Holidays > UK Holidays

Our aim is to see lots of birds, we hope to see around 15 species/sub-species of geese and will target 100,000 in total. All of the duck species that can be found in Britain in winter should be seen and may also number 100,000 in total. Every effort will also be made to see every sea bird, wader, raptor and passerine as virtually every bird species will be targeted including rarities, we hope to find around 165 species on this tour.

Expected Birds

Below is a list of the birds that we can reasonably expect to see at this time of year in this location.
This is intended only as a guide and we cannot guarantee that we will see every species listed, however we may also see birds which are not listed

• White-fronted Geese
• Tundra Bean Goose
• Little Stint
• Ruff
• Spotted Redshank
• Black Redstart
• Barnacle Geese
• Canada Geese
• Twite
• Chough
• Greenland White-fronted Geese
• Hen Harrier
• Black Guillemot
• White-tailed Eagle
• Golden Eagle
• Scottish Crossbill
• Snow Bunting
• Ivory Gulls
• Ring-necked Duck
• Lesser Scaup
• Purple Sandpipers


..and lots, lots more! See Itinerary for details

Itinerary

Our aim is to see lots of birds, we hope to see around 15 species/sub-species of geese and will target 100,000 in total. All of the duck species that can be found in Britain in winter should be seen and may also number 100,000 in total. Every effort will also be made to see every sea bird, wader, raptor and passerine as virtually every bird species will be targeted including rarities, we hope to find around 165 species on this tour.

We will be birding some of the best places in Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, Islay, The Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, Fife, Lothian and possibly Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire. Any counties that we pass through with a good bird or birding site may also be taken in on this route.

Start at WWT Slimbridge for European White-fronted Geese and perhaps Tundra Bean Goose, Ruff, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank and other wintering species and local specialities. We may have a quick look for Black Redstart too. We will then set off to the North to take in WWT Martin Mere and Marshside RSPB for the vast flocks of water-birds in the area. Pink-footed Geese occur in huge numbers and we shall watch them flying in to roost. The long-staying Glossy Ibis may well show for us too.

Start with a morning search locally in Lancashire this time for (former down-land) farmland birds and anything of interest locally. En-route to WWT Caerlaverock and the best areas in Dumfries and Galloway for Barnacle Geese we may stop in Cumbria to have a look through more goose flocks, these may well hold a small race Canada Geese sp or other species. We will probably stay north of here to rest up and get ready for an early start.

We will have an early start to continue to the ferry port and crossing to Islay. All three diver species are possible. We shall stay here for two nights to look for locally special birds such as Twite, Chough, Greenland White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, Black Guillemot and Hen Harrier and for the dramatic scenery.

A second day spent on Islay to seek out more species and flocks of birds. Loch Gruinart, Bruichladdich, Bowmore are all names that are associated with birds and Malt Whisky or to us, both! Loch Indaal has reasonable numbers of sea-duck and waders and also has a roost site for Barnacle Geese which provide great sunset birding. The island usually holds vagrant Canada or Snow Geese.

We need to catch an early ferry and get back to the mainland to follow the trail up the West coast of Scotland to Gairloch and Ullapool. Apart from the stunning scenery we shall be searching along the way for Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Scottish Crossbill, divers, grebes, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. We will stay here for the evening.

This will be a west to east Coast transfer day; we will stop off in the Aviemore area and look for Snow Bunting, Ptarmigan, Red and Black Grouse and Crested Tits possibly if lucky Capercaillie. The east coast opens up more excellent sea-duck watching opportunities and the town of Peterhead, situated on the very northeast tip of Grampian is renowned for attracting scarce and rare gulls. We shall spend the first part of the day checking the fish quays, factories and rocky headlands around the town for Glaucous and Iceland Gulls or something special. The enigmatic Ross’s and Ivory Gulls have been recorded a number of times in this area during the winter! In the afternoon we shall drive the short distance to the Loch of Strathbeg. At times more than 35,000 water-birds can be present on the reserve. Whooper Swans, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese will be present in numbers and amongst them we should find Barnacle Geese and possibly Snow Goose. Today we will gradually head back down the east coast checking out geese, gull and sea duck flocks before spending some time at Loch Leven National Nature reserve. Again this reserve is a very important site for water-birds in Scotland with as many as 50,000 wintering wildfowl. Species such as Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup are seen regularly as well as other scarcer duck.

Sea-duck will be our target for the day. We shall explore small harbours and natural bays along the Fife and Lothian coast in search of Greater Scaup, Eider, Common and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. At this time of year some birds will have started to display and we may be fortunate enough to witness this. Most winters there is usually at least one striking drake Surf Scoter amongst the scoter flocks and resplendent male King Eider. In addition to the sea-duck we should find small numbers of Red-throated Divers and maybe a Great Northern or Black-throated Diver, whilst Purple Sandpipers and Snow Buntings are relatively common along the coast. Seabirds may feature, Little Auk can appear in numbers.

Heading out from our accommodation we then search for the Taiga Bean Goose flock in Central Scotland and then take in any good bird en-route south. We hope to arrive back by 7.30pm thus concluding a full tour of the North.

Please note this itinerary may be altered due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

Holiday date:

9th - 16th or 16th-23rd January 2009

Holiday Cost:

£799.00

Cost to WWT Members

£759.05

Learn more about the WWT and become a member

Deposit:

£150.00

Please read our Terms & Conditions for more information about Deposit payments

Single Room Supplement:

£70.00

If you are travelling alone but willing to share we maybe able to find a roommate for you to reduce the cost.
Please see the booking form for more information

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All ground transport to and in Scotland, accommodation, meals (except lunch), entrances to reserves and services of leaders. Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included in the price. Accommodation will be in a comfortable guest house/hotel/bed and breakfast as close to our birding locations as possible. All rooms are en-suite. For breakfast you will be able to choose from simple coffee and toast or a full English/Scottish. Lunches can be eaten in the field or in the mini-bus; daily stops are made for provisions. Please bring your own flask for hot water and coffee or tea. Evening meals will be a home cooked three-course meal either at the accommodation or at a restaurant/public house.

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All ground transport to and in Scotland, accommodation, meals (except lunch), entrances to reserves and services of leaders. Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included in the price. Accommodation will be in a comfortable guest house/hotel/bed and breakfast as close to our birding locations as possible. All rooms are en-suite. For breakfast you will be able to choose from simple coffee and toast or a full English/Scottish. Lunches can be eaten in the field or in the mini-bus; daily stops are made for provisions. Please bring your own flask for hot water and coffee or tea. Evening meals will be a home cooked three-course meal either at the accommodation or at a restaurant/public house.

Other Information

You can meet us at any of the sites en-route but you will miss many of the birds if not with us from the start. We hope to generate enough interest locally to drive up together from Gloucestershire. It may or may not be cold, we will use various stops for hot drinks, stretch your legs and warm up. It is essential to have travel insurance especially on trips with boat crossings/flights in case of cancellations and resulting changes in accommodation. See terms and conditions or can be sent on request.
Please bring RSPB and WWT membership cards with you

Clothing & Equipment

Warm fleeces, fully water proof outer-wear and strong walking boots are essential. It is advisable to pack extra clothing to provide layers against the cold and ensure comfortable birding. An essential piece of equipment is a good pair of binoculars. For watching more distant birds, guides will carry Leica/Swarovski telescopes, which are always available for everyone to use but bringing your own is strongly recommended as we will be scanning through flocks and is a great way to learn.

Environment

The weather will play a large part in our visit. It is likely to be cold and the chance of strong rain and possibly snow. We will never be far from the comfort of the minibus and any walking will be limited to a maximum of a mile and will be mostly on level ground, however uneven surfaces will also be encountered.

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01452 741591

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01452 741591

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