Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Maryland and West Virginia. 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 that 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-United States citizens need a valid passport and may need a tourist visa. Consult your nearest US Embassy or consulate for details.
MAPS: Maps of Maryland and West Virginia are available on line in the Castaneda Collection of the University of Texas. The same collection includes historical maps of a number of Civil War battlefields.
HEALTH: Birdwatching in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania poses no major health hazards. At this time of year, mosquitoes may be locally numerous, but other biting insects are generally scarce. The presence of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease should be considered, so precautions are wise: tucking your pant cuffs inside your socks and spraying with insect repellent or wearing rubber boots are the best preventive measures.
CLIMATE:The weather will vary from cool (high 50s F in the higher mountains) in the morning to hot and humid (90s F) in the eastern lowlands in the afternoon. Rain and wind are always possible.
PACE OF THE TOUR: There are no strenuous walks or hikes on this tour. All walking will be at a relatively slow pace, allowing for time to discuss how to identify the species we see and lingering to remember the bird vocalizations we hear. There will be a few long days, notably at the beginning.
Most walking is done on roads and trails, although there will be some over uneven ground and possibly dewy grass in the early morning. Sturdy footgear, waterproof if possible, is important, and a walking stick is recommended for anyone with balance problems or weak knees.
ACCOMMODATIONS: We will be staying in standard, comfortable motels throughout.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
TRANSPORTATION: We will be traveling by 12- or 15-passenger window van or minivan, depending on the group size. Participants should be able to ride in any seat in tour vehicles.
SMOKING: We request that you not smoke 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 AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information and Conditions on the WINGS website. 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. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Created: 01 September 2010