Thurs.-Sun. July 17-20, 2014

A vast and ancient lake on the eastern slope of Yosemite, Mono is famous for its unique tufa formations that rise from its shoreline. Snow-capped Sierra peaks, forests, high desert country and volcanic geology all combine to give a feeling of a vast wilderness shaped by great natural forces. The lake and Sierra woodlands are a magnet to several hundred bird species, including phalaropes, plovers, grebes, pelicans, swifts, raptors, ducks and woodpeckers. Local songbirds include warblers, nuthatches, thrushes, kinglets, corvids, shrikes and flycatchers. Osprey, Mt. Bluebird, Sage Grouse, Black-billed Magpie, Clark’s Nutcracker, Audubon’s warblers, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Townsend’s Solitaire are among a total of 75-80 species usually observed. Our tour begins at Thurs. afternoon at June Lake, south of Lee Vining (HQ at Boulder Lodge) and ends Sunday at noon. Over the weekend, among many locations we will explore are Mono Lake, the ghost town of Bodie, Bridgeport Reservoir and Lee Vining Canyon. Tour cost does not include accommodations, meals or transportation. Lodging, directions and birding information provided at registration.