the event INFO sheet - ABA Events

EVENT INFORMATION
October 2-8, 2016
ABA Birding Rally -Puerto Rico
Arrival:
The group’s first official meeting will be at 6 p.m. on October 2, in the banquet room of the Sheraton Old San Juan:
Sheraton Old San Juan
100 Calle Brumbaugh
San Juan, PR 00901 Puerto Rico
+1-787-721-5100
www.sheratonoldsanjuan.com
Pick up Point:
If you are flying in and require an airport pick-up, use: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
www.san-juan-airport.com
From 1:00 p.m. through to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, every hour on the hour, there will be ABA vans running
airport pick-ups to transport members from SJU to the Sheraton. Those arriving before or after this time, can arrange
a taxi from the taxi counter. Note that if you are arriving earlier on a weekday, rush hour traffic after 2:00 p.m. can
be very heavy.
Within a week of your registration, you will receive a couple of forms to complete, including the food
preference/airport arrangements form.
Inclusions/Exclusions
Your registration fee includes:
airport pick-up/drop-off
lodging at the Sheraton Old San Juan for October 2, 3, 6, and 7, and La Villa Parguera for October 4 and 5.
all meals from dinner on October 2 through breakfast on October 8.
access to all evening activities
field trips - guiding, transportation, and fuel
entry fees and permits to scheduled sites visited by the group
800-850-2473
Excluded from the registration fee are:
drinks with alcohol
laundry services
personal/incidental expenses
AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION
WWW.ABA.ORG
EVENT INFORMATION
October 2-8, 2016
ABA Birding Rally -Puerto Rico
Cancellation policy: Full refund, less $150.00 per person, until July1, 2016. No refunds after July 1, 2016.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend that all attendees registering for any ABA event consider purchasing travel insurance to guard
against problems caused by severe weather, injury/illness, and any other logistical issue that might prevent a
registrant from attending and participating in the event. Refunds beyond the cancellation date simply are not
possible. Many members make use of companies such as Allianz, CSA, or Travel Guard to insure their trips.
Pace & Preparation:
The sun rise by 6:15 a.m. in October in Puerto Rico, and we will be up in time to try to take advantage of the bird
activity then. Field trip departure times vary so check your itinerary when it is finalized (one month out from arrival in
San Juan) for your specific departure times. Generally field trips depart from the hotel between ~5:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.,
returning there between 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m., depending on the trip.
The weather varies depending on where one is on the island and the given day. The southwest of the island is in rain
shadow so is typically dry and hot.The north and east sides average windier and wetter, and especially in the east there
is frequently rain. Prepare for a range of temperatures and conditions, from dry and hot (up to 90F), to cool (65F), wet
and windy. Be ready to protect against sunburn and dehydration, but also cold, wet weather up in the mountains.
Bring rain gear and a fleece or thermal layer is also advisable. Plenty of drinking water will be available in the vans, but
we ask that you bring a full bottle or canteen with you each morning. Usually biting insects are not a big problem in
Puerto Rico, but it is always advisable to have some bug repellent at the ready, just in case.
Walking on field trips is mostly limited to roadsides and trails, and should be fairly easy. Participants can expect to
walk up to three miles on some days but at a leisurely pace. In some places we may encounter uneven or hilly terrain
that may occasionally require a moderate amount of more strenuous hiking. Good walking shoes or hiking boots
should suffice for all field trips. Walking sticks can help for balance and having a foldable field seat may relieve stress
on feet/knees/backs in areas where we must wait patiently for a bird to come into view.
EVENT INFORMATION
October 2-8, 2016
ABA Birding Rally -Puerto Rico
All transportation is in vans. You may not follow a field trip group in your own vehicle. All registrants are expected to
be able to ride comfortably in any seat in a van and to vary the seats they take each day. Vans will have 8 passengers,
allowing ample space for each person to bring a day-pack complete with a water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, rain
gear, an extra layer for warmth, insect repellent, and other required personal items. Leaders will bring telescopes for
participants to share, but if you want to bring your own, please do. If you plan to digiscope beyond a quick snapshot
or two, please bring your own telescope.
Departure:
Rally activities conclude Saturday, October 8 after breakfast at the Sheraton Old San Juan.
Those requiring transportation to SJU, have the option of taking an ABA shuttle van at 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.,
or arranging their own transportation with the hotel.
If you have other questions or concerns, please direct them to events@aba.org or call
800-850-2473.
Thanks for supporting ABA Events!
Together we are building a stronger birding community.
800-850-2473
1.800.850.2473
AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 744 Delaware City, DE 19706
WWW.ABA.ORG
www.aba.org