If you've ever wondered where Ruby-throated Hummingbirds go when they
leave the U.S. and Canada, you might want to join us for Operation
RubyThroat's "citizen science" expeditions in Winter 2010. No
experience necessary!
In January and February we'll take two nine-day excursions to Costa
Rica's Guanacaste Province, where we've made exciting discoveries
about ruby-throats on their wintering grounds during the past five
years. After mornings of mist netting and banding most afternoons are
free, so there's plenty of time to explore and photograph the
surrounding area and its many exotic plants and animals. Details are
at http://www.hiltonpond.org/CostaRicaAnnounceMain10.html (Note that
a $75 "early bird" discount applies for reservations made by 1 July.)
In 2010 we're adding two additional nine-day expeditions to expand
our understanding of ruby-throat wintering behavior in Central
America--one each to Belize and Guatemala. We haven't ironed out all
details for the latter excursion (we're trying to make sure the
mid-February trip includes opportunities to view Resplendent
Quetzals), but info for Belize is now posted. We'll be staying and
working in mid-March at Crooked Tree, a fabulous Audubon sanctuary in
the center of Belize where migrant ruby-throats tank up on nectar
from Cashew trees just before heading north. Other amazing birds and
wildlife abound. Details are at
http://www.hiltonpond.org/BelizeAnnounceMain10.html . (This trip is
almost filled already by alumni of past Costa Rica trips!)
Please think about joining Operation RubyThroat to study hummingbirds
next winter in the sunny, warm tropics when it's cold, wet, and dark
across much of North America. If you have questions after reading our
on-line descriptions, feel free to inquire further via phone or
e-mail.
Happy Hummingbird Watching!
BILL
--
RESEARCH PROGRAM
c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
resea...@hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845
Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net):
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org
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