Thank you for your interest in booking a private Birding Photography Tour with me!
Did you know that California tops eBird’s list for having the most birds in the U.S., currently holding a record of 706 species? If you’re a birder or bird photographer wishing to see and photograph many different species, you are in the right place!
This private tour covers several parts of Southern California, including the marshes, wetlands, and regional parks that are filled with bird activity. We’ll expect to find songbirds, shorebirds, hawks, and falcons. What birds you ask? Below are just a few highlights of species we’ll most likely see in each area - some vary by season and some are year-round.
Possible Species
The Marshes: American Avocet, American Kestrel, Black Skimmer, Black-necked Stilt, Blue Heron, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Bush Tit, California Towhee, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco, Hummingbird, Killdeer, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Songsparrow, Terns, Various Ducks, Vermilion Flycatcher, White-crowned Sparrow, White-faced Ibis, White Pelican
The Wetlands: Belted Kingfisher, Bufflehead, Great Egret, Northern Harrier, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Snowy Egret, Various Ducks
The Regional Parks: American Robin, Black Phoebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cassin's Kingbird, Grebes, House Finch, House Wren, Mandarin Duck, Mountain Bluebird, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Say's Phoebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Western Bluebird, Western Meadowlark, White-tailed Kites, Wood Duck, Yellow-rumped Warbler
My Instagram showcases many of these birds that we would likely see.
TOUR DEtails & Pricing
You have a choice of a half-day or full-day tour, although a full-day tour is recommended so that we’ll have enough time to drive to all the good spots without rushing. Dates are flexible so please do reach out to check for availability. If you have a specific target of birds you’d like to see, let me know in advance and I will try my best to tailor the tour to suit your needs. All levels of birding and photography are welcome.
Half Day (4 Hours): $500 OR Full Day (8 hours): $800
Price is for 1-2 persons. $150 each additional person. Maximum 4.
Half day could start either in the morning or early afternoon when birds are active. Although I recommend we do afternoon as the weather would be cooler and the light would be better for photography.
A 50% non-refundable retainer will be required to book, and will be used as cancellation fee. The rest of the payment is due before we embark. I’m only able to accept Zelle or Venmo at this time.
I can meet you at a pre-determined location, provided that it’s within reasonable distance from Orange County. If you have your own car, we can caravan to the birding spots. I can also provide transportation if you prefer. My SUV can take 3 passengers.
We’ll visit a minimum of 3-5 locations with a goal to find as many species as possible.
We’ll take a short meal break and grab a quick light lunch. Cost of food and water is included.
While this tour isn’t structured as a workshop, I’ll be more than happy to provide general instruction on camera settings to help you photograph birds should you need assistance.
What to Bring/Expect
A mid- or pro-level DSLR is recommended, with a telephoto lens of at least 400mm. An extender of 1.4x or 2x would also be useful.
Just to give you an idea on equipment - I’m currently using Canon R5 and Canon RF 100-500.
Depending on the season, wear comfortable clothes that would keep you warm for chilly mornings and afternoons, and cool for mid-day sun. Should we experience a rainy season, I will update you accordingly.
Bring binoculars, comfortable walking/hiking shoes or boots, hat, bug spray, sunscreen, water, snacks.
There will be no strenuous hike. Most walking distances are relatively short and easy. The day will be casual and fun-filled!
Travel Recommendations
Most of our birding locations are in Orange County, California, so the best airport to fly into is my personal favorite John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, right in the heart of the OC. I would also recommend choosing hotels in the same city for convenience. Alternatively, hotels in surrounding cities like Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, and Fullerton would also work out great.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is another great airport, 20 miles from SNA.
Disclaimer
I will try my best to find as many species as possible but due to the nature of wild birds, it is not possible to guarantee a specific bird. Please see the list above and make notes of which species would be lifers for you and I will put more focus on those.
Questions
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions or would like to book the tour. Thank you!