News from the field – April 2023
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With our Spring departures now in full swing we wanted to share some of the news from our Guides in the field. Scott O'Hara updates us from Skyros, Holly Page gives us some highlights from the Extremadura tour and Alex Rhodes and James Champion tell us how the Mainland Scotland tours went last week...
Scottish Highlands in Early Spring
“The Scottish Highlands in Early Spring tour was a great success, with around 125 species of bird being seen, with outstandingly beautiful, sparkling blue seas and spectacular views across to the Isles. Bird highlights included both species of eagle, two White-billed Divers, one in full breeding plumage, as well as numerous Great Northern, Black-throated and Red-throated Divers. A calling Crane, a pair of Garganey and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were all rarities this far north. A total of around 20 lekking Black Grouse in the early morning were also a sight to behold. The week passed all too quickly, but the memories of this wonderful tour will linger in our memories for years.” James Champion
“Skye certainly delivered on the Eagle front last week. We had views of both White-tailed and Golden each day, but the standout performance was from a stunning adult White-tailed circling over the sound between Old Man of Storr and Raasay. It was marvellous to watch it below eye level – no neck craning required – banking on those enormous wings”. Alex Rhodes
“Although the winds have been against us a bit this week we have still managed to see some great birds and wildlife. Hundreds of Manx Shearwater and some Common Dolphins on the crossing, big flocks of hirundines, three Ring Ouzel, large numbers of Greenland Wheatear but the star birds so far are a cracking Woodchat Shrike and a stunning female Dotterel. With two days to go who knows what else we will see!" Toby Green
“Some of the highlights from this trip included up to as many as a dozen displaying Montagu’s Harrier, Little Bustard calling and dancing, “foam-bath” Great Bustards and more raptors than you can shake a stick at! We also had a few of bonus birds such as a roosting Scops Owl in the centre of Trujillo and a nest-building Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Throw into the mix warm and sunny weather, great food and great company and it made for a wonderful spring trip!” Holly Page
“With the trip not yet over we are 200+ bird species seen across a range of stunning landscapes. We started at the Ebro Delta where sheer numbers and variety of waders, terns and herons is a real spectacle - too many to list here! The Iberian Steppes provided great views of Little Bustard, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and a variety of raptors, warblers and larks. Now we are in the Pyrenees enjoying all 4 vulture species and high alpine specialists such as Citril Finch, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Alpine Chough.” Chris Rodger
“Skyros is an amazingly relaxed place and our trip seeks to capture that attitude. Whilst our trip is namely about the birds we are also there to enjoy the landscape, culture and history of the island. Not to mention that we visit at the best time to see the fields in bloom and full of butterflies. There is no twitching rarities in this holiday, everything we see we find ourselves.
This year we added Isabelline Wheatear, Wryneck and Collared Pratincole to the growing Heatherlea Skyros list, all a pleasure to watch and enjoy at a relaxed pace. This is my fifth trip to Skyros and I look forward to many more!” Scott O’Hara