General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Florida. 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 US: Non-U.S. citizens other than Canadians will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. You can find the location of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate here. Canadian citizens should carry proof of citizenship in the form of a valid passport, naturalization papers or birth certificate.
HEALTH: Bird and butterfly watching in South Florida poses no real health hazards but sun and insects are concerns. Even in winter, the intense sun at 23° latitude makes a sun hat, protective clothing and a strong sun screen essential. Mosquitoes and small biting flies can be abundant in some years, especially in the mangroves. Chiggers and ticks are present in small numbers as well.
PACE OF THE TOUR Although there are a number of long drives, this is a relatively relaxed tour. Because we are looking for both birds and butterflies, we tend to spend more time at each location than we might on strictly bird tours. Most walking is done along roadsides or level trails. There are no particularly strenuous hikes on this tour except for an optional four-mile round trip hike down Snake Bight Trail to look for Greater Flamingo. On most days we depart around 6:30 or 7:00 AM and return by 4:30 or 5:00 PM.
CLIMATE: In winter, December to February, daytime highs are in the 70s and 80s (F) with nighttime lows in the 50s and 60s (F). It is always possible to have days in the 40s or 90s. Scattered rain showers are possible but heavy overcast and persistent rain are not likely as winter is South Florida’s dry season.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We stay in standard motels throughout the course of the tour.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation will be via 15-passenger window vans or minivans driven by the leader.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed 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.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information & Conditions. 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for South Florida in Winter: Birds and Butterflies will be sent 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: February 2008