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Winged Migration in the Mississippi Flyway

Program Number: 17894RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/8/2013 - 4/12/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Carbondale, Illinois
Price starting at: $598.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Birding Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 11; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

From cypress swamps to the Ozark Plateau, explore a diversity of habitats supporting migrating neo-tropical songbirds and other species. From a floating boardwalk, spot thrushes, woodpeckers, owls and the beautiful prothonotary warbler in the Cache River Wetlands, undisturbed for thousands of years. Learn about current research in the War Bluff Valley Illinois Audubon Sanctuary and enjoy a nighttime owl prowl and an evening with a local musician and storyteller.




Highlights

• In Heron Pond State Natural Area, seek more than 250 species recorded within the Cache River Basin, including 49 neo-tropical migratory species.
• With naturalists in LaRue Swamp Pine Hills Ecological Area, search for vultures, eagles, herons, kites, warblers and snakes amid short leaf pine clinging to the cliffs over the Mississippi River Valley.
• Pontoon on Little Grassy Lake, combing the coves for belted kingfishers, eagles, hawks, beavers and browsing deer.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles over uneven terrain. Luggage assistance available.




Date Specific Information

4-8-2013

Typically this week is the peak of woodland wildflowers and the emergence of butterflies. Our birding destinations are also excellent for viewing a diversity of native wildflowers including bluebells, poppies, several types of trillium, columbine, bloodroot, shooting star, and many more!



Coordinated by Land for Learning Institute.




Carbondale

This vibrant college town in southern Illinois is a gateway to the area's highlights, including the Shawnee National Forest, a preserve of magnificent sandstone cliffs, lowland fields and abundant wildlife. The region's hills and valleys also host local vineyards producing high-quality wines.
Accommodations
Cozy cabins at the historic Giant City Lodge.
Meals and Lodgings
   Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
  Makanda 4 nights
 Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
Type: Lodge
  Description: Found in the heart of the park is Giant City Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, it is in perfect keeping with the spirit of the park. Multi-hued sandstone and white oak timber were two of the native building materials used. The spacious and historic Lodge has a rustic beauty that creates an atmosphere found nowhere else in Southern Illinois. The Bald Knob dining room, with seating for 200, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with an excellent reputation for food and hospitality. You’re sure to enjoy some of the best fried chicken ever if you choose the specialty of the Lodge, our all-you-can-eat Family Style Chicken Dinner.
  Contact info: 460 Giant City Lodge Rd
Makanda, IL 62958 USA
phone: 618-457-4921
web: giantcitylodge.com
  Room amenities: 2 full beds, privte bath, television, outdoor swimming pool
  Facility amenities: Giant City Lodge has private rooms perfect for your special event, banquets, and meetings. The Lodge also features a historic lounge and bar, gift shop, and guest cabins for a quiet getaway. Outdoor swimming pool, numerous hiking trails, Visitor's Center nearby.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $69.00-$105.00 Make reservations with Giant City Lodge. Limited availability
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $69.00-$105.00 Make reservations with Giant City Lodge. Limited availability
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
check-in between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Meet in lobby for introductions at 5:15 prior to dinner. You will be staying at Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 am You will be staying at Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Release of liability waiver, medical history
  Parking availability:
Parking available. 150-200 feet from cabins.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Makanda
  Nearest city or town:  Carbondale, IL
  Nearest highway: IL. Route 13, I-57, I-24
  Nearest airport:  Williamson County Regional Airport (MWA) Marion IL.
  From End of Program
  Location: Makanda
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

St. Louis, MO

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
B.A.R.T. Transportation
phone: 800-284-2278
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

varies $60-$75 per person reduced rate for children
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

2.5 
 

Distance:

 

144 miles
   

Shuttle service arrives/departs from the Ramada Inn in Carbondale. You then need to arrange taxi service to Giant City State Park Lodge. Taxi Service phone number: 618-457-8122 and 618-457-8121.
 
Driving Directions
  Chicago, Il Take I-57 south to exit #54, Illinois Route 13. Go West on Route 13 approx. 15 miles to Giant City Road. Take Giant City Road South, approximately 12 miles, to Giant City State Park
  Indianapolis, In Take I-70 west to Effingham, Il. where you will pick up I-57 at mile #160. Take I-57 south to exit #54, Illinois Route 13. Go West on Route 13 approx. 15 miles to Giant City Road. Take Giant City Road South, approximately 12 miles, to Giant City State Park
  Kentucky Take I-24 west/north to I-57 (in Illinois). Go North on 1-57 approx. 7 miles to exit #54, Ilinois Route 13. Go West on Route 13 approx. 15 miles to Giant City Road. Take Giant City Road South, approximately 12 miles, to Giant City State Park.
  St. Louis, MO Take I-64 east to Mt. Vernon, Il. where you will pick up I-57 at mile #95. Take I-57 south to exit #54, Illinois Route 13. Go West on Route 13 approx. 15 miles to Giant City Road. Take Giant City Road South, approximately 12 miles, to Giant City State Park
Equipment Requirements: binoculars
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Check-in at 4.00 p.m
(Monday, April 8)
   
 Arrive To: Check-in begins at 4.00 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner in the famous CCC built Giant City Lodge
 Evening: Introductions and overview. Southern Illinois Natural Divisions presentation.
   
Accommodations: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Visit to Illinois Audubon's War Bluff sanctuary. Several miles of maintained trails wind through the various habitats including upland and bottomland forest, shrub and regenerating forest, ponds and creek beds. Birding and Botany are highlighted.
(Tuesday, April 9)
   
 Breakfast: Family style in the Lodge Restaurant
 Morning: War Bluff sanctuary has several miles of maintained trails that wind through various habitats including upland and bottomland forest, shrub and regenerating forest, creeks and ponds. This 500 acre sanctuary is home to a large variety of birds and mammals, as well as a diversity of rare plants, including native orchids. Shawnee Audubon representatives are alway proud to show us around this crown jewel of Illinois preserves. We will explore the trails throughout the morning and afternoon with breaks to relax around the rustic visitor center where the birds come to visit and watch the birders.
 Lunch: Picnic style in the field
 Afternoon: Continuation of War Bluff field trip.
 Dinner: Giant City Lodge restaurant
 Evening: Evening presentation on Primitive Art and Tools
   
Accommodations: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Visit to the Cache River Wetlands and the Heron Pond Nature Preserve
(Wednesday, April 10)
   
 Breakfast: Giant City Lodge restaurant
 Morning: Cache River Wetlands/Heron Pond State Natural Area. A designated "Wetland of International Importance" site and prototype for partnerships in wetlands conservation, this wetland complex is a birders paradise! Bird counts confirm the presence of more than 250 species within the Cache River Basin including over 49 species of neo-tropical migratory birds. Cache River birders are likely to see herons, Mississippi Kites, prothonotary warblers, tanagers, vireos, chimney swifts, wood ducks, eagles and black vultures. Pileated, red-head, red bellied, downy, and hairy woodpeckers are found year round. Nestled deep within the shadowy bottomland forest of this area lies Heron Pond dominated by cypress and tupelo trees. A foot bridge over the Cache River leads us to a floating boardwalk which winds its way into the secluded depths of this forested swamp, providing visitors a chance to step back in time and observe wetland ecosystems that have remained relatively undisturbed for thousands of years.
 Lunch: In the field
 Afternoon: Cache River/Heron Pond continued.
 Dinner: Giant City Lodge
 Evening: An evening Owl Prowl to call for resident Barred, Screech, and Great-Horned Owls.
   
Accommodations: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Ozarks of Illinois....LaRue Swamp Pine Hills Ecological Area Shawnee National Forest
(Thursday, April 11)
   
 Breakfast: In the field or lodge restaurant
 Morning: Early morning birding at Giant City State Park followed by field-trip to LaRue Swamp Pine Hills Ecological Area. Unlike anywhere else in Illinois, this is a true extension of the Ozark Plateau into the Land of Lincoln. Short Leaf Pine cling to the cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley where we'll search for eagles, harriers, kites, raptors, warblers and snakes.....Yes snakes. Walk with naturalists as they lead us along the famous "snake road" at the base of Pine Hills. This road is closed seasonally for snake migration. This range of habitats, from towering limestone bluffs adjacent to spring-fed swamps offer a diversity of flora and fauna.
 Lunch: Picnic style in the field.
 Afternoon: Pine Hills/LaRue swamp/Ozarks of Illinois field trip continues
 Dinner: Giant City Lodge.
 Evening: Join local songer/songwriter/storyteller/naturalist Curt Carter as he weaves an evening of songs and stories that reflect his love of rivers and passion for the natural world. His songs will take you from the southwestern deserts, to Montana mountains, the re-discovery site of the Ivory-billed woodpecker "Bayou de View" to the Cache River in southern Illinois...... the place he calls home.
   
Accommodations: Giant City State Park Lodge and Cabins
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Little Grassy Lake Birding and Wildlife Pontoon trip. Departures.
(Friday, April 12)
   
 Breakfast: Lodge restaurant
 Morning: Join us as we pontoon along the shores of beautiful Little Grassy Lake. With over 27 miles of uninterrupted shoreline this is a true gem for southern Illinois. We will comb the coves in search of belted kingfishers, eagles, hawks and maybe even a beaver or a few browsing deer. Check-out and departures by 10:30
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Cache River Wetlands Shawnee Hills Wine Trail
Visit local wineries along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Twelve wineries in the region, 4 within 20 minutes drive of accommodations.
  Makanda Giant City State Park
Visitor's Center, hiking trails, Horseback Riding, fishing
  Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University campus. Library, seismic lab, athletic games
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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