Frequently Asked Questions
1
Will we see Bald Eagles?
YES! However, Any experienced wildlife watcher will tell you, there are no guarantees in wildlife watching. I feel confident that if we set out with the goal of finding a bald eagle. We will succeed.
2
Should I bring rain gear?
Absolutely! It’s always better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it! Rare are the days in Southeast Alaska where I do not leave home without a rain jacket squirreled away in my backpack, just in case!
3
What kind of footwear should I wear?
Either hiking boots or waterproof boots such as xrta tuffs, wellingtons, gumboots, whatever you call them, if you’ve got them, wear them! If not, the higher and the drier, the better!
4
Will there be restroom facilities?
We will make sure to stop where possible for folks to be able to use the toilets. Because we go to different locations depending on the time of day, season, tides, weather, etc. The toilet quality will vary due to the locations we visit. Sometimes there will be full service restrooms and other times they may be a more rustic out-house or Porta-poty. We will ensure that there are timely stops to use the Lou.
5
how difficult will the hiking trails be?
This will vary from day to day and location to location. The trails we use will always be fairly short and relatively flat. However, Given the weather here, the nature of trails in Southeast Alaska can be a bit muddy with occasional slippery roots to navigate. Also, when walking around the coasts and marshes, slippery rocks and intertidal mud can pose a hazard. If you have specific questions about mobility issues or if one of these tours is right for you, please don’t hesitate to call, or shoot us an email at Info@harlequinbirdingtours.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
6
What about the Bugs?!
The honest truth is that the bugs in Juneau are nothing in comparison to the clouds of mosquitoes in the interior of Alaska. Its all relative. However! Certain times of year, in some locations, they can be a bit of a nuisance. For this, we have bug nets to borrow if need be. The bugs fluctuate with the season and depend heavily on the recent weather. Temperature, and amounts of rain or sunshine will dictate the hatch of the particular species. Since we are out on the trails regularly, we can give you a good idea of what (f)lies in wait for us on the day.
7
What happens if its raining?
The Show must go on! Alas, in Southeast Alaska, if we did not recreate in the rain, we would rarely recreate! However, we do have some forms of making it easier on ourselves! Proper rain gear and waterproof boots are definitely a must! We will provide Umbrellas as well so that you can ideally use binoculars without them instantly become covered in water droplets. If possible, we may set up a rain shelter for a scope so that we can gather under the shelter to view birds and stay “dry”. If there is a major storm with strong winds and heavy rains then we will offer a full refund if we deem the weather too inclement to be practical for having a good time (and/or seeing birds)!
8
What should I bring?
A small backpack is always a good idea. Inside the backpack we suggest bringing a rain jacket, a fleece or an insulated jacket, a bottle of water, and a pair of binoculars, if you have your own that you prefer. Any medications you might need. If the weather forecast is good, Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. If the weather forecast is looking a bit marginal, a warm cap, gloves and a buff. The usual! A bug net is never a bad idea to bring along, we will have a few extra if needed.
9
What does Harlequin Birding Tours provide?
We will have a spare jug of water to fill up water bottles if needed. If you forget your own, or need one to borrow, we will have spare water bottles as well. We will provide Umbrellas to use in case of inclement weather. We will also have a handful of bug nets in case it happens to be a buggy year. We will also have high end binocluars to borrow if you did not bring your own, or if you would like to try out a different pair, you’re welcome to give ours a whirl! for our half day tours we will provide a snack option as well. we know birding can be hungry work!
10
What if I have more questions?
Well that is perfectly ok! just head on over to our contacts page and shoot us an email or give us a call and we would be happy to answer any further questions you might have!