VENTflash #100 July 09, 2009
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 63 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...Dear Friends:
I wanted to share with you a wonderful birding show that has played out in front of my house for the past three weeks. Almost every evening, around 8:30 p.m., a pair of Eastern Screech-Owls and their two young come out to hunt in the small park across from my house. During the first two weeks the young birds perched close to each other, bobbing their heads around and swaying back and forth, waiting for the adults to bring them something to eat. The adults, meanwhile, hunted the large live oaks in the area and returned with food items, probably cicadas. Sometimes they would spot an insect on the ground only a few feet from me and fly down to capture it. In the last week, the young owls have grown noticeably larger and have begun moving around the area more. I was fortunate in having the opportunity to share these owls with friends and neighbors, including three children.
In late May I attended the spring board of directors meeting of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. At the gathering, a Cornell undergraduate, Ben Winger, told the board of directors that he had attended Camp Cascades, one of the VENT youth camps, back in 2001 when he was a teenager. He said that experience had deepened his interest in birds and was a factor in his decision to go to Cornell University and major in ornithology. Last summer Ben and three other Cornell undergraduates went on an expedition to a remote outlying ridge of the Andes in Peru. They selected that location since they knew no ornithologists had ever been there. While conducting a survey of the avifauna of that region they discovered a previously unknown barbet that will likely be described as a new species to science.
In this issue:
ANTARCTICA: INCREDIBLE SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY
INCENTIVES DURING CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES
OTHER EXCITING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
RECENT TOUR REPORTS: CAPE MAY & ALASKA
VENT RETURNS TO COLOMBIA
COMMENTS ON VENT LEADERS
NEWS INVOLVING VENT LEADERS
FINAL THOUGHTS
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M/V Minerva— Photo: Courtesy Abercrombie & Kent |
ANTARCTICA: INCREDIBLE SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY
This winter VENT is offering one expedition to Antarctica: Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands, January 2-21, 2010, with Bob Sundstrom and Denver Holt. We have reserved 30 spaces aboard the M/V Minerva exclusively for VENT customers. The cruise operator, Abercrombie & Kent, has announced some incredible opportunities for major savings that we are thrilled to share with you.
If you book space on this cruise by August 31, 2009, you will save up to 25% off the original cruise fee in most cabin categories. Single travelers, in most cabin categories, will not have to pay a single supplement! Reserve space in categories SB, B, SA, or A by August 31 and receive a 25% discount per person. Individual travelers will not pay a single supplement. Reserve a Superior or Deluxe cabin and receive a 20% discount per person. Individual travelers will not pay a single supplement for Superior cabins.
Translating this offer to real dollars, cabins start at $11,995 at the original cruise fee; singles pay an extra $3,000. Take advantage of these discount opportunities and only pay $8,997; singles will pay nothing extra!
For this remarkable voyage, we present an itinerary that offers maximum opportunities for viewing the birds and mammals of the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands aboard one of the loveliest ships available.
For many, a trip to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands represents the ultimate travel experience. Contact Shirley Anderson or Patrick Swaggerty in our office by August 31 to reserve a space on this unforgettable voyage at prices we will not likely see again anytime soon!
INCENTIVES DURING CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES
In the last edition of VENTFLASH, I announced the creation of two new programs that provide opportunities for saving money on VENT tours. Designed as incentives to help people who want to travel during a year of considerable economic challenges, these initiatives include rewards for new customer referrals and vouchers for booking non-VENT cruises through VENT. Additionally, we continue to work hard to create attractive travel opportunities by negotiating price reductions from our agents, lodges, and other service providers. These reductions have enabled us to reduce the prices on some of our upcoming late summer and autumn tours by as much as 10%!
Rewards for New Customer Referrals
Over the years, word of mouth has been among the most important sources of VENT's growth. To encourage new customer referrals, we have established a reward program for customers who bring us new participants. If based upon your referral, someone who has never traveled with us before takes their first VENT tour (including cruises), you will receive a voucher for $500 which may be applied to any future VENT tour that departs within twelve months after the start date of the tour on which the person you referred is registered. To qualify:
- - You must first have traveled with VENT on a previous tour
- - Someone who has never traveled with VENT before must register and take their first tour based on your referral
- - You need to identify yourself and the person whom you referred to our office in order to receive the voucher, and must do so at the time that person registers.
Incentives to Book Non-VENT Cruises through VENT
If you book any cruise, other than the cruises we are operating, through VENT, we will send you a voucher worth 5% of the cruise fee that you may use on a future VENT tour that departs within one year after the start date of your cruise. This includes all cruises operated by Lindblad Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions, and Travel Dynamics International, as well as other cruise companies. You will pay the same price for the cruise as you would have paid if you booked the cruise directly with the cruise company. The VENT staff will assist you with airline reservations and answer any questions you have about the trip.
Discounts on Select Summer and Fall Tours
As an added incentive for taking a VENT tour within the next five months, we are offering a 10% discount on a select set of late summer and fall tours. Please note that on each of these tours, only four spaces will be offered at the discounted rate. Contact us soon to take advantage of this special offer! The money you save through these discounts can go a long way toward covering the cost of your airfare to join one of these fine trips. You should also be aware that many airlines have reduced their fares, especially when tickets are purchased early.
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Black-footed Albatross— Photo: Barry Zimmer |
Washington: September Migration in the Pacific Northwest, September 2-10, 2009 with Bob Sundstrom; $2,955 in double occupancy from Seattle. Limit 7. Discounted fee is $2,660 in double occupancy. Save $295.
Follow autumn migration's wealth of seabirds, shorebirds, and landbirds along the scenic Pacific coast through lovely evergreen forests and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to charming Victoria, British Columbia. Possibilities include such rarities as Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, South Polar Skua, Laysan Albatross, and Flesh-footed Shearwater along with many other regularly occurring birds of the Pacific Northwest.
West Texas: Cibolo Creek Lodge, September 8-14, 2009 with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $3,055 in double occupancy from El Paso. Limit 7. Discounted fee is $2,750 in double occupancy. Save $305.
This 25,000-acre ranch is truly a birder's paradise and the lodge is among the most luxurious we have ever used. Mid-September is a wonderful time to be in west Texas. Fall migration is at its peak, with a variety of flycatchers, warblers, grosbeaks, tanagers, and sparrows on the move. In addition to migrant birds we will also look for Zone-tailed Hawk, Crissal Thrasher, Varied Bunting, and other specialty birds of the Southwest.
Fall at Panama's Canopy Tower, October 17-24, 2009 with Barry Zimmer and a local leader; $2,795 in double occupancy from Panama City. Limit 14. Discounted fee is $2,495 in double occupancy. Save $300.
Central Panama offers a superior combination of tropical forest habitats, fine accommodations, the historic Panama Canal, and superb birding. In only a week you'll encounter 300 species of birds with representatives from many tropical families including hummingbirds, trogons, toucans, woodpeckers, antbirds, cotingas, tanagers, and more. Mid-October is an outstanding time to visit the Canopy Tower and experience the thrill of hawk migration, when thousands of Swainson's Hawks and other species fill the skies over Panama on their journeys south. An excellent list of tropical mammals is also typical of our tours here, with sloths; howler, capuchin, and tamarin monkeys; capybara; kinkajou; and lesser anteater possible.
Panama: Fall at El Valle's Canopy Lodge Extension, October 24-29, 2009 with Barry Zimmer and a local leader; $1,595 in double occupancy from Panama City. Limit 14. Discounted fee is $1,395 in double occupancy. Save $200.
This short extension to the Canopy Lodge at El Valle is an excellent complement to the Canopy Tower tour. Unlike the Canal Zone, El Valle sits at a higher elevation, where cooler temperatures and a very different birdlife prevail. Walking through the lush gardens on the lodge grounds is an enchanting experience, where scores of hummingbirds, motmots, toucans, thrushes, honeycreepers, and tanagers are easily found. Excellent accommodations and cuisine and close access to other birding areas make any trip to El Valle a delightful experience.
Panama's Gamboa Rainforest Resort: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, October 29-November 5, 2009 with Tony Nunnery; $2,495 in double occupancy from Panama City. Limit 14. Discounted fee is $2,246 in double occupancy. Save $249.
The Gamboa Rainforest Resort is the perfect site for a Relaxed & Easy tour. Good accommodations, terrific birding, and easy terrain provide an outstanding Central Panama experience. With little difficulty you will find yourself in the company of a delightful suite of tropical birds including colorful toucans, trogons, tanagers, honeycreepers and more. Other birding areas are easily accessed in minutes, where a diversity of new habitats and birds occur. This is an ideal trip for those wanting to bird in Panama but without all the demands of a regular tour.
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Canopy Lodge— Photo: David Tipling/Canopy Lodge |
Panama: Fall at El Valle's Canopy Lodge, November 7-14, 2009 with Barry Zimmer and a local leader; $2,395 in double occupancy from Panama City. Limit 14. Discounted fee is $2,156 in double occupancy. Save $239.
Whereas our other tours to El Valle's Canopy Lodge operate as short extensions to our Canopy Tower tours, this trip offers a full week here. In addition to visiting the same places and searching for the same birds as on the extension, you will travel further afield in search of other specialty birds of western Panama. The lodge, with its wonderful gardens, excellent accommodations, and fine cuisine, offers a superior location from which all activities are based.
OTHER EXCITING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES
Space remains available on departures to Brazil, the Galapagos Islands, Uganda, and other remarkable destinations.
Autumn Grand Manan, August 31-September 6, 2009, with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $2,955 in double occupancy from Bangor. Limit 12. 2 spaces available.
Within North America there is no better fall destination than this small island off New Brunswick. It is picturesque, quaint, laid-back, and offers wonderful opportunities to see seabirds, warblers, and marine mammals including the rare northern right whale. This tour is truly a delightful experience from beginning to end. On Grand Manan the tour stays in the charming Marathon Inn where you will enjoy local seafood including freshly caught lobster, blueberry pie and other delights. Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney are both superb tour leaders and great to travel with.
Best of Brazil, August 8-21, 2009, with Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker; $5,995 in double occupancy from Cuiaba. Limit 14. 2 spaces available.
The title of this tour says it all. We have selected the two best areas in Brazil, the pantanal and Itatiaia, for this two-week trip. Both are fabulous locations for birds and other wildlife. These two areas offer completely different habitats. The pantanal is a huge, seasonally flooded marshland. We will visit it in the dry season when receding water levels result in truly spectacular concentrations of birds and wildlife. Some of the creatures we expect to see include the incomparable Hyacinth Macaw—one of the largest parrots in the world, the giant otter, Bare-faced Curassow, and many other species. This is probably the best area in the world where one could hope to see a jaguar. With luck we may encounter one of these magnificent cats. An optional extension to Iguacu Falls promises many other birds and the spectacle of one of the planet's greatest natural wonders. Kevin Zimmer and Andrew Whittaker were chosen by Princeton University Press to write the definitive guide to the birds of Brazil.
Indonesia: Lesser Sunda Islands, September 14-October 4, 2009, with Susan Myers; $8,175 in double occupancy from Denpasar, Bali. Tour fee reflects reduced price. Limit 8. 1 space available.
Susan Myers has proven a wonderful addition to our team. She is an expert in the birds, wildlife, and culture of many Asian countries and her home country, Australia. She suggested we offer this tour to these fascinating islands of Wallacea which lie between Bali and New Guinea. Over 70 species of birds found nowhere else in the world occur on the islands we will visit. Participants will enjoy fabulous birding, experience ancient cultures, and meet delightful friendly people who are keen to extend a warm welcome to visiting birders.
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Galapagos Tortoise— Photo: Greg Lasley |
Galapagos Islands Cruise, October 16-25, 2009, with Paul Greenfield and Kevin Zimmer; $5,450 in double occupancy from Quito. Limit 30. 4 spaces available.
VENT has chartered the 32-passenger M/V Evolution, one of the best ships in the Galapagos. Our route includes all the most important islands, including Tower and San Cristobal. As a result, participants will have a chance to see virtually all the endemic birds of these wonderful islands; however, our Galapagos trips offer a complete natural history experience, emphasizing birds, reptiles, marine life, and many other aspects of natural history. There are ample opportunities for snorkeling as well as morning and afternoon walks. In addition to the VENT leaders there will be expert local guides on the ship. Paul Greenfield painted the plates of The Birds of Ecuador Field Guide and also served as co-author. Kevin Zimmer is one of the foremost experts on the birds of South America. Both Paul and Kevin are superb tour leaders and great fun to travel with. A one-day pre-trip to the Tandayapa Valley west of Quito will afford participants an opportunity to see some of the birds of the Andes and witness the greatest hummingbird show on earth, with around 20 species coming to feeders.
Wild Edge of the Pacific: From the Chatham Islands to Fiordland, December 8-23, 2009, with Victor Emanuel and Barry Lyon; cabins begin at $8,980 in double occupancy from Auckland.
This is a remarkable cruise of the subantarctic islands of New Zealand, a region that many consider the finest place in the world for seabirding. This itinerary is designed to produce encounters with many of the special seabirds and marine mammals of the far southwestern corner of the Pacific Ocean, with large numbers of breeding penguins, albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, storm-petrels, and more. This cruise includes stops at Chatham and Pitt islands, the Bounties, Antipodes, and Campbell, Enderby, Snares, and Stewart islands. An added bonus is a grand finale visit to Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's South Island.
Please note that this voyage may be combined with the cruise that immediately precedes this departure, Wild Edge of the Pacific: Fiji to the Chatham Islands, November 26-December 11, 2009, offering an exploration of the western edge of the Pacific Ocean from Fiji south to New Zealand's North Island. Highlights of this itinerary include visits to the wild and isolated Kermadec Islands—home to some of the world's rarest plants and huge populations of breeding seabirds that include a bounty of petrels, shearwaters, and storm-petrels, and wonderful snorkeling opportunities; stops along New Zealand's north island to witness Maori culture and historical sites; and visits to Chatham and Pitt islands, with their towering cliffs, rugged coastlines, and large populations of seabirds including penguins and albatrosses. Cabins begin at $9,980 in double occupancy. This trip will be led by Peter Harrison.
Uganda, January 14-February 2, 2010, with Peter Roberts and a local leader; $10,995 in double occupancy from Entebbe. Our local operators have agreed to reduce their prices on this departure for early registrations and we are matching their reduction. We are therefore able to offer a $900 discount for signups prior to August 15, 2009. New tour fee is $10,095. 4 spaces available.
Uganda is renowned among birders as one of the richest countries in the world for birds. It is also the best place to see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and other mammals. Our Uganda tour offers a complete cross section of the diverse habitats of this less-visited East African country.
RECENT TOUR REPORTS: CAPE MAY & ALASKA
Our Spring in Cape May tour went very well. That's not surprising since it was co-led by Louise Zemaitis and Michael O'Brien, who are two of Cape May's most renowned birders and naturalists. Their enthusiasm for sharing their home area is evident in Louise's exciting tour report, which is posted on the VENT website. Notable highlights included the Red Knot/Ruddy Turstone/Sanderling show on Delaware Bay, a fine selection of raptors and warblers, and a male Curlew Sandpiper in breeding plumage north of Cape May. The latter was a lifer for all the participants.
Cape May, New Jersey is one of our country's preeminent places for observing a wide variety of birds in the spring and fall migration periods. Space remains available on the following tours to Cape May:
Cape May, Hawk Mountain & Bombay Hook, September 27-October 4, 2009, with Louise Zemaitis and Michael O'Brien; $2,195 in double occupancy from Philadelphia.
Spring in Cape May: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, May 16-21, 2010, with Louise Zemaitis and Michael O'Brien; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Philadelphia (2009 fee was $1,730).
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Bluethroat— Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Our Alaska tours were once again a great success. Highlights from our Gambell/Nome tour included Dovekie, Eye Browed Thrush, Common Ringed Plover, Pied (White) Wagtail, and Rustic Bunting on Gambell. In the Nome area the group had marvelous studies of Bluethroats, one of the most colorful Alaskan birds, and of a Gyrfalcon on a nest. Highlights in other areas of Alaska included a pair of Northern Hawk Owls, a long close study of a wolf, grizzly bears, moose, humpback whales, Kittlitz's Murrelet, and much more. VENT has been operating tours to Alaska for over 30 years. The following Alaska tours will be offered in 2010:
Grand Alaska: Gambell/Nome Pre-trip, June 2-10, 2010, with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Anchorage (2009 fee was $4,295).
Grand Alaska, Part I: Nome & The Pribilofs, June 9-17, 2010, with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Anchorage.
Grand Alaska, Part II: Anchorage, Denali Highway & Kenai Peninsula, June 17-24, 2010, with Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Anchorage.
Alaska Mainland, June 13-24, 2010, with Barry Zimmer and a second leader to be announced; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Anchorage (2009 fee was $5,995 from Anchorage).
VENT RETURNS TO COLOMBIA
In 2009, VENT offered tours to Colombia for the first time in many years. These tours were led by senior VENT leader Steve Hilty who literally wrote the book on the birds of Colombia. In fact, his field guide, A Guide to the Birds of Colombia, was the first high quality guide to the birds of any South American country. It remains one of the finest field guides ever written. Steve is not only a first-class author and ornithologist, but is also a terrific bird tour leader. The two Colombia trips Steve scheduled filled up so quickly that we added two more. All were highly successful. Here is Steve's report from his most recent Colombia tour:
"I've just completed our fourth trip to Colombia this year, a place where ecotourism is accelerating quickly. Furthermore, Colombians themselves are working overtime to make these trips a success. They really want us back; they want people to come back to their country. We met people everywhere, complete strangers in airports, restaurants, and backroads, and they would ask where we were from, were unfailingly courteous, and said they were extremely pleased and excited that North Americans were coming back to their country. They are clearly proud of their country and are eager to show it off, to prove that good things are happening in Colombia. And, indeed they are. The level of cleanliness, safety, environmental awareness, and business is something to behold.
"Some highlights from one day at the new ProAves Cerulean Warbler reserve (Reserva Reinita Cielo Azul) underscore just how exciting birding in Colombia can be. We left the lodge before dawn, clients all mounted on horseback, and made a stop en route at an upper section of the reserve where we located a pair of Recurve-billed Bushbirds just as the dawn mist and fog lifted and the first rays of sunlight filtered into the viny lair of this rare and poorly known species. Later in the morning we located several Black Incas, an endemic hummingbird once feared extinct; a pair of Parker's Antbirds, a species named in honor of the late ornithologist and colleague Ted Parker; an endemic Upper Magdalena Tapaculo; and a pair of Moustached Puffbirds including an active nest burrow. Later in the morning a White-bellied Antpitta scampered across the trail in front of us; a pair of Metallic-green Tanagers fed in a fruiting tree; and further up the trail a pair of rare and local Yellow-throated Spadebills called and sat for telescope views. With all of this, most participants said that one of the highlights of the day was actually the horse ride up to the reserve and back again, a wonderful ride with gorgeous green mountains all around, and cloud-filled valleys below. It was, in fact, vintage Colombia."
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Yellow-eared Parrots— Photo: ProAves Colombia/www.proaves.org |
VENT is offering the following Colombia tours in 2010: Colombia: Bogota, the Magdalena Valley, and Sierra Madre de Santa Marta, February 10-25, 2010, with Steve Hilty and a local leader; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Bogota (2009 tour fee was $6,198). Limit 8.
Colombia: The Central Andes, February 27-March 14, 2010, with Steve Hilty and a local leader; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Bogota. Limit 8.
Colombia: The Central Andes, June 11-26, 2010, with Steve Hilty and a local leader; Tour fee to be announced in double occupancy from Bogota. Limit 8. SOLD OUT.
COMMENTS ON VENT LEADERS
Much of VENT's success is due to a superb team of tour leaders. I wanted to share with you some comments from participants on recent tours about a few of our leaders.
On Barry Zimmer:
"Barry is the model superb leader. His hearing and sighting skills are amazing. As always he is a joy to be with."
- Don and Sally Roberts, Spring Grand Arizona, 2009
On Kim Eckert:
"This tour exceeded my expectations. 181 species in Minnesota and 117 species in North Dakota for a combined tour total of 213 was amazing. We would not have come close to this (total) without Kim's exceptional hearing, planning, and logistics."
– Joe Hanfman, Minnesota & North Dakota, 2009
On Hector Gomez:
"Hector always prepares meticulously, and this results in a very high success rate for target birds. He is perhaps the best tour leader I have encountered for a Spanish speaking country. I would like to see him lead more tours."
- John McKee, Highlands and Lowlands of Chiapas, 2009
On Brennan Mulrooney:
"Those of us trying to add to our North American list were very grateful to Brennan for going the extra mile, or in this case, many miles before dawn. He was also determined to find the Western Spindalis for us. He went under, through, and around a large tree because he was sure the bird ‘must be sleeping.' Long after everyone else had given up, Brennan called us over to show us this wonderful bird that he had found; apparently it had been sleeping. Brennan is very even- tempered, patient, and good-humored. His people skills are superb. All of his talents as a guide made this one of my best birding trips. I look forward to birding with him again in the future."
– Ginny Seabrook, South Florida & Dry Tortugas, 2009
On Kevin Zimmer:
"Kevin Zimmer is an excellent leader. This was my third trip with him and I was delighted all the way."
– Carol Sisler, Colorado Grouse, 2009
On Kevin Zimmer and David Wolf:
"Kevin and David went all out in making this experience a good one for the group. They are exceptionally hard-working and very knowledgeable about birding. I particularly appreciated the detailed explanations they gave about why each bird could be identified correctly as one rather than another. Keep me on your mailing list as I will be back.
– Stan Chapman, Gambell-Nome, 2009
On Peter Roberts:
"Peter Roberts is a real professional. His birding skills are excellent. His skills at logistics and planning were the best I have seen in a leader."
– Wesley Serafin, Spring Birding in Central and Northern Spain, 2009
On Jeri Langham:
"Fantastic locations. The top of the (Canopy) Tower was amazing at daybreak, and we were served coffee and tea! Jeri and Carlos were tireless in their efforts to show us all the birds. Great group of birders."
– Phyllis Stark, Panama's Canopy Tower and El Valle, 2009
On David Bishop:
"Bhutan with David Bishop is one of our all time best trips! Outstanding bird guide and superb habitat."
– Mike Knox and Linn Van Dyne, Bhutan, 2009
On Louise Zemaitis and Michael O'Brien:
"Louise and Michael are excellent birders and shared their knowledge with us all the time, making sure that we all saw the birds."
– Marion Jack, Spring in Cape May, 2009
NEWS INVOLVING VENT LEADERS
Every so often I receive news from the world of birding and natural history that involves VENT or its tour leaders. I thought I would share some recent news about Steve Hilty and me:
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, "With Rebels on the Run, Colombia is for the Birds—and Binoculars," features Steve Hilty and a VENT Colombia tour. If you receive the Wall Street Journal online, you can access the article at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124588082038850031.html.
A new species of spinetail that Steve Hilty discovered while leading a VENT tour will be described in the July issue of The Auk, the journal of the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). The spinetail has been named the Rio Orinoco Spinetail since it is only found on river islands in the Orinoco River. All participants on our October 2006 Jungle Rivers cruise saw this new bird.
An article in the June issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine chronicles the life of Victor Emanuel as a Texas birder. The article, "Legend, Lore & Legacy: A Birder Like No Other," can be accessed at the magazine website of Texas Parks & Wildlife: http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2009/june/legend/.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you are having a good summer and enjoying great birding wherever you live. I also hope you will join a VENT tour soon!
Best wishes,
Victor Emanuel