Wrentit

The only member of the parrotbill family in the Americas!

The West Coast of the United States is a marvelous matrix of unique and beautiful habitats that host a diverse array of birds and other wildlife. Within just ten days, we will journey from coastal chaparral and the off-shore oceanic banks of San Diego into California’s inland deserts around the Salton Sea and then back to the coast north of Los Angeles. The difference in the bird life between sea level and the montane forests will make for a trip full of many surprises.

We will look for many “California specialties” including California Scrub-Jay, Oak Titmouse, California Towhee, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, California Quail, Wrentit, and California Thrasher. The expedition includes a full-day pelagic trip out of San Diego where we will look out for Black and Least Storm-Petrel, Pink-footed Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Cocos Booby, Craveri’s Murrelet and more. We will also take a day trip to Santa Cruz Island to see the endemic Island Scrub-Jay. Our time around the Salton Sea will be spent searching for the rare Yellow-footed Gull, as well as the numerous landbirds of this arid landscape, both resident and migratory.

Dates: September 3 – 13, 2026 (10 nights/11 days)

Cost: $5,875 single; $1,025 doubles discount

Guides: Chip and Sam Darmstadt

What’s included:

▪ 10 nights lodging during the trip.

▪ Transportation in a comfortable 12-passenger van.

▪ Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

▪ Any entrance fees, park admissions, boat tours (pelagics).

What’s not included:

▪ Airfare to San Diego/from Los Angeles.

▪ Meals in airports and any alcoholic beverages.

▪ Tips/gratuities.

▪ Extras in hotels (e.g., room service, laundry, etc.)

Physical requirements:

▪ While no strenuous hiking is expected, we will spend plenty of time walking on park trails. Total walking for a day may total 3 or more miles.

▪ Landing at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island requires stepping from the boat and ascending a vertical ladder from 1 – 8 rungs depending on the height of the tide. Guests should be able to hold their own weight. We can provide a picture of what the ladder climb looks like.

▪ Both boat trips may be on choppy waters and seasickness is a possibility. We will provide recommendations on how to avoid this.