Skagit Valley College Elderhostel program is pleased to provide two
additional birding programs for the 2008 calendar year. A complete
description of each is contained below. Space is limited, enroll for
your island birding adventure today!





Bird Songs: Spring Birding in the San Juan Islands (April 6 -11, 2008)
Program #7413

An expert naturalist guides this exhilarating adventure when Rufous
Hummingbirds signal the start of spring. Discuss migrations and take
field trips to prime habitats including San Juan Islands National
Historical Park, where wintering Harlequin Ducks, Pacific Loons, and
Red-necked Grebes are ready to leave for breeding grounds, and migrating
Mountain Bluebirds and Townsend Solitaires stop by. The region's
largest nesting population of Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons are
here, as well as Black Oystercatchers, Rhinoceros Auklets, Townsend's
Warblers, and Hutton's Vireos. Daily bird counts could top 60 and total
program counts over 100. As a bonus, explore the world -famous Whale
Museum. Program duration is five nights/six days in Friday Harbor on
San Juan Island; Lodging at the Best Western Friday Harbor Suites (
www.fridayharborsuites.com <http://www.fridayharborsuites.com/> ).



Northwest Birding: Washington's Orcas Island (October 5-10, 2008)
Program #8787

Orcas Island offers vital habitat for seabirds including rocky
coastlines, sandy shores, inland prairies, forests, lakes and ponds.
Oldsquaws are still about and Rufous hummingbirds have arrived. Raptors
work the grassland slopes including Golden and Bald Eagles, Osprey,
Red-Tailed Hawks, Falcons, Harriers, and Rough-Legged Hawks. Discuss
migrations to Vancouver Island and points north. Enjoy lectures on
habitat, behavior, and songs of local species. Field excursions to
prime coastal and inland habitats. Round out your island stay with a
visit to the charming village of Eastsound, a salmon restoration
facility, beautiful Moran State Park and with visits from local
naturalists to learn about native wildlife and marine creatures.
Program duration is five nights/six days with lodging the Historic
Outlook Inn in Eastsound on Orcas Island; choose from three levels of
accommodation (www.outlookinn.com <http://www.outlookinn.com/> ).



About Your Guide:

Our featured naturalist and bird guide for both programs is David
Drummond. David is President and principal investigator of the Merlin
Falcon Foundation's (non-profit) Coastal Forest Merlin Project. This 24
year pioneering bio-ecological study in Washington, British Columbia and
Alaska is providing invaluable conservation stewardship insight on this
rare raptor. David directs all aspects of this multi-faceted
comprehensive research. Team Merlin is actively engaged in educational
outreach with the public about this fascinating falcon in the Coastal
Temperate Rain Forest.



About Elderhostel:

Elderhostel is America's first and the world's largest educational
travel organization for adults 55 and over. We are a not-for-profit
organization that provides exceptional learning adventures to nearly
160,000 older adults each year. We believe learning is a lifelong
pursuit that opens minds and enriches lives. We believe sharing new
ideas, challenges and experiences is rewarding in every season of life.
Please visit the Elderhostel website (www.elderhostel.org
<http://www.elderhostel.org/> ) to enroll in programs. Direct inquires
can be made to Randy Martin or Angels Atwell at the Skagit Valley
College Elderhostel field office at (360) 378-3265 or
elderhostel at skagit.edu.








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