North Ronaldsay & Orkney in Autumn for birders

Only 29 miles from Fair Isle, North Ronaldsay is a wonderful migration hotspot, overlooked and under-explored! Few birders venture this far in the UK, and the holiday combines peace and quiet and a strong sense of exploration, with first rate birding. Once you get over the thrill of your 8-seat Islander plane journey, your welcome at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory will be warm, and accommodation comfortable.

In favourable weather (easterlies!), regular species include Wryneck, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Icterine, Yellow-browed and Marsh Warbler, Ortolan, Lapland and Little Bunting and Common Rosefinch. This is also prime time for some extremely rare birds, such as Great Snipe, American Golden Plover, Citrine Wagtail, Richard's and Pechora Pipit, Radde’s, Pallas’s Grasshopper and Arctic Warbler, Yellow-breasted and Rustic Bunting and Arctic Redpoll. Sea-watching can be rewarding too, with skuas, petrels and shearwaters all possible. Whilst there is no guarantee of any particular species, North Ronaldsay is always surprising and rewarding.

We also enjoy birding around Orkney, visiting spots where anything can happen! If time allows we may visit the impressive standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar or stop at the delightful Italian Chapel.

A completely different birding holiday and a cost effective alternative to the expensive to access Fair Isle, North Ronaldsay is easy to reach with Heatherlea.

This is one of our 'for birders' holidays, click here to see more!

Day 1: Saturday - Travel North, Pentland Firth and arrival in Orkney
Transfer from Heatherlea to mainland Orkney. You may see Merlin, Raven and Golden Eagle as we drive North, taking the ferry to South Ronaldsay (yes, you will see both North and South Ronaldsay), watching for Great and Arctic Skuas, Gannet, Black Guillemot, Storm and Leach’s Petrels and shearwaters. The Pentland Firth is also a good area for Harbour Porpoise, and as we cross we should see plenty of activity below us. We will drive around the eastern edge of Scapa Flow, birdwatching on the way and may stop at the delightful Italian Chapel en-route to our comfortable accommodation.

Day 2: Sunday - Mainland Orkney to North Ronaldsay

We spend today birding around Mainland Orkney visiting coastal haunts or passerine hotspots where anything can happen! With concentrations of migratory ducks, waders and gulls both in the fields and offshore we will go through the flocks trying to sift out anything unusual. Sparse vegetation in gardens and on headlands can attract migrant landbirds, and your guide will know all the best places and birding sites may be chosen based around any known rarities. Later we transfer to Kirkwall Airport for our short flight to North Ronaldsay. The flight takes us over stunning scenery, often flying low over Stronsay, Eday and Sanday before touching down on our little island where we have plenty of time to explore all corners. Once you get over the thrill of your 8-seat Islander Plane journey, your welcome at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory will be warm, and accommodation comfortable.

Days: 3 - 5 Monday - Wednesday - North Ronaldsay

Our tour is timed to connect with what is traditionally the busiest period of the autumn on North Ronaldsay, as the greatest density and variety of birds pass through the island.  Mid to late September is one of the best time for rarities, scarce visitors and sheer numbers of commoner migrants. We work in co-operation with Observatory staff, and the birding can be exceptional! We can look forward to long days of outstanding birding with chances of finding our own rarities. In easterly airflows, regular species include Richard’s Pipit, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Icterine, Barred, Marsh and Yellow-browed Warbler, Ortolan, Lapland and Little and Rustic Bunting, Arctic Redpoll and Common Rosefinch. This is also prime time for some extremely rare Siberian species such as Citrine Wagtail, Pechora and Olive-backed Pipit, Radde’s Warbler, Arctic, Lanceolated and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Arctic Warbler and Yellow-breasted Bunting. If the wind blows from the west, then Nearctic visitors become the more likely. American Golden Plover, Pectoral, Buff-breasted and White-rumped Sandpiper are some of the more regularly occurring but extreme rarities have included Short-billed Dowitcher, Black-billed Cuckoo, Veery, Grey-cheeked Thrush and Northern Harrier to name but a few. Sea-watching can be exceptional, with skuas, petrels and shearwaters all possible and while there is no guarantee of any particular species, each North Ronaldsay trip is always different and rewarding, with a few surprises thrown in. Please note that weather plays the largest part in our itinerary, and may even lead to difficulties in leaving the island on time. Guests should allow an extra day in case of extreme conditions and of course comprehensive travel insurance!

A completely different birding holiday!

Day 6 - Thursday - North Ronaldsay to Mainland Orkney

After an early morning flight departing from North Ronaldsay, we spend today birding around Orkney visiting coastal spots where anything can happen! Our itinerary is left flexible so we can react to the most up to date sightings and if we get word of any scarce migrants or perhaps even a rarity we’ll have the option of searching for it. We can be flexible and cater to everyone’s needs so if the birding is quiet, we will take in some culture by visiting the Brough of Birsay and the impressive Ring of Brodgar or consider any other requests within close proximity.

Day 7 Friday Orkney to Nethy Bridge

We have a few hours in the morning to explore sites in Mainland Orkney, perhaps visiting Deerness or South Ronaldsay before taking the mid morning ferry crossing to Gill's Bay and minibus back to Nethy Bridge, arriving in the early evening.

This holiday can be combined with:

MAINLAND SCOTLAND
 The Outer Limits Adventure, Highland Autumn Explorer, Highlands & Skye in Autumn

SCOTTISH ISLAND ADVENTURES
Shetland in Autumn Birders.

Expect a wide variation in weather conditions, which can be wild and unpredictable, with temperatures perhaps averaging around 14 degrees Celsius. Sunshine, rain and strong winds are all possible, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Biting insects are not expected. Please bring walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothing and a small rucksack. Hat and gloves are of course essential! The holiday will be run at a relaxed pace, with time for photography and botany as well as fabulous birdwatching in a spectacular setting! There will be moderate (3 to 8 mile) walks several days. Please note that whilst our chosen walks are on relatively good footing, rare birds often turn up in inconvenient locations and it may require guests to climb stiles or gates and cover uneven ground to see all of the species found. All of these excursions are of course optional!

What's included in your North Ronaldsay and mainland Orkney holiday price

• Six nights comfortable en-suite hotel/guest house accommodation. Four nights will be at the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory and two nights will be spent on mainland Orkney. Guests are never expected to share. All rooms are en-suite. Full details with your joining pack.
• Full Scottish breakfast and dinner from lunch on the first day until lunch on the final day, packed lunch daily.
• All transfers by comfortable minibus. All ferries and other boat trips. Drivers can leave vehicles safely parked at The Mountview Hotel. We offer a courtesy drop off to Aviemore on the morning of departure for those who travel by public transport.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.

What's not included in your North Ronaldsay and mainland Orkney holiday price

• Extra night in Nethybridge area at beginning and end of holiday. This can be arranged for you if requested at time of holiday booking.
• Transfers from rail links in Aviemore.
• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.