Tours at a Glance


Algonquin Provincial Park Dec. 27 & 28, 2002, 2003	Ontario Winter Birds Jan. 31- Feb. 7, 2002 Jan.30 - Feb. 6 , 2003
Baja Jan. 13-20, 2002 Jan. 12 - 19, 2003	Palgrave July 17, 2002
Birds of Britain * June 1-15, 2002, 2003	Petroglyphs Provincial Park Feb. 17, 2002
Bruce Peninsula June 18-20, 2002	Point Pelee National Park May 1 - 10, 2002 & 2003
Carden Plain June 9, 2002 and June 16, 2002	Point Pelee/Pinery Butterfly Tour Aug. 2-4 , 2002
Churchill June 8-15, 2002 June 16-23, 2003	Presqu'ile Provincial Park Sept. 7, 2002
Colorado * July 20 - 27, 2003	Rainy River June 28 - 30, 2002
England Oct.6-13, 2002 Oct.5-12, 2003	Rondeau Provincial Park May 25 - 26, 2002
Fall at Point Pelee National Park Sept. 14-15, 2002	Scotland Sept. 20 - Oct. 4, 2002 Sept. 19 - Oct. 3, 2003
Florida Jan. 27 - Feb. 03, 2002 Jan. 22 - 29, 2003	Slovakia April 11 - 21, 2002
Galapagos * Feb. 21- March 03, 2002 Feb. 20- March 02, 2003 Gambia Nov. 29 - Dec. 13, 2002	The South (Carolina & Georgia) Nov. 2 - 9, 2002, 2003
Gulls at Niagara Dec.8, 2002	Suriname * Feb. 8 - 18, 2003
Long Point Provincial Park May 27 - 29, 2002	Texas * March 18-25, 2002 March 31- April 7, 2003
Manitoulin Island April 19-21, 2002	Toronto Islands Oct. 19, 2002
Newfoundland * June 23- July 17, 2002, 2003	Toronto Waterfront Jan. 6, 2002
*Newfoundland Circumnavigation** Sept.6-13,2002	Tunisia March 10 - 22, 2003
Niagara Peninsula April 23-26, 2002	Thailand Nov. 14 - 28, 2003

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, where we enjoy a great evening meal and breakfast by a roaring log fire.

The west coast of Mexico is a beautiful place to enjoy birdwatching with fun in the sun. We will explore the seabird colonies in the San Jose area and search the desert for species such as Hooded Oriole, Western Tanager and Xantus' Hummingbird. We will also visit ancient fossil beds, watch for breeding Gray Whales and take a variety of scenic walks. In addition to this, our plans include time for snorkelling and relaxing hours at the beach.

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Mid June is a wonderful time on the Bruce Peninsula to find many species of birds, beautiful wildflowers, butterflies and other forms of wildlife. We will explore the Wiarton Sewage Lagoons for migrating shorebirds and special attention will be paid to the Oliphant Fen for its unique wildflowers and butterflies. We will then progress up the Bruce as we search for orchids and other unique flora and fauna. Please join us on this relaxing yet absorbing nature experience.

June is usually a wonderful time to see nature on the Carden Plain 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, Common Snipe, eastern Bluebird, Clay-coloured and Grasshopper Sparrows.

We begin our day at 8:00 a.m. with a coffee stop at the restaurant adjacent 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.

See amazing wildlife and scenery as the ice melts and Hudson Bay opens up for the summer. We will witness an incredible display of Arctic wildflowers, possible sightings of Ross' Gull, Jaegars, Phalaropes, Loons, Ptarmigan, Smith's Longspur, owls and many species of shorebirds as they move north or set up their nesting territories on the tundra. View Eiders, geese, Beluga Whales and possibly Polar Bears. Visit the Eskimo Museum and historical sites. Enjoy the Aurora Borealis.

The cost includes accommodation at the Aurora Inn, transportation, all meals, boat tour (on the Churchill River & Hudson Bay) and guiding fees.

The fall season at Point Pelee Provincial Park has been a closely guarded secret. The weather is usually pleasant. There is a spectacular migration of passerines closely followed by hordes of raptors. The Monarch Butterfly migration is the icing on the cake as thousands mass on the tip to begin their journey to Mexico.

Rare birds turn up most years. Among those we have seen are Laughing Gull, Long-tailed Jaeger and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, to name a few. We will also visit Hawk Cliff or Holiday Beach to witness the spectacular fall raptor migration.

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.

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Gambia

300+ species of birds can be seen on this easy introduction to African birdwatching. See Hammerkop, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Kingfishers, Hornbills, Plovers, Paradise-flycatchers, Oxpeckers, Superb Sunbirds, Firefinches & Red Bishops. Cost includes return flights from London or Manchester, accommodation, transfers & ground transportation, breakfasts & dinners, entrance fees, guiding by North American & local guides. Contact us for more details.

A blizzard of gulls awaits the birdwatcher at the end of November in the Niagara River Gorge. A world record of 14 species of gulls has been seen here on several occasions. To achieve this birders have to scan the flocks carefully for rare species such as Black-headed and Ross' Gull. Anything can turn up each fall and usually does. In most years there is a small group of Purple Sandpipers on the rocks above the falls among the thousands of loons and ducks. Away from the river, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice and Carolina Wrens add spice to the day's birding.

Long Point is just that, a long point of land that juts out into Lake Erie. Made from sandbars thrown up by the winter gales and constantly being reshaped by the power of nature, this unique habitat has long been a staging area for thousands of waterfowl each spring. Geese, ducks, loons, grebes and cranes come her to rest each spring before moving on to their breeding grounds in the north.

There is a bird banding station run by the Long Point Bird Observatory that is open to the public and this will enable us to see some of the banded migrants up close. The staff members are helpful and informative. There are a number of different habitats to explore, from shoreline to marshland to Carolinian forest at St. Williams. It will be cold. Bring scopes and a lunch.

We drive via Sudbury to Little Current, stopping occasionally at good birding sites. After reaching our accommodation in Kagawong, we explore the trail down to Bridal Veil Falls. On the second day, we will go to Gore Bay Airport at dawn to visit a blind overlooking the Sharp-tailed Grouse lek Afterward we will visit sites known for Barred Owls, Sandhill Cranes and other hawks and owls. We will also search for rare ferns and early wildflowers. On the third day, we will hike along Cup & Saucer Trail, which provides stunning views of Manitoulin Island and the lakes, view a Bald eagle nest and after lunch, drive back to Toronto.

This four-day trip combines nature, history and the culture of the Niagara Region. We will look for migrating birds, early wildflowers and rare ferns, see historic Fort-George and Brock's Monument and visit a winery and the beautiful village of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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Migrating hawks faithfully follow their traditional routes each spring. This route brings them along the Niagara Escarpment as they use the updrafts to gain flying height. At selected spots along the escarpment it is possible to see hundreds if not thousands in one day. One of the most popular spots for hawk watching is Beamer Point Conservation Area south of Grimbsy.

Join us as we spend a day in April watching hawks and helping the official counters at the hawkwatch. If the weather is right we will see many species of raptor. This small park has many species of passerines to occupy us during the lulls in the hawk action. We usually see our first Mourning Cloak and Tortoise shell butterflies of the season at this time and one or two early spring flowers are beginning to show. Dress warmly in layers and bring a lunch and a chair.

Our winter trip will run for 8 days while we search for some of Ontario's rarest winter birds and enjoy the beauty of a northern winter. It is possible to find 10 species of owls on this tour !
Day 1 will see us birding the Toronto area. Overnight : Bolton.
Day 2 we visit the Hagersville area for open-country birds such as Raptors, Sparrows & Grey Partridge. Then we proceed south towards Fisherville to find Short-eared, Long-eared and Saw-whet owls. Overnight in Long Point.
Day 3 : Bird the Long Point environs searching for ducks, swans, icterids, sparrows and other feeder birds. Ov.: Fort Erie.
Day 4 : Bird Niagara Falls for rare gulls such as California, Iceland, Glaucous, Sabine's. Then to Hamilton for rare ducks like King Eider & Harlequin. Ov. : Bolton.
Day 5 : Early drive to Algonquin Provincial Park for boreal species such as Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Crossbills, Grosbeaks; and mammals. Ov. : Whitney.
Day 6 : East to Ottawa-tour the capital as well as search for Northern 3-toed and Black-backed woodpeckers, Hawk & Great Grey Owl, Gyrfalcon, Barrow's Goldeneye. Ov. : Ottawa.
Day 7 : Reaching Millhaven on Lake Ontario, we ferry to Amherst Island to look for owls such as Snowy & Boreal. Ov. : Bolton.
Day 8 : Bird the Toronto area for E. Screech, Great Horned, Barred owls, Lapland Longspur, Horned Lark, & Snow Buntings.

Palgrave is a conservation area north of Bolton. It has a number of habitats including bogs, marshes, coniferous and deciduous forest, young and old plantations, meadows and a pond. These habitats are home to many breeding species of birds, a number of interesting butterfly species, lots of amphibians and some neat dragonflies. The profusion of wild flowers makes Palgrave a really interesting trip. Because of the number of breeding species it is in an ideal spot to watch and listen to birds as they proclaim their territories. Breeding species at Palgrave include at least 10 species of warbler, Whip-Poor-Will, Green Heron, Grasshopper and Vesper Sparrows, Virginia Rail, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker and occasionally Red-shouldered and Cooper's Hawk. Early morning is best for birds and mammals and as the day heats up we will search for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. We will point out the various birds as we hear them. Yes, it is possible to pick out some of the subtle differences between one song and another. All it takes is practice in the field. We can help. Bring lunch.

Petroglyphs is an interesting park north of Peterborough. It is renowned for is caves and its ancient petroglyphs. Among birding circles it is a place to look for Bald and Golden eagles in the winter in Ontario. As well as its eagles, the park will sometimes surprise the visiting bird watcher with Black-backed or Three-toed Woodpeckers, Ravens, crossbills Gray Jays and Bohemian Waxwings. Pine Martens and Fisher have also been seen here, Dress warmly and bring a lunch.

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 two day trips and on both days 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 on two successive weekends. Why not come for both!

Mid August is a great time to find some of Ontario's (and North America's) rarest butterflies. Our two-day tour begins at Point Pelee National Park where the beginning of fall bird migration is usually the highlight. On this occasion, however, while any bird species will be noted, our main quest is butterflies. We hope to find the rare Duke's Skipper, Fritillaries, Hackberry, Snout and Tawny Crescents among the many species of Lepidoptera in the park. We may take a side trip to Windsor to examine species of Prairie butterflies that are found near here. Our next stop will be the Pinery Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Huron where we will continue our search for other rare species. Birds, animals and wildflowers will add to two exciting days in nature.

This is a beautiful provincial park near Brighton, Ontario. It has long been known as a staging area for wildfowl and waders and in recent years has enhanced its reputation as such. It has many varied habitats from mature forests to marsh and sand dunes and extensive beaches. Birding can be varied and exciting and in the fall migration anything can show up. A number of species of mammals can be found in the park. Wildflowers, butterflies and amphibians add to the beauty and attraction of this lovely provincial park on the shores of Lake Ontario.

In recent years, Rainy River has been the place to find vagrants and breeding birds associated with the west. Late May and June provide the best opportunities for finding rarities such as Baird's Sparrow, Western Wood Peewee, Ferruginous Hawk, Western Kingbird, Le Conte's Sparrow, Yellow Rail, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Black-billed Magpie, Marbled Godwit and Sprague's Pipit, to name just a few.

Lake of the Woods often has White Pelican, Piping plover and Western Grebe. As well Pileated Woodpecker, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper and many other species of birds can be expected in this area as well as other forms of wildlife. This special tour will take place from Rainy River, where motel accommodation is available.

Rondeau Provincial Park near Blenheim in south-western Ontario is one of the best parks in Canada for a variety of migrating birds, some of them extremely rare for the province. A large array of wildflowers and other wildlife can be found in Rondeau at this time of year. Many beautiful wood warblers nest here along with such rarities as Prothonotary Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher and possibly Chuck-wills Widow. Trees, flowers, insects, amphibians and snakes will be carefully studied in this beautiful remnant Carolinian habitat.

Slovakia is a small Central European country, located on the border between the mountains of the Carpathian Range and the Panonian lowland. This relatively unknown country offers surprising diversity of bird habitats. The high mountains (Tatras 2655 metres) provide us with the opportunity to see lynx, bear and wolf and several special bird species such as Golden eagle and Alpine Accentor. The Carpathian Highlands are a paradise for all European woodpeckers, such as Black Three-toed and White Backed Woodpeckers, for Pygmy, Ural and Tengmalm Owls and such specialities as Wallcreeper and Hazel Hen. In the Se and SW part of the country, extensive lowlands with marshes, rivers and ponds pride habitat for Red-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Bustard, Saker and Imperial Eagle.

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A delightful blend of wildlife and history awaits you on this tour of the American south. For birds and other wildlife we visit Huntington State Park, Francis Marion National Forest and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. The variety of habitats at these locations are a guarantee of excellent birding. We also visit the city of Charleston, renowned for its architecture, Fort Sumter, downtown Savannah and its History Museum. Since a trip to the South would not be complete without a visit to some of its famous gardens, we also tour Brookgreen Gardens, Magnolia Plantation and the Audubon Swamp Garden.

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This fully guided tour combines birdwatching with culture. See Bangkok, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, monasteries, national parks, evening wildlife safari, beautiful mountains, Elephant Conservation Centre. US $ 1825 from Bangkok. Includes accommodation, transportation, domestic flights, most meals, local & Cnd. guides, transfers, entrance fees. Contact us for more details.

Surprisingly enough, the Toronto waterfront in January is a great place to see large concentrations of over-wintering waterfowl and gulls. We will be examining these flocks for the odd rare visitor. In the winter of 1996 a Gyrfalcon delighted birders and terrified the ducks and pigeons respectively from the old granary building at the foot of Bathurst street. Lingering migrants are always a possibility and we sill stay tuned to the bird hot line for information. Bring your scopes and dress warmly.

This trip will take you to many of Tunisia's foremost nature and bird reserves to observe the flora and fauna of North Africa: Lake Ichkeuil National Park, Ain Draham Forest, a mountain oasis, the Seldja Gorge, the Sahara Desert and the lakes near Douz. We will also visit Roman and Punic ruins.

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Revisit the land of James Herriot, with its magnificent moors and dales, enjoying country walks, English pubs and a wealth of history. Visit the ancient city of York, Richmond, the former home of Richard III and Whitby, visiting castles, abbeys and museums along the way. We will also enjoy local flora and fauna in beautiful meadows, scenic waterfalls, coastal headlands, nature reserves and tidal pools.

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