Wezil's enthusiasm for birds is contagious, he is experienced, professional and fun to be with. He particularly enjoys new, non listing, to intermediate birdwatchers. He wants you to enjoy the birds just as much as he does! Wezil can lead groups, large or small. Owling is his specialty.

Wezil has been in several publications such as the April 2006 issue of Arizona Highways, May 2005 issue Terre Sauvage (French Magazine), April 1, 2006 article of the Wall Street Journal.

Wezil Walraven is in his 7th year as "Wezil Walraven Bird Tours LLC". He is the sole owner and operator. He has obtained all the proper outfitters permits to bird on National Park Service land.

Since starting this new tour guide company he gets busier every year, but still loves birding just as much as he did when he first began observations in the field over 30 years ago in the state of Missouri with his mentor and bird artist, David Plank.

Together David and Wezil conducted Breeding Bird Censuses. Later, Wezil relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he began working for a Nature Center as a naturalist and bird trip leader. For 7 years he led canoe trips down the Chattahoochee River, took folks to the barrier islands off the coast of Georgia, wintering Bald Eagle tours in Alabama, to name a few. He initiated a special program observing the courtship displays of the American Woodcock as well.

In 1998 he and his wife moved to Arizona. He quickly found work for the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory, assisting with bird banding projects and bird guiding, and later with High Lonesome Ecotours where he led local and Mexico tours. All the while, he developed his knowledge of the birds of the Southwest, adding to the growing repertoire of bird songs in his head. Today he has the entertaining ability of repeating many of those songs.

In the 10 years he has lived in Bisbee, Arizona, just minutes from the Mexico border, he has learned where the birds are, in the mountain ranges of the Chiricahuas, and the Huachucas, like his own backyard. He knows where to find most of the Arizona Specialties at any time of year, and this includes owls. His range of knowledge does not stop there, he also is very familiar with Patagonia, Arizona, as well as French Joe Canyon in the Whetstone Mountain range. He also is familiar with many hot spots in Sonora Mexico: Alamos, Yecora, and Bahia Kino just to name a few.

The next chapter of his career has just begun. Relocating to Swannanoa, North Carolina, just outside of Asheville in the beautiful Appalachians near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wezil will conduct bird tours of that area. Meanwhile, he works for High Lonesome Bird Tours and will continue to lead trips to SE Arizona, Mexico and beyond.

Wezil and Lisa in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico 2005