NEW! Highlands and East Neuk of Fife

A new holiday taking in Highland favourites and an east coast migration hotspot, with two nights away in Fife. The term ‘Neuk’ is a Scots’ word for nook or corner, and in this case refers to a strip of the coastline stretching from Elie to Kingsbarns. A bird-rich peninsula, both for resident and migrant species and extending out into the north-sea beyond adjacent counties, eastern most Fife is a region of Scotland well worth exploring.

From our Highland base, we look for Red and Black Grouse, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Crested Tit and crossbills. And while coastal locations are often better for observing migration, by October swans and geese may be found in local fields while berry laden trees can be covered in winter thrushes. In the mountains, Ptarmigan will be beginning to transform into white, winter plumage, while in the harshest conditions Snow Bunting may leave the hills for feeding stations at lower levels.

And by spending two nights in Fife, great days in the field are newly available to Heatherlea. We explore a variety of habitats, focussing on coastal scrub for migrant passerines in favourable easterly winds, conditions which can also be good for seawatching. The Fife Ness headland, Kilminning and Crail may all be worth attention, especially if a large ‘fall’ is on the cards. Lower Largo and nearby harbours can be good for seaduck, scoter flocks in particular worthy of attention, with rare White-winged, Stejnegers and Surf Scoter all identified in recent years alongside regular Common and Velvet Scoter. The Eden estuary is one of the best sites on the whole Scottish east coast for wildfowl and waders, while interior farmland supports a good number of species in decline elsewhere. And with the East Neuk enjoying an increasing track record for rarities, this exciting new tour is likely to become a firm favourite for years to come!

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

• Large flocks of scoter off the Fife coast - maybe even 4 different species!
• Golden Eagle and other raptors at quiet, lesser-known locations.
• The first winter arrivals with swans and geese in the fields, and winter thrushes in berry trees.
• Highland specialities such as Crested Tit, Black Grouse and Ptarmigan at a time when local populations are at their peak.

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

Day 2: Sunday - Local Forest and Moorland birding
The Abernethy Forest is a great place to begin, and strolling through the old Caledonian pines we look for Crested Tit among autumn tit flocks. Scottish Crossbill are also found here, though with both Common and Parrot Crossbill also present, separation of these three species can pose a real identification challenge! Red Squirrel and Roe Deer are both likely from forest trails. Capercaillie also occur, though increasingly scarce and we no longer actively look for them. Any sightings should be seen as incidental. In local birch woods we watch out for Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Bullfinch, and from the riverside hope to encounter Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goldeneye and Goosander. In the afternoon we move into open moorland, scanning for Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Peregrine and Kestrel. Red Grouse may also be seen, and the sound of rutting Red Deer stags echoing through the hills is an enchanting experience!

Day 3: Monday - Transfer and birding around the East Neuk
Departing Nethy after breakfast, we head south and within a few hours will enter the county of Fife. Depending on the time and tide, the Eden Estuary at Guardbridge may be our first stop, though with lots of options in a small area we can be especially flexible, and any of the sites listed over the next three days may be visited – some perhaps more than once. High tide at the Eden can bring good numbers of Golden Plover, Curlew, Knot, Redshank and Dunlin close to the hides and viewing areas, with Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and other scarcer waders often around too. In channels of deeper water, Red-breasted Merganser are likely and Slavonian Grebe, Red-throated and Great Northern Diver may be seen off nearby Out Head. The beaches around St Andrews can be worth checking for waders, gulls and late terns too, while further east (crossing the boundary into the East Neuk), Boarhills and Kingsbarns can be a good for farmland birds including Grey Partridge, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer, with Twite often latching onto the finch flocks too.

Day 4: Tuesday - Fife Ness and migration hotspots in the East Neuk
Today we plan to explore the migration hotspots along the south side of the East Neuk between Earlsferry and Fife Ness. Easterly winds will be key for migrants, and in the right conditions we will spend most of our time exploring patches of cover around the Fife Ness headland. A famed birding location for both passerines and seabirds, there is always plenty to do here. Offshore movements of wildfowl, auks and gulls will be evident, and among them we have good chances of Sooty and Manx Shearwater, skuas and rarer species such as Great Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull and Grey Phalarope. In the bushes, chats, thrushes, warblers, flycatchers and finches may feature and rarities can turn up most years either here, or other nearby locations such as Kilminning and Denburn Wood at Crail. Examples in the last few autumns include Siberian Thrush, Amur Stonechat, Red-flanked Bluetail, Arctic and Palla’s Leaf Warbler and Little Bunting but with numerous others historically, anything is possible! If migration around the headland is quieter, then harbours at Anstruther and Earlsferry may be checked for Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Rock Pipit plus seaduck and gulls.

Day 5: Wednesday - Firth of Forth, inland lochs and return to Nethy Bridge
The wider parts of the Firth of Forth are a stronghold and well known for their scoter flocks, and with viewpoints at Elie, Lower Largo and Leven shore, we have lots of chances to connect depending on where birds are feeding. As expected, Common and Velvet Scoter will be the most abundant (along with Eider and Red-breasted Merganser), Surf Scoter is recorded annually and both White-winged and Stejneger’s Scoter have both been recorded recently so we will be keen to track the main flock down! Inland sites such as Cameron Reservoir or Kilconquhar Loch may be investigated for incoming winter wildfowl too today, and on our journey back to Nethy Bridge, we may have time to call in at one of the many viewpoints surrounding Loch Leven.

Day 6: Thursday - The Crown Estates and Royal Deeside
Travelling eastwards from Nethy Bridge, a visit to a Black Grouse lek is a great start to our day. Continuing to Royal Deeside, and into the mountains we have a chance of Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and Mountain Hare perhaps without any, or very little walking. Later we scan from viewpoints for raptors which might include Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Goshawk, Peregrine, Osprey and Red Kite. On the Crown Estates at Glenlivet, we have exclusive access to secluded spots with further chances of raptors while overhead passage birds often include geese, thrushes and finches in this truly wild area of the Cairngorms National Park.

Day 7: Friday - Moray Coast or Black Isle
A round up day, your guide selecting an area of the coast where new species are most likely. Offshore, wintering seaduck numbers will be building and we have excellent chances of Common and Velvet Scoter, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck, plus divers and grebes. On the tidal estuaries and rocky coasts, concentrations of waders may include the first Purple Sandpiper to return, plus Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Knot and plenty more. Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern may also still be around, while roosting gull flocks at this time of year can sometimes contain Mediterranean Gull – still a rare bird in Scotland! Venturing inland will help boost our days bird tally with Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge among the possibilities in farmland.

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

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 accommodation in Fife featuring good home-prepared food.
•  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. 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, although mountain walking for Ptarmigan can be strenuous, depending on the snow level.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions. Blazing sunshine and rain are equally likely, and you will probably experience a bit of everything, including snow! 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.