OUTER HEBRIDES in spring -

Corncrakes, eagles and more

Sat 15 May - Tues 18 May, Sat 22 May - Tues 25 May 2010

Price £745 pp.  Single supplement £45. Deposit £100pp
Maximum guests eight plus Leader from our resident team.

This cracking little holiday is a unique tour covering all the principal islands of the southern Outer Hebrides and a wealth of birdlife. Enjoy the very best birding in South Uist, Benbecula, and North Uist, including Corncrake, both eagles, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, four Skuas, waders in summer colours, Otter and even Red-necked Phalarope, all in four days! You will return with marvellous memories having thoroughly explored this remote paradise.

We cross the famous Skye Bridge, travelling across the island to Uig. Birding as we cross The Little Minch to Lochmaddy might include skuas; Manx Shearwater are usually seen, and Fulmar, Gannet, Black Guillemot and other auks are expected.

Everyone who has joined this holiday has seen Corncrake. Lots of Corn Bunting, Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit and Skylark make the machair of North Uist a special habitat - full of song! Summer plumaged Great Northern Diver are likely, as are ‘real’ Rock Dove and Raven. Arctic Skua breed, Great Skua are usually seen, and we often see passage of hundreds of Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua - this experience can be unforgettable! Mountainous parts hold both Golden and White-tailed Eagle, and we often watch Otters playing on the coastline whilst an adult Sea Eagle circles above against a stunning mountain backdrop. Rare and delicate Red-necked Phalarope are expected, and other summer-plumaged waders should include good numbers of Whimbrel, both godwits, many Dunlin and Sanderling, and Dotterel if we are lucky. Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl are present in good numbers, and recent trips have seen Gyr Falcon, Snowy Owl, Arctic Redpoll and American Wigeon. A feast of birds! We stay in comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation.

Day 1 (Saturday)
Depart Nethybridge and cross the famous Skye Bridge, travelling across the island to the ferry point at Uig. We may not have much time for birding en-route, though we may see Corncrake before arriving on the Outer Hebrides! Birdwatching as we cross The Little Minch to Lochmaddy, then transfer to our comfortable hotel. Great, Arctic, Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua are worth watching for, Manx Shearwater are
usually seen, and Fulmar, Gannet, Black Guillemot and other auks can be (nearly!) guaranteed.

Day 2 (Sunday) - Day 4 (Tuesday)
Heatherlea have never failed to find Corncrake on this holiday, and you are birding in the right place at the best time to see these beautiful birds. Lots of Corn Bunting, Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit and Skylark make the machair of North Uist a special habitat - full of song! Summer plumaged Great Northern Diver are likely, as are ‘real’ Rock Dove and Raven. Arctic Skua breed, Great Skua are frequently seen, and we sometimes see passage of hundreds of Pomarine and Long-tailed Skua. We know the weather conditions favoured by the birds, and this experience can be unforgettable! Mountainous parts hold both Golden and White-tailed Eagle, and we often watch Otters playing on the coastline whilst an adult Sea Eagle circles above against a stunning mountain backdrop. Rare and delicate Red-necked Phalarope are seen from mid-May, and other summer-plumaged migrants at the coast should include good numbers of Whimbrel, godwits, many Dunlin and Sanderling, and Dotterel if we are lucky. An absence of persecution means Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl are present in reasonable numbers, and rarities including Gyr Falcon, Snowy Owl, Arctic Redpoll and American Wigeon have been seen. A real feast of birds!

A final day’s birding, ending with a seawatch by the ferry on North Uist. We may enjoy more views of both White-tailed and Golden Eagle, Arctic Skua harassing terns, and Black Guillemot. We sail back to Uig, enjoying the drive across Skye as we return to Nethybridge late on Tuesday.

This fabulous island experience is the perfect end to your ‘Spring into Scotland’ or ‘High Season across the Highlands’ holiday at Heatherlea, or you can join us at Uig.

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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).