The Meeting will run from Thursday to Monday inclusive, please plan to arrive on Wednesday, 18th July and depart on Tuesday, 24th July. See below for post-meeting activities and group rates with American Airlines. Registration will take place on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 pm and early on Thursday morning. 

REGISTRATION: The SCSCB registration form must be completed. Early discounted registration fee is US $100 for SCSCB members, if payment is made prior to May 14, 2007. Otherwise registration fee is US $150.  Registration fee for non-PR students (provide proof of student status) and Puerto Rican residents is 50% of above. Registration fee for PR students (provide proof of student status) is $30. Registration fee should be paid by check in US dollars, made payable to the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds or with a postal money order.  Mail the registration form and payment to Rosemarie Gnam, SCSCB, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 110-174, Arlington, VA 22203, USA. If you wish to do wire transfer through your bank, or pay by some other means, e.g. in cash at meeting (credit cards not possible), please contact Rosemarie Gnam ilothian@msn.com to make arrangements.

HOTEL REGISTRATION:  To get special SCSCB rates, delegates must complete the hotel registration form and reserve rooms direct with the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Do not register online. The Group Code for Sheraton reservations is NAG18A. Phone numbers to call for reservations: 1-866-376-7577 OR 1-787-289-1914. The hotel requires credit card information to secure booking, one night’s room rate will be charged as a deposit. Room rates are $125 per room, single or double occupancy, $25 extra for third person in room, plus 11% government tax and 9% hotel fee per room per night, occupancy tax of $5 per person, maid per night per person $1 and bellman $5 (one time charge). Please make every effort to find your own roommate. If you need help to find a roommate, email Carolyn Wardle cwardlef@yahoo.com. Hotel deposits paid by individuals are refundable if notice is received at least 72 hours prior to arrival and a cancellation number is obtained.

LOCATION OF MEETING: The meeting will be held at Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe (CEAPRC). This is within walking distance (8-15 minues) of the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel.

POST-CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP: The Local Organizing Committee has arranged a very special 3 day post-conference field trip that will take you to a variety of interesting and beautiful habitats in Puerto Rico. At each location you will take birding walks and learn about the natural history and birds of each area from expert guides. The agenda includes visits to Cambalache State  Forest, Caño Tiburones Natural Reserve, Río Abajo State Forest (learn about Puerto Rican Parrot Captive Breeding  and Release Programs), Maricao State Forest (look for Puerto Rican Screech Owl), Guánica State  Forest, La Parguera Natural Reserve, Cartagena Lagoon, Cabo Rojo Salt Flats. Some of the species you likely will see include the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, Elfin Woods Warbler, Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Emerald, and many more. With a little luck, participants will see most or all of Puerto Rico’s 17 endemics on this trip. The field trip departs from San Juan at 6:30 AM early on July 24 and returns by noon on July 26. The estimated cost of the trip is $250 and includes meals, lodging and bus transportation. The detailed field trip agenda is described here. For more information about the post-conference field trip, contact Sergio Colón (sergiocolon@yahoo.com) or Verónica Anadón (nesospingus@yahoo.com). For more information about the field trip, view the wonderful slide show that the LOC has prepared! View the slide show in English, in Spanish, in French.

AMERICAN AIRLINES SPECIAL GROUP DISCOUNT: We have obtained a 5% discount on American Airlines for airfares to San Juan, PR for the meeting (American or American Eagle). Book your flight on AA.com and give Discount Code: A3377AG. You can also make the reservation with American via phone but there will be a $10 fee for tickets purchased via the phone. The travel window is 16 July to 28 July, 2007 inclusive. Note: American says we will receive a 5% discount off the lowest applicable published air fare; in other words, “sale” fares that are already at deeply discounted may not be eligible for the additional 5% discount. For travel on other airlines: “Discounts will apply to discountable fares where American Airlines, American Airlines codeshare, or oneworld alliance partners are involved.  AA must be the governing carrier. The use of American Airlines codeshare will require that one segment of the itinerary be on AA metal.”

VISAS:  Participants should enquire in their own country about the necessary requirements. Nationals from Caribbean countries may need a US visa.  Start the process NOW to obtain a visa, if you need one.  For more information, visit http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/obtainingvisa/index.html. There are US embassies in Nassau Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Havana, Santo Domingo, Port-au-Prince Haiti, Kingston Jamaica, Curacao, and Port of Spain Trinidad. Follow all instructions implicitly to avoid unnecessary delays in your application process.  If you need an official invitation letter from SCSCB, contact Andrew Dobson: ADobson@warwickacad.bm 

CALL FOR PAPERS: A separate information sheet is available if you wish to present a paper or poster. Please note instructions for submitting this information and deadline of 14 May.

SILENT AUCTION:  This is one of the society's most important fundraisers, so please bring items to donate to this event!  They should be bird or nature-related, e.g. field guides, binoculars, artwork, photographs, stamps, t-shirts, pins, jewelry, CDs, books, totebags, small toys, handicrafts, bird feeders etc.  Bring some nice things and money to shop (get some early Christmas shopping done). If you cannot attend, donations for the Silent Auction are still welcome. Please mail them to Verónica Anadón, Rio Canas 2107 calle Colorado, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00728-1824.

Details on hotel transfers, banquet and field trips during the meeting will be sent to registrants when available. Banquet and mid-conference field trip tickets should be purchased during registration in Puerto Rico.

QUERIES:  Contact Carolyn Wardle, tel 242.362.1574 or email cwardlef@yahoo.com