OUTER HEBRIDES in EARLY AUTUMN for birders

SAT 26 AUGUST – FRI 1 SEPTEMBER 2023

SAT 31 AUGUST – FRI 6 SEPTEMBER 2024

PRICES: from £1845pp

Single supplement: £245 Deposit: £300pp

Max 7 clients per leader. Leader Chris Rodger (2023)

Early autumn is excellent for migration within the Hebrides and is a fantastic, quieter time to visit. Waders may dominate, with an abundance of Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling, both godwits, moulting Golden Plover and more and scarce migrants might include Grey, Phalarope, Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Dotterel and American Golden Plover. This time of year is also excellent for rare passerines such as Barred Warbler, Rose-coloured Starling, Greenish Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Common Rosefinch and Lapland Bunting.

The mouth-watering list of rarities found on these islands in recent times during this period includes Nearctic wanderers such as Baird’s, White-rumped, Semi-palmated, Spotted and Western Sandpiper, Long-billed Dopwitcher, Wilson’s Phalarope and Lesser Yellowlegs. Also recorded have been Ring-necked Duck, Snowy Owl, Glaucous Gull, Hoopoe, Sabine’s Gull, American Wigeon, Laughing Gull, Pacific Golden Plover and Britain’s first and only Purple Martin. We also investigate flocks of seaduck off Harris, where Surf Scoter might be found amongst the commoner species.

Birding starts on Skye, perhaps with a Golden Eagle. On the ferry to Lochmaddy all four skuas are possible. Fulmar, Gannet, Black Guillemot and other auks can be expected along with Storm Petrel, Manx and perhaps Sooty, Balearic or even Great Shearwater. The ferry through the Sound of Harris may produce divers at close quarters, both seals and White-tailed Eagle. Harris is stunning, and we bird scenic bays and iconic beaches before continuing through to Lewis. Here we visit Tiumpan Head and the Butt of Lewis, and a network of shallow lochs, wader rich bays and lochans. Even if migration is slower, we have Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, rafts of seabirds, Eider, and divers to find. Not forgetting Hebridean races of Song Thrush and Wren and key species such as Corn Bunting, Twite and Rock Pipit. Our itinerary will be flexible and we move around (within reason!) according to the best birding. Number of centres: 2.