Thank you for your interest! This journey is either underway or complete, but we do have many other tour options for you to choose from.

Join us for a most unusual birding event: Louisiana’s Yellow Rails and Rice Festival. This unique event brings together rice harvesting and birding, thanks to friendly local farmers who allow access not only to their fields, but also to the combines used to harvest the rice.

We also make time to visit Louisiana’s rich coastal region, alive with herons, egrets, and beautiful Roseate Spoonbill. We walk the beaches and learn skills to identify shorebirds. Forested areas bring the possibility of seeing Crested Caracara, Painted Bunting, Pileated Woodpecker, and more.

Andrew Haffenden coordinates and guides this fun journey. See up to four kinds of rails, bird from a working combine harvester, enjoy energizing Cajun music, and indulge in Cajun delicacies. Andrew combines the festival, great food, and exceptional birding—don’t miss the fun!

Please note: The timing of day-to-day events is weather dependent—if there is very heavy rain, the fields cannot be harvested until they dry out a bit. We have allowed several days for the rice field birding for Yellow Rail, and our other birding activities are arranged around our days in the fields. Generally, half to one day is devoted to working a rice field while it is harvested, but if few rails are seen, we add another session. Thus, the following itinerary is likely to change around due to weather and bird activity—flexibility is key.

Tour Highlights

  • Bird from a working combine harvester, in search of four different species of rails
  • Explore Longleaf Pine savannah, one of the most endangered habitats in the U.S., for Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, and Pileated Woodpecker
  • Walk the beaches of Cameron County in search of five species of plover and other water and shorebirds
  • Embark on a bayou boat ride, looking for large numbers of geese, ducks, ibis, shorebirds, and even Crested Caracara

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Wed., Oct. 27: Arrivals at Lafayette Airport


Fly in to Lafayette today. Delta, United, and American fly to Lafayette, and all have flights arriving between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. Do try to book one of these mid- to late-afternoon flights; earlier flights mean a longer wait at the airport before our group transfers to the hotel. From Lafayette we drive to our hotel in Jennings, about 30 minutes away, where the festival is centered.

Enjoy a welcome dinner, perhaps some wonderful local seafood if you like, and a chance to get to know your travel companions.
Accommodations at Hampton Inn & Suites, Jennings (B,L,D)

Thurs., Oct. 28: Rice Fields


Today is our first chance to look for rails. We first travel to a watery field to look for feeding birds. Typically, we see some species in numbers ranging from hundreds to thousands, including Greater White-fronted Geese, dark ibises—mostly White-faced but there are a sprinkling of Glossy and hybrids—and several species of shorebirds, including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. Red-winged Blackbird can also number in the tens of thousands. Other species often seen are Gull-billed Tern, American Avocet, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and often Vermilion Flycatcher. In the afternoon we watch the combine harvesting the rice, flushing birds such as Yellow, King, and Virginia Rails and Sora, with the latter two often counting in the 50 – 100 range. American Bittern is also often flushed. Although we typically see the most birds (and enjoy the most comfortable birding) from the sidelines, we do get an opportunity to climb aboard the combine for a close, though often dusty, view.
Accommodations at Hampton Inn & Suites, Jennings (B,L,D)

OPTIONAL BLACK RAIL FIELD TRIP: Tonight, the Festival offers an optional Black Rail field trip for the adventurous among us—let us know when you sign up if this is of interest. Assist with a salt marsh banding operation in Cameron Parish using rope pulls and spotlights! Target species is Black Rail, which has been flushed and banded during the previous festival Evening Black Rail Survey trips in 2017, 2018, and 2019. However, since 2019, the coast has experienced two major hurricanes with tidal surge in 2020; we do not know what to expect this year. The number of participants is limited. Note that this activity is AFTER DARK in a coastal salt marsh. This field trip is strenuous. Walking in salt marsh can be extremely hard especially in the dark; the ground is uneven with holes, vegetation is thick and knee-deep, and it is wet. During previous banding efforts, groups have walked about half a mile to flush a handful of rails. There are no standing, sitting, or side-viewing areas—to see the rails you have to walk into the marsh and keep up with the group.

Fri., Oct. 29: Pineywoods Birding


Today we explore Longleaf Pine savannah, one of the most endangered habitats in the U.S. We look especially for pine savannah specialties, including Bachman’s Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler, and Pileated Woodpecker. We also visit several crawfish ponds for an array of herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbill, and often raptors, including Bald Eagle. To the east we also visit the Crowley Sewer Ponds, which always provide something of interest.
Accommodations at Hampton Inn & Suites, Jennings (B,L,D)

Sat., Oct. 30: Cameron County


Today we head to the southeast corner of the state to look for marsh birds, waterbirds, and shorebirds along the beaches. Cheniers?oak hummocks?should provide late migrant warblers and arriving winter residents. Resident Mottled Duck and early arriving northern ducks provide added variety. We expect to find all five species of plovers on the beaches: Black-bellied, Semi-palmated, Snowy, Piping, and Wilson’s, plus other shorebirds such as Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, American Avocet, and Western Willet.

Away from the beach, migrating Long-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper may be seen. Probable terns include Caspian, Royal, possibly Sandwich, and Black Skimmer, with Gull-billed over the marshes and occasionally on the beach. Nelson’s and Seaside Sparrows inhabit the marshes here, and with a bit of patience both can usually be seen. We are especially on the watch for Crested Caracara as we drive the more northern part of this area.
Accommodations at Hampton Inn & Suites, Jennings (B,L,D)

Sun., Oct. 31: Greater Jennings Region


We return in the general direction of Cameron again to bird Cameron Prairie NWR and Lacassine NWR and other locales in the area. We take a boat ride on the bayou. Today should provide us with Fulvous Whistling-duck, Wood Stork, Wilson’s Phalarope, Crested Caracara, large numbers of geese, ducks, ibis, shorebirds, and others. Vermilion Flycatcher, Cave Swallow, Sprague’s Pipit, Lark Sparrow, and Yellow-headed Blackbird should also be present. Le Conte’s and Henslow’s Sparrows and other soggy area birds are likely as well.
Accommodations at Hampton Inn & Suites, Jennings (B,L,D)

Mon., Nov. 1: Departures


This morning we transfer to Lafayette Airport for our departure flights. Please book flights out from 10:00 AM onwards. (B)

  • Yellow Rail, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • American Bittern, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Bachman's Sparrow, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Bald Eagle, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • King Rail, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Pileated Woodpecker, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Roseate Spoonbill, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Sora, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • Vermilion Flycatcher, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature
  • YRARF, Louisiana Birding Tour, Louisiana Birding, Louisiana Rail tours, Louisiana Birding Festival, Naturalist Journeys, Louisiana Nature

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the Journey: $2290 DBL / $2590 SGL from Lafayette, Louisiana.

Tour cost includes five night’s accommodations, all meals from dinner day one to breakfast day six, airport transfers, transportation during the journey, professional guide services, park and other entrance fees, festival registration, $200 festival fee and $50 field trip package, and miscellaneous program expenses.

Tour cost does not include round-trip airfare to and from Lafayette, personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks from the bar, and gratuities for luggage handling or other services. Guide gratuities are at your discretion.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Please plan to arrive between 4:00 and 5:00 PM on October 27 at the Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), Louisiana. We list this time based on when a number of flights on varying airlines come in to Lafayette. If you arrive early, it will just mean a bit of a wait for our group transfer. Please book flights out for 10:00 AM onwards on November 1.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

Louisiana

  • Andrew Haffenden

    Andrew has birded all the southern coastal states, from South Carolina to Texas, and more diverse states and habitats from the mossy rainforests and mountains of Washington to the conifers and bogs of Minnesota to the winter seabirds of New York's Long Island. The dry and desert states of the Southwest have been favorites of Andrew's, from the furthest southwest point in the US to the high mountains and plains of Northern Colorado. Further afield, numerous visits to Mexico, 25+ trips to Central America and 17+ trips to northern South America including Guyana has enabled Andrew to become familiar with the birds of those regions. Some 15 tours to Greater Antilles places him in the top 20 eBirded species in the Greater Antilles. Andrew’s also birded and led tours to several other Caribbean Islands. In addition to Dauphin Island he also leads Naturalist Journeys tours in the Southeast US and Central/Southe America. His many trips to Southeast Asia, and of course a lifetime of experience in Australia and New Zealand round out his wildlife experiences.

    Photo credit: Peg Abbott

    Other trips with Andrew Haffenden

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 


Photo credits: Banners: Yellow Rails & Rice Festival, courtesy yellowrailsandrice.com; Egret in Louisiana, Morgane Perraud via Unsplash; Blue Heron, Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash; Cajun Crawfish, Sidney-Pearce on Unsplash; Festival, courtesy yellowrailsandrice.com; Rail, courtesy yellowrailsandrice.com; Louisiana Swamp, Joshua J. Cotten Unsplash; Sora, Becky Matsubara via flickr; YRRF, courtesy yellowrailsandrice.com; King Rail, Carlos Sanchez; Alligator in Louisiana, Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash; White-fronted Geese, Steve Buckingham; Roseate Spoonbill, Steve Shunk; Male Yellow-Headed Blackbird Hugh Simmons; Yellow_Rail by Dominic Sherony via wikimedia; American Bittern, Carlos Sanchez; Bachman's Sparrow, Carlos Sanchez; Bald Eagle by Richard Lee via Unsplash; King Rail, Carlos Sanchez; Pileated Woodpecker, Carlos Sanchez; Roseate Spoonbill, Steve Shunk; Sora, Doug Greenberg; Vermilion Flycatcher, Carlos Sanchez; YRARF, courtesy yellowrailsandrice.com.

×

Like what we do?

Sign up for our weekly eNews to stay up to date!

Get to know our favorite destinations each week. We promise no spam.

No Thanks