General Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Nevada and Utah. Its sole purpose is 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 will need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your nearest U.S. consulate for details. Canadian citizens should carry proof of citizenship in the form of a passport or birth certificate.
HEALTH: Nevada and Utah present no real hazards to the visiting birdwatcher but certain factors must be considered. The sun is intense in August. A broad-brimmed hat, proper clothing and a strong sun screen lotion are essential. Our birding spans elevations between 2000 and 11000 feet. Our time spent at elevation will involve some hiking, but at no time are we pressed for time, and if anyone needs more time for the ascent that time is available. Anyone with known cardiac or respiratory problems should consult their doctor before scheduling the trip. Rattlesnakes are not a hazard but one always needs to use common sense and be alert. 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 are encountered occasionally in moist grasslands or riparian areas and we recommend using insect repellents with a high concentration of DEET. Newer products containing chigger-repelling chemicals are particularly effective.
The most common injury results from spines or rocks penetrating light canvas shoes. Many desert plants in Utah and Nevada are armed with thorns or spines and we recommend tough canvas or leather shoes of at least ankle height and tough trousers as the best safeguards.
PACE OF THE TOUR: Early mornings are always the best time for birding activity, and we will often be out in the field by 6:00 a.m. Sometimes our time in the field is proceeded by a drive of an hour or so and on these mornings we’ll start a little earlier. As a general rule we try to schedule some down-time during the hottest part of the day; on some days this time is also used for travel between hotels and we’ll often have time off before dinner. The only strenuous hike on the trip is on the trail in Lamoile Canyon for the Snowcocks. This trail is less than 2 miles long (4 round trip) and is well graded with many switchbacks.
CLIMATE: From mid-July to mid-September, the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah may experience monsoon-type rains, which lower temperatures and bring about a period of intense biological activity. On our day at elevation in the Uinta Mountains rain, sleet and even snow are possible. Much of the most interesting summer birdwatching is in the deep mountain canyons between 4000 and 6000 feet where warm days and cooler nights are the rule. At the elevations where we spend most of our time, the daytime highs average in the low 90s F and nighttime lows average about 70° F, although we do spend some time at lower elevations.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We stay at standard motels throughout the tour.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
SMOKING: We request that you do not smoke 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 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: 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.