General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Minnesota. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take 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 will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. You can locate the nearest U.S.Embassy or Consulate here. Canadian citizens should carry proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate.
HEALTH: Birdwatching in Minnesota in the winter poses no major health hazards. The most obvious issue is dealing with potentially very cold weather. Having said this, by dressing appropriately, we’ll find deep winter surprisingly manageable. It is of the utmost importance, however, that you come prepared for cold weather. Proper dress is imperative (see the list of recommended field clothing in the printed General Information that will be sent to participants). The very best way to regulate against cold is the Principle of Layering. Outer layers of clothing should fit (at least) slightly loosely over inner layers, the warmed air space between providing additional insulation. The tighter the clothing fits, the faster you will get cold, so err on the side of articles being too large. If you do not have an adverse physical reaction to wool, this should be your material of choice, as it retains its insulating properties even if it gets wet. A clothing combination that works very well (i.e., what the leader wears) is a shirt underneath a sweatshirt/sweater underneath a heavy winter coat (an insulated parka with hood being best). Below the waist, heavy wool pants over sweatpants/pants over thermal underwear (polypropylene being the best) works well. If you don’t have wool pants, bring pants that are of the heaviest material or the most tightly knit that you have (blue jeans get wet easily and are therefore not the best choice).
Layering allows you to remove articles easily if the weather ends up being mild.
Hands, feet, and ears are especially susceptible to cold. We strongly recommend bringing insulated boots with felt liners (e.g., Lacrosse® or Sorel® brand boots) as opposed to leather work/hiking boots. It is important that they be loose-fitting enough to accommodate easily a pair of heavy (wool) socks. It is very important that your feet not fit tightly within your boots. Gloves with two layers, leather outers and wool inners, are best. Mittens are even better than gloves but don’t give you as much digit control. A warm cap that covers the ears is essential, and a scarf can add an extra bit of comfort. Those of you especially sensitive to cold may want to consider a balaclava, a wool hood with cut-outs for eyes, nose and mouth.
PACE OF THE TOUR: At this time of year at this northern latitude, the sun rises relatively late (approximately 7:30). We may have to drive as much as an hour and a half to reach our first birding stop of the day, however, so we’ll rise early enough to factor in driving time. The sun sets relatively early in the evening (approximately 5:30), so our days in the field will not seem especially long, and we should be able to turn in early enough each night to get a good night’s sleep. There will be moderately long drives between destinations on several days. This time spent in the van can also be used to nap. Breakfasts are at our hotel. Lunches will most often be taken in sandwich shops (Subway, etc.) or small cafés. Barring unforeseen circumstances, suppers will be relaxed sit-down affairs in restaurants near the hotels.
Much of our birding will be done from the vehicle(s), and more time is spent in the vehicle than on most tours. We will try to get out and walk when the opportunity presents itself. We will rotate seats in the vehicle(s) on a daily basis so everyone will have the opportunity to bird from every seat. When not in the vehicle, with few exceptions, birding will be done from plowed roads and walkable trails, almost always near the vehicle. Walking will be gentle along plowed roads and trails. Any walks through snow will be short and will always be optional.
CLIMATE: Average winter temperatures for this time of year range from 0° F to 30° F (-18° to -1° C), although we would expect some variation. Rarely, temperatures plunge well below 0° F or rise into the mid- to upper 30s F (2° to 4° C). In open spaces, windchill can be a factor, but wind is rarely a problem in more closed, forested areas. Snow is expected at any time.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We will be staying in comfortable standard hotels throughout the trip. The Duluth hotel is within close walking distance of several restaurants, while the Minneapolis hotel has a restaurant on-site.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORTATION: Travel will be in fifteen-passenger van(s) or a minivan as numbers dictate.
SMOKING: Smoking is prohibited in vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklist sessions, 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 smoke well away from the group (100’) and downwind. If any lodge, accommodation, or location where the group is staying or is gathered has a more restrictive smoking policy than the WINGS policy, the more restrictive policy will prevail.
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 Tours to Minnesota in Winter 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