NEW! North-east Scotland Explorer

A new itinerary to show off the best of late winter birding in the under-visited north-east of Scotland. We combine the best of our local sites and favourite coastal sites with two nights away in Aberdeenshire, giving us a superb opportunity to fully explore the north-east, featuring some of the most bird-rich places in Britain – possibly including overwintering Crane and Great Egret from the locally-breeding populations! Our coastal birding will focus heavily on waders and wildfowl, with visits to busy fishing harbours to look for unusual gulls, and maybe even a spot of seawatching if winds are suitable! Agricultural land has lingering flocks of winter passerines, with Corn Bunting a major target, and Grey Partridge are at their most visible as the vegetation remains low. We will also spend time exploring Royal Deeside - a great birding area with rich pinewoods, stunning rivers and glens, and mountains that are home to Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare.

This is also a wonderful time to visit the Highlands - longer days allow more field time, and the local specialities such as eagles, Black Grouse and Crested Tit often showing well at this time of year. The first summer visitors are beginning to arrive inland, and with snow still likely on the hills, we find ourselves birding in superb scenery all week.

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

• Stately Cranes actively feeding amongst well-managed wetland habitat
• Accumulations of wintering wildfowl on estuaries and mudflats
• Thousands of Pink-footed Geese – and maybe a rarity amongst them?
• White-winged gulls - Iceland and Glaucous Gull at close quarters in harbours
• Black Grouse, Crested Tit, crossbills, or other Strathspey specialities
• Royal Deeside and its wildlife – Ptarmigan or eagles over snow-capped peaks

Day 1: Saturday - Arrival
Arrival, dinner and briefing. Don't forget our courtesy collection from Aviemore!

Day 2: Sunday - Strathspey and The Cairngorms
Late winter can see snow showers or warm blazing sunshine, so we will see what the weather has in store before planning our local day. High on the agenda will be local specialities, at an excellent time of year to find them. Today will be a day of forests and glens, featuring stunning scenery and iconic wildlife perhaps including Black Grouse, Crested Tit and Golden Eagle, with many other species present too. At this time of year we should be able to find our local Dippers near nest sites, with Goosander and Goldeneye around on the faster rivers as well. Local goose flocks will often contain large numbers of migrant geese and we will be vigilant for stray Bean, White-front, Snow or Ross's amongst the commoner Pink-feet and Greylags.

Days 3 - 5: Monday - Wednesday – Exploration of North-east Scotland
Today we head to the north-east. We will study the tides, weather and recent sightings to plan the best possible birding in our three days away on the east. Having time to explore means we can work a good selection of our favoured harbours and bays, with our journeys between the sites being through mixed farmland favoured by finches, waders and a good selection of farmland birds. Indeed parts of the arable country here have some of the highest densities of nesting Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge in the UK!

This whole coastline is massively under-watched, with few resident birders. We have excellent chances of finding our own rarities, this being a superb time to find White-billed Diver, King Eider and rare gulls. East coast harbours can often be the winter home of several Glaucous and Iceland Gulls and Little Gull may be encountered after storms. We spend the whole of the second day working the best section of coast, from the excellent RSPB Loch of Strathbeg (with a host of wildfowl, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit, Crane, Great Egret amongst potential birds here), all the way down to the Ythan Estuary, which is always busy with waders and wildfowl. Aberdeenshire is a good region for raptors - Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, and perhaps even Rough-legged Buzzard may feature. Swans, geese, thrushes and sometimes Golden Plover occupy the fertile fields and offshore we should find good numbers of scoter, divers and auks, with the bonus of Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone on the rocks below.

We head back west on Wednesday through mixed farmland, spending time birding in Royal Deeside, including time next to the River Dee and around the former Winterwatch site of Mar Lodge. With luck we may pick up Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare and on the snow-covered slopes above the river, and eagles, Common Crossbill, Goshawk, Red and Black Grouse all amid the stunning moorland and woodland scenery. 

Day 6: Thursday – Pinewoods, moorland and glen
Today we target any local species we may have missed such as Crested Tit, crossbills, and if weather conditions allow we will head into the Cairngorms to look for Snow Bunting - often obliging before they retreat back up the mountains to breed. There may be more raptors and Red Grouse on the local moors, and breeding waders will be starting to return to the area too, and we hope to see (and hear) Lapwing, Curlew and Oystercatcher displaying in the rough pastures heralding the approach of spring.

Day 7: Friday – List boost!
To round off, we could go anywhere to find new species - the Black Isle, Moray Coast, Ross-shire, or perhaps even an extended day over on the West Coast… as always, it is tide, wind, snow and travel dependant, but we have the freedom of the Highlands and your guide will give you the best day possible to complete a full exploration of the region!

Day 8: Saturday - Departure
Departure after breakfast. Don't forget our courtesy drop off 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 Aberdeenshire.
• 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.
• 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, but a water bottle to top up cold water is advised.
Walking will be light, although optional mountain walking for Ptarmigan can be strenuous depending on the snow level.
Weather Expect a wide variation in weather conditions, though cold winds, and possibly snow, are likely. Bring waterproofs, walking boots, and warm clothing. Hats and gloves are essential at this time of year!
Biting insects are unlikely to be encountered.
Group size maximum 7 clients per guide.
Optics Bring binoculars. Telescopes and cameras will also be useful!