A Chronological List of Upcoming 
FOCUS ON NATURE Birding and Nature Tours   

Focus On Nature Tours has been conducting birding & nature tours to various, interesting places (with good birding) since 1990.
The approach with FONT birding tours is to do our best to provide good, enjoyable tours for groups that normally maximize at 6 to 8 people.
Generally, all of our tours are rated "easy to moderate". 
Any tour that may involve any "strenuous activity", optional or otherwise, is so noted.   


Upcoming tours, (with some availability noted):

ARIZONA  A fine birding & nature tour in northern & southern Arizona including the mountains and the desert. And the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, and Petrified Forest National Parks. At a great time of year for birds: a number of hummingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, sparrows, hawks and owls, a trogon, and more. The first part of the tour will be to locations good for bird in northern Arizona. Among the birds in the area of the Grand Canyon, California Condors. The second part of the tour will be in southern Arizona including the Chiricahua Mountains, and other places, for birds such as the Montezuma Quail, Elegant Trogon, and a good variety of raptors and hummingbirds.   
August 25 - September 6, 2015  $US 2,495, plus air to/from Phoenix.  

WEST COAST USA  (Washington State & central California) 
During this week-long tour, equally split between the two states, in Washington there will be a boat trip in the Puget Sound for birds and orcas, and birding at the Skagit Flats and in the Cascade Mountains. 
Among the birding spots in California will be Point Reyes, a place known for avian migrants, at a prime-time for rarities. This will be our 14th time for this tour. 
Cumulatively, 327 species of birds have been seen during this tour. The cumulative tally for mammals thus far is 59. The complete list of both birds and mammals is in the FONT web-site. 
September 6-15, 2015  $US1,995, plus air.   

SWEDEN, a week in the southern region known as Skane, at a peak time for a bird migration that's phenomenal. In all, 158 species of birds have been seen during this tour, including raptors, waterbirds, shorebirds, and landbirds in large numbers as migrants. 
September 19-25, 2015  $US 2,895, plus air.   
(This tour can be done either independent of, or in conjunction with, the following Iceland tour.)  

ICELAND, one of our favorite destinations, this tour to be 19th there. At a time good for birding, and the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. 
Birds this time of year include those in flocks, either migrating or about to, and some vagrants. Specialties sought include White-tailed Eagle, Gyrfalcon, and Ptarmigan. 
September 25 - October 3, 2015  $US 3,195, plus air. (This tour can be done either independent of, or in conjunction with, the preceding Sweden tour)

WISCONSIN & MINNESOTA, a special tour including a visit to the International Crane Foundation. what should be a fabulous "Birds in Art" exhibition, a renowned "hawk watch", and birds and other nature in wild, remote country in northern Wisconsin, with numerous cranes, waterfowl, and more, including time with people of the Timber Wolf Alliance. Yes, there are wolves in that wild, remote country. 
October 6-16, 2015  $US 2,095, plus air to/from Chicago.

JAPAN, in the fall, a birding & nature tour in central & northern Japan - on the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido.
On Honshu, much to be seen in the lowlands and up the mountains, where in the Japanese Alps the fall foliage with be brilliant beneath snow-capped peaks.
On Hokkaido, along the coast, birds will be plentiful, and among those to be found will be Red-crowned Cranes, White-tailed Eagles, and the big & rare Blakiston's Fish Owl.
Among the mammals to be sought during the tour: the Japanese Macaque, or "Snow Monkey".   
October 20 - November 4, 2015  $US 3,795, plus air.  

BRAZIL  (tour BR-6), a special tour for Amazonian specialty birds, including antbirds, parrots & potoos, cotingas & coquettes, manakins & more. Including a lodge on the Rio Roosevelt, and with boat-rides and a canopy tower. Many birds, many butterflies.  
October 23 - November 1, 2015  $US 2,895, plus air.  

ARGENTINA, A land with birds named Horneros, Canasteros, Negritos, Gallitos, Doraditos, & Rayaditos. This tour to be in habitats as diverse as chaco, vast marshes, and subtropical forest. Also with a visit to Iguazu Falls, which is a good place not just for birds, but for butterflies. During the north-central Argentina part of this tour, we go for a nice number of the Argentine endemic & specialty birds.  
Tour AR-2: Northeast & North-central Argentina:  November 4-17, 2015  $US 3,595, plus air. 
Can be done in combination with the tour AR-3, that follows in southern Argentina:
Nov 24-Dec 19, 2015: $US 5,895, plus air.   

ARGENTINA, A land with birds named Magellanic. So-named a Woodpecker, a Plover, a Tapaculo, and many other birds, at places such as the Valdez Peninsula & Tierra del Fuego. Mammals, too, including Guanacos, Maras, Orcas, and the Southern Right Whale.     
Tour AR-3: Southern Argentina (in 3 regions of Patagonia): November 18-29, 2015  $US 3,695, plus air.

MEXICO, a birding & nature tour in the area of the Yucatan, including Cozumel Island, for endemic and specialty birds, butterflies, mammals, and other nature. In a land of Mayas & Motmots, Jacamar & Jaguar. November 12-24, 2015  $US 2,795, plus air. 

THE CARIBBEAN: On these islands, our aim is to see the endemic and specialty birds, butterflies, and other nature, and to have a most-enjoyable time doing so.
Tour WI-5a:  Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman & Little Cayman)  
November 25-28, 2015  $US 1,195
An enjoyable Caribbean birding experience, with some specialty birds.
Tour WI-5b:  Jamaica 
November 28 - December 4, 2015  $US 2,195 
Tour WI-5a&b:  Combination Tour Cayman Islands & Jamaica
November 25 - December 4, 2015  $US 2,795.
The above to be our 11th tour on the island of Jamaica (since 1994). We normally see all the endemic birds (except the 2 that are probably extinct) and many of the butterflies. 

GUATEMALA, Our Festive Holiday Birding & Nature Tour in the Highlands & Lowlands, including the Mayan ruins at Tikal:  
December 26, '15 - January 5, '16.  $US 2,895, plus air.  

HONDURAS, the second largest country in Central America, a land of mountains & forests, of beaches & coral, of mangroves & wilderness. It has a veritable variety of habitats and parts of it are truly pristine. It is the most mountainous of Central American countries. It has the largest extent of remaining forest in Central America, about 40% of its land area. Tropical rainforest covers the lowlands of the Caribbean side. 
Honduras has more beaches than any other Central American country, with over 500 miles of coastline. 
To the Mayans around 1000 B.C., Copan was a ceremonial hub. It has been called the " Athens of the New World". 
Each of the natural habitats just referred to, and Copan, will be visited during this tour. We'll also visit a remote area for the one bird endemic to Honduras - a hummingbird.  
January 5-15, 2016  $US 2,575, plus air. 

Central & Southern CHILE, (tour CH-1) with birding in areas quite different from each other -  in the Andes, the forested Lake District, and the pristine Chiloe Island, in the northern reaches of Patagonia in southern Chile. 
Birds include Penguins, Parakeets, and much more. Other nature where there's Puma and Pudu.   
Tour CH-1 -- the Andes & in the Lake District & Chiloe Island of Southern Chile: January 8-17, 2016:  $US 2,995, plus air.  

JAPAN, in the winter, to be our 40th birding tour in Japan.
To the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Amami (the last of these optional), including a day-long pelagic onboard a ferry between Honshu & Hokkaido. 
During this tour, we've always seen the rare Blakiston's Fish Owl, large numbers of Steller's and White-tailed Eagles, and cranes (as many as 7 species). A complete list of birds is in the FONT web-site. 
January 21 - February 2 (not including Amami) or January 21 - February 6, (including Amami), 2016. $US 3,895, plus air (without Amami), $US 4,795, plus air (with Amami) .
The optional extension February 2-6, 2016 to the southern Japanese island of Amami is for a number of bird specialties & endemics, including Lidth's Jay, the "Owston's or Amami Woodpecker", Amami Thrush, Amami Woodcock, and possibly Saunder's Gull and Black-faced Spoonbill.  

ECUADOR  (tour EC-1), a special birding & nature tour in Western & Southern Ecuador, for Tumbesian Bird Specialties and more. To be at reserves established to preserve unique habitats and so protecting unique species. 
Rare & endemic birds are among antpittas, including the recently-discovered Jocotoco Antpitta, tapaculos, tanagers, cotingas, flycatchers, parakeets, and hummingbirds, many hummingbirds.
February 11-23, 2016  $US 2,945, plus air. 

PANAMA, (tour PN-1) a week of fine birding in the Canal Basin, on both the Caribbean & Pacific sides, including Gamboa & Pipeline Road, and Barro Colorado Island, and other fine birding sites. 
February 13-20, 2016  $US 2,495, plus air.

Central & Northern CHILE, (tour CH-2) with birding in areas quite different from each other -  in the Andes, along the Pacific Coast, and in the Chilean desert & montane steppes with saline lakes, with flamingos & more, in northern Chile.  
Birds range from Albatrosses and Condors, to Tapaculos (among them a Turca). 
Tour CH-2 -- the Andes & Pacific Coast & the desert & saline lakes and volcanoes of Northern Chile: February 15-24, 2016:  $US 2,995, plus air.  

THE CARIBBEAN, in the LESSER ANTILLES (tour WI-1), for endemic & specialty birds on the islands of ST. LUCIA, ST. VINCENT, and DOMINICA. Among those endemic birds, there are rare Amazon parrots on each of the 3 islands. 
February 13-21, 2016. $US 2,395, plus air.  

THE CARIBBEAN, PUERTO RICO (tour WI-2), To be our 28th tour on the island, during which we'll see the nice assortment of endemic & specialty birds, butterflies, and other nature, in addition to having a good time!  February 21-26, 2016.  $US 1,995, plus air.

THE CARIBBEAN, the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  (tour WI-3), A birding & nature tour in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (tour WI-3), for endemic & specialty birds, and Hispaniola has many. In the Dominican Republic, there are about 30 species endemic to Hispaniola. Also during the tour, other nature including interesting butterflies and amphibians & reptiles. Many of them are endemic too. 
February 27 - March 5, 2016. $US 2,495, plus air.  

DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA  a 3-day weekend birding and nature tour, in these 3 US states, on what is called the Delmarva Peninsula. For a good assortment of various birds, along with other nature, Overnights in Maryland, at a B&B near the Pocomoke River, and including a visit to the coastal Chincoteague Refuge in Virginia.
February 27-29 2016   $330 for the tour, starting & ending at Bombay Hook Refuge in Delaware.

THE CARIBBEAN, a special tour in the northern LESSER ANTILLES (tour WI-4), following our tour in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (tour WI-3). On each of these of the islands to be visited, in the Lesser Antilles, there are endemic & specialty birds. On BARBUDA, the endemic Barbuda Warbler; on MONTSERRAT, the endemic Montserrat Oriole; on GUADELOUPE, the endemic Guadeloupe Woodpecker. On DOMINICA, the Imperial Parrot and other endemics and specialties, such as the Forest Thrush and Blue-headed Hummingbird. Offshore, some seabirds and Sperm Whales and other marine mammals. 
March 5-13, 2016. $US 2,595, plus air. 

Northern COSTA RICA  (tour CR-1), a birding & nature tour from the highlands to the lowlands, from the Caribbean rainforest to the dry Pacific coast, and in between. In addition to the rainforest, includes a number of habitats, and, for good measure, a volcano and a boat-ride along a tropical river. Birds will be many, ranging from those as small as hummingbirds to as large as a Jabiru. 
March 5-13, 2016 $US 2,395, plus air.  
(This tour can be combined with the March 12-20 tour in southern COSTA RICA: combination price $US 3,895, plus air)      

Southern COSTA RICA  (tour CR-2), in the southern part of Costa Rica, where birds have a "southern tint" (cotingas, tanagers, hummingbirds, woodcreepers, antbirds, and furnarids, to name a few). 
Also in the mountains the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. To be our 35th birding & nature tour in Costa Rica. 
March 12-20, 2016  $US 2,395, plus air. 

TEXAS, USA,  a tour with Birds, Butterflies, & Other Nature, in a big state with lots of each, starting at Corpus Christi (for Rockport & the Aransas Refuge) and including the lower Rio Grande Valley, and the Edwards Plateau. Among the "other nature", there should be some mammals, and amphibians & reptiles.  
Bird specialties should include the Golden-cheeked Warbler, arriving in Texas in early March, and whatever "good birds" there happen to be along the Lower Rio Grande and elsewhere in southern Texas.  
This tour is scheduled for when the rare Whooping Crane would still be in Texas. 
March 14-22, 2016  $US 1,795, plus air. 

BELIZE, a birding & nature tour, in a small but great country for both birds & nature, to places in the interior & along the coast.  
March 25 - April 3, 2016  $US 2,595, plus air. 

ESTONIA  (tour ES-1) a tour in a small country, but with a lot of wonderful wilderness, and some very good birds in the early spring. During this tour, up to 1,000 Steller's Eiders, and an assortment of woodpeckers and owls can be found. In addition to many migrating birds, and Ruffs and Grouse at their display grounds.
Among the mammals possible, Gray Wolf, Eurasian Lynx, Raccoon Dog, European Badger, and Ringed Seal, in addition to others more common. 
April 4-10, 2016  $US 2,195, plus air. 

GUATEMALA, with birding in a Land of Mayas & Motmots. In the highlands, and in the Peten lowlands, including a stay at Tikal, a great place for birding, where we've seen some great birds. 
Including Orange-breasted Falcon, Great Curassow, Tody Motmot, and Gray-throated Chat. 
In the highlands among the birds we've seen Resplendent Quetzal, Pink-headed Warbler, Sparkling-tailed Coquette and other hummingbirds, and the rare Azure-rumped Tanager.
Tour can be done in 2 parts or in combination. 
Tour 1A, in the Highlands: April 12-19, 2016  $2,395, plus air; 
Tour 1B, in Peten, including Tikal : April 19-24, 2016  $1,695, plus air to/from Guatemala. 
Combination: April 12-24, 2016  $US 2,990, plus air to/from Guatemala.  

COLORADO and adjacent NEBRASKA & WYOMING, USA, this our annual spring tour for GROUSE, including the 2 "Sages", 2 Prairie-Chickens, Sharp-tailed, Dusky (it was the Blue), and the White-tailed Ptarmigan. And other birds too, including, most years, all 3 species of Rosy-Finches. A great tour. 
April 12-21, 2016  $US 2,195, plus air.  

DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA  a 3-day weekend birding and nature tour, in these 3 US states, on what is called the Delmarva Peninsula. For a large assortment of various birds, as well as other nature, including some mammals, butterflies, moths, and wildflowers. Overnights in Maryland, at a B&B near the Pocomoke River, and including a visit to the coastal Chincoteague Refuge in Virginia.
April 16-18 2016   $330 for the tour, starting & ending at Bombay Hook Refuge in Delaware.

TEXAS, USA,  a tour with Birds, Bats, & Butterflies, in a big state with lots of each, starting at Corpus Christi (for Rockport & the Aransas Refuge) and including the lower Rio Grande Valley, and the Edwards Plateau. Other wildlife too, with an assortment of mammals. Bird specialties would include the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo, and whatever good happens to be along the Lower Rio Grande. Also a chance for a fine warbler fallout along the Gulf and lingering Whooping Cranes. 
April 22-30, 2016  $US 2,295, plus air. 

NORTH CAROLINA, USA, Our Spring Landbirding Tour for Specialty Birds, such as Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, Swainson's Warbler, and Bachman's Sparrow, Painted Bunting, Wilson's Plover, and Mississippi Kite, in an assortment of habitats. Also butterflies and other nature. 
This has been our annual "Carolina Caper" since 1992. 
May 5-9, 2016  $US 695, plus air. (tour begins & ends in Raleigh, NC).  

JAPAN, in the spring, with birding in central & southern Japan - a special tour including the Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific for specialties such as the endemic Bonin Island Honeyeater and what should be some exceptional pelagic birding. Also during the tour, on Honshu, the Oriental Stork. On Kyushu, the Fairy Pitta. And other birds too. 
May 12-29, 2016  $US 3,895, plus air. 

ALASKA, USA,  A birding & nature tour, in 2 parts, with some of the "best of Alaskan nature" from Valdez in the south to Deadhorse in the Arctic.  
With some Specialty Birds, such as Bluethroat, and Kittlitz's Murrelet, 2 species of puffins, 2 species of ptarmigan, "northern owls and woodpeckers", and much more. 
Among the mammals: whales, seals, Sea Otter, both Grizzly and Black Bears, Moose, Dall Sheep, Caribou, and hopefully Gray Wolf, Walrus, Musk Oxen.  
May 23 - Jun 6, 2016  
Again, this tour is in 3 parts. One can any or all:
AK 1-a: in the South: Anchorage, Valdez, Denali: May 23-30, 2016  $US 1,695, plus air
AK 1-b: in the North from Fairbanks to the North Slope:  May 31 - Jun 6, 2016  $US 1,595, plus air
AK 1-a&b:  May 23 - Jun 6, 2016  $US 2,590, plus air
Tour begins in Anchorage. AK 1-b ends in Fairbanks, AK. 

ICELAND, a tour on a fascinating island with much to see and enjoy. During this tour in the past, we've seen and enjoyed Gyrfalcons at a nest. There's no place we go that's like Iceland! Seabirds (many!) at their nesting sites, Marine Mammals, and spectacular scenery. Check out the photos in our web-site. 
June 3-12, 2016  $US 3,195, plus air.

ESTONIA  (tour ES-2) a tour in a small country, but with a lot of wonderful wilderness. For an assortment of nature, including birds, butterflies, mammals, and a nice variety of plant-life with numerous orchids. 
Among the birds to be sought, Corncrake, Capercaillie, Crane; also various Warblers, Woodpeckers, Wagtails; and Owls, a Nightjar, and the Great Snipe.
Among the mammals possible, Brown Bear, Gray Wolf, Eurasian Lynx, Siberian Flying Squirrel, Raccoon Dog, European Badger, and Ringed Seal. Also check the FONT website for enticing lists of butterflies and plants.
June 13-20, 2016  $US 2,395, plus air. 

SPAIN, 2016 will be our 17th year (having done 25 tours) in this country for birds, butterflies, and other nature, with also castles, cuisine, and culture. 
During our previous Spain tours: 4 species of vultures including Lammergeier, Spanish Imperial and 4 other species of Eagles, Eagle Owl, Wallcreeper, both Great and Little Bustards, both Marbled and White-headed Ducks, to name just a few of the 288 species of birds that have cumulatively been seen during FONT tours in Spain. 
3 tours as follows:
SP-1: Extremadura & Gredos Mountains: Jun 17-24, 2016  $2,395, plus air.
SP-2: The Pyrenees Mountains & Ebro Delta: Jun 24-Jul 1, 2016  $2,275, plus air.
SP-3: The Canary Islands: Jul 1-6, 2016  $1,995, plus air.
Combinations: SP-1&2: Jun 17-July 1, 2016  $3,295, plus air.
SP-2&3: Jun 24-July 6, 2016  $3,190, plus air.
SP-1,2,3: Jun 17-July 6, 2016  $4,295. plus air.

ECUADOR  (tour EC-2), a special birding & nature tour in Western and Southern Ecuador, for Andean and Tumbesian Specialty Birds and more, including butterflies, moths, and other nature. 
To be at reserves established to preserve unique habitats and so protecting unique species. 
Rare and endemic birds include antpittas and an assortment of hummingbirds and tanagers. 
July 6-19, 2016   $US 2,995, plus air.  

Costa Rica (tour CR-3), a Summer Birding & Nature Tour, to places in the country with some of the best Neotropical Birding anywhere. 
At a time not only good for birds, but for people, such as teachers, who just can't go when others do in the spring & winter. During our previous summer tours, nearly 400 species of birds have been seen. 
To be our 33rd birding tour in Costa Rica. 
July 9-22, 2016  $2,850, plus air.  

PANAMA  (tour PN-4), a week of fine birding in the Canal Basin, including Gamboa & Pipeline Road, and various sites closer to South America, in eastern Panama province & Darien. 
July 22-29, 2016  $US 2,795, plus air. 

DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA  a 3-day weekend birding and nature tour, in these 3 US states, on what is called the Delmarva Peninsula. For a large assortment of various birds, as well as butterflies and wildflowers. Overnights in Maryland, at a B&B near the Pocomoke River, and including a visit to the coastal Chincoteague Refuge in Virginia.
July 23-25 2016  $330 for the tour, starting & ending at Bombay Hook Refuge in Delaware. 

BRAZIL (tour BR-1), in Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian state, near the border with URUGUAY, and including a 2-night stay in that country.
Birds during the tour will be many and varied. We've done this tour now a few times, and each time we've seen numerous birds in a beautiful and pristine region. 
July 29 - August 9, 2016. $US 2,895, plus air. 
This tour can be done in combination with the one that follows in Southeast Brazil & at Iguazu Falls, Brazil. 

BRAZIL (tour BR-2), a birding & nature tour to spectacular places for both - birds & nature: Iguazu Falls and the Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul, where during previous tours we've seen many birds and some animals that were great to see.  Named our  "Jabiru & Jaguar" tour, for those two species we've seen in the past (the Jabiru every time, the Jaguar during two of our most-recent tours). Among the birds will be some large ones, including the largest of the world's macaws, the largest of the toucans, and, in fact, the largest of American birds (it does not fly).  August 9-23, 2016  $US 3,575, plus air.  

BRAZIL (tour BR-3), in Minas Gerais, for birds, mammals, and other nature, in a region with many endemic and specialty birds, foremost among them the very rare Brazilian Merganser.  Also the Swallow-tailed Cotinga, Three-toed Jacamar, and Cock-tailed Tyrant. Among the mammals, the Maned Wolf, Giant Anteater, and the Northern Muriqui (the largest monkey in the New World). 
August 24 -September 2, 2016  $US 2,895, plus air.   

BRAZIL  (tour BR-4), in the southeast part of the country, for birds and other nature, much of which is endemic, or nearly so to Brazil.
Including the Atlantic Forest, with time in the mountains at Itatiaia National Park and in the area of another national park, the Serra dos Orgaos National Park, at a reserve where we'll enjoy more birds, maybe a good mammal or two, and many butterflies and moths.  
September 3-11, 2016  $US 2,395, plus air. 
With an optional extension to September 15 to Iguazu Falls for butterflies, birds and other nature  
$US 2,995, plus air.  
September 11-15, 2016  Iguazu only: $US 1,325.

JAPAN, in the winter, to be our 40th birding tour in Japan.
To the islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Amami (the last of these optional), including a day-long pelagic onboard a ferry between Honshu & Hokkaido. 
During this tour, we've always seen the rare Blakiston's Fish Owl, large numbers of Steller's and White-tailed Eagles, and cranes (as many as 7 species). A complete list of birds is in the FONT web-site. 
January 19-31, 2017 (not including Amami) or January 19 - February 4, (including Amami), 2017. $US 3,895, plus air (without Amami), $US 4,795, plus air (with Amami) .
The optional extension January 31 - February 4, 2017 to the southern Japanese island of Amami is for a number of bird specialties & endemics, including Lidth's Jay, the "Owston's or Amami Woodpecker", Amami Thrush, Amami Woodcock, and possibly Saunder's Gull and Black-faced Spoonbill.  

JAPAN, in the spring, with birding in central & southern Japan - a special tour including the Ogasawara Islands in the Pacific for specialties such as the endemic Bonin Island Honeyeater and what should be some exceptional pelagic birding. Also during the tour, on Honshu, the Oriental Stork. On Kyushu, the Fairy Pitta. And other birds too. 
May 11-25, 2017  $US 3,895, plus air. 

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Note: Prices subject to change, but remain the same after deposit is made.  

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If you're interested in any of our tours,  please call us toll-free at 1-888-721-3555 or e-mail font@focusonnature.com
We'll be glad to hear from you!