THE LAST and FIRST BIRDS OF THE YEAR

INCORPORATING A SCOTTISH HOGMANAY

MONDAY 29 December 2008 - MONDAy 5 January 2009

Early Birder Price: £925pp, no single supplement

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

Many of you ask for something special over the New Year holiday, so here it is! Come to the beautiful Highlands for a wonderful Hogmanay (we usually have snow on the mountains), and see all the special birds both before and after the New Year. The holiday begins as you join us on Wednesday 29th December for dinner. The birding starts the next morning, and we seek out Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan (weather permitting!), Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill TWICE, once during the last two days of 2006 (30th and 31st December), and again after ‘the bells’ during the first four days of 2007. You should have the birds for both lists! We have plenty of time to visit the Moray Coast, where winter bird lists often reach 60 species per day, the Black Isle, where wintering passerine flocks can number into the hundreds, and round up rarities such as Ring-billed Gull, Surf Scoter, Great Grey Shrike, Snow Goose and many other northern surprises. We will have our finger on the pulse to show you any rarities within reach, and daylight allows us a good seven hours or so birding every day. Maximise your year list for both this year and next! In 2005/6/7 we saw 106 species of bird and 14 mammals on this holiday.

Hogmanay is a time of great celebration in the Highlands, and on the night itself guests will have the opportunity to visit a nearby party, which could typically involve live music and dancing. Held in the open air, this is entirely subject to vagaries of the weather, so wrap up well! For those who prefer to stay indoors we will clear a space in our restaurant and celebrate ‘The Bells’  in the warmth. Breakfast is usually slightly later on the morning of Jan 1, though with a brand new birdlist to begin you may wish to be up early!

Come and enjoy the Last and First birds of the year with Heatherlea!

Itinerary

Mon 29 December    Arrival, Dinner and welcome.

Tue 30 December and Wed 31 December   On these two days we concentrate on finding Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill and (weather permitting!) Ptarmigan.

Wed evening, 31 December  Dinner at 7pm will be a little bit special, and is informal as always. Later we celebrate the New Year with ‘Black Bun’ and mulled wine. Hopefully the weather will allow village fireworks to entertain us. Listen for the sound of gunfire as locals mark the passing of the old year and the beginning of the new! If local villages are throwing a party, we will give the option of attending.

Thur 1 January –Sun 4 January  During these four days we repeat our efforts of Friday and Saturday to get your new year birdlist off with a bang, visit the Black Isle and Moray Coast, and hopefully get into the hills to look for Golden Eagle. Again we will watch the weather and tailor our days accordingly, also rounding up any rarities within reach! You can reasonably expect to top 100 species for your 2007 list.

Mon 5 January  Breakfast and depart.

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).

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation of weather. Cold winds and snow are likely. Bring warm clothing, waterproofs, and walking boots or shoes. Walking will generally be easy, although mountain walking on Ptarmigan day can be strenuous. Heavy snow can make travel by bus or foot difficult, and we will be flexible according to the conditions. Bring binoculars and a telescope if possible. A camera may be useful too! You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects not expected.

You don't need flasks for hot drinks or wellies. Biting insects are not expected.

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 estate access and ferry fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader
• Transport to and from nearby village celebration on Dec 31, subject to availability and weather.
• Checklist to record sightings and notes

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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