I have just returned from a 'bargain bird' tour to Bolivia with one of the the UKs top birding companies.
I consider myself a keen birdwatcher and have enjoyed (and started) the odd twitch in my local area, however the tour as far as I was concerned was nothing more than a glorified country twitch.
The guide was an excellent ornithologist and really knew his subject. While the guide looked for birds many of the group 'milled' around chatting and appeared generally disinterested in the whole experience. The guide spent each day chasing birds through the cloud forest, altiplano etc. for other group members to hear or glimpse. This was followed by a frantic russle of notebooks as they ticked the bird off! The evenings were then spent going through the check list supplied by the tour company, again putting ticks against the birds 'seen'.
The other group member also seemed obsessed with their world lists and thought me rather odd when I told them that not only do I not keep a world list but that I do not even keep a local list!!!
When I expressed the desire to spend some time looking at the birds or seeing some of the country such as Lake Titticaca, I was greeted with a blank look, I almost felt like I should go a wash my mouth out.
On arrival home I was met by the questionare from the tour company. This I completed, giving a truthful account of my experiences. A reply was duly received advising that this type of tour can be frantic 'birding' from dawn to dusk. I wouldnt mind 'birding' from dawn to dusk (I do frequently at home) but object to spending my holiday chasing brief views of birds to allow a huge list to be compiled. The tour company also advised that I should discuss my requirements with them before booking my next trip. I think it will be a long time before I pay £1500 for a similar experience like this again.
I would be interested to know if other people have had a similar experience or if I really am a strange person.
Next year I will be back to booking my own trip, I may not 'see' as many birds but I will be able to identify any seen when I return.
Stiffy
can't really comment as i've only done one 'organised' holiday and that was Tibet with the oBC and i already knew half the people. That was awesome but we were all mega keen and searching from dawn to dusk...
Bolivia is bound to be hectic though as birds are everywhere but can be hard to see
I have tour leader friends here in Norwich and i can understand the sort of thing you are on about. Maybe James and Rob will be able to add more detail, it's more their field...