17th
Annual Thomas Farm Dig – Spring 2008
Hummingbird Challenge IV
Please join Curator of Ornithology Dave Steadman, and
other museum scientists, in April 2008 for the Museum’s 17th annual
fossil dig at Thomas Farm (seven miles north of
We will
excavate 18 million year old fossils of large species such as alligators,
tortoises, freshwater turtles, three-toed horses (by the ton!), rhinos, camels,
deer, and bear-dogs. We also will focus on the small fossils of birds, bats, rodents, frogs, toads,
lizards, snakes, etc, which actually far outnumber the large ones. Dave is
studying the bird fossils from Thomas Farm as part of a project funded by the
National Science Foundation. Exciting discoveries include extinct species of
hawks, doves, cuckoos, motmots, barbets, and many
other types of birds.
The number of participants is limited to 16 per day. You can sign up for any two or more nights. The base price is $220 for two nights (arrive at Thomas Farm from noon onward, stay two nights, and leave after lunch on the third day). Add $60 for each additional night. For example, if you arrive on Thursday and leave on Sunday, the price would be $280. Or, if you arrive on Tuesday and stay until Saturday (four nights), the price would be $340. To stay for the entire dig (Tuesday through Sunday), the price would be $400.
Ornithology Club members, however, receive a special discount, as outlined below.
$220
per person (two nights) --- Ornithology Club members $200
$280
per person (three nights) --- Ornithology Club members $260
$340
per person (four nights) --- Ornithology Club members $320
$400
per person (five nights) - --- Ornithology Club members $380
The
price includes:
·
all meals from lunch on the day you arrive through lunch on the day you
depart
·
full access to the facilities (picnic shelter, kitchen, shower,
campground, nature trail)
·
short evening lectures by museum scientists
·
guided morning nature walks (April is the best time for birds in north
·
great company in a beautiful setting
·
a grand time with old and new friends as we excavate one of
To reserve a place for the 2008 dig at Thomas Farm, please fill out the registration form (use this form if a member of the Ornithology Club), enclose a check, and mail it to Dave Steadman at the address on the form.