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Destinations

Worldwide birding options.

Guides & Office

Meet our stellar staff.

Tour Calendar

Through december 2026.

Latest News

New video, newsletter.

Recent Tour Reports

See what we’ve been seeing.

Recent Tour Photos

Our march 2024 gallery.

Last Spots on a few upcoming tours NORTHERN ARIZONA'S CANYONS & CONDOR Spaces: 1 May 18-24, 2024 ($2925) with John Coons Tour Limit: 7 A tour for mountain and high-desert birds of the western US amidst stunning scenery with California Condors at the Grand Canyon, all guided by our own Flagstaff-based resident expert, John Coons. CENTRAL ASIA: UZBEKISTAN, KYRGYZSTAN & KAZAKHSTAN Spaces: 1 May 22 - Jun 12, 2024 ($8975) with Jay VanderGaast & local guide Tour Limit: 12 A three-country tour exploring the scenic Central Asian steppes, deserts, canyons, and high mountains, for an enticing mix of localized resident species and northbound migrants, with the added cultural element of the beautifully preserved Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. FRANCE'S LOIRE VALLEY: BIRDS, CHATEAUX & WINE Spaces: 1 May 31 - Jun 10, 2024 ($5775) with Marcelo Padua & Megan Edwards Crewe Tour Limit: 12 A tour of France's lovely Loire Valley, combining lowland birding with visits to the chateaux of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, as well as some of the region's famous vineyards. ICELAND Spaces: 2 Jun 7-16, 2024 ($6525) with Cory Gregory & John Coons Tour Limit: 12 Seabird colonies, endemic landbirds, spectacular scenery, and high-latitude natural history. ALASKA: THE GREAT LAND Spaces: 3 Jun 8-24, 2024 ($13075) with Micah Riegner & Sam Wilson Tour Limit: 14 Our fabulous survey of the best of Alaska birding: the Pribilofs, Kenai Fjords, Nome, and Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow).

Eagle-Eye Tours offers exceptional Birding and Wildlife Tours worldwide

Small groups.

We believe small-groups are essential for a quality, enjoyable travel experience. Our tours have a guide-to-client ratio that reflects a more intimate travel experience.

Expert Guides

Our guides are expert birders and naturalists and go the extra mile to ensure an optimal experience during your trip.

We Give Back

We believe it’s important to give back to help conserve the birds and other wildlife that we so enjoy. Read more about what we do.

Birding Tours Worldwide

Small ship expedition cruises and sailing adventures, where do you want to go.

• Canada & USA
• Mexico, Central America & Caribbean
• South America
• Asia & Australasia

Most Popular Tours

Patagonia Wildlife Safari

Panama: Canal Zone & the Darien

Arizona in Winter

What our customers are saying.

Read More Reviews

eagleeyetours

We have been offering high quality birding tours and expedition cruises with exceptional leaders worldwide for 25+ years!

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WHERE WE GO

• Mexico & Central America
• Australia & New Zealand

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• Uganda: The Pearl of Africa
• Vietnam: Photography in the Far East
• Australia: Photography Down Under
• Costa Rica: Endemics and Specialties with Black Swamp Bird Observatory
• Costa Rica: Jewels
• Costa Rica: Mountains, Marshes, and Mangroves
• Costa Rica: Quetzal Photography Extravaganza
• Costa Rica: Raptor Migration Spectacular
• Costa Rica: Talamanca and Osa Endemics
• Guatemala: Birding and Culture in the Mayan World
• Guatemala: With Schoodic Institute
• Honduras: Specialties of Northern Central America
• Panama: A Fundraiser with Tucson Audubon Society
• Panama: Canopy Camp
• Panama: Canopy Lodge
• Panama: Canopy Lodge and Tower with Land Sea & Sky
• Panama: Canopy Tower
• Panama: Tropical Islands
• Portugal: Birds & Culture
• Spain: The Best of Iberian Birding in Spring
• Chile and Argentina: Birds and Wine
• Chile: Condors, Penguins, and Albatross with Tucson Audubon Society
• Colombia: Amazon Adventure
• Colombia: Photography from Rainforest to Paramo
• Colombia: Santa Marta and Central Andes
• Ecuador: A Week in Paradise
• Ecuador: Andes and Amazon
• Ecuador: Jocotoco Antpitta, Tumbesian Endemics, and More!
• Peru: Pacific Coast and Andean Endemics
• Alaska, Utqiagvik (Barrow): Top of the World Bird Photography
• Alaska: Bering Sea Photo Adventure
• Alaska: Specialties of the Far North
• Alaska, Nome: A Bird Photographer’s Goldmine
• Arizona: Bird Photography in the Sky Islands
• Arizona: Exploring the Sky Islands
• Arizona: Ladies Only – Spas, Sips, and Specialties
• California: Ladies Only – West Coast Getaway
• Great Lakes: A Spectacle of Bird Migration
• Hawaii: Island Hopping for Endemics
• Kansas Lek Treks Photo Workshop: Prairie Chickens
• Michigan: Photography in a Winter Wonderland
• Minnesota: Northwoods Winter Adventure
• North Dakota: Photography on the Prairie
• North Dakota: Prairie Birding at Its Best!
• Pennsylvania: Warbler Photo Mania
• Texas and Louisiana: Migration Madness on the Gulf
• Texas: Birding the Rio Grande Valley
• Texas: Birding the Rio Grande Valley with Schoodic Institute
• Cabin Lake, Oregon Photography Workshop
• California Specialties Photography Workshop
• Coastal California Photography Workshop
• Kentucky Spring Photography Workshop
• South Texas Photography Workshop

Fundraising Tours

• Custom and Private Tours
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• Land Sea & Sky Optics Deal

SABREWING NATURE TOURS

We create first-class experiences with exceptional personalized service in incredible locations around the globe for birders, nature-lovers, and photographers!

Expert Guides

Thoughtful itineraries, inclusive pricing, small groups, wonderful lodging, authentic local cuisine.

CHOOSE THE TRIP THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Set departures.

We offer set departure tours to incredible birding and photography destinations throughout the U.S., Central America, and beyond!

Custom Tours

Local outings, from previous expeditions.

Spectacled Eider

Tourmaline Sunangel

WHAT TRAVELERS SAY ABOUT US

This tour is the standard I will measure all other tours against. The tour guide and local guide were professional and knowledgeable, the accommodations were excellent.

If you are looking for a friendly, professionally led birding tour company that offers memorable experiences with knowledgeable guides and above-standard accommodations & meals, Sabrewing Nature Tours will more than fill the bill.

I cannot say enough good things about my interactions with Sabrewing Nature Tours. Larry was a pleasure as a guide, the local guides were phenomenal, we always felt safe, the food was fantastic, and we saw SO many birds!

Brian is an outstanding bird photographer along with being a “people” person. He interacts with others very well at all levels and shares knowledge readily which sets him apart from many others. Spending two weeks with Brian in Barrow and lower Alaska was a great experience. He was an outstanding guide and travel companion.

Barrow for me was a most unique and rewarding trip. The images I captured were beyond my expectations. Don’t pass up this unique opportunity to go to Barrow with Brian.

I learned new techniques and strategies. I saw and photographed several new species. All thanks to Brian’s knowledge and expertise.

GET IN TOUCH

+1-317-324-8505, [email protected].

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Birding Destinations & Tours

Find a journey that’s close to home or embark on an exotic adventure that’ll put plenty of stamps on your passport (and birds on your life list). Featured here are the many exciting places where we offer guided group tours. And if you’re looking for an Independent Birding Venture or relaxing eco-lodge stay, our travel planners can design an itinerary to several of these destinations, exclusively for you ― just give us a call.

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Nature Tours

Over 25 years of Nature Tours!

Come experience King Ranch’s guided wildlife and bird-watching tours.

King Ranch has a long history of wildlife management. As early as 1947, famed conservationist Aldo Leopold called King Ranch “one of the best jobs of wildlife restoration on the continent.” Today, the ranch is a vital part of an incredibly diverse landscape in South Texas dubbed “The Last Great Habitat.”

Besides rich populations of game species such as northern bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey, King Ranch is also home to an incredible number of birds, mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. We have been honored as an Internationally Important Bird Area: 372 species of birds have been recorded here, including the largest known population of ferruginous pygmy-owls in the United States. In 2004, a species of damselfly never before seen in the U.S., the cream-tipped swamp-damsel, was discovered on the ranch.

Whether you’re interested in beautiful or unusual birds, big deer, or the wonders of nature, King Ranch is the place to visit. Book your tour online at the button below. You can also speak with a King Ranch Visitor Center representative to learn more by calling either   (361) 592-8055   or emailing  visit@king-ranch.com .    Please note that the prices below don’t include sales tax of 6.75%.

Our Nature Tours

Click on one of the links below to get more information about each tour.

Wildlife Half-Day Tour (3.5 hours)

Enjoy a tour through some of the premier wildlife habitat in the country. Along with the famed quality of antlered white-tailed deer in its pastures, King Ranch is home to a diverse range of animal species including javelina, bobcat, wild turkey, American alligator, and a host of other mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Offered: October – March, Wednesday – Saturdays.

Not Offered: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Book your tour online at the button below. You can also speak with a King Ranch Visitor Center representative to learn more by calling either   (361) 592-8055   or emailing    visit@king-ranch.com .  

Reservations & binoculars recommended. Children under age 10 not recommended.

Winter Birding Half-Day (4 hours)

King Ranch is a showcase for the incredible diversity of wintering and tropical resident birds in South Texas. We will visit habitats from wetlands and grasslands to brush country to look for birds such as least grebe, white-tailed hawk, crested caracara, vermilion flycatcher, great kiskadee, green jay, olive sparrow, and more.

This tour does  not  visit the division of the ranch where the ferruginous pygmy-owls occur.

Offered: November – March, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Reservations required. Children under age 12 not recommended.

Norias Birding Full-Day (9 hours)

This tour visits the Norias Division, the southernmost part of King Ranch. This area provides a great birding experience, with some of the rarest breeding birds in the U.S. such as the ferruginous pygmy-owl and tropical parula, and habitat for migrating songbirds. Other species we’ll look for include white-tailed hawk, northern-beardless tyrannulet, vermilion flycatcher, Botteri’s sparrow, and Audubon’s oriole. Lunch and drinks provided.

Offered:   March – June.

Deluxe Norias Birding Tour (1.5 days, 1 night)

This tour maximizes the varied birding opportunities on the Norias Divison, of King Ranch. Besides possibly seeing the many special resident & summer resident bird species, this portion of King Ranch has extensive upland coastal habitat that can attract many spring migrants. This tour allows time to visit these coastal migrant stopover areas and includes an overnight stay on this division of the ranch.

Reservations required. Children under age 14 not recommended.

King Ranch Birding Adventure (3 days, 2 nights)

This unique and extended outing is a great way to experience a much larger portion of King Ranch and its birds. It will include birding divisions of the ranch and a two night stay on the remote Norias division of King Ranch. Meals and comfortable accommodations are provided in a rustic setting. This is indeed a very special adventure on King Ranch.

Reservations required. Children under age 14 not recommended.  

Note:  Vehicles headed north after a Spring birding tour travel through the Sarita U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Check Station. Each vehicle is met at the checkpoint by Border Patrol agents for a quick visual inspection and brief questions to determine citizenship. The process is routine, and most stops average less than a minute in duration. All passengers need to carry proper identification to verify U.S. Citizenship such as a Drivers License or Student ID card. Foreign nationals planning to take a Spring birding trip on the King Ranch should be sure to carry the appropriate documentation to avoid unnecessary delays, as Border Patrol agents are required to determine the immigration status of every traveler. Participants who do not have proper identification will not be permitted to board vans headed for King Ranch birding excursions on the Norias Division of the ranch, as an 1-2 hour delay in return of a birding trip would not be fair to other participants.

Pitta Nature Tours We. Find. Birds.

Sharing incredible bird watching experiences and wildlife Tours with nature-minded people for more than 15 years.

Tour Details

Where we find birds, united states learn more, central america learn more, southeast asia learn more.

It was just easy and fun to spend a long day of birding with Tim. I came away from the experience wanting to go back.

Lesley M Custom Tour , 2017

Featured tour, 2024 great salt lake bird festival tour offerings 6+ tours - may 13-21, 2024.

Partnering with Davis County and Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, we are excited to offer a variety of tours from May 13-21 before, during, and after the festival. All festival tours are specially priced and designed to focus on some of the best birding and locations the state of Utah has to offer!

Tours at a Glance

May 13-16, 2024 great salt lake bird fest: utah highlights view details, year round tour dates utah day trips view details, 4 tours - fall 2024 boreal owling adventure view details, may thru august flammulated owling view details, july 18-23 and 25-30, 2024 mountain west most wanted view details, june 20-22, 2024 cassia crossbills & more view details, august 24-26, 2024 himalayan snowcock expedition view details, year round options utah birding tours view details, 2026 dates tbd mexico: chiapas view details,   view all tours... view all tours, mexico: baja view details, february 19-26, 2024 mexico: the yucatán & cozumel view details, no set dates at this time bali & the lesser sundas view details, highly sought-after aba area birds, mountain west most wanted himalayan snowcock, cassia crossbill, flammulated owl, gray partridge, & more.

The mother of all mountain west birding trips, this intensive 5 day tour focuses on the most highly sought after birds of the mountain west. Fast-paced bird-filled days should have you in and out in a week with a list full of life birds!

Featured On...

2020, '22, & '23 Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award Consistently earning great reviews from birders!

Himalayan Snowcock and Cassia Crossbill! Another trip with Tim, another success! These were the “big two” for this trip and Tim delivered in spades.

Paul K Most Wanted , 2018

Recent tours & updates, august 27-29, 2023 2023 himalayan snowcock expedition view trip report, july 27-31, 2023 2023 most wanted view trip report, july 25-30, 2023 2023 georgia audubon custom view trip report, june 15-17, 2023 2023 cassia crossbills & more view trip report, april 18-24, 2023 2023 texas - lrgv, aransas, & hill country custom view trip report, january 12-23, 2023 2023 chiapas view trip report, august 28-30, 2022 2022 himalayan snowcock expedition view trip report, july 19-23, 2022 2022 most wanted #2 view trip report, july 15-19, 2022 2022 most wanted #1 view trip report, june 23-25, 2022 2022 cassia crossbills & more view trip report, may 11-14, 2022 2022 utah highlights view trip report, august 5-9, 2021 2021 most wanted #2 read recap, july 30 - august 1, 2021 2021 himalayan snowcock expedition read recap, july 25-30, 2021 2021 georgia audubon custom read the recap, july 15-19, 2021 2021 most wanted tour #1 read recap, july 8-10, 2021 july 2021 idaho custom tour read the recap, june 24-28, 2021 2021 lake-cook audubon custom tour read the recap, june 6-8, 2021 2021 cassia crossbills and more tour recap read the recap, may 27, 2021 may 2021 utah custom day tour read the recap, may 16, 2021 2021 marathon birding tour read the recap, march 8, 2021 press release: mwbirdco is now pitta tours read the release, january 21, 2021 january 2021 utah custom day tour recap read the recap, march 14, 2020 2019 bali & the lesser sundas recap read the recap, check out our blog to see more updates and recaps,   see more updates on on our blog read more, january 27, 2021 january 2020 utah custom day tour recap read the recap, january 5, 2021 yucatan and cozumel 2022 dates announced learn more, september 3, 2020 2020 flammulated owling season recap read the recap, august 20, 2020 2020 mini most wanted tour recap read the recap, july 15, 2020 2020 cassia crossbills and more tour recap read the recap, december 31, 2019 2019 year in review read the recap, march 3, 2020 java and lombok tour announced learn more, february 10, 2020 yucatan and cozumel 2021 dates announced learn more, february 2, 2020 gullstravaganza 2020 recap read the recap, january 24, 2020 yucatan and cozumel 2020 recap read the recap, september 8, 2019 mini most wanted 2019 recap read the recap, august 31, 2019 mountain west most wanted 2019 recap read the recap, frequently asked questions, what is mountain west birding company.

When we started guiding in 2007, we never imagined taking our tours beyond the confines of Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada—thus Mountain West Birding Company was born. Mountain West specialized in Flammulated Owl, Himalayan Snowcock, and Cassia Crossbill Tours.

Do your tours require a deposit?

For any full-day or longer tour we require a 25% deposit to hold your space. Final payments are generally required 90-days before the start of the tour. For our smaller tours we often don’t require payment till the time of the tour, but ask if you decide to cancel please provide a weeks notice so we can try and fill your space.

What is your cancellation & refund policy?

We understand that emergencies happen. We offer a full refund up to 90 days prior to the start of most multi-day set itineraries, with a 5% processing fee. Any cancellations made between 89-60 Days are subject to a 50% fee. Cancellations made less than 59 days before the start date forfeit the cost of the tour. If you have to make a last-minute cancellation, we will do everything we can to work with you on a refund or reschedule! For our smaller tours we often don’t require payment till the time of the tour, but ask if you decide to cancel please provide a weeks notice so we can try and fill your space.

How many clients are allowed on your tours?

From the start we’ve always desired to keep our tours both manageable and enjoyable. For that reason all of our public tours cap at 7 or 8 people. This keeps our groups smaller and provides a more comfortable experience while traveling together. We do offer private tours for individuals, and small groups, as well as large groups. We can accommodate almost any size of private group, just send us an inquiry to learn more.

Why did you change your name to Pitta?

After a decade leading tours in the western United States we expanded our offering with new tours in Southeast Asia and Central America. As we work on expanding further and offering more International options,, we decided we needed a name that reflected that change!

What forms of payment do you accept?

For most tours we accept cash, check, Venmo, and all major credit cards. Credit card payments do come with a 5% processing fee. We can also accept bank transfers for international clients—however these also include a processing fee determined by the transfer amount.

How strenuous are your tours?

Most of our tours are not physically demanding. Often birding from well maintained roads, by car, and lightly on foot. However, in the mountains of the western United States we do offer some tours with hikes at high elevation, and with a large elevation gain. These hikes generally require our guests to be in good physical shape. Many of our tours also offer long days with early starts and late ends. While not physically demanding, the pace can be strenuous. Check in the tour details at the bottom of each tour to read about the pace and difficulty, and feel free to ask if you’re unsure or would like more information!

Can you guarantee we will see our target birds?

While we cannot guarantee we will see every target bird, we make every possible attempt to find our targets on our tours. Birds have wings, ranges and distribution fluctuate, and habits change. But with more than 25 years birding experience and some of the best local guides available during our international tours, we have a very high success rate on locating our targets. Some times birds don’t cooperate and things don’t work out as planned, in which case all we can do is keep trying while we have time!

Check out our FAQs page to see more questions and answers!

Recent photos from our tours, check out more tour photos on flickr, mailing list.

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Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours LLC.

Let's Get Connected

[email protected]

Bird Watching

Bring your binoculars, camera, or just your eyes and see what nature has to offer.

Helping birdwatchers and nature-enthusiasts explore 200 acres wildlife in the Black Belt so they can connect with nature and make family-friendly memories that last a lifetime.

Connecting with birds and nature tours.

Explore 200 acres of wildlife and nature along a beautifully tranquil creek.

Ride a tractor trailer or enjoy a walking guided tour across a 6-mile-long nature trail.

Observe natural wildlife such as whitetail deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, bobcats, owls, and more.

Experience the thrill of birdwatching and re-connecting with nature.

See the award-winning Black Angus farm.

Make family-friendly memories that last a lifetime.

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My name is Christopher Joe. I’m a native of Greensboro, Alabama. My parents are Cornelius and Leola Joe. My father is a retired agribusiness educator with 30+ years of teaching experience. I’m a 2007graduate of Alabama A & M University with a BS in Agribusiness Management.  I’m married to Christy Joe and have a 4 year old daughter named Summer Grace and we reside in Montgomery, AL. I have 2 older brothers and a younger sister. 2 Sisters in law, 3 nieces, and 1 nephew. Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours, LLC. was started on October 31, 2018 as a way to diversify the family’s multigenerational Black Angus cattle farm. The property has been in the family since the early 1900s. It is located on 200 acres in Newbern, Alabama. The property consists of pasture, bottomland hardwood, and a creek. I hosted my first birding tour at the property February 16, 2019. On July 20, 2019, we hosted Alabama Audubon for one of their the first major birding tours with group over 130+ people attending. Although the focus is on birders, we offer other activities such as nature walks and biking, and even camping. We are accessible to all visitors as we have an 18-foot trailer with a spring-loaded ramp for wheelchairs and people with mobility issues.

• Nov 29, 2023

What’s Birding???

• Jun 21, 2019

What is birding?

• Apr 25, 2019

5 Things You May Not Know About Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours

Scheduled Group Birdwatching Tours in Portugal & Spain

Private Birdwatching Tours in Portugal & Spain

Bird Photography Tours

Trips to Other Countries

Birdwatching Day Tours from Lisbon

Birdwatching Day Tours from the Algarve

Recent Sightings

Some of our Tours

A warm welcome to the birds & nature tours portugal website.

Birds & Nature Tours Portugal is the longest established Portuguese company specifically dedicated to birds and birding tours.

We are the local operator for most of the main North American and European birdwatching tour companies and are passionate in our determination to deliver an unrivalled and fulfilling experience (please check TripAdvisor for client comments and reviews of their experiences on our tours).

We specialize in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal & Spain) and offer a wide variety of programmes, all concentrated upon guided birding and bird photography tours.

Birds & Nature offers birdwatching and bird photography tours of varying duration in Portugal and Spain, as well as to other countries, for which you can make a reservation directly.

For some examples of these tours, please refer to:

Scheduled Group Birdwatching Tours in Portugal and Spain

Private Birdwatching Tours in Portugal and Spain

Bird Photography Tours Overview

In addition to the above tours, we also offer birdwatching and bird photography day tours.

For some examples, please refer to:

Birdwatching Day Tours from Lisbon Overview

Birdwatching Day Tours from the Algarve Overview

The guided tours organized by Birds & Nature are designed to offer you the best of Iberian birding, with a specific emphasis on what you want to see or photograph.

Our tours are adapted to cover a wide range of experience and abilities, from novice to expert and although focused on birding, are also suitable for the general naturalist and the visitor who wants to see something of the Portuguese and Spanish countryside as well. We also try to show you the rich history which has spawned villages, towns, buildings, monuments and archaeological sites of considerable interest, to provide opportunities to sample the food and wine which is, in itself, a good reason to visit and to take advantage of the pleasant climate and safety of the countryside, which only enhance the experience of the visitor.

Our guides are all ornithologists and birders with a deep knowledge of the birdlife of Iberia and possess the kind of detailed local knowledge necessary to find those tricky or difficult species. To learn more about our company and the team, please click here.

Birds & Nature is committed to contributing to nature conservation and biodiversity and this is an objective that we try to implement in every activity we organize. In addition, we are continuing to develop specific conservation projects with the same objective. To discover more about these Birds & Nature projects, click here.

Click here to enjoy Birds of Southern Portugal, a film illustrating the potential of Southern Portugal – Lisbon, Alentejo and the Algarve – as a destination for birdwatching, co-produced by Birds & Nature. Several of our tours take place in the areas described in the film.

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Firebird Travel

RUSSIA TRAVEL HOME

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RUSSIA TRAVEL PACKAGES A selection of Russian tours to take as they are or adjust to your needs.

THE GOLDEN RING Visit the heart of ancient Russia. What is the Golden Ring?

MOSCOW TOURS What you can see in Moscow.

MOSCOW DAY TRIPS Get out of Moscow and take a relaxing trip to some of these places

ST. PETERSBURG Some of the sights to see in Petersburg

LAKE BAIKAL TOURS Hiking and trekking around the world's deepest lake in the heart of Siberia

RUSSIAN DIGS Come and work in the field on a Russian Archaeological dig. Full training given on site.

TRAVEL TIPS & SERVICES Getting around in Russia

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How this Black farmer uses birding to build community

• Updated: Apr. 22, 2024, 3:59 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 19, 2024, 9:41 a.m.

Christopher Joe, owner of Connecting With Birds and Nature Tours. Danielle Buckingham

• Danielle Buckingham

Sign up to get positive Black news stories, words of affirmation and weekly curated playlists delivered to your inbox twice a week: Enter your email to subscribe to Black Joy.

Alabama native, conservationist and birder Christopher Joe spent much of his childhood outdoors. Joe Farm, the 200 acres of land that has been in his family for over three generations, nurtured both his love and respect for nature. It is also at the center of the story of how he uses birdwatching as a tool for bringing folks from all walks of life together.

In the Deep South, owning land as a Black person, let alone keeping it long enough to pass down for multiple generations is no small measure. Joe is acutely aware of that, reflecting on his family history and why he believes it’s important for Black folks to hold on to their family land.

“Our family went through dealing with the Klan, dealing with intimidation . . .this was not so far in the past . . . so even if you’re not gonna do farming, you can do other activities to make sure it remains in the family [to continue that legacy].”

Christopher Joe out on the Joe Farm. Danielle Buckingham

With the understanding of how sacred Black land ownership is given the history of Black land loss, he set out to expand the uses of his family land while maintaining its function as a cattle farm.

After attending an ecotourism workshop and making a chance connection, the idea for offering up the land for birdwatching came about. From there, Joe linked up with Alabama Audubon and quickly learned they’d already been eyeing his property from afar.

“[They] were like, ‘well, to tell you the truth, Chris, we’ve actually been watching you all on your property and observing the birds from the highway.’ When we were cutting hay, it drew in these birds called Swallow-tailed kites. That’s our target bird during the summer. That’s our biggest draw.”

A Swallow-tailed Kite. Danielle Buckingham

As the saying goes, the rest is history and Connecting With Birds and Nature Tours was born. However, Joe had no idea that his family land and the company he birthed from it would become a part of a larger conversation around Black folks and the natural world.

In the summer of 2020, a video clip of a Christian Cooper , a Black birder, having a confrontation with a white woman in New York City’s Central Park went viral. In response to Cooper requesting that she leash her dog since it was required in the area, she called the police claiming that an African American man was threatening her. This incident sparked first-hand testimonies across social media about the racism Black people often face while trying to enjoy the outdoors.

(L-R) Christian Cooper and Christopher Joe out on the Joe Farm. Danielle Buckingham

This made what Joe was doing with Connecting With Birds and Nature Tours even more meaningful.

“I’m doing what I do to give people that space where you have a guy that looks like you. My first group of all Black girls and their moms came down from Birmingham and it just was wild to see because it’s like, wow, these kids are having fun. . . they’re smiling, they’re laughing . . . it’s just amazing to see that I can provide this for them and that’s just what I’m continuing to do.”

The heart of Joe’s work extends beyond just representation. For him, it’s about cultivating community. This is what brings him the most joy as both a fellow bird watcher and entrepreneur.

A group led by Chris Joe with Connecting with Birds and Nature Tours. Danielle Buckingham

“It’s just fun to see people connecting behind birds. I’m leading the tours, but I’m also looking and laughing because it’s like who would have thought these people would get together and do stuff like this and not, ‘Oh, well, this is a Black event or this is a white event.’ No, this is us experiencing nature together.”

Check out Season 1, Episode 6 of “ Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper ” featuring Christopher Joe and Connecting With Birds and Nature Tours.

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12 Unforgettable Nature Activities to Experience in Cape May, NJ!

Posted: April 23, 2024 | Last updated: April 23, 2024

Welcome to Cape May, NJ, a historic seaside town situated at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore. But don’t let the name fool you; this isn’t your typical Jersey Shore scene. Instead, Cape May offers a unique blend of Victorian elegance, pristine beaches, and captivating outdoor experiences, all nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.

Beyond its charming facade, Cape May is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Traverse scenic hiking trails, marvel at the annual butterfly migrations, and embark on thrilling whale-watching tours. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of stunning sunsets or seeking family-friendly adventures, Cape May’s natural wonders promise an unforgettable experience for all who visit.

Bird Watching at Cape May Point State Park

Cape May Point State Park is a haven for birdwatchers, offering opportunities to observe migratory birds, including raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds, as they pass through the area.

Hiking at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

Explore the trails of Cape May National Wildlife Refuge , immersing yourself in the diverse ecosystems of marshes, forests, and wetlands while enjoying sightings of native wildlife such as ospreys, herons, and egrets.

Mine for Cape May Diamonds

Head to Sunset Beach and try your hand at mining for Cape May diamonds, small quartz crystals that are naturally polished by the ocean. This unique and family-friendly activity allows you to collect these sparkling treasures as souvenirs of your time in Cape May.

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours

Embark on a thrilling whale and dolphin watching tour with Cape May Whale Watcher , venturing into the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean to observe these majestic marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Visit Cape May County Park and Zoo

Spend a day at Cape May County Park and Zoo , exploring the beautifully landscaped grounds and encountering a variety of exotic and native wildlife, including big cats, primates, and birds of prey. Delight in the opportunity to see a diverse array of animals (including a capybara ) in a well-maintained and naturalistic setting,

Explore Cape May Point Lighthouse

Climb to the top of Cape May Point Lighthouse for panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and Delaware Bay. Stop by the Nature Center and learn about the rich maritime history of the area through interactive exhibits and guided tours.

Kayaking and Canoeing in Cape May Harbor

Paddle through the tranquil waters of Cape May Harbor, enjoying scenic views of wetlands and marshes while observing local birdlife and marine creatures such as horseshoe crabs and diamondback terrapins.

Visit Nature Centers and Interpretive Trails

Discover the natural wonders of Cape May at local nature centers such as the Nature Center of Cape May and the Wetlands Institute , where you can explore interactive exhibits, nature trails, and educational programs focused on conservation and ecology.

Explore Cape May’s Garden Tour

Here is your invitation to explore Cape May’s unique natural areas and the private plants, blooms and landscape designs of area gardeners. See both public and private gardens and take home ideas for your own garden. Smell and see what’s blooming and flourishing in several different seashore locations dominated by sunlight, ocean breezes, and sand and salt, each uniquely situated. Cape May’s Emlen Physick Estate gardens are included.

Beachcombing on Cape May Beaches

Take a leisurely stroll along the pristine beaches of Cape May, collecting seashells, driftwood, and other treasures washed ashore by the Atlantic Ocean, while enjoying the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Join Guided Nature Walks and Eco-Tours

Participate in guided nature walks and eco-tours led by local naturalists and experts, exploring the diverse habitats of Cape May while learning about the region’s flora, fauna, and conservation efforts. There are also fun trolley tours you can take if you won’t to sit back and relax.

Cape May Bird Observatory

The Cape May Bird Observatory specializes in field trips and weekly walks.  Weekly Walks are regularly scheduled and led by Associate Naturalists and professional staff, that take place at all the best birding and natural history locations around Cape May. These walks change throughout the year, focusing on the best of each season, whether that is breeding hotspots, winter visitors, or the spectacle of migration.

Learn More about Cape May, New Jersey

Welcome to Cape May, NJ, a charming seaside haven at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore. This is NOT the Jersey Shores that you imagine, it is a historic town, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.  It offers a perfect blend of Victorian elegance, pristine beaches, and outdoor adventures.

• Not the Jersey Shore you’d expect: Cape May NJ is the Perfect Getaway
• Where to stay in Cape May, NJ – Elaine’s Boutique Hotel Cape May

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

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Lasers, Inflatable Dancers and the Fight to Fend Off Avian Flu

Some poultry growers are turning to innovative tactics to protect their flocks, deploying deterrents like drones, air horns, balloons and decoy predators.

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By Linda Qiu

Reporting from Washington

Loren Brey, a poultry grower in Minnesota, walked onto the farm where his egg-laying turkeys nest in November to discover a handful of hens, dead from the highly pathogenic avian flu.

Within a week, he lost nearly half of his entire flock.

So when Mr. Brey’s turkeys began producing eggs again in the spring, he gave a seemingly unconventional prevention method a go: lasers installed atop his barns, firing beams of green light to fend off wild ducks, owls and other possible carriers of the deadly virus.

As migratory birds fly north for the spring, poultry farmers and backyard keepers across the country are bracing for yet another outbreak of avian flu. Although the most recent strain has felled only a small portion of the nearly 10 billion chickens, turkeys, ducks and other birds sold across the country each year, some poultry growers like Mr. Brey are turning to innovative tactics to protect their flocks, deploying deterrents like drones, air horns, balloons and decoy predators.

The practices underline the scramble by smaller farms and even some larger-scale operations to ward off the virus, as well as the fatigue, and begrudging acceptance, of the illness after years of sanitation protocols, lockdowns and debates over vaccination.

The most affected appear to be large-scale industrial farms and those raising egg-producing chickens: two-thirds of the depopulated birds belong to just 30 farms with one million or more egg-laying hens. Turkey operations, like Mr. Brey’s, have also been hit hard, representing 350 of the 481 commercial farms with detected cases. The birds are particularly susceptible to infection, and are more exposed to the virus because many turkey farms sit within the migratory path for many wild waterfowl, said Dr. Carol Cardona, an expert in avian health at the University of Minnesota.

An infection carries vast consequences.

Under federal policy , one infected bird can necessitate the culling or elimination of an entire flock, and then disposing of the carcasses through composting, burial, incineration or rendering. The regulation has resulted in 90 million dead birds and more than 1,100 affected flocks across the country since February 2022, when the strain, the most lethal yet in the United States, was first detected.

Because areas where infected birds once lived must be disinfected and quarantined, and repopulating a flock takes time, production can be halted for months. As a result, the total number of egg-laying hens has declined by about seven million from 2021 to 2023 , producing a billion fewer eggs a year — and contributing to spikes in cost .

Christian Alexandre, 32, who raises egg-laying chickens on 300 acres of grassland nestled between coastal redwoods and the Pacific Ocean near Crescent City, Calif., said it took half a year before production capacity was fully restored after bird flu was detected in late 2022.

“The toughest part for farmers is losing the birds, for sure. And then losing the work for your employees and not being able to supply your customers,” he said, adding that depopulating and composting the bodies afterward was traumatic.

Mr. Alexandre collects eggs by hand from mobile coops with no doors and no floors to ensure the birds full access to the outdoors. Rather than restocking with newly hatched chicks and waiting months for them to grow, he instead bought “spent” brown, organic hens, or layers that have reached the peak of their egg-producing days. Nearly 3 years old, the birds lay fewer eggs per day than younger hens, but Mr. Alexandre’s farm is back to full capacity, producing 10,000 to 12,000 eggs a day.

To prevent another outbreak, Mr. Alexandre now limits farm tours and sanitizes thoroughly, but he vowed to stick to his convictions. As president of the American Pastured Poultry Association, he said he was aware of only a handful of cases among his membership of 1,100 farmers. “Am I afraid of getting it again? Not enough to lock my birds inside,” he said.

Mr. Alexandre also tried installing lasers on his farm. But after a while, starlings began learning the lasers’ patterns and no longer feared the lightsaber-like beams.

Acknowledging that the deterrents were not foolproof, Craig Duhr, a sales manager for the Bird Control Group, which makes the lasers, said demand ticked up every time there was an outbreak. Dairy farmers, he said, were now seeking to install the system, which start at $12,500 per unit, since the disease was detected in cows last month .

Other safeguards that farmers have turned to in a bid to ward off potentially deadly carriers, according to Dr. Cardona: netting, noise machines and inflatable dancers. “Scary man, you know, the dudes that blow up,” she said. But she emphasized that the seasonality and evolving nature of the virus meant that farmers should regularly enhance safety measures.

“It’s like sprints, like reps. You do a sprint. And then you rest. Then you sprint again,” Dr. Cardona said. “You use that rest time to build your resiliency and make sure you’re ready for the next season. And then you hope and pray.”

To build that resiliency, experts and officials recommend following certain protocols: minimizing visitors, cleaning and disinfecting vigorously, keeping water and feed away from wild birds and mammals, and isolating newly purchased birds or those returning from crowds, among others.

Still, the avian flu can sneak into the most stringently locked-down coops. Mr. Brey, for one, has a designated parking spot for anyone coming in contact with his turkeys, Danish entry systems where people can clean and disinfect themselves and filtered air inlets.

“You can tighten and tighten up your biosecurity until you’re blue in the face. Like, what time is it now? Three o’clock? I’m on my eighth shower today already,” said Mr. Brey, who has been raising birds for three decades.

That constant vigilance has strained the patience of some poultry farmers.

Samantha Gasson, who raises 2,000 broiler chickens — those grown for meat — and 400 turkeys on pasture in North Carolina, has followed standard protocols and flies drones to stave off vultures, which can carry the virus and circle her lambs and cows.

But after years of worrying about the virus, she has now learned to cope with it, comparing her response to burnout from the pandemic.

“With Covid, in the beginning, I was definitely one of those people who masked up and gave everybody 20 feet,” said Ms. Gasson, who works for an animal welfare and food safety nonprofit. “And with the flu, it was the same thing. In that first year, I definitely lost sleep over it. Since then, it’s just like OK, it’s a part of life.”

Rachael Arestad used to scan the federal case tracker that monitors the spread of avian flu almost daily when the current strain confined her 18 chickens inside their pink, home-built coop in her backyard in rural Connecticut.

Two years in, her watchfulness has waned. Ms. Arestad will still periodically check to see if the virus has been detected close by, avoid dog parks covered in geese droppings and tie balloons in her yard to scare off foxes, which may bring the virus or attack her birds. But the thought of keeping her chickens, whom she considers pets, in perpetual lockdown is unappealing.

“I just hope at some point in the future, they’ll offer a vaccine for backyard chicken people,” she said. “We’re not selling our chickens overseas, right? We just want to see happy, healthy flocks.”

Mr. Brey, who also serves as the president of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council, sounded a note of resignation when it came to properly warding off the bird flu.

“You lay awake in bed for days and days, like, how in the world?” he added. “How, how, what should I do different? I don’t know that answer.”

Linda Qiu is a reporter who specializes in fact-checking statements made by politicians and public figures. She has been reporting and fact-checking public figures for nearly a decade. More about Linda Qiu