Block Island: Weekend Escape
Explore Block Island in the fall, after summer tourists have left, and enjoy its unique architecture, wildflowers, and natural beauty. This popular birding trip highlights the island’s status as a prime location for migrating birds, located along the East Coast flyway. In the early mornings, songbirds fly back to the mainland to continue their journey south, flying low overhead as they reorient themselves. Named after Dutch trader Adriaen Block, the island serves as a resting spot for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. Join us for a memorable weekend of birdwatching on this beautiful island!
Itinerary
Day 1
Although our trip officially begins when we reach the ferry dock at Old Harbor, the crossing from Point Judith can reward observant birders with occasional sightings of Great and Cory’s shearwaters, Northern Gannet, Common and Red-throated loons, as well as Common Eider, scoters, and mergansers.
This afternoon and evening are spent settling into our hotel, making a trip to the northern end of the island, having dinner, and enjoying an evening introductory briefing on Block Island and its birds.
Night: Water Street Inn
Meals: D
Day 2
The morning begins with an early breakfast followed by a birding trip to the north end, where we’ll explore Sachem Pond and the scrubby woods walking trails, looking for overnight drop-ins such as Cape May and Black-throated Blue warblers, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and assorted vireos and other songbirds. The north end usually produces our best looks at low-flying Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, and other raptors.
A weather-dependent stop at the Nature Conservancy’s bird banding station gives us a wonderful opportunity to see some of these migrants up close as well as to absorb some interesting facts and historical information from one of the oldest bird banding stations in the country.
After lunch we’ll head to the south end of the island, with stops along the way to check for birds in New Harbor. At the south end we’ll walk the Nature Conservancy properties, seeking to fill any gaps in our raptor list as well as searching for assorted songbirds and waterfowl. On a clear day, we can see all the way to Montauk Point, Long Island! Along the way, glacial sinks may give up Solitary Sandpiper and multiple duck species. The grassy flats of the island’s airport can sometimes produce shorebirds, especially in inclement weather. Our plan is to get back to the hotel for cocktail hour and dinner.
Night: Water Street Inn
Meals: BL
Day 3
This morning is the time to cover any areas we may have skimmed over on Saturday as well as to revisit the hot spots. We’ll also look for any rarities reported by other birding groups before boarding the ferry for our trip home in the late afternoon. You’ll have some time before boarding the ferry to visit the shops in Old Harbor for a T-shirt, Block Island souvenir, or ice cream cone. Enjoy sunset over Block Island Sound!
Meals: BL
Tour Leaders
Andy Griswold
Andy has conducted bird surveys for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and been participating as a CBC captain for nearly 30 years. He has been a consultant to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism concerning development of birding tourism in its more remote islands. Andy has led trips to Canada, Texas, South Florida, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, and many other destinations. Andy is a licensed USCG 100-Ton Master boat captain and lives in Essex, Connecticut, with Marilou, his wife. He is known for his attentiveness to traveler's needs, fine birding skills, and infectious sense of humor.
Matt Bell
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
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