aberdeenshire

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Guide: Mike Coleman.

More species have been seen here over a 24-hour period than anywhere else in Scotland, and perhaps only Norfolk can better it in the UK. During autumn migration, the potential of passage rarities amongst summer visitors and early wintering birds makes this an exciting and rewarding place.

In recent years, Pallas’s, Greenish and Icterine Warbler have turned up after easterly winds, alongside commoner passage species such as Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-backed Shrike and returning Waxwing. We head to the hot-spot of Loch of Strathbeg, where geese arrive in noisy skeins to join the array of waders and ducks on the pools and lochs of the reserve. Most years Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper and stints pass through, with the distinct possibility of rare American waders. The nearby outpost of Rattray Head offers sheltered seawatching, and in the right weather conditions close views of Sooty and Manx Shearwater, petrels, skuas, auks and perhaps Sabine’s Gull. Bushes entertain annual Richard’s Pipit, Bluethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler and Redbreasted Flycatcher.

Local woods and gorse-covered gorges often have wind-blown Long-eared Owl, Wryneck and Firecrest. On farmland, there are good numbers of Corn Bunting and we have seen Red-footed Falcon and Pied Wheatear in this area. Pools and inland lochs have regular flocks of migrating Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit plus ducks, swans, geese and grebes. The famous Ythan Estuary is home to a vast number of Eider, and a good place for King Eider. Rarities have included Greater Flamingo, Little Egret and American Golden Plover, Little and Mediterranean Gull. Terns roost on sandbanks and every bird has to be checked. In small woods hidden in the dunes we look for passage warblers, buntings and finches, including Mealy and Arctic Redpoll. Overwintering Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated, Black-throated and Great Northern Diver are returning, and the local gull population is hassled by piratical Great and Arctic Skua. Keep an eye out for Pomarine or Long-tailed Skua too! In Aberdeen we should see moulting Velvet and Common Scoter, and in the harbour look out for Glaucous or Iceland Gull on rooftops. Comfortable en-suite accommodation.

OCTOBER 2006
Pectoral Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper (unusual in the north of Scotland), Little Stint, King Eider, Surf Scoter, Pomarine Skua, thousands of geese, both Marsh and Hen Harrier, and pods of Risso's Dolphins and Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen by Heatherlea guests in 2006. The preceeding week at the Mountview produced Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Redshank, and Turtle Dove (another rarity up here!).

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Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).