Speyside wildlife brochure 2017 - UPDATED VERSION

SPEYSIDE WILDLIFE Bird and Wildlife Watching Holidays in the UK and Overseas 2017

It is remarkable to think we have done so many tours with Speyside Wildlife.

A tribute to your organisational skills and wonderful guides.

David and Daphne Knight

Thank you for all the happy memories I have from Speyside Wildlife holidays.

Enjoy what you’ve achieved!

Jeanette Seaman

Speyside Wildlife holidays have been ideal for me. The group size is just right and by the end of the first of many excellent meals it feels like a temporary family.

From the first, Mammals holiday, when almost every species was new to me, the wonderful guides have made each one a pleasure and unforgettable. Every visit is different, even to the same place at the same time of year. Viv Emery

I have had so much fun and enjoyment travelling with you. It has also been educational, thanks to all the lovely guides.

Arlene Long

I have always enjoyed Speyside holidays and hope to continue as long as someone will insure me!

John Duerden

I have wonderful memories of so many great holidays with you, from my first visit to Burnham Overy Staithe, when you cycled each day to Holt to shop for food!

Sheila Colquhoun 2

I feel privileged to have been on some amazing trips with you and to have seen you grow and develop as a tour company. I remember the folded pink A4 ‘brochure’ you started with – and look at it now!! and I’m honoured to be part of the ‘25+ holidays in 25 years group’.

Liz Huxley

I have many fond memories of my trips and not least of the guides and office staff.

Fortunately, I have copious photographs to remind me.

Neil Johnson

We both have many happy memories of all the holidays we have been on with Speyside Wildlife and hope we shall be able to join you again in the not too distant future.

Bernard and Nicki Herbing www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

2017 holiday schedule This is our 2017 schedule at a glance. Details of each holiday or experience, are given in full in this online version, just start turning the pages to find the destination that suits you. In addition, details are also on our website, where you’ll also find photographs and feedback from guests who have been with us on previous trips. A “Holiday Highlights” trip report can also be downloaded from each holiday details web page. To ask about any of these, or for any other queries, don’t hesitate to phone us on +44 (0) 1479 812498.

Christine Maughan: Greater Flamingo, Namibia

Scotland 12-22 Apr 22-29 Apr 5-13 May 6-13 May 13-20 May 19-28 May 27 May-3 Jun 3-10 June 17-27 June 1-8 Jul 1-8 Jul 8-15 Jul 5-12 Aug 26 Aug-2 Sep 2-9 Sep 3-10 Sep 30 Sep-7 Oct 7-14 Oct 21-28 Oct

European Short Breaks Mull and Speyside Easter Speyside 24/7 Outer Hebrides Spring Birds in Speyside Spring Birds in Speyside NC500 Spring Birds in Speyside Mull Sutherland and Speyside Shetland Wildlife Bonanza Birds, Botany and Botanicals Scottish Mammals in Summer Raptors of the Highlands Fair Isle Orkney Autumn Wildlife in Speyside Autumn Wildlife in Speyside Solway

pg 22 pg 28 pg 34 pg 32 pg 32 pg 36 pg 32 pg 44 pg 50 pg 52 pg 54 pg 56 pg 64 pg 68 pg 72 pg 74 pg 82 pg 82 pg 84

North Wales with Iolo Williams The Farne Islands East Yorkshire The Isles of Scilly

pg 30 pg 58 pg 80 pg 88

Rest of UK 6-13 May 8-15 Jul 30 Sep-7 Oct 7-14 Oct

Other Experiences All year All year All year

Dusk Watch, Cairngorms, Scotland pg 10 Day Trips, Cairngorms, Scotland pg 11 Tailormade Tours pg 12

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

5-9 Feb 10-14 Feb

Andujar - Lynx, Spain Andujar - Lynx, Spain

pg 14 pg 14

Extremadura, Spain Georgia and Armenia Bulgaria Pyrenees, Spain Croatia and Slovenia Hungary

pg 20 pg 26 pg 40 pg 42 pg 48 pg 86

Europe 25 Mar-1Apr 1-12 May 20-28 May 27 May-3 Jun 17-25 Jun 28 Oct-4 Nov

The Americas 26 Feb-13 Mar 3-17 Jun 19 Aug-2 Sep 26 Aug-3 Sep 9-22 Sep 25 Nov-6 Dec

Costa Rica North Yellowstone in Spring, USA Yellowstone Eclipse, USA Nova Scotia, Canada British Columbia, Canada New Mexico, USA

pg 18 pg 46 pg 66 pg 70 pg 76 pg 90

India, Tigers and Taj Mahal

pg 16

South Africa

pg 62

Asia 19 Feb-6 Mar

Africa 28 Jul-12 Aug

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WHAT MAKES A SPEYSIDE WILDLIFE HOLIDAY When we started in 1991, running trips and holidays in Speyside in the Scottish Highlands, designated as the Cairngorms National Park in 2003, in recognition of how special this area is, we never dreamed that we would now be running holidays around the world from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Our ethos however remains the same, to deliver fun-filled holidays, packed with wildlife and our destinations have always been determined by this and by where you want to go next.

We pride ourselves on our high level of personal attention and won’t race around in pursuit of big lists. We keep to small group sizes (normally 12). Our guides are experienced and their enthusiasm infectious. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced, young or old, we are happy to take the time so you can enjoy the wildlife to the full. Our dedicated office team make sure everything runs smoothly before you arrive and our expert chefs at the Steading in Speyside get as much praise as the wildlife and can tailor meals to specific requirements.

“The Steading is comfortable, clean and warm, but most important of all, welcoming. Lovely seating areas, with lots of interesting books etc - I only wish I’d had more time to sit and enjoy them! Joan Oglesby, 2015

Cath Wright: The Steading

Fully Inclusive Our holidays are just that - holidays. We’ll fit in as many exciting and interesting activites as we can, but still give you completely relaxed enjoyment. You’ll find little if any extra spending money is needed, as our holidays are all-inclusive - the price you see is the final price you pay and covers accommodation, meals, transport, boat and ferry costs and flights, as detailed with each destination. Not included are travel insurance, visas, personal telephone calls, drinks etc. at the accommodation and items of a personal nature.

Typical Days Out We generally breakfast about 8am to make the most of the morning’s bird and wildlife activity, but often arrange optional pre-breakfast excursions. In tropical areas we’ll start earlier to avoid the midday heat, but don’t be frightened to lie-in - it is your holiday after all!

We eat out during the day or take a picnic lunch in the field and, at the end of the day, return to freshen up before dinner, where we all eat together. Relaxing afterwards, we’ll run through the day’s wildlife sightings and highlights, or perhaps arrange an optional dusk excursion.

“I wouldn’t go with anyone else.

I know I will have good leaders, good accommodation, good company and very good food ” Diana Smith 4

OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PROMISE: To share oustanding fun-filled wildlife experiences, where you are always treated as an individual, not one of a crowd.

We try and fit in as much gentle walking as we can during our days out. There may be more rigorous walks occasionally, but wherever possible we shall offer a less strenuous option. You’ll require a moderate degree of fitness, but no more than average.

People find our holidays fun and informal, with guests, including both beginners and those more expert, adding to their experience.

On each trip, we get a real mixture of singles and couples, spanning a range of age and ability. Our easy-going guides will make sure that your holiday is fun to be on.

Where We Stay Wildlife watching often takes place in beautiful remote regions with beautiful remote accommodation to match. These places are often unique. We try and find the most friendly, rural, good quality, family-run accommodation with ensuite facilities. We blaze a trail by finding some terrific hotels away from the run of the mill tourist fare, places of character that others don’t use. For us, great food and comfortable accommodation, with wildlife watching near at hand, are all vital ingredients for a successful holiday. www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Hello to all, just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for a super week of birds, bugs, butterflies and amazing plants.

First time on such a holiday, can’t wait to go again next year. Very well organised and a lovely group to share with.

Thanks again. ” Marie Luke Evelyn Moorkens: Volcano Hummingbird, Costa Rica

Easy To Get To If you’re holidaying with us in Speyside, Inverness airport is only a 1hr 30min flight from London and we can arrange an airport pick-up for you for a small charge. If you prefer to travel by train, we can collect you free of charge from Aviemore train station at 4:30pm, 6:30pm or 7:30pm and of course we’ll return you to the station on departure.

All our holidays around Scotland start in Speyside, Inverness, Oban or Glasgow and we’ll give you details of the meeting points for each.

Again, if you prefer to travel by train, they all have stations.

If you’re joining us on an overseas holiday, a map of the airport or train station, together with a meeting point and time, will be sent to you prior to the start of the holiday.

Simon Eaves: Harlequin Ducks, Nova Scotia

Photography Our holidays are aimed at providing a great wildlife watching experience. While they are not designed as photography holidays, many guests do take the opportunity to capture wonderful photographs to add to their enjoyment (and often the enjoyment of other guests). Most of the pictures in this brochure have been taken by guests or guides and we are pleased to be able to use these to illustrate “what you see is what you get” - our guides really do have a knack of finding birds and animals.

Roy Cowley:Vermillion Flycatcher, Arizona

HOW TO BOOK Bookings can be made manually, or you can visit our website to check availability and book and pay online. Full terms and conditions are also available online, along with details of each holiday.

Phone

+44 (0) 1479 812498

Email

enquiries@speysidewildlife.co.uk

Please feel free to call or email us and we’ll be happy to advise you of the spaces remaining on your chosen holiday. We can also send you a “Holiday Highlights” trip report.These are also available on the website.

Web

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Whether booking online or sending in a booking form, payments for holidays can be made by bank transfer or cheque. In addition, we accept payment from the following major credit and debit cards via PayPal. (Transaction charges may apply.)

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Post Wester Camerorie Ballieward

Grantown on Spey

Cairngorms National Park

PH26 3PR Scotland

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MEET OUR GUIDES Roy Atkins

“Roy was his usual helpful , enthusiastic and informative self.

We’ve known Roy for over 20 years. He’s a great all-round naturalist and years of experience in the world of teaching have made him a great people person. Our guests travel with him again and again to far-flung places like Costa Rica, Hungary, Sichuan and British Columbia. His sense of fun and knowledge of birds, plants and animals make him a very popular leader.

We sometimes wonder how he can be so patient with all the questions that are flung at him!”

Lynn and Steve Osborne 2016

Darren Rees

“Outstanding! Darren was brilliant

Darren is a great birder and quite simply fun to be with. He has led countless groups for us in Texas, California, Sri Lanka and Namibia.

This year he will be taking guests to Arizona,Yellowstone, Nova Scotia and New Mexico. He is also a talented artist: ‘Bird Impressions’ is his acclaimed collection of bird paintings; he worked for ‘Birds of the Western Palearctic’ and he writes for ‘Birds Illustrated’.

in his low key management of the group and, of course, his knowledge and skills as a guide.”

Sue Daley 2016

Simon Pawsey

“As a former professional guide

Originally from NE England, Simon now lives in Speyside and has had a love affair with the area all his life. A keen birder from a young age, he has travelled all over the Highlands and Islands seeking out the Scottish specialities. His extensive knowledge of birds and mamals, coupled with his enthusiasm, warm personality and sense of humour, ensure that you’ll have a great experience with Simon as your guide.

I have very high standards regarding guiding and Simon exceeded them all.”

John Wyatt 2016.

Simon Eaves

“Simon and Darren, both were up to their normal high standard

Simon is one of Speyside’s keenest birdwatchers. He knows as much as anyone about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands and has a real interest in scarce birds, mammals and identification challenges - with him as your guide you’ll learn a huge amount about Speyside.

That doesn’t stop him taking guests further afield for us however, to places such as New York City and Nova Scotia.

and worked very well together, seamlessly combining their knowledge of venues, birds and America in general.”

Angela Mackersie 2016

Craig Round “Craig was an excellent and

Craig loves Speyside and the Scottish Islands and has led tours in Scotland for over 20 years, taking our guests regularly to Mull, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. He has a great combination of field naturalist skills, outgoing personality and incredibly sharp eyes; along with an astonishing knowledge of birds, mammals and insects.

observant birdwatcher and good communicator, making sure we all saw the birds identified.”

Paul Bennett 2016

Sharon Cairns

One of our talented chefs; Sharon’s food has won her great plaudits.

She has produced many of the wonderfully irresistible culinary creations that have expanded waistlines over the years and also manages many of the day-to-day workings of the Steading for our Speyside holidays.

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“Absolutely tremendous. I have a special diet and in all the years I have visited, Sharon has never ever got it wrong.”

Anne Gosney 2016

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Julian Sykes

“Julian is one of the best guides we have encountered on Speyside

A native Yorkshireman, Julian now lives in Spain after several years in Scotland, so is the perfect guide to take you on our Andujar, Extremadura and Pyrenees holidays. Not that this stops him from leading tours to British Columbia, India, Estonia and Uganda. He has a lifelong interest in wildlife and his friendly outgoing nature makes him a very popular guide and ideal member of the team.

holidays. He is knowledgeable, inclusive, well organised and has a great way with people.”

John and Maggie Tester 2015

John Grierson

“Information was always provided in an informal friendly way ,

A native of Perthshire, John has lived in Aviemore for over 25 years. Prior to becoming a guide, John was involved in wildlife crime investigation throughout the Highlands and was able to use his extensive knowledge of birds and animals to great advantage. An enthusiastic wildlife watcher, he lists all creatures as favourites and therefore is a perfect choice for days out in the Cairngorms as well as holidays.

questions answered and every effort made to accommodate everyone’s vagaries.”

Anne Gosney 2016

Sally Nowell

“We thoroughly enjoyed Sally’s company and benefitted greatly

Sally has travelled extensively to pursue her interest in wildlife watching, particularly birds, and has been based in Speyside for the last 22 years, so has an excellent knowledge of Highland wildlife. Sally is a keen walker and loves to try and get off the beaten track to discover the hidden corners of the Highlands. She has recently retired from a career working in the NHS.

from her knowledge and expertise on the birds, mammals and flora of the Highlands.”

Susan Grey 2016

John Walters

“John was a great host for the evening. He is obviously very

A local from Kingussie, John gained his wildlife knowledge working with native species at the Highland Wildlife Park. at nearby Kincraig.

He is therefore the perfect choice to guide you on our evening wildlife watching visits to our hide on the Rothiemurchus Estate for views of Pine Martens and Badgers.

enthusiastic about the wildlife.

I will certainly recommend this experience to others.”

Colin Gunnell 2016

Duncan Macdonald

“Duncan Macdonald was excellent,

With nearly 20 years’ experience leading wildlife watching groups in the Highlands, Duncan is spending more and more time taking our guests further afield to the Pyrenees, Yellowstone, Bulgaria and Extremadura. He has a background in environmental education and conservation, which gives him great guiding skills, as well as knowledge of a wide range of birds, mammals, butterflies and bugs!.

informative, exuberant and coped really well with the challenges caused by weather.”

Jan Binnie 2016

James Shooter “James did an excellent job,

James is one of our youngest guides, but what he lacks in age he makes up for in knowledge and enthusiasm. He has a love of northern nature, with a particular interest in Scotland, Scandinavia and beyond. His keen fascination with the natural world is infectious and he’ll ensure you have fun whilst searching for your target species.

I felt informed at all stages, and the guiding was of a high standard. ” Stephen Evans 2016

Darren Lenton “Excellent - it was good to have a choice at all meals. Everything was very well presented and cooked and always tasted good!”

Helen Brown 2014

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

We’re delighted Darren is back with us in the kitchen at the Steading after an absence of a few years. Although he is only able to help his Mum out on a part-time basis, we know many of you have already reconnected with him and his cooking!

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MEET OUR OTHER “EXPERTS” Our guides are the expert birders and naturalists who lead the tours, but behind them stands the invisible group of other “experts”, who are just as essential in making sure that every holiday runs smoothly and guests have a great time. They include the people who plan, research and organise the individual holidays; who arrange the logistics, provide the meals, deal with queries and generally keep the show on the road.

Sally Dowden

“It must be very satisfying to have so many returning clients, which can

Sally owns Speyside Wildlife and is still very much hands on in the organisation. Responsible for the smooth running and complex logistics of the business, she spends more time nowadays sharing best practice experiences with businesses from other parts of Europe, who come to Scotland to learn about wildlife tourism.

only be put down to a successfully run company with some excellent staff, both in the field and in the office.” Dave and Lyn Maslin 2016

Lisa Gunn

“Thank you so much for getting

Lisa has been with us for eleven years now and is responsible for all the accounting and systems management. Along with the daily accounting processes, company pensions, wages, budgets, contribution schedules and VAT, she organises the hide and vehicle logistics, all of which help to keep her busier than ever!

back so quickly! and thanks again for all your help.”

Amanda Wallace 2016

Tania Pedersen

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you, for all the planning

Tania is one of the voices you’ll hear when you call our office. She deals with all aspects of administration to ensure you have all the information you need for your holiday. She shares responsibility for organising all our overseas holidays, dealing specifically with the complex logistics of the long-haul trips.

and preparation that goes in to our holidays to make sure they run so smoothly.”

Max and Christine Maughan, 2016

Susanne McCafferty

“Susanne – we are flying home today. Just to let you know, it was the trip of a lifetime! We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Thank you to you and everyone else”

Susanne has been with us for nearly eleven years. Born and bred in Speyside, she deals with all aspects of our Scottish holidays such as all the different trips to the Steading, plus Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Mull, as well as organising the day guiding in the Cairngorms and further afield.

Ed and Mary Jane Ehmke 2015

Cath Wright

“It was good to meet you on Sunday.

Thanks for your hospitality and

Cath develops our increasing contact with guests through talks for bird clubs, plus our own events up and down the country. Her background in hospitality and marketing, means she is best placed to ensure we get to see as many of you as possible around the UK and she will often be your first point of contact.

above all your kindness. As I probably told you many times, it was my first outing for a year.”

Geoff Williamson, 2014

Eliane Barton “Thank you so much Eliane for

The newest member of our team, Eliane, has recently joined us, having returned to her native Speyside with her husband and new daughter Skye. She shares the responsibility for our overseas trips and undertakes the administration of most of our short-haul holidays.

“Alan driving me to the Steading was a great help after I arrived in Inverness and his organisation of the return journey was excellent.” Margaret Dixey 2014

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being so helpful. I hope to be in touch tomorrow.”

Anthony Dance 2016

Alan Cairns Alan can usually be found around the Steading looking after the vehicles that keep us all in comfort on the road. Alan helps out with such a multitude of things at Speyside Wildlife that the call most frequently heard is “Has anyone seen Alan?”. www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

QUALITY AND STANDARDS We do all we can to ensure we offer the very best standard of service and quality to our clients. 80% of guests return their questionnaires at the end of their holiday, giving us not only very valuable feedback, but also a consistent 90% satisfaction rate. 70% of guests on our trips have been before and in our 25th year, we had over 25 guests who had taken 25 or more holidays with us, a statistic we’re very proud of.

Our Financial Guarantee Keeping your money safe and sound

When you book through us your money is safe and sound.

We comply with British and European legislation in respect of the travel industry, in accordance with the Package Travel, Package Tours Regulations 1992, where all guests booking with Speyside Wildlife are fully protected against the loss of any monies paid to us for a non-flight based holiday or trip (and repatriation if required) due to insolvency, by way of a Trust Account.

The holidays with flights are ATOL Protected, as we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Our ATOL number is ATOL 4259. In the event of insolvency, the CAA will ensure you are not stranded and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

On any flight-based holiday, CAA regulations dictate that all guests must have insurance. Proof of this cover must be forwarded before we can confirm your final payment, however we strongly advise guests to take out insurance cover on booking any holiday, in case you need to cancel prior to departure due to accident or illness. You are free to use the information sent by us, or to take out your own policy.

Cairngorms National Park

Increasing quality whilst reducing impact We’ve been granted use of this Brand by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. This is only given to those businesses who have agreed to a set of quality standards in respect of their visitor experience, together with a commitment to reducing their impact on the natural environment.

OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE PROMISE: To share oustanding fun-filled wildlife experiences, where you are always treated as an individual and not one of a crowd.

VisitScotland

Quality Assurance Scheme (Wildlife Experience) Speyside Wildlife was one of 40 wildlife businesses to be assessed under VisitScotland’s pilot scheme for Wildlife Experiences, achieving four star status for our day tours. An accolade that we’ve kept each year since. Watch out for the designation throughout Scotland.

Green Business UK

Green Tourism Business Scheme (Tour Operator) We have been assessed by Green Business UK for the environmental credentials operating throughout our business and are delighted to have achieved a Gold Green Tourism Award in 2016. The assessment looks at all aspects of the business, awarding credit for different areas, from our recycling policies, through our virtual office set-up, to our increasing use of social media and our newly designed App, eliminating excess paper usage. Consequently, we scored an ‘excellent’ for the purchasing, travel & transport and nature & culture sections and an ‘outstanding’ for innovation!

Wild Scotland

Scotland’s Wildlife and Adventure Tourism Association Wild Scotland is the Scottish wildlife and adventure tourism association, whose members offer all types of outdoor activities, including wildlife watching and walking holidays, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, whale-watching, fishing and all kinds of adventures!

We have been involved in the association from its conception over ten years ago and worked with VisitScotland on the accreditation scheme for the industry.

Environmental Policy

Doing our best for the environment We’re all increasingly aware of our impact on the environment, so we’re doing our bit to reduce our footprint. Not only are we adhering to the “recycle, re-use, reduce” ethos, but we’re also making a contribution to carbon-offset. Speyside Wildlife has linked up with ‘RSPB Abernethy’, who have a long-term vision to extend the Caledonian Pine Forest within the Reserve. For the travel and transport included in our holidays, we contribute to the RSPB to help fund their Abernethy Tree Nursery. Each hour of air travel is offset by ¼ of a tree and each 1,000 kms of car travel is offset by ½ a tree. www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

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DUSK WATCHES

“Once seen, not forgotten!

What could be better than close-up views of shy native mammals such as Badger and Pine Marten, in the comfort of a warm hide.

The supporting wildlife cast is pretty good too!”

John Walters

Cost

£30.00 per adult (discounted price £25.00 if booked online)

£15.00 per child 8-14yrs (discounted price £10.00 if booked online)

Not suitable for children under 8yrs

Exclusive Use £300.00 per evening (discounted

price £250.00 if booked online) Opening Times

Nightly from Easter to October on an exclusive basis or as part of a group.

From November to Easter on a request basis only for exclusive use or parties of 4 people or more.

Pre-booking is essential.

Start times vary with the seasons.

In summer we don’t start until 9:00pm, in winter we meet around 6:00pm

Group Size

Maximum 12 people in the hide

Insects

Biting midges possible during summer

Walking

A 5 minute walk on a wide sandy track from meeting point to hide

Access

Car access can be arranged in advance for those with limited mobility.

The door is wide enough for wheelchair access with a ramp to it.

Seating in the hide is at viewing level through large picture windows

Clothing

Warm, non-rustling, subdued outdoor clothing and walking boots or shoes.

Advice on the “how to do it” of wildlife watching is provided on booking

Location

A meeting point map and meeting times are provided on booking.

Use the map to find the meeting point, rather than “SatNav” which is unreliable. The hide is not located at our office

Photos

Excellent photographic opportunities for exclusive users and some incidental opportunities at other times.

Flash photography is not permitted, but there is outside lighting

Mike Hems: Pine Martens at the hide Sally Dowden: Our hide 10

Come and enjoy our famous “State of the Art” warm, comfortable hide in Speyside’s Caledonian Pine Forest, for Pine Marten, Badger, plus Red and Roe Deer.

Comfortable, purpose built hide, in the Cairngorms National Park We regularly see Pine Marten, Badger and much more!

Red and Roe Deer are frequent visitors The animals come right up to the windows, you won’t get any closer!

You’ll be accompanied throughout by our friendly, expert guide Hire exclusively and have the hide to yourselves Tawny Owl, Woodcock and Buzzard are occasionally seen For something new and completely different, come one evening and watch the nocturnal creatures that visit our warm and comfortable, baited hide on the Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Our guide will meet you just before dusk, at our location outside Aviemore in the Caledonian Pine Forest and walk with you down a wide sandy track into the hide.

Once there, he’ll explain the habits and life cycles of the Pine Martens and Badgers that are the most frequently anticipated night-time visitors, while you sit back and relax and await their appearance.

Whilst the animals are free and untamed and appear when they wish, years of understanding their nocturnal habits has ensured incredibly reliable sightings.

around us. The animals will come to the viewing area at different times in an evening, but we expect that to occur within the 2-3 hours you will be in the hide.

Photographers prefer to take the hide on an exclusive basis. We’ll meet you and take you into the hide and explain the anticipated behaviour of the animals and then leave you to capture the images you’ve always wanted. The outside lighting ensures flash isn’t needed and indeed can’t be used as it disturbs the wildlife.

The BBC have filmed here over the years for both The One Show and Springwatch and journalists from around the world have enjoyed the nocturnal antics of the animals that appear.

Red and Roe Deer may come to the viewing area whilst it’s still light, but the visits by Pine Martens and Badgers will usually only occur once it is dark.

The hide has outside spotlights however, allowing the animals to be seen clearly from the large picture windows.

The hide has been designed to give the maximum viewing area possible for all the guests, without fear of disturbance to the nocturnal visitors. In addition, infra-red cameras give advance notice of whatever animals are moving about in the forest

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

DAY TRIPS

“A guided day out is a bespoke day tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you want to see certain species such as Golden Eagle or Black Grouse, or just a broad range of Highland wildlife, with our expert local knowledge we will take you to the very best locations and help you find those elusive species.“ Simon Pawsey

Dates

To suit you, subject to guide availability.

Our website will show which days are available

Guides

We have local guides who know the wildlife of the Cairngorms and around Scotland, so can tailor the day to highlight your interests

Cost

£250 standard day (£195 if booked online) £295 extended day (£250 if booked online)

Included Wildlife guide on an exclusive basis

for you and up to 6 guests

Transport for the day in comfortable

minibus or car Packages Tailor-made packages, including meals,

accommodation etc. can be arranged to

suit your budget - just ask and we’ll be

delighted to put a quote together for you Insects Biting midges occur in summer Weather Weather varies from cold to warm and

sunny (-5°-25°C), with less rainfall than

much of Scotland but snow possible in

the mountains Walking

Most walks will be on wide sandy tracks, except in the Cairngorms, where terrain is more steep and uneven, so walking boots are essential

Just some of what you could see: Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Slavonian Grebe Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Osprey Ptarmigan Black Grouse Capercaillie Dotterel Black Guillemot Puffin Great Skua

Arctic Skua Dipper Ring Ouzel Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Parrot Crossbill Snow Bunting Red Squirrel Mountain Hare Otter Red Deer Bottlenose Dolphin Minke Whale

Mary Braddock: Crested Tit Colin Scott: Ptarmigan

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

If you’ve only a day or two to spare, or you’d like to see the wildlife of the Cairngorms but don’t know where to start, then a day out with one of our wildlife guides is just for you.

Ideal for families, small groups, couples or individuals Perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, retirement etc.

Our expert guides have a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife of Scotland Your own guide and comfortable minibus, for up to six guests Combine this with an evening at our wildlife watching hide In addition, accommodation, meals etc. can all be booked for you Target the species you’ve always wanted to see in the Cairngorms National Park In this vast area, where the special wildlife is elusive, our local knowledge will track down the species you want to see. We judge the weather; know the terrain and most of all make it fun for everyone. From the comfort of an 8xseater minibus, the itinerary can be tailored to find the species you want to see or, if you’re not sure, we’ll show you the best wildlife in and around the Cairngorms National Park. You can be collected from your accommodation; just choose one of the following days out: Pine Forest - Start early in the ancient Caledonian Forest for Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill and other woodland birds, with a good chance of Red Squirrel and Roe Deer. Quietly explore the tracks, looking for these Scottish specialities.

During spring and summer, this works best as an extended day, with an early start for the elusive species.

Cairngorm Mountains - Walk into the Cairngorm foothills for Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and, for the more fit, Dotterel during May-August. Though not a difficult ascent, the walk is up to 4 miles and therefore boots and outdoor clothing are essential. Access can be arranged via the Funicular Railway.

Moorland and Moray Firth - Explore moorlands for Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver and Red Grouse, before meandering along the Moray Firth for Osprey, seaduck and terns. There’s a chance of Bottlenose Dolphin as well as Otter. Again there is more travelling on this day, so it is suitable for the less mobile.

Highland Glen - Visit a local glen for Golden Eagle, Red Deer, Mountain Hare, Red Kite, Ring Ouzel, Peregrine etc. Drive through spectacular scenery into the heart of the mountains. This involves more travelling and less walking, so can be suitable for those not used to walking far.

If you’re looking for a more complete package then our years of experience, first rate admin team and attention to every detail, make us ideally placed to organise your trip, wherever you want to go. We can: • • • • • •

Book accommodation to suit your budget Advise on your travel arrangements Collect and return you to airport or station Arrange your car hire Take care of packed lunches on your days out Recommend other attractions and activities

Let us know when you’d like to come and what you’d like to see and we’ll put together some ideas and prices.

11

TAILORMADE TOURS “Thanks so much for everything!

It was a total joy and pleasure to have been part of this wonderful trip. Highlands and Islands...... seeing hundreds of Puffins and thousands of Guillemote and moody, moving, breathtaking Highland scenery..... and so much more! Thank you! Thank you!”

Ann Davidson, in Scotland with group of Californian friends May 2015

Dates

To suit you, subject to guide availability.

We can advise on the best times of year to go to specific destinations, what can be seen at different times of year and where in the world is best for the wildlife you want to see

Guides We have a pool of guides, each with

specific knowledge and interests, who

have guided around Scotland and overseas Cost

All tailormade tours are individually priced according to the number of guests and your specific requirements

Included Your package can include any of the

following: flights; ferries; trains; guides;

accommodation; transport; meals;

and any activities or entrance fees.

We make all the arrangements, so you

are left just to enjoy yourselves Info

All necessary information regarding travel, walking, weather, insects, meals, clothing and accommodation will be provided in advance of the tour, together with an appropriate species list, notebooks and pens

Perry Fairman: Guests in the Highlands, Arriving on Handa Mark Denman: Crested Tit Simon Eaves: Ptarmigan

12

For bird clubs, tour operators or just friends. Take the hassle and uncertainty out of your decision and let us arrange your trip, whether in Scotland or overseas, at any time of the year.

Design your own holiday the way you want it - anywhere you want it!

Guiding, accommodation, meals, transport etc. can all be taken care of Birds, mammals, plants and insects can all be included in what you see Our guides have a wealth of knowledge, in Scotland and around the world Take exclusive use of our Steading in the Cairngorms National Park Combine wildlife watching with culture and heritage to suit your wishes Take the hassle out of the organisation and let us arrange it for you Bird Clubs, groups of families or friends, school parties and tour operators come to us to organise private groups for them. Sometimes it’s a specific itinerary based on what they’d like to see, sometimes they rely on us to design a tour. Either way, they want us to take the hassle out of organising their holiday, so they can concentrate on enjoying the wildlife.

For larger groups in Scotland, there is the option of staying at our exclusive Steading in Glen Feshie, in the Cairngorms National Park, allowing the days to be tailored specifically to your requirements.

Smaller parties can rely on us to find them appropriate accommodation close to good birdwatching experiences.Wherever it is, our guides will seek out the wildlife you want to see and take you around in comfortable 8xseater minibuses.

Enjoy the spectacular mountains, moorlands and pine forests of the Cairngorms looking for all the grouse species, plus Dotterel, Ptarmigan,

Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit, together with Red and Roe Deer, Red Squirrel and Pine Marten; experience the majesty of sea cliffs on Shetland for auks, Puffins and Gannets, combined with cetacean watching from land and sea and the night-time experience of Storm Petrels churring on Mousa; walk through the Machair of the Outer Hebrides, alive with the sounds of breeding waders and the distinctive call of the Corncrake, then seawatch for Long-tailed and Pomerine Skuas on their spring passage; sample the delights of intimate seabird encounters on the islands off Mull, whilst looking for White-tailed and Golden Eagles, the latter at their highest breeding density in Europe.

Let us know when you want to come, what type of accommodation you’d like and how many will be in the group and we’ll do the rest. Our professional guides will take you through beautiful landscapes to show you the finest wildlife you’d like to see.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Roy Cowley Guests in Arizona. Holiday details page 30

Terry Lee Snow Geese, New Mexico, 2013. Holiday details page 94

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

Lin Gregory

Cath Wright

Pronghorn,Yellowstone. Holiday details page 54

Guests, Ebro Delta, 2015. Holiday details page 18

Steve Batt

Colin Scott

Stork nest, Bulgaria, 2015. Holiday details page 46

Bison,Yellowstone Spring, 2014. Holiday details page 54

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

13

ANDUJAR LYNX

“I have visited the Sierra de Andujar over 50 times, so know how frustratingly elusive Iberian Lynx can be. To compensate, the Jandula River creates an almost spiritual calm, as you sit quietly on the granite rocks, listening to the birdsong & searching for Otter” Julian Sykes

Dates

Sun 5 - Thu 9 Feb 2017 Fri 10 - Tue 14 Feb 2017

Price

£1,185

Deposit £230

Andujar holds Spain’s most thriving population of Lynx, the world’s most endangered cat and yet is one of its best kept secrets.

Perfectly placed accommodation in the Natural Park Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Black Vulture Visit local wetlands for wildfowl and Greater Flamingos Azure-winged Magpie, Hawfinch, Hoopoe Bats, Otters, Wild Boar, Red and Fallow Deer Some of Spain’s last areas of Mediterranean Forest Fine Spanish cuisine at the end of each day

Single Supp £130

Leader Julian Sykes Flights

EasyJet, scheduled, Speedy Boarding and extra legroom included Outbound: Morning, Gatwick-Malaga Inbound: Afternoon, Malaga-Gatwick

Weather Probably a mixture of sun and showers

(5°-20°C), warmer in lowland areas

but can be cool in the mountains Walking There will be some short easy walks on

level paths, slightly rockier in the mountains Meals

All included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5

Insects

Biting insects are not usually a problem

Accom

Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite in apartments with an adjacent restaurant

Group 7 Day 1

Fly to Malaga and transfer to our base on the edge of the Natural Park, stopping enroute at Laguna Dulce 4 nights at Los Pinos Apartments

Days 2-4 Birdwatching and wildlife exploration

in Sierra de Andujar Day 5

Transfer to Malaga for our flight to the UK, with time at the Guadalhorce Estuary

Just some of what we hope to see: Iberian Lynx Otter Wild Boar Mouflon Spanish Ibex Greater Mouse-eared Bat

White-headed Duck Black Vulture Spanish Imperial Eagle Golden Eagle Goshawk Iberian Magpie

Julian Skyes: Spanish Imperial Eagle Christine Maughan: Iberian Lynx 14

1

After our morning flight to Malaga, we drive north to the Laguna Dulce where we shall spend a little time looking at wildfowl, which could include White-headed Duck and Red Crested Pochard. Greater Flamingos feed in the shallow waters, and occasionally Purple Swamphens can be found moving through the extensive reedbeds. We shall enjoy lunch overlooking open fields and hope to see Merlin, Hen Harrier and Calandra Lark, later driving on to our charming hotel in the heart of the Sierra de Andujar Natural Park, where our rooms overlook deciduous woodland, with the sierras towering in the distance beyond. Birds around the hotel include Azure-winged Magpie, Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreeper. Once we’ve settled in, we might make our first visit to one of the viewing areas in the hope of finding an Iberian Lynx.

2-4

Three full days will be spent in the Sierra de Andujar, a contrasting region with some of the best representations of Mediterranean Forest still surviving in Europe.

It forms part of the Sierra Morena Mountains and has a landscape of hills and mountains formed from granite, quartz and slate, which is bordered by the Jandula and Yeguas rivers. This Natural Park is home to the elusive and highly endangered Iberian Lynx, of which only 250 or so remain in the wild. We shall spend early mornings and late afternoons searching for this secretive animal from strategic points around the sierra. The rest of the time will be spent walking and driving

within the Reserve, along with time to relax in the afternoon at our hotel before our evening vigils.

This Natural Park is also home to the magnificent Spanish Imperial Eagle and many other soughtafter raptors, including Golden Eagle, Black Vulture and Goshawk. The tranquil rivers, separated by a series of reservoirs, with dramatic dam walls, attract Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush, with the possibility of Otters fishing the river below. We shall also hope to see Azure-winged Magpies, Short-toed Treecreepers, Firecrests, Nuthatches and Crested Tits.

5

On our final day, we have an optional early start to look for Lynx. After breakfast we’ll make our way back to Malaga Airport, visiting the nearby Mediterranean coastline. Here we hope to find Western Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls, Gannets and possibly Common Scoter offshore, with Booted Eagle and Marsh Harrier over the nearby Nature Reserve.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Roy Cowley

Xan Connell

Northern Cardinal, Arizona. Holiday details page 30

Brown Bears in Finland, 2015 Holiday details page 68

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

Colin Scott

Sue and Bill Gill

Osprey, Spring Birds. Holiday details page 40

Guests on Autumn Wildlife trip. Holiday details page 88

Lin Gregory

Gerald and AnnTurley

Guests on Beartooth Highway,Yellowstone. Holiday details page 54

Spectacled Owls, Costa Rica, 2015. Holiday details page 20

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

15

INDIA - TIGERS AND TAJ MAHAL

“India is, as the advertisement says, ‘incredible’, totally different to life in Western Europe – I love it!

Central India is arguably the best place to see tiger, along with a huge range of fabulous wildlife and stunning architecture, with the Taj Mahal and Red Fort.”

Julian Sykes

Dates

Sun 19 Feb - Mon 6 Mar 2017

Price £4,195 Deposit £800 Single Supp £500

A Central India extravaganza - from world famous wetlands and monuments, to the mammal-rich reserve of Tadoba, known for its Bengal Tigers, along with Wild Dog, Leopard and Sloth Bear

Leaders Julian Sykes plus local guides Flights

Weather In the mornings and evenings it is likely

to be cool. During the middle of the

day it can become hot. It is the dry

season but it can rain at any time.

It will be chilly on the jeep safaris,

especially in the mornings. 10°-25°C Walking Mostly on flat, well used tracks and trails.

Walking shoes or trainers are suffice,

sandals useful for around lodges Meals

All included from lunch on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 16

Health

Anti-malarial medication is recommended for Tadoba. Please consult your doctor

Insects There will be some biting insects

so insect repellent is essential Accom Twin and single rooms/cottages all ensuite Visa/Fees India Tourist Visa to be obtained before

travel, additional cost is £50 online

or £110 in person at local visa centre.

There are charges to use cameras and

video cameras in the Parks and

Sanctuaries, payable locally. Additional

cost is around 200 Rupee per camera

and 500 Rupee per video camera,

per visit. Please note this could total

10,000 Rupee (approx £100) Group

A fabulous chance to see Royal Bengal Tigers in Tadoba National Park Leopard, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat and Wild Dog all possible Boat safari for Gangetic River Dolphin, Gharial and Indian Skimmer Visit Agra, home of the iconic and stunning Taj Mahal, along with the Red Fort Rickshaw rides to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Indian Courser,Yellow-wattled Lapwing and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Indian Palm Civet and Indian Flying Fox in the garden at Chambal Safari Lodge

British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Overnight, Heathrow-Delhi Inbound: Morning, Delhi-Heathrow Internal, Indigo Air: Delhi-Nagpur-Delhi

1-2

After an overnight flight from London we transfer to our hotel for lunch, followed by an optional excursion to see some of the historic sites of Delhi such as Humayun’s Tomb.

3

Refreshed, we visit the excellent Sultanpur Jheel wetlands, fabulous for waterbirds and an excellent way to start our Indian adventure.

Nilgai are regular here and can be seen at the side of the water, along with a host of birds including Tawny and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Garganey, Painted and Black-necked Storks, Spot-billed Duck, White-tailed and Red-wattled Lapwings, Citrine Wagtail, Greater Flameback and Black Drongo.

4-6

After breakfast we have a long drive to Bharatpur, where we spend the rest of the afternoon visiting fields where Yellow-wattled Lapwing and Barred Button-quail are possible.

The next day and a half will be spent inside Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo National Park. Here we hope to find Sarus Crane, Open-billed Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck, Bronze-winged Jacana, plus many other species.

Dusky Eagle and Indian Scops Owls are possible, along with Siberian Rubythroat, Orange-headed Thrush and Long-tailed Nightjar. These wetlands host many raptors such as Greater Spotted, Tawny and Eastern Imperial Eagles, Saker and Black-winged Kite. Rhesus Macaques and Five-striped Squirrels can be found around the temple and there’s always a chance of a Porcupine, Golden Jackal or Jungle Cat. We also visit the drier areas looking for Indian Silverbill, larks, pipits and hopefully the stunning Red Avadavat. Mammals include Sambar, Spotted Deer and possibly Black-naped Hare.

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Royal Bengal Tiger Jungle Cat Sloth Bear Dhole Gharial Hanuman Langur Gangetic River Dolphin 16

Sarus Crane Indian Skimmer Yellow-wattled Lapwing Greater Painted-snipe Changeable Hawk Eagle Indian Scops Owl Asian Paradise-flycatcher

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The sharp-eyed naturalist guide stops the safari jeep and points down into the dust – a set of pugmarks heading in the opposite direction. In the distance India’s largest deer, a Sambar, bellows in alarm, followed by the screech of Langurs from the safety of the trees. We spin the jeep around and head to the waterhole, as the Chittal start to bark, confirming its presence - a tiger is moving through the jungle. We have an opportunity to encounter the world’s largest and most ferocious big cat and it’s incredibly exciting.” Julian Sykes

We have a short excursion to a local village, where we check out some small ponds in search of the elusive and cryptic looking Greater Painted-snipe.

7-8

After breakfast we leave Bharatpur for the historic city of Agra, to visit two of the most famous landmarks in India, the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The Fort is our first port of call, for a historical guided tour around this huge sandstone fortress. Later we then visit the most famous building in the world, the stunning Taj Mahal. There are masses of Black Kites and Egyptian Vultures circling overhead, with gulls and terns on the river below. Late afternoon, the effect of the setting sun on the walls and domes is fabulous, creating hues of reds and pinks on the white marble.

We transfer to our Safari Lodge, where we may have a chance to catch a glimpse of one of the Indian Palm Civets residing in the grounds, and at dusk, the resident Indian Flying Foxes leaving their roost.

We have a boat trip along the mighty River Chambal, where our target species include Indian Skimmer, Small Pratincole, Greater Stone-Plover, Indian River Tern and Pallas’s Gull. In addition we should get close views of Gharial, along with the much larger Marsh Crocodile. We may catch a glimpse of the now very rare Gangetic River Dolphin, as they patrol these fresh waters.

9-10

We have a travelling day as we head back to Delhi for our flight to Nagpur. We stay overnight in the city and the following morning, set off for Tadoba National Park,

one of the best tiger Reserves in India. There will be stops enroute for wildlife, but our aim is to arrive at our lodge around midday. After lunch we have a safari jeep to the National Park’s buffer zone in search of Indian Wild Dog.

11-14

Tadoba National Park is home to the huge Royal Bengal Tiger and the next four full days are filled with morning and afternoon safaris, with ‘down time’ in the heat of the day. This Reserve is also an excellent place to chance upon Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog and Indian Bison, making for a mouth-watering ‘Big 5’. The Reserve is also noted for one other difficult mammal, Madras Tree Shrew. A bit of luck is required to get a good view of this shy rodent.

Tadoba also boasts an impressive bird list, which includes Brown Fish Owl, Indian and Savannah Nightjars, Scarlet Minivet, Asian Paradise-flycatcher and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, along with the impressive Changeable Hawk Eagle and Oriental Honey Buzzard. Hornbills are possible, with Indian Grey being the most likely and as we drive along, we might come across a handsome male Red Junglefowl crossing one of the forest trails.

15-16

After a final jeep safari in the morning, we set off to Nagpur for our internal flight to Delhi, for our last night.

We have a morning flight back to the UK, arriving mid-afternoon.

Outline Itinerary Days 1-3

Overnight flight to Delhi then half day tour of the city. Full day visiting Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary 2 nights at Vivanta by Taj-Dwarka, Delhi

Days 4-6

Drive to Bharatpur. Afternoon walk around hotel grounds and local fields.

Then two full days birding at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary 3 nights at Hotel Sunbird, Bharatpur

Days 7-8

Leave for Agra and visit Red Fort and Taj Mahal. Then full day birding and boat trip on Chambal River 2 nights at Chambal Safari Lodge

Day 9

Travel back to Delhi for internal flight to Nagpur, 1 night at Tuli Imperial

Days 10-14 Travel to Tadoba, jeep safari in buffer

zone. Then 4 days of morning and

afternoon jeep safaris in the Park

5 nights at Svasara Lodge, Tadoba Days 15-16 Flight back to Delhi for overnight

stay, then flight back to UK Mike Hems: Tiger Keith Barnes: Gharial Mark and Sheila Devlin: Taj Mahal Julian Sykes: Indian Nightjar, Hanuman Langur Colin Bradshaw: Indian Skimmer

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

17

COSTA RICA NORTH

“Costa Rica must be the easiest place to enjoy tropical birding - more than 400 bird species likely, including toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, tanagers, macaws, Sunbittern, Jabiru, Sungrebe and the stunning Resplendent Quetzal, as well as sloths, monkeys, frogs, butterflies and so much more!”

Roy Atkins

Dates

Sun 26 Feb - Mon 13 Mar 2017

Price

£4,795

Approachable Central America, Costa Rica is a very friendly bite-size chunk of exotic rainforest adventure . . . without the rough edges!

Deposit £950 Single Supp £600

Friendly, safe country with 5% of the earth’s entire species Around 400 bird species likely and a huge variety of other wildlife Resplendent Quetzal, Sungrebe, Sunbittern, hummingbirds, toucans and macaws Sloths, howler monkeys, orchids and Arenal Volcano Lodges and hotels you won’t want to leave The very best guides who’ll make it extra-special Itinerary perfected by years’ of experience - including Tortuguero!

Leaders Roy Atkins and Paco Madrigal Flights

United Airlines, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-San José (via USA) Inbound: Overnight, San José-Heathrow (via USA)

Weather It’s the dry season, but there could

be occasional showers (or prolonged

downpours) in humid rainforests.

Can be cool in the mountains and cloud

forest, hot on the coast (12°-35°C) Walking

Mostly easy slow strolls on wide, occasionally muddy paths Suitable for all levels of fitness, but with occasional uphill forest walks

Meals

All included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 15

Delicious local food at hotels and restaurants, some buffets, some menus, rice and beans (the national dish) available everywhere, but not compulsory

Cool drinks and tropical fruit provided

Insects On occasion biting insects can be

a nuisance - bring repellent Accom Twin and single rooms all ensuite Group

12

1 2

Arriving late evening we’ll overnight at Heredia, near San José.

Costa Rica is just alive with birds and after some exciting pre-breakfast birding in the hotel gardens, we head to Finca Mirador de Quetzales in the misty highland cloud-forest.

This is where one of the most exciting birds of the trip can be found - the Resplendent Quetzal.

There are new birds everywhere, with Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Yellow-thighed Finch and Fiery-throated Hummingbird, to name but a few. At nearby Savegre Lodge more new species come thick and fast, Flame-coloured Tanager, Collared Redstart, plus a host of hummingbirds at the feeders, including Volcano and Magnificent.

3-5

We’ll enjoy more birding before leaving this idyllic place, then we have the whole day to travel down to the Pacific coast, making stops for birding enroute.

Carara Biological Reserve, where humid tropical forest meets drier lowlands, has broad, bird-rich forest trails that are captivating at dawn, with antbirds, parrots, pigeons, warblers and four species of trogon, with enormous Blue Morpho butterflies around our heads.

We’ll search for Orange-collared and Long-tailed Manakins and Royal Flycatcher.Vivid Scarlet Macaws fly over and we may find a Three-toed Sloth. Our boat trip is a relaxed way to watch enormous numbers of herons, egrets, pelicans and shorebirds, including Boat-billed Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and kingfishers, with American Crocodiles basking

Just some of what we hope to see: Great Tinamou Great Curassow Jabiru Sunbittern Sungrebe Swallow-tailed Kite Scarlet Macaw Spectacled Owl 18

Resplendent Quetzal Keel-billed Toucan Snowy Cotinga Hummingbirds galore Monkeys Three-toed Sloth White-nosed Coati Great Potoo

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Paco, our local guide, is outstanding and makes the trip something very special. I don’t know anyone else who can find birds like he can - birds that seem invisible to the rest of us! He is fun to be with, has perfect English and without him we would never get close to the 400 or so species of birds we see every trip!” Roy Atkins on the shore. We’ll look for mangrove specialities such as Mangrove Black Hawk and Mangrove Warbler and Vireo in the mangroves….. well obviously!

6

Dry tropical forests of the Guanacaste area create an almost vanished habitat, with Turquoise-browed Motmot, Mantled Howler Monkeys, White-throated Magpie-Jay and numerous parrots, woodcreepers and orioles.

Limpkins and Snail Kites search for Apple Snails amongst the wet grasslands, where Wood Storks, Jacanas and Muscovy Ducks are found, but the real speciality is the enormous Jabiru.

7-8

Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes, though it has gone rather quiet lately, so chances of seeing ‘fireworks’ may now be slim. Our accommodation provides fabulous views of the volcano and excellent birding opportunities in the gardens, while trails through the surrounding forests host Crimson-collared Tanager, Long-billed Gnatwren, Spotted Antbird, White Hawk, Great Curassow and three species of toucan. Feeders here attract colourful tanagers, woodpeckers, honeycreepers and oropendolas, plus remarkably tame White-nosed Coatis, a relation of the Raccoon.

9-11

The forested grounds of Selva Verde Lodge, in the Caribbean lowland rainforest of Sarapiqui, host skulking forest dwellers such as manakins, jacamars, motmots, woodcreepers and antbirds, while Sunbittern hunt along the river. Nearby La Selva Biological Station,

one of the four most famous tropical research facilities in the world, is a must-visit site, where lowland tropical forest, swamp, pasture, rivers and creeks support an outstanding abundance of wildlife. More than 420 bird species have been recorded here, 500 butterflies, 55 snakes, and 120 species of mammals! This is where your Tinamou dreams come true, since three species are here and we shall also be looking for trogons, caciques, Rufous Motmot, Snowy Cotinga and impressive Great Green Macaw. We may find peccaries, agoutis, sloths and monkeys too.

12-13

Our journey to Tortuguero National Park includes a boat ride with plenty of birds. Our lodge has beautiful gardens with trogons, manakins and motmots.

We shall travel in covered boats to explore the labyrinth of waterways in this atmospheric Reserve, a wonderfully relaxing way to see the birds and mammals here. The forests are teaming with wildlife and boast specialities including Sungrebe, Agami Heron, Green-and-Rufous Kingfishers and American Pygmy and we’ll watch out for Spider Monkeys and sloths too! Mixed flocks of toucans call noisily, parrots screech overhead and we’ve seen fabulous raptors here, like Swallow-tailed Kite.

14-16

We’ll have the whole day to travel back across country, making stops to enjoy a some great places enroute, arriving back at Heredia in the late afternoon. We depart for the airport the next day, arriving in London on Day 16.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly to San José 1 night at Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia

Day 2

Birdwatching and wildlife at Finca Mirador de Quetzals and Albergue de Montana Savegre 1 night at Savegre Hotel

Days 3-5

Transfer to Carara National Park area 3 nights at Hotel Villa Lapas,Tarcoles

Day 6

Transfer to Guanacaste, birding at Solimar 1 night at Ensenada Lodge, Guanacaste

Days 7-8

Transfer to Arenal 2 nights at Arenal Observatory Lodge

Days 9-11

Transfer to Selva Verde 3 nights at Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui

Days 12-13 Transfer to Tortuguero National Park

2 nights at Laguna Lodge Day 14

Easy day travelling back to San José 1 night at Hotel Bougainvillea, Heredia

Days 15-16 Transfer to the airport for our flight

arriving in the UK on the morning

of Day 16 Mark Denman: Sunbittern Roy Atkins: Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Resplendent Quetzal,Two-toed Sloth Evelyn Moorkens: Keel-billed Toucan Roy Cowley: Firey-throated Hummingbird

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

19

EXTREMADURA

“It has to be said, the unlikely sight of a huge majestic Great Bustard in full foam bath display, is one of the avian wonders of the world.

Extremadura offers the best chance to see this and that’s why I love going back” Julian Sykes

Dates

Sat 25 Mar - Sat 1 Apr 2017

Price

£1,795

Deposit £350

Single Supp £150

Best birds of prey in Western Europe, displaying bustards, stunning vistas and our in-depth knowledge of sites for sandgrouse, Black-shouldered Kite and other special birds.

After many years we know this place like no other Early Spring for Great and Little Bustards displaying Three vultures and five eagles possible in one week Black-shouldered Kite, Eagle Owl and sandgrouse White Storks and Lesser Kestrels over medieval Trujillo At a lovely hotel, amidst fabulous grounds, in the Lagares mountains Fabulous wetlands that can hold many surprises

Leaders Julian Sykes Flights

EasyJet, scheduled, Speedy Boarding and extra legroom included Outbound: Morning, Gatwick-Madrid Inbound: Afternoon, Madrid-Gatwick

Weather Very variable, a mixture of sun and

showers (12°-25°C) – can be cool

on the plains Walking Some short easy walks on level ground Meals

All included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8. Simple, interesting Spanish fare at the hotel and at local restaurants

Insects

Not a problem

Accom Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite Photos

We are pleased to be able to offer photographic hides to our guests, as an alternative option, for species such as Griffon Vulture, Azure-winged Mapie and Black Kite. Priced at £150pp per session, to include transport and hide fees Please ask for full details

Group 6

1

Extremadura vistas are truly unforgettable and after our flight to Madrid we’ll make our way to our lovely hotel with wonderful hosts - Juan Pedro and Belen. This traditional accommodation is slightly off the beaten track, it is incredibly charming and their attention to detail second to none. It has spectacular views over the sierra and their grounds are a sheer delight. It abounds, with the common birds of this area, such as Iberian Magpie, White Stork, Black Kite, Hoopoe, Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Corn Bunting, Iberian Grey and Woodchat Shrikes ..... with possibly Scops Owl in the nearby village.

2-7

This is the time of peak activity amongst the Great and Little Bustards; as the grass is still short, viewing is easier. We shall see one of the most spectacular avian displays

on earth, as the heaviest flying bird literally turns himself inside out in an attempt to attract a mate! Alternatively, we have the diminutive Little Bustard blowing raspberries and nodding his head with just as much conviction, trying to do the same thing!

This incredible steppe region also holds fabulous flocks of Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, which can be difficult to find with their gaudy, yet cryptic plumage, that blends in with their surroundings.

Montagu’s Harriers will be moving back into their breeding grounds and we hope to see their sky-dancing display on buoyant graceful wings – it is a sight to behold.

Birds of prey also dominate the wildlife spectacle, so we make our way excitedly to Monfrague National Park, one of Europe’s finest raptor

Just some of what we hope to see: Purple Heron Black Stork Spanish Imperial Eagle Short-toed Eagle Bonelli’s Eagle Black-shouldered Kite Montagu’s Harrier Lesser Kestrel Black Vulture Griffon Vulture

20

Purple Swamphen Eagle Owl Scop’s Owl Little Bustard Great Bustard Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Bee-eater Calandra Lark Savi’s Warbler

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Extremadura should actually mean ‘extraordinary’ in Spanish (sadly it doesn’t), as it is unique within a European wildlife context. I cannot think of anywhere else where you see such huge concentrations of vultures, eagles and kites, next to classic steppe species such as bustards and sandgrouse. Intertwined with forests of Holm and Cork Oak, woodland birdlife lives adjacent to wetlands of egrets, herons, wildfowl and waders - simply superb!” Julian Sykes

hot-spots and a network of wooded hillsides, with deep rocky gorges carved by the rivers Torrejon and Tajo. All five Spanish breeding eagles can be found here: mighty Golden; diminutive Booted; snake-eating Short-toed; the scarce Bonelli’s and the critically endangered Spanish Imperial.

Black Vultures nest in good numbers, whilst at Pena Falcon - a formidable limestone rock, countless Griffon Vultures sail close by, along with Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine and Black Stork.

Here we’ll make a special dusk visit to try and see Eagle Owl, not always an easy task.

There are several surprisingly good wetlands in this region, none more so than the Embalse de Arrocampo, whose waters are mainly used for power, but which have been developed into a haven for aquatic wildlife. Amongst the phragmites beds we should find egrets, herons, Purple Swamphens and Savi’s, Cetti’s and Great Reed Warblers, with Marsh Harriers quartering above. Out on the open water, there will be grebes and other wildfowl, along with some early returning waders in the shallow pools.

This area is also good for one of Europe’s rare breeding birds – the gorgeous Black-winged Kite and to see this beautiful and elegant raptor hunting over the surrounding fields is a real privilege.

The rice fields in the south are also worth exploring, being yet another completely different habitat, which can attract interesting species, such as the small populations of Red Avadavat and Common Waxbill. Collared Pratincole is a

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

possibility here in the newly drained field systems, along with Little Ringed Plover and healthy populations of Serin and Tree and Spanish Sparrow along the weedy edges.

All the while in the land that time forgot, we enjoy the lichen-covered branches of the extensive Holm and Cork Oak dehesa, which thankfully still covers much of this area.

Here, Woodlarks give their melodic song, Iberian Magpies follow each other through the plantations, giving themselves away by their distinctive call. Nuthatch, Crested Tit and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker reside, with newly arrived Woodchat Shrikes and Sub-alpine Warblers.

Red-rumped Swallows dash by.....sadly so will our time here!

8

If time allows we’ll do some birdwatching in the morning, before returning to Madrid for our flight back to the UK.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly to Madrid, 3-hour transfer to the Lagares mountains 7 nights at Viña Las Torres

Days 2-7

Birdwatching and wildlife exploration of the steppes, wetlands and mountain regions of one of Spain’s premier birding locations, including Monfrague National Park, the Sierra de Montanchez and the distinctive “dehesa” woodland north of the medieval town of Trujillo

Day 8

Transfer to Madrid for flight to Gatwick

Simon Eaves: Great Bustards Mark Bridges: Landscape Steve Batt: Black Stork, Griffon Vulture Roy Atkins: Lesser Kestrels Roy Cowley: Hoopoe Mark Denman: Egyptian Vulture

21

MULL AND SPEYSIDE EASTER

“Mull at Easter is a brilliant time of year to catch up with the island’s most iconic wildlife..

With Otters busy around the coast, mighty White-tailed and Golden Eagles soaring over their territories, along with ‘skydancing’ displaying Hen Harriers, there’s no finer place to be in early spring!”

Craig Round

,

Dates

Weds 12 - Sat 22 Apr 2017

Price £1,595 Deposit £300

Single Supp £150

The best of Speyside’s speciality birds and mammals, plus three days of Isle of Mull magic. Perhaps the best place in the UK to see Otter and White-tailed and Golden Eagle.

Prime time in the UK’s White-tailed and Golden Eagle hotspot Capercaillie, Black Grouse and other Speyside specials Perhaps the country’s best place for Otter Moray Firth spectacle with seaduck and divers galore Scarce gulls, skeins of geese and spring migrants An evening for Pine Marten and Badger Countless tours on Mull to our name - real expertise

Leaders Craig Round and Duncan Macdonald Weather Varies from cold to warm and sunny,

with windy weather regular on the

isles (0°-15°C), sun and showers Walking Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide sandy

tracks, although there is the possibility

of a forest walk of up to 4 miles

Our Cairngorms walk is more steep and uneven, but low-level unguided alternatives are available. Walking boots will be needed on the holiday

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11

Insects Biting insects are unlikely to be a problem Accom

Steading - double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms Isle of Mull Hotel - double, twin and single rooms all ensuite

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: White-tailed Eagle Golden Eagle Capercaillie Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Black Grouse

Hen Harrier Short-eared Owl Ptarmigan Snow Bunting Otter Pine Marten

1

Dinner together on Wednesday starts the holiday at the Steading, where we discuss the itinerary for the time ahead.

2-6

In the ancient pines of Abernethy Forest, shy and wary turkey-sized Capercaillie ‘hiccup’ and strut and in early spring we can watch these threatened birds from a viewing hide without fear of causing disturbance - in fact ‘Caper Watch’ was something we helped to set up in partnership with the RSPB. Crested Tit and parties of Scottish, Parrot and Common Crossbill can also be found amongst the lichen festooned ‘granny’ Pines in the forest and also Black Grouse displaying at their forest edge leks.

At dusk we’ll pay a visit to our purpose built mammal hide for Pine Marten and Badger.

The coast can be alive with activity at this time of year, with thousands of birds on the move as the spring migration gets underway in earnest and on the Moray Firth, Sandwich and Common Terns are already fishing and some of the winter’s Greater Scaup, Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck and Common and Velvet Scoter can still be seen offshore. Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone busily pick around weedy rocks washed by the incoming tide and Red Kite and Common Buzzard circle above farmland, as noisy skeins of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese, bound for their northern breeding grounds in Iceland and beyond, add to the restless feel of the season.

Ospreys will be returning to their secret loch-side eyries, as the first Sand Martins, Swallows and House Martins sweep low over the lochs after

Yves Gisseleire: White-tailed Eagle Simon Eaves: Sound of Iona Mark Fisher: Osprey Louse Darby: Otter Mark Denman: Crested Tit, Snow Bunting Mary Braddock: Capercaillie

22

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Easter in Speyside is one of my favourite times of year for birding in the Highlands, with the first returning spring migrants such as Osprey, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler and hirundines arriving back in force. It’s also a great time to catch up with some of the Speyside specialities such as Crested Tit, Scottish and Parrot Crossbill, Capercaillie, Black Grouse and Ptarmigan, whilst the coast is always a dynamic and exciting place to be at this time of year, with lingering winter birds and arriving summer migrants all adding to the mix.” Craig Round

arriving back from Africa. The River Spey holds Dipper and Grey Wagtail and maybe an early returning Common Sandpiper, while Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Snipe are calling and ‘drumming’ in display over marshes around Insh, where odd lingering Whooper Swans gleam white amongst the flooded watery landscape.

Rare and exquisitely plumed Slavonian Grebes and beautiful Red-throated and Black-throated Divers in immaculate summer plumage, will be on the sea, or just beginning their return to remote breeding lochs.

Ptarmigan are beginning to lose their white plumage amidst the foothill boulders of the Cairngorms and on the wild moors of Dava and the Monadhliaths, newly arrived Wheatears add a flash of colour to the moorland and the plaintive notes of the first returning Ring Ouzel, along with the cackling of Red Grouse and the mournful piping of Golden Plover, can be heard.

7-10

We take the journey to Mull through stunning West Coast scenery, south-westwards to Fort William and onwards via Loch Linnhe to catch an afternoon ferry.

From our base on Mull we’ll explore the weed-strewn shoreline, coast and dramatic mountainous glens around Loch Spelve, Loch Scridain and Loch na Keal for Eider, Great Northern Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Merlin, Rock Dove, Raven, Hooded Crow, Twite,

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Common Crossbill and Black Guillemot, with the chance of rarer seaduck and white-winged gulls such as Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl will be arriving back at their breeding sites, but most of all, we shall be watching for majestic White-tailed and Golden Eagles.

Early spring is a fantastic time to watch eagles soaring and displaying over their territories and the birds are often more visible at this time of year. With around 16 pairs of breeding White-tailed and Golden Eagles at their highest density in Europe, Mull is without doubt one of ‘the’ best places to see eagles in the wild in Britain.

We’ll also spend time quietly seeking out some of the islands engaging Otters.

On the last day we’ll bring you back to Speyside and the Steading for the last night.

11

After breakfast on Saturday we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie 6 nights at the Steading

Days 2-6

Wildlife and birdwatching exploration around Abernethy Forest, the Moray Firth and the Cairngorms

Day 7

Journey through stunning scenery, before catching the ferry to Mull 3 nights at Isle of Mull Hotel

Days 8-9

Wildlife exploration on Mull

Day 10

Ferry back to mainland then drive back to Speyside, birdwatching enroute 1 night at the Steading

Day 11

Depart after breakfast

23

Lin Gregory

Mike Hems

Guests in Yellowstone, 2015. Holiday details page 54

Badger at our hide in the Cairngorms National Park. Details page 10

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

Mary Braddock

Lin Gregory

GW Egret, Hungary. Holiday details page 90

Guests in Yellowstone, 2015. Holiday details page 54

Lin Gregory

Colin Scott

Jackson Lake,Yellowstone, 2015. Holiday details page 54

Ringed Plover chick, Spring Birds, 2015. Holiday details page 40

24

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Mary Braddock

Ian Tulloch

Orca, British Columbia. Holiday details page 82

Lazuli Bunting,Yellowstone. Holiday details page 54

Norman D’Ath

Duncan Macdonald

Puffin, Spring Birds 2014. Holiday details page 40

Guests in the Pyrenees. Holiday details page 50

Colin Scott

Colin Scott

Northern Wheatear, Spring Birds, 2015. Holiday details page 40

Western Tanager,Yellowstone spring, 2014. Holiday details page 54

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

25

GEORGIA AND ARMENIA

“This trip has it all! From the high Caucasus, with endemics such as Great Rosefinch and Guldenstadt’s Redstart, to wetlands heaving with ducks, waders and terns and skies full of raptors such as Steppe and Long-legged Buzzards.

I can’t wait!” Duncan Macdonald

Dates

Mon 01 - Fri 12 May 2017

Price £3,595 Deposit £700

Single Supp £350

A journey to the edge of Europe amongst the mighty Caucasus Mountains. Eastern specialities such as Radde’s Accentor, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and Upcher’s Warbler Spectacular mountains for Caucasian Snowcock and Caucasian Black Grouse Stunning wetlands with Pygmy Cormorant, Armenian Gull and Marbled Teal Raptors including Lammergeier, Imperial Eagle and Steppe Buzzard Astonishing historical sites that are great for birding Pied, Finsch’s and Isabelline Wheatears, Rock Thrush and White-throated Robin Wallcreeper, Crimson-winged Finch, Radde’s Accentor and Grey-necked Bunting Famous hospitality, cuisine and wine!

Leaders Duncan Macdonald plus local guide Flights Lufthansa, scheduled

Outbound: Overnight, Heathrow

-Tbilisi (Via Munich)

Inbound: Early morning, Tbilisi

- Heathrow (Via Munich)

Weather Varies from warm and sunny to cooler

in the mountians (10°-20°C) Walking There will be walks on tracks,

from lakeside paths to rocky mountain

terrain. Walking boots are essential Meals

All included from breakfast on Day 2 to dinner on Day 11, with definite Turkish and Caucasian influences

Insects May be encountered around wetlands,

so bring repellant Accom Twin and single rooms ensuite

in good quality hotels Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Caucasian Snowcock Caucasian Black Grouse Lammergeier Long-legged Buzzard Imperial Eagle Armenian Gull Slender-billed Gull Marbled Teal Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Wallcreeper Rose coloured Starling White-throated Robin Rock Thrush

26

Güldenstadt’s Redstart Citrine Wagtail Finsch’s Wheatear Radde’s Accentor Green Warbler Caucasian Chiffchaff Menetries’s Warbler Upcher’s Warbler Greater Rosefinch Common Rosefinch Red-fronted Serin Trumpeter Finch Crimson-winged Finch Grey-necked Bunting

1-4

After an overnight flight we arrive in Tbilisi and head to a nearby hotel for a few hours rest. Once refreshed, we travel towards the Caucasus Mountains, pausing at Zhinvali Dam for woodpeckers and migrating songbirds. Stunning views at Krestovy Pass make a wonderful backdrop as we scan for Lammergeier, with Water Pipit, Alpine Chough, Snowfinch and even Wallcreeper possible.

Arriving at Kazbegi, we’ll spend two days exploring the amazing scenery of the High Caucasus, where Europe stops and Asia starts! We’ll drive to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2200m, where we’ll scan for Caucasian Black Grouse and listen for Caucasian Snowcock calling from cliff-top perches.

Güldenstadt’s Redstart and Great Rosefinch are possible, plus Alpine Accentor and Rock Thrush and delightful Red-fronted Serin - and we’ll look

for goat-like East Caucasian Tur. The woodlands hold Green Warbler and Caucasian Chiffchaff from early May and may be teeming with migrants, while Black Kites, Steppe Buzzards and harrier passage can be spectacular.

5-6

We’ll spend the morning in bushes and marshes hopefully surrounded by migrants, then stop again at Krestovy Pass and forest near Ananuri, where good numbers of migrant raptors may include Long-legged Buzzard and Lesser-spotted Eagle. We shall arrive late afternoon in Tbilisi - the following day exploring the vast semi-arid steppes, rocky outcrops, shallow lakes and riverine forest to the east. Jandari Lake is a great stop-over for migratory waterbirds and anything can turn up. Imperial Eagle breeds, as do Pygmy Cormorants and we may see our first Armenian Gulls. We head east to the amazing rock

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“It is not just the staggering bird list that makes this trip so special, but spectacular wildflowers and butterflies as well. Add to this the amazing history of both countries, as well as the rich culture and I am sure we shall not want to leave.” Duncan Macdonald

monasteries of Davit Gareji, where rock-hewn monastic cells were built in the 6th century. The steppes hold Tawny Pipit, Calandra and Short-toed Larks and around the monasteries Western Rock Nuthatch, Blue Rock Thrush and Pied Wheatear are possible.

7-9

Leaving Georgia we cross the border into Armenia, then a long but interesting drive lies ahead. We pass through the impressive Debed canyon, where nearly every village along the river has a church, chapel and old fort. We’ll look out for Griffon and Egyptian Vulture, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard, arriving at our hotel in Yerevan, late afternoon.

From our base in Yerevan we’ll explore the local area starting with Mt Aragats, the highest mountain in Armenia. Driving up to 3200m, we pass small pockets of trees where Semi-collared Flycatcher breed. The road ends at a small lake where raptors may include Short-toed, Booted and Lesser Spotted Eagles. Fantastic birding here may produce Raddes’Accentor, White-throated Robin, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, magna Bluethroat (no central spot), Rock Thrush, Common Rosefinch, Rock and Ortolan Bunting, Shorelark and Crimson-winged Finch. We shall also stop at the scenic and remarkable Amberd Fortress, built in the 11th century.

Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the Caucasus region, is famous for the largest Armenian Gull colony in the world. On our visit here we’ll see these, plus hopefully Citrine Wagtail, a fairly recent breeder

at the lake Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey and passage waders. The keen may be interested to see the large-billed caspia race of Reed Bunting. We’ll also visit the spectacular Noravank Gorge and monastery.

10

Armash fish ponds are one of Armenia’s richest ornithological hot spots. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Ararat, the extensive wetlands are an oasis in the arid lands of south-western Armenia. The pools, natural salt marshes and extensive reedbeds, provide refuge and breeding habitat for grebes, egrets, herons, ducks, waders and terns. White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal and White-tailed Lapwing breed here, plus Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern, Bearded Tit, Moustached and Paddyfield Warbler. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater should be flying above us, while we look for Lesser Short-toed Lark, Black-headed Wagtail, Penduline Tit and Ménétries’ Warbler. May is perfect timing for thousands of migrants, which should include White-winged and Whiskered Terns, with maybe Black-winged Pratincole as a treat!

The arid cliffs of Vedi provide our chance for Grey-necked Bunting, Finsch’s Wheatear, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Trumpeter Finch, Black-headed Bunting and Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin and, with luck, nomadic Mongolian Finch.

11-12

We make the long drive to Tbilisi birding enroute, before catching our early flight home on Day 12.

Outline Itinerary Days 1-4

We arrive in Tbilisi early on day 2 after an overnight flight. After a few hours rest we travel to Kazbegi.

The following 2 days are spent exploring the Gergeti Trinity Church area of the High Caucasus.

3 nights Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi

Days 5-6

We travel to Tbilisi, stopping to bird at the spectacular Krestovy Pass.

The following day is spent exploring Jandari Lake and the rock monasteries of Davit Gareji.

2 nights Hotel Astoria, Tbilisi

Days 7-10

We cross the border into Armenia and travel to our base in Yerevan.

We visit Mount Aragats, Lake Sevan, Armash Fish Ponds, Mount Ararat and surrounding areas.

4 nights Hotel Nari,Yerevan

Days 11-12

Travel to Tbilisi stopping for roadside birding and scenery, before an early flight home on day 12.

1 night Hotel Astoria, Tbilisi

Attila Steiner: Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Amash Fish Ponds and Mount Ararat, Bluethroat, Greater Rosefinch, Rock Thrush, Ananuri.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

27

SPEYSIDE 24/7

““Spoilt for choice. That’s my description of the Scottish Highlands. From the mountain tops to the Moray and West Coasts, the range of habitats is amazing. 24 premier birds and 7 mammals is only the start of the holiday .There is much more to see.”

John Grierson

Dates

Sat 22 - Sat 29 Apr 2017

Price

£1,095

Deposit £200 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

Twenty four of the best birds, seven of the best mammals - all in one action-packed week - around the mountains and forests of Speyside, plus the West Coast of Scotland.

Kick off your wildlife quest for 2017 in style with the Highland specialities See 7 - and more - of the most sought-after Scottish mammals A spotlight night drive and dusk hide visits for elusive species 24 premier birds that can take years to catch up with in any other place Displaying eagles, Capercaillie and Black Grouse in forest, mountain and moor On the Moray Firth and Black Isle coast - divers, seaduck, terns and dolphins Includes a West Coast trip for White-tailed Eagle

Leaders John Grierson and Julian Sykes Weather Varies from cold to warm and sunny

(8°-15°C), with less rainfall than much

of Scotland but snow possible

in the mountains Walking Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide sandy

tracks, although there is the possibility

of a forest walk of up to 5 miles

We can now take groups on to the Cairngorms plateau from the funicular railway summit to see Ptarmigan, therefore it may be necessary to take a walk on paths over uneven and occasionally undulating rocky terrain, with a steeper walk needed to see Dotterel. Low-level unguided alternatives are available. Walking boots will be needed on the holiday

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Not a problem at this time of year Accom

Double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Golden Eagle Kestrel White-tailed Eagle Osprey Crested Tit Capercaillie Black Grouse Black-throated Diver Slavonian Grebe Scottish Crossbill Oystercatcher Golden Plover Lapwing 28

Dunlin Bar-tailed Godwit Curlew Redshank Kittiwake Sandwich Tern Black Guillemot Pine Marten Red Squirrel Mountain Hare Red Deer Bottlenose Dolphin Harbour Porpoise

1 2-7

Our action-packed week starts with dinner together on Saturday evening, followed by a chat about the coming week.

From our base in Glen Feshie there is plenty to see close to home and we may start with a walk down the river or visit the beautiful Caledonian Pine forest nearby.

Here, amongst the ancient pines, we shall search out delightful Crested Tit and parties of Scottish Crossbill - which we’ll need to check carefully as both Common and Parrot Crossbills have also started nesting in the area in recent years.

Redstarts, Tree Pipits, Siskins and countless Willow Warblers are singing in the forest clearings and Cuckoos call from the wooded slopes. Red Squirrels scamper through the branches and we’ll visit our own baited hide for fabulous close

up views of Pine Martens and Badgers, with Woodcock roding above the trees. Nearby lochans hold beautiful Slavonian Grebes, with golden plumes in their breeding finery and this is a great time of year to see displaying Golden Eagle or Osprey, the latter just returning to nests, including our very own pair so close to the Steading. In recent years a pair of White-tailed Eagles has taken up residence and you never know your luck!

An early start one morning takes us to Caperwatch at the RSPB Loch Garten hide.

Scanning the forest edge from the heated hide gives us a chance of seeing male Capercaillie with tails spread in display, whilst not disturbing this vulnerable bird at this crucial time of year but cross your fingers as they can be elusive even here! The famous Ospreys are here too

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The night drive through a local Estate is something to look forward to. It puts everything in a different light! We’ll be looking for Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, Badgers, Foxes, Otters, Pine Marten and deer, that are more active at night than during the day.” John Grierson

of course and we’ll look for Black Grouse as they ‘bubble and coo,’ a wonderful sight and guaranteed to create an appetite for a full cooked breakfast back at our superb Steading accommodation.

permitting we’ll venture onto the arctic-tundra of Cairngorm in search of Ptarmigan amongst the skiers - easy now we can use the Funicular Railway to get there!

The Black Isle and Moray Coast still have a few of the Long-tailed Duck, Scaup and both Common and Velvet Scoters that winter here amongst the Eiders and other seaduck. We’ll visit Udale Bay, where passage waders may include Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and more. Flocks of wintering geese may include large flocks of Pink-footed Geese, still lingering before they head north and there may be hundreds of Wigeon, with Teal and other ducks including a few Pintail. Flocks of Golden Plover feed in nearby fields and we’ll look out for farmland birds like Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer.

We’ll have a wonderful day amidst the dramatic mountain peaks and shores of the West Coast.

As we drive west the scenery becomes more and more impressive and the beach at Mellon Udrigle is beautiful and so peaceful. It is a great chance to see flocks of Great Northern and Black-throated Divers in breeding plumage, just offshore before they move to their nesting sites.

We’ll make a special effort to see the resident group of Bottlenose Dolphins at a headland on the Black Isle, where they can often come remarkably close to shore as they hunt fish moving in on the rising tide - with luck perhaps we’ll see some acrobatics! One night we’ll head out with spotlights in search of mammals and owls - we’ve found Pine Martens, Roe Deer and plenty of Brown Hares this way, plus Tawny Owls and we’ve even seen Long-eared Owl in the past.

We have our own places to find camouflaged Mountain Hare, as Red Deer watch us from the skyline - and we will keep an eye on the sky for hunting Golden Eagle or Peregrine. Raven pass overhead and we hope for Hen Harrier, Merlin or Short-eared Owl hunting over the moorland where cackling Red Grouse display. Weather

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Wild Rock Doves nest on the cliffs and we’ll look out for Ravens, Twite and Black Guillemot, plus Common Seals loafing on the rocks. Along the seaweed strewn shoreline we’ll search for Otters as they hunt for butterfish and crabs, while another big target here is the resident White-tailed Eagles - huge and impressive as they soar over Scottish Islands. So much to see - it’ll be a busy week!

8

We say our farewells after breakfast.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about what we will do for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching

exploration including Abernethy Forest,

Dava Moor, the Cairngorms, the

Moray Firth and West Coast Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart

Mark Denman: Capercaillie Simon Eaves: Loch Garten, Slovonian Grebe, Osprey Colin Scott: Red Squirrel Jessie Brown: Bottlenose Dolphin Mike Hems: Pine Marten

29

NORTH WALES

“I’m just delighted to be able to show off the amazing wildlife and landscapes of north and Mid-Wales. From Black Grouse to Buzzards and from dolphins to Dippers, this stunning part of the country has so much to offer.”

Iolo Williams

Dates

Sat 6 - Sat 13 May 2017

Price

£1,395

Deposit £250

Single Supp £200

See the nature of North Wales with Iolo Williams - beautiful Snowdonia and Anglesey with special upland species and seabirds - in some of the UK’s most outstanding scenery.

Beautiful Snowdonia National Park and Anglesey South Stack for Choughs, Puffins and seabirds Welsh rainforests or ‘hanging oaks’ at Ynys-hir Woodland specialities: Wood Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher Classic upland species: Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Peregrine Traditional stronghold of Red Kites Black Grouse and Hen Harriers on the Ruabon Moors

Leaders Iolo Williams and Roy Atkins Weather The weather will be mixed (10-20C).

Expect sun and showers,

with gusty wind on exposed headlands Walking Varied, from wide forest tracks,

to clifftop paths.

Walking boots are recommended Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects

Not anticipated this early in the season

Accom Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Yellow Wagtail Whinchat Chough Dotterel Puffin Razorbill Guillemot Fulmar Peregrine Arctic Tern Roseate Tern Hen Harrier

30

Black Grouse Shoveler Ringed Plover Shelduck Red-breasted Merganser Ring Ouzel Dipper Redstart Pied Flycatcher Red Kite Osprey Wood Warbler

1

We meet at our delightful hotel in the heart of Snowdonia National Park at Betws-y-Coed and if time allows, we shall have a stroll along the banks of the River Conwy.

The scenic woodland walks close to the river may yield Tree Pipit, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Nuthatch and assorted tits, as well as Dipper and Goosander. Snowdonia is an ancient land of wild mountains and wooded valleys; of rocky cwms and tumbling streams with a bird list that spans woodland and montane species.

2-7

We start our exploration of North Wales on Anglesey. The RSPB’s South Stack Reserve offers spectacular cliff scenery and we’ll get great views of the seabird colonies, with delightful Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots, as well as Fulmar, Peregrines, Ravens and Chough.

Adders are also a possibility, as are coastal flowers such as Spring Squill and the nationally rare Spatulate Fleawort.

Elsewhere on Anglesey, at Cemlyn Bay we’ll enjoy the comings and goings at the tern colonies, looking carefully through Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns for rare Roseate Terns and if time allows, will stop in the forest at nearby Newborough to search for delightful Red Squirrels..

Being in one base, we shall be able to keep our itinerary flexible, depending on weather and species that we see, but one day will be spent on the Dee Estuary, one of the UK’s premier birding locations for wetland and shorebirds and will spend time exploring its marshes to look for waders such as Lapwing, Redshank, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit, plus wildfowl such

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“From the swirling seabird colonies of South Stack, to the windswept Ruabon Moors, to the gentle ‘hanging-oak’ woodlands around Ynys-hir, Wales has such a variety of habitats, it’s no wonder it has such a wealth of wildlife.” Iolo Williams as Shoveler and Gadwall. May can be a good month for rarities and Stone Curlew, Spoonbill, Golden Oriole, Serin and Nightingale have all been seen in the past. We shall also visit Wales’ only Little Tern colony and also make sure we spend time enjoying the exquisite orchids found here.

We’ll need an early morning start when we drive to the Ruabon Moors in search of special birds of the moorland. This is the best area in Wales to watch rare Black Grouse and we’ll be keen to catch their courtship rituals. These moors also support populations of Red Grouse, Curlew, Skylark and Whinchat. Perhaps our greatest prize though, will be a glimpse of Hen Harriers that have traditionally frequented the area.

Another possibility is Red Kite. The Red Kite’s story is a more successful one, with re-introduced birds now seen across the UK, but we’ll take time to look for some of the original population that have always called Mid-Wales their home. What better sight than this elegant red-tailed raptor soaring over the ‘hanging oaks’ of Wales.

We shall follow the river Conwy down to its estuary where more wetland birds can be found, so expect Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Shelduck and Red-breasted Merganser amongst many others.

If time allows, we shall continue to Llandudno and walk up on to Great Orme in search of late migrants such as Yellow Wagtail and Whinchat.

We’ll also hope to see the resident Choughs and there’s always the possibility of something scarce – we’ve seen Dotterel at this time of year!

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

As we meander down and up this wooded valley system, we shall search for Hawfinch, before going on to one of the world’s biggest slate quarries to look for Ring Ouzel.

The RSPB’s Ynys-hir Reserve on the Dyfi estuary, home of BBC Springwatch between 2011-2013, has a picturesque mix of woodland and saltmarsh, with birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, as well as waders and wildfowl including Little Egret, Lapwing, Common Redshank and Teal. Ospreys now breed here too, a wonderful addition to the list of birds of prey that includes Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Merlin. Nearby in the Dysynni Valley is the dramatic Craig Aderyn (this translates to Bird Rock), an inland cliff with a busy Cormorant colony, as well as Peregrines and Choughs

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive Betws-y-Coed.

7 nights at The Royal Oak Hotel

A further day will be spent east of Snowdonia, in Clocaenog Forest. Clocaenog is part of the greater Hiraethog Forest which covers 15000 acres, with a varied landscape of forest, open moorland, rivers and a beautiful lake. We shall walk the quiet trails to look for woodland birds such as Crossbill, Siskin and possibly Goshawk.

Days 2-7

An exploration of North Wales to include South Stack and Newburgh on Anglesey, the Dee Estuary and its marshes, Conwy valley and estuary, moors of north east Wales and the forest of Clocaenog, plus the RSPB’s Ynys-hir Reserve

8

Day 8

Depart after breakfast

After breakfast we bid our fond farewells to this delightful area.

Kathy Sharman: Puffins Simon Eaves: Ring Ouzel Craig Round: Arctic Tern Pete Cairns: Hen Harrier Mark Denman: Red Squirrel, Dotterel John Grierson: Fulmars Colin Scott: Osprey

31

SPRING BIRDS IN SPEYSIDE

“Spring, always such an exciting time for birding in the Highlands, with returning spring migrants such as Cuckoo, Redstart and Tree Pipit in full song in the forests, whilst the high tops hold stunning Dotterel, alongside Ring Ouzel, Ptarmigan and breeding Snow Bunting” Craig Round

Dates

Sat 6 - Sat 13 May 2017 Sat 13 - Sat 20 May 2017 Sat 27 May - Sat 3 June 2017

Price £1,095 Deposit £200 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

Our classic signature week, perfected over 25 years, with all Speyside’s special birds at their most active, including Capercaillie and Black Grouse - and time for great mammals too.

Bird specialities of the ancient Pine Forest of the Highlands of Scotland A west coast trip to fabulous Handa Island in north-west Sutherland The Moray Firth, alive with seaduck, terns and migrants Divers and grebes in spectacular breeding plumage A day for mountain birds in the high tops of the Cairngorms An evening for Pine Martens and Badgers too, at our baited hide Come by train or plane and enjoy the wonders of the Cairngorms National Park

Leaders Two from our Speyside team Weather Varies from cold to warm and sunny

(8°-20°C), with less rainfall than much

of Scotland but snow possible in the mountains Walking

Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide sandy tracks, although there is the possibility of a forest walk of up to 4 miles

Our Cairngorms walk is more steep and uneven but low-level unguided alternatives are available. Walking boots will be needed

Boat Trip Our boat trip to Handa is over sheltered

waters and lasts about 15 minutes Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects In June, biting midges occasionally

occur on sheltered loch shores Accom Double (ensuite) twin (ensuite)

and single (ensuite and non ensuite)

rooms at the Steading in Glenfeshie Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Black-throated Diver Slavonian Grebe Fulmar Golden Eagle Osprey Ptarmigan Black Grouse Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Capercaillie Dotterel 32

1 2-7

Dinner together on Saturday evening starts the holiday.

Based in our delightful accommodation in Glen Feshie, we’ll start the week with walks in the local area, perhaps along the river or around beautiful lochans surrounded by forest nearby. Ospreys are at local loch-side eyries and we have our own resident pair on a purpose built platform, plus more at nearby Loch Insh.

The RSPB have extensive Reserves here and we’ll visit the ancient pines of Abernethy Forest,a remnant of the ‘Great Wood of Caledon’, in search of dainty Crested Tits and parties of Scottish Crossbill.

We’ll need to check them carefully, as in recent years both Common and Parrot Crossbills have taken up residence in the area. We’ll keep alert for wary Capercaillie feeding in the shadows - a clatter of wings often the first sign of their

presence. We’ll also make a special effort to visit Black Grouse as they ‘bubble and coo’ at a dawn lek - a fabulous spectacle. Red Squirrels are still abundant in the forest with Redstart, Siskin, Tree Pipit and countless Willow Warblers singing in the clearings.

On one evening we’ll visit our baited hide to look for a close encounter with Pine Marten and Badger, with Woodcock roding over the trees. Sparkling forest lochans hold exquisitely plumed Slavonian Grebe - a wonderful chance to see them in their breeding finery. Recently even White-tailed Eagles have begun to nest and we’ll look out for these and Golden Eagles too.

The arctic-tundra plateau of the Cairngorms is unique in Britain and, weather permitting, we’ll head up on the funicular railway to seek out camouflaged Ptarmigan as they feed quietly

Puffin Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Dunlin Snipe Curlew Redshank Arctic Skua Great Skua Black Guillemot Pine Marten

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“It’s a great time to catch up with Black Grouse and Capercaillie and the other forest specialities of Crested Tit and Crossbills, whilst other avian gems such as Slavonian Grebe and Blackthroated Diver have arrived back to breed on quiet lochs. All this and a trip through stunning West Coast scenery over to magnificent Handa Island, with its breathtaking seabird cliffs, so full of noise and life at this season and breeding Great and Arctic Skuas, this trip has it all.” Craig Round amongst the boulders - sometimes with skiers just a few feet away! From mid-May we may encounter beautiful Dotterel too and there is always a slim chance of Snow Bunting. The River Spey winds its way through the valley with nesting Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goosander and noisy Common Sandpiper, while Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Snipe display over marshes in river valleys and around Lochindorb and Insh.

On tranquil waters beautiful Red-throated Divers give their haunting wail and we’ll take you to remote glens where Golden Eagle hunt Mountain Hares. We’ll search for Raven, Ring Ouzel and Peregrine, with Red Deer on the skyline and even Wild Goats. We may find Hen Harrier, Merlin or Short-eared Owl hunting the open moorland, where we’ll hear cackling Red Grouse and the mournful piping of Golden Plover.

Along the coast and tidal bays of the Moray Firth a few Long-tailed Duck and Common or Velvet Scoter may linger with the local Eider. The shingle shores are busy with Arctic, Common and Sandwich Tern and we hope to see fishing Ospreys and perhaps even a Great Northern Diver offshore.

Red Kite circle lazily above the rolling farmland of the Black Isle and we’ll search out some of the farmland birds found here, like Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer. We shall visit a great place to see Bottlenose Dolphins, which may come remarkably close to shore and we hope to see some acrobatics as they hunt fish on the rising tide. The estuary at Udale Bay may have passage waders such as Bar-trailed Godwit and Knot and a few wintering geese may still be lingering.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

We’ll enjoy a wonderful day travelling through stunning scenery on our way to the far north west of the Scottish Highlands on our day visit to Handa Island.

We’ll pause to look for Black-throated Diver enroute and there is always the chance of Golden Eagle or perhaps a Greenshank, as a small number breed this far north. Black Guillemots bob on the water close to the boat as we make our ten minute crossing, then we walk across the island enjoying fantastic views of nesting Great and Arctic Skuas as we go - the Arctic Skuas often chasing each other in their exhilarating display.

Gannets pass by offshore and we’ll look out for Rock Dove, Raven and Twite and, at the far side, towering cliffs and stacks host a seabird city with thousands of Guillemots and smaller numbers of Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. A few delightful Puffins nest on top of the stack - but don’t forget to look back towards the mainland where the scenery . . . well it’s simply breathtaking!

8

After breakfast we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about our plans for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching

exploration including Abernethy

Forest, Dava Moor, the Cairngorms,

the Moray Firth and West Coast Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart

Mark Denman: Crested Tit, Dotterel Colin Scott: Slavonian Grebe Louise Darby: Osprey Simon Eaves: Puffin, Crossbill Mary Braddock: White-tailed Eagle

33

OUTER HEBRIDES

“The Outer Hebrides are simply breathtaking, with ever changing light and huge skies, stunning seascapes and miles of deserted sandy beaches, it’s a place I look forward to returning to time and again. A timeless place where you can really get away from it all.”

Craig Round

Dates

Fri 5 - Sat 13 May 2017

Price

£1,895

Deposit £350 Single Supp £200

Corncrakes rasp from fields and Snipe drum overhead, in a watery landscape that the modern world has passed by, on these timeless low-lying islands at Britain’s Atlantic edge.

Successful Corncrake watching every time, on over 40 trips!

Nesting waders in farmland that’s vanished elsewhere Mile after mile of unspoilt white beaches and azure seas Wonderful for raptors, rare skuas and Short-eared Owl Summer plumage Great Northern and other divers White-tailed Eagle, Dotterel, Pomarine Skua and Otter With our own two expert guides to the Western Isles

Leaders Craig Round and Simon Pawsey Weather Though usually quite dry, these islands

can experience all the seasons during

one trip and can be windy (5°-20°C) Walking

Coastal walks on uneven terrain of up to 2 miles.Walking boots recommended with trainers suitable on some occasions.

Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip.

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9

Insects Biting insects are unlikely to be a problem Accom Double, twin and single rooms

all ensuite Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Corncrake Golden Eagle Hen Harrier Merlin Short-eared Owl White-tailed Eagle Peregrine Long-tailed Duck Great Northern Diver Red-throated Diver Great Northern Diver Whooper Swan Whimbrel Purple Sandpiper Arctic Tern Little Tern

Black Guillemot Rock Dove Eider Arctic Skua Great Skua Pomarine Skua Long-tailed Skua Manx Shearwater Red-necked Phalarope Greylag Goose Greenshank Golden Plover Otter Grey Seal CommonSeal dolphins

1

We overnight on Friday in Inverness, to give us an early start for our journey down through the Great Glen and across the Isle of Skye to Uig, before catching a ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist.

The crossing gives us a chance to do some sea-watching, with a great diver sity of seabirds to be seen, as we make our way across the Minch, including Arctic Tern, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Gannet, Great and Arctic Skuas, Manx Shearwaters and various cetaceans, even before we reach the islands! Arriving on North Uist the bustle of modern life seems far away.

2-7

Our hotel on North Uist has glorious views out to the West and over Baile Sear ‘machair’ dunes and meadows - formed

by wind-blown shell sand and in the evening the sunsets from the hotel can be truly beautiful, with a backdrop chorus of ‘drumming’ displaying Snipe and calling Redshank overhead.

The Uists are one of the last strongholds for one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds the Corncrake and newly arrived territorial males can be seen before the vegetation grows tall, as they give their incredible rasping calls from open cover. Here too Twite feed, Skylark sing and Corn Bunting still give their jangling songs from rusty fences.

Cultivated ‘machair’ at Stilligarry and Rubha Ardvule, sown with oats and potatoes, is alive with waders in the spring, all vigorously displaying, including numerous Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Beautiful freshwater

Craig Round: Corncrake, Balranald, Corn Bunting, Redshank, Pomarine Skua, Short-eared Owl Mary Braddock: Great Skua

34

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Spring is a fantastic time to visit the islands and witness bird migration at its peak. The beaches can be literally carpeted in passage waders in stunning summer plumage at this time of year.

Corncrakes ‘rasp’ from the fields, whilst offshore, flocks of rare Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas head to far northern breeding grounds. Add in mighty Golden and White-tailed Eagles, stunning Hen Harriers and Short eared Owls and it really is a trip that’s hard to beat” Craig Round

lochs stud the landscape. All have beds of sedge and flowering bogbean and flag iris alive with nesting Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Curlew and Redshank. A few elusive Red-necked Phalaropes arrive in mid-May and birding is always full of surprises - perhaps a summering Whooper Swan or displaying Ruff or Wood Sandpiper.

Around the beautiful, unspoilt shell sand beaches and tidal bays, Common, Arctic and Little Tern can be seen. They also hold large numbers of passage waders bound for the Arctic. Most are in stunning summer plumage at this time of year and include Whimbrel, Dunlin, Sanderling and Purple Sandpiper, whilst closer scrutiny may reveal a hidden gem such as Curlew Sandpiper or Little Stint!

On rocky headlands there are Black Guillemot, Shag and Rock Dove, with Red-breasted Merganser, Eider, Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver offshore - the latter in breeding plumage. There’s a healthy Otter population and we regularly see them, plus Grey and Common Seals and dolphin species.

Optional early morning sea-watching from Aird an Runair is renowned, but dependent on weather, for the passage of rare Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas, plus Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Arctic and Great Skua. We have also recorded other unusual migrants including Snowy Owl, Great White Egret, Glaucous and Iceland Gull, Woodchat Shrike, Garganey, Golden Oriole,

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Subalpine Warbler, Grey-headed Wagtail, Hoopoe and Dotterel - the latter almost annually.

Eastward, the land sweeps up from sea level to moors, peaty pools and soaring mountains.

Red-throated Divers give their mournful wail and truly wild Greylag Geese nest at Loch Druidibeg, joined by Common Sandpipers and Greenshank.

The islanders stack peats to dry, where Dunlin and Golden Plover display, alongside Red Grouse and Wheatear. Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Peregrine and Raven soar together over the dramatic hills. Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl commonly hunt the wild moors and we have a very good chance of seeing that most magnificent of predators, White-tailed Eagle.

8-9

Our last morning gives us a chance to once more experience the sights and sounds of the ‘machair’ and wonderful coastline, before catching a midday ferry back to Skye and making our way back to Inverness for our final overnight stay.

On Saturday morning, after breakfast, we say our goodbyes.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Meet in Inverness for overnight stay 1 night at Premier Inn

Day 2

Travel down the Great Glen and across Skye before catching ferry to Lochmaddy and making the short journey to our hotel 6 nights at Temple View Hotel

Days 3-7 Birdwatching and wildlife exploration

around North and South Uist and Benbecula Day 8

After morning birdwatching, we catch a ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig, journey back across Skye and make our way back to Inverness 1 night at Premier Inn

Day 9

After breakfast we say our goodbyes

35

NORTH COAST 500

“This trip showcases the very best of the Highlands - wonderful wildlife, stunning scenery and ancient history. We’ll also explore hidden and secluded habitats off the route, searching for elusive species. This trip will show you why the Highlands are simply world class.” Simon Pawsey

Dates

Fri 19 - Sun 28 May 2017

Price

£1,795

Deposit £350

Single Supp £250

The North Coast 500 follows miles of arguably the finest land and seascapes in Europe, jammed with spectacular wildlife, from seabird colonies to eagles and Otters Fabulous long days and spectacular sunsets Rich farmlands and firths of Easter Ross and Sutherland Dunnet Head, Cape Wrath and Handa Island Huge seabird colonies with skuas, auks and Fulmar Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harrier and Merlin Otters and cetaceans Spectacular west coast scenery and the infamous Beallach na Bà road

Leaders Darren Rees and Simon Pawsey Weather Late May can be beautifully settled,

although wind and rain is possible and

snow can still be on the highest tops Walking Walks will be on average 2 miles. Most

walks will be on well established paths

but some sections are rough and steep Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10

Insects

Should not be a problem

Accom Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite Group 12 Route

The Official North Coast 500 route begins and ends at Inverness Castle.

Created in 2014, the route brings together just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, naturally following the main roads across the coastal edges of the North Highlands

Just some of what we hope to see: Eider Common Scoter Goldeneye Ptarmigan Black-throated Diver Great Northern Diver Manx Shearwater Gannet White-tailed Eagle Osprey Golden Eagle Hen Harrier Merlin Golden Plover Greenshank Black-tailed Godwit Whimbrel 36

Great Skua Arctic Skua Arctic Tern Puffin Black Guillemot Rock Dove Cuckoo Short-eared Owl Whinchat Ring Ouzel Common Whitethroat Hooded Crow Twite Otter Grey Seal cetaceans

1

Dinner together on Friday starts the holiday in Inverness, followed by a chat about the itinerary for the coming days.

2-3

We head north from Inverness to the rich farmlands and estuaries of the Inner Moray Firth, where Bottlenose Dolphins and seals can be seen from strategic headlands.

Red Kites and Buzzards patrol the skies above, Yellowhammers sing from gorse bushes, Skylarks ascend in a cacophony of song, while gulls, terns and seabirds are seen offshore.

Some of the bays may still hold Common Scoter and late-lingering Long-tailed Duck. Greenshank, Redshank and Curlew feed along the mud past sentinel Grey Herons, whilst the woodlands are alive with the songs of Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart.

Caithness is the north eastern corner of Scotland where the Queen Mother had a home at the Castle of Mey. From our base near Thurso, we shall visit the headlands of Duncansby and Dunnet, home to thousands of Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Both Arctic and Great Skua breed here and a Peregrine could make an appearance at anytime.

Out at sea Gannets plunge into the foaming Pentland Firth, where there is always the chance of spotting cetaceans. Nearby heather moorland has Red Grouse, Stonechat, Whinchat and the ubiquitous Meadow Pipit. Freshwater lochs can be migrant traps and hold breeding duck such as Shoveler and Wigeon.

The expanse of blanket bog that is the “Flow Country” is a patchwork of pools amongst the

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Eagles, otters, divers, huge seabird colonies and no doubt some surprises on the way, all against a backdrop of rugged mountains, secluded beaches and vast open moorlands. This is a new trip for us and I know it’s going to be just amazing - I can’t wait to go!” Simon Pawsey

floating vegetation. Here Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl hunt, while Pintail nest in some of the pools and Golden Plover and Dunlin nest on the moorland.

4-6

Our journey takes us along the coast as we head to North-West Sutherland, looking for Twite and Rock Dove and we shall listen very carefully as Corncrake have a toe-hold here.

This whole coastline is internationally important for its assemblage of wildflowers. At the Kyle of Tongue and Loch Eriboll we shall look for divers and wildfowl including Shelduck. There may be a Slavonian Grebe on the sea and Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Curlew feeding on the mud. We shall always be alert for raptors with Golden Eagle, Peregrine and Merlin all possible.

The windswept north western point of mainland UK will be a highlight and we shall spend a full day here. Cape Wrath is accessible only by small ferry from Tongue and minibus. Red-throated Divers nest in the lochans and Ptarmigan can be roadside this far north. Peregrines and Ravens join the skuas in harrying the multitude of seabirds that nest here.

A little further south in Sutherland we shall visit the Reserve of Handa Island.This has another large seabird colony, with Razorbill, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Shag, as well as Wheatear, Skylark, Sedge Warbler and both Great and Arctic Skua. Puffins watch us curiously from the Great Stack; Hooded Crow join the Ravens and a passing White-tailed Eagle could easily cause panic amongst the skuas.

From Handa we shall travel on to our base for the night in the small harbour of Ullapool.

7-9

The mountains of the west are achingly beautiful. This is the land of the Golden Eagle and Otter. We could find either species just anywhere in Wester Ross. Cuckoos call from all around us as Merlin dash past. Great Northern Divers may be offshore and Black-throated Divers will be on nests in the larger freshwater lochs.

Common Sandpipers, Grey Wagtails and Dipper feed along the streams and rivers.

From our base near Kinlochewe, we shall traverse the coast up and over the infamous Bealach na Bà, the views over to Skye can take one’s breath away.

Ring Ouzel call from the gullies; Rock Doves and Twite flit around the crofting communities that are such a fundamental aspect of the landscape here.

Out at sea there will be Common and Grey Seals and we shall always be vigilant for Otter. along the rocky shore. White-tailed Eagles nest here, where the mountains meet the sea.

Back to Inverness through Glen Carron, lochs hold nesting Common Scoter and there is always a chance of Green or Wood Sandpiper. The woods have Crossbills, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls and both Red and Sika Deer are possible enroute, as we hope for more views of Golden Eagle above the ridges.

10

We say our goodbyes after breakfast. and depart for home..

Outline Itinerary Day 1

We meet for dinner at our hotel 1 night Inverness

Day 2

Travel to Caithness via the Black Isle, John o’ Groats and Duncansby Head 2 nights Dunnet Bay

Day 3

Visit UK’s most northerly point, Dunnet Head and Forsinard Flows

Day 4

Travel to Sutherland visiting Kyle of Tongue, Loch Eribol, Smoo Cave and Balnakiel Bay 2 nights Kinlochbervie area

Day 5

Full day out to Cape Wrath

Day 6

Full day on Handa Island then travel south to Ullapool 1 night Ullapool

Day 7

Travel to Kinlochewe along coastal roads via Gairloch and Loch Maree 2 nights Kinlochewe area

Day 8

Explore Torridon, the Bealach na Ba pass and Loch Kishorn

Day 9

Travel back to Inverness through Torridon and Strathcarron 1 night Inverness

Day 10

Depart Inverness

Duncan Macdonald: Artic Skua, Shorted-eared Owl, Redstart, Great Northern Diver, Puffin Cath Wright: View from Bealach na Ba Pass

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

37

Gerald and AnnTurley

Duncan Macdonald

Northen Jacana, Costa Rica. Holiday details page 20

Looking for Wallcreeper, Pyrenees. Holiday details page 50

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

Colin Scott

Roy Cowley

GM Ground Squirrel,Yellowstone. Hol. det. page 54

Humpback Whale, Nova Scotia, 2014. Holiday details page 76

Roy Cowley

Lin Gregory

Northern Harrier, Nova Scotia, 2014. Holiday details page 76

American Robin,Yellowstone, 2015. Holiday details page 54

38

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Mike Hems

Roy Cowley

Northern Bald Ibis, Andujar and Tarifa, 2015. Holiday details page 84

Pyrrhuloxia, Arizona. Holiday details page 30

Paul Stokes

Roy Atkins

Black Bear, British Columbia. Holiday details pg 82

Dolphin watching, British Columbia. Holiday details page 82

Colin Scott

Mary Braddock

Ptarmigan, Spring Birds, 2015. Holiday details page 40

Rollers. Holiday details page 56

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

39

BULGARIA

“Raptors are a real highlight with exciting species such as Eastern Imperial, Lesser-spotted and Short-toed Eagles, Eleanora’s and Red-footed Falcons, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures – wherever we are it is worth keeping our eyes on the skies.” Roy Atkins Dates

Sat 20 - Sun 28 May 2017

Price £2,295 Deposit £450

Single Supp £250

Beautiful landscapes and fantastic birds – our round trip takes you to the best places, from the Eastern Rhodope Mountains to the Black Sea Coast, with steppes and wetlands in between Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, storks and egrets Spectacular Eastern Rhodope Mountains Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk Variety of habitats - steppes, mountains and wetlands Most westerly Pied and Isabelline Wheatears and Paddyfield Warbler Masked Shrike, Olive Tree Warbler and Rose-coloured Starling A great holiday for the butterfly and dragonfly enthusiast

Leaders Roy Atkins plus local guide Flights

British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Sofia Inbound: Afternoon, Sofia-Heathrow

Weather

Generally very pleasant with plenty of sunshine but the chance of a shower or even rain in the mountains (12°-25°C), can be cool at dusk

Walking Easy walking on level ground but bring

waterproof walking shoes or boots Meals

All included from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9

Insects

Mosquitos can be a nuisance in a few places so bring repellent

Accom

Twin and single rooms all ensuite in all hotels and lodgings, including Wild Farm and village houses for our last 3 nights. Wild Farm accommodation will be allocated on a first come basis.

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Black Vulture Lesser Spotted Eagle Eastern Imperial Eagle Long-legged Buzzard Levant Sparrowhawk Red-footed Falcon Eleanora’s Falcon Eagle Owl Caspian Gull Glossy Ibis Black Stork Dalmation Pelican

40

White Pelican Pygmy Cormorant Syrian Woodpecker Middle-spottedWoodpecker Paddyfield Warbler Olive-tree Warbler Pied Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Semi-collared Flycatcher Masked Shrike Rose-coloured Starling Black-headed Bunting

1 2-3

We’ll fly to Sofia where we shall meet up with our local guide before heading to our hotel in the historic town of Tryavna.

Tryavna lies in the Central Balkan National Park and is surrounded by beautiful forests. A morning walk might add some higher elevation species to our list, such as Black Redstart, Coal Tit and Common Crossbill.

It will take 5-6 hours to reach our next destination, Durankulak. Our lodge is situated on the shore of the famous Lake Durankulak, thus offering great opportunities to bird from the balcony before dinner. Spanish Sparrow, Black-headed Bunting and the black-headed race of Yellow Wagtail are garden birds here, while Bee-eater, Hobby, Calandra Lark and Little Owl can also be seen from our lodge.

Lake Durankulak is one of the western-most breeding sites of Paddyfield Warbler and while

looking for these lovely songsters, we might find many other species such as Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis and Whiskered and Black Tern. Further south is Lake Shabla, where we shall scan the shallow waters for waterfowl. In the past we have found Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Collared Pratincole and Terek Sandpiper here.

It is a short drive from Durankulak to the steppe country above the spectacular cliffs of Cape Kaliakra.

Here and at nearby Yailata, are the most western populations of Isabelline and Pied Wheatears.

We’ll search for well camouflaged Stone Curlews and hope to see Rose-coloured Starling. The powerful song of Calandra Larks will be ringing in our ears and amongst them are smaller numbers of Short-toed Lark. On the cliff top stands a ruined castle, from where we can scan the sea,

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“If you want to catch up on some east European birds this is the place - White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Ruddy Shelduck and Pygmy Cormorants, Lesser Grey and Masked Shrikes, Paddyfield and Olive Tree Warblers, Pied and Isabelline Wheatears and gorgeous Black-headed Buntings – the bird list is fantastic – oh and the butterfly list can be incredible too!” Roy Atkins

in search of Yelkouan Shearwaters and skuas, while Mediterranean Shags nest down below. Alpine Swifts nest on the cliff face and there is always a chance of a passing Bottlenose Dolphin.

4-5

Driving south we shall make a stop at the unique riverine forests of the Kamchia Reserve, where we’ll look for Black and Grey-headed Woodpecker, White-tailed Eagle and Honey Buzzard. Further south, we explore the Oak woodland near Goritza, looking for Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Semi-collared Flycatcher and Short-toed Treecreeper.

By late afternoon we’ll reach our accommodation near Bourgas. From here, we’ll visit the extensive wetlands exploring the lakes, flooded meadows and marshlands of one of Europe’s richest birding areas. We should see White Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants and Dalmatian Pelicans, while the shallow lagoons of Atanasovsko and Pomorie attract shorebirds including Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt, plus we’ll check through the passage waders in search of Broad-billed and Marsh Sandpiper. Mediterranean, Slender-billed and Little Gull can all be seen here, along with Gull-billed and other terns.

Nearby the reed-fringed Mandra Lake is also full of birds with Squacco, Purple and Night Herons, White-winged BlackTerns and Savi’s and Cetti’s Warbler.

Golden Orioles flash between the Poplar trees, from which Penduline Tits collect the fluffy seeds to build their intricate hanging nests. Glossy Ibis, Ruddy Shelduck, Spoonbill and many other species are all possible here.

6-8

We head west through beautiful scenery to the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Raptors include Black Kite, Booted and Short-toed Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard.

Roadside fence posts and wires are dotted with Rollers, Bee-eaters and Black-headed Buntings.

Later we stop in the Sakar Mountains, located in the southeast of Bulgaria, where Imperial Eagle has its stronghold.

This is a great area for raptors, with Lesser-spotted, Booted and Short-toed Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk and Long-legged Buzzard all possible. We’ll look for Olive-tree Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher. and Masked Shrike. We spend two full days in the volcanic landscape of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, where beautiful flower meadows hold countless butterflies and dragonflies, including rare treats such as Freyer’s Purple Emperor, Blue Argos, LittleTiger Blue and the mighty Odalisque! We’ll visit feeding tables where Griffon, European Black and Egyptian Vulture feed on carcasses, along with White-tailed Eagle and sometimes Imperial Eagles coming in to join the throng. Black Storks nest nearby and the scrubby bushes and rocky landscape are home to Chukar, Black-eared Wheatear, Orphean, Eastern Olivaceous, Sardinian and Subalpine Warbler, Sombre Tit, Western Rock Nuthatch and Ortolan and Black-headed Bunting. Pallid Swift and Red-rumped Swallow nest in the gorges, as does Blue Rock Thrush.

9

If time allows, we’ll enjoy more birding enroute to Sofia to catch our flight back to London.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

On arrival in Sofia we transfer to our hotel for our first night in the historic town of Tryavna 1 night at Hotel Familia, Tryavna

Days 2-3

Exploration of the Central Balkan National Park, before moving on to the shores of Lake Durankulak and the spectacular cliffs of Cape Kaliakra 2 nights at Birding Lodge, Lake Durankulak

Days 4-5

Heading south we’ll visit the forests of the Kamchia Reserve, before making our way to our next base; Burgas and birding in Atanasovsko, Pomorie and Mandra Lake 2 nights at Hotel Mirana, Burgas

Days 6-8

Drive to the Eastern Rhodope Mountains and Saker Mountains within the southeast of Bulgaria for some great raptor watching 3 nights at Wild Farm and village houses, Madzharovo

Day 9

Return to Sofia for our flight to Heathrow

Balazs Szigeti: White Pelicans Roy Atkins: Pygmy Cormorants, Eleanora’s Falcon Simon Eaves: Little Bittern Mark Denman: Freyer’s Purple Emperor Roy Cowley: Black-eared Wheatear

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

41

PYRENEES

“If you like raptors then this is the trip for you, with incredible views of Lammergeier in the past, plus astonishing numbers of Griffon Vultures. Red and Black Kites are everywhere, Honey Buzzards may be passing through in numbers and up to four species of eagle are possible!

Keep your eyes on the skies!”

Julian Sykes Dates

Sat 27 May - Sat 3 Jun 2017

Price

£1,595

Deposit £300 Single Supp £150

We’ve one of the best Spanish Pyrenees holidays around - after over 30 visits we would say that, but check out the great things we see before booking anywhere else.

Stunning hotel in the heart of the Hecho Valley Lammergeier in the air, Wallcreeper on nearby cliffs We’ve perfected a hit-list of all the very best birds Mountain day with Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough and Citril Finch Lowland day with Black Wheatear, Bee-eater, Blue Rock Thrush and more Incredible raptor list of over 15 species, plus owling trip Mammals, butterflies and alpine flowers too

Leaders Julian Sykes and James Shooter Flights

EasyJet, scheduled, Speedy Boarding and extra legroom included Outbound: Morning, Gatwick-Barcelona Inbound:Afternoon, Barcelona-Gatwick

Weather Probably a mixture of sun and showers

(10°-25°C), warmer in lowland area

and can be cool in the mountains Walking

There’ll be some short easy walks on level paths, with one mountain walk climbing gradually over 1½ miles, including some stony terrain

Meals

All included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8 Simple traditional Pyrenean fare

Insects

Biting insects are not usually a problem but bring repellant just in case

Accom

Twin and single rooms all ensuite

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Lammergeier Wallcreeper Alpine Accentor Alpine Chough Rock Thrush Citril Finch Black Woodpecker Short-toed Eagle Booted Eagle Scops Owl Golden Oriole Black Wheatear Orphean Warbler

42

Western Bonelli’sWarbler Ortolan Bunting Alpine Marmot Southern Chamois Black-eared Wheatear Blue Rock Thrush Rock Bunting Subalpine Warbler Rock Sparrow Woodchat Shrike Red-backed Shrike

1

Touching down at Barcelona, we can hardly wait to get to our hotel amidst meadows, forest and 2,000 metre mountain peaks dotted with snow. Eventually we arrive at our stunning hotel high in the Hecho Valley, where it’s possible to see Lammergeiers from the garden, along with Firecrest, Garden Warbler and Crested Tit!

2-7

At the first opportunity we head to a walkers’ refuge in the mountains, where we hope to find Citril Finches picking seeds off the teasels. Then a walk through the stunning beech forest to a sheer cliff face, looking for our Holy Grail, the elusive crimson-winged jewel - Wallcreeper! Lunch will be taken looking out over some of the most stunning views in the region, along with a chance of finding a Golden Eagle, or even Southern Chamois grazing on the distant crags.

It’s a short drive to the Upper Hecho, where the remains of winter snows decorate the higher valley alpine meadows. Here, swirls of tumbling Alpine and Red-billed Chough can be seen and we’re always watching out for Lammergeier, Griffon Vultures and Short-toed Eagle. Small herds of Southern Chamois graze high up on the herb rich slopes, where Trumpet Gentian, Elderflowered Orchid and Pyrenean Snowbell bloom.

The limestone outcrops are home to Alpine Marmots, giving their shrill whistles and looking like shaggy carpets!

Driving to high alpine passes, the snowline is our quest and in such places, around the fabulous stunted krummholtz forest, there’ll be Crossbill and Ring Ouzel. It is higher still where we shall be particularly seeking out specialised birds such as Alpine Accentor and Citril Finch, as we wander

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Birding in the Pyrenees is always stunning - the locations for birds such as Wallcreeper, Citril Finch Alpine Accentor and Alpine Chough are breath-taking, with snow-capped peaks and impressive vistas all around. Add to that delightful alpine flowers and butterflies and the occasional Alpine Marmot or Chamois and and you won’t know whether to look up at the skies, out to the mountains, or down by your feet!!” Julian Sykes

through delightful alpine meadows of flowers - all a short walk from the road.

We’ll show you vivid lowland colours too, where Bee-eater, Hoopoe and Golden Oriole, add vibrant tones to the poplars and cornfields of the River Aragon and staple birds include Cirl Bunting, Spotless Starling, Crested Lark and Serin. Red and Black Kite are constantly in the skies - they become so familiar that you begin to hardly notice them, but look out for the occasional Booted Eagle amongst them.

Some of the farmland meadows and arid escarpments have Rock Sparrow, Tawny Pipit and Woodchat Shrike, whilst in lush areas Nightingale sing from damp scrub and Cetti’s Warbler can be heard too. With Black-veined White and Scarce Swallowtail amongst the masses of butterflies on the wing, it’s a little overwhelming after the sparse alpine meadows!

Griffon Vultures sail around San Juan de la Peña cliffs – sometimes so close that we can hear the wind whistling through their enormous flight feathers.

Here, ancient monasteries peer out from the pines, where Short-toed Treecreeper, Crested Tit and Firecrest forage, with always the chance of a clarion-calling Black Woodpecker. In these beautiful mixed forests we’ll search for these dramatic birds and Honey Buzzard may be on the wing, Common Crossbill can be found and Western Bonelli’s Warbler sing.

We’re close here to Riglos, a tiny white village at the foot of towering puddingstone pillars of

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

rock, where Blue Rock Thrush and Egyptian and Griffon Vultures nest amidst the rock climbers.

We shall visit empty villages, where the surrounding scrubland holds Subalpine, Dartford and Melodious Warblers. Nightingale song fills the air, plus Western Orphean Warbler, Rock Thrush and Ortolan Bunting are all possible.

More warblers can be found at the impressive Castillo de Loare, birthplace of Catherine of Aragon, with Western Subalpine, Melodious, Sardinian and even Spectacled all possible, in the scrub that covers the rock on which the castle sits.

Add to this an optional night drive to see Scop’s Owl, European Nightjar and a good chance of hearing Midwife Toad and Soprano’s Pipestrelle from the roadside. Even the journey back to the hotel could produce a mammal or two.

8

We make the journey back to Barcelona and, depending on flight times, we may fit in some birding enroute, which might produce a surprise or two.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly to Barcelona, 3½-hour transfer to our charming hotel in the Hecho Valley 7 nights at Hotel Uson

Days 2-7

Birdwatching and wildlife exploration of the mountains and woodlands of the local area, plus scrub of San Juan de la Peña and Riglos

Optional night drive for Scop’s Owl and European Nightjar

Day 8

Transfer to Barcelona for our flight to the UK

Simon Eaves: Wallcreeper James Shooter: Landscape, Citril Finch Roy Atkins: Trumpet Gentian, Alpine Marmot Mark Denman: Griffon Vultures Julian Sykes: Alpine Accentor

43

MULL

“Summer on the magical island of Mull, in my view the best place in Britain to see eagles and Otters.

We’ll take a boat to the stunning Treshnish Isles, where we watch Puffins up close and wheeling around in vast flocks. It’s sure to be a highlight, in fact it has to be the ultimate ‘Puffin fix’!

I for one can’t wait!”

Craig Round Dates

Sat 3 - Sat 10 Jun 2017

Price

£1,575

Deposit £300

Single Supp £100

Leaders Craig Round and Simon Pawsey Travel

Easy to get to meeting point in Oban

Walking

Coastal walks on uneven terrain of 2-3 miles. Walking boots recommended.

Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip

Weather The weather can be mixed, but

we can reasonably expect sun

and showers, with temperatures

in the range of 15-25ºC, though it can

of course be cooler at times.

It is likely to be cooler on our boat trip.

You may want to bring sunscreen Boat Trip Our trip to Lunga lasts approximately

six hours, including three hours ashore Insects Biting midges will be encountered Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

Good quality hotel food

Accom Isle of Mull Hotel - double, twin

and single rooms all ensuite Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: White-tailed Eagle Golden Eagle Hen Harrier Peregrine Merlin Short-eared Owl Manx Shearwater Red-throated Diver Puffin Black Guillemot Guillemot Razorbill Arctic Skua Great Skua

44

Gannet Arctic Tern Eider Greenshank Rock Dove Raven Twite Hooded Crow Dipper Otter Minke Whale Common Seal Grey Seal Harbour Porpoise

A week on this beautiful island, perhaps the best place in Britain for White-tailed and Golden Eagle and Otter and a boat trip for “up close and personal” views of Puffins and seabirds.

High numbers of White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle and Otter Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier and divers close up A trip to Iona for calling Corncrake and the famous Abbey Treshnish Isles boat trip for close up Puffins and seabirds Weed-strewn shores with great Otter watching We’ve years of experience with Mull’s superlative wildlife

1

On our journey from Oban we may see Guillemot and Kittiwake and Harbour Porpoise close inshore. Common Dolphins could make an appearance.

We shall pass the ancient and impressive Duart Castle guarding the approach to the Sound of Mull. After docking, just a two-minute drive brings us to our shore side hotel, where we may have time for some local exploration.

At the end of the day, the lighthouse on the Isle of Lismore winks back at us, as Otters play around the shore.

2-7

From our hotel, with lovely views of the rocky seashore, right by Craignure Bay, Gannets and Arctic Terns go by and nearby, meadows are sprinkled with orchids and play host to Snipe, Curlew, Whinchat and Redpoll.

The mighty White-tailed Eagle is a real highlight in this area, together with majestic Golden Eagle, both busy feeding young at this time of year. Mull is probably ‘the’ best place in Britain to see eagles.

With around 16 pairs of White-tailed Eagles and 24 pairs of Golden Eagles, the island’s breeding birds are at their highest density anywhere in Europe. It’s not unknown for us to see White-tailed Eagle and up to six Golden Eagles in a single day!

Nearby, piping Common Sandpipers, fledged Wheatear and noisy ‘kleeping’ Oystercatcher are on weedy shores, where Common Seals haul out, with mottled drake Eider and resting Red-throated Divers offshore. Birch and oak woodland can hold Redstart, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler, as well as Sparrowhawk overhead. Here and in moorland glens, are some of our favourite

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“As we landed on the island of Lunga, Great Black-backed Gulls and several Great Skuas cruised menacingly along the cliff looking for an unwary auk, sending the vast flocks of Puffins spilling like a waterfall from the cliffs, before wheeling out to sea like an immense avian carousel!” Craig Round

places to see Golden Eagle, whilst Merlin nest in the boggy upland glens.

Estuaries have waders such as Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Dunlin, whilst offshore the myriad skerries hold noisy Common Gull and Common and Arctic Terns. Peaty burns by freshwater lochs are home to Dipper and Grey Wagtail, whilst coniferous woodland has Siskin and sometimes Common Crossbill.

A short distance away on rugged shorelines, we have often been lucky with fine views of Otters; engaging animals, as easy to see here as anywhere in Scotland. As we watch, Hooded Crow pick along the shore.

Red-breasted Merganser and the occasional Black-throated Diver occur, whilst Kestrel, Raven and Peregrine patrol the forbidding basalt cliffs.

In the dramatic folds of inland glens, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl hunt over the moorland and young coniferous plantations, where Whitethroat give their scratchy song.

Journeying along the croft land on the Ross of Mull, Buzzards adorn every telegraph pole and we’ll take the short passenger ferry to the beautiful white sandy beaches and azure blue seas of Iona.

The white cottages and famous Abbey are surrounded by tall hay meadows, where good numbers of calling Corncrake reside, but can be difficult to see at this time of year, now that the vegetation has grown tall, whilst Rock Dove and Twite are more obvious.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Iona, the last resting place of Scotland’s early monarchs and Clan Chiefs, is one of the most beautifully tranquil places anywhere in the Hebrides, Its attraction as a place of pilgrimage, that started with the cult of Columba in the 8th Century, continues to this day. A marvellous mixture of history and wildlife at our feet, Iona is sure to provide some memorable moments.

A trip highlight will be our boat journey to the seabird spectacle of the Treshnish Isles, alert to possible Minke Whales or Common Dolphins as we go. We’ll watch for Black Guillemot and Great Skua, Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel on the crossing.

We take in the island of Staffa and the basalt columns of ‘Fingal’s Cave’, before landing on the incredible island of Lunga. We have several hours to wander right amongst Puffins that greet us, whilst green-eyed Shag squawk their disapproval and an incredible throng of Guillemot and Razorbill roar in a cacophony. Fulmar cackle, Kittiwake cries echo up from narrow chasms and Arctic Skuas patrol offshore, amongst the flocks of wheeling seabirds ... it’s a wonderful place!

8

After breakfast on our final day, we return to Craignure for the ferry back to Oban where we make our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Catch the evening ferry from Oban to Craignure wildlife watching enroute then take the short journey to our hotel overlooking Craignure Bay.

Days 2-7 Birdwatching and wildlife exploration

including a trip to Iona to visit the

Abbey and a boat trip to the Treshnish

Isles where we shall see Fingal’s Cave

and have time to explore the island

of Lunga Day 8

Return on the morning ferry to Oban, wildlife watching enroute

Craig Round: Short-eared Owl,White-tailed Eagle, Black-throated Diver, Otter Simon Eaves: Lunga, Guillemot Jane Hope: Puffins

45

YELLOWSTONE IN SPRING

“Spring is a great time to visit the Yellowstone wonderland.

We’ll see Moose, Pronghorn and Bison tending their calves and bears foraging with their adorable cubs - we’ve even seen wolves with pups.”

Darren Rees

Dates

Sat 3 - Sat 17 Jun 2017

Price

£4,995

Deposit £950

Single Supp £1,000

Spring in the world’s first National Park. A vast wilderness, with colourful birds and flowers and of course fantastic mammals feeding after their winter rigours.

Wolf, Bison, Moose, plus Grizzly and Black Bear Eagles, Cranes, Bluebirds and colourful migrants Cute critters! Chipmunks, Ground Squirrels, Pika and Beaver Exceptional photo opportunities for wildlife and landscapes Geo-thermal wonders, with erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools Great hotels and food, with friendly hospitality A four-centre tour, staying right in Yellowstone, with years’ of experience

Leaders Darren Rees Flights

United Airlines, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Jackson Hole (via US stop) Inbound: Overnight, Jackson Hole-Heathrow (via US stop)

Weather

It can be cool (even cold), but daytime temperatures rise to warm and sunny (0°-15°C), with a chance of showers, cold snaps and some snow

Walking There’ll be some short easy walks

on wide paths, with optional walks

off tracks in the forest

Note that Yellowstone National Park is at high altitude. Most of the Park is above 7,500 feet / 2,275 metres

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 14 and are of good quality

Insects

Biting insects may occasionally be a nuisance, so bring repellent

Accom

Twin and single rooms all ensuite

Group 7

Just some of what we hope to see: Gray Wolf Black Bear Grizzly Bear Moose Pronghorn Bison Beaver Elk Coyote Yellow-bellied Marmot

46

1

Arriving in the evening, we have only a shor t transfer to our hotel in the stylish Western-style town of Jackson Hole.

2-4

We’ve three full days to explore the breath-taking Grand Teton National Park, a land of jagged peaks towering above sagebrush plains, jewel-like lakes and the meandering Snake River. Where do we start?

Common birds include Mountain Chickadee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Bluebird and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

At nearby Flat Creek we’ll see Trumpeter Swan, Cinnamon Teal and smart Yellow-headed Blackbirds. The historic Mormon Row barns, set amongst the sprawling Antelope Flats, will have you reaching for your camera and we’ll probably see our first Bison, Pronghorn and irresistible Least Chipmunks and Uinta Ground Squirrels.

The National Elk Refuge holds Sandhill Crane, Rock Wren, Horned Lark and perhaps our first Coyote. We’ll stop at famous Oxbow Bend, beneath lofty Mount Moran, looking for River Otters, Moose, Osprey and soaring Bald Eagles.

We’ll return for an evening elsewhere along the river, looking for crepuscular Beavers. Watching these animals swimming back and forth, tending to their dams and lodges and generally beavering around is a tour highlight!

5-7

We travel north along scenic Jackson Lake, steadily climbing through endless pine forests to reach the world’s first and most famous National Park - Yellowstone. We stay beside the immense Yellowstone Lake at 7,700 feet. This is a place of untamed nature, the Greater Yellowstone wilderness area is the size of Scotland!

Bald Eagle Sandhill Crane Harlequin Duck Trumpeter Swan Mountain Bluebird Great Horned Owl Gray Jay Clark’s Nutcracker Western Tanager American Dipper

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Wildlife abounds in a truly special landscape. Snow-capped peaks, pristine forests, sparkling lakes and tumbling waterfalls, combine with unique geo-thermal features. Our Yellowstone tour delivers natural wonders at every turn.” Darren Rees The lake hosts Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bufflehead and Common Loon, whilst the higher elevations at both Dunraven and Sylvan Passes, have endearing Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Yellow-bellied Marmot and American Pika.

We’ll visit the famous Hayden Valley (more than once!) where the wide open spaces are dotted with herds of Bison and American Elk and we’ve often seen charismatic Gray Wolf and Grizzly Bears. Flying raptors include Northern Harrier, Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawk and along the nearby Yellowstone River are splendid Harlequin Ducks and American Dippers. At Canyon, the river cuts a deep gorge, appropriately named the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, a stunning landscape of colourful eroded pillars and truly spectacular waterfalls. We’ll also spend an early morning and evening at Pelican Creek and Fishing Bridge, in search of River Otter, Beaver and Belted Kingfisher.

8-10

We move to Mammoth in the north of Yellowstone, where Elk graze the watered lawns outside our cabins and the friendly ground squirrels will be on the lookout for the local Prairie Falcons. Nearby are the beautiful volcanic travertine terraces and an early morning visit is great for photos and delightful birds, such as Townsend’s Solitaire, Hammond’s Flycatcher and Western Tanager.

Other early mornings excursions will be to the stunning Lamar Valley, in search of magnificent Gray Wolves. Re-introduced in 1995, these superb animals are an integral part of the

restored ecosystem and we’ve had some amazing encounters: packs travelling the valley floor, chasing Elk and Bison, defending carcasses from Grizzlies.

What might we see in America’s Serengeti?

Around the Blacktail Deer Plateau, we’ll look for Williamson’s Sapsucker, Three-toed Woodpecker and MacGillivray’s Warbler, along with Gray and Steller’s Jay. On the spectacular Beartooth Highway, listed as one of the most beautiful roads in America, we’ll look for specialities of the high country, such as Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, Golden Eagle and Black Rosy Finch.

11-13

South of Mammoth is the centre of the geo-thermal wonders of Yellowstone, it’s how the place got its name! Between Norris and Old Faithful basins is an incredible 70% of the world’s geysers and we’ve two days to fully explore the bewildering collection of bubbling mud pools, erupting steam jets and multi-coloured pools. Our accommodation is within walking distance of famous Old Faithful and other predictable geysers like Daisy, Riverside and Grand, so expect a busy morning geyser-gazing!

Reluctantly we leave Yellowstone, crossing the Continental Divide and return to Grand Teton National Park, watching for wildlife as we go. We’re sure to stop at Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain, for a last look at the stunning mountain scenery, before checking in at Jackson for our last night.

14-15

on Day 15.

We catch our flights home, arriving in the UK early morning

Outline Itinerary Day 1 Fly to Jackson Hole, via US stop,

arriving in the evening

Short transfer to 49er Inn – 4 nights Days 2-4 Wildlife and birdwatching exploration

of Grand Teton National Park Day 5 Relaxed day transfer to

Lake Yellowstone - 3 nights Days 6-7 Explore Hayden Valley, north shore

of Lake Yellowstone and

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Day 8 Wildlife watching on day transfer

to Mammoth Hot Springs - 3 nights Days 9-10 Two full days to explore north

section of Yellowstone, including

Lamar Valley, Beartooth Pass and

Blacktail Plateau Day 11 Morning at the beautiful travertine

terraces at Mammoth before drive

via Norris Geyser Basin to Old

Faithful – 2 nights Day 12 A full day for geothermal features,

including Old Faithful Geyser Basin

and spectacular Grand Prismatic Pool Day 13 Drive south to Grand Teton for our final

night at Jackson Hole – 1 night Days 14-15 Morning flight from Jackson Hole,

evening flight to Heathrow,

arriving UK Day 15 Simon Eaves: Black Bears, Bison, Harlequin Ducks, Mountain Bluebird Colin Scott: Bald Eagle, Grand Prismatic Pool

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

47

CROATIA AND SLOVENIA

“I am very excited about the great variety of wildlife we may see on this trip - not just some great birds, but mammals, fabulous reptiles and amphibians, plus butterflies and flowers too. It is a great trip for anyone interested in all sorts of wildlife.”

Roy Atkins

Dates

Sat 17 - Sun 25 Jun 2017

Price

£2,495

Deposit £450

Single Supp £200

This trip has so much to offer for the general naturalist - birds, butterflies, an exceptional selection of reptiles - all in stunning scenery from the Julian Alps to the Croatian coastline Beautiful scenery from mountains of Slovenia down to the Croatian coastline Beautiful waterfalls and crystal coloured, blue-green lakes at Plitvice Rock Partridge, Black-headed Bunting, Rock Nuthatch, Orphean Warbler Fabulous variety of butterflies including several alpine species Probably more reptiles and amphibians than any other trip we run!

Beautiful alpine flowers high in the Julian Alps Visit to the famous karst caves at Postojna

Leaders Roy Atkins plus local guides Flights

Easyjet, scheduled. Speedy boarding and extra legroom included Outbound: Afternoon, Stansted - Ljubljana Inbound: Afternoon, Split - Stansted

Weather

Warm in lower areas, around 25˚C – perhaps 30˚C. Cooler in the mountains, possibly chilly early in the day with chance of rain. Bring light rain gear, layers and walking boots plus lighter weight footwear

Walking

Walking is mainly easy on good tracks and trails, though slightly trickier in the gorge at Paklenica.

Some slightly steeper walking in mountains dependent on snow!

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 9

Insects

Insects are unlikely to be a problem but bring repellent just in case

Accom

Twin and single rooms all ensuite.

Good quality small hotels and family run lodges with traditional food and some excellent breakfasts.

One hotel with small wine cellar!

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Rock Partridge Alpine Accentor Sombre Tit Western Rock Nuthatch Grey-headed Woodpecker Western Bonelli’s Warbler Black Woodpecker Golden Oriole Eastern Orphean Warbler Olm (in cave aquarium)

48

1

After arrival in Ljubljana airport we drive to our hotel beside Lake Bohinj, a fairytale location among the craggy peaks of the Julian Alps.

2

Walking the north side of Lake Bohinj through pastures, Beech woods and Norway Spruce, we may see Grey-headed Woodpecker, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Dipper and Red-backed Shrike, while nearby forests hold Red-breasted Flycatcher and we’ll look for Yellow-bellied Toads.

Butterflies are numerous with Marbled Fritillary, Blue-spot Hairstreak, Woodland Brown and Chequered Skipper possible.

In the afternoon we shall visit Pokljuka plateau.

This forested karst plateau at 1,100m to 1,400m holds Common Crossbill, Firecrest, Crested Tit and Ring Ouzel. We’ll look out for Black Salamander and Alpine Newt and Smooth

and Aesculapian Snake are possible.

3

Mangart pass at 2,070m is the highest road in Slovenia, a unique opportunity to get high into an alpine habitat offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and a rich array of alpine plants. Golden Eagles hunt for Alpine Marmot and we’ll search for Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, Alpine Swift, Alpine Chough, Snowfinch and elusive Wallcreeper.

Chamois watch from the ridges and butterflies may include Brassy Ringlets, Alpine Heath, Alpine Blue, Mountain Fritillary and Poplar Admiral. A short stop as we descend may produce Horvath’s Wall Lizard, one of the rarest lizards of Europe and if time permits, we shall stop by the beautiful, emerald-coloured Soca River for photographs.

Black-eared Wheatear Blue Rock Thrush Rock Thrush Wallcreeper Collared Flycatcher Golden Eagle Many species of butteflies, reptiles and amphibians

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The scenery and beauty of the two countries we are visiting will be as much a part of this holiday as the wildlife. We visit the snow-capped Julian Alps and the Croatian coastline, plus the stunning Plitvice Lakes and the caves at Postojna - look them up on the internet and you’ll see why we just couldn’t leave them out!” Roy Atkins

4

At Postojna the famous caves are a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fantastic web of tunnels, passages, galleries and astonishing diversity of karst features attract many visitors and we’ll take a 5km journey by electric cave train, deep into this underground world. Once here we shall take the guided walk to enjoy the astonishing features of this amazing place. Bizarre looking, pink Olms live here in inaccessible underground lakes - but we can still see these aquatic and blind, cave salamanders, as they do keep a few for people to see in an aquarium here.

5

We’ll explore magnificent Mount Nanos, standing like a secret garden above the surrounding plain and full of amazing flowers and butterflies. Poplar Admiral, Assmann’s Fritillary, Alpine Mountain Argus, Great Sooty Satyr, Large Grizzled and Large Chequered Skipper are found and crags and woodlands are home to Golden Eagle, Chamois and even Lynx!

On the high plateau we’ll look for Woodlarks, Rock Bunting and Rock Thrush, with Rock Partridge also possible. Reptiles found in this area include Western Green Lizard, Dalmatian Wall Lizard and Western Whip Snake among many others.

6

We move on to Plitvice Lakes, a valley situated between high forested mountains where, one below another, lie a string of sixteen beautiful lakes and tarns of crystal blue-green colour. Fed by many small streams as they spill into each other in foaming cascades and thundering waterfalls - their unique beauty earning them a place in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Among the old trees and amazing waterfalls we hope to find Collared Flycatcher, Middle Spotted, Grey-headed and Black Woodpeckers.

Fire Salamander, Italian Crested Newt, Edible Frog and European Tree Frog are possible and we’ll walk the trails and take a boat ride before driving south towards the Mediterranean coast line.

7

Paklenica National Park, with its river-carved canyons and attractive landscape, is home to Sombre Tit, Western Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush and Black-eared Wheatear.

Olivaceous, Eastern Orphean, Subalpine and Sardinian Warblers provide a soundtrack as we look for Rock Partridge, Wryneck and Golden Oriole. Butterflies are everywhere including Swallowtail, Festoon, Southern White Admiral and many whites, blues and hairstreaks. Thirty one amphibian and reptile species have been recorded here, including the colourful Dalmatian Algyroides.

8

The Croatian coastline is beautiful - with typical Mediterranean landscape of vineyards, vegetable plots, orchards and olive groves.

Species around the Lun Peninsular include Rock Partridge, Black-headed Bunting, Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Montagu’s Harrier, Bee-eater and Spanish Sparrow amongst old saltpans, wet meadows and marshy shoreline.

9

We travel to the airport, with bird watching on the way if time allows and travel home.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Flight to Ljubljana airport then head to our hotel near Lake Bohinj 3 nights Hotel Jezero

Day 2

Exploring the north side of Lake Bohinj and a visit to Pokljuka plateau

Day 3

Visit to the breathtaking high alpine habitat of Mangart Pass

Day 4

Travel to Postojna and visit the famous caves - a UNESCO World Heritage site 2 nights Hotel Rakov Skocjan

Day 5

Discovering the flora and fauna of magnificent Mt Nanos

Day 6

Travel to Plitvice Lakes - a UNESCO World Heritage site 3 nights Hotel Rajna

Day 7

A full day at the stunning Paklenica National Park

Day 8

Exploring the Lun Peninsular on the beautiful Croatian coast

Day 9

Travel to Split for our flight home

Balazs Szigeti: Bee-eater, Plitvice Lakes, Alpine Accentor, Black-eared Wheatear, Alpine Chough, Black-headed Bunting

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

49

SUTHERLAND AND SPEYSIDE

“Speyside is at the heart of Scottish wildlife, with The Steading at the heart of Speyside and I love spending time there year on year. With great chances of iconic ‘north of the border’ birds and mammals local to this fabulous accommodation, it’s almost a holiday for me spending time there.”

Julian Sykes

Dates

Sat 17 - Tue 27 June 2017

Price £1,795 Deposit £350

Single Supp £150

To Handa Island and back - Speyside’s speciality birds and mammals, plus spectacular seabird colonies in the north-west, all in Scotland’s most incredible land and sea-scapes.

Leaders Julian Sykes and Simon Pawsey

Fabulous long summer days when the sun barely sets Our favourite Speyside days, including all the Scottish specialities An evening for Pine Marten and Badger at our baited hide Four days of spectacular Sutherland birds and landscapes A special journey to Handa Island in north-west Sutherland Durness and Balnakeil Bay on the edge of Scotland White-tailed Eagle, Greenshank and Rock Dove

Weather Mixture of sun and showers (10°-25°C) Walking

Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide, sandy tracks, although there is the possibility of a forest walk of up to 4 miles

Our Cairngorms walk is more

steep and uneven but low-level

unguided alternatives are available.

Walking boots will be needed on the holiday Boat Trip Our boat trip to Handa Island is over

sheltered waters and lasts 15 mins Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11

Insects Biting midges can occasionally be a

nuisance by lochs and shores Accom The Steading - double, twin and single

ensuite and non ensuite rooms

The Rhiconich Hotel and The Rowan Tree Hotel - double, twin and single rooms all ensuite

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Great Northern Diver Red-throated Diver Capercaillie Black Grouse Slavonian Grebe Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Puffin Dotterel Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Snow Bunting 50

1

Dinner together on Saturday starts the holiday at the Steading, followed with a chat about the coming days.

2-5

From our base in Glen Feshie we’ll start with a visit to a local glen or to the beautiful Caledonian Pine Forest. Here, Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill are amongst the breeding birds, Red Squirrels scamper through the branches and we’ll look out for elusive Capercaillie and Black Grouse.

Nearby lochans hold beautiful Slavonian Grebes and we’ll visit nesting Osprey, including our very own pair so close to the Steading. We have our own places to find camouflaged Mountain Hare, with huge herds of Red Deer watching us from the skyline. Golden Eagle and Raven soar above

the mountain slopes and Peregrine hunt in the valley, where Oystercatcher and Curlew have chicks and Common Gull nest on the shingle. We’ll also venture onto the arctic-tundra of Cairngorm in search of Ptarmigan - easy now we can use the Funicular Railway to get there!

Wandering higher onto the plateau we’ll search for Dotterel and with luck we may find Snow Bunting too. One evening we’ll visit our own hide for Pine Marten and Badger, plus cute Wood Mouse and the chance of a Tawny Owl or a roding Woodcock.

The meandering River Spey holds Dipper, Grey Wagtail and noisy Common Sandpiper, while waders display over marshes around Lochindorb and Insh. Goldeneye have delightful little black and white ducklings and ‘proper’ Scottish Greylag Geese

Dotterel Osprey Red Kite Merlin Peregrine Guillemot Razorbill Fulmar Arctic Skua Great Skua Black Guillemot Pine Marten

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The north west corner of the Scottish mainland is an astonishing place to visit, being stacked with tiny coves of white sandy beaches, rocky outlets and the stunning Handa Island. This is where we get up close and personal with skuas, terns, gulls and of course auks - not least the very cute Puffin - just love this place!” Julian Sykes nest. Red Kite circle above the rolling farmland of the Moray Firth, whilst tidal bays are busy with Eider and noisy Arctic, Common and Sandwich Tern. There may even be the odd non-breeding scoter or Long-tailed Duck.

On the wild moors of Dava and the Monadhliaths, Merlin and Peregrine can be found and these are places where the plaintive notes of Ring Ouzel, the cackling of Red Grouse and the mournful piping of Golden Plover can be heard.

6-10

We journey past deep-indented sealochs and dramatic peaks via Gruinard Bay, where we’ll search for White-tailed Eagle and perhaps see our first Black-throated Diver in stunning breeding plumage.

There is always a chance of Otter here and perhaps Golden Eagle, before heading for our hotel farther north at Rhiconich. This is wild country, feeling as spectacular and ‘foreign’ as it’s possible to get in this land. It is open, ice-scoured and wild - the soaring mountains like Suilven and Stac Pollaidh standing in isolation and interspersed with numerous peaty lochs and patches of native broadleaves, while the coastline is dotted with sandy bays and small islands - for many this is the most beautiful part of Britain.

The most renowned birding location here must be Handa Island and taking a small boat to get there we’ll spend a full day enjoying the circular route around the island.Thousands of Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar and Kittiwake nest on the towering cliffs

of the stack on the north coast, with smaller numbers of Puffin right on top. Black Guillemots breed in the boulders at the base of the cliffs and we often get close views from the boat.

The colonies are patrolled by Great and Arctic Skuas, both of which nest on the island, allowing close up views of these spectacular birds.

Red-throated Diver may be nesting, even on the smaller lochans. Summering Great Northern Divers are frequently found at Balnakeil Bay, where the white beach rises up to the grassy slopes of Faraid Head, dotted with Puffins.

Here, near Durness, Corncrakes can sometimes be heard. Wild Rock Doves are found here too, along with Twite and we’ll scan the sea as there is always the chance of whales and dolphins.

Divers, Merlin, Greenshank and Golden Eagle will punctuate our journeys around Loch Eriboll and Loch Assynt - a truly wonderful place. On our last afternoon we enjoy more spectacular scenery as we return to Speyside.

11

After breakfast on Tuesday we say our farewells

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie 5 nights at the Steading

Days 2-5 Wildlife and birdwatching exploration

throughout Speyside including,

Abernethy Forest, Dava Moor,

the Moray Firth coast and the Cairngorms Day 6

Journey through stunning scenery to Sutherland, birdwatching enroute

4 nights at The Rhiconich Hotel

Days 7-9

Wildlife and birdwatching exploration around Sutherland including a visit to Handa Island

Day 10

Return to Speyside for overnight stay 1 night at The Rowan Tree Hotel

Day 11

Depart after breakfast

Colin Scott: Slavonian Grebe Ted Stevens: Kyle of Durness Simon Eaves: Crossbill Mary Braddock: Guillemot John Grierson: Fulmar Geraint Young: Pine Marten

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

51

SHETLAND

“Shetland has some of the best birding and wildlife spectacles anywhere in Britain. Whether it’s watching exquisite Red-necked Phalaropes, vast numbers of breeding seabirds or, in the fiery half light of the ‘simmer dim’, tiny Storm Petrels flick low over the sea to their nests on Mousa, it really is a magical trip!”

Craig Round Dates

Sat 1 - Sat 8 Jul 2017

Price

£2,125

Deposit £350 Single Supp £250

Just 6° south of the Arctic Circle - far northern isles and world-class wildlife, huge seabird colonies and delightful Red-necked Phalaropes, at the Simmer Dim. Islands at the ‘Simmer Dim’ when the sun barely sets Easy flight to Shetland rather than the 14-hour ferry Mousa’s Storm Petrels, Fetlar’s Red-necked Phalaropes The spectacular seabird cities of Noss and Sumburgh Otters and offshore whales and dolphins Regular rarities and summering scarce breeders Closer to Norway than to mainland Scotland

Leader Craig Round Flights

Flybe, Scheduled Outbound: Morning, Inverness-Sumburgh Inbound: Afternoon, Sumburgh-Inverness

Weather

During a typical week in this season we expect to experience mixed sun and showers, with temperatures in the range 10-20ºC.

Walking

Walking is generally very relaxed and easy, but on at least two of the days we may take walks of up to 3-4 miles on rough grassland and small coastal paths. Hiking boots essential

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8

Insects Biting insects are not a problem Accom

SaxaVord, Unst - double, twin ensuite single non-ensuite rooms in individual houses. Please note that single rooms will be sharing a bathroom with one other guest unless a further supplement is paid.

Busta House Hotel - double, twin and single ensuite rooms

Group

7

Just some of what we hope to see: Red-necked Phalarope Whimbrel Storm Petrel Red-throated Diver Great Northern Diver Long-tailed Duck Whooper Swan Great Skua Arctic Skua Gannet Puffin Black Guillemot Common Tern Arctic Tern 52

Dunlin Golden Plover Twite Rock Dove Raven Twite Otter Minke Whale White-beaked Dolphin White-sided Dolphin Killer Whale Harbour Porpoise Harbour Seal Grey Seal

1

Flying from Inverness, we arrive in Shetland, drive over Mainland on to the low-lying island of Yell using inter-island ferries and onwards to our base on Unst, the northernmost inhabited island of the British Isles.

Our boat journeys capture the very essence of an island holiday. The tiny ferry harbours are the favourite haunt of Otters.

Gannets dive in synchronised teams, alarmed Puffins plunge to escape marauding Skuas, Arctic Terns fish and streams of auks are always on the move. We shall also be alert to the sight of fins breaking the surface betraying a Porpoise close inshore.

Shetland lies 60 degrees North, where in midsummer the sun is above the horizon for 19 hours and where, given clear skies the long twilight, or “simmer dim” ensures

24 hour light. These northern isles although politically part of Scotland (but only since the 15th Century), have a distinctly Scandinavian feel to them, reflecting the long association Shetland has had with our Norwegian neighbours.

We can see this in the pattern and colours of the Shetland flag. The sea has carved these landscapes and provides riches for both wildlife and man.

2-3

On Unst we are almost ‘dropping off’ the end of Britain! The nearest railway station is Bergen in Norway. We shall cross the moorland to the wild cliffs of Hermaness, dodging dive-bombing Great Skuas (in Shetland called Bonxies, meaning ‘bad-tempered person’) to reach the vast gannetry. Puffins emerge from their burrows and scurry around our feet as we look out to Muckle Flugga lighthouse – after which there is no more Britain!

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“As you sail around and in under the cliffs of the ‘Noup of Noss’ the view that greets you always takes your breath away, as huge seacliffs suddenly rise up from the sea and tower above you, dwarfing the boat. You are surrounded by the deafening noise of thousands of Gannets thronging the ledges and wheeling around right above you, a view from a lost world, it’s truly awe-inspiring!”

Craig Round

Unst also supports Wheatear, Twite and occasionally Icelandic race Black-tailed Godwit, whilst Whimbrel give their quivering call.

at Lax Firth, we’ve seen White-beaked and Whitesided Dolphins and watched Humpback, Minke and predatory Killer Whales!

Whimbrel can also be seen on the tundra-like heath of Fetlar, another of our inter-island boat journeys – a habitat that supports outstanding numbers of breeding waders. Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover occur on cultivated land; Golden Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Snipe and Redshank on moor and bog. Red-throated Divers may have young and we shall hear their weird courtship wailing.

Shetland for a long time was part of the Norse kingdoms and, along with Orkney, Fair Isle and the Faroes was a staging post for the Norse invasions of Western Ireland. History is never far away on these islands.

This island is also home to rare Red-necked Phalaropes, as they delicately spin on lochans, picking insects from the waterside stones.

North Shetland, renowned for Otters, is probably the UK’s premier location for this elusive mammal and we have been lucky with fine views at a number of sites we know. Along the shores we shall see Red-breasted Merganser and Eider and further inland coastal species nest everywhere, including Arctic Skuas (Skooty Aalin) and Fulmar (Maailies!) – we shall really be learning our Shetland bird names.

4-7

Leaving the north and its myriad islands and skerries behind us, we venture south to explore Mainland. Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Whooper Swan and King Eider all regularly over-summer here.

We’ll also see Rock Dove, Raven and perhaps Peregrine. at Sumburgh Head, close to the dramatic Viking settlement of Jarlshoff and also

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

A trip highlight for many will be our dusk visit to the island of Mousa, where inside the ancient Pictish broch stonework we are enveloped in silence, until the magical rhythmic ‘churring’ of tiny Storm Petrels amongst the stones brings it alive. It’s a privilege to watch them patter at our feet and as they flutter like bats around our heads, the real world seems a million miles away.

The island of Noss is without doubt one of the finest single seabird islands in Europe. On our boat trip out around the island, we’ll cruise right in under the incredible sheer seabird cliffs of the Noup, rising some 590ft above us, the largest cliffs on Shetland’s east coast and home to almost 9,000 pairs of Gannet! Sheer seabird heaven!

The great bird city holds Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Shag and we’ll see the delightful Black Guillemot (Tystie).

8

We should have some time to birdwatch on the final morning before taking an afternoon flight back to Inverness.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly into Sumburgh and travel north to our base at Sava Vord on Unst.

Days 2-3 Exploration of Unst, including

the wild cliffs of Hermaness and the

small island of Fetlar Day 4

Travel south over on the ferry to our base on the Mainland

Days 5-7 Birdwatching and wildlife exploration

of south Mainland including a visit to

Noss, the Viking settlement of Jarlshoff

and night visit to Mousa Day 8

Depart in the afternoon, after a morning bird and wildlife watching, on a flight back to Inverness.

Craig Round: Storm Petrel, Red-necked Phalarope, Great Skua, Arctic Tern Cath Wright: Puffin, Guillemot Roy Atkins: Gannets

53

WILDLIFE BONANZA

“It took me many years to see all these species - in some cases several visits to locations and many hours of searching. This is an easy way to see a fabulous selection of Highland specialities all in one week!! If you are a general naturalist keen to see all kinds of wildlife - this is the trip for you!” Roy Atkins

Dates

Sat 1 - Sat 8 Jul 2017

Price

£1,095

Deposit £200 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

The special northern dragonflies, butterflies and wild flowers are our focus, with the chance of some Highland birds and mammals too, on our much requested Highland Full Monty!

Special and scarce, Highland butterflies and dragonflies Walk in Glen Affric to beautiful, dragonfly rich, Coire Loch A dozen species of orchid likely, including Small White and Lesser Twayblade Relaxed Cairngorm walk for alpine flowers as well as Frog Orchid A great list of Scottish birds and mammals too Based at our fabulous Steading with our outstanding chefs The perfect holiday for the ‘all-round’ naturalist

Leaders Roy Atkins and Duncan Macdonald Weather

The weather can vary enormously.

During a typical week in this season we would expect mixed sun and showers with temperatures in the range of 10-25ºC.

Walking

There’ll be some short easy strolls on wide paths but also two longer more strenuous but unrushed walks, including an “at-your-pace” 3 mile round trip walk into the Cairngorms and a walk around the ‘yellow route’ to Coire Lochan in Glen Affric.

Walking boots are recommended.

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting midges can occasionally

be a nuisance by lochs and shores,

especially in the west.

Accom

Double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms at our very special, delightfully furnished converted barn, the Steading.

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Northern Emerald White-faced Darter Northern Damselfly Northern Brown Argus Large Heath Brilliant Emerald Azure Hawker Dark-green Fritillary Twinflower Common Wintergreen Serrated-leavedWintergreen Lesser Butterfly Orchid Heath Fragrant Orchid Small White Orchid

54

Frog Orchid Lesser Twayblade Globe Flower Starry Saxifrage Dwarf Cornel Pine Marten Red Squirrel Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Black-throated Diver Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Slavonian Grebe Osprey

1

Our action-packed week star ts with dinner together at the Steading on Saturday evening.

On this week, more than any other, our itinerary is dictated by the weather! If the sun is shining we shall head to lochans and streams for dragonflies and flowery meadows or moorland for butterflies. Some of these species need sunshine to be on the wing, so we may need to grab these times if the forecast is not so good. If it is raining - well the flowers will look fabulous whatever the weather!

2-7

Our focus this week is the special Highland species of dragonflies, butterflies and flowers, so we may star t locally visiting ancient Caledonian Pines, where delicate Twinflower spread in patches on the forest floor - their tiny paired flowers are

exquisite and surely one of the most beautiful of the flowers we shall see this week. Common, Intermediate and Serrated-leaved Wintergreen are here too, while boggy pools hold Four-spotted Chaser and Common Hawker, plus rare Nor thern Damselfly and White-faced Dar ter. Orchid meadows host Small White, Greater and Lesser Butterfly, Nor thern Marsh and Heath Fragrant Orchids and we’ll search for Lesser Twayblade, always tricky with its habit of growing under the heather! On slopes dotted with Rockrose, we’ll hunt for Nor thern Brown Argus in its full Scottish form - with white dots on the forewings. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Large Heath are on the wing and we’ll also run a moth trap whenever we can. The forests provide the chance of Red Squirrel, Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill, though we shall need to check these carefully as both

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Some of these species are just exquisite! Twinflower with its delightful pinkish bell-like flowers, the tiny but perfect Northern Brown Argus, green-eyed Northern Emerald searching the outer branches of pines for flies, delicate Lesser Twayblade hidden under the heather, dashing blue Azure Hawkers and glistening Brilliant Emerald are all very special and a thrill to see - fingers crossed for some nice sunshine!” Roy Atkins Common and Parrot Crossbill now breed here too. We’ll also make a visit to our mammal hide, with fingers crossed for close up views of Badger and delightful Pine Mar tens!

The Findhorn Valley provides a chance of Golden Eagle and Mountain Hare, plus Red Deer, Dipper and Peregrine. Mountain Pansy, Stagshorn Clubmoss, Alpine Bistor t and Bearberry are likely as we cross the moorland to Loch Ruthven, the stronghold of beautiful Slavonian Grebe, here in colourful breeding plumage. There is always a chance of fishing Osprey here and we may find Water Lobelia – a beautiful plant with submerged leaves and white flowers. If the sun is out we’ll make a dash to beautiful Loch Bran, where the rare, metallic green Brilliant Emerald and other dragonflies such as Highland Dar ter may be on the wing.

We’ll spend a whole day walking in beautiful Glen Affric, following a trail that will lead us to a lily-studded lochan where Downy Emerald, Golden-ringed Dragonfly and White-faced Dar ter can be found, along with some of the more common damselflies.

Our walk includes some steeper sections, but we can take it slowly - and one section of wide track holds Common Hawker and sometimes the ‘holy grail’ of nor thern dragonflies - Azure Hawker - with slim chances of Highland Dar ter and Dark-green Fritillary too.

Fur ther west, we’ll visit sea lochs where White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Rock Dove, Black Guillemot and Red-throated and

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Black-throated Divers are possible. Common Seals haul out on the rocks, Great Skua cruise over the islands and Arctic Terns breed, but the real focus is Loch Maree, in the hear t of Torridon, where we have our best chance to find Azure Hawker and Nor thern Emerald Dragonflies - two real Highland specialities.

Great and Round-leaved Sundews trap midges here, as does Butterwor t and we’ll see other typical moorland species like Bog Asphodel, Lousewor t and Bog Myr tle.

Our route up into the alpine world of the Cairngorm Corries is not too steep and we can stop for rests to enjoy the flowers on the way. We can compare up to six berry-bearing bushes as we walk, including Bog Bilberry, Crowberry, Bearberry and Cloudberry. The beautiful alpine flowers include Starry Saxifrage, Dwarf Cornel, Globe Flower and Trailing Azalea as we gain height.

We’ll get excited about club-mosses with Fir, Interrupted and Alpine, then as we get higher, we hope to find more alpine flowers, including Alpine Ladies Mantle, Alpine Sawwor t, Alpine Meadow Rue, Roseroot and perhaps the rare Alpine Speedwell - with tiny deep blue flowers.

We have found patches of Frog Orchid in the past and if we have time to get beyond the large boulders in the corrie, we may even add Moss Campion and Arctic Mouse-ear.

8

We say our farewells after breakfast on Saturday.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about our plans for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading.

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching

exploration including Abernethy

Forest, the Cairngorms, Loch Maree,

Glen Affric and West Coast.

Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart.

Roy Atkins: Northern Brown Argus,Twinflower, Northern Emerald, Large Heath Steve Dudley: Azure Hunter Colin Scott: Slavonian Grebe Pierre Vernay: Pine Marten

55

BIRDS, BOTANY AND BOTANICALS

“Some of my absolute favourite flowers are at their best at this time of year, real Highland specialities such as the delightful Alpine flowers of the high mountains and delicate Twinflower and wintergreens of the ancient pine forests, plus some beautiful orchids too.

Bring your camera!” Roy Atkins

Dates

Sat 8 - Sat 15 Jul 2017

Price

£1,145

The world of craft gin is ever-increasing in production and nowhere more so than the Highlands of Scotland with its unique flora, which give these drinks their distinctive flavours

Deposit £200 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

Private visits to craft gin distilleries in the Highlands Walk the mountains and moors for the unique flora that infuse the drink Ten species of orchid possible, including Small White and Lesser Twayblade Cairngorm walk for alpine flowers as well as Frog Orchid Throughout the week, a great list of Scottish birds and mammals too Based at our fabulous Steading with our outstanding chefs Twinflower, wintergreens and other special Highland flowers

Leaders Roy Atkins and Duncan Macdonald Weather

The weather can vary enormously.

During a typical week in this season we would expect mixed sun and showers with temperatures in the range of 10-25ºC.

Walking

There’ll be some short easy strolls on wide paths, but also a longer more strenuous “at-your-pace” 3 mile round trip walk into the Cairngorms.

Walking boots are recommended

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting midges can occasionally

be a nuisance by lochs and shores,

especially in the west.

Accom

Double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms at our very special, delightfully furnished converted barn, the Steading.

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Twinflower Common Wintergreen Serrated-leaved Wintergreen Lesser Butterfly Orchid Creeping Ladies Tresses Heath Fragrant Orchid Small White Orchid Frog Orchid Lesser Twayblade Globe Flower Roseroot Starry Saxifrage 56

Dwarf Cornel Pine Marten Red Squirrel Mountain Hare Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Peregrine Black-throated Diver Red-throated Diver Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Slavonian Grebe Osprey Black Guillemot Great Skua

1 2-7

Our holiday star ts with dinner together at the Steading on Saturday evening.

Our focus this week will be on the unique flora of the Highlands, aiming to see, not only those species special to the area, but also those plants that are used in the ever-growing craft gin distillation industry.

These small-scale hand-crafted products utilise fragrant plants from Juniper and Bilberry to Rowan and Bog Myr tle and as we explore the Cairngorms and other wild areas, we shall look out for the many flowers and plants that are being used to add interesting flavours to the gin. We can then see how this is done on our private visits to local craft distilleries, where we shall see the making of these highly distinctive local drinks.

It won’t just be the fragrant plants for gin making that we search for, so we may star t by visiting

the ancient Caledonian Pines, where delicate Twinflower spread in patches on the forest floor - their tiny paired flowers are exquisite and surely one of the most beautiful of the flowers we shall see this week. Intermediate, Serrated-leaved and Common Wintergreen are here too and we’ll find the slim spikes of Creeping Ladies Tresses and star-like flowers of Chickweed Wintergreen beneath the trees.

Orchid meadows host Small White, Greater and Lesser Butterfly, Nor thern Marsh, Heath Spotted and Heath Fragrant Orchids and we’ll search for Lesser Twayblade, always a tricky one with its minute flowers and habit of growing under the heather!

No week in the Cairngorms would be complete without the backdrop of the bird and mammal specialities which inhabit the area.

The forests provide the chance of Red Squirrel,

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Gin has experienced a recent rise in popularity, with lots of new varieties unique to the area where they are produced. A great variety of flowers and plants are used to provide the unique flavours and we’ll be getting to see what these plants look like out in the field, as well as tasting them in the gin on our visits to two local distilleries.” Roy Atkins

Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill, though we shall need to check these carefully, as both Common and Parrot Crossbill breed here too. We’ll also make a visit to our mammal hide, with fingers crossed for close up views of Badger and delightful Pine Mar tens!

Our route up into the alpine world of the Cairngorm Corries is not too steep and we can stop for rests to enjoy the flowers on the way. We can compare up to six berry-bearing bushes as we walk, including Bog Bilberry, Crowberry, Bearberry and Cloudberry.

On two days we shall match the flora of the Cairngorms with private visits to local distilleries, where we shall meet the master distillers whose job it is to take these plants and create craft gin. They will show us the process and we shall be able to sample the fruits of their labours. Each one is different and each one reflects the areas from which the plants are gathered.

As we gain height, the beautiful alpine flowers around us include Starry Saxifrage, Dwarf Cornel, Globe Flower and Trailing Azalea We’ll get excited about club-mosses with Fir, Interrupted and Alpine, then as we get higher, we hope to find more alpine flowers, including Alpine Ladies Mantle, Alpine Sawwor t, Alpine Meadow Rue, Roseroot and perhaps the rare Alpine Speedwell - with tiny deep blue flowers.

The Findhorn Valley provides a chance of Golden Eagle and Mountain Hare, plus Red Deer, Dipper and Peregrine.

Mountain Pansy, Stagshorn Clubmoss, Alpine Bistor t and Bearberry are likely as we cross the moorland to Loch Ruthven, the stronghold of beautiful Slavonian Grebe, here in colourful breeding plumage. There is always a chance of fishing Osprey here as well.

Fur ther west, we’ll visit sea lochs where White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Rock Dove, Black Guillemot and Red-throated and Black-throated Divers are possible. Common Seals haul out on the rocks, Great Skua cruise over the islands and Arctic Terns breed. Great and Round-leaved Sundews trap midges here, as does Butterwor t and we’ll see other typical moorland species such as Bog Asphodel, Lousewor t and Bog Myr tle.

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We have found patches of Frog Orchid in the past and if we have time to get beyond the large boulders in the corrie, we may even add Moss Campion and Arctic Mouse-ear.

8

We say our farewells after breakfast on Saturday.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about our plans for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading.

Days 2-7 Exploration of the local area, including

Abernethy Forest, the Cairngorms,

Loch Maree, and West Coast,

plus two visits to local gin distilleries.

Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart.

Roy Atkins: Roseroot,Twinflower, Creeping Ladies Tresses Loch Ness Gin: Juniper Mary Braddock: Golden Eagle Colin Scott: Slavonian Grebe Mark Hamblin: Pine Marten

57

THE FARNE ISLANDS

“The crossing starts well, with a fairly close fly-by Gannet, followed

by Guillemot and Razorbill on the water. Then our first Puffins, some swimming around in the water right next to the boat. As we get closer to the sea cliffs there are literally 1000’s of birds. The sight, sound and smell is an arrest to the senses.”

Julian Sykes Dates

Sat 8 - Sat 15 Jul 2017

Price

£1,695

Deposit £300

Single Supp £200

Fabulous summer birdwatching, as we explore the wildlife, coastlines, forests and moorlands of this corner of historic North-east England around The Farne Islands.

Full day visiting the Farne Islands for Puffins, Eiders and seabird colonies Day in the forest for crossbills and Red Squirrel Day on the moorland for grouse, Dipper and raptors Beautiful coastline hopscotch with long sandy beaches and inland pools Boat trip out in search of White-beaked Dolphins A trip out to Coquet Island to watch Roseate Terns and seals Comfortable hotel to return to each day

Leader Julian Sykes Weather Variable, with a good chance of

sunshine, (10°-20°C) but on the

boat trips waterproofs, warm

clothing and walking boots are needed Walking Walks of up to two miles, mainly

on level tracks around Reserves Boat Trips Our trip to the Farne Islands lasts

6 hrs, including 2 hrs onshore

on both Staple and Inner Farne.

Trip to Coquet Island lasts 1 hr.

Our evening White-beaked Dolphin

trip lasts 4 hrs Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Could be a problem, especially

on the inland day Accom

Twin and single rooms all ensuite, the first 3 singles will stay in the hotel, any further single bookings will be accommodated in a nearby B&B, but all meals will be taken with the group

Group 7

1

We are based in the picturesque coastal village of Embleton, which is perfectly placed to explore the wonderful scenery and wildlife of this historic north east county. The hotel is noted for its excellent, local and wholesome cuisine, with portions to satisfy the keenest of appetites.

Depending on time of arrival, a short walk out of Embleton to the golf course or quarry could produce our first Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers, Stonechat, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat of the week. Later that evening we have our first dinner, followed by a look at the planned itinerary, which will be weather and tide dependent.

2-7

This is a full and diverse week where a certain amount of flexibility is required due to the uncertainty of the weather and wildlife on offer, with a possibility of scarce and rare migrants.

Our lovely hotel is within easy walking distance of

Dunstanburgh Castle and a walk along the coastal path can produce Northern Wheatear, Linnet, singing Reed Bunting and possibly Yellow Wagtail.

Offshore we shall find Eider, or the local ‘Cuddy Ducks’ (after St Cuthbert’s) loafing around the bays, along with Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, Guillemot and possibly Common Scoter. North of Embleton is Newton by the Sea, where a stop overlooking the North Sea can produce a Little Tern fishing in the shallows. There are some excellent pools here that are always worthy of investigation, as migrant waders tend to make a stop here on their journey south.

Our longest drive is into the adjacent county of Teeside (bring your passport!), to a couple of their flagship Reserves along the River Tees – Seal Sands NR and Saltholme RSPB Reserve. Both are excellent and both very different, with the former being notable for Common Seals hauled out on the river edge and

Just some of what we hope to see: Puffin Kittiwake Arctic Tern Common Tern Sandwich Tern Roseate Tern Little Tern Little Egret Avocet

58

Tree Sparrow Yellowhammer Stonechat Osprey White-beaked Dolphin Harbour Porpoise Common Seal Grey Seal Red Squirrel

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The numbers of nesting Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags is astonishing, with every ledge and crevice being taken by one of these seabirds, as we cruise around the small islands seeing more of this outrageous spectacle, along with ‘hauled out’ Grey Seals. There are also Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls looking for an easy meal, as they prey on the auk’s eggs and hatchlings – harsh, but this is our natural world. Seabird cliffs and rookeries are an incredible experience, one we tend to take for granted in the UK - it is one of the world’s great avian spectacles. The Farne Islands have it by the bucket load!” Julian Sykes

the latter for its breeding Avocets, along with plenty of other wildfowl and waders. This is also an area that can produce an avian surprise or two, especially since waders such as Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank are moving south from their breeding grounds.

Thousands of seabirds breed in Northumberland and we’ll enjoy special boat trips to see them astonishingly close up. A visit to the Farne Islands needs no introduction and will be one of the highlights of the week. Our day here includes landings on both Inner Farne and Staple and we shall see birds at incredibly close range - expect Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Shags and Eider at your feet - a photographers dream!

Arctic Terns nest beside the paths and dive-bomb you as you walk - a good hat or a stick held aloft will keep us safe from their sharp bills!

Colonies of Sandwich and Common Terns are here too and inquisitive Grey Seals lift their heads from the water as we pass. A second boat trip takes us to RSPB Coquet Island (no landing) where 90% of the UK’s Roseate Terns breed. It’s a great opportunity to see this scarce breeding species fishing and loafing around on the rocks adjacent to their nesting boxes.

The target of our third boat trip is to glimpse one of the small groups of White-beaked Dolphins in these water. This little known cetacean spends its summer along the Northumberland coastline feeding in the fish-rich waters and trying to avoid their larger cousins who they see as a threat.

This tour takes us out into deeper water and as

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a consequence we have a chance to see Gannets fishing, Red-throated Diver and possibly Manx Shearwater.

Our coastal hopscotch day is punctuated with visits to the pools and wetlands just inland from Drurridge Bay. Reed and Sedge Warblers sing from the extensive phragmites beds, along with the more difficult Grasshopper Warbler. We hope to encounter the UK’s most northerly breeding Avocets at one of the Reserves, along with Common Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin and Green Sandpiper. There are usually a few surprises with Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull or Whimbrel distinct possibilities.

One day we drive inland to the mighty KielderWater – a huge reservoir that’s surrounded by coniferous forest. Due to the construction of platforms, it offers the chance of finding the nest of an Osprey and if our luck is in, one fishing in the lake itself.

A stop enroute could also produce Grey Wagtail in the river and we shall also be keeping an eye out for game birds on the drive across the moorland.

Typical pine forest species all breed in Kielder and we shall look for Common Crossbills and Red Squirrel in this vast forest - there’s always a chance of finding a Goshawk here too.

8

After our last ‘full english’ breakfast we say our fond farewells and conclude this ‘canny’ visit to the north east.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

We meet at Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel for a 7 night stay

Days 2-7 Exploration of the coast, forest and

moorland, including 3 boat trips for

The Farne Islands, White-beaked Dolphins

and Coquet Island Day 8

We say our farewells and depart after breakfast

Jane Hope: Guillemot, Puffin Ray Burgess: White-beaked Dolphin Sally Dowden: Arctic Terns Mark Denman: Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern Chrissie Nicholson: Lindesfarne Castle, Seal

59

Steve Batt

Ian Gardner

Cuckoo, Bulgaria, 2015. Holiday details page 46

Bottlenose Dolphin, Summer Mammals, 2015. Holiday details page 72

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

60

Steve Batt

Sue and Bill Gill

Nightingale, Bulgaria, 2015. Holiday details page 46

Guests on Autumn Wildlife holiday, 2015. Holiday details page 88

Mary Braddock

Colin Scott

Cranes at sunset, Hungary. Holiday details page 90

Dipper, Spring Birds, 2015. Holiday details page 40

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Darren Rees

Colin Scott

Guests in Yellowstone. Holiday details page 54

Uinta Ground Squirrel,Yellowstone. Hol. det. pg 54

Gerald and Ann Turley

Mike Hems

Guests in Costa Rica, 2015. Holiday details page 20

Pine Martens at our hide in the Cairngorms National Park, 2015. Details page 10

Terry Lee

Sue and Bill Gill

Guests in White Sands, New Mexico, 2013 Holiday details page 94

Loch Garten, 2015 Holiday details page 40

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61

SOUTH AFRICA

“Kruger National Park is the crowning glory of South Africa’s natural treasures, with the prospect of a big game experience to rival anywhere on the continent.

With our very local guide (Joe lives close to the Park), this promises to be a special trip.”

Darren Rees

Dates

Fri 28 July - Sat 12 Aug 2017

Price

£5,795

Spectacular big game safaris and brilliant birds - a big tour of beautiful landscapes, with wildlife highlights all the way!

Deposit £1,150 Single Supp £500

Incredible Kruger National Park for the best African big game Top carnivores: Lion, Leopard and African Wild Dog Big beasts: Elephant, Black and White Rhino, Hippo and Cape Buffalo Giraffe and a host of antelope: Kudu, Impala, Oryx and Wildebeest Stunning birdlife: Bee-eaters, Turacos, Barbets, Hornbills and Sunbirds Special species: Endemic Cranes, Larks, Korhaans plus Meerkats!

Multi-centre tour with top South African guide

Leaders Darren Rees and Joe Grosel Flights

South African Airways scheduled Outbound: Overnight, Heathrow-Durban (via Johannesburg) Inbound: Overnight, Johannesburg-Heathrow

Weather

This is the South African winter, so cool mornings, warm afternoons and chilly evenings. In Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal, it will be mild, with tempertures from 15°-25°C. In Wakkerstroom, the coolest place, from 5°-20°C

1-2

After an overnight flight to Johannesburg, we fly to Durban to meet our local guide.

We travel northwards to the verdant surroundings of St Lucia, where a range of habitats - grassland, Walking No serious hiking, mostly short walks

along country roadsides. In the National dune forest and estuary, hold special birds like

Parks, we bird from the vehicles and have Livingstone’s Turaco, Woodward’s Batis, Crowned Hornbill, Rudd’s Apalis and White-eared Barbet.

short walks around the rest camps.

In Madikwe and for the Kruger night Dolphins surf the Indian Ocean breakers, there are

drives, we use special open sided vehicles large Nile Crocodiles and other goodies include Red Duiker, Reedbuck and Hippo, not bad for starters!

Meals All included from lunch on Day 2

to lunch on Day 15 Inland, we’ve two nights at Bonamanzi Reserve, a mix of savannah, riparian Insects Malaria is present in Kruger, so please

consult with your travel clinic/doctor forest, endangered sand forest and perennial ‘pans’, Accom We stay at a combination of comfortable particularly bird-rich, with Purple-crested Turaco, Gorgeous Bush-Shrike, Neergaard’s Sunbird,

lodges, guest houses and rest camps, African Broadbill and Tambourine Dove, to name

all with private facilities just a few. We will also be visiting Mkuze Game Group 12 Reserve, one of the best Black and White Rhino reserves in Southern Africa and in the hotter Just some of what we hope to see: part of the day we’ll be at one of their famous

3-4

African Elephant Black and White Rhino African Lion Cheetah Leopard African Wild Dog Southern Giraffe Southern Oryx

waterhole hides, where Kudu, Rhino, Nyala and Warthog drink, alongside Golden-breasted Bunting, Blue Waxbill, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove and Pink-throated Twinspot.

5-6

Driving to the highland grasslands of Wakkerstroom, one of South African’s best birding destinations, we’ve two nights to search for endemic and threatened birds, including Blue and Grey Crowned-Crane, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Blue Korhaan and Denham’s Bustard. Mammals include Black Wildebeest, Mountain Reedbuck, Blesbok and Meerkat

7-10

We depart for the ‘Lowveld’ and Kruger National Park, described as one of Africa’s most prolific and diverse Parks, over 500 birds and nearly 150 mammal species have been recorded! Our first two nights, at a southern camp, is amidst woodlands hosting a variety of hornbills, sunbirds, mousebirds, woodhoopoes,

Sable Antelope Meerkat Wildebeest Bat Hawk Blue Crane Blue Korhaan Purple-crested Turaco Woodward’s Batis

Callan Cohen: Lion,White Rhino, Marico Sunbird, Wild Dog, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill 62

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Alongside the mammals, the bird-list is as mouth-watering. We’ll take in a variety of habitats, from estuary and ocean, to forest and savannah, so expect the spectrum, from Sunbirds to Ostrich!”

Darren Rees barbets, bee-eaters and bush-shrikes! A variety of raptors can be seen too, such as Martial and Tawny Eagles, Brown and Black-chested Snake-Eagles and African Harrier-Hawk. We’ll also explore some of southern Kruger’s best Wild Dog areas, before heading to the central plains.

We’ve two nights in the central areas, where there are large concentrations of plains ungulates, such as Burchell’s Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Giraffe and Cape Buffalo, along with predators including Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyaena and maybe Cheetah. Impressive savannah birds include Secretarybird, Kori and Black-bellied Bustard, Southern Ground-Hornbill and Common Ostrich.

Other mammals commonly seen are Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey and Steenbok.

Another full day will include a visit to the perennial Olifants River, where there’s a large Elephant population. The birdlife has outstanding species such as White-crowned Lapwing, Yellow-billed and Saddle-billed Stork, Goliath Heron and African Openbill. We’ll take safari vehicles for a night-drive looking for nocturnal beasts: Genets, Porcupine, Civet, Leopard and Honey Badger will be targets, along with owl and nightjar species.

11-12

Leaving the ‘Lowveld’, for the northern Drakensberg escarpment, our route takes us into Limpopo Province, where we’ll make a few special birding stops, including one to see spectacular Bat Hawks. We’ve one night in Magoebaskloof, with its beautiful Afro-montane forests, where Samango Monkey and Bushbuck are found, along with exquisite birds: Chorister Robin-chat, Cape Batis,

Black-fronted Bushshrike, Knysna Turaco, White-starred Robin, Orange Ground-thrush and Green Twinspot.

Heading west, to the semi-arid savannah of Polokwane Game Reserve, its acacia-scrub and grasslands are home to Tsessebe, Sable Antelope and White Rhino, along with arid-region species like Oryx and Red Hartebeest. The impressive bird list includes Crimson-breasted Shrike, Black-cheeked and Violet-eared Waxbill, Acacia Pied Barbet, Scaly-feathered Finch and Marico Sunbird.

13-14

After a morning at Polokwane we head off, via the scenic Waterberg Mountains, for our final destination, the Madikwe Game Reserve. From a beautifully appointed lodge, our game drives are conducted in safari vehicles. This is a big-five reserve (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino), with the extra attraction of African Wild Dog. The birdlife is typical of the dry ‘Bushveld’, with Southern Pied Babbler, Red-Crested Korhaan, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Red-faced Mousebird, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Temminck’s Courser, Pale Chanting Goshawk and more. Our last evening will feature a night-drive, where we’ll search for more unusual species: maybe Springhare, Bat-eared Fox, Caracal, Aardwolf, White-faced Scops-Owl, Spotted Eagle-Owl or Pearl-spotted Owlet?

15-16

After one last early morning bush drive at Madikwe, we’ll start the return journey to Johannesburg airport.

Our overnight flight arrives in London on Day 16.

Outline Itinerary Days 1-2

Overnight flight from London to Johannesburg, then an onward flight to Durban and travel to St Lucia 1 night at Lodge Afrique

Days 3-4

Travel to Bonamanzi Reserve 2 nights at Lalapanzi camp

Days 5-6

On to Wakkerstroom highland grasslands 2 nights at Wetlands Country House

Days 7-8

Drive to Kruger National Park 2 nights at southern rest camp

Days 9-10 Move to the central plains in Kruger

2 nights at central rest camp Day 11

On to the Afro-montane area of Magoebaskloof 1 night at Magoebaskloof Hotel

Day 12

Travel to Polokwane Game Reserve 1 night at Plumtree Lodge

Days 13-14 Drive to Madikwe Game Reserve

2 nights at Jaci’s Tree Lodge Days 15-16 Return to Johannesburg for flight

home, arrive UK Day 16

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63

SCOTTISH MAMMALS IN SUMMER

“Summer in the Highlands is a great time to catch up with the very best of Scotland’s mammals. Our boat trips looking for Minke Whales, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and seabirds such as Storm Petrels, Shearwaters, auks and skuas, are always a highlight. Maybe we’ll strike ‘cetacean gold’ and come across a Fin Whale, Humpback, or even Orcas!”

Craig Round Dates

Sat 5 - Sat 12 Aug 2017

Price

£1,195

Deposit £200 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

The first holiday of its kind and you tell us, still the best - with a night drive and boat trips. We focus on mammals, but won’t leave out the birds and other special wildlife of the Scottish Highlands.

A superb selection of Scottish wildlife Exclusive use of our evening wildlife watching hide An inshore boat trip for Bottlenose Dolphins A spotlighting night drive on a private Estate A West Coast boat trip for Minke Whale and more Skuas, divers, shearwaters and seals Eagles, Ospreys and good chance of Otter

Leaders Craig Round and Duncan Macdonald Weather

The weather can vary enormously.

During a typical week in this season we would expect mixed sun and showers with temperatures in the range of 15-25ºC. It could be cooler on the boat trips. You may want to bring sunscreen.

Walking

Time will be spent patiently watching and waiting with only occasional gentle walks of up to 1-2 miles. Walking boots are recommended, but walking shoes are fine

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting midges can occasionally be

a nuisance by lochs and shores,

especially in the west Boats

Boat trips are in relatively sheltered waters and last 2 hrs (Moray Firth), 2½ hrs (West Coast)

Accom

Double (ensuite) twin (ensuite) and single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms at our very special, delightfully furnished converted barn, the Steading.

General Most days will finish very late - when our

target mammals are most active - but will

be compensated by late breakfasts Group

12

1

Dinner together on Saturday evening starts the holiday, followed by coffee as we discuss the coming week.

2-7

We may start the week with walks near our delightful Steading accommodation, where pale-tailed Red Squirrels can be busy at the feeders and confiding Roe Deer often browse in the meadows.

Or we may head up into the wild uplands in search of Mountain Hare. They are grey-brown at this time of year, but may keep white feet or ears! Golden Eagles hunt the mountain slopes here and on the skyline the dramatic silhouette of Red Deer antlers encapsulates so much about the grandeur of the Highlands.

After dinner we’ll visit our baited hide to see elusive Pine Marten. Full of character, this cat-sized member of the stoat family emerges from the

forest, revealing bushy tail and cream-coloured bib - a wonderful animal and a highlight of the week.

This is also a chance to enjoy Badgers at very close quarters and perhaps deer too.

In the ancient pines of Abernethy Forest we’ll look for Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill, with the chance of Common or Parrot Crossbill too, but Capercaillie and Black Grouse are very elusive at this time of year as they are mid-moult.

On Cairngorm’s slopes, we’ll have a close encounter with Reindeer. Reintroduced many years ago, we shall walk in with a guide to feed these delightful and friendly animals, while learning about their adaptations to the cold climate in which they live. Late one night, using 4x4 vehicles and powerful spotlights, we’ll visit a private Estate in search of Fox, Badger, deer and owls. We have been lucky to see Long-eared Owl

Just some of what we hope to see: Pine Marten Badger Otter Common Seal Bottlenose Dolphin Minke Whale Red Squirrel Mountain Hare Pipistrelle Bat Mountain Goat

64

Red Deer Roe Deer Harbour Porpoise Golden Eagle Crested Tit Osprey Black-throated Diver Great Spotted Woodpecker

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“From the boat we soon locate a large group of Bottlenose Dolphins, in fact we seem to be surrounded by Dolphins wherever we look! They are hunting and chasing the fish shoals in the firth and we see them breaching, tail slapping and even throwing a Salmon clear of the water!

The water is so clear we can even see the Dolphins swimming under and around the boat and get some lovely views as they surface right next to us checking us out!” Craig Round

in the past and sometimes Pine Marten appear.

Using a bat detector we shall see what species are flitting around the trees - Pipistrelle is most likely, but occasionally we find Brown Long-eared Bats too.

On another day we shall visit a different private Estate for a fascinating insight into how such an area survives these days. This includes a visit to a large area of moorland, where we’ll see Red Deer and Red Grouse - both important species for them and a focus of land management.

We’ll spend a day on the Black Isle in search of Bottlenose Dolphins, both from land and on an exciting two hour boat trip. There’s nothing more thrilling than the sight of these powerful mammals breaching clear of the water and we stand good chances as they frequently come very close to shore and on our boat ride.

We have a fast and very powerful boat, able to cover large distances if the animals are some distance away and sometimes they seem to enjoy following in the wake or bow-riding. We’ll also watch for Common Seal, Harbour Porpoise and numerous seabirds, including various tern species, Eider and auks.

Otters are at home in both fresh and seawater and we’ll search for signs and wait patiently at favoured lochs for a sighting of these sleek, playful creatures. While we know of a good freshwater loch near the Moray Coast, the tranquil West Coast sea-lochs offer our best chance.

The scenery becomes more and more spectacular

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as you travel west and Otter activity here is linked more to the tides than the time of day, making them likely to be out in daylight.

We have enjoyed wonderful sightings when they catch something too big to handle at sea and they bring it ashore to deal with. Birds such as Black-throated Diver and White-tailed Eagle are also likely here, plus Rock Dove, Twite, Raven and maybe Golden Eagle too.

On this special West Coast day we’ll also experience an exciting boat journey into the realm of the Minke Whale. Heading out to sea to the north of Skye the scenery all around is breathtaking and we’ll surely see hundreds of Manx Shearwater plus Gannets, Kittiwakes and Guillemots.

We’re likely to see Harbour Porpoise and both Grey and Common Seals too - but we’ll look out for ‘hurries’ of Kittiwakes and other birds over the water, signifying a mass of fish below the surface. This is often where a Minke Whale may be found - a thrilling experience.

8

After breakfast on Saturday we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about our plans for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching

exploration including Abernethy

Forest, Dava Moor, the Cairngorms,

the Moray Firth and West Coast Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart

Mark Fisher: Bottlenose Dolphin Mike Hems: Pine Marten Roy Atkins: Common Seal Mark Denman: Red Squirrel Mary Braddock: Golden Eagle Craig Round: Mountain Hare Simon Eaves: Bottlenose Dolphin

65

YELLOWSTONE ECLIPSE

“The thought of standing with the Teton Mountains as the backdrop as we watch a complete Solar Eclipse build up to its peak is thrilling indeed! It will be fascinating to see whether the Bison and other wildlife react to the unexpected darkness!”

Roy Atkins

Dates

Sat 19 Aug - Sat 2 Sep 2017

Price

£4,995

Deposit £950

Single Supp £1000

Leaders Roy Atkins and Julian Sykes Flights

United Airlines, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Jackson Hole (via US stop) Inbound: Overnight, Jackson Hole-Heathrow (via US stop)

Weather

In August the weather can be nice and warm through to hot, though cooler in the early morning and evening (5°-30°C) It is likely to be sunny but there is always a chance of a build up of clouds

Walking There’ll be some short, easy walks

on wide paths with optional short,

easy walks off tracks in the forest

Note that Yellowstone National Park is at high altitude. Most of the Park is above 7,500 feet / 2,275 metres

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 14 and are of good quality

Insects Biting insects are rarely a problem Accom Twin and single rooms all ensuite Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Solar Eclipse!

Gray Wolf Coyote Grizzly Bear Black Bear Moose American Elk Beaver

River Otter Pika Trumpeter Swan White Pelican Bald Eagle Prairie Falcon American Dipper Sandhill Crane

A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone in search of wolves, bears, bison, beavers and birds - but with the bonus of a complete Solar Eclipse!

Legendary wildlife of the Yellowstone wilderness Complete Solar Eclipse in spectacular Grand Teton National Park Geothermal wonders - geysers, bubbling mud and multi-coloured pools Bison, Pronghorn and Gray Wolf plus chance of Grizzly and Black Bears Four centre tour, staying in Jackson,Yellowstone NP and Cooke City Beaver, Moose, Pika, Chipmunks and River Otters all possible Bald Eagle, White Pelican, Trumpeter Swan, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and more

1-4

Arriving early evening, there is a short transfer to our hotel in Jackson Hole.

From here, we explore the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park, a land of jagged peaks soaring above a sagebrush plain dotted with Bison and Pronghorn. Willows along the Snake River are great places to look for Moose, the males growing their ‘racks’ of antlers and we’ll look out for birds such as Yellow-headed Blackbird, Sandhill Cranes, Ruby-throated Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Harrier and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

We’ll also visit at dusk, when Beavers will be tending to their lodges.

Our exciting third day holds the prospect of a Solar Eclipse!! We can expect the Park to be very busy, with hundreds of people out to see this fantastic spectacle in such a beautiful place.

There should be an amazing atmosphere as we approach the late morning eclipse, Americans

know how to get excited! We’ll be in a good spot, perhaps basing ourselves by the historic barns at Mormon Row, in plenty of time to watch the build up and finale and really make the most of it. This area is great for birds too, with Mountain Bluebirds, Vesper and Savannah Sparrows, Turkey Vulture and with luck, Prairie Falcon.

Further north at Jackson Lake, the first migrant shorebirds may be heading south and we’ll look out for wildfowl like Trumpeter Swan, Cinnamon Teal and Lesser Scaup, as well as Western Grebe and White Pelican.

5-7

We’ll travel north to the world’s first and most famous National Park Yellowstone. At 7,700 feet, we stay beside the immense Yellowstone Lake, hosting Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Loon. We are in the middle of a vast wilderness, realm of both Grizzly and Black Bears, though in the summer they may

Sally Dowden: Solar Eclipse Lin Gregory: Bison Mary Braddock: Bald Eagle Mark Denman: Wolf Duncan Macdonald: Beaver, Prismatic Pool 66

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“We may need to make an extra effort to be out early and late to avoid the crowds and make the best of the wildlife in the cooler parts of the day - but there is always so much to see and the combination of terrific wildlife watching and geothermal formations make Yellowstone National Park an incredible experience.” Roy Atkins

prove hard to find, as they head to higher ground to escape the heat.

An early start takes us to nearby Hayden Valley where we’ve often seen Gray Wolf and Coyote.

There may be lingering Harlequin Ducks and raptors include Red-tailed and Swainson’s Hawk.

We’ll explore lofty Dunraven Pass, scanning for higher altitude wildlife such as Golden Eagle, Clark’s Nutcracker, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and Yellow-bellied Marmot.

We’ll visit the mighty Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, where the Yellowstone River has carved a stunning landscape of colourful eroded pillars and spectacular waterfalls. Early mornings and evenings at Pelican Creek and Fishing Bridge provide a chance of River Otter, Beaver and Belted Kingfisher.

8-10

We move to Cooke City just outside the National Park, to the north of the Lamar Valley, perhaps the best valley in which to search for wolves. A successful re-introduction programme was started in 1996 and now there are numerous packs and we shall spend time early morning scanning and searching for these exciting animals. Herds of bison and pronghorn are dotted across the landscape, Elk graze on the slopes and we’ll hope for Grizzly Bears too, as they may follow wolf packs to scavenge on the carrion from wolf kills. Birds may include American Dipper, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Fox Sparrow and Gray Jay.

In the other direction is the spectacular Beartooth Pass with peaks over 12,000ft. We’ll look for more specialities of the high country like Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Pika, Pine Grosbeak and Black Rosy Finch. One day we shall visit Mammoth Hot Springs, where travertine terraces create steaming shelves of white calcite in beautiful layers - a must see in this area.

11

We journey south to the centre of the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone at Old Faithful - 70% of the world’s geysers are here! As its name suggests, Old Faithful Lodge is beside the planet’s most well-known geyser and is perfectly placed for marvelling at the expulsion of steam and water in the cool air. Neighbouring geysers are even more spectacular and there are the bubbling mud-pools of Fountain Paintpots, plus the largest multi-coloured pool at Grand Prismatic.

12-15

We travel south, watching for birds and mammals as we go and perhaps stopping enroute to scan from Signal Mountain viewpoint. Back at Jackson we have a whole day to enjoy more birding and mammals then our flight leaves on Day 14, arriving in the UK on the morning of Day 15.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly to Jackson Hole, via US stop, short transfer to 49er Inn – 4 nights

Days 2-4

Three days exploring Grand Teton NP including Elk Refuge, Mormon Row, Jenny Lake and Ox Bow Bend.

On Day 3 watch the Solar Eclipse

Day 5

North, via Jackson Lake, to Lake Yellowstone – 3 nights

Days 6-7 Explore Hayden Valley, north

shore of Lake Yellowstone

and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Day 8

Relaxed day transfer, via Dunraven Pass, to Cooke City – 3 nights

Days 9-10 Two days to explore north section

of Yellowstone, including Lamar Valley,

Beartooth Pass and Blacktail Plateau Day 11

Drive via geothermal features at Norris to Old Faithful – 1 night

Days 12-13 Geyser gazing at Old Faithful then

south to Jackson Hole

49er Inn – 2 nights Days 14-15 Morning flight out, then evening flight

to Heathrow, arriving morning of Day 15

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

67

RAPTORS OF THE HIGHLANDS

“Nature is red in tooth and claw and birds of prey have always fascinated me. The Highlands are simply amazing for watching raptors against wild scenery. We’ll be taking our time on this trip to find raptors and look at them in detail. It’s going to be a great week celebrating birds of prey.”

Simon Pawsey Dates

Sat 26 Aug - Sat 2 Sep 2017

Price

£1,445

Deposit £250

Single Supp £150

The Cairngorms National Park and the Isle of Skye provide fabulous opportunities to see iconic raptors against a backdrop of mountains, moorland and ancient forest.

Golden and White-tailed Eagles in stunning mountain and island locations A boat trip to see White-tailed Eagles up close Secretive Goshawks in ancient Caledonian Pine Forests Ospreys breeding on our doorstep and fishing in local lochs Hen Harriers and Short-eared Owls quartering open moorlands Peregrine and Merlin hunting and dashing after their prey Evening trips to look for Long-eared, Tawny and Barn Owls

Leaders Simon Pawsey and Simon Eaves Weather Mixture of sunshine and showers

(15°-25°C). It could be cooler on

the boat trip Walking Walks will be up to five miles on

relatively flat gravel and forest tracks Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

1

Insects It is coming to the end of midge season

but it can still be warm, so they may

be a nuisance

Dinner together on Saturday evening is followed by coffee and a run through of the week’s itinerary.

Accom The Steading - double and twin ensuite,

single ensuite and non ensuite

2-3

Dunorin Hotel - double, twin and single rooms all ensuite

Boat trip The boat trip off Skye will be in

relatively sheltered waters Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Goshawk Sparrowhawk Peregrine Merlin Kestrel Osprey Red Kite Hen Harrier Short-eared Owl Long-eared Owl Barn Owl Tawny Owl Crossbill Crested Tit

68

Great Northern Diver Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Black Guillemot Razorbill Guillemot Gannet Twite Dipper Hooded Crow Rock Dove Mountain Hare Otter Red and Roe Deer Grey Seal Cetaceans

The Cairngorms National Park is a spectacular land of mountains, bleak windswept moorlands and ancient forests, one of the best places in the UK to watch our iconic raptors.

We may start with a full day in Strathdearn, which follows the River Findhorn deep into the Monadhliath Mountains. Here, a wealth of different habitats from woodlands to moorland and exposed mountains, provide habitat for up to twelve species of raptor, including Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine, Merlin, Osprey, Hen Harrier and Red Kite.

Weather permitting, we shall walk into the mountains on flat gravel tracks and explore the

upper reaches of the glen on foot, which can be outstanding for Golden and White-tailed Eagles.

Merlin and Peregrine also hunt here and it’s not unusual to watch fierce little Merlins mobbing massive eagles. Goshawk and Red Kite are possible and Ospreys regularly fish the river. The scenery in the upper reaches is spectacular and it is a truly wild place.

The RSPB’s Reserve at Abernethy consists of ancient pine forest, open moorland and high mountain plateau. This is our best opportunity of finding the elusive ‘ghost of the forest’ - the Northern Goshawk. We shall keep our eyes peeled for this secretive and elusive raptor during our full day spent in Abernethy Forest exploring remote areas, where there are also chances for Capercaillie, as well as crossbills and Crested Tit. The area is also good for eagles with Golden and White-tailed hunting over the Reserve. Abernethy

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Skye is magical - unrivalled scenery and iconic landforms. From the formidable Black Cuillins rising like Tolkein’s Mordor, to the Quirang and The Old Man of Storr, there’s something about Skye which fires the imagination and gets under the skin. This is the realm of eagles, with a great supporting cast!” Simon Pawsey

is an exceptional habitat and if we explore the quieter areas of the forest it just might reveal its secrets to us.

In the evening, we shall venture out in search of owls. Long-eared, Tawny and Barn Owls are all possible and Short-eared Owls can be found quartering the moors. The days are long at this time of the year, giving us a good chance of finding owls as the sun sets.

4-6

After breakfast we shall leave for the west coast and the Isle of Skye.

We shall journey through Glen Shiel and over the Ratagan Pass, before we descend to Glenelg to catch the famous turntable ferry to Kylerhea on Skye. From the ferry we may see our first island Sea Eagles and Otter are always possible.

Once on Skye we shall explore the quieter parts of the island, including the Waternish andTrotternish peninsulas. The scenery on Skye is spectacular and unrivalled in the UK and Trotternish has some of the most iconic geological landmarks in Britain.

We shall search for Golden Eagles around the Quirang and the Old Man of Storr and on the rocky coastlines look for Otters. Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owls are rare breeders, but will be target species for us here, however there is so much more to Skye and we can hope to see Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and breeding waders before they depart for wintering grounds. Passerine species include Skylark, Twite and Linnet and as Skye is relatively under-watched who knows what we might turn up!

One of the highlights of our stay on Skye will be an exclusive trip on a comfortable boat to look for White-tailed Eagles. They can be seen very close from the boat and we may see the birds gliding in to pick fish off the surface, potentially giving great photo opportunities. We may also encounter dolphins and other marine animals and birds.

7

On our return from Skye we shall cross the Skye Bridge. Weather permitting, we shall take the Bealach na Ba alpine pass through the spectacular mountains of the Applecross Peninsula and then weave our way through Torridon, stopping at Beinn Eighe NNR, a rugged landscape and another chance to find Golden Eagle as well as other species of raptor. We shall arrive back at The Steading in time for our evening meal, followed by coffee and a look back over the week with a dram or two!

8

After breakfast on Saturday we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive at Glen Feshie 3 nights at The Steading

Days 2-3 Search for raptors and other wildlife

in Speyside including Strathdearn and

Abernethy Forest Day 4

Travel to the Isle of Skye via Glenelg and Kylerhea Ferry, birding and looking for raptors enroute 3 nights at Dunorin Hotel

Days 5-6

Search for raptors and wildlife amidst stunning scenery on Skye, including Waternish and Trottermish peninsulas and a boat trip for White-tailed Eagle

Day 7

Travel back to Glen Feshie, via the Bealach na Ba Pass and Torridon 1 night at The Steading

Day 8

Depart after breakfast

Roy Atkins: White-tailed Eagle, Isle of Skye Duncan Macdonald: Short-eared Owl Simon Eaves: Osprey Craig Round: Otter Mary Braddock: Golden Eagle

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

69

NOVA SCOTIA

“Fabulous boat trips are a big part of this holiday and it’s awesome Humpback Whales that are the stars of the show. Spy-hopping (who’s watching who?), tail and fin slapping and even jaw-dropping full breaching, when they leap clear of the water – it has to be seen to be believed.“ Darren Rees

Dates

Sat 26 Aug - Sun 3 Sep 2017

Price

£3,395

Deposit £650

Single Supp £400

Get close-up with Humpback Whales, plus a good chance of rare Northern Right Whales. Great migrant birds, with flocks of shearwaters, petrels and phalaropes.

Big whales close-up from short, sheltered boat trips Humpback, Fin and Northern Right Whales Fantastic migrant warblers, flycatchers and raptors Flocks of shearwaters, phalaropes and petrels Wild spruce forests running down to beautiful rocky shores Canada’s Eastern Maritimes, only 6 hours away Small group, at a quiet shoreline lodge, on magical Brier Island

Leaders Darren Rees Flights

Air Canada, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Halifax Inbound: Overnight, Halifax-Heathrow

Weather Warm and sunny with a chance of showers

Cooler on boats

May experience coastal fog (15°-25°C) Walking 1-2 miles on easy tracks

Light footwear recommended Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to dinner on Day 8 and are of good quality

Insects A few biting insects may be

encountered, so bring repellent Accom Twin and single rooms all ensuite Group

5

Just some of what we hope to see: Humpback Whale Northern Right Whale Fin Whale Minke Whale White-sided Dolphin Great Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Wilson’s Storm Petrel Bald Eagle Hooded Merganser Killdeer Semi-palmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Red-necked Phalarope Grey Phalarope

70

Belted Kingfisher Ruby-throated Hummingbird Boreal Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Cedar Waxwing Red-eyed Vireo Northern Parula Black-throated GreenWarbler Black-and-white Warbler Blackburnian Warbler American Redstart Ovenbird Common Yellowthroat Northern Waterthrush Eastern Chipmunk Beaver

1

Arriving in Halifax mid-afternoon, we drive two-and-a-half hours southwest to delightful Digby, for an early evening meal overlooking the water. Then we take two short ferry rides to arrive at our base for the week, the charming Brier Island.

2-7

The small islands that poke from the mainland into the rich Bay of Fundy are truly magical and captivating. Beautiful spruce forests roll down to a rocky shore, marked with quiet bays and sleepy fishing ports. A delightful landscape of painted clapperboard houses; bright, bold lighthouses; wooden jetties with stacks of drying lobster pots and oh, foghorns.

These sheltered waters see the rise and fall of the greatest tides on earth. Plankton, fish and sand lance in abundance, bring whales close to the shore – we’ve even seen them from the hotel!

We’ll take three boat trips from Brier Island to see these magnificent mammals, two half-day trips and one longer ‘survey’ trip. The sea is likely to be calm, though boat trips are always weather dependent and we’ll get close to big numbers of seabirds along with the great whales!

Minke Whales, up to 30-foot long, are generally unobtrusive but Fin Whales - at 70-foot, the second longest whale, are sleek, with a tall blow and a back that seems to roll on forever. Humpbacks are the star performers as they regularly raise their tail flukes when they dive. They often pound the surface with their huge white pectoral fins or, if we are fortunate, launch their 40 tons clear of the water! Sometimes acrobatic White-sided Dolphins come around the boat, but it will be enigmatic Northern Right Whales that we’ll celebrate most over and we’ll take a full day boat trip to look for

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Bird migration is in full swing and we’ll see great flocks of shearwaters, petrels and phalaropes at sea, while the skies above the islands can be dotted with eagles, hawks and falcons on the move.

The bushes and woods can be busy with warblers and flycatchers and we’ve been lucky to see some of these gems, including delicate Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the hand.” Darren Rees them. These are listed as critically endangered whales, with only around 300 individuals remaining in the world and we’ve enjoyed wonderful views in the past, fingers crossed!

Ocean-going seabirds will also be a big feature and we can expect close views of large numbers of Great, Sooty and some Manx Shearwaters.

Wilson’s Petrels patter their feet over the surface and great flocks of thousands of Red-necked and Grey Phalaropes pick delicately on mats of weed.

On Brier Island, we’ll see some great bird migration. It’s a bottleneck for dazzling migrating warbler flocks that may hold Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Magnolia, Canada, Parula, Chestnut-sided and more – we’ll join our friends at the nearby banding (ringing) station and see some in the hand. There may be a variety of those confusing American flycatchers, plus Purple Finch and Eastern Kingbird. At Pond Cove, the stunted spruce forest sweeps out around the bay, where Common Eider and Black Guillemot loaf, whilst mighty Bald Eagle sweep low overhead. Least Sandpipers and Semi-palmated Plovers scurry along the seaweed and, on marshy pools, we may find Short-billed Dowitcher and White-rumped Sandpiper. Migrant Monarch butterflies drift by, Great Blue Heron stand in the shallows and Pine Siskins twitter in the trees.

Locally we can explore for landbirds on Digby Neck. Each day we’ll take the quiet roads and little ferries that link the islands. There can be a steady movement of southward bound raptors - Turkey

Vulture teeter on raised wings, Osprey flap by and small spirals of hawks include Broad-winged and Sharp-shinned, with Goshawk, Merlin and American Kestrel amongst them. Belted Kingfisher, Spotted Sandpiper and Hooded Merganser are on local ponds, whilst Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Goldfinch and Dark-eyed Junco inhabit nearby gardens.

The southern end of Long Island has weed-strewn bays that hold Solitary, Spotted and Semi-palmated Sandpipers and both Greater and LesserYellowlegs.

Noisy Blue Jays may accompany us on our walk along the Balancing Rock Trail to the misty coast, with Cedar Waxwings and flocks of warblers that may include Black-and-white, Northern Parula and American Redstart, plus Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Elsewhere, in the lichen encrusted tamarack and spruce forests, we may see some of the specialities such as Boreal Chickadees and Gray Jays, with Palm Warbler and Hermit Thrush in the supporting cast. There are Eastern Chipmunk and we’ve enjoyed views of lodge-building Beavers.

8-9

We reluctantly leave Brier, travelling first to Annapolis Royal, where a well landscaped wetland Reserve always turns up a new selection of birds: there’s bright Cardinals, Cedar Waxwing and ducks include Blue-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy, Ring-necked and Wood Duck. Finally we arrive at Halifax for our evening flight, arriving back in the morning of Day 9.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly London to Halifax arriving mid-afternoon. Drive 2.5 hours to Digby for early evening meal Final 1.5 hour transfer to base at Brier Island - 7 nights Brier Island Lodge

Day 2

First boat trip out from Brier Island

Day 3

Exploration of Brier Island including Northlight and Pond Cove areas

Days 4-7

Flexible four days with further birding hikes; second full day boat trip in Bay of Fundy; one day exploration of Long Island (Boar’s Light and Balancing Rock); third boat trip (half day) from Brier Island

Days 8-9

Transfer day with birding stop at Annapolis Royal Marsh, arriving Halifax late afternoon for evening flight, arriving UK morning of Day 9

Roy Cowley: Humpack Whale, Great Shearwater, whalewatching boat, Least Sandpiper, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Bald Eagle

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

71

FAIR ISLE

“On Fair Isle you really can get away from it all and become immersed in the incredible landscape, history and birds.

With the autumn migration reaching its peak in September, the stunning coastline and croft lands can be alive with birds from all points of the compass; who knows what we’ll find this year!?”

Craig Round

Dates

Sat 2 - Sat 9 Sep 2017

Price

£1,595

Deposit £300

Single Supp £50

A special welcome to the migration stepping stone, with plenty of common migrants and a good chance of something really rare turning up - an addictive island!

A dot in the seas between Orkney and Shetland Plenty of pleasant walks amidst cliffs and crofting land The last of the season’s lingering seabirds and skuas Famous for bird migration and rarities in easterly winds Traditional knitwear, local music, crafts and boat building All based at the comfortable Bird Observatory Fantastic scenery and possibly the Northern Lights

Leader Craig Round Flights Loganair, Scheduled

Outbound: Morning Inverness-Sumburgh (via Kirkwall)

Inbound:Afternoon Sumburgh-Inverness

(via Kirkwall) Weather Cool to warm, with changeable

weather, expect sun and squally

showers, may be windy (8°-15°C) Ferries

We shall travel from Shetland to Fair Isle by a small ferry with the potential for rough seas.

Please be prepared for this.

Walking Walking is generally very relaxed

and easy, with walks of up to 3-4 miles

on roads and rough grassland Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting insects will not be a problem Accom Comfortable double, twin and single

ensuite accommodation.

Most rooms are on the first floor.

Group 7

Just some of what we hope to see: Sooty Shearwater Storm Petrel Wryneck Citrine Wagtail Richard’s Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Bluethroat Yellow-browed Warbler Barred Warbler Lanceolated Warbler Red-backed Shrike Great Grey Shrike Ortolan Bunting

72

Mealy Redpoll Lapland Bunting Snow Bunting Short-eared Owl Long-eared Owl Merlin Spotted Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Redstart Ring Ouzel Jack Snipe

1

We fly into Sumburgh on Shetland and take the ferry the ‘Good Shepherd’ across to Fair Isle, or ‘Fridarey’ as it was known in old Norse, meaning ‘the peaceful isle’. As we leave Shetland behind and round Sumburgh Head, we pass under towering cliffs rising up above us and dwarfing the boat, before heading out to sea, with the possibility during the ferry crossing of seeing seabirds such as Great and Arctic Skuas, Sooty Shearwater, Fulmar, Gannet and also Storm Petrels jinking low over the waves. Plus cetaceans such as Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise or White-beaked Dolphin. As the isle comes into view, we pass close to the North Lighthouse and cliffs, before arriving into the shelter of the North Haven where we make our way up to the Observatory, with its friendly atmosphere and good food, as we become part of the wider island community for the week.

2-7

The bird Observatory is superbly positioned and enjoys stunning coastal views across to the seabird cliffs of Sheep Rock and the headland of Buness. With the North and South Havens only a short walk away, flocks of passage waders such as Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin and Turnstone can be seen feeding and roosting on the beaches, whilst the Observatory gardens and plantation will often hold migrant warblers, pipits, chats and flycatchers at this time year.

This allows you to birdwatch from the comfort of the Observatory’s lounge or even your bedroom!

The minibus will take us to the farthest reaches of the island, but we’ll also enjoy plenty of walking and on foot we’ll be able to explore every nook and cranny, from seabird cliff, to cultivated front garden, on this fabulous island.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Lying half way between Shetland and Orkney, Fair Isle is justly famous for its rare migrant birds, but is also a place of incredible beauty, with vast towering seacliffs and stacks around the coast and rugged, wild hill and moorland flowing down to gentle croft lands. It’s a place where time seems to stand still, and you can feel the history of this unique island is all around you, an island of fabulous birds and endless sea and sky.” Craig Round

At dawn we’ll have the chance to accompany the wardens checking the Heligoland traps to discover what migrants have arrived overnight and we’ll be closely involved with the study and ringing of any birds at the Observatory - to be sure not to miss any rarities caught. Fair Isle really is one of ‘the’ best places to see and experience bird migration in action and if the winds are right, we’ll explore the west cliffs where birds can be found feeding and seeking shelter, as well as the crofting lands in the south of the island, scouring any gardens, crops, ditches and patches of cover, plus the stone walls or ‘dykes’.

Flocks of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Ruff can be found feeding in the fields and meadows at this time of year and with the autumn migration reaching its peak, in the right weather and fall conditions, the island can be alive with common migrants including Tree Pipit, Redstart, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge and Reed Warbler, and numerous Willow Warbler, or hoped for rarities such as Bluethroat, Pallid Harrier, Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck, Common Rosefinch and Citrine Wagtail as well as scarce and rarer warblers such as Marsh, Arctic, Greenish, Booted, Subalpine, Icterine, Savis and Barred Warbler.

News of rarities will reach us wherever we are - with the Observatory minibus flying a red flag on occasion to let everyone on the island know of a mega rarity! - or we might just find that Lanceolated Warbler, Olive-backed Pipit or Little Bunting ourselves!

We are at the mercy of the winds, but in quieter periods, or when no new birds arrive, we shall still

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

have the time to enjoy the fascinating history, geology and culture of this unique and wonderful island.

We’ll explore the dramatic and rocky coast and shoreline in the south of the island around the South Lighthouse, which often holds more passage waders including Purple Sandpiper, Knot,Turnstone, Sanderling, Redshank, Dunlin and Whimbrel, whilst Rock Pipits, Northern Wheatears, White Wagtails and Fair Isle race Wrens can often be found foraging amongst the rocks and seaweed on the beaches around South Harbour, with Eider and Black Guillemots just offshore. We’ll also be sure to check some of the island’s freshwater pools, marshes and wetlands of Da Water, Easter Lother and Golden Water, where scarcer waders can sometimes be found such as Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, along with flocks of migrant wildfowl such as Wigeon and Teal and both Common and Jack Snipe. Some lingering seabirds such as Gannets and Fulmars may still be on ledges on the towering sandstone cliffs in the north, while breeding Great Skuas are still present on their territories on the higher moorland.

Passing Sooty Shearwater, Storm Petrel and even Leach’s Petrel are possible at sea. Yet even with all these bird riches around us, it is also the Fair Isle island magic that will linger in the memory - tranquillity, the wind, the waves and perhaps the Northern Lights in the sky - a true escape from the modern world.

8

We return by ferry to Sumburgh for our flight back to Inverness.

Outline Itinerary Day 1 Fly Inverness to Shetland then take

the ‘Good Shepherd’ ferry across

to Fair Isle passing Sumburgh Head enroute.

Days 2-7 Birdwatching and wildlife exploration

of the island from our base at the

comfortable Fair Isle Bird Observatory.

Day 8

Return back to mainland Shetland for our flight back to Inverness from Sumburgh.

Craig Round: Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Jack Snipe, Bluethroat,Thrush Nightingale Mary Braddock: Spotted Flycatcher David Kjaer: Wryneck

73

ORKNEY

“I love the relaxed pace of Orkney, with its wide open spaces, big skies and atmosphere of peace and freedom. There are 13 RSPB Reserves around the islands, testament to the great birding here, with excellent numbers of Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers in particular, hunting the Orkney Voles - a sub-species of Common Vole from Europe in its only UK site!”

Duncan Macdonald

Dates

Sun 3 - Sun 10 Sep 2017

Price

£1,695

Deposit £300

Single Supp £150

Enjoy the magic of Orkney – autumn bird migration, coupled with world class archaeological sites, on a holiday dedicated to both, on this delightful island archipelago.

Autumn migration on Orkney - you never know what might turn up!

Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Red-throated Divers and skuas Visit to Rousay, one of the many islands Tomb of the Eagles, via Churchill Barriers Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness The Loons RSPB Reserve Visit to ancient settlement of Skara Brae

Leaders Duncan Macdonald and Simon Pawsey Weather The weather can vary enormously.

During a typical week in this season

we would expect to experience mixed

sun and showers with temperatures in

the range 10-20ºC. Around the

remote coastline of Orkney we

may expect cooler temperatures and

though it is possible that we shall see

unbroken sunshine and settled weather,

Orkney can receive wet and windy

squalls and occasionally fog. Having

said all of that, it can often be warm

and sunny and you may want to bring sunscreen.

Walking

Meals

On Orkney the walking is generally very relaxed and easy, but on at least two of the days we may take walks of up to 3-4 miles on rough grassland and small coastal paths with some climbing All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting insects should not be a problem Accom Premier Inn, Inverness; Standing Stones

Hotel, Orkney; Double, twin and single

rooms all ensuite Group 12

1

We meet in Inverness in time for dinner in our overnight hotel, giving us time to discuss the coming week.

2-7

From Inverness, we follow the coast road through the eastern seaboard of Sutherland and Caithness, to catch our ferry from Scrabster to Orkney. Along the route, past historic villages like Golspie and Helmsdale, the last Sandwich and Arctic Terns fish on their way south and some of the autumn’s Eider and Common and Velvet Scoter can be seen. Buzzards are common and we may also see Red Kite circling above the rich farmland of Easter Ross.

The crossing, on a large modern, fully equipped ferry, takes us across The Pentland Firth, rightly famous for the strength of its tidal race. These waters provide rich pickings for wildlife, cetaceans

in particular and we shall be vigilant during the crossing and watch for Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater, skuas and dolphins. We shall be travelling during the peak of migration and species like Sooty Shearwater and Grey Phalarope could be seen.

The ferry takes us past the impressive cliffs of Hoy and past the great sea stack of the Old Man of Hoy, to land us in the wonderful harbour of Stromness, where the great author George Mackay-Brown lived.

The landscape of Orkney has broad coastal vistas, interspersed with ancient archaeological wonders.

The pastures are home to Brown Hare, with Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl quartering the moors and meadows. At this time of year there is also the good chance

Just some of what we hope to see: Hen Harrier Short-eared Owl Merlin Great Skua Arctic Skua Pomarine Skua Manx Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Red-throated Diver 74

Pink-footed Goose Black Guillemot Golden Plover Sanderling Bar-tailed Godwit Ruff Lapland Bunting

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The astonishing archaeological sites on Orkney make this a trip like no other. There are so many astounding sites to visit - Maes Howe, Ring of Brodgar, Tomb of the Eagles and Skara Brae, may even surpass the wildlife as highlights of the trip!” Duncan Macdonald

of migrants and we shall check through the passage flocks of waders for any rarities that might be amongst them, like Pectoral Sandpiper. Over the years many exciting birds have been found on these northern islands, including Wryneck, Common Rosefinch and Red-breasted Flycatcher.

The Standing Stones of Stenness, close to our hotel and the Ring of Brodgar, where 36 of the original circle of 60 stones still stand, are both impressive, however it’s the magnificent Maeshowe that steals the show, along with the Tomb of the Eagles, where we can see neolithic artefacts.

We shall also look out for Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver, Twite and Rock Dove and of course Otter is always a possibility. There will be Red-throated Diver, often still in their breeding finery and Turnstone, picking at seaweed on the rocky shore.

With the approaching winter, Greylag, Barnacle and White-fronted Geese begin to arrive too.

The Tomb of the Eagles is situated on South Ronaldsay and our journey here will take us over the Churchill Barriers that connect the southern islands, where the bays hold divers and waders and we shall look for Otters. This tomb holds the echoes of our past connections with the totemic wildlife around us, in particular the White-tailed Eagle that was once abundant here. Now, after an absence of nearly 200 years, a pair has established itself on the island of Hoy.

Orkney is an archipelago and although we are based on Mainland, we shall also travel to the island of Rousay, to the north. This island has a lot of heather moorland and we shall look for raptors such as Hen Harrier and Merlin. There will be waders on the shore and species like Stonechat should be obvious.

The gardens around the ferry point can be good shelter for migrants, so we shall work these to see what we can find! We’ll also visit the chambered tomb and broch of Midhowe, whilst being observed by the curious Common Seals along the shore.

The archaeological sites of Orkney cannot be missed.

Skara Brae is an absolute must - an entire prehistoric settlement with rooms, beds, dressers and pottery, all exposed by a storm some 5000 years after it was built.

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

On our penultimate day we’ll take the return ferry from Mainland back to Scrabster. There are some good wildlife locations near to Scrabster and we shall explore Dunnet Bay, as well as the most northerly point on mainland UK, Dunnet Head, where we could encounter Twite and Wheatear.

Just nearby is a freshwater loch with hide, where we may fill in some of the gaps in our list with species like Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and the two Highland rarities Coot and Moorhen! We shall return to Inverness in time for dinner on our final evening.

8

After breakfast we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Inverness 1 night at the Premier Inn

Day 2

Travel up the north east coast of Caithness and Sutherland and take the ferry to Orkney 5 nights at the Standing Stones Hotel

Days 3-6 Wildlife and archaeological exploration

of Mainland Day 7

Take early morning ferry from Orkney and travel back down the coast to Inverness 1 night at the Premier Inn

Day 8

Depart after breakfast

Pete Cairns: Hen Harrier Colin Scott: Red-throated Diver Chrissie Nicholson: Ring of Brodgar, Old Man of Hoy Simon Eaves: Arctic Skua Craig Round: Short-eared Owl Mary Braddock: Black Guillemots

75

BRITISH COLUMBIA

“I feel very lucky to be returning to British Columbia again in 2017, being my 6th consecutive year on this extraordinary tour. This is arguably my favourite wildlife holiday of my calendar year ‘ticking all the boxes’ with some fabulous wildlife, stunning scenery and awesome boat excursions.” Julian Sykes

Dates

Sat 9 - Fri 22 Sept 2017

Price

£4,595

Deposit £900

Single Supp £850

On Canada’s rugged west coast, Vancouver Island awaits – brimming with bears, birds, whales and more as they seize the autumn bounty before the winter closes in.

Boat trips in search of Orcas, Humpbacks and Gray Whales Grizzly Bears hunting salmon on spawning grounds Dall’s Porpoise, Steller’s Sea Lions plus, with luck, Pacific White-sided Dolphin Black Bear, Beaver, Sea Otter and chance of Raccoon West Coast special birds including shorebirds, seabirds, divers and scoters Beautiful Pacific Rim Rainforest and famous Long Beach Stunning scenery of lakes, fjords and forest amidst towering mountains

Leaders Julian Sykes Flights

British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Vancouver Inbound: Overnight,Vancouver-Heathrow

Weather

It varies across the island, with wetter conditions in the west around Tofino and Zeballos, drier on the east coast.

Expect some rain (we sometimes have rain for a whole day or more) and fog is possible in the west but generally warm and sunny to mild conditions (14°-22°C)

Walking

There’ll be some short easy walks on wide tracks in the forest, in some places with lots of steps. Nothing steep or strenuous, but a reasonable degree of fitness is required

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 13

Arriving in Vancouver we transfer to our hotel in Delta. The following day we enjoy a full day at George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, where Sandhill Crane, Wood Duck, dowitchers and yellowlegs, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Harrier and Bushtit are all possible.

It is a fabulous Reserve, but the whole area can be great birding and this may prove the most bird rich day of the trip!

Insects

Biting insects are generally not a problem on Vancouver Island, but repellent is a good idea just in case

3-4

Boat trips Boats vary from larger boats with

indoor seating areas that can hold

over 50 people, to smaller uncovered

boats with no facilities. Sometimes the

groups may be split between two boats

each with a guide. All boats are excellent Accom Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite

1-2

After some relaxed birding enroute to the Nanaimo ferry for shorebirds, gulls and scoters, we board the ferry and check the jetties for Black Turnstone and perhaps Surfbird. We then have a long drive north to our ocean front lodge overlooking Johnstone Strait.

The grounds are a haven for wildlife and we have watched Black Bears turning rocks on the shore here and, with luck, even River Otter and

Raccoons. We can relax, or wander in search of White-crowned and Fox Sparrows, warblers and woodpeckers in the surrounding woodland.

We shall be picked up from the jetty for a boat ride into rich waters covered in gulls, Common and Pigeon Guillemots, Rhinoceros Auklets and dainty Red-necked Phalaropes. Watched by tree top Bald Eagles, this is our best chance for Orcas and we hope to encounter resident groups at close quarters! Dall’s Porpoise and Steller’s Sea Lions are here too and, with luck, Pacific White-sided Dolphins. Even if we don’t see Orcas, we’ll be thrilled by great sightings of Humpback Whales!

5-6

We move on to Zeballos on a scenic west coast inlet, an old Gold-rush village where Cedar Waxwing, Steller’s Jays and migrant

Group 7

Just some of what we hope to see: Grizzly Bear Dall’s Porpoise Black Bear Black Oystercatcher Sea Otter Black Turnstone

76

Humpback Whale Heermann’s Gull Orca Rhinoceros Auklet Gray Whale Marbled Murrelet

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Who could resist the potential for seeing Black Bears or River Otter from your gorgeous, secret, rural accommodation. The chance of a breaching Humpback Whale amongst innumerable seabirds or a pod of resident Orca moving in unison through the steely grey Pacific Ocean. Be enthralled in the New World fjords, where salmon head to their spawning grounds running the gauntlet of Grizzly Bears looking for an easy meal – just superb. This is just a taster, being there is so much better!”

Julian Sykes warblers such as Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped are possible and we hope to find Beavers on a nearby pond. Sea Otters have a good population in this area and we’ll explore the beautiful inlets and rocky shorelines by boat to enjoy great views, as they lie on their backs and smash shellfish on a stone on their belly! Black Bears are also possible along the shoreline, turning over boulders as they search for crabs.

7-9

After breakfast we head for Campbell River, a great area for birding, with shorebirds, Harlequin Duck, Bonaparte’s Gull, grebes and divers, plus Red-breasted Sapsucker in the trees. We’ll also visit the sub-alpine forest of Mount Washington in search of tame Gray Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, woodpeckers and more.

There is lots to see, but we’ll tear ourselves away because there’s the lure of Grizzly Bears!

We’ll have a full-day boat trip to a picturesque inlet, where guides will take us to a purpose built viewing platform. We hope for great close up views as the bears walk the banks, or down the middle of the river, scanning the water for any hint of a fish to chase - then it’s a mad dash, with the occasional bear even being successful!

10-11

It is a long and spectacular drive to Tofino on the west coast.

We’ll break the journey, pausing to enjoy the astonishing trees of Cathedral Grove enroute and visit a beautiful river to watch Chinook Salmon migrate upstream and leap the falls!

From our hotel near Tofino we’ll visit Pacific Rim National Park - lush temperate rainforest, with cushions of moss on branches of towering Hemlocks, vast beaches and the ocean stretching off as far as the eye can see.

The forest can be quiet with Pacific Wren, Steller’s Jay and Chestnut-backed Chickadees often the only birds, but is beautiful and well worth the visit! The beaches may hold flocks of Western Sandpipers, while offshore are Red-necked Grebes, Surf Scoter, Pacific Loons and Marbled Murrelet, with Bald Eagles overhead.

We’ll go whale-watching too, taking a boat trip into Clayoquot Sound, looking for Gray Whales, or Humpbacks if the last Gray Whales have left. Amidst the maze of rocky islets, there’ll be Harbour Seals and huge Steller’s Sea Lions, plus Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants, Heermann’s Gull, Rhinoceros Auklet and Pigeon Guillemots and we’ll check rocky islands for Wandering Tattler and Black Oystercatcher.

12-14

We head back to Vancouver, where we overnight in Delta again. On the following day we visit the huge area of Boundary Bay, before dragging ourselves away for our flight home, arriving in London on Day 14.

Outline Itinerary Days 1-2

Fly to Vancouver. Full day birding local area and George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary 2 nights at Tsawwassen Inn

Days 3-4

Ferry to Vancouver Island, then drive towards Port McNeill and our hotel overlooking Johnstone Strait. Boat trip to look for Orcas 2 nights at Hidden Cove Lodge

Days 5-6

Drive to Zeballos on west coast to explore the coastal forest and inlets from our Sea Otter boat trip 2 nights at Cedars Inn

Days 7-9

Drive to Campbell River, then birding local area and a full-day boat trip to Grizzly Bear fishing grounds 3 nights at Painter’s Lodge

Days 10-11 Transfer to Tofino on the west coast,

with boat trip for Humpback/Gray

Whales and walk in Pacific Rim Rainforest

2 nights at Jamie’s Rainforest Inn Day 12

Return to Vancouver 1 night at Tsawwassen Inn

Days 13-14 Birding Boundary Bay before flight

back to London in afternoon, arriving

in London on Day 14

Roy Atkins: Sea Otter, Landscape, Orca, Heermann’s Gull, Black Bear, Gray Whale Fluke,

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

77

Mary Braddock

Lin Gregory

Cranes, Hungary. Holiday details page 90

Guests in Yellowstone. Holiday details page 54

Just a few of the images guests and guides have taken on Speyside Wildlife trips

Roy Cowley

Roy Cowley

Gila Woodpecker, Arizona. Holiday details page 30

Alpine Choughs, Pyrenees. Holiday details page 50

Sue and Bill Gill

Colin Scott

Red Grouse, Autumn Wildlife holiday 2015. Holiday details page 88

Mountain Hare, Spring Birds, 2015. Holiday details page 40

78

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Xan Connell

Christine Maughan

Common Blue Butterfly, Finland Bears,2015. Holiday details page 68

Cape Glossy Starling. Holiday details page 70

Roy Cowley

Roy Atkins

Broad-billed Hummingbird. Holiday details page 20

Guests birdwatching at Savagre, Costa Rica. Holiday details page 20

Roy Cowley

Cath Wright

American Goldfinch, Nova Scotia, 2014. Holiday details page 76

Flamingoes, Ebro Delta, 2015. Holiday details page 18

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

79

EAST YORKSHIRE

“Never a dull moment at this time of year, you never know what might turn up - spectacular numbers of common species, great views of local residents such as Bearded Tit or Marsh Harrier, or an unexpected migrant. We’ll be on the ball, to make sure you see as much as this county has to offer!” Sally Nowell Dates

Sat 30 Sep - Sat 7 Oct 2017

Price

£1,525

Deposit £300

Single Supp £150

An excellent chance to witness migration in action, as thousands of birds are on the move - from waders and warblers, to pipits, thrushes and seabirds - and a chance of rarities too!

Yorkshire’s autumn migration hotspots - Spurn, Flamborough and Filey Witness migration of thousands of pipits, finches, thrushes and more Flexible itinerary just in case any major rarities turn up nearby Visit key Yorkshire birding sites such as Blacktoft Sands and Bempton Cliffs ‘Behind the scenes’ visit to Robert Fuller’s wildlife art gallery Scarce migrants such as Yellow-browed Warbler, Lapland Bunting and Wryneck See ringing first hand at a Spurn Bird Observatory ringing demonstration

Leaders Sally Nowell and Julian Sykes Weather Can be extremely variable at this

time of year, so come prepared for

everything from rain and wind,

to calm autumnal sunshine!

Walking Mostly easy walking on level

paths up to 3 miles, with perhaps a

little more if rarities require it!

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Unlikely to be a problem at this time

of year Accom

Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite A lovely rural venue in the heart of East Yorkshire in a stunning location A transfer can be arranged from York train station

Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Brambling Winter thrushes Redstart Bearded Tit Marsh Harrier Sooty Shearwater Pomerine Skua Little Gull Jack Snipe Shorelark Black Redstart Barn Owl Short-eared Owl Woodcock

80

Water Rail Red-throated Diver Pink-footed Goose Velvet Scoter Scarce migrants such as..

Yellow-browed Warbler Ring Ouzel Firecrest Wryneck Lapland Bunting Red-breasted Flycatcher Little Bunting Rarities - anything could turn up!

1

We meet up at our hotel in time for dinner and a chance to discuss the coming week. Our well placed accommodation means that most of the sites we shall visit are an hour or less away.

2-7

The Yorkshire coast at this time of year is a thrilling place!! Thousands of birds are on the move and to witness this mass migration as birds head south along the coast is a wonderful experience. We have timed this trip to enjoy migration in action, with common migrants still passing through in good numbers, but also the chance of something a bit rarer - or with luck - very rare indeed!!

East Yorkshire has become renowned as the place to witness autumn migration and has several sites from which to experience this massive annual movement of birds. Spurn Point is perhaps the most famous - its unusual shape acting as a funnel,

which concentrates birds as they move towards the point. Whilst this can be weather dependent, the birding here can be astonishing, with large numbers of common migrants such as pipits, thrushes, finches, Robins and Goldcrests and often plenty of scarcer species too, with double figure numbers of Yellow-browed Warblers and the chance of species like Richard’s Pipit, Firecrest, Wryneck, Shorelark, Lapland Bunting and more. What is more, we shall get an insight into how research on migration is carried out and see birds in the hand, with a ringing demonstration at Spurn Bird Observatory.

We shall also cast our eyes seawards as, at this time of year, Filey Brigg and Flamborough Head provide excellent sea-watching opportunities. We’ll look out for Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Arctic, Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas, divers and flocks of seaduck and geese. Like Spurn, these sites can

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Prepare yourself to be wowed by the diversity of habitat and birdlife. There is a modesty to this landscape and county, that does not easily reveal its true potential to the birdwatcher. Yorkshire is just waiting for us to visit and who knows what surprises it might throw up - 2016 provided a stream of rarities, so let’s keep our fingers crossed for 2017!” Sally Nowell

also be first landfall for high numbers of birds, with thrushes and Bramblings coming in off the sea and all three sites have had more than their fair share of national rarities.

shrikes, flycatchers, or scarcer warblers. We shall also introduce you to some newer and less well known, but equally impressive, birding hot spots on our daily outings.

Each day we shall be keeping an eye on ‘what’s about’ and will be in touch with local birders, so plans may alter rapidly if something very special is found. Anything can turn up, but some years are incredible, such as 2016 when Siberian Accentor, White’s Thrush, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear and Black-browed Albatross were exceptional finds.

We can’t promise the same rarities necessarily, but we can promise an exciting time searching for the unexpected, with the opportunity to polish our skills when it comes to our less familiar warblers, whilst looking out for gems including Pallas’s and Dusky Warbler.

East Yorkshire is a varied county, with rich agricultural land providing ideal feeding grounds for large numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover.

The subtly rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds, providing habitat for Barn Owls, Skylarks, Red Kite and Brown Hare, feature in a lot of David Hockney’s recent work. We plan to visit Robert Fuller’s wildlife art gallery and get a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of some of the ingenious ways he spies on his local wildlife. His paintings sell all over the world and his trademark, highly-detailed images, have been adopted by the RSPB and the National Trust.

Yorkshire has some fabulous Reserves and habitats, wetlands, cliffs, forest, coast and estuarine marsh.

We’ll visit Blacktoft Sands, where the wetlands and reedbeds are superb at this time of year. Wader passage will include common species such as Dunlin, but should also include Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff. Marsh Harriers hunt over the reeds, where ‘pinging’ flocks of Bearded Tits can be seen and if we are very lucky, perhaps a Water Rail or Bittern will appear.

At Bempton Cliffs, the huge seabird colonies will have departed, but this spectacular place can also provide chances to see migration and amongst the common migrants, we’ll be on the lookout for

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

8

After breakfast on our final day we say our fond farewells. You may wish to extend your holiday by spending time in Yorkshire’s historic county town, or explore further up Yorkshire’s east coast, to places such as Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Meet at our hotel in time for our evening meal 7 nights at Rudstone Walk, Brough

Days 2-7 Exploration of the migration hotspots

of Spurn Point, Flamborough Head,

Filey Brigg and Bempton Cliffs. We’ll

also seawatch from headlands and visit

Blacktoft Sands for wetland and

reedbed birds, plus visit the Yorkshire

Wolds and the David Fuller Art Gallery Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart

David Constantine: Yellow-browed Warbler, Jack Snipe, Sedge Warbler, Dunlin and Sanderling Tim Jones: Goldfinches, Red-flanked Bluetail Ecotours: Bearded Tit

81

AUTUMN WILDLIFE IN SPEYSIDE

“Autumn is an evocative time of year in the Highlands. The lochs reflect the colours of the changing leaves and there’s often a dusting of snow on the high tops. Young eagles are in the air, the glens echo with the sound of rutting stags and wintering birds are starting to arrive. Come and experience it!”

Simon Pawsey Dates

Sat 30 Sep - Sat 7 Oct 2017 Sat 7- Sat 14 Oct 2017

Price

£995

Deposit £150 Single Supp £100 (ensuite rooms only)

The season of golden colours, roaring stags, hunting eagles, seaduck and rarities - this is a wonderful time to be in glorious Speyside, within the Cairngorms National Park.

Capercaillie, Black Grouse and Speyside specialities Includes a West Coast ‘White-tailed Eagle’ trip Seaduck, geese and thrushes arriving from the north Regular rare skuas, ducks and white-winged gulls Young Golden Eagles above roaring Red Deer stags Ptarmigan parties in the Cairngorms An evening for Pine Marten, Badger and more

Leaders Two from our Speyside Team Weather The weather can vary enormously.

Snow can occur in the mountains at

any season with sunny warm weather

also possible. During a typical week

in autumn we would expect

to experience mixed sun and showers

with temperatures in the range 8-18ºC.

You may want to bring sunscreen Walking Most walks are 1-2 miles on wide sandy

tracks, although there is the possibility

of a forest walk of up to 4 miles

We can now take groups on to the Cairngorms plateau from the funicular railway summit to see Ptarmigan, therefore it may be necessary to take a walk on paths over uneven and occasionally undulating rocky terrain.

Low-level unguided alternatives are available. Walking boots will be needed on the holiday

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Biting midges are rare at this time of year Accom Double (ensuite), twin (ensuite) and

single (ensuite and non ensuite) rooms Group

1

Dinner together on Saturday evening followed by coffee and a run through the coming week starts the holiday.

2-7

As colder weather grips northern Scandinavia, thousands of birds stream south to warmer waters, many spending the winter off our shores. Like grains from a pepperpot, seaduck, grebes and divers are scattered across the sea like nowhere else in Britain. Rafts of Common and Velvet Scoter can be found in Findhorn Bay and we’ll search through them for rare Surf Scoter which are annual here - lost birds from North America. Long-tailed Duck are in beautiful winter plumage and we’ll check through flocks of Eider just in case a rare King Eider is amongst them.

There will be Slavonian Grebe, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Scaup and the chance of passing Great and Arctic Skuas - even Red-necked Grebe is possible.

Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Turnstone pick around sea-weedy rocks and we’ll visit estuaries alive with waders. Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit, which may hide something more unusual and we’ll find big flocks of Wigeon plus Teal and Pintail. Skeins of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese are constantly on the move and may be arriving in their thousands. If winds come from the north we’ll check through the flocks of gulls, as there is always the chance of stray Glaucous or Iceland Gulls. Red Kite drift over farmland on the Black Isle and we’ll visit a spot where Bottlenose Dolphins frequently come surprisingly close to the shore and hope for some acrobatics as they chase Salmon coming in on the rising tide!

At Insh Marshes, Icelandic Whooper Swans quietly feed and Goosander and Goldeneye dive in small pools, where furtive Teal skulk in the margins.

Towards dusk, Hen Harriers fly buoyantly in

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Golden Eagle White-tailed Eagle Ptarmigan Black Grouse Capercaillie Pink-footed Goose Long-tailed Duck Scaup 82

Common Scoter Velevt Scoter Rock Dove Crested Tit Scottish Crossbill Snow Bunting Red Squirrel Pine Marten

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“Thousands of seaduck and other birds from the north are arriving at this time of year and it is always fun scanning through the flocks to see what may be hidden amongst them - perhaps a Surf Scoter, or King Eider if we are really lucky! We may find a Red-necked Grebe, skuas or perhaps a Glaucous Gull on the beach - autumn can bring nice surprises!” Simon Pawsey

from the moors to roost in the long grasses here, sometimes Merlin too. Golden Eagle and Peregrine hunt the higher glens and we’ll search for Mountain Hares - now moulting into their winter coat and starting to go white in patches.

A real highlight can be watching the Red Deer.

This is the time when they are rutting and the roar of rutting stags echoes across the valley.

Occasionally we see a real confrontation, as stags meet head to head, or we may see males that have adorned their antlers with grass and heather!

Open moorland holds parties of Red Grouse and, weather permitting, we’ll explore the Cairngorms for cryptically camouflaged Ptarmigan - so much easier now with the funicular railway to help us get to higher ground!

In the ancient pines of Abernethy Forest, Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill are found and flocks of Siskin, Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Treecreeper weave through trees that flank the mountains.

There is always the chance of Common and Parrot Crossbill too and we’ll keep alert for elusive Capercaillie and Black Grouse - though neither species are easy at this time of year. Golden Eagle are possible and there is now a resident pair of White-tailed Eagles here, so keep your fingers crossed!

Flocks of winter thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare, or even scarce Waxwing may appear on berry bushes. One night we’ll visit our comfortable baited hide for the chance of close up views of delightful Pine Martens and Badgers!

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

We shall also venture to the remote west coast through the dramatic peaks and sea lochs of wildest Wester Ross. The scenery gets more and more spectacular as you head west and the coastal beaches around Laide and Mellon Udrigle are beautiful too, with stunning mountain views towards Sutherland.

Wild Rock Dove may be found here along with Raven, Twite, Stonechat and Golden Eagle, but it’s imposing White-tailed Eagle that may steal the show. We’ll search for Red-throated and Great Northern Divers amongst more numerous Black-throated Divers that winter here, along with Black Guillemots, Eider and Shags.

Common Seals may be hauled out on the rocks and we’ll scan the water and rocky shore for Otters. These wonderful animals are more linked to tide than time of day here, allowing the chance of animals out in daylight. We have enjoyed some wonderful views of them here - especially when they catch something they need to bring to shore to deal with!

8

After breakfast on Saturday we say our farewells.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Glen Feshie in time for an evening meal and a chat about our plans for the coming week.

7 nights at the Steading

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching

exploration including Abernethy

Forest, Dava Moor, the Cairngorms,

the Moray Firth and West Coast Day 8

After breakfast we say our farewells and depart

Jane Hope: Red Grouse Bill Gill: Pink-footed Geese Colin Scott: Ptarmigan Mark Denman: Red Deer, Whooper Swans, Snow Bunting Yves Gisseleire: White-tailed Eagle

83

SOLWAY

“I cannot wait to return to south west Scotland. It is like the country in miniature; rocky mountains, extensive forest and a spectacular coastline. The majority of Spitsbergen’s breeding Barnacle Geese winter here, along with a profusion of other wildfowl, waders and raptors, just fantastic!” Duncan Macdonald Dates

Sat 21 - Sat 28 October 2017

Price

£1,495

Deposit £250

Single Supp £100

A bird-rich winter retreat, with thousands of geese, swans, raptors and waders, plus a fabulous Red Kite feeding station and a unique night-vision experience.

Six species of goose, including Greenland White-fronted Goose Great close up views of Whooper Swans being fed Chance of Golden Eagle, Merlin and Goshawk Hen Harrier roost and large flocks of Barnacle Geese on coastal marshes Night drive with thermal imaging cameras Red Kite feeding station giving spectacular views Diversity of waders, gulls, ducks, divers, auks, grebes and more at Loch Ryan

Leader Duncan Macdonald and Roy Atkins Weather The weather can vary enormously

at this time of year. Typically we can

expect a mixture of sunshine and

showers with temperatures in the

range 0-15ºC. Some sites are exposed,

so wind will be a factor Walking

We shall walk on a variety of wide and narrow paths, generally in good condition. Some walking will be on boardwalk and some will be on rough coastline.

Walking boots are recommended

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8

Insects Not a problem Accom A comfortable former Coaching Inn

offering double, twin and single rooms

all ensuite Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Red-throated Diver Slavonian Grebe Black Guillemot Hen Harrier Red Kite Golden Plover Turnstone Purple Sandpiper Pale-bellied Brent Goose Barnacle Goose Pink-footed Goose Whooper Swan

84

White-fronted Goose Peregrine Merlin Short-eared Owl Pintail Scaup Long-tailed Duck Barn Owl Red Grouse Black Grouse Crossbill Black-tailed Godwit

1

We meet at our hotel in Castle Douglas, with time before dinner to chat about the week ahead.

2-7

At WWT Caerlaverock, 30,000 Barnacle Geese, alongside other species, use the fields every winter and rarities such as Snow Goose have occurred here.

The trumpeting of Whooper Swans is a constant soundtrack, but becomes especially loud just before feeding time and as they fly from the feeding pool to roost. In the hides we’ll get good views of duck, such as Pintail, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal and maybe even Green-winged Teal which has returned for several winters. Waders include Golden Plover, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit and Peregrine or Merlin may fly through, sending flocks of birds skywards.

Along the coast the RSPB Reserve at Mersehead is another fabulous spot for wintering wildfowl

with flocks of Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck and Pintail as well as waders. There is a good chance that Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl are using the area to winter. Nearby Southerness Point is one of the best places to see wintering waders with flocks of Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plover, while rocky areas host Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper. This is a good place to look for Scaup and there may be flocks of Pintail offshore and perhaps Common Scoter and grebes.

We’ll visit Loch Ken and RSPB Ken Dee Marshes, to search for the Greenland White-front, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese that winter here, with Pochard, Little Grebe, Goldeneye and Goosander amongst them. Willow Tit are still here in small numbers, although they can be tricky to find.

Nearby is a Red Kite feeding station and we’ll time our visit to see these fantastic aerial birds

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The wildlife just keeps on coming on this trip! We shall visit a Red Kite feeding station, where these birds will pass us at head height; we shall scan the thousands of Barnacle and Pink-footed Geese for maybe something a bit more unusual and we shall even search out the creatures of the night with specialist night-vision equipment.” Duncan Macdonald

swooping down for tit-bits of meat and eating on the wing, almost within touching distance.

If daylight permits, we’ll return to Loch Ken to watch the geese come into roost.

rolling, rugged hills, forests and moorland. We shall visit sites with high hills where, if luck is with us, we may see Golden Eagle soaring and there should be Raven and Peregrine and perhaps Merlin.

The imposing tower of Threave Castle was built

by Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway, in the 14th century. The neighbouring nature reserve is a wonderful location to look for wintering Pink-footed, Greylag and Greenland White-fronted Geese. There should be a variety of ducks including Pintail and Wigeon, while Hen Harrier regularly quarter the ground in search of prey.

Red Grouse can be found where there is heather, while Black Grouse are harder to find here these days. Red Deer may still be rutting and we’ll listen out for their loud roaring. The extensive forestry has Common Crossbill, Siskin, Redpoll and the first Redwings, Fieldfares and Bramblings may be arriving. Buzzards are a common sight and we shall keep a sharp eye out for soaring Goshawk, while marvelling at the drama of this beautiful, historical landscape.

Travelling further afield, we go to the sheltered waters of Loch Ryan, which are often teeming with birds. The shoreline may be dotted with waders including Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, alongside feeding Light-bellied Brent Goose. Out on the water are flocks of Eider, with Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter and Scaup and we’ll look for Slavonian Grebe and divers, plus Black Guillemot and Long-tailed Duck.

Black-necked Grebe used to winter here and occasionally still appear. If we have time we may visit Corsewall Point. Although a little late in the season for seawatching, there is always the chance of a late skua or petrel passing and Gannets are often close to shore. At dusk we’ll visit a small Hen Harrier roost, with a good chance of hunting Barn Owl. The interior of Dumfries and Galloway is a bit like Scotland in miniature, with expanses of

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Not all wildlife is active during daylight hours, so we have teamed up with a local company specialising in night-time wildlife viewing using night-vision equipment! We shall head out into the dark, each of us being given our own thermal imaging equipment to use for the evening, to look for nocturnal creatures such as Red and Roe Deer, Fox, Badger, Bats, Hedgehog and owls in this fabulous and unique experience - even Otter is a possibility.

8

After breakfast we’ll say our farewells before setting off on our journeys home.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Castle Douglas in time for our evening meal, followed by a chat about our plans for the coming week

Days 2-7 Wildlife and birdwatching exploration

including Caerlaverock WWT

Reserve, Ken-Dee Marshes RSPB

Reserve, Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR

and Red Kite feeding station.

One evening looking for wildlife with

night-vision equipment Day 8

After breakfast we shall say our farewells

Mark Denman: Whooper Swans Sally Dowden: Purple Sandpiper Morag Rea: Red Kites, Barnacle Geese Chrissie Nicholson: Pink-footed Geese, Goldeneye, Turnstone

85

HUNGARY

“The sight and sound of thousands of Common Cranes coming to roost is breathtaking!

Add to that a great selection of birds including Great Bustard, Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, a roost of Long-eared Owls and scarce geese and woodpeckers and this is an incredible trip!”

Roy Atkins

Dates

28 Oct - 4 Nov 2017

Price £1,995 Deposit £350

Single Supp £200

Leader

Roy Atkins plus local guides

Flights

British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow - Budapest Inbound: Afternoon, Budapest - Heathrow

One of the world’s great wildlife spectacles - the sight and sound of over 30,000 Common Cranes flying in to roost - plus raptors, woodpeckers, geese, owls and so much more!

Wonderful sight of thousands of Common Cranes coming to roost Explore the famous Hortobagy National Park and beautiful Bukk Hills Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzards Local guide with expert knowledge of the area Up to eight species of woodpecker possible, including Syrian and White-backed Big goose flocks with chance of Red-breasted amongst the White-fronted Geese Astonishing roost of over 50 Long-eared Owls, plus Ural Owl in Bukk Hills!

Weather Temperatures likely to be around

10°-20°C, with sunshine and

some rain likely Walking

Some short, easy walks, including one through woodland on a flat track and a slightly steeper walk to a quarry.

Bring waterproof walking shoes or boots and layers of clothing

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8

Insects

Insects are unlikely to be a problem, but bring some repellent just in case

Accom

Comfortable accommodation in twin, double and single ensuite rooms.

The first pension is more basic but well situated for our needs and the second is a charming hotel with very individual rooms and excellent food

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Common Crane White-tailed Eagle Eastern Imperial Eagle Saker Falcon Long-legged Buzzard Great Bustard Red-breasted Goose Bean Goose Ural Owl Long-eared Owl Pygmy Cormorant Ferruginous Duck Red-necked Grebe 86

Black Woodpecker Syrian Woodpecker Grey-headed Woodpecker White-backed Woodpecker Hawfinch Alpine Accentor Wallcreeper Penduline Tit Bearded Tit European Tree Frog Woolly Pig!

1 2-4

After our flight to Budapest, we drive to our guesthouse near Hortobagy National Park.

Birding in the Hortobagy area is a thrilling mix of raptors, geese, waterbirds, bustards, woodpeckers and even owls … but it will be the cranes that steal the show!

This vast National Park is a mosaic of wetlands, marshes, woodlands and fields, with an exciting range of species, but by coming at this time of year we get to see thousands of Common Cranes coming to roost in the fading light. As the sun sets the Cranes gather in fields nearby, before flighting into the roosting sites in large flocks, their bugling calls echoing round as they drop into the shallow lakes where they spend the night. It is a wonderful experience - especially if there is a red sky, when the cranes’ silhouettes look particularly beautiful and worth the trip just to see this!

However - the supporting cast is incredible!

A great selection of habitats includes huge reed-fringed fishponds where Marsh Harriers hunt and Bearded and Penduline Tits can be found.

On the open water and meadows we’ll check through flocks of White-fronted Geese for Bean Geese and the rare Red-breasted Goose - on most trips we find two or three! A small flock of Lesser White-fronted Geese winter here too, but can be harder to find. The lakes are worth checking for Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard and there are always a few Great White Egret, Pygmy Cormorant and Yellow-legged Gulls amongst the Caspian Gulls.

We’ll keep an eye out for European Tree Frogs and we’ve found Fire-bellied Toads and European Pond Terrapins too.

The whole area is fabulous for birds of prey.

Buzzards are everywhere but cold weather further

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“By adding another day in the Bukk Hills, we have increased our chances of several birds, including Ural Owl and woodpeckers, with Middle and Lesser Spotted, Grey-headed, Black and with luck even White-backed Woodpecker all possible. If we are very lucky, Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor may have already arrived for the winter.” Roy Atkins

north may have already pushed Rough-legged Buzzards and Hen Harriers into the Hortobagy for the winter. We should see Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, Peregrine and Merlin, with a very slim chance of Greater Spotted Eagle.There is a small outlying population of Long-legged Buzzard here and White-tailed Eagles are common.

In an area of steppe country known as the Puszta, we shall look for Great Bustards. Syrian Woodpeckers frequent the orchards and village trees, Great Grey Shrike winter here and we shall visit a local village favoured by wintering Long-eared Owls! This remarkably ordinary place for some reason attracts up to a hundred Long-eared Owls in just a few trees and we have usually found more than fifty here in the past, with more near the park visitor centre. We’ll get great views of them during daylight hours as they rest up, before heading out to hunt in the evening, a fantastic photo opportunity.

Then there are the Woolly Pigs! A short visit to a rare breeds park allows us to see some of the older breeds of farm animals, including these delightful pigs, plus Racka Sheep and the famous Hungarian Grey Cattle, with their incredibly long horns.

5-7

We move on to the Bukk Hills, pausing enroute to search out Saker Falcons and Imperial Eagles. Our delightful hotel has real charm, with every room different and fabulous food as well - especially breakfast which may be the best you’ll find anywhere! Nestled

in a small village surrounded by wooded slopes, Middle Spotted Woodpecker are in the grounds and Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers in surrounding woodlands.

Beautiful Beech woodlands nearby are good for Hawfinch, plus Short-toed Treecreeper, Marsh Tit and Nuthatch, with other birds including White-backed Woodpecker also possible. We’ll look for lovely White-headed Long-tailed Tits and visit a quarry where Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor winter - though they are just arriving at this time of year and their presence may depend on the weather in the mountains to the north. Meadows on the tops of the hills are hunting grounds for Ural Owl and we’ll try for them at the end of the day.

8

We transfer back to Budapest where we take our return flight to London.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Fly to Budapest then head to our accomodation near Hortobagy NP 4 nights Klara’s Pension

Days 2-4 Birding in the Hortobagy National

Park area – large areas of steppe with

many raptors, Great Bustard, plus large

flocks of geese and Common Cranes.

The cranes come to roost in the

evenings at the extensive fishponds,

where we shall also find wildlfowl and

waders. Also Long-eared Owl roosts!

Day 5-7

Transfer to Bukk Hills looking for Saker and Imperial Eagle enroute to our delightful hotel. Full day birding in the forests for woodpeckers and other woodland species and large quarry in hope of wintering Wallcreeper.

3 nights Nomad Pension - Bukk NP

Day 8

We travel back to Budapest.

Depending on flight times we may include some birding enroute to the airport and our flight to London.

Mary Braddock: Cranes, Black Woodpecker Roy Atkins: Penduline Tit Balazs Szigeti: Eastern Imperial Eagle, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Saker Falcon

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

87

ISLES OF SCILLY

“I first visited the Isles of Scilly in 1996 and still remember vividly dashing straight from the ferry up onto the Garrison and peeping over a hedge, to get a glimpse of a Black and White Warbler which had just arrived from America. I was hooked on the islands instantly and ever since, each visit has produced many fantastic birding memories.”

Simon Eaves Dates

Sat 7- Sat 14 Oct 17

Price £1,775 Deposit £350

Single Supp £250

Famous for scarce birds, we return to this scattering of tranquil islands on the south west limit of Britain, at the best time of year for the greatest variety of migrants to turn up!

Scarce bird migrants from all points of the compass Walking quiet lanes amidst sub-tropical plants Dazzling seascapes and a patchwork of little fields Following up all the latest news each day Inter-island boat trips All from a small hotel on the main island of St Mary’s Excellent local knowledge from our guides

Leaders Simon Eaves and Duncan Macdonald Ferry

Penzance to St Mary’s

Weather

The weather can vary enomously in the autumn. The Isles of Scilly can be wet and windy, however we may also expect some warm weather as well! During a typical week in this season we would expect to experience mixed sun and showers, with temperatures in the range 10-25ºC.

Walking

We shall be on foot most of the day making medium length walks between stops on easy paths and roads over even ground, but on occasion we may walk on slightly rough coastal paths.

We shall cover an overall distance of about 3 to 4 miles during the day.

Walking boots are recommended on wet days, with trainers being fine when the weather is dry.

Don’t bring wellingtons – it’s unlikely to be muddy and in most places they are unsuitable.

Collapsible telescopic/walking poles could be useful for this trip.

Boat Trips We shall take short boat trips to

the smaller islands from St Mary’s Meals

All included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 8

Insects Biting insects are unlikely to be

a problem Accom Double, twin and single rooms

all ensuite

1

We meet together in Penzance at the harbour before taking the ferry out to Scilly. Birds and wildlife will be apparent from the moment we leave the bay, with several species of seabird on the 28 mile crossing to the islands.

Gannets and Fulmars cruise the open waters, along with a really good chance of seeing the rare Balearic Shearwater, which move into these British waters in late summer. Common Dolphins are increasingly common here and we hope to have some good sightings from the ship. Landing on St Mary’s we can walk the short distance to our island hotel.

The rest of the first day we are likely to explore the main island of St Mary’s, with its diverse habitats of woodland, farmland and coastal trails.

2-7

The islands have recorded over 400 species during their birding history, having a reputation as being a must visit place for all British birders. Autumn migration will be in full swing as we

arrive, with the last of the common species passing through such as Redstarts, Chiffchaffs,Wheatears, with swallows and martins still occurring at this time of year.

Along with these common migrants and depending on the preceding weather and wind directions, we can hope for rarities. If transatlantic low pressure sweeps in we may see something arrive from America, whilst easterly winds may produce birds from Europe such as Wryneck and Bluethoat. In the right conditions, eastern rarities from even further afield in Asia such as Yellow-browed Warbler and Dusky Warbler can appear. It’s impossible to give a firm itinerary - let’s just say that our guides will take you to where the best birds are! Migrants can turn up anywhere; on the south pointing Peninnis Head, on grassy airfields, golf courses, sheltered coves and the shelter belts which protect the bulb fields - and indeed on any of the islands. Any boat trips we need to make are included in the holiday. This is prime

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see: Manx Shearwater Balearic Shearwater Buff-breasted Sandpiper Jack Snipe Short-toed Lark Red-breasted Flycatcher Yellow-browed Warbler

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Firecrest Wryneck Rose-coloured Starling Common Rosefinch Lapland Bunting Plus rarities!!

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“The islands have a reputation for rare birds, which make for an amazing place to visit as a birdwatcher, but the experience is so much more than that. It’s the combination of scenery, climate, people and history that makes these islands so fascinating. They got under my skin twenty years ago and I absolutely love going back.” Simon Eaves

time for scarce birds such as Short-toed Lark, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike, but expect the unexpected, as Scilly is famed for attracting vagrant waders, ducks, warblers, pipits and even birds of prey from all corners of the compass, which rarely occur elsewhere in the UK. Anything can turn up - in this period last year Red-eyed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Red-flanked Bluetail, Radde’s Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Blyth’s Pipit, Spotted Sandpiper, Olive-backed Pipit and Red-throated Pipit were reported.

During our trip we shall alternate between exploring the main island of St Mary’s, with days out to visit two or three of the other inhabited islands using the colourful little inter-island boats. Even St Mary’s is only 2.5 by 1.75 miles, so exploring on foot is easy, wandering between the different habitats of tiny bulb fields sheltered by tall pittasporum hedges, maritime heath and boggy moorland, with muddy freshwater pools, rocky headlands and sandy coves that pepper the coastline. The unique mild maritime climate has created a fascinating landscape, with special plants adapted to this environment The Scillies are made up of around 150 islands with just five of the largest islands being inhabited.

All of these five offshore islands are distinctly different in character and habitat. We shall almost certainly visit Tresco, the second largest, which is famed for its exotic Abbey Gardens created in 1834 around the remains of the 12th century St Nicholas Priory. Its sweeping sandy beaches and rocky tidal bays attract waders, gulls and terns and the dense vegetation and wooded areas provide

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

shelter and feeding for common migrants and rarities alike, as they pause to refuel on there long journeys.

The Great Pool almost divides the whole island, offering the chance of some wildfowl, with regular rarities like Ring-necked Duck and Spotted Crake turning up in some years. St Agnes, the most south-westerly of the inhabited islands, is in the prime position for first landfall of any transatlantic migrants, so it is another island we are likely to visit. It has a rugged southern coastline and more sheltered bays in the north. Its narrow winding lanes and tiny fields give it a totally different feel to the other islands and with Wingletang Down - an area of open scrub and gorse which stretches down to the Atlantic coast, it’s an island of contrasts in a tiny area.

Rare birds can turn up on any of the other islands, with visiting birders searching all over. We shall try to see as many as we can, so depending on where the birds are found, we may visit St Martin’s, a long thin island with beautiful white sandy beaches, downland and a small farming community.

Alternatively, we may visit Bryher, which shelters Tresco from the Atlantic and is home to Hell Bay, where there is nothing between us and the eastern seaboard of America!

8

We can spend the morning birding, then after lunch we board our ferry for the sea crossing back to Penzance, with a chance of more seabirds and cetaceans on the way.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Ferry from Penzance to St Mary’s and transfer to hotel.

7 nights at St Mary’s Hall Hotel

Days 2-7 Normally 3 days spent exploring the

different parts of St Mary’s, the main

island and 3 day trips to other islands,

usually Tresco, St Agnes and Bryher,

but the occurence of unusual birds

will determine the exact itinerary Day 8

Return ferry to Penzance

Simon Eaves: Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Subalpine Warbler Duncan Macdonald: St Mary’s, Greenshank, Guests 2015, Snipe Steve Osborne: Firecrest

89

NEW MEXICO

“New Mexico is perfect for a winter birding break – clear skies, easy temperatures and an amazing landscape. Add in the spectacle of tens of thousands of cranes and geese and some special birds like roadrunner and all three species of rosy finch and you have a very special holiday.”

Darren Rees Dates

Sat 25 Nov - Wed 6 Dec 2017

Price

£3,495

Deposit £650

Single Supp £500

Wonderful New Mexico, with stunning snow-capped mountains and arid desert scenery, plus staggering numbers of wintering cranes and geese at the famous Bosque Del Apache.

Tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese Four nights next to Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Incredible wildfowl numbers and eagles at Elephant Butte Desert wrens, sparrows and roadrunner High altitude rarities: all three species of rosy finch Spectacular White Sands National Monument Winter birding at its best

Leaders Darren Rees and Duncan Macdonald Flights

British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Morning, Heathrow-Albuquerque (via Dallas) Inbound: Overnight,Albuquerque-Heathrow (via Dallas)

Weather Variable in winter. At Sandia Crest

snow is likely, so temperatures can vary

between -5° to 20°C. Mostly sunny

elsewhere, though early mornings cool.

Layers recommended Walking

2-3 miles easy walking on well maintained trails, though snow likely at Sandia Crest.

Walking boots recommended

Meals

All included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 11

Insects It is unlikely that biting insects will be

a problem, but we do advise you take

repellent if you are at all susceptible Accom Twin and single rooms all ensuite Group

12

Just some of what we hope to see: Snow Goose Ross’s Goose Sandhill Crane Greater Roadrunner Burrowing Owl Phainopepla Pyrruhloxia Black-chinned Sparrow Rosy Finch (all 3 species) Three-toed Woodpecker Townsend’s Solitaire Cactus Wren 90

1-3

We arrive in Albuquerque and have a short transfer to our first base for three nights, close to the Rio Grande. Nearby is the delightful Rio Grande Nature Center, a great place for our introduction to the birdlife of New Mexico.

The visitor centre looks out over ponds filled with ducks, geese and turtles (we saw Porcupine last time!) Ring-necked Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Hooded Merganser, Green-winged Teal and delightful Wood Duck will start the list and wooded riverside trails lead to Northern Flicker, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch and Black Phoebe.

At Petroglyph National Monument we’ll admire the rock carvings from New Mexico’s indigenous people, as well as revelling in the desert landscape, with birds such as Rock Wren, Canyon Towhee and maybe our first Greater Roadrunner (Meep! Meep!)

Next, we’ll explore the heights of Sandia Crest that rise above the desert to a summit of over 10,000 feet. Its slopes are covered in extensive pine forests, home to Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Williamson’s Sapsucker and rare Three-toed Woodpecker. At the summit, much-prized rosy finches attend feeders (with Tassle-eared Squirrels) and we’ll hope for all three species: Brown-capped, Black and Gray-crowned.

4-6

We travel south to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, a highlight of our holiday. Based at nearby Socorro, we’ll schedule early morning and late afternoon visits to the refuge, to witness a true wildlife spectacle: tens of thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes fly to and from their roosts, to a cacophony of clattering wings, honking and bugling!

Steller’s Jay Williamson’s Sapsucker Western Bluebird Juniper Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Canyon Towhee Canyon Wren Rock Wren Crissal Thrasher Tassle-eared Squirrel Coyote Collared Peccary

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

“White Sands National Monument is a photographer’s paradise. An empty dreamland of curved white dunes, set against rugged mountains and an intense blue sky. You wont be disappointed!” Darren Rees Smaller Ross’s Snow Geese mingle with the flocks and other waterfowl include Bufflehead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup and Canada Geese.

Raptors are attracted to the area and we’ll look out for Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Harrier and striking Ferruginous Hawk. As the light fades Coyote, Collared Peccary and Great Horned Owls stir!

In the Magdelena Mountains, west of Socorro, we’ll search open areas for smart Pronghorn Antelopes and Golden Eagles. Higher, in wooded areas, we’ll look for Acorn Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Western Scrub Jay, Juniper Titmouse and Red Crossbill.

7-9

Leaving Socorro we drive south to Las Cruces, via Elephant Butte, the largest lake in New Mexico. Staggering numbers of duck winter here, with tens of thousands of American Wigeon, Redhead, Pintail and American Coot, attracting groups of Bald Eagles. We’ll have fun separating Western and Clark’s Grebes and we should also find White-fronted Geese, Neotropic Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls, Ruddy Duck and Great Blue Heron.

Patches of scrub close to the dam hold Black-throated Sparrow, Verdin, White-winged Dove, and Pyrrhuloxia. Further south, at Percha, we’ll search for other species of the arid regions: Scaled Quail, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla and Western Bluebird are present.

From Las Cruces we’ll explore the woods, thickets and fields of Mesilla Valley. Wintering birds such as American Pipit, Loggerhead Shrike and Green-tailed Towhee join local Burrowing Owls to enjoy the winter sun.

Dominating the eastern skyline are the imposing Organ Mountains and at Dripping Springs, residents include Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cactus, Canyon and Rock Wren, plus Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - there are Mountain Lions too!

Winter sparrows include Rufous-crowned, Sage and Black-chinned.

Crossing the Tularosa Basin we reach one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world and another highlight. Snow-capped mountains surround the arid basin of White Sands National Monument - a photographer’s paradise, with the juxtaposition of white dunes, rugged peaks and blue skies. Birds will be small players on a grand stage, but we’ll look out for soaring Chihuahuan Raven, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon.

10-12

Leaving Las Cruces we return north, birding enroute, to Socorro and a final evening visit to Bosque del Apache for a farewell to the spectacular crane and geese flocks. Well, we can’t get enough of them!

After a last morning birdwatching, we travel to Albuquerque for our return flight, arriving UK on the morning of Day 12.

Outline Itinerary Day 1

Arrive Albuquerque and transfer to hotel 3 nights Casas de Suenos

Days 2-3

Birding at Rio Grande Nature Center, Petroglyph National Monument and Sandia Crest

Day 4

Transfer south, with birding stops, to Socorro 3 nights Best Western, Socorro

Days 5-6

Visits to Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Magdalena Mountains

Day 7

Travel south with birding stops at Elephant Butte Lake 3 nights Holiday Inn, Las Cruces

Days 8-9

Explore Organ Mountains, Mesilla Valley and White Sands National Monument

Day 10

Travel north to Socorro for final evening at Bosque del Apache 1 night Best Western, Socorro

Days 11-12 Birding in morning, with return flight

from Albuquerque in the afternoon.

Arrive UK Day 12

Terence Lee: Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Roadrunner, White Sands, Coyote Mark Denman: Pyrrhuloxia

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

91

OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please take a few minutes to read the following, that often gets overlooked. We pride ourselves on safeguarding not only you on your holidays, but also your payments made to us. In return, we have to comply with certain legal requirements, that means we need some information from you. All this is designed to take the worry and hassle out of your holidays with us.

1. A reservation is made once a booking form, together with deposit, has been received from you and confirmed in writing by us or, when booking through our website, you receive your booking confirmation by email. Provisional reservations may be made by telephone or email, as long as a completed booking form follows within 10 days. For reservations within 10 weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday a completed booking form and full payment must follow within 48 hours of a provisional booking.

8. If you have a complaint, would you please notify us as soon as possible in order that the matter can be dealt with promptly.

9. All names and addresses on the Speyside Wildlife mailing list are held on computer. Names are automatically deleted after 3 years if no booking is made. No information so stored will ever be passed to a third party.

If however, you object to your name and address being stored, please inform us and we shall remove your details.

2.The balance must be paid not less than 10 weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday. The date the balance is payable will be advised by Speyside Wildlife when we confirm your booking. Unless notice of cancellation is received prior to the balance payment date, balance monies will remain due and payable.

10. All clients booked on a non-UK holiday must be in possession of a valid passport. Full details of requirements for a specific holiday will be sent when we confirm your booking.

3. If you book a place in a twin ensuite we shall endeavour to find you a fellow guest to take the other place. If we fail to do so, we shall contact you before the balance is due on the holiday, to let you know how much the single supplement would be to have the room to yourself and keep the booking. If you don’t want to pay the supplement, you may cancel your booking and your deposit will be returned.

11. Speyside Wildlife complies with the requirements set out in Statutory Instrument 1992 No 3288 ‘The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992’. Speyside Wildlife also holds an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence) No 4259, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the name of Suzanne Dowden trading as Speyside Wildlife.

4. No increase will be made to the prices in respect of these holidays.The price you see is the maximum price you will pay. Speyside Wildlife holidays are fully inclusive of meals, accommodation, transport and entrance fees as detailed.

Not included are travel insurance and items of a personal nature. Where guests incur expenditure for telephone calls, drinks etc, this bill must be settled by you, prior to departure. Last minute discounts may be available through the office.

Any change in price in respect of these will be detailed on an individual basis, prior to your booking being made.

12. Your Financial Protection. All passengers booking a non-flight based holiday with Speyside Wildlife are protected against the loss of all monies paid to us in advance (and repatriation if applicable) in the event of our insolvency, by way of a Trust Account, administered by Peter Munro & Co, Chartered/Certified Accountants, Kingussie. Tel number 01540 661360.

5. If you cancel a booking the deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel any holiday less than 10 weeks prior to commencement, all balance monies will be forfeit.

Once balance monies have been paid, rather than cancelling, you are at liberty to transfer your booking to another person, provided sufficient notice is given to us and it is possible for us to make the substitution. In this event any transfer costs arising must be borne by you. In addition, you are at liberty to transfer an existing booking to another holiday within the same year, any time up to 4 weeks prior to the balance monies being due. Again any transfer costs must be borne by you.

An administration charge of £40 will be levied on each and any transfer.

6. Speyside Wildlife will do everything possible to ensure that your holiday runs as described. In the unlikely event this is not possible we shall advise you at the earliest opportunity of any significant alterations. Any alterations so made will be of a similar quality to those described. No responsibility can be held by Speyside Wildlife for any holiday altered or cancelled due to reasons beyond our control, under circumstances which could not be avoided and where alternative arrangements cannot be made. In the event of cancellation all monies will be returned promptly to you in full. We do, however, reserve the right to cancel any holiday up to 10 weeks prior to departure, should insufficient reservations have been made. In this instance again all monies paid will be refunded in full.

7. Speyside Wildlife cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to personal items, or for personal accident or injury. Guests are therefore strongly recommended to take out personal insurance against cancellation charges and other loss or injury.

To this end, we have arranged suitable cover. If you wish this to apply, please contact Arthur J Gallagher of Fort William on 01397 705 858.

Clients booked on flight-based holidays must have sufficient personal cover prior to travel. If you do not wish to use our insurer, then a copy of the policy you take out must be provided to us.We shall take responsibility should the services detailed in the holiday descriptions not be of a suitable standard. We shall also take responsibility for any acts or omissions by ourselves which result in any loss or injury to you. We cannot however take responsibility for any loss or injury resulting from any act or omission by persons over whom we have no control.

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All our flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the ATOL scheme.

When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOL certificate. (Civil Aviation Authority ATOL Standard Term 1.1).

CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY ATOL STANDARD TERMS When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. (Civil Aviation Authority ATOL Standard Term 1.5) We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought, or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). (Civil Aviation Authority ATOL Standard Term 1.7A) If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit, you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claims against us (CAA), the travel agent (tour operator), or your credit card issuer where applicable. You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. (Civil Aviation Authority Standard Term 1.7B)

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

Once again, I had a great holiday with some very special moments.

I have been lucky enough over the years, thanks to the skill of your guides, to experience so many magical sights. Hazel Pickering

We gave an illustrated talk to our local Wildlife Trust meeting on our Pantanal trip last week and a lot of people asked us who we went with, so of course we told them. Of course, without the excellent holiday arranged by Speyside it would not have been possible. Thanks again and here’s to the next 25 years and more trips for us!

Steve and Lynn Osborne

We always enjoy Speyside Wildlife tours, as everything works so marvellously, from Tania and your office staff, to Darren, Roy and all your guides. We can’t wait for the next one or two or more. Ted and Maureen Cawley

Congratulations to you and the team on your 25th anniversary. We wish you many more successful years and thanks for all the great trips we have enjoyed with you over the years so far.

Max and Christine Maughan

As you know, we love our Speyside holidays – Speyside has given us so many magic moments over the years which will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We look forward to many more!

John and Maggie Tester

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

I hope you continue to prosper and that Speyside Wildlife remains a strong presence on the holiday scene. Mike Oliver

We can’t wait till you celebrate Speyside’s 50th but don’t somehow think we shall be about. It must be very satisfying to have so many returning clients, which can only be put down to a successfully run company with some excellent staff, both in the field and in the office. We hope to continue holidaying for a few more years. Dave and Lyn Maslin

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enquiries@speysidewildlife.co.uk +44 (0)1479 812498 www.speysidewildlife.co.uk Roy Atkins: Bee-eaters, Green Violet-ear Ian Gardner: Arctic Tern Mark Denman: Bonelli’s Eagle, Silver-throated Tanager Lin Gregory: Red-tailed Hawk