Tours at a Glance

Algonquin Provincial Park Dec. 27 & 28, 2009, 2010	Mexico March 15 - 25, 2009
Brazil Aug. 3 - 16, 2009	Mexico-Colima Jan. 22 - 30, 2010
British Columbia Sep. 1-8, 2010	Newfoundland* West and Central* June 27 - July 14, 2009, 2010
Carden Plain June 7, 2009, 2010	Ontario Owls Winter weekend tours 2009, 2010
Cape May Oct. 19 - 26, 2009	Peru Nov.1-12, 2009
Chile March 5 - 17, 2010	Point Pelee National Park May 1 - 23, 2009, 2010
Costa Rica Feb. 23 - March 5, 2009	Spain* Apr. 12 - 26, 2010
Florida Jan. 23 - 30, 2009	Tunisia* April 9 - 22, 2009
Galapagos* Nov. 12- 22, 2009	Uganda July 25 - Aug. 7, 2010

Each year our Algonquin trip proves to be very popular and space is often limited. Algonquin Park has a fascinating mix of hardwood forests, spruce bogs and associated wildlife. This beautiful park is an experience not to be missed. Winter is a special time to visit the park. There are no bugs! The snow is usually deep and beautiful and the woods are peaceful. We will be looking for Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers. Gray Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Black-capped Chickadees will feed from your hand. The park is also a good place to see mammals. We will be watching for Moose, Beaver, Fisher, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, Otter, Red Fox and perhaps, even a Wolf.

This is a two-day trip and we spend the night at Algonquin Parkway Motel in Whitney on the banks of the Madawaska River.

Brazil Aug. 3 - 16, 2009

The vast country of Brazil is home to a large number of endemic birds as well as many animals and butterflies. Join us on one or both of these wonderful tours organized by Paulo Boute Expeditions of Brazil.
The first, from Aug. 3-9, encompasses the rapidly-disappearing Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil, from Itatiaia Nat. Pk. to Ubatuba Coastal Reserve.

The 2nd tour from Aug. 10-16 can be taken as soon as the first ends. This involves an internal flight from Sao Paulo to Cuaiba, from where we drive across the huge, rich wetland known as the Pantanal, our base for the week.

British Columbia

See the best of West coast migration as we search the huge flocks of shorebirds and ducks for Asian vagrants along the Vancouver waterfront, and witness the impressive movement of land birds along the coast and over the mountains. We will also view west coast residents and high level specialities as we cross from lowland to highlands and to the desert-like conditions of the Okanagan. Click here to see the tour itinerary.

Cape May

June is usually a wonderful time to see nature on the Carden Alvar near Kirkfield. The birds are on breeding territory, beautiful and rare wildflowers are blooming and many butterflies are flitting in the sunlight. Frogs, toads and snakes are all active. See such Carden Plain specialities as Loggerhead Shrike, Sedge Wren, Upland Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Eastern Bluebird, Clay-colored and Grasshopper Sparrows.

We begin our day at 8:00 a.m. with a coffee stop at a restaurant close to the Kirkfield Locks. The day ends with an early evening drive past a huge marsh area where rails, herons and bitterns can be found. Hordes of dragonflies and damselflies add to the scene.

Chile
March 5 to 17, 2010 will be the date for this tour of two areas of the South American country of Chile. Click here to see the tour itinerary.

Costa Rica

This beautiful, peaceful country will be visited for 11 days in early 2009. From San Jose, we will travel to the Rio Tarcoles and the Carara Reserve, home to many Scarlet Macaws. A boat trip will produce many wading birds and American Crocodiles. Next to the gorgeous La Cusinga Resort and 3 wonderful days' birding, seawatching and scenery along the Pacific coastline. From here, we drive to San Vito and the Wilson Botanical Gardens for 2 nights. Then to Sevegre Mountain Lodge for 2 days where the Resplendant Quetzal and high-elevation species thrive. The scenery is spectacular.

Click here to see complete itinerary.
Click here to see Costa Rica bird photos, 2005.
Click here to see Costa Rica bird photos, 2007.
Click here to see Bird, Mammal, Reptile & Amphibian lists 2007

The South Florida mainland has always been regarded as one of North America's best natural history regions. It is a unique part of the United States where the vast wetlands , pine woods, sawgrass prairies and cypress swamps create a unique tropical wilderness. Leave the Canadian winter behind, explore this variety of wilderness areas and see some of the best flora and fauna in North America.

Click here to see the tour itinerary.
Click here to see species list.

Mexico March 15 - 25, 2009
In 2008, we took a familiarization trip to Central Mexico to set up this fabulous tour. Birding will be superb with close to 75 Mexican endemics possible among the 275+ species expected. Not only that but we will be staying in the absolutely best accommodation possible for birders in this region : from a private American-owned ranch with a strong conservation ethic, to a beautiful Hacienda in the foothills with lovely gardens and trees, once frequented by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, to the very best hotel for birders in the small bird-rich town of San Blas, to a brand newly-created reserve opened to protect the gorgeous Tufted Jay on the Durango Highway. All meals, accommodation, transportation, boat trips, guiding (including local guides) are included in this very reasonable cost of U.S. $ 1695 per person (double occupancy). Single supplement is $300. But book early because this tour is only open to 9 participants due to the nature of the accommodation and the transportation. *This is the perfect trip for birders with non-birding companions - all venues are scenic, safe, natural environments, some have swimming pools, plus a rich culture and history. Itinerary : to view complete itinerary, click here.
Mexico-Colima Jan. 22 - 30, 2010
Another great birding tour to Pacific coast Mexico and its nearby volcanoes. This tour originates in coastal Manzanillo in Colima and includes several visits to both thorn forest and high mountain areas in search of endemic and rare birds, flowers and butterflies. The cost again is very reasonable at US $ 1775 for 9 days from Manzanillo and is all-inclusive. Book early as this tour is restricted to a maximum of 9 participants. Click here to view the complete itinerary.
Ontario Owls

Peru November 1 - 12, 2009
The price of this 11-day tour includes meals, transportation, guiding by both local and international guides, entry fees and accommodation. The tour offers an extension of a visit to one of the wonders of the ancient world, Machu Picchu. The main tour extends from the capital city of Lima and its coastal desert and includes fantastic birdwatching and wildlife discovery in the beautiful mountains, deserts and rain forest of Peru. We will visit some of the most fascinating places in Peru for endemics and extremely rare birds seen nowhere else on earth.. Please join us on the wildlife and cultural experience of a lifetime. Click here to see the itinerary.
Point Pelee National Park A Birder's Paradise

Point Pelee in May is one of the world's most famous birding hot spots. It can be an unforgettable experience at best and simply great birding at other times. This is one of our most popular one day trips (or longer if requested) and on any day we will explore a variety of habitats at a leisurely pace to sample all that Pelee has to offer. It is possible to see more than 100 species of birds here in one day. Our itineraries may vary slightly depending upon weather and up-to-date birding information provided by park staff and other birders. We run this tour each day from May 1st to May 8th, and will arrange for guiding up to May 23rd.