This winter tour will search for some of North America's more difficult winter birds whilst enjoying the beauty of a northern winter. It is possible to find 10 species of owl on this tour.

Day 1 Flight from London to Toronto and transfer to a hotel in Bolton for the night.

Day 2 Today we will bird in the Toronto city area familiarising yourselves with some of the commoner birds including Blue Jay and American Robin.

Day 3 Today we will visit the Hagersville area for open-country birds including raptors such as American Kestrel, Merlin, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier and Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks, sparrows such as American Tree, White-crowned and White-throated and Gray Partridge. We then head south towards Fisherville to look for Short-eared, Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet owls. Overnight at Long Point.

Day 4 The Long Point area supports many wintering ducks including American Black Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Common, Hooded and Red-breasted Mergansers and Mute and Tundra Swans. Other birds may include Sandhill Crane, Rusty and Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Grackle and more sparrows together with feeder birds. Overnight Fort Erie.

Day 5 Today we will visit the spectacular Niagara Falls where as well as taking in this amazing sight we will search for rare gulls such as California, Iceland, Glaucous, Little, Franklin's and Sabine's. We then continue on to Hamilton for rare ducks, which may include King Eider, all three species of scoter and Harlequin before returning to Bolton for one night again.

Days 6-7 Early morning drive to Algonquin Provincial Park where we will spend the next two days searching for boreal species including Ruffed and Spruce Grouse, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadee, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers, Gray Jay, Red and White-winged Crossbills, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Kinglet and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks. We will also look for mammals including Moose, Timber Wolf, Red Fox, Marten, Fisher and Snowshoe Hare. Two nights in Whitney.

Days 8-9 Today we drive east to Ottawa, the capital, where we will search for Barrow's Goldeneye, Gyrfalcon, Northern Hawk and Great Gray Owls and Northern three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers. We will also have time to tour the city. Two nights in Ottawa.

Day 10 Moving on to Millhaven on Lake Ontario, we take the ferry to Amherst Island to look for Bald Eagle and owls such as Snowy and Boreal. Returning to the mainland, we will drive to Bolton again, where we will spend the last night.

Day 11 The final day will be spent in the Toronto area looking for Eastern Screech-owl, Great Horned and Barred Owls, Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting. Overnight flight back to London.

Day 12 Arrival in London at the end of the tour.

General Information The pace of this tour is generally moderate with a comfortable amount of walking over easy terrain. Long days may be spent in the field however. The weather can be very cold at this time of year with some rain or snow to be expected. There are no special health requirements and visas are not required. Accommodation is in medium-quality motels with private facilities and TV. Food is of a good standard and relatively cheap; allow about C$40 per day depending on your requirements.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6; maximum group size: 10 with 1 leader or 16 with 2 leaders.