Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Arizona in May. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they took this tour. Although we do our best to make sure what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
ENTERING THE UNITED STATES: Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. You can locate the nearest U.S.Embassy or Consulate here.
HEALTH: Arizona presents no real hazards to the visiting birdwatcher, but certain factors must be considered. The sun is intense in May. A broad-brimmed hat, proper clothing, and a strong sun screen lotion are essential. We urge everyone to bring a water bottle or canteen and to drink lots of water during the tour; water will be provided at all times in the vans. Much of our birding is at elevations between 4,000 and 9,000 feet and, with the exception of a very slow hike at 6,000 feet in search of Spotted Owl, we do not schedule anything strenuous at the higher altitudes. However, we recommend that anyone with known cardiac or respiratory problems consult his or her doctor before scheduling the trip. Rattlesnakes are not a hazard, but one always needs to use common sense and be alert in desert areas (we actively look for reptiles and feel lucky to see one rattlesnake per trip). Scorpions are nocturnal and rarely seen, and the tarantulas often seen on the highways are not dangerous. Chiggers or biting insects may be encountered occasionally in moist areas. The most common injury results from spiny plants; we recommend tough leather or canvas shoes of at least ankle height and tough trousers.
PACE OF THE TOUR: Early mornings are always best for birding activity, and we’ll often be out in the field by 6:30 am, sometimes preceded by a drive of 30 minutes or so. Breakfast will usually be at 6:00. Daily temperatures are often very warm in the lowlands, and whenever possible, we’ll try to schedule a siesta during the hottest portion of the day. Lunches will be a combination of picnic lunches and sandwich shops. Much of the birding will be on roads and wider trails, and on one day, in search for Spotted Owl, we’ll hike a rocky trail uphill for about a mile. We’ll schedule about an hour off before dinner when possible and on most nights, we’ll have optional owling and nightbird excursions after dinner.
CLIMATE: Temperatures rise steadily from March through June with little rain, although rain and anomalously cool temperatures are possible. Much of the most interesting spring birdwatching is in deep mountain canyons at between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, where warm days and cool nights are the rule. At the elevations where we spend most of our time, daytime highs average in the low 90°s F and nighttime lows 60-65° F, although we do spend some time at lower elevations.
ACCOMMODATION: We stay at standard motels throughout the tour.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORT: Transportation is in 15-passenger window vans.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, the stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information and Conditions here. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
FINAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Southeastern Arizona will be mailed to each registrant on receipt of their booking. Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: June 2011