Subject: winter birding tours (was Re: profit)
Date: Aug 21 09:44:34 1995
From: Dennis Paulson - dpaulson at ups.edu


Debbie, I just want to add to what Don Baccus wrote:

(1) yes, Arizona is more scenic than southern Texas, and undeniably great
(I just returned from there), but

(2) the coast of Texas is a much richer reward for a birder in winter, with
the tremendous numbers of water birds there. There are a lot of small
brown birds in southern Arizona in winter, as well as some fine (and
colorful) desert and canyon dwellers, but not too many big birds that might
appeal to a beginning or intermediate birder.

A lot of companies run tours to Texas in winter, including Field Guides and
Victor Emanuel, two of the best. There are surely smaller operations of
all kinds that do so, as well, some of which advertise in Birding, the
magazine of the American Birding Association, and other mags for birders.
One obvious consideration would be whether there was a tour in the exact
period during which you will have your vacation! Many of the companies run
only one or a few tours to a given area, although both Victor Emanuel and
Field Guides, being based in Texas, might even be able to set up something
special for you.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416