6-24 Months Before You Leave:
Make sure passport is current
  -- valid for 6 months after return date
  -- Has blank pages for Visa stamps
Get Visas if necessary
Arrange airline transportation
Buy trip cancellation insurance (optional)
Sign up with bird tour company
  -- or create your itinerary and
  -- make motel reservations 
Buy Field Guide for the area
Buy audio tapes for the area
Study Field Guide and audio tapes

1-2 Weeks Before You Leave:
Arrange for pets to be boarded
Spray clothes with Permethrin
Double-check airline schedules
Start taking Malaria pills if necessary
Pay bills
Arrange to stop mail
Arrange to stop newspapers
Gather emergency phone numbers
Gather emails and addresses
[Study Field Guide - last minute review]

1-2 Days Before You Leave:
Remove rings and jewelry for safekeeping
Leave itinerary with contact person
Take garbage to neighbor’s
Switch to a travel purse
Pack your suitcase and carry-on
Take pets to boarding place

1-2 Hours Before You Leave:
Turn off computer
Change message on answering machine
Turn air conditioner up or heater down
Turn off water (optional)
Set alarm
Turn off lights
Lock all doors

Pack in Carry-on:
Plane tickets
Passport
Xerox copy of passport
Visas
Itinerary
Copy of traveler’s insurance
Cash
1-2 credit cards
Yellow fever certificate
Passport carrying pouch
Binocular
Extra binocular
Field Guide
Camera/extra batteries and cards
Malaria pills
Prescription drugs
Notebook (Rite in the rain)
Pen
Earplugs
Eyemask
Extra glasses
Underwear and socks for one day
Cell Phone
iPod with earbuds

Pack in Suitcase:
Bird checklists
Tennis shoes
Hiking boots
Wellington’s (tall rubber boots)
Shirts  (spray with permethrin)
Pants (spray with permethrin)
Underwear
Socks  (spray with permethrin)
Pajamas
T-shirts
Shorts/swimsuit
Rain jacket / rain pants
Jacket
Sweater
Gloves
Hat
Water bottle
Backpack
Ziplock bags (many sizes)
Sunglasses
Washcloth for trail (sweat)
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Sun screen
Deet/insect repellent
Umbrella
Pocket knife
Snacks/cookies/trail mix
Instant hot chocolate mix
Recharger for all electronics
Electrical outlet adapter
extra batteries
Woolite packets

Pack in Medicine Kit:
Kleenex
Toilet paper
Feminine products
Polysporin
Lamasil
Cipro
Advil
Asprin/Tylenol
Ammodium AD
Bandaids
Cortaid
Razor/shaving cream
Comb/brush
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Shampoo
Soap
Chapstick
Beauty items
Scissors
Water purification tablets

Extra Things Not On This List:

[I can tell you now, you packed too many pants and not enough socks.]