Fine Feather Tours
Fine Feather Tours
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Mossman, Queensland, Australia
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
71 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
0
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Holly T
Townsville, Australia2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Business
I had the opportunity to spend some time with this lovely man birding the Julatten and Mt Lewis region. This was seriously a day of amazing ppl and fabulous birds. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share in this life time love of Dels. A highlight was the Yellow throated Scrubwren, Fernwren and Chowchilla. An awesome look at Golden Bowerbird and bower.Beautiful people and just a great country bloke. Feel like I have known Del forever. Del captures a true Aussie experience and his knowledge and passion is truly felt by all who is with him. Thank you Del. 💚
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm
9 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We experienced a wonder almost 7 hours of viewing birds in urban Port Douglas and in the bush around Julatten.
Del’s quiet but intense love and considerable knowledge of birds was inspirational.
Thoroughly enjoyed the time and recommend it to amateur ornithologists and photographers!
Del’s quiet but intense love and considerable knowledge of birds was inspirational.
Thoroughly enjoyed the time and recommend it to amateur ornithologists and photographers!
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StuartRiley
Melbourne, Australia6 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Dell Richard’s is a walking encyclopaedia of birds, animals, nature and everything FNQ. Great bloke, incredibly knowledgeable. And wonderful bloke to spend a day with. We saw several ‘lifers’ included the Squatter Pigeons, pacific baza, bustard, red tailed black cockatoo and more
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm M
2 contributions
July 2023 • Friends
We have just returned from 4 days birding with Del Richards - 133 species identified. Great experience with a very knowledgable guide and charismatic person. This was my third trip with Del and will use him again when in the Cairns area.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TerryJ6064
Eagle Heights, Australia6 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
My wife and I had a great day out with Fine Feather tours. We were accompanied by Del (owner and ornathologist), and Darren, a colleague of Del's and a fantastic naturalist and local artist.
We spent most of the day at Mt Lewis and thanks to their expert guidance and local knowledge we were able to see uncommon birds such as yellow breasted boat bill, chowhillas & fern wrens, as well as a variety of endemic scrub wrens, grey headed and yellow Robin, brown gerygone, bower shrike-thrush, and many species of honeyeaters. Del made every effort and went well overtime to explore a variety of habitats to show us the full gamut of species frequenting the area. He also willingly answered our many birding questions.
Del provided hot drinks, morning tea and lunch, all of which were delicious. He was a friendly, easy going host and the tour was fantastic value. We highly recommend taking any tour with them.
We spent most of the day at Mt Lewis and thanks to their expert guidance and local knowledge we were able to see uncommon birds such as yellow breasted boat bill, chowhillas & fern wrens, as well as a variety of endemic scrub wrens, grey headed and yellow Robin, brown gerygone, bower shrike-thrush, and many species of honeyeaters. Del made every effort and went well overtime to explore a variety of habitats to show us the full gamut of species frequenting the area. He also willingly answered our many birding questions.
Del provided hot drinks, morning tea and lunch, all of which were delicious. He was a friendly, easy going host and the tour was fantastic value. We highly recommend taking any tour with them.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Imogen W
Wellington, New Zealand20 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
Del took me and a small group up Mount Lewis looking for birds to photograph. Del was knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make sure we saw what we wanted. It was a fantastic day, thanks so much!
Written 15 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave_Fifield_NL
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador1 contribution
Del Richards is the consummate bird tour guide. Quite, confident and knowledgeable. His knowledge of the identification, natural history, abundance and distribution of birds is beyond reproach (and likely compare). My tour day with him was the highlight of my trip to Australia. Additionally, his knowledge of all things natural, and even of the human, and industrial history gave me a much greater appreciation for the area. There was hardly a question that he couldn't answer on a broad range of topics - and I ask a lot of questions!
The birding itself was outstanding! We visited a variety of habitats and specific places that I would never have found on my own, amassing a list of nearly 90 species, many of which I would never have detected let alone identified in such a short time span. Another reviewer commented on the amount of driving and lamented the lack of extensive trail walking. I see this as a positive. Del covers a lot of habitats in a big area, maximizing the opportunities for a large number of species. He doesn't waste time with endless walking producing diminishing returns. He gets you from one hotspot to the next as efficiently as possible and moves on once he knows you've seen what's there. This is the product of extensive and precise knowledge of where to find each species, often being localized to even a specific tree!
If you go to North Queensland and want to see birds, just do yourself a favor and go with Del. You will be amazed and come away with memories to last a lifetime. Thanks Del for an unforgettable day!
The birding itself was outstanding! We visited a variety of habitats and specific places that I would never have found on my own, amassing a list of nearly 90 species, many of which I would never have detected let alone identified in such a short time span. Another reviewer commented on the amount of driving and lamented the lack of extensive trail walking. I see this as a positive. Del covers a lot of habitats in a big area, maximizing the opportunities for a large number of species. He doesn't waste time with endless walking producing diminishing returns. He gets you from one hotspot to the next as efficiently as possible and moves on once he knows you've seen what's there. This is the product of extensive and precise knowledge of where to find each species, often being localized to even a specific tree!
If you go to North Queensland and want to see birds, just do yourself a favor and go with Del. You will be amazed and come away with memories to last a lifetime. Thanks Del for an unforgettable day!
Written 8 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keep It Real
10 contributions
Mar 2020
What a spectacular day. Del Richards guided me on a full day tour of the rainforest and many other habitats. We had an enjoyable day and Del is very interesting and knowledgeable about this area (and many other things). He is one if the kindest people you'll ever meet and is true salt of the earth.
Del and I began birding in Mossman but quickly headed to the surrounding areas. I was keenly aware that my visit to this area was pretty much the worst month for birding based on historical figures but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore this area. Considering this, it's pretty incredible that I recorded over 10 separate checklists (EBIRD) and 75 species throughout the day. From shorebirds to lowland forest to wet rainforest to higher elevations in the mountains.
Del kept the day moving at a productive pace, but it was so relaxing and fun. For experience birders - he identifies birds by call and knows all of the spots to find them. He is a professional and experience bird guide and can show you a great day whatever your objectives are.
I have hired many bird guides during my travels and Del is among the best! I highly recommend his services regardless of the level of birder or wildlife enthusiast you are. You'll enjoy exploring the mountains, rainforests and other areas of North Queensland.
Del and I began birding in Mossman but quickly headed to the surrounding areas. I was keenly aware that my visit to this area was pretty much the worst month for birding based on historical figures but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore this area. Considering this, it's pretty incredible that I recorded over 10 separate checklists (EBIRD) and 75 species throughout the day. From shorebirds to lowland forest to wet rainforest to higher elevations in the mountains.
Del kept the day moving at a productive pace, but it was so relaxing and fun. For experience birders - he identifies birds by call and knows all of the spots to find them. He is a professional and experience bird guide and can show you a great day whatever your objectives are.
I have hired many bird guides during my travels and Del is among the best! I highly recommend his services regardless of the level of birder or wildlife enthusiast you are. You'll enjoy exploring the mountains, rainforests and other areas of North Queensland.
Written 30 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie696
Sydney, Australia12 contributions
July 2013 • Friends
Great day 's birding with Del! 94 species identified including all three I had hoped to see plus a number of endemics. No other tourists in sight. We saw parts of Port Douglas and the surrounding area that we we not have otherwise seen. Del is incredibly knowledgeable of the local fauna and flora and very keen to share that knowledge.
Written 7 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny H
Glens Falls, NY7 contributions
June 2011 • Solo
I got "stuck" in Australia after ash cloud from volcano in Chile cancelled my flight back to USA. Went to travel agencies in Cairns asking for a bird-watching tour, was finally referred to Del Richard's Fine Feather Tours and he had room for me to join another couple the next day. This full day tour included multiple and various bird habitats, starting with the environs of Port Douglas, then crossing the Great Divide Mountains through rainforest, and down on the western side to savannah-type habitat at the edge of the outback. Del located about 90 different species for us on that one day! He also provided excellent binoculars, and lunch was included. I was thrilled with the addition of so many new birds to my life list! Del's amazing knowledge of birds, wildlife, and the environment, as well as his friendliness and personal, small groups made this the highlight of my 2.5 weeks in Australia! From Melbourne (including the Penguin Parade and Koala Center on Phillip Island), to Sydney, and finally Cairns (Great Barrier Reef trip, Tropical Horizons Day Tour on Kuranda Railway, Skyrail, and Rainforest Station Nature Park), FIne Feather Tours was by far the most exciting and educational for me and the best value for the buck! If I'm fortunate enough to get back to Australia again, I will take another one of Del's tours!
Written 1 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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