Pitta Nature Tours

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival Cassia Crossbills: Overnight in Idaho

What to Expect on Your Tour

On the day our tour beings we will provide pickup from the Bird Festival HQ in Farmington between 3:30-4:00 PM.  At the end of the tour, we will drop you off back at the Bird Festival HQ no later than 6:00 PM.

Transportation

Throughout the tour, we will travel in our comfortable 12-person Transit Van (aptly named Otus).  Since this tour caps at 7-people, that means each of our 3-rows in the back has just 2-people, with the 7th passenger riding shotgun.  Lots of room to stretch out with your gear and not feel like a sardine in a tin.  Throughout the tour, we'll switch up seating arrangements so everyone gets a different view day-to-day.  

We provide a step stool for easy access in and out of the van and ice-cold water is available whenever you need from the back of the van with a custom tour water bottle provided for you to keep at the beginning of the tour.

Accommodations

Accommodations are typically quite comfortable and often the best available in the vicinity.  For this tour we typically stay at the Comfort Inn Jerome, about 5 minutes from Twin Falls. But this is subject to change depending on availability.

Meals

All meals for this tour will be on the go. Typically sandwiches, chips, and a drink for lunch and dinner, while breakfast may be at the hotel or a boxed breakfast to go.

Pace

The pace of the tour is fast--we cover more than 700 miles in 24 and have an early morning and late night to pick up our target birds. 

Difficulty

This tour is not physically demanding. We will do numerous short outings, under 1-mile (usually much shorter), on even terrain.

Weather and Temperature

This tour provides for interesting days and nights, as we move between high elevation sites in the mountains and low elevations sites in the Great Basin.  It is not uncommon for daytime temperatures at lower elevations to reach into the high 90’s.  While in the mountains daytime temps range from the 50’s to 70’s.  While owling the temperatures can dip into the low 40’s.  I recommend bring a variety of clothing, that is easily layered.  

Insects, Snakes, and Predators

Oh my!  Mosquitoes can be found at most places we will be visiting, so protective clothing or repellent is highly recommended.  While there are other biting bugs, most are not very active this time of year.  There is one species of rattlesnake in the Great Basin, but we have only seen them on the roads at night.  With that being said, please be aware it is possible to encounter them.  And lastly, there are both Black Bear and Cougar in the Mountain West, but in 19 years of guiding I have never encountered either during a tour!

Non-bird Highlights

• The Snake River Gorge
• Shoshone Falls Park
• Beautiful Sunrises & Sunsets
• Up to 10 Possible Mammal Species

What's Included

• Professional Guide Service
• Transportation from Farmington, Utah
• 1-nights Accommodations
• Meals from Dinner Fri. to Lunch Sat.
• Spotting Scope while Birding
• Water for Refreshment
• Birds—we’ll find some birds
• Some Flammtastic Tour Swag
• Delightful Conversation about Birds
• A Thoroughly Enjoyable Time!

We also include SFW dad jokes, witty bird puns, and the occasional commentary on things non-bird related!

What's Not Included

• Alcoholic Drinks
• Binoculars
• Cameras and Lenses
• Personal Flashlights/Headlamps
• Bug Spray
• Jackets or Sweaters
• Shoes and Socks
• Flights or Transportation to Utah

We highly recommend all of the above ;)