Pitta Nature Tours

Boreal Owling Adventure

What to Expect on Your Tour

On the day our tour beings we will provide pickup from Salt Lake International Airport between 2:00 and 3:00 PM.  If you arrive earlier in the day we can help you arrange a transfer to our hotel located about 25-minutes from the airport. By 4:00 PM we will have gathered everyone to kick the tour off! At the end of the tour, we will drop you off at the airport or nearby hotels no later than 1:00 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.

Accomodations

Accommodations are typically quite comfortable and often the best available in the vicinity.  This usually means mid to higher-to-mid-end chains, usually Hilton or Choice, and their various sub-brands.

Meals

Breakfasts will usually be boxed and eaten in the field.  Some mornings we may eat at hotels if time permits with our itinerary.  Lunches and dinners are at our favorite local restaurants, with the exception of the night the tour starts, when we'll take a boxed dinner into the field. Water and soft drinks are included with meals, but alcoholic drinks ARE NOT.  They may be purchased on your own with meals.

Pace

The pace of the tour is slow. With several target owl species we will be biridng very deliberatley in mornings and evenings. Afternoons will be reserved to rest.

Difficulty

For the most part, the tour is not physically demanding. We will be owling at high elevations (8,500-10,500') and hiking short distances of up to 4 miles roundtrip. Due to the elevation and some uneven terrain we suggest being in good physical shape to take part in this adventure.

Weather and Temperature

This time of year the weather may be unpredictable. Day time highs at lower elevations may peak in the 80's, while night-time lows in the mountains can get into the 30's. Most of our owling will take part in the mountains in mornings and evenings, and warm layers are recommended to be prepared for anything. Snow and rain is alwasy a possibility and with the nature of this tour and we can make no guarantees that we will be able to reach our owling sites.

Insects, Snakes, and Predators

Insects shouldn't be too big of an issues. Some mosquitoes may be lingering if we have warm weather, but generally the bugs are minimal this time of year. Snakes are unlikely and we would be thrilled to come across either a Cougar or Black Bear on this tour!

Non-bird Highlights

• Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Pronghorn, and a handful of smaller mammals
• The Great Salt Lake
• Beautiful Fall Foliage
• The Milky Way
• Incredible Mountain Scenery

What's Included

• Professional Guide Service
• Transportation from SLC
• 2-nights Accomodations
• Meals from Dinner Day 1 through Day 3
• Spotting Scope while Birding
• Water for Refreshment
• Birds—we’ll find some birds
• Some Owltastic 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 ;)