News from the Field October 2024
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News from the Field - October 2024
“I had a lovely time guiding last week’s Highland Autumn Birding group and we were extremely lucky with the weather. With the seas being very calm, we enjoyed great views of hundreds of Scaup, Long-Tailed Ducks and rafts of Scoters out in the Moray Firth and we even found a Surf Scoter! The estuaries held tens of thousands of Pink-Footed Geese and many species of waders returning to spend the winter on the coasts.
The low winds meant we were able to take the chairlift to the top of Glenshee, where we saw two Ptarmigan with glorious mountain views in every direction. However I think everyone’s highlight of the week was seeing a Pine Marten one morning eating apples in someone’s front lawn! With autumn colours and the abundance of wildlife, it really is a great time to explore what the highlands has to offer!” – Aidan Branch
Isle of Scilly in Autumn for Birders
“Well that’s another autumn trip to the Isles of Scilly done and it turned out to be a cracker! Despite some tricky weather at the start of the week the group had a fantastic time. Group highlights included Isabeline Wheatear, Wryneck, juvenile Rosy Starling, Olive backed Pipit and literally thousands of Cory’s Shearwaters which was impressive! Plus we had unexpected views of the Aurora one night as well!” – Toby Green
“Our maiden tour to the Cape May peninsula, with quality birding tour throughout! Highlights included multiple species of North American Wood Warbler side by side on the first morning, a surprise visit from a Yellow-billed Cuckoo while the group was eating lunch and studying rarely identified Bicknell’s Thrush. A boat trip around the saltmarshes and coastal wetlands gave superb views of numerous waders and herons, with Green Heron and American Bittern showing especially well on this tour. Venturing away from Cape May, watching rare Piping Plover on a quiet beach was a delight and the group has dabbled into the world of ‘skulking sparrows’ more than once. A day-trip across the other side of the bay into Delaware, gave great looks at Brown-headed Nuthatch and others in the pine woods, with a majestic Roseate Spoonbill a superb bonus. It certainly won’t be Heatherlea's last visit to this fabled migration hotpsot!” Mark Warren
Southern Peru & Machu Picchu
“Our 'Southern Peru and Machu Picchu' trip is off to a great start!
Highlights so far have included cracking views of Andean specialties like Andean Gull, Andean Duck, Giant Hummingbird, and an unexpected and hard to see Undulated Antpitta! Plus wonderful views of Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.” Wilson & Danny (local guides)