WINTER

On the moors a few Red Grouse might stand out from the heather and Mountain Hare can be found on higher ground such as at Ronas Hill. It’s a great time of year to look for Otter as individuals wander the coast and lochs in search of food. Cetaceans are fast becoming a feature of a Shetland winter too with Humpback, Fin and Killer Whale more regular in recent years. We will be keen to follow up on any reported animals and we may well see dolphins, Harbour Porpoise, Common and Grey Seal too. With dark skies and little light pollution, winter can also be one of the best periods to witness the stunning Aurora Borealis – there can be no guarantees of course, but with luck we might get a show!

SAT 25 FEBRUARY – FRI 3 MARCH 2023

SAT 24 FEBRUARY – FRI 1 MARCH 2024

PRICES: from £1695pp

Single supplement: £125. Deposit: £300pp

Max 7 clients. Leader: Ian Ford (2023)

A late-winter itinerary combining two of our favourite island destinations! We have timed this holiday so the winter wildfowl spectacle of tens of thousands of geese, ducks and waders on Islay can be coupled with both White-tailed and Golden Eagle, plus Hen Harrier, divers and Otters on Mull. Both islands are incredibly beautiful, scenic and wildlife rich and with the lovely glow of Scottish light at this time of year, this is a photographer’s dream.

We start on Mull, enjoying relatively empty roads to cover many of our favoured wildlife watching areas. Heatherlea have been visiting Mull in March for many years, and we know just the right spots to find our key targets whatever the weather or tides. After a few days of gentle exploration we head back to the Mainland, making a slow transfer to deepest Argyll. We then board the ferry for our transfer to Islay. The crossing takes around two hours, heading first down West Loch Tarbert, excellent for Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe. This is a stunning voyage and in the right light a breathtaking way to arrive on Islay.

Islay is rightly famous for its wildfowl, we should see many thousands of geese, plus good numbers and diversity of waders and ducks. Islay is much more fertile and low lying than Mull, though we still expect to see eagles. With so much wildfowl diversity the raptors can’t stay away! This period is a key time for scarce winter visitors too, with good chances of Glaucous and Iceland Gull, Purple Sandpiper and Long-tailed Duck with every possibility of a rarity. In recent years Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Cackling Goose and Gyr Falcon have all been recorded at this time of year. Number of centres: 2.

Combine with: SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Highland Winter Birding (p13), Highlands & the East Coast (p13).