General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to ICrane Creek, Point Pelee and Michigan. 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 & CANADA: Everyone will need a valid passport and non-U.S. citizens may need tourist visas to enter the US.
HEALTH: Although Ontario, Michigan and Ohio present no real hazards to the visiting birdwatcher, there are several factors to be considered. Biting insects are occasionally a problem in northern Michigan and possibly elsewhere if it is a very early spring. It is best to have bug repellent along just in case.
PACE OF TOUR: The tour is moderately strenuous in terms of the rather long days, early departures, and moderate walks. Most mornings of this tour will depart at dawn or shortly thereafter. There will be few afternoon breaks other than driving between spots. Most days we try to end birding by 6:00 p.m., unless we do something after dinner.
There will on a few occasions, of course, be the option of resting in the motel rather than birding. As for walking, other than the first day, the terrain is level and even on the first day activities are not the least bit strenuous. At Pelee one should be prepared to walk several miles at a stretch. If desired there is also the option of catching the tram and meeting us back at the Visitor Center. At Tawas Point we could walk a few miles at a stretch, all easy, except for a few hundred yards of soft sand. If one has trouble walking this tour will be difficult.
CLIMATE: The weather in the Midwest can be extremely variable in mid-May with temperatures possibly ranging from the mid 30’s (even high 20s) to the high 80’s F. There is a good probability of rain during the course of the week as various weather systems pass through and it can be windy as well.
HOTELS: We will stay at standard motels throughout.
DRESS: Dress will be 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.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS 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 tour to Point Pelee… 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.
Updated: June 2007