All participants must register and pay for a tour before attending unless otherwise authorized by the tour operator.
Registration may be completed online. Each tour has a maximum capacity based on the vehicle, vessel, site, guide, permit, or other operational limitations. Once capacity is reached, additional reservations will not be accepted unless space becomes available.
Participants will receive an email confirmation after completing registration. Participants should retain their confirmation and be prepared to present it electronically or in printed form at check-in if requested.
Tour guides or tour staff will have access to the current participant list for check-in.
Tour capacity is established in advance and must not be exceeded.
Capacity may vary substantially depending on the type of tour. Bus, boat, walking, and specialty tours may each have different capacity limits.
Staff should never exceed the established capacity, even when additional customers request admission at the last minute.
If a cancellation creates an available space, that space may be returned to inventory for resale.
When a tour reaches capacity, a waitlist may be offered.
If a space becomes available, customers on the waitlist will be contacted in the order established by the registration system. A customer offered a space will have a specified period in which to complete registration.
If the customer does not complete registration within that period, the space may be offered to the next person on the waitlist or returned to general availability.
Waitlist notifications should be automated whenever possible. Staff are not responsible for individually monitoring or notifying customers of their position on the waitlist.
Tours may continue accepting reservations up to the normal registration deadline when operationally practical and when space remains available.
Last-minute registrants are responsible for arriving at the designated meeting location on time and must have proof of their reservation available electronically or in printed form.
Once the tour has reached its final operational cutoff or the guide has departed, no additional participants will be accepted.
The tour will not be delayed for late arrivals.
Customers may request ticket cancellation and a refund no later than midnight on November 2, 2026. Requests submitted after this deadline will not be eligible for a refund and may be considered a donation to the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association.
Refunds should be made through the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association website by logging in to your account, click on “Orders” and look for the “Request Refund” button to start the process. Requested refunds will be reduced by 4.25% payment-processing fee.
For partial changes and/or refunds, you may have to contact us at tours@lodisandhillcrane.org
If a tour is cancelled by the tour operator because of weather, unsafe conditions, site closure, transportation problems, or other circumstances beyond the operator’s control, customers will receive a full refund or alternative arrangement specified for that tour.
The tour operator may cancel or modify a tour because of unsafe weather, site closures, transportation problems, insufficient staffing, or other circumstances beyond its control. Customers will be notified of significant changes when reasonably possible.
The tour operator reserves the right to cancel, modify, delay, relocate, or terminate a tour when necessary for safety, weather, wildlife conditions, site restrictions, transportation issues, insufficient staffing, or other operational circumstances.
When possible, customers will be notified of significant changes or cancellations by email or another contact method provided during registration.
Safety decisions made by the tour operator, guide, captain, driver, or other designated personnel are final.
Outdoor tours generally operate rain or shine unless conditions make the tour unsafe or otherwise impractical.
Participants should be prepared for changing weather conditions and should dress appropriately for the season, location, and expected activity.
Tour operators should monitor weather and environmental conditions before departure and throughout the tour when appropriate.
Participants must arrive at the designated meeting location at least 15 minutes before the stated start or departure time.
The tour description or confirmation should provide:
Guides will have access to the current participant list at check-in.
Participants arriving after departure may not be able to join the tour and may not be eligible for a refund.
Transportation arrangements vary by tour.
Tours may involve:
Participants are responsible for following all instructions provided by the driver, captain, guide, or other tour personnel.
For bus and boat tours, personal equipment must be kept on the participant’s lap or between their feet. Participants should bring only equipment they can comfortably manage within their available personal space. Guides, transportation operators, and Lodi Sandhill Crane Association are not responsible for damage or loss of your equipment.
The operator may restrict oversized equipment or other items when necessary because of limited space or safety requirements.
Binoculars are strongly recommended for birding tours.
Cameras and other birding equipment are welcome when appropriate for the tour. Participants should consider the amount of walking, terrain, transportation, and available personal space when deciding what equipment to bring.
On all bus and boat tours, participants must keep their personal equipment on their lap or between their feet. There may be no separate storage space for spotting scopes, camera bags, tripods, or other large equipment.
Participants are responsible for their own equipment.
Participants should be prepared for the physical requirements described for each tour.
Outdoor birding tours may include walking on paved surfaces, dirt trails, boardwalks, uneven terrain, inclines, or other natural surfaces. Some tours may require participants to walk or stand for extended periods.
Participants should notify the tour operator in advance if they have questions about whether a tour’s physical requirements are appropriate for them.
Accessibility varies among outdoor locations and transportation types.
Reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate participants with accessibility needs when possible.
Participants requesting special accommodations should contact tours@lodisandhillcrane.org as far in advance as possible. Requests should be reviewed before the tour so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Some locations may have limitations that cannot be reasonably accommodated because of terrain, facilities, transportation, wildlife-management requirements, or other site conditions.
Restroom availability varies by location.
Some tour sites may have permanent restrooms, portable facilities, or no nearby restroom facilities. Participants should use restroom facilities before departure whenever appropriate, particularly on tours where restroom access is limited or unavailable during the activity.
Food and beverages are typically not provided on tours.
Unless otherwise stated, participants should bring their own water and any snacks or meals they may need.
Participants are responsible for carrying their own food and water and should bring sufficient supplies for the expected duration and physical demands of the tour.
Food and beverages may be restricted on certain boats, buses, vehicles, or at specific sites.
Some tours take place on California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) properties where a CDFW Lands Pass is required. Please see individual tour information to find out if a Lands Pass is required..
Participants are responsible for obtaining any required pass or permit before the tour. To obtain a Lands Pass please visit Purchase a CDFW Lands Pass
For more information about Lands Pass requirements and properties where they apply, visit the CDFW Lands Pass information page.
When applicable, tour staff may verify the required pass or license at check-in. Participants who cannot provide the required documentation may be denied access to the tour.
Pets should generally not be brought on birding tours because they may disturb wildlife or other participants, and some locations prohibit pets entirely.
Service animals are permitted where required by applicable law. Participants bringing a service animal are responsible for maintaining control of the animal and preventing disturbance to wildlife, guides, and other participants.
On buses and boats, space may be limited and additional restrictions may apply.
The primary purpose of birding tours is to observe and appreciate wildlife responsibly.
Participants must follow the instructions of the guide and should not intentionally approach, chase, flush, feed, bait, harass, or otherwise disturb birds or other wildlife.
Participants should maintain appropriate distances from wildlife and respect closures, restricted areas, private property, nesting areas, and other posted restrictions.
Photography must not interfere with the experience or safety of other participants or cause disturbance to wildlife.
Guides may ask participants to stop photographing, using playback, approaching wildlife, or engaging in any other activity that could negatively affect wildlife or the tour.
Participants are expected to behave respectfully toward guides, staff, other participants, property owners, transportation operators, and the environment.
The following behavior is not permitted:
A guide or tour operator may remove a participant from a tour when necessary for safety, wildlife protection, or the enjoyment of other participants. Refunds are not guaranteed when a participant is removed for violating tour policies.
Before each tour, the guide will review:
The guide should conduct a participant check-in before departure and confirm that the number of participants does not exceed the authorized capacity.
The guide is responsible for communicating important safety, wildlife-viewing, and logistical information before and during the tour.
A guide may modify the route, itinerary, viewing locations, or timing when necessary because of weather, wildlife activity, road conditions, site restrictions, participant safety, or other operational considerations.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Bird locations and behavior are unpredictable, and tours may encounter different species or conditions than anticipated.
The quality or number of wildlife sightings does not constitute grounds for a refund.
The guide or designated tour leader has authority to make decisions necessary to protect participants, staff, wildlife, and property.
In an emergency, the guide may alter or terminate the tour and contact emergency services when appropriate.
Participants must follow all reasonable safety instructions.
Transportation operators, boat captains, and other licensed or designated personnel retain authority over the safe operation of their vehicles or vessels.
Important tour information should be communicated clearly before the tour.
Registration confirmations should include, when applicable:
Changes to a tour should be communicated to registered participants as soon as reasonably possible.
Questions regarding registration, reservations, accommodations, or tour logistics should be directed to tours@lodisandhillcrane.org
Participants requesting special accommodations should provide advance notice whenever possible so that the request can be evaluated and appropriate arrangements made.
The tour operator reserves the right to interpret and enforce these policies and procedures in a manner consistent with participant safety, wildlife protection, applicable laws and regulations, property requirements, and the successful operation of the tour.
Tour-specific requirements may supplement these general policies when necessary because of the particular location, transportation method, permit requirements, or activity involved.
