Best USA state in August? (1 Viewer)

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thomasbarker81

Well-known member

• Jun 29, 2011

• #1

I am planning to travel to USA in August for about two weeks, have some ideas about where I will go but was hoping someone with more experience could suggest the 'best' birding area of USA in august - am looking to stay in one areas, i.e. not masses of driving. Any suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Was looking for maximum species rather than say most localised species.

Thanks,

Tom

 

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prattw

Desert Rat

• Jun 29, 2011

• #2

A lot depends upon what region you are most likely to be in.

One of the areas most likely to turn up a lot of species in August would be the Pacific Northwest, a drive along the coast of Washington or Oregon, especially Oregon, which has much more continuous coastal access and a website Oregon Birding Trails, http://www.oregonbirdingtrails.org/ that has a lot of localities organized by region with species lists, etc. This area would also turn up a lot of land birds. Do you have particular groups you are most interested in or particular regions you're interested in for non-birding reasons (e.g, interest by significant other.)

Will

 

Last edited: Jun 29, 2011

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Jun 30, 2011

• #3

Southeast Arizona in August might be a good bet for seeing quite a few birds!

 

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prattw

Desert Rat

• Jun 30, 2011

• #4

Larry Lade said:

Southeast Arizona in August might be a good bet for seeing quite a few birds!

Click to expand...

Ordinarily, but not this year. Larry. That massive wildfire in Arizona has been burning through the Chiricahuas, including Barfoot and Rustler Park, and much of the unburned area is closed.

Will

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Jun 30, 2011

• #5

Right, Will, I momentarily forgot about those fires in Arizona! (Senior moment, I guess!) :eek!:

 

ovenbird43

Well-known member

• Jun 30, 2011

• #6

I would second the suggestion for Washington or Oregon, for many of the same reasons given- there are the coastal birds, and because of the varied topography there is a good diversity of landbirds. If you are willing to drive from the coast to the eastern slope of the Cascade Mts, you will hit a lot of different habitats, including the central valley, wet forest on the west side of the mountains and dry Ponderosa Pine forest on the east side. Also the weather will generally be nice, not too hot and not rainy. It can be chilly and foggy on the coast in the summer. And the scenery is stunning.

I spent three weeks in northwest Oregon in August a few years ago and racked up quite a list! If you decide to head out that way I can give you some more detailed suggestions.

 

ovenbird43

Well-known member

• Jun 30, 2011

• #7

another thought: if airfare is significantly cheaper to travel to the northeastern US than to the northwest, then Maine might also be a good possibility.

 

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Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Jul 1, 2011

• #8

thomasbarker81 said:

Was looking for maximum species rather than say most localised species.

Click to expand...

According to eBird, the state with the most number of species in August over the last 3 years is California, with Texas a close second. However, both of these are big states and covering either completely would require a non-trivial amount of driving. Since Texas will be quite hot in August, I'd consider being based in Northern California--especially if you are keen on pelagic trips--and perhaps taking a side trip to So. California (c. 1 days drive or 450 miles) for desert/sub-tropical species. Pacific Northwest would be great too--less expensive and less crowded than Ca.--though not quite as many species.

Best,
Jim

 

Last edited: Jul 1, 2011