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.

Back in the 1970's artist, David Plank and Wezil would conduct 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.

After residing in Bisbee, AZ for 10 years, he learned the birds of the mountain ranges of the Chiricahuas, and Huachucas, like his own backyard. He knows all of the Arizona Specialties, and became quite the expert at finding owls. His range of knowledge does not stop there, he also is familiar with many hot spots in Sonora Mexico: Alamos, Yecora, and Bahia Kino just to name a few. He has relearned the complicated songs of eastern Warblers and the range of his bird song identification is now astonishing.

After recently 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. In addition, he sub contracts as a guide for High Lonesome Bird Tours, Naturalist Journeys, and Ventures Birding Tours and will continue to lead trips in North & South Carolina, SE Arizona, Mexico and beyond.

Wezil and Lisa in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico 2005