Highland Birding in March

An exciting holiday across the Highlands, designed to maximise our birding as winter turns to spring. Speciality species include Scottish Crossbill, Crested Tit, Black Grouse, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and good chances of Slavonian Grebe and three or even four diver species in breeding plumage. Winter birds will still be with us in good numbers, and one of the main advantages of birding this far north is the opportunity to see many species at close quarters. We will also pay attention to rarities within reach, and this can be an excellent time for ducks, geese, gulls, raptors and passerines to augment an already outstanding birding experience.

The second half of March is one of the best times to visit. Our wildlife is busy, breeding birds are keen to attract a mate and migrants are on the move. Summer visitors are beginning to arrive and there will still be plenty of wintering geese, wildfowl, waders and gulls around – great variety beckons! Based at the Mountview Hotel, we have maximum flexibility to plan the week according to weather, tides and bird reports. The outline itinerary allows for three days at the coast and three days in Strathspey and the Cairngorms, though if we are successful with our key targets locally we may adapt plans daily to increase your birdlist. A definite highlight will be a stunning visit to the west coast - we will pick the best day possible; there is nowhere better than the West Coast of Scotland on a nice spring day! This holiday takes in some of our most stunning and iconic scenery, all the while enjoying superb birdlife and general wildlife as the season turns to spring.

In recent years, our small groups have enjoyed some fantastic Highland birds and winter wildlife experiences. The flexible itinerary has helped our groups see many rarities on previous trips, including White-billed Diver, Snow Goose, American Wigeon, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck while influxes of Waxwing and Brambling have proved equally memorable. Exciting raptors, including Goshawk, Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle, Merlin and Peregrine become more active during March. Golden Eagle are displaying, Black Grouse are especially active on the lekking sites and Crested Tit may can be been heard singing as spring really starts in the Highlands.

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

• Golden and White-tailed Eagles wheeling overhead in the clear blue sky
• Otter, divers and Slavonian Grebe on the rugged west coast
• Crested Tit and crossbills settling down for the breeding season
• Late-winter/early-spring rarities - which will it be this year?!

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

Day 2: Sunday - Local speciality birding
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

Day 3: Monday - The Wild West Coast
Today we head westwards, working remote sealochs, bays and beaches as we go. Rugged Wester Ross offers iconic scenery around every corner and the mountains often have a snowy cap, giving us picture postcard views across the bays. A superb time to be on the West Coast, the longer days giving us excellent chances of Otter whatever the weather. Some of our sites here are among the best places in the UK to see divers, with large numbers of Great Northern, Black-throated and Red-throated. Offshore we look for Black Guillemot, Slavonian Grebe, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser, with chances of passage waders and gulls that often include Iceland and Glaucous with the very first Great Skua and Wheatear possible too.

Day 4: Tuesday - Spring specialities!
We make an early start after breakfast to seek Black Grouse popping and cooing at the lek. Red Grouse are present here too and on the Crown Estates at Glenlivet we have exclusive access to secluded spots where you won’t see many other birders, with further chances of Golden Eagle, Merlin, Hen Harrier and perhaps the first returning Osprey too. The stunning surrounding scenery, less known among birders, with Raven and other moorland species all contribute to a truly special day.

Day 5: Wednesday - The Black Isle
Today we take our first of two looks at the Inner Moray Firth. This is an exciting time to be birding here, with the majority of the wintering birds still present, numbers swelled by northbound migrants. We will time our visit to maximise numbers of waterbirds, with a close look at the tide times as we pick from superb birding sites such as Udale Bay, the Beauly Firth, the Cromarty Firth and Munlochy Bay. All of these sites will be busy with large numbers of waders, wildfowl and gulls to scan through. The Black Isle is good arable ground and we should see plenty of Linnet, Yellowhammer, Red Kite and other raptors too. The stubble fields will be getting ploughed at this time of year, concentrating the winter flocks of finches and especially geese. We should see hundreds of Pink-footed Geese today,just a few weeks away from returning north. The flocks can sometimes hold rarer species such as White-fronted, Tundra Bean or Snow Geese and there might also be a lingering winter rarity on offer too, for instance an American Wigeon or Green-winged Teal!

Day 6: Thursday - Ptarmigan in the hills
In the mountains we seek Ptarmigan (NB conditions can be wet and therefore very difficult at times in the spring melt). Other birds may include Snow Bunting, the first Ring Ouzel, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Goldeneye and Peregrine, and local birchwoods hold Lesser Redpoll and Siskin. The first returning Osprey and many breeding wader species are likely, as we enjoy the best of local birding. Waders alone could include Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Curlew, Common Snipe, Golden Plover, and in the evenings in good weather, Woodcock roding. Lingering Waxwing and Whooper Swan are sometimes present with occasional rarities too!

Day 7: Friday - Moray Coast
Spring birding along the Moray Coast is particularly enjoyable as newly-arriving migrants complement wintering birds. This day can easily include Osprey fishing, rafts of Common Eider, Goosander, Red-breasted Merganser, Stonechat, Common and Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, and spring waders including Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Dunlin and Ringed Plover, many changing into bright summer plumage. Watch out also for Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Stock Dove, Yellowhammer and Grey Partridge. Sandwich Tern arrive late March and are often our first Spring migrant alongside Sand Martin. The recent discovery of White-billed Divers moulting into summer plumage off the Moray/Aberdeenshire coast may also tempt us a little further east if any individuals have been recently reported. We often see Bottle-nosed Dolphin, and with auks, Gannet, gulls and more, this is a rewarding day!

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 the West Coast, Highlands and the Aberdeenshire Coast, Highlands and Ardnamurchan

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 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 wildlife watching.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
• All transport by comfortable minibus. Access to estate grounds.
• A checklist specifically prepared for your holiday to record your sightings and notes.
• Courtesy bus service to and from public 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 and at www.mountviewhotel.co.uk. 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 moderate, although optional mountain walking for Ptarmigan is strenuous depending on the snow level.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions, though cold winds and snow are likely. Bring waterproofs, walking boots or shoes and warm clothing. Wellies not needed!
Biting insects are not expected.
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.