GAMBELL - ST. LAWRENCE ISLAND - SIDE-TRIP

Optional trip to island in Bering Sea, Alaska               Within sight of coast of Siberia

Gambell

On the northwestern tip of St. Lawrence Island is the Alaska native (Eskimo) village of Gambell, only 36 miles from Asia.   On a clear day we can see the mountains on the coast of  Siberia.  This close proximity to Asia makes it a highly sought after birding site for North American rarities.  Yet very few birders have the opportunity to visit this remote village and island. 

At the time of our visit, seabird migration will be in full force, an endless procession of hundreds of thousands of alcids daily - Crested and Least Auklets, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Pigeon and Black Guillemots, Parakeet Auklet, Horned and Tufted Puffins.  All four species of loons - Arctic, Common, Pacific and Yellow-billed - occur, as do four species of eiders: King, Common and usually Steller's and Spectacled Eiders.  Emperor Geese and Black Brant are likely and all three species of jaegers migrate along The Point.

At other Gambell sites we'll look for Rock Sandpiper, Bluethroat, Hoary Redpoll, Yellow and White wagtails, McKay's and Snow buntings, and Northern Wheatear.  Undoubtedly, we will see a few rarities and among these could be Common Cuckoo, Ivory Gull, Ross's Gull, Common Ringed Plover, Brambling, Mongolian Plover, Eurasian Dotterel, Eyebrowed Thrush and many others.

Birding in Gambell will be done on foot, often walking on pea gravel.  A big upgrade since our 2006 trip will be the use of one or more ATV's to transport us to and from the more distant birding sites.  Be prepared for cold weather. We will be staying in the home of native Alaskans and will be eating our meals there also.  Undoubtedly, just visiting this remote enclave of civilization on the frigid Bering Sea will be a memorable experience and seeing the birds will a thrill of a lifetime.

Arrangements

For this side trip we've teamed with Wilderness Birding Adventures and will have the advantage of their experience in logistics and Gambell birding expertise.  For further details on this trip see the Gambell II trip on their website:  http://www.wildernessbirding.com/WBA07Gambell2.html#Gambell_I

Schedule

• First day - fly from Anchorage to Gambell, via Nome,bird in Gambell, stay overnight in Gambell.
• Second, third and fourth day - bird Gambell on foot, with varying itineraries depending on recent sighting reports.
• Fifth day - fly to Nome to join others on the Nome side trip, or continue back to Anchorage.

Package features:  4.5-days / 4-nights

• airfare to Gambell
• lodging in home of local family in Gambell (4 nights)
• meals in Gambell
• services of birding guides
• transportation to/from birding sites by ATV
• airfare to Anchorage

Package price

• $2690 per person, including ATV transportation.

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Revised: October 29, 2007.