Feedback from our trip participants

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'Thank you Chris, for a fantastic birding experience on the Texas -Whooping Cranes & Rio Grande Valley Tour. There were so many rarities, and such attention to detail, as well as a well planned itinerary. You combine knowledge, expertise, and experience along with your exceptional hearing eyesight and birdcalls to uncover so many species.'

- Barry Arnsdorf, Victoria, BC

 

'Hi Chris. Thanks for the wonderful birding tour to Ecuador. Nelson was an incredible birding guide as well as a wealth of knowledge on the various ecosystems that we visited. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip.'

- Mike McGrenere, Victoria, BC

 

'Thanks so much for the great trip. I had a great time, and saw so many birds (many of which were new to me) and traveled with some very experienced birders. For a first birding trip, it exceeded all my expectations'

- Barry Arnsdorff, Victoria, BC

 

"The Alberta Winter Owls trip was fantastic! Joachim Bertrands was super. His knowledge of birds and the areas we visited, combined with his personality, enthusiasm, willingness to share and teach made the trip all that much more enjoyable. Joachim went out of his way to make sure everyone had seen the birds. Joachim is very professional and I would be happy to go on a tour with him again"

- Vibeke Pedersen, Campbell River, British Columbia.

 

'I recently went on a day trip with Chris, birding around the Penticton area. It was the off-season for birding, so I was just expecting to see a few of the species that I had missed on a trip a month earlier. Chris delivered on a number of species that I had only faint hopes for. I enjoy photographing birds, and Chris was able to get us very close in, almost every case, to the birds. I would have missed most of the birds we did see, but due to his birding skills, the list of birds I had hoped to see was virtually complete, including a few surprises. Chris is not only a skilled birder, but is an amiable and very patient guide. I highly recommend Chris if you are interested in seeing birds in the western Canada region. There is no doubt, I will be signing up for another adventure with Chris.'

- Robert Lewis, Vancouver, BC

 

"We’ve reflected on our trip as a whole, and the day with you, Ian, was wonderful! Highlights must have been hummingbirds, Harlequins, Bald Eagle, Merlin, dipper and so many more!  Chris, you’ve got a great guide there in Ian Cruickshank"

- David Wright, United Kingdom.
 

"Christian Artuso has an impressively detailed knowledge of Manitoba's avifauna, so we knew we were in the right spots.  He has very kindly provided me with an abundance of Ebird lists to help me keep track of our sightings, something I certainly would never expect. You will probably, then, be hearing from me again in the not too distant future"

- Matthew Koch, Victoria, British Columbia.

 

"Just a note of appreciation to say thank you for the wonderful three days of Okanagan birding. Getting all those birds was very exciting; I added several lifers along with at least 15 first of year birds. Truly a very satisfying three days. I think what I found most beautiful was the quiet, assured way in which you made sure each of us got what we wanted out of the experience. I came home with such a sense of peace and already, I am looking forward to another opportunity to join one of your trips."

- Fran Pattison, Kelowna, British Columbia.

 

"I thoroughly enjoyed our birding trip to Colombia. Avery Bartels is an excellent guide and very knowledgeable regarding Colombian birds. I appreciate and value Avery's leadership, attention to traveling details, calm, considerate approach and his sense of humour.

- Gisele D'Entremont, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

"The Colombia tour was from every aspect a great birding tour with much of the credit for this going to Avery's wide-ranging knowledge and skills with both birds and people."

- Joan Harbison, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

"I had a great trip with Gavin McKinnon in southern Alberta. Gavin is amiable, flexible, and knowledgeable. All excellent characteristics for a bird guide".

- Craig, Vancouver, British Columbia.

 

"The birding on the Ecuador tour was great.  I got all my target species:  Cock-of-the-Rock at a lek, Military and Chestnut-fronted Macaws (Macaws are my favorite birds), and all the hummingbirds I wanted.  Got over 200 lifers, which amazed me because I`ve birded several Central and S. American countries previously.  The lodges were fantastic, as was their food.  And the local guides were first class."

- Val George, Victoria, British Columbia.

 

"Haida Gwaii was a great trip. You (Chris Charlesworth) have a terrific knowledge of birds and I became completely comfortable knowing that if the bird was there you would see it or find it. A wonderful skill"

- Susanne Scholz, Clear Lake, California.

 

"Enjoyed the entire Haida Gwaii experience. I am awed by your ability to pick out birds. I like your pace too."

- Brian Stephens, Edmonton, Alberta

 

"Norma and I had a terrific time in the Okanagan Valley and Chris was the ideal amiable, knowledgeable, low key guide. We could not have asked for a nicer experience, except if we were in the area in the spring.

- Paul & Norma Herd, Atlanta, Georgia.

 

"I just wanted to thank you for your expertise and the quick time it only took you to find a number of target birds during my trip in the Okanagan Valley in early July. I had a great time and I am now really keen to return there during the Winter and go after the winter target birds."

- Alan Gutsell, Houston, Texas.

 

"Just letting you know I had a great day tour with Michael Force. He did a terrific job with logistics, bird-finding and companionability, all rate excellent!"

- Bev McBride, Ottawa, Ontario

 

"A big thank-you to Chris and Avocet Tours (Peru 2011) for making my initiation to birding, other than my backyard, a truly enjoyable adventure. His "spot on" organization of transportation, itinerary, hotels, meals/picnics and great fellow travellers made it very easy to enjoy the wonderful scenery, birds, flowers and people of N. Peru. Eduardo our guide was the best.  His knowledge and persistence enabled us to see so many birds."
- Cathy Sweet, Prince George, BC

 

"The 3 best things about the 3 Avocet trips I've been on are the leaders (their knowledge, their great personalities, their planning & organization), the other participants and of course the birds. And they're Canadian! "
- Wendy King, Calgary, AB.

 

"Having spent many years on and off birding it is easy to recognize someone with real passion and expertise and Jeremiah has both. His aural skills and ability to imitate calls are terrific. I have no hesitation in recommending him as a guide. It is an indulgence to have a guide for a day but considering the time taken to stake out sites and the whole days entertainment it was great value."
- Ian Williams, New Zealand.

 

"I must add my applause for a lovely birding trip; great guides, friendly company, a good bird list. Commendations to Russell Cannings and Chris Siddle for their ability to find those elusive birds and keep us entertained. "
- Patricia Mitchell, Calgary, AB.

 

Maura and I considered the Pelee tour a huge success not just because of adding 63 species to our list, but also seeing up close what having expert birding skills means.  Your leaders, Russell and Chris, impressed us no end time and time again with their knowledge. We eleven participants also turned out to be very compatible so nothing was there to detract from our purpose of seeing and enjoying the birds and their songs
- Roger Ward, North Vancouver, BC.

 

"Chris was an incredible tour guide! I was completely amazed as to how Chris was able to call in various song birds and owls, including the Boreal Owl. Chris' vast knowledge of the area and birds allows beginning to advance birders feel comfortable and that they are getting their money's worth. I was also glad to see that Chris is able to respect the habitat and birds by not overdoing particular areas with "calling" and tours. I would definitely go on another tour Chris has to offer!"
- Joel Herr & Brooke Vermeer, Alamo, California.

 

"I was very impressed by your knowledge of not only the species we were pursuing, but on birding matters in general. You have accumulated considerable knowledge, not only on the birding of the Okanagan Valley, but, obviously, on the other areas you lead tours into. It is quite a sight to witness your birding vocalizations that seem to 'bring the birds in.' I look forward to future birding adventures with you."
- Thor Manson, Hope, BC.

 

"Your thorough knowledge and experience with all the places to visit, and where each species would be found was invaluable. Your extra effort to track down the lifers was sincerely appreciated by all of us in the group."
- Trevor Forder

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