Raptors and Grouse

This is a superb time to come to Scotland – autumn migration is in full swing, the tree and heather colours are turning and our target birds are at their highest numbers with all youngsters fledged.

On this itinerary we seek an ambitious list of raptors heading to the best sites to look for them. The list is mouth-watering: White-tailed and Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Osprey, Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel with chances of Merlin, Goshawk and Short-eared Owl. To maximise our chances we include an overnight stay on magical Mull, a superb place to gain close views of many raptors in stunning Hebridean scenery! 

Our grouse species are Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Black and Red Grouse, the four naturally occurring in the British Isles. The Highlands of Scotland is the only place to see them all!  Capercaillie also occur in these forests though are increasingly scarce, we still have chances of incidental sightings on forest trails. Ptarmigan will be sought in high corries of the Cairngorms and this is the time of peak numbers, with birds in large coveys.  The birds are usually confiding, and often reward our efforts with prolonged views and very good photographic opportunities. Red Grouse are found commonly on the moors around our base here in Nethy Bridge, while their rarer cousin Black Grouse can also be found locally at this time. With Heatherlea you have excellent chances of all of these species on this holiday.

There is so much going on in Autumn! Specialities inland include Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill, the first autumn migrants are coming through and summer birds are still here in good numbers. We visit exciting coastal locations to check the swelling numbers of waders and wildfowl for rarities. Expect over 120 species with several surprises.

We spend six nights based in our own Mountview Hotel in Nethy Bridge, and one night in a comfortable Hotel on Mull. This is a fantastic tour of the autumn birdlife of the Scottish Highlands and Islands!

KEY MOMENTS at our Friday round-up - which will be yours?

• All four grouse species; Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Black and Red Grouse.
• White-tailed and Golden Eagle over the mountains of Mull
• Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine... perhaps ten or more raptor species all told.
• Vast numbers of passing migrant birds on the coasts.

Day 1: Saturday - Arrival
Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.

Day 2:  Sunday - Grouse and local birding
Our award-winning hotel is right in the middle of the best birding habitats, and a local drive should produce Black Grouse near their lek. Red Grouse are present here also. After breakfast we head for the hills to see Ptarmigan and almost always find the birds. These mountains support few other species, though we watch for Snow Bunting, late Ring Ouzel and Raven. We may also see Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye, Peregrine, Crested Tit and as we descend, local birchwoods hold Redpoll and Siskin flocks. Scottish Crossbill are found in our forests too and with both Common and Parrot Crossbill also present, separation of these three species can pose a real identification challenge! Osprey and flocks of wader species and passerines are likely as we enjoy the best of local birding too. A superb day out!

Days 3 & 4: Monday & Tuesday - Magical Mull for raptors and more
We journey west, watching out for Black Grouse, Raven and Hooded Crow as we travel. If weather is kind we may stop off to search for sea-duck, waders, Black Guillemot around Loch Linnhe and once we are across the Great Glen we are in prime raptor country!

We head over to Mull late morning and target iconic wildlife at sites we know well. We immediately look for Golden and White-tailed Eagle, the latter found here at their highest densities in the UK. Moorland species may include Hen Harrier, Merlin and perhaps a late Short-eared Owl, and off the rugged shoreline we aim to find Otter and Red-throated Diver in breeding plumage. We stay overnight on Mull to be close to the wildlife. We have half a day around the island on Tuesday, enough time to enjoy eagles, divers and waders, perhaps including the first returning Golden Plover and other migratory species. We may also see Twite with summer migrants such as Willow Warbler and Wheatear still very possible. Our scenic journey back takes us through glens and sealochs, arriving in Nethy Bridge late afternoon.

Day 5:  Wednesday - Woodland specialities and moorland raptors
Today we visit local woodlands where we look for Crested Tit and crossbills (of three hard to separate species) are found here, or in nearby stretches of native Caledonian pine forest. Capercaillie also occur in these forests and though increasingly scarce, we still have chances of an incidental sighting on forest trails. Later we search for moorland fringe specialities including Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Merlin, Hen Harrier and Goshawk, all very possible at this time of year, with increasing numbers of White-tailed Eagles too. Mammals feature today, with Brown and Mountain Hare, and both Roe and Red Deer, the latter starting their roaring at the rut - if it is cold we may be in for a show!

Day 6: Thursday - Black Isle
Today we head to the Black Isle, a fertile stretch of arable land surrounded on three sides by the Inner Moray Firth. A good day's birding is guaranteed, with a high birdlist accumulated from all the rich habitats we visit. There are mudflats and high tide roosts, where wader and wildfowl numbers will be building, with this being a peak time of year for scarcities. We check through fields for farmland birds and wader flocks, with Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite overhead, keeping the flocks of Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Linnet and Tree Sparrow alert. We have often seen Merlin too, perched on bales and fenceposts, waiting for flocks of Meadow Pipits and other passerines to come through. We will also visit some superb vantage points for seawatching. Depending on the wind direction, anything is possible, with waders, seabirds and seaduck all likely, and perhaps a roaming skua hassling the terns.

Day 7: Friday - Moray Coast
Autumn birding along the Moray Coast is particularly enjoyable, as newly arriving winter migrants complement remaining summer visitors. This day can easily include Osprey fishing, rafts of Common Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Common and Velvet Scoter, Black and Red-throated Diver, and lots of autumn waders including Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, many still in summer plumage. Watch out also for farmland specialities including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge, all found on this fertile northern coastline. Sandwich Tern linger, and Common, Arctic and even Little Tern may still be present. With auks, Gannet, gulls and more this is a really rewarding day, with all four species of skua possible. We also search for any rarities or unusual sightings within reach. In recent years we have seen Pectoral and White-rumped Sandpiper, Great White Egret, Little Gull and others at this time of year.

Day 8:  Saturday - Departure
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
Highlands and Skye in Autumn, Highland Autumn Birding

What's included in your holiday price

• Six nights comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en-suite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. Single guests may be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.
• One night comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation on Mull.
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Six full days wildlife watching.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus.
• All estate access and ferry fees.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.
• Courtesy bus service to and from transport in Aviemore.

What's not included in your holiday price

• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

More holiday information

Accommodation at Mountview Hotel can be seen here. On Mull we select from a range of comfortable Hotels we have used for many years. All accommodation is en-suite.
Food There is a choice of evening meal, and vegetarian, vegan and other diets are welcome. Breakfast may be chosen from a full Scottish menu. You don't need flasks for hot drinks.
Walking will be light, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan is strenuous as birds generally start moving around in large coveys, and may need us to cover some miles to locate them. The excursion for Ptarmigan is completely optional.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine, wind and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing.
Biting insects are unlikely to be encountered, but bring a good repellent just in case it has remained warm and muggy on Mull!
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. We have a limited number of top quality Swarovski binoculars, which you may borrow at no charge (subject to availability). A camera would be useful too!

Getting here is easy!

BY CAR Travel north to Perth. Take A9 signposted Inverness to the exit north of Aviemore for the A95. Follow signs northeast through Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge (ten miles). In Nethy Bridge, drive through the village, over the River Nethy, and you will see our sign 200 metres ahead on the right.

BY RAIL Don't forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance! The best train to Aviemore is the ‘Highland Chieftain’ on the East Coast Line. This leaves London Kings Cross at 11:00, arriving Aviemore at 19:22. We recommend you connect with this service if possible. Our pickup also works well with the 16:26 arrival from Edinburgh. In general, rail travel via Edinburgh is easier than via Glasgow, where a trip across the city between stations is needed, often followed by a change at Perth. Return trains leave Aviemore at 08:32 (fast train to London – recommended), 09:26. 10:31 and 11:30. However we can only make 2 journeys to Aviemore on Saturday morning, so you may be taken to Aviemore a little earlier.  Rail enquiries: 0845 7484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk

BY AIR Flights to Inverness are becoming available all the time, for latest info call our office. Currently direct flights to Inverness are available from: Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham, Manchester (all Loganair), London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol (all easyJet) and London Heathrow (British Airways). Guests arriving in Inverness airport can then take a taxi to Nethy Bridge, or take the Airport Flyer bus to Inverness, from there they can take the train to Aviemore where we can collect you. Our courtesy collection service is on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to be collected! We will be able to meet the 15:44 and 18:53 trains departing from Inverness that arrive at 16:25 and 19:26 respectively.