SHETLAND ISLAND EXPLORER

SAT 13 MAY – SAT 20 MAY, SAT 20 MAY – SAT 27 MAY 2023

SAT 18 MAY – SAT 25 MAY, SAT 25 MAY – SAT 1 JUNE 2024

PRICES: from £2045pp

Single supplement: £230. Deposit: £300pp

Price excludes flights from Aberdeen to Sumburgh Max 7 clients. Leader Scott O’Hara (2023)

Shetland is rugged, windswept and wild yet superb when explored in late spring, when long evenings give way to an ethereal twilight known as the ‘Simmer Dim’. There will be lots of highlights on this trip. We stand on the very far north of Unst, with views past white rocks covered with nesting Gannets to the lighthouse at Muckle Flugga, the most northerly British islands. Another day, we stand by the lighthouse at Sumburgh, Shetland’s most southerly tip, with views to Fair Isle. In-between, our time is devoted to these islands of rolling hills, jagged sea-cliffs and secluded sheltered havens for windblown birds. We also take several spectacular boat trips to visit the more remote offshore islands, all busy with birds.

The Shetland Isles are the summer home to some of the biggest seabird colonies in Britain. At this time Gannet, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill and Black Guillemot number over half a million in total. Offshore Kittiwake, Common and Arctic Tern are harassed by marauding Great and Arctic Skua to relinquish their catch. The (endemic) ‘Shetland’ Wren is common, as are breeding Wheatear, Meadow and Rock Pipit and Twite. Moorland lochs host Redthroated Diver in stunning breeding plumage, plus wildfowl and waders. Two birds of national significance which breed here are Whimbrel and Red-necked Phalarope, both with very small populations but we have every chance of finding them at known sites. Many guests list a visit to the Storm Petrel colony on Mousa as their highlight. To stand in the best kept iron-age broch in the world at dusk, as tiny Storm Petrels flit around and churr from the walls and stone beaches is truly magical. Shetland is a very good place to see Otters, Common and Grey Seal while cetaceans including Harbour Porpoise, Minke Whale and Orca occur annually, and we will follow up on reports if nearby. We take two dedicated birding boat trips plus several scheduled ferries as we cover the birdlife of at least six islands. You will visit Fetlar, Mousa and Noss (non-landing), as well as birding extensively on Unst, Yell and Mainland. Truly a holiday for the ‘island explorer’, as we witness some of the most impressive scenery and wildlife in the country; a fantastic experience in the long, northern summer. Total species c. 65. Number of centres: 2.

Combine with:

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Birding the Highlands in May (p17), Highlands and Corncrake (p18), High Season across the Highlands (p19).

SCOTTISH ISLANDS

Outer Hebrides in Spring (p33), North Ronaldsay & Orkney in Spring for birders (p32), Shetland in Spring for birders (p33).