All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

NICARAGUA RUBY-THROATS,
HERE WE COME !

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Immature (above, second-year, with gorget molt) male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, captured for banding in the Neotropics

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Archilochus colubris--which occur in 38 U.S. states and across southern Canada March through October--are the most widely distributed hummer species. Nonetheless, they are poorly studied in Mexico and Central America where they spend their non-breeding months. During our 2012 expedition to southwestern Nicaragua, Center director Bill Hilton Jr. will teach participants how hummingbirds are observed, captured, banded, and released. As "citizen scientists," participants will play integral roles in conducting field work, will visit diverse habitats, and will learn about fascinating aspects of Nicaraguan natural history and culture--from volcanoes to cloud forest ecosystems, from orchids to tropical butterflies. No experience is necessary.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Nicaragua is rich in biodiversity with tropical rain forests, a huge inland lake, and tall volcanic ranges (Mombacho Volcano, above). It has 76 protected regions, including 23 privately owned natural reserves; the total protected area represents an impressive 18% of the country. Private reserves are accessible to visitors and offer an introduction to sustainable development and environmentally friendly projects that help the local economy, including organic shade-grown coffee farming.

Nicaragua brings a new twist to our Neotropical hummingbird expeditions in that during the nine-day trip we'll make a mid-week overnight visit to Ometepe, a volcanic island on Lake Nicaragua (see map at top of page). Believe it or not, the lake is home to freshwater sharks! Our field site is in Managua Province--specifically in the municipality of Ticuantepe ("Hill of the Fierce"), which has Nicaragua's largest freshwater aquifer and is the country's largest producer of pineapples.

Flights into the Nicaraguan capital of Managua (see map at top of page) arrive in the afternoon, after which we'll head out in an air-conditioned bus through tropical Nicaraguan landscapes--looking for birds and wildlife and arriving soon thereafter at Montibelli Private Forest Reserve (above). This extensive private mixed-use property includes great food and comfortable accommodations. Montibelli is the cloud forest home to a wide variety of tropical plants from epiphytic orchids to towering mist-shrouded trees--and more than 150 bird species.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

After breakfast at Montibelli we'll simply walk into the nearby forest (below) and spend morning hours running mist nets and traps to capture Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Afternoons will be devoted to independent exploration or to field trips to cultural and natural sites.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

We expect to catch lots of other migrant and resident bird species, perhaps a Crimson-collared Tanager (male below). We'll band and release all Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, of course, but have permission to band other Neotropical migrants that may show up back in the U.S. or Canada. Because other ornithologists conduct research nearby we also may catch some of their banded birds and vice versa--which would make for a very nice collaborative effort.

The trip is open to ANY adult interested in studying and reporting observations of hummingbirds in Nicaragua (and--after the trip--in the rest of Central America, Mexico, Canada, and/or the U.S.). You do NOT have to be an experienced birder or scientist or have advanced training; we will teach you everything you need to know to participate in the project.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Because making you a hummingbird bander is NOT the purpose of this particular trip, you will not actually be banding birds or removing them from nets. However, you WILL be involved in every other way: Handling and releasing multiple hummers (above) and other colorful tropical birds, deploying mist nets and traps, collecting and recording data, making valuable field observations, photographing flora and fauna, etc. You will NOT be disappointed!

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

Our 2012 expedition to the Nicaraguan wintering grounds of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds is scheduled for 18-26 February. We especially encourage participation by K-12 teachers and will be happy to collaborate with them on efforts to find grants to help underwrite trip costs and/or to work with home institutions if they seek graduate credit for the experience. (NOTE: There's also an option for a U.S. or Canadian teacher to travel and participate for FREE by recruiting 14 high school or college students for a special 7-, 8-, or 9-day trip; student trips can be scheduled anytime November through late February. Please contact us for details.)

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

After reading the detailed itinerary and requirements below, please contact Debbie Sturdivant at Holbrook Travel (1-866-748-6146) if you have any questions about enrolling and/or to request enrollment forms. Register early to guarantee you can participate! (You can also download a flyer and/or enroll directly from the Holbrook Travel Web site.)

NICARAGUA ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Observation, trapping/netting, and handling, banding & release of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the field
In-hand examination of many migrant and resident Neotropical bird species
Field study within a tropical reserve
Overnight excursion to Lake Nicaragua & Ometepe Island
Half-day visits to local towns & cities, national parks, a parrot preserve, etc.
Plenty of opportunities for independent exploration and observation and photography of fascinating tropical plants and animals (pink orchid, above)

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

NICARAGUA EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS

NICARAGUA HUMMINGBIRD DIVERSITY

Nicaragua is host to up to 54 hummingbird species (Trochilidae). In addition to banding our target birds--migratory Ruby-throated Hummingbirds--we're likely to capture such resident species as Canivet's Emerald (male above) and Plain-capped Starthroat (below).

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

DAY 1: February 18 (Saturday)--Arrival & Overnight in Managua

• Late Afternoon: Arrive at Sandino International Airport in Managua (above), greeted by local personnel. Transported by air-conditioned tour bus to Montibelli Private Nature Reserve (below) for supper and overnight lodging.
• Evening: Informal meeting about Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project

DAY 2: February 19 (Sunday)--Montibelli & Day of Discovery

• Early Morning: Breakfast at the Lodge (occurs daily, unless otherwise noted). Introduction to cloud forest (above). Day One of field work: Make observations; scout for concentrations of wintering Ruby-throated Hummingbirds; set traps and/or nets within various local habitats; record data; band and release hummingbirds (and other Neotropical migrants) as captured. (NOTE: Most days we are at the study site by 6:30 a.m. and depart by 11:30 a.m.)
• Lunch: Back at the Lodge (occurs daily, unless otherwise noted).
• Afternoon: Explore local habitats on your own; great chances for observations and photos of tropical flora and fauna.
• Late Afternoon: Gather to watch sunset.
• Supper: At the Lodge (occurs daily, unless otherwise noted).
• Evening: Introductions & Overview of Operation RubyThroat and methodologies to be used while monitoring, capturing & banding Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Archilochus colubris.

DAY 3: February 20 (Monday)--Montibelli & Mombacho

• Early Morning: Day Two of field work
• Afternoon: Field trip to Mombacho Reserve and ecological field station
• Late Afternoon: Gather to watch sunset
• Evening: Continuation of Operation RubyThroat discussions. Informal presentations by trip participants. (On at least one evening we will have opportunity for an optional night hike to observe nocturnal inhabitants of the Montibelli reserve.)

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

DAY 4: February 21 (Tuesday)--Montibelli; Ometepe Island; Villa Paraiso

• Early Morning: Day Three of hummingbird observations and banding at study site(s).
• Afternoon: Field trip to Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua (home to freshwater sharks) to view tropical flora and fauna
• Late Afternoon: Gather to watch sunset at Villa Paraiso (above), a lakefront hotel where we'll spend the night
• Supper: Villa Paraiso
• Evening: Continuation of Operation RubyThroat discussions. Informal presentations and introduction to Nicaraguan culture.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

DAY 7: February 24 (Friday)--Montibelli; Masaya Volcano National Park; Catarina

• Early Morning: Day Five of hummingbird observations and banding at study site(s).
• Early Afternoon: Field trip to view active calderas & lava at Masaya Volcano National Park (above); shopping for handcrafts at small town of Catarina.
• Late Afternoon: Gather to watch sunset.
• Evening: Continuation of Operation RubyThroat discussions. Informal presentations and introduction to Nicaraguan culture. Optional Night Hike.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

DAY 8: February 25 (Saturday)--Montibelli & Granada

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

DAY 9: February 26 (Sunday)--Montibelli, Managua & Departure

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The main purpose of any Operation RubyThroat expedition to the Neotropics is to learn about Ruby-throated Hummingbird "winter" behavior; thus, your active participation in making daily observations and collecting data is critical to the trip's success. A working pair of good binoculars is the only required equipment. We expect you to take initiative, carry your share of the load, and listen to and follow instructions carefully. We also expect you to look out for each other's needs and to be considerate of the hummingbirds we work with. We will have many wonderful and enjoyable experiences together, but this is NOT a pleasure trip--even though you'll have plenty of free time and are certain to have fun.

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

If you are NOT willing to work hard in the field all week and follow the expedition's research and education goals, this is not a trip for you; we NEED your help our success will depend on you. Most days involve early through late-morning field activity under warm to hot conditions and after-supper meetings, with afternoons open for you to do as you wish. Scheduled activities are subject to change due to weather or to take advantage of unexpected learning and research opportunities, but we'll do everything we can to make sure we offer all non-research activities described above.

NICARAGUA EXPEDITION LEADERS

BILL HILTON JR. (below left), internationally known educator-naturalist, was twice named South Carolina Science Teacher of the Year and was honored as the state's Outstanding Biology Teacher. In 1998, The Charlotte Observer named him a Carolinas "Guardian of the Environment" for a lifetime of trend-setting work in conservation and environmental education. He has led ten highly successful hummingbird expeditions to Costa Rica and one to Belize. The December 2008 issue of Discover magazine cited Hilton as one of the top ten amateur scientists in America and one of the nation's "50 Best Brains in Science."

Hilton is executive director of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History. As principal investigator for "Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project," he received a 42-month grant from the National Science Foundation to integrate Operation RubyThroat with The GLOBE Program. Since 1982, Hilton has banded more than 56,600 birds at Hilton Pond, including 4,300-plus Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

Hilton taught in Rock Hill and Fort Mill SC high schools, and at the University of Minnesota, St. Olaf College, and Winthrop University. He helped start the residential South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, which he served as biology instructor and director of student research.

Hilton is a nationally sought-after speaker on diverse natural history topics. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Newberry College, which he served as president of the Alumni Association. In this role, he organized a major international symposium on John Bachman, founder of Newberry College and a contemporary of John James Audubon. Hilton earned a Master of Arts in Biology Teaching from Winthrop University, and a Master of Science in Ecology & Behavioral Biology from the University of Minnesota, where he conducted a four-year field study of the behavioral ecology of Blue Jays, Cyanocitta cristata. For a complete resume, see his Biographical Sketch.

Hilton and the group will be assisted by ERNESTO M. CARMAN JR. of Talamanca Hawkwatch and Programa Conservacion de Aves. Ernesto (at right), a native-born Costa Rican (tico), speaks fluent English and Spanish, and is one of only a few naturalists with extensive experience observing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds within Costa Rica. Ernesto's sharp eyes and ears, comprehensive knowledge, and terrific personality greatly enrich our time in the field. After six years of involvement with the project he is a true collaborator and not just an in-country guide. Ernesto's family runs Finca Cristina, an environmentally friendly coffee farm that uses shade-grown organic techniques and recycles processing materials.

All text & photos © Hilton Pond Center

--Rates are based on: Double occupancy with a full roster of 12 participants and subject to increase with fewer participants. (Any participant may select a single room for $370 extra, but we recommend doubling as part of the community experience.)

--Participants must be: At least 21 years of age by the time the trip begins, and willing and able to participate in field work and all education and research activities. (Special consideration may be given on a case-by-case basis for college students and for advanced, mature senior high school or college students accompanied by a parent. We also can offer a full week for a class of 12-14 responsible high school students between November and late February; the sponsoring teacher earns a FREE trip. Please contact us for details.)

--Each participant must: Bring and know how to use a decent pair of binoculars with which to make field observations. Sharing binoculars doesn't work.

--Participants must be: In good physical & mental health and able to walk at slow to moderate pace for short distances (usually less than a half mile) over diverse terrain--sometimes hilly--at the study site, and be able to carry light objects in the field (mist net poles, banding tools, day pack, etc.). Participants may need to stand for extended periods (up to 60 minutes) to monitor nets under sunny conditions, with opportunities for water breaks in the shade. On past expeditions, participants as old as 80 have had no problems with the minimal physical demands of the project.

--Program cost includes: All in-country transportation, accommodations, meals, expert local guide (bilingual), learning activities and field trips, and Operation RubyThroat instructional materials, as stated above.

--Program cost does not include: International airfare (about $600-$800, depending on departure point; use frequent flyer miles if you can); meals, if any, away from the hotel(s); any additional optional activities not described above; non-mealtime beverages or snacks; gratuities for guide, driver, and local personnel; estimated $32 departure tax; or optional graduate credit costs. (Please note that because of difficulty with international connections and depending on your point of origin, it may be necessary for you to spend an extra night traveling to and/or from Nicaragua.)

--Payment policy: To confirm your space, send $200 deposit per person to Holbrook Travel along with your enrollment form(s); deposit for all trips is due on or before 21 October 2011. We suggest early deposit to guarantee your space. Each deposit is refundable minus a $100 processing fee if cancellation is received by 14 November 2011; there will be no refunds for cancellations after that date. Final balance of $1,839 is due on 15 November 2011. (We strongly advise inexpensive third-party trip insurance to cover unexpected circumstances that could cause you to cancel after your final payment is made; such insurance can also cover flight delays and related land transportation, in-country medical care, etc.)

--Pre-trip activities: We will communicate with you frequently via e-mail in the weeks leading up to your trip. You'll also receive suggested readings and resources that will enhance your trip experience. We anticipate you will study and learn all important information related to the trip's research goals.

--Optional graduate credit: Contact Holbrook Travel's Debbie Sturdivant for information about how to apply and pay for graduate credit through Weber State University. You may also elect to work with your local college to earn credit there. K-12 educators may file for continuing education credits.

--Tax deductions: Because Operation RubyThroat expeditions are service projects in support of a non-profit, an estimated $400 of your fees should be tax-deductible on your 2012 tax forms. If you are participating as part of a college degree program or are a classroom teacher, additional tax deductions may be taken--in fact, the FULL COST of the trip may be deductible. (In some cases, this means after taxes the trip actually will end up costing you nothing!)

Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History and Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project expeditions are non-profit trips offered as outreach activities through which we learn more about winter behavior of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. If you're interested in making a separate contribution to the Center and/or Operation RubyThroat, please see Supporting the Work of Hilton Pond Center.

After reading the information above, contact Debbie Sturdivant at Holbrook Travel by E-mail or phone (1-866-748-6146) if you have any questions about enrolling and/or to request enrollment forms. You can also ENROLL ON-LINE. See you in Nicaragua!

Adult female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (above),
captured in the Neotropics for banding

All text, maps & photos © Hilton Pond Center

JOIN OPERATION RUBYTHROAT FOR 2012
HUMMINGBIRD EXPEDITIONS TO THE NEOTROPICS
(If a link is not live, please check back soon; we're working on
final details for those trips.)