Meadowlark Birding Tours Avis 

In fall 2023, we were looking for spots to bird in Western Canada in 2024, Meadowlark Birding Tours offered some interesting outings. We signed up for three: Cold Lake, Prairies and Churchill. Reviews of Meadowlark and Gavin McKinnon were very positive but as this was our first time with Meadowlark, we were a bit apprehensive. Booking with Meadowlark was easy and follow-up correspondence was prompt and professional. For the return from Churchill, we booked the Via Rail connection to Winnipeg (highly recommended).
We really enjoyed the three tours. Each was different as to what was included. Gavin’s choice of hotels and restaurants were excellent for each tour. Each tour was professionally organized and ran very smoothly. Gavin was quick to make changes when the need arose. We enjoyed all the parts of Canada we visited during the trip (however, we could have done without the high winds on the Prairies). By booking the three tours back-to-back, there was no down time. One tour ended and the next started a plane ride away in a different city the same day. Everything went smoothly and it worked well – not too tiring.
As to birds, we saw most on our needs list but not all. Gavin knows his birds and where to find them. We had several highlights, but the gem was a Yellow-throated Warbler in Churchill. Simply a reason to return and look for those we missed.
And what a way to explore parts of Canada that were on our needs list.
Highly recommended. We have already booked another tour with Meadowlark.

Gavin is a very competent and enjoyable guide. His familiarity and knowledge of the Cold Lake area was excellent. He made every effort to make sure his customers were 'on the bird' no matter what the circumstances: bad weather, difficult terrain, etc.
This northern Alberta trip was wonderful: a wide variety of species and especially wonderful looks at many species of Warblers.

Gavin is very knowledgeable - he is young but don't let that fool you! He is an expert in his field and very experienced.

I participated in the Cold Lake warbler tour 2024 - it was a great experience despite some bad weather for the first couple days (rain and wind!) - we managed to see most of our target birds and Gavin made sure to also spend some time focusing on finding birds that people were looking for for their life lists.

The tour was appropriate for beginners and for experienced birders. I'm also a photographer and I was able to bring my camera and get some lovely photos during the tour.

The tour was well organized and we knew what to expect each day.

Overall a great experience. I'm looking forwards to participating in this tour again next year if I can - or I might even try to go on the Point Pelee tour that is also offered!

The tour was a great way to see the birds in the Cold Lake area during migration. Gavin was an expert in identifying the birds for us. It was also nice to be with a group of enthusiastic birders. I even saw a great grey owl which was a highlight for me.

I went on one of Gavin's tours and it was an incredible experience! He is extremely knowledgeable with birds. The trip was worry free and the locations he took us to were great. Definitely one of the best birding expeditions I have been on. Would highly recommend.

Gavin attracted a great group of similar minded birders. Gavin has excellent hearing and eyesight, and the ability to quickly identify birds. We were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of optional side trips. The length of the tour worked well for us.

Point Pelee Bird Tour : Meadowlark Birding Tours

PROS:
Birding at point Pelee was a wonderful experience to view spectacular warbler species as well as other species which I have never seen before. It provided me a chance to observe and brush up on basic to advanced birding techniques including realizing bad practices that I had developed over the years. Leader Gavin was VERY skilled at identifying bird species by sight and by ear. Impressive!
Gavin’s skills allowed me to view multitudes of species in a short window of time. The supporting equipment that he used (scopes/binoculars) were excellent and quick spotting techniques while using them. Gavin was courteous and easy to talk with my needs.The introduction of a supporting bird leader was great addition to have another set of experienced ears and eyes as well as views and techniques. It provided more man on man experience to point out a found species.

CONS:
Could have had a bit more itinerary details on a daily basis such as trails and species most expected.
A bit more commentary on bird and more use of visual aids book/electronic support of species expected or spotted. Background of origin and migration destinations and unique traits of the bird being viewed.
Overall it was a great experience and look forward to more tours with Gavin at Meadowlark Tours.
Thanks Gavin!

I travelled to Point Pelee with Meadowlark Birding Tours for spring migration. Gavin is a brilliant, expert guide and knows the Pelee region very well. I saw so many bird species that I would never have found on my own. I also appreciated the small group size, which allowed for a quality experience.

I had an excellent experience with Meadowlark in Jamaica on my first international birding tour. The planning was worry free, the accommodations were very good and the guides took very good care of us while showing us all 28 endemics and many more beautiful species in this stunning and friendly country. Thanks Gavin and Ricardo for a well-paced yet comprehensive tour of the birds of Jamaica!