the top twenty

The best of Highland wildlife in autumn

18 Oct– 25 Oct, 25 Oct– 1 Nov*, 1 Nov– 8 Nov 2008
(* easy walking options available)

PRICE £825pp, no single supplement.
Been before? Returning guests can deduct £25pp. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save another £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

17 Oct– 24 Oct, 24 Oct– 31 Oct, 31 Oct– 7 Nov 2009
(* easy walking options available)

PRICE £875pp, no single supplement.
Been before? Returning guests can deduct £25pp. ‘Worldbird’ guests can save another £100pp – see 'Special Offers' for details.

This is an extraordinary holiday, based in two centres to concentrate on the key birds and mammals everyone wants to see. Autumn migration means we see some birds not around in summer, and you should also see and hear Red Deer roaring at the rut. Enjoy wildlife all the way as we show you the ‘specialities‘, plus an overnight west coast expedition in a remote location.

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

• White-tailed and Golden Eagle in full view
• Capercaillie, Ptarmigan and all the Scottish specials
• Pine Marten visiting our specially baited sites.
• Bottle-nosed dolphin feeding on the turning tide.

THE TOP TWENTY - TOP 10 BIRDS & TOP 10 MAMMALS

ALSO POSSIBLE Black Grouse Wildcat, Three divers, Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Slavonian Grebe, Brown Hare, Twite ... up to 15 mammals! ...over 100 bird species

DAY 1 (Saturday)

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

DAY 2 (Sunday)

Capercaillie and Blackcock! We may visit exclusive private estate woodlands or other favoured spots depending on where birds are showing. Staying inside our large minibus, we have an excellent chance of seeing both species extremely well. A walk in the nearby Abernethy Forest to look for Red Squirrel and Roe Deer, Crested Tit and Scottish/Parrot Crossbill will produce wildlife of interest. Later we search for moorland specialities including Peregrine, Red Grouse, Merlin, Hen Harrier, and Twite.

DAY 3/4 (Monday/Tuesday)

WEST COAST WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE We leave early after breakfast, watching out for Common Seal and Hooded Crow as we travel. Once across the Corran Ferry, west of Fort William, we immediately target Golden Eagle and White-tailed Eagle. Otter are always a delight whether fishing in the sea close to our minibus or playing on the rocks. In the evening we look for Pine Marten in secluded west coast locations, before dinner and an overnight stay. We also listen out for Red Deer at the rut – an unforgettable sound! Return to Nethybridge on Tuesday evening in time for dinner.

DAY 5 (Wednesday)

Autumn along the Moray coast can be stunning. Rafts of many thousand seaduck will include Velvet and Common Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Merganser. We search the flocks for rarities, which in recent years have included Surf Scoter, King Eider and Steller’s Eider. Great Northern, Black and Red-throated Diver, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, and waders including Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Bartailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, this is a marvellous day. We also hope to collect Grey Seal and Bottle-nosed Dolphin. In the evening, Badgers the easy way! We have private and exclusive access to a comfortable hide close to a very active sett. Photography is allowed, and you should be home before 11pm.

DAY 6 (Thursday)

A complete contrast as we head for the hills to find Ptarmigan. We rarely fail to find the birds, and although the mountains support few other species, watch out for Snow Bunting and Mountain Hare. Local birding around beautiful birchwoods completes the afternoon. After dinner, Badgers for those who didn’t go yesterday.

DAY 7 (Friday)

We drive to the Black Isle, an underwatched and rewarding wildlife location where we search for Red Kite, Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal and Bottle-nosed Dolphin. Afterwards we will return to Strathspey, rounding up anything missed earlier in the week.

DAY 8 (SATURDAY)

Breakfast and departure. Don't forget our courtesy bus service to Aviemore station!

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation of weather. Blazing sunshine and light snow are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring warm clothing, waterproofs, and walking boots or shoes. Walking will generally be easy/moderate, although mountain walking on Ptarmigan day can be strenuous. See 'Easy Walking' for holidays with less walking. 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 are not expected.

What's included in your holiday price

• Six 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.
  One night accommodation in Sunart featuring comfortable, quiet accommodation and good home-prepared food. Our groups have great fun here.
  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
  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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