NEW! Highlands and Grampian in Early Summer

A brand new holiday taking in all the Highland summer visitors as well as an exploration of the varied habitats of Aberdeenshire. Set during an interesting time of year, we hope to have some lingering winter visitors on the sea as well as some passage movement of waders, sea cliffs heaving with breeding auks, and maybe, in suitable weather conditions, the potential for some scarce migrants along the Aberdeenshire coast!

From our Highland base, we look for Red and Black Grouse, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Crested Tit and crossbills, as well as seeking out summer visitors - Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstart, Tree Pipit and Wood Warbler should all be singing alongside the abundant Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, and Cuckoo should be heralding its presence on the moors. We also visit the coast to look for any winter duck still around, or maybe summer-plumaged divers (possibly including a long-staying White-billed?) and any wader passage. Local lochs should have Black- and Red-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebe present. Local farmland holds Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow.

Farmland birds are widespread across the Grampian Region, and we have plenty of chances to catch up with these species in Aberdeenshire. Once we have crossed the Grampian Mountains looking for Ptarmigan, Ring Ouzel, Mountain Hare, and maybe both eagles too, we spend two days along the coast enjoying the wealth of bird life on offer.

We start with the loud and vibrant seabird colony at Fowlsheugh - 150,000 pairs of Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Shag, Fulmar and Puffin breed here, and our visit is likely to be a highlight of the trip. Keep your eyes peeled for both Grey and Common Seal in the waters below, as well as passing Gannet, skuas or dolphins.

After a night in the Granite City of Aberdeen, we may spend time around the outskirts of the city should any exciting migrants have turned up overnight. We then head to check out the estuaries and lochs to the north, which should include terns, more waders, more duck, and amongst the pools, reedbeds and farmland of the Loch of Strathbeg, we may even encounter Common Crane which have recently been spending longer and longer in Aberdeenshire every summer. The species list in Aberdeenshire is always high, and with breeding birds including Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit adding to the increased chance of migrants along the picturesque coast, and the wealth of resident birds, expect a longer checklist than usual!

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Black-throated Diver in breeding finery.
• Explore the Grampian Mountains for Ring Ouzel , Ptarmigan & Mountain Hare.
• A visit to Fowlsheugh for the sight and spectacle of over 150,000 pairs of seabird!
• Search for summer breeders including Tree Pipit, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher.
• All the Scottish specialities at the start of the summer season.

Day 1: Saturday - Arrival 
Arrival, welcome and evening meal. Don't forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore! 

Day 2: Sunday - Local Specialities
We begin with a local day, and our award-winning hotel is right in the middle of the best birding habitats. After breakfast we head to nearby Abernethy Forest, to look for Crested Tit, crossbills, other local breeding birds and Red Squirrel. Tree Pipit and Redstart often return to the woods at this time, and later we seek out secluded locations with Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Peregrine, Cuckoo and Slavonian Grebe as our targets. We may visit a number of moorland spots on this lovely day, including a drive which may give views of Red Grouse and Black-throated Diver in breeding finery.

Days 3 & 4: Monday & Tuesday - Aberdeenshire
An early start to head east over the Grampian Mountains stopping en route for lekking Black Grouse, and if the weather permits a chance to look for Ring Ouzel in the rocky passes and Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare on the higher tops. Both eagles, Goshawk, Red Grouse, and moorland migrants like Whinchat and Wheatear are always possible as we head over the undulating heather moorland.

In the late morning, we drive to the coast through farmland where there is a chance of Yellowhammer, Grey Partridge and Corn Bunting, arriving at Fowlsheugh, where we are welcomed by a noisy, bustling seabird colony, including 150,000 pairs of seabird, including Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Shag and Puffin. Arctic and Great Skua may also be cruising along the cliffs looking for trouble along with Raven. Grey and Common Seal swim in the crashing waters below the sandstone cliffs, and there is always a chance of dolphins heading along the coast.

If the winds are good, there may be a few stops at some migrant hot-spots around the Granite City of Aberdeen before we arrive at our Aberdeenshire hotel for the night.

The following day, we will explore the bird-rich areas of the low-lying Aberdeenshire coast, including the Ythan Estuary and the Loch of Strathbeg, as well as searching for any good migrants that have arrived overnight.

Farmland birds are plentiful, and there is a diverse breeding population of terns, wildfowl, waders and raptors which are hard to find further west, as well as reedbed specialities like Bearded Tit. Bushes contain Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat, and in recent years Strathbeg has entertained migratory Common Crane long into the summer.

Day 5: Wednesday- Highland & Black Isle
We return to local woods, where summer breeders include Tree Pipit, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher may be encountered. Local birch woods support scarce Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler and we search for both these specialists on a lovely walk. After this relaxing start, we head to The Black Isle, north of Inverness. Red Kite are well-established now, and usually give excellent views and at Udale Bay the last wintering Pink-footed Geese, Long-tailed Duck, Wigeon and Teal will be joined by waders including Curlew, Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Ringed Plover. Migrating Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Greenshank, Ruff and Knot pass through at this time and are often in summer plumage, and there are chances of a scarcer wader such as a Little Stint or Curlew Sandpiper. Depending on the state of the tide, watching our semi-resident pod of Bottlenose Dolphin is a distinct possibility with an afternoon cup of tea!

Day 6: Thursday - Moray Coast
The Moray Firth remains full of life during May, with overwintering flocks of Eider, Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck usually still present in small numbers, often containing Velvet Scoter, summer-plumaged Red-throated, Great Northern Divers, and possibly some lingering White-billed Divers too.  Recently-arrived Common, Arctic and Little Terns scream overhead, and we expect to see a range of breeding birds including fishing Osprey, Gannets streaming past offshore, more Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, and Grey Partridge inland, and a selection of passage and resident waders and gulls. We will also look for any rarities reported within range.

Day 7: Friday - The Grande Finale
As this is a time for unexpected species to arrive, the final day of the week is designed to either catch up with any rarities or exciting migrants we have been unable to connect with during the week, or to spend time enjoying the Scottish specialities that have eluded us. This may involve anything from spending time in the local forests tracking down elusive Crested Tit, amongst the glens looking for Golden or White-tailed Eagle, or even heading to Cairngorm Mountain where we may have to undertake a lengthy walk to search for Ptarmigan (or Dotterel if any are present) on the plateau, where breeding-plumaged Snow Bunting may also be found.

Day 8: Saturday - Departure
Breakfast and departure. Don’t forget our courtesy return service to Aviemore station.

What's included in your holiday price

• Five nights comfortable accommodation at The Mountview Hotel, VisitScotland rated 3 Star. All rooms are en-suite, with TV and hospitality tray. There is no single supplement, and guests are never expected to share. Single guests might be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.
• Two nights comfortable en-suite accommodation Aberdeenshire
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Six full days birdwatching.
• All transport by comfortable minibus during six full days' birding. All access and ferry fees.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• Saturday courtesy pick-up and return service to Aviemore.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.

What's not included in your holiday price

• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

More holiday information

Accommodation Five nights at Mountview Hotel  and two nights at a comfortable hotel in Aberdeenshire. All accommodation is en-suite unless otherwise advised before your booking is confirmed.
Food There is a choice of evening meal, and vegetarian, vegan and other diets are welcome. Breakfast may be chosen from a full Scottish menu. You don't need flasks for hot drinks.
Walking will be light with the exception of the mountain walking for Ptarmigan and Dotterel. This is strenuous and we commit a full day to this c.5+ mile return walk with over 1000ft of climb. Guests can opt out of this day.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing.
Biting insects may be encountered in the evenings or around standing water, though not as a serious problem.
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics Telescopes will be useful, and you should bring binoculars. We have a limited number of top quality Swarovski binoculars, which you may borrow at no charge (subject to availability). A camera would be useful too!