upwelling or fish activity can suddenly bring the ocean to life and birds can seemingly appear “out of nowhere”. You will be looking closely for seabirds anytime you are in offshore waters, and what you see will largely depend on luck. There are some exciting possibilities, though. Likely species include: Pink-footed, Wedge-tailed, and Black-vented shearwaters; Black and Least Storm-Petrels; Pomarine and Parasitic jeagers; and Red Phalarope. Rarer possibilities include Townsend’s Shearwater, Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, Red-footed, Masked, and possibly Nazca (very rare) boobies, Red-billed Tropicbird, or possibly something even more surprising. In the Gulf of California, VENT hopes to see both Brown and Blue-footed boobies near nesting rocks, but you might encounter your first individuals on this day. (B,L,D)
NIGHT: Aboard the Sea Bird Day 6: Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo
With deeply indented shorelines and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo are two of the most beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez, lying near the entrance to Bahía de La Paz. Although considered two islands, they are more like one — separated by a narrow channel. You’ll enjoy them to the fullest with a leisurely afternoon of swimming and snorkeling. Once you put on your mask and flippers, you’ll experience a thrill not soon forgotten: swimming with the curious and friendly California sea lions.
The best way to observe the impressive geological past of these islands is from a kayak. Easily seen just a few yards from the shore are tons of compacted volcanic ash covered with solidified lava floods. It is also home to an endemic black jackrabbit. The islands offer excellent possibilities for long walks or lazy beachcombing. Finish the day with a relaxing beach barbecue complete with a campfire under a star-filled sky.
Birdlife on Isla Espiritu Santo itself is limited to the more common desert species of Baja California Sur. Rock and Canyon wrens serenade from the slopes, while Black-throated Sparrows inhabit the desert scrub, and Turkey Vultures wheel overhead. Verdins are common and you may see other species such as Costa’s Hummingbird, Ladder-backed and Gila woodpeckers, Northern Cardinal and Hooded Oriole. California Gnatcatcher is known from this island and will be a special target of any land birding you do. Brown and Blue-footed boobies both occur at Los Islotes, along with Brown Pelicans. Yellow-footed Gulls, endemic to the Gulf of California, should be observable along the beaches, and you’ll watch for shorebirds such as Wandering Tattler. Other possible birds offshore include Royal Tern, Heerman’s Gull, and possibly some of the pelagic species mentioned above. The rare and local Craveri’s Murrelet nests in the Gulf of California and has been seen near this island — keep your fingers crossed that you encounter one. Red-billed Tropicbird could also be seen at almost any moment and you will maintain a constant vigil for this elegant seabird.
NIGHT: Aboard the Sea Bird Day 7: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. You may spend the morning whale watching in the waters around Isla Danzante, an area that has proven to be one of the best for finding blue whales, bottlenose and common dolphins. The Sea of Cortez is incredibly rich in nutrients, making it home to a huge variety of fish, many of them tropical. Below the surface swim King Angelfish, surgeonfish, butterfly fish, damselfish and the beautifully colored parrotfish. When diving or snorkeling in the clear waters of your anchorage, observe the remarkable spectacle of fish swimming and flitting along the reef as they come and go in huge waves of brilliant color. During the day there will be time to explore one of the many lovely, uninhabited islands such as Isla San José or Isla Santa Catalina, famous for the 12-foot wavy barrel cactus and other desert plants that grow along the canyon. This will of course provide more opportunities for birding on land, and the chance to compare the slightly different composition of land birds on these islands versus Espititu Santo. At night, the constellations in the clear sky are entertainment enough.
NIGHT: Aboard the Sea Bird Day 8: La Paz/Disembark/Los Angeles
Disembark after breakfast in La Paz and drive to the airport for the charter flight to Los Angeles. Please schedule your connecting flights to depart Los Angeles no earlier than 3:00pm. |
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