FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about what to expect on a tour
A bobcat is a possible sighting on the Arizona tour. This one was seen in southern Nevada.
What is the daily routine on a tour?
This varies from tour to tour. We are generally up early, but morning trips are sometimes optional, depending on the location. Nighttime birding in search of owls and nightjars is offered on all tours. You'll eat three good meals a day, usually at restaurants, but picnic lunches may be taken when there are no other options. You will spend a lot of time on your feet as walking is always required and some tours can be physically strenuous. Travel time also varies by tour as does the condition of the roads on which we travel. Tour descriptions will give you a better idea of the pace of each tour and how strenuous the hiking will be.
Who leads the tours?
David Arsenault and local birding guides lead tours. We bring spotting scopes and the appropriate field guides to make the most of your bird watching experience. Our guides take great pleasure in sharing their knowledge of wildlife and natural history with tour participants.
What do I bring?
Your binoculars and a spirit of adventure are the two most import things. Other necessary items include a camera and appropriate clothing. We will provide a list of other things specific to each tour. You will receive all the information you need to prepare for your trip after your trip deposit is received.
Who goes on a birding tour?
Tour participants are generally Americans from 40 - 70 years old. Participants are often well-traveled, but for some it is their first experience outside of the U.S. or on a tour. Most people travel with a partner, but some trips have affordable single accommodation (this varies by country), which attracts single travelers.
What's it like traveling with a group of birders?
Traveling in a group is less expensive than a privately guided or custom tour with fewer people. On a tour, you can visit areas you might otherwise not be able to visit if you were traveling on your own. You also benefit from more eyes looking for and finding wildlife, so you see more than you would on your own. If you have a short amount of time and want to maximize your enjoyment and number of birds you'll see and/or you don't want to bother with the logistics of planning your vacation, a tour is the way to go.
What are the accommodations like?
Even in remote areas, the lodges have amenities such as private baths with hot-water showers that will make your experience comfortable. In hotter areas, most lodges also have air conditioning. Accommodations vary from very simple to more deluxe. Tour descriptions provide more information about the accommodations for each destination.
Do you offer private or custom tours?
Private and custom tours are offered at some tour destinations during certain times of the year. Contact us if you are interested in a private or custom tour and we will provide you with information on what we can offer and costs.
How do I sign up for a tour?
There are several options for signing up for a tour. If you would like to pay by credit card, you can fill out our online tour registration form and pay your deposit through PayPal®. There is no extra fee for paying by credit card and it is a quick and simple process. You can also download the tour registration form (pdf file) and mail it in with your deposit paid by check. You can also contact us to receive a registration form by mail or e-mail if you cannot download the pdf file. If a tour is full, you can ask to be put on a waiting list. No deposit is necessary, and participant cancellations do occur regularly for various reasons.