WELCOME TO
THE “BIRD GUY” TOURS
Hi, I’m Andrew - your local birdwatching guide here in the beautiful Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania. Whether you’ve been birding for years or just picked up your first pair of binoculars, I’m here to help you explore the fascinating world of birds through engaging events and inclusive outdoor experiences.
​
For me, birdwatching isn’t just a hobby - it’s a way to slow down, connect with nature, and appreciate the incredible biodiversity around us. Every walk, paddle, or quiet moment in the woods is an opportunity to witness something extraordinary.
​
I’d love for you to join me on this journey. With each feathered encounter, there’s always something new to learn, share, and celebrate. Let’s explore together.
🧠Why I Guide
Birdwatching has shaped my life for as long as I can remember. What began as a childhood curiosity has grown into a lifelong practice of slowing down, paying attention, and finding joy in the natural world.
​
Guiding gives me the chance to share that joy with others - especially people who are new to birding or unsure where to begin. I love creating experiences that are welcoming, accessible, and full of discovery.
​
Every outing is an opportunity to help someone see something they’ve never noticed before. That moment of connection—between a person, a place, and a bird—is why I guide.
📅 A Life in Birds
-
Age 10 - First spark. Spotted my backyard feeder full of Evening Grosbeaks and became instantly hooked on birds and field guides.
-
Teens - Met my first birding pal, and together we spent weekends on local trails, taking early-morning walks, comparing notes, and building our first handwritten life lists. Those years shaped my understanding of bird behavior, habitat, and the joy of learning alongside someone who shared the same spark.
-
20s - Exploring outside my local area. Birding across the North-East: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Appalachian forests, Southeastern wetlands, and everywhere in between.
-
30s - Beyond the borders. Enlisted in the Air Force at 26 and spent the next 22 years traveling the world to tropical rainforests, Middle Eastern deserts, and alpine habitats, deepening my understanding of global biodiversity.
-
Today - The Bird Guy Tours brings a lifetime of field experience back home to the Cumberland Valley, guiding inclusive, curiosity‑driven outings for all experience levels.
Meet Your Guide – The Bird Guy
Hi there! I’m Andrew—your local birdwatching guide and the heart behind every outing at The Bird Guy Tours. I’ve been immersed in the world of birds since I was 10 years old, and that early spark has carried me across trails, waterways, and even continents in search of feathered wonders.
From tropical rainforests to alpine meadows, from the sunlit coasts of California to the quiet wetlands of the Southeast—and right here in my own backyard in the Cumberland Valley—I’ve explored birdlife across the USA and beyond. With a lifetime of field experience and a deep appreciation for the planet’s biodiversity, I bring expertise, warmth, and a genuine love of nature to every adventure.
My guiding philosophy is simple: birding should be welcoming, curious, and joyful. Whether we’re spotting warblers together or swapping stories beneath the canopy, my goal is to make every moment in the field unforgettable.
Let’s explore the beauty around us and share the joy birdwatching has given me throughout the years—no passport required.
Andrew Dapkins
Tour Guide and Owner