Highlands and The North East
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A rewarding exploration of some of the remotest birding on the British mainland, we visit the key Aberdeenshire sites of Loch of Strathbeg, the Ythan Estuary and Troup Head on this exciting new holiday. With all this plus migrants, gannets, other seabirds and the unexpected at isolated eastern outposts, this is a cracking itinerary!
The Ythan estuary lies 20 Km north of Aberdeen, and has long been regarded one of the most important birding sites of northern Scotland. This tranquil inlet is only around 8 km in length, and it is easily possible to explore its sandy shores and mudflats in less than a day. We should see a variety of wildlfowl including many hundreds of Common Eider (we search for King Eider!), with Red-breasted Merganser, the first few Common Scoter and perhaps Scaup or Long-tailed Duck offshore. Nearby fields and mudflats can hold populations of passage waders, with Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Curlew in large numbers. Less common waders may include Spotted Redshank and Ruff, with the first arriving wintering geese dotted around too, and passerines may include Corn Bunting and Twite. It is always worth visiting Collieston cliffs, where offshore birding can produce seaduck and skuas, divers and terns, and the occasional exceptional bird such as Black Redstart in this sheltered cove. Meikle Loch and other neighbouring tarns will be checked for migrants, and a brief journey north takes us to the cliffs at Bullers of Buchan. Most auks will have left, though lingering Puffin, Guillemot and Razorbill can still be spotted. Fulmar will still be present, and Kittiwake and Shag should be seen also.
Further north, close to Fraserburgh, we visit the exceptional RSPB reserve of Loch of Strathbeg. Britain's largest dune loch is a joy to visit any time of year, and holds great interest in late August. Waders abound, with many Lapwing, Dunlin and Golden Plover. Not surprisingly, rarities are often recorded, and with a total list of over 260 species, just about anything can turn up. The Loch is home to vast numbers of wintering geese, and the first arrivals should be with us, including Pink-footed Geese from Iceland on north-westerlies. Other new arrivals may include Barnacle and Greylag Geese, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard and Goldeneye. We use the public hides and also investigate any sightings at nearby locations – those rare waders can turn up anywhere!
Our third key site is Troup Head, where the sheer cliffs provide a spectacular setting for Scotland’s only mainland Gannet colony. We can be very close to the Gannets here, and also spot skuas and other auk species (particularly Guillemot and Razorbill), with a chance of lingering Puffin or Black Guillemot. Rock Pipit and Corn Bunting frequent the cliffs and wires, and Fulmar, Shag and Kittiwake should also be seen. If time permits, we work west into the small coastal towns of Moray to collect more birds before heading home to Nethybridge.
We also have plenty of time for the spectacular resident species of mainland Scotland, and search for Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Crested Tit, Black Grouse, Golden Eagle and much more inland.
KEY MOMENTS at our Friday round-up – which will be yours?
* Gannets at Troup Head
* Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Red and Black Grouse, our special grouse quartet!
* Waders and seaduck at Loch of Strathbeg and the Ythan Estuary
* Eagles, Scottish (Parrot) Crossbill and Crested Tit close to home
Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday)
Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.
Day 2 (Sunday)
Mixed flocks in the Caledonian pines contain good numbers of Crested Tit, and Scottish (Parrot) Crossbill form their own noisy groups, often in dozens. Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel are the main upland raptors we seek today. You may also hear Red Deer stags bellowing at the rut – wonderful and unforgettable.
Days 3 and 4 (Monday and Tuesday) REMOTEST ABERDEENSHIRE
We visit three of Aberdeenshire’s most productive birding sites during these two days. First we travel to the Ythan, 20 Km north of Aberdeen, a tiny, tranquil estuary with sandy shores and mudflats holding a wide variety of birds especially wildfowl and waders. We also visit Meikle Loch, Collieston and the Bullers of Buchan, with rare autumn migrants, auks and skuas in mind. At Loch of Strathbeg, we expect peaceful birding as we search migrant waders and the first arriving geese for that special bird; maybe a Long-billed Dowitcher or Spoonbill will delight us. Next we head west to the high cliffs of Troup Head, a spectacular setting for Scotland’s only mainland Gannet colony. Wildlife here also includes other seabirds, late passerines such as Corn Bunting and Rock Pipit, and offshore other seabirds and perhaps dolphins or porpoises.
Day 5 (Wednesday) - Day 7 (Friday)
At this time, our private estate woodlands are excellent for both cock and hen Capercaillie, which often show well taking autumn berries. Later we drive to the inner Moray Firth, to examine migrant passage including the first returning waders, so watch out for Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper in bright breeding plumage.
We make an early (not too early!) start for Black Grouse returning to the lek. Ptarmigan are another key target, skulking in mountain corries within walking distance of transport, and late breeding Snow Bunting may also be seen. Red Grouse, Redpoll, Siskin, Osprey fishing and perhaps early Redwing and Fieldfare can be seen on this day.
Round-up day means a good look around for anything we may have missed, plus another coastal location with great birding. We may look for concentrations of waders, including Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Dunlin, Knot and many more, some individuals in summer plumage, or we may take a special trip for one of the rarities which make a Scottish autumn so special – the past few years have produced Mealy Redpoll, Yellow-browed Warbler, Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers, Red-footed Falcon and Lesser Yellowlegs.
Day 8 (Saturday)
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.
Enjoy an excellent wildlife holiday with mainland Scotland's only 5 star Wildlife Experience.
'Exceptional' Visit Scotland
