WFO’s Upcoming Birding Tours
Northwest California Birding Pre-Conference Trip
About the trip:
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an exceptional pre-conference birding experience along California’s rugged northwest coast—timed perfectly with peak fall migration.
This immersive field program explores Humboldt Bay, Redwood National Park, and Crescent City—regions renowned for their diversity of shorebirds, pelagic species, and migratory passerines. Over six days, participants will encounter a dynamic mix of habitats, from coastal mudflats and offshore waters to old-growth redwood forests and inland wetlands.
Highlights include:
- Pelagic excursion from Humboldt Bay (weather permitting), offering the chance to observe shearwaters, albatross, jaegers, auklets, and storm-petrels
- Premier shorebird sites such as Lake Earl and Humboldt Bay, with potential for rarities like Pacific Golden-Plover, Ruff, and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
- Redwood forest birding, including Pacific Wren, Varied Thrush, and other coastal specialties
- Evening owling session, targeting Northern Saw-whet, Spotted, and Barred Owls
- Opportunities to observe up to 150 species across diverse ecosystems
Led by renowned field experts Rob Fowler and Jon Dunn, this trip blends expert guidance, deep regional knowledge, and the thrill of migration at its peak.
Logistics:
Option 1: Includes Pelagic Trip on Sept 12 (Sept 11-16)
- Begins: Arcata, CA (September 11, evening)
- Ends: Crescent City, CA → transfer to Ashland, OR (September 16)
- Cost $800 and does not include lodging, meals, or transportation (carpooling encouraged)
Option 2: Does not include Pelagic Trip (Sept 12-16)
- Begins: Arcata, CA (September 12, evening)
- Ends: Crescent City, CA → transfer to Ashland, OR (September 16)
- Cost $600 and does not include lodging, meals, or transportation (carpooling encouraged)
WFO Tour Guide: Jon Dunn
Jon has been a member of the Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’ Society since 2000 and has served over 30 years on the California Bird Records Committee. Jon is a charter member of WFO and was on the Board of Directors off and on for some two decades during which time he also served as president. In 2012, Jon received the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award, given for a lifetime of achievements in promoting the cause of birding, and in 2024, WFO awarded Jon the Alan M. Craig Award for his dedication and service to the organization.
Download trip materials:
Starting from $600
This pre-conference program is designed for birders seeking an intensive, field-based experience that complements the WFO annual meeting.
All Member Registration Opens
June 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PDT
Costa Rica Birding—2027 (Save the Date)
About the Trip:
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an 11-day journey through northern Costa Rica—from volcanic foothills and tropical dry forest to misty cloud forests and Pacific mangroves.
With over 930 recorded bird species, Costa Rica offers extraordinary avian diversity within a compact and conservation-focused landscape. Highlights include Arenal Observatory Lodge, Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Rosa National Parks, Monteverde’s cloud forests, and a Tárcoles River mangrove boat excursion.
Expect iconic species such as Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Coppery-headed Emerald, Turquoise-browed Motmot, and Scarlet Macaw—alongside immersive experiences with local conservation partners.
WFO Trip Leader: Jon Dunn
Jon has served on the California Bird Records Committee for more than 30 years and has been a member of the American Ornithologists’ Society’s Committee on Classification and Nomenclature since 2000. A charter member and past president of WFO, Jon received the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award for lifetime achievement and was honored with WFO’s Alan M. Craig Award in 2024 for his dedication and service.
Registration opens in October 2026.
Birding Guatemala’s Highlands and Lake Atitlán with Phil Unitt (2 spaces available: please contact jill@holbrooktravel.com)
About the trip:
Guatemala is a richly diverse cultural center and a lush and vibrant paradise for birders. Set in the heart of Central America, it sits within one of the Western Hemisphere’s prime migratory corridors. Join WFO on this 11-day adventure to enjoy excellent birding opportunities and learn about the Asociación Vivamos Mejor, a non-profit in Panajachel whose programs include training nearby residents to become birding and nature guides. Together with an expert guide and part-time apprentice guides, you’ll explore a variety of habitats at varying elevations and see firsthand many of the area’s rare and endemic species.
WFO Tour Guide: Phil Unitt
Phil is the Carol Wilson Endowed Chair of Ornithology and curator of the Department of Birds and Mammals at the San Diego Natural History Museum. He is also the long-time editor of WFO’s Western Birds and recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Swarth Award for his significant contributions to field ornithology in the West. He is a specialist in subspecies identification, distribution, and the history of distributional change in California birds.
Starting from $4,275*
Ecuador: Birdlife Across the Andes with Jon Dunn (SOLD OUT)
About the trip:
Ecuador is one of the most bird-rich countries on Earth, with nearly 1,700 species recorded. Its compact geography allows easy access to cloud forests, Andean páramo, and Amazonian foothills, each offering distinct bird communities. Few places provide such variety within short travel distances.
This tour combines outstanding birding with meaningful context. Participants will explore key reserves and national parks, meet local partners, and gain insight into how ecology and geography shape birdlife. The result is a journey that is both rewarding in the field and valuable in understanding conservation challenges.
Download trip materials
South Africa with WFO—2027 (Sold Out)
Dates: July 20—August 1, 2027
Optional Cape Town Extension: July 31—August 4, 2027
WFO Trip Leader: Kurt Leuschner
Join Western Field Ornithologists for an unforgettable birding and wildlife safari to South Africa. The main safari explores premier birding regions, including world-famous Kruger National Park, where participants can expect extraordinary bird diversity alongside dramatic landscapes, rich natural history, and opportunities to see iconic African mammals, including the Big Five.
An optional extension to the Cape Town region will focus on endemic and near-endemic species and unique flora. Highlights may include Cape Rockjumper, African Penguins, and a cable-car ascent of Table Mountain for sweeping views (weather permitting).
Join former WFO President and longtime African safari guide Kurt Leuschner for a birding and wildlife safari through some of South Africa’s most celebrated regions. Kurt brings more than three decades of guiding experience, deep knowledge of African birdlife, and a passion for education that makes each trip both rewarding in the field and rich in natural history.
Registration opens in April 2026.