Spring into Scotland including Mull

Perhaps the ultimate spring wildlife experience in Scotland! All resident birds are displaying or breeding, winter birds are still here in good numbers, and summer visitors are arriving daily. We enjoy a two-night stay on the magical Isle of Mull, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the fabulous birding and unforgettable scenery. An exciting time to be birding in Scotland!

In Strathspey we are placed in the middle of the best birding habitats, and a local drive should produce Black Grouse popping and cooing at the lek. Red Grouse are present here too and after breakfast we head for the hills to seek Ptarmigan. The mountains may also produce Snow Bunting, early Ring Ouzel and Raven, and we may see Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye, Peregrine and Crested Tit as we descend, plus Redpoll and Siskin flocks in local birch woods. Scottish Crossbill are found in the pine forests and Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan and many breeding wader species are likely as we enjoy the best of local birding. In the moorland and hills we search for raptors including Peregrine, Merlin, perhaps the first returning Osprey and Black-throated Diver on lochs.

A major feature will be our time on Magical Mull. We journey west, watching out for Black Grouse, Black Guillemot, Common Seal and Hooded Crow as we travel, and may see Golden or White-tailed Eagle after we cross Loch Linnhe onto the west coast. Once on the island we target iconic wildlife at sites we know well, immediately looking for White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl on the hills and moors. We stay overnight for two nights here, giving a full day around the island enjoying eagles, Otter, migrating Slavonian Grebe, Goosander and divers. Lesser Redpoll and Stonechat, with the first arriving Golden Plover, Greenshank and other moorland species around the high interior. We have ample time to enjoy Mull to the full in early spring, a very enjoyable experience.

Finally we enjoy a great day birding along the Moray Coast, where newly arriving migrants complement remaining winter visitors. This day can easily include rafts of Eider, Goosander, Common and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, Glaucous and Iceland Gull. Lots of spring waders include Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover maybe in bright summer plumage. We watch out also for farmland specialities including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge which are all still found on this fertile northern coastline. Sandwich Tern have arrived, and with Gannet, Fulmar, auks, gulls and more this is a really rewarding day.

We spend five nights based in our own Mountview Hotel in Nethy Bridge, and two nights in a comfortable Hotel on Mull. This is a fantastic tour of the breeding and wintering birdlife of the Scottish Highlands and Islands!

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

• White-tailed and Golden Eagle over the mountains of Mull.
• Ptarmigan in spring moult.
• Plenty of raptors including Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Short-eared Owl. 
• Otters playing on the coastline.

Day 1: Saturday - Arrival
Arrival, welcome, dinner and briefing. Don’t forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore.

Day 2: Sunday - Local forests and moors
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, other local breeding birds and Red Squirrel. Scottish Crossbill are found in the pine forests and with both Common and Parrot Crossbill also present, separation of these three species can pose a real identification challenge! Later we seek out secluded locations with Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Merlin, Red Kite and Slavonian Grebe as our targets, and 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 - 5: Monday - Wednesday - Magical Mull
We journey west, watching out for Black Grouse, Black Guillemot, Common Seal and Hooded Crow as we travel. We may stop off to see Peregrine at the nest, Whooper Swans wintering on the marshes, or perhaps a Golden Eagle after we cross Loch Linnhe onto the west coast. Once across the Great Glen we take our time - we are in prime raptor and Otter country! We head over to Mull and target iconic wildlife at sites we know well. We immediately look for White-tailed and Golden Eagle, both found here at their highest densities in the UK. Moorland species may include Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl, and off the rugged shoreline we aim to find Otter and Great Northern Diver in breeding plumage. We stay overnight for two nights here, giving excellent chances of seeing Otters and tide-dependent birds.

We have a full day around the island on Tuesday, enjoying eagles, Otter, migrating Slavonian Grebe, Goosander and divers. Lesser Redpoll and Stonechat are likely too, with the first arriving Golden Plover, Greenshank and other moorland species around the high interior of the island. We have ample time to enjoy Mull to the full in early spring, a very enjoyable experience. We work our way back to Strathspey on Wednesday, we look for divers and grebes, Common Seals, Twite and Black Guillemot, arriving in Nethy Bridge late afternoon.

Day 6: Thursday - Cairngorm and Scottish specialities
We make an early start after breakfast to seek Black Grouse popping and cooing at the lek. After breakfast we spend another full day in local locations so we can take our time on the hills to seek Ptarmigan. The mountains support few other species, though we watch for Snow Bunting, very early Ring Ouzel, Raven and passing raptors. We may also see Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye, Peregrine and Crested Tit as we descend, plus Redpoll and Siskin flocks in local birch woods. Osprey, Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan and many breeding wader species are likely later as we enjoy the best of local birding.

Day 7: Friday- Moray Coast
Spring birding along the Moray Coast is particularly enjoyable, as newly arriving migrants complement remaining winter visitors. This day can easily include Osprey fishing, rafts of Common Eider, Goosander, Merganser, Common and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, Glaucous and Iceland Gull. Lots of spring waders including Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover may be in bright summer plumage. We watch out also for farmland specialities including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge which are all still found on this fertile northern coastline. Sandwich Tern have arrived, and Common, Arctic and even Little Tern appear in April. With Gannet, Fulmar, auks, gulls and more it is a really rewarding day and we will also search for any rarities or unusual sightings within reach. In recent years we have seen White-billed Diver, King Eider, Surf Scoter and Blue-winged Teal.

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

This holiday can be combined with:

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Highlands and East Coast Birding, Highlands and Ardnamurchan, Highlands and Skye.

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 may be upgraded to double room accommodation at no extra charge.
• Two nights comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation on Mull.
• Full Scottish breakfast, a substantial packed lunch, and a delicious dinner.
• Six full days wildlife watching.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus.
• All estate access and ferry fees.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.
• Courtesy bus service to and from transport in Aviemore.

What's not included in your holiday price

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

More holiday information

Accommodation at Mountview Hotel can be seen here. On Mull we select from a range of comfortable Hotels we have used for many years. All accommodation is en-suite.
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, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan is strenuous as birds generally start moving back up the hill with the spring melt, though April can still see a good snow covering up the hill!
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine, snow 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 are unlikely to be encountered.
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!

Getting here is easy!

BY CAR Travel north to Perth. Take A9 signposted Inverness to the exit north of Aviemore for the A95. Follow signs northeast through Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge (ten miles). In Nethy Bridge, drive through the village, over the River Nethy, and you will see our sign 200 metres ahead on the right.

BY RAIL Don't forget our courtesy collection service from Aviemore on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance! The best train to Aviemore is the ‘Highland Chieftain’ on the East Coast Line. This leaves London Kings Cross at 11:00, arriving Aviemore at 19:22. We recommend you connect with this service if possible. Our pickup also works well with the 16:26 arrival from Edinburgh. In general, rail travel via Edinburgh is easier than via Glasgow, where a trip across the city between stations is needed, often followed by a change at Perth. Return trains leave Aviemore at 08:32 (fast train to London – recommended), 09:26. 10:31 and 11:30. However we can only make 2 journeys to Aviemore on Saturday morning, so you may be taken to Aviemore a little earlier.  Rail enquiries: 0845 7484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk

BY AIR Flights to Inverness are becoming available all the time, for latest info call our office. Currently direct flights to Inverness are available from: Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham, Manchester (all Loganair), London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol (all easyJet) and London Heathrow (British Airways). Guests arriving in Inverness airport can then take a taxi to Nethy Bridge, or take the Airport Flyer bus to Inverness, from there they can take the train to Aviemore where we can collect you. Our courtesy collection service is on Saturdays at 16:30 and 19:30, but please let us know at least 48 hours in advance if you wish to be collected! We will be able to meet the 15:44 and 18:53 trains departing from Inverness that arrive at 16:25 and 19:26 respectively.