Mark Warren
Mark is one of our senior guides and is a dedicated, very experienced birder and tour Leader, with extensive wildlife knowledge and boundless enthusiasm. Busy guiding around the world, many Heatherlea clients love his tours!
A follower of wildlife from an early age, Mark's conservation roles included working for the RSPB in Cornwall, for two years at Fair Isle Bird Observatory, and for five years at North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, serving him particularly well for his present role!
Always keen to take on an identification challenge, Mark’s widespread knowledge and background led to his appointment to the Scottish Bird Records Committee in 2017. He holds an impressive track record of British rarity finding, both privately and while leading for Heatherlea, including a Walrus on Orkney, though the UK’s first spring Black-faced Bunting (seventh overall), exclusively seen by our ‘Shetland in Spring’ 2018 tour, will take some beating!
Mark is a fully qualified bird ringer, holding a BTO licence for almost two decades contributing to research projects in both Kenya and Cyprus in the past. Well-travelled overseas but with fondness for Scandinavia, several extraordinary encounters with Northern Hawk Owl will often see Mark refer to this hunter as “the best bird ever”!
Living locally in Strathspey, Mark and his wife Fleur (who is Company Director for Heatherlea) are parents to young Sullivan & Iris. Sullivan's bird-list already features Capercaillie, White-tailed Eagle and Honey Buzzard, though he has more fondness for the Loch Garten Red Squirrels!
Follow this Guide
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Spain - Birding and Lynx, Andujar plus Coto Donana
- 11 Jan - 18 Jan 2025
Endangered Iberian Lynx plus superb birding in Coto Donana
Prices from £2095 pp
Duration: 8 Days
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Birders' Blasts in Winter!
- 26 Jan - 30 Jan 2025Special Offer
Fast paced and fun birding short breaks in the Scottish Highlands
Prices from £795 pp
Duration: 5 Days
- 26 Jan - 30 Jan 2025
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Scotland's best winter birding in local habitats and out on the coasts
Prices from £1295 pp
Duration: 8 Days
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NEW! North-east Scotland Explorer
- 01 Mar - 08 Mar 2025Special Offer
Late winter birding in the under-visited north-east of Scotland
Prices from £1595 pp
Duration: 8 Days
- 01 Mar - 08 Mar 2025
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A big birdlist from the Atlantic and Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert.
Prices from £2595 pp
Duration: 11 Days
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Trinidad, Tobago and Saint Lucia
- 20 Apr - 03 May 2025
Wonderful birding on THREE very different Caribbean islands!
Prices from £6495 pp
Duration: 14 Days
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Superb spring birding on the southern Outer Hebrides: North and South Uist, Benbecula and Berneray.
Prices from £1895 pp
Duration: 7 Days
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Islands on the Edge
- 24 May - 31 May 2025
A grand tour of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, from Berneray, North & South Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay to Tiree and Coll!
Prices from £2295 pp
Duration: 8 Days
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From the mountain top to the sea, a thorough exploration of Scotland's remote north-west
Prices from £1995 pp
Duration: 7 Days
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NEW! Highlands and the Small Isles
- 02 Aug - 09 Aug 2025Special Offer
Speciality local wildlife, with a little more walking than usual, as we explore the islands of Rum and Eigg.
Prices from £1695 pp
Duration: 8 Days
- 02 Aug - 09 Aug 2025
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NEW! Mongolia
- 18 Aug - 01 Sep 2025
Searching for the secretive Snow Leopard
Prices from £7395 pp
Duration: 15 Days
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Southbound migration and Scottish specialities at an exciting time of year.
Prices from £1595 pp
Duration: 8 Days
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Spectacular birding at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Prices from £5695 pp
Duration: 18 Days
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Costa Rica Classic Tour - PLUS!
- 22 Nov - 10 Dec 2025
Birding and Wildlife during an unforgettable 18-night experience
Prices from £7095 pp
Duration: 19 Days
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Hogmanay Birding Extravaganza
- 29 Dec - 05 Jan 2026
Great winter birding around the Highlands with a traditional Scottish Hogmanay
Prices from £1895 pp
Duration: 8 Days
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Exciting winter birding for Steller's Sea Eagle and Scaly-breasted Merganser at a recently-available Asian hotspot
Prices from £6495 pp
Duration: 15 Days