3 hours • $150 per person • Ages 10+ – children must be accompanied by an adult

Grab your binoculars and long lens cameras for a three‑hour birding expedition around Greater Portland Maine and Casco Bay, exploring Wilson’s favorite local wildlife hotspots including salt marshes, tidal estuaries, mixed coastal woodlands, and open ocean — all within a short drive of each other. Expect a kaleidoscope of birds: from the dawn chorus of Chickadees and American Goldfinch to soaring Osprey and chattering Bald Eagles, to the elegant Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, and Glossy Ibis wading quietly through the marsh pools. Wilson also loves a good stroll through the woods to listen and look for Owls, Woodpeckers, and Hawks so this trip offers lots of variety of feathered friends and the ability to explore these three unique ecosystems that make Southern Maine a Mecca for bird nerds across the world! Sometimes, we get lucky and also see some incredible mammals and reptiles from Beavers, Chipmunks, Groundhogs, Foxes, and River Otters to Alligator Snapping Turtles, Fish, and Seals!

All of our tours are designed to provide optimal photographic opportunities for our guests with wildlife. This means we often stop and shoot along the way when we find unique species displaying interesting behaviors in good lighting conditions.

Wilson absolutely loves to talk cameras—he’ll break down shutter‑speed tricks, burst‑mode tactics, golden‑hour lighting, and even how to lock focus on a bird’s eyes—the very same principles that expert bird‑photographers use to capture sharp detail and vibrant plumage in flight. Whether you’re just finding your footing or already chasing portfolio shots, his in‑field mentoring can turn your tour into an energizing wildlife‑photography masterclass—no matter your experience level.

If cameras are of no interest and binoculars are your best friend, then he is more than happy to talk about identification tactics, migration patterns, and nesting behaviors. Since these are private tours, he can tailor it to be exactly the experience you are looking for!

We do provide binoculars to those without a big lens and Wilson often has his 7.5” monitor attached to the top of his rig which acts as a small TV so guests can see and experience the creatures up close and personal for themselves.

What should I bring?
Your camera, water bottle, good hiking shoes, raincoat if the forecast calls for light showers.  Sunscreen and Bug Spray should be applied prior to arrival.

What will be provided?
Binoculars

After we leave Wilson’s private bird sanctuary and go to the second location do I need to drive myself or can I ride with Wilson?
You can either drive yourself and follow Wilson in his van or pay the $50 transportation fee to ride with him and be dropped back off at your car after the tour is over.

What type of wildlife will we likely see?
Birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Do we have to talk quietly?
Yes we encourage guests to whisper and talk quietly so we don’t scare away the animals

Do I have to sign a waiver?
Yes you will be required to sign a limited liability waiver in case of injury upon completion of your booking

Can I use the Merlin App while on the tour?
Yes we encourage guests to track and identify birds through the Merlin App in order to learn more about Ornithology and to enhance our local database by providing scientific data

What happens if we have bad weather like rain or heavy winds?
Wilson will be monitoring the weather closely 48 hours prior to the tour and notify guests as soon as possible if a tour needs to be cancelled.  Tours will operate in light rain and drizzles but not in heavy downpours.  If your tour is cancelled due to weather you will receive a full refund within 3 business days and are welcome to book a new tour for the following week.

Is there a minimum number of guests required to operate the tour?
Yes the tour will only run if we have 3 guests booked.  On the rare chance you are scheduled for a tour with only two guests, Wilson will notify you 24 hours in advance that we do not have enough guests to run the tour and issue you a full refund within 3 business days.