Someone suggested we make up some guidelines for our field trips, so that new people might get an idea how we “do things” on our excursions. Here goes!

1) Please be on time, or a wee bit early. It isn’t fair to the prompt to have to wait.

2) Please wear neutral colors such as browns, grays, greens, and nothing loud, like hot pink, bright blue, or especially RED! Try to avoid noisy jackets.

3) Please do not put on bug spray in the van, or upwind from others. Also, please don’t touch van windows with bug-spray hands.

4) Please wear adequate footwear for the woods - not sandals, etc. Boots are great, but tennis shoes are usually fine.

5) PLEASE do not talk much in the woods, unless it’s about a bird you see, or something else very important. Then, please do so in hushed tones.

6) Please keep up with the group, and do not walk ahead of leader.

7) I will almost always lock the van. You may wish to keep valuables out of sight, but we have never had a problem with theft.

8) In the van (especially), when someone finds a good bird, please rejoice quietly so I can use that moment to its fullest advantage. The bird may only be there a second or two! Also, sometimes expressions of jubilance have scared birds!

9) Please do not back-seat drive. PLEASE do not back-seat drive.

10) We normally stop and buy lunch unless announced otherwise.

11) If it looks like the weather may ruin a field trip, I won’t run the trip. Remember that a little rain can sometimes bring migrating birds down and make a better field trip.

12) Let me know if you need to borrow a pair of binoculars.

13) Our trips are not physically taxing, but sometimes may be buggy.

14) I always take up trip tuition at lunch, and please make checks out to the GOS.

15) If you cancel your reservation less than 24 hours ahead, you owe for the trip.

16) We try to eat pretty close to noon, but we can’t always guaranty that. You are welcome to bring snacks (and/or liquids like water).

17) PLEASE don’t get in the van with smoky clothes on.