About Us
Bob Needham
From the beginning, I knew one thing: if we were going to create a truly exceptional birding retreat, I needed expert ornithological guidance paired with flawless operations.
I’ve spent years learning the rhythms of premier birding hotspots — from Bolivar Flats and Smith Oaks Rookery to the quieter marshes and backroads most visitors overlook. I’m committed to deepening my ornithological knowledge and am continuing my education with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s advanced birding courses and certified interpretive guide training.
Professionally, I’ve led complex operations — from large-scale hotel renovations to multi-team emergency response projects. I bring that same discipline to every Premier Birding Tours retreat.
My role: Hour-by-hour planning around migration patterns, tides, and guest comfort. Transportation, lodging, meals, pacing — every detail that lets you focus entirely on the birds.
The partnership: Each tour includes a dedicated local expert guide for 2 days. While our local guide calls the sightings and shares deep regional expertise, I manage the logistics so everything runs seamlessly.
Chip Clouse
Chip Clouse is an independent bird guide with more than 20 years of bird research, project management, and guiding experience across nine states and the Caribbean nation of Grenada. Originally fascinated by tooth-and-claw predators, his passion for birds began while volunteering with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to monitor Peregrine Falcon nest sites as an undergraduate, and was cemented after seeing his first Western Tanager while working for the Peregrine Fund in Oregon.
Chip holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from Colorado State University and has spent five years with the American Birding Association, guided for a Colorado-based tour company for more than a decade, and led field trips at more than 15 birding festivals across the United States. He is excited to share his love of the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s birds and habitats — a passion that began during his first visit to “the Valley” in 2003.
David Simpson
David Simpson has spent a lifetime exploring Florida’s outdoors with a deep passion for birds and natural history. With over 12 years of experience with the Florida Park Service — including work at St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park and Kissimmee River Preserve State Park — David brings expertise in habitat restoration, ecosystem management, and wildlife conservation.
His knowledge extends across birds, frogs, snakes, plants, and the cultural and natural history of Florida’s unique ecosystems. David regularly leads birding trips for Audubon societies and other organizations, and currently serves as field trip coordinator for the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival. His combination of professional experience and genuine passion makes every tour an engaging and educational experience.
Every Tour Includes a Dedicated Local Expert
Built on Expertise, Passion & Respect
Premier Birding Tours was founded on a simple belief: exceptional birding experiences require both expert ornithological knowledge and flawless logistics.
We don’t believe you should choose between seeing amazing birds and being comfortable. You shouldn’t have to manage schedules while trying to identify a warbler.
That’s why we split the roles:
Every decision — timing, location, pacing — is driven by migration patterns and regional expertise. Your local guide brings years of knowledge to maximize sightings.
Operations, logistics, guest comfort, and seamless execution — every detail planned so you can fully focus on the birds.
Our goal is simple: deliver an unforgettable birding experience built on expertise, passion, and respect for the natural world.
Responsibility Statement
Premier Birding Tours ("PBT") recognizes that travel involves many moving parts. The information below outlines responsibilities, limitations, and terms related to participating in a Premier Birding Tours trip, so travelers can feel fully informed before setting out.
Liability Limitations. Premier Birding Tours, LLC and/or its agents (together, "PBT") act only as agents for the participant in regard to travel, whether by motorcar, motorcoach, boat, or airplane, and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the participant or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. PBT accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in airfare or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the participant, as tour rates only provide for arrangements for the time stated.
Itinerary Changes and Substitutions. PBT reserves the right to substitute accommodations of similar category, or the best reasonable substitution available under the circumstances, for those indicated, and to make any changes in the itinerary deemed necessary by PBT or caused by third-party transportation schedules. PBT reserves the right to substitute tour guides or leaders on any tour and will notify participants when such substitution is necessary.
Tour Cancellation. PBT reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure. If PBT cancels a tour, participants will receive a full refund of all payments made. See the Payments & Refunds section below for participant cancellation terms.
Pricing. Tour prices are based on tariffs in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any significant change in costs.
Participant Eligibility and Removal. PBT reserves the right to decline any registration or remove any participant from a tour as deemed necessary in its sole discretion. Reasons include but are not limited to medical needs, injury, illness, inability to meet the physical demands of the tour, or situations where removal is in the best interest of the group or the individual. A participant may also voluntarily depart from a tour. In either case, the participant is responsible for all associated expenses including transportation, lodging, and meals, and PBT has no obligation to refund any payments previously made.
First Aid & Safety. All Premier Birding Tours guides are certified in CPR and first aid.
Baggage. Baggage is carried entirely at the participant's risk. PBT is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings during any portion of the tour.
Payments & Refunds. Deposit: A $300 deposit is required at booking to secure your space. Full Payment: Full payment is due 45 days before departure. Refund Schedule — 90+ days before departure: full refund minus $100 handling fee; 60–89 days before departure: 50% refund; under 60 days before departure: no refund. PBT-Initiated Cancellation: if PBT cancels a tour for any reason, participants receive a full refund of all payments made. Payments accepted: credit/debit card, personal check, Venmo, Cash App.
Travel Insurance. PBT strongly recommends that all participants purchase trip cancellation insurance prior to departure. This protects your investment in the event of illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. PBT is not responsible for costs incurred due to trip interruption or cancellation by the participant.
Guided Journeys Crafted with Expertise
Since its inception, the team has facilitated comprehensive small-group tours that reveal the cultural, historical, and ecological narratives of each destination, thereby demonstrating meticulous planning and on-site proficiency.
Grounded in rigorous safety standards and sustainable practices, the organization implements evidence-based solutions that optimize travel logistics while ensuring every guest experiences informed guidance and respectful engagement with local communities.
Request a Tailored Itinerary
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