eagles, divers & dotterel INCLUDING MULL

21 June - 28 June, 28 June - 5 July, 5 July - 12 July*, 12 July - 19 July 2008 (* easy walking option available)

PRICE £825pp, no single supplement.

Been Before? Returning guests can deduct £25. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save a full £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

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20 June - 27 June, 27 June - 4 July, 4 July - 11 July, 11 July - 18 July 2009

EARLY BIRDER PRICE £875pp, no single supplement.

The Early Birder catches the lowest price at Heatherlea. Our prices may increase as time goes by, but if you book and pay your deposit now, you get this Early Birder price.

Been Before? Returning guests can deduct £25. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save a full £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

Where do you go in the ‘quiet’ birding weeks of summer? Glorious scenery, long evenings and the best summer birding in Britain await you with Heatherlea in July. We will watch Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Peregrine, fishing Osprey, Slavonian Grebe, Red and Black-throated Divers, Capercaillie, Scottish Crossbill and Crested Tit ...........and lots, lots more! Breeding Ptarmigan and Dotterel guarantee a great day out on the mountains, and we also utilise the evening light to seek out quartering Short-eared Owl over local heather moorland. Guaranteed excitement from magnificent mountaintop to the scenic grandeur of Mull, where we watch for eagles and otters. July is the best month in the Highlands for butterflies, and as we go you may well see Northern Brown Argus, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Large Heath among others.

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

• White-tailed Eagle in close-up. The ‘flying door!’
• Red and Black-throated Divers against beautiful moorland scenery
• Short-eared Owl ghosting over heather in the evening light
• Male Dotterel followed by piping chicks

JOIN US 28 June - 5 July and help us to save endangered species!

Heatherlea are once again proud to be a sponsor of the British Birdwatching Fair in 2008. We will again besponsoring one of the Lecture Marquees, and hosting talks on each day - more details coming soon!

As an extra way of helping, we are pleased to make a donation to the Birdfair of 10% from each holiday we sell for week commencing 28 June. This means that you can contribute to the efforts of the British Birdwatching Fair, and it won't cost you a penny! Heatherlea will fund the entire donation from your holiday price.

This year's 'good cause' is endangered species around the globe, and we are delighted to contribute in this way. So if you don't have anything else happening that week, why not join us? You will have a great holiday secure in the knowledge that you are also helping a very worthy cause.

HOLIDAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 (Saturday)

Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.

DAY 2 (Sunday)

Crested Tit and Scottish/Parrot Crossbill are our first targets, followed by Osprey, Red Squirrel and lunch with Dipper, Buzzard and Goldeneye. After lunch we visit a quiet glen known to few birders, though Hen Harrier, Twite, Redpoll, Ring Ouzel and Red Grouse may all be seen. A Heatherlea secret place!

DAY 3 (Monday)

MULL White-tailed Eagle – The flying Door! Today we travel to the mountainous isle of Mull, to look for one of Scotland’s most spectacular birds. Successfully re-introduced and now widespread in the Highlands, Whitetailed Eagle are rarely mistaken for anything else, and never forgotten! A massive eight-foot wingspan, with wings almost twice as deep as those of a Golden Eagle.... absolutely breathtaking. We should also see ‘goldies’ and perhaps Otter with young cubs. Other wildlife should include Black Guillemot, Hooded Crow, Raven, and both Grey and Common Seal.

DAY 4 (Tuesday)

In these weeks our private estate woodlands often produce hen Capercaillie, and cock birds are more active now too, frequently seen from Heatherlea mobile hides. Moorland and upland specialities such as Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier, Stonechat, Common Sandpiper, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, plus Golden Eagle and Osprey... your raptor list for today should be impressive, perhaps between eight and twelve species by the end of the week.

DAY 5 (Wednesday)

A full day on the plateau, with unforgettable mountain scenery all around as we head to the right spots for Ptarmigan and Dotterel, both perhaps with piping young running behind. Snow Bunting may also be seen. A brilliant day’s birding in a very special habitat. Later we enjoy a Highland summer evening with a leisurely drive to the moors close to The Mountview Hotel. Short-eared Owl breed here, and we frequently see the adults quartering over heather. Black-throated Diver and Red Grouse are also likely, and look out for waders including Dunlin, Redshank and Common Sandpiper in smart summer plumage. A lovely evening!

DAY 6 (Thursday)

An optional early start to see Black Grouse is a great start to this day. After breakfast we head north to seek Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine, and Redthroated Diver in a remote and beautiful glen. We save some time to explore the Black Isle, and look for Red Kite, Tree Sparrow, and farmland birds such as Grey Partridge and Yellowhammer.

DAY 7 (Friday)

Round-up day, meaning a good look around for anything we may have missed, plus another coastal location with great birding. Friday may see us drive north to look for Osprey fishing and the first returning summer waders including Turnstone, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit in brilliant colours. We will also search for any rarities within reach.

DAY 8 (Saturday)

Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore.

I'I went on the ''Eagles, Divers & Dotterel'' holiday last week (24/6 to 1/7/06) & just wanted to say how impressed I was with Heatherlea staff. The guides (Jonny & Ian) were absolutely amazing - what really struck me was that they really cared whether we saw the birds we had come to see, & made every effort for us, right up until the last few minutes on the last day. Please pass on my thanks to them and thanks to Heatherlea for such a great holiday!

P.s I''m happy for you to quote me in your brochure if it helps!' - Mr AF

High Season in the Highlands, 3 – 10 June 2006 - guest comments at our Friday round-up

Osprey in the Findhorn Valley catching a fish, very good views of Curlew with young and a Peregrine with young on the nest. So my best day was up the Findhorn Valley, and I found the female Ring Ouzel up there! Great views of the dolphins. JB

My best bird was Ptarmigan. It was good to see both male and female and they were a first for me. That was also my best day over at Applecross what with the superb scenery as well. Also great to find new wild places. SP

Ptarmigan was also my best bird, because I had to work a bit to see it! And then, the difficulty locating it due to its beautiful, camouflaged plumage, which concealed its location. My special day was when we saw the dolphins. The number of them seen exceeded expectation, and the length of time they were visible. PP

Red Kites so close to the minibus and the dolphins at Chanonry Point. SG

The Greyhen (female Black Grouse) with her chicks and the dolphins. But my best day was up the Findhorn Valley. BG

The best bird sighting just had to be an Osprey flying level with the minibus! My best day was when we went up into the Cairngorms, because it combined a superb, energetic walk with fabulous, long-distance views, as well as seeing Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and Dotterel. Can I have as P.S.? Close ups of Red Squirrel and Dolphins! JG

My best bird was the White tailed Eagle, most especially when it was flying, closely followed by Osprey, closely followed by Crested Tit. My best day was Sunday with Osprey, Black Grouse and Cresty all being lifers, plus Golden Eagle and Merlin sightings. We went to some really nice places, and plenty of time out of the buses. This was closely followed by the mountain day, because we saw great birds, plus it was spectacular on the Carngorms Plateau. Guides were excellent and very enthusiastic, plus the hotel and food were excellent too. Thanks!! AF

The Peregrine family along the Findhorn Valley was my favourite memory, and the fishing Osprey. JT

My best bird was the White tailed Eagle, and the Osprey sighting in the Findhorn Valley, when the bird was at eye level, flying along beside us, and the best day was the climb up the Cairngorms, which was challenging, but worth it for Dotterel, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting. Beautiful! Excellent veggie food! AB

The Osprey flying over the River Findhorn. Up that valley was the most memorable day, as the beauty of the scenery combined with the wonder of the birds seen. AS

The Osprey flying and diving for fish, the Peregrine feeding young in the nest, the cock Yellowhammer singing at the top of the telegraph pole, and the Dolphins at Chanonry Point.

My best birds were the Greyhen (Black Grouse) and babies, Ospreys up the Findhorn Valley and today the Dolphins, plus Marsh Harrier and Yellowhammer. Every day was good. Thank-you Ian, Jonny and all the staff for being so considerate. LO

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Both blazing sunshine and rain are likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Walking will be moderate, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan and Dotterel is strenuous. Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. A camera would be useful too! You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects may be encountered in the evenings or around standing water, though not as a serious problem.

What's included in your holiday price

• Seven nights comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en-suite, with colour 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.
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Six full days birdwatching.
• All transport by comfortable PCV minibus. All access and ferry fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.

What's not included in your holiday price

• Transport to The Mountview Hotel.
• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

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