****** MESSAGE POSTED TO THE OLD LIST ******* I still have openings for this once in a lifetime trip to the Last Frontier. TOS has sponsored this trip for the past 7 years and nearly 100 people have made the trip so far. There are a few remaining spots left for 2013. The trip begins in Anchorage and immediately moves to Nome for 4 days of hard core birding where we expect to find many species. Highlights are the Asian Bluethroat, Arctic Warbler and the Bristle-thighed Curlew. In addition, we will see thousands of Tundra Swans and Black Brandt, as well as possibilities like Ivory Gull, Red-necked Stint, eiders, loons, and all are dressed in their Sunday best for breeding. You can also expect good looks at grizzly bear, musk oxen, fox and other mammals. From Nome we will return to Anchorage were we will spend a couple of days exploring the Anchorage Bowl-here we visit Westchester Lagoon for Red-necked Grebe, gulls and shorebirds, Potters Marsh for the breeding grounds of Arctic Tern and Mew Gull, along with various waterfowl and venture out to Eagle River for American Dipper, Gray Jay, possible Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpecker. The it is on to Barrow and the amazing Arctic experience. Highlights there include all four eiders, Snowy Owl, nesting shorebirds, all three jaegers, waterfowl and possibility for Arctic Fox. I have had breeding plumage Ruff here in years past. After a short return to the Anchorage area we will head to the Denali Highway were we will drive the 135 miles of rustic tundra in search of the Arctic Warbler, Smith's Longspur, swans, waterfowl, Whimbrel, and enjoy the majestic view of the incomparable Alaska range, including, hopefully, a clear view of Mt. McKinley (Denali). So if this sounds exciting to you please contact me to hold your spot. Last year the group recorded a record 181 species, and you never know what rarity will wander to this distant wilderness. Each year we find something unusual. And this may be the last time I put this trip together. I am attaching a link to pictures I took last year. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/95870578/Alaska12.pdf Check it out over the weekend and let me hear from you! More information can be found on the TOS website www.texasbirds.org Jim Hailey President Elect Texas Ornithological Society 110 Lavaca Lane Georgetown, TX 78628 361-522-3522 irasciblej@xxxxxxxxx http://www.jhailey.com (photos) TEXBIRDS help file and Texas birding links at: http://moonmountaingroup.com/texbirds Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner