Summer Tours and Courses 2010
Booking: To book any of the following tours please contact Steve on 01870 620241 or 07733 026663. Alternatively you can email me on steveduffield@hebrides.net
Machair in bloom
Plant identifications course: A day long course looking at the diversity of flowers to be found on the machair in the Uists
4th July, 9th July and 15th July
Expected highlights: The machair is a very rare habitat with the Uists holding a large proportion of that to be found in the world. It supports a vast array of flowering plants at this time of year and we shall examine the diversity that occurs within the specialised crops and fallow areas. The course includes a list of plants to be found on the machair and key identification points of what to look out for when separating the more similar species.
Cost: £25 per person per day.
From Barra to the Butt
28th August - 4th September
This all inclusive trip includes: 7 nights accommodation in comfortable guesthouses; breakfast, lunch and dinner (drinks are not included); transport and travel on and between islands; services of an expert local guide.
Expected Wildlife highlights: As this tour takes in the main islands making up the backbone of the Outer Hebrides we will visit a diverse range of habitats from the swaying corn on the machair of the Uists to the moorlands flushed with the purple flowers of Heather. Birds of prey are a feature of the islands with good populations of Golden Eagles and increasing numbers of White-tailed Eagles too. Hen Harriers are common in the Uists and Peregrine and Merlin can be found on all the main islands. Red-throated Divers are common and we should also see a good array of waders and wildfowl. Seabirds will feature with chance of both Manx and Sooty Shearwaters plus Storm Petrel as well as Kittiwake, Common and Arctic Terns. Smaller birds will be represented by Corn Bunting in the Uists plus masses of Skylark and Twite. Otters are very likely as the islands hold a healthy population that are often active by day. Grey and Common Seals are common and this month is often good for whales and dolphins with regular sightings of Minke Whale and Risso's Dolphin. This is an excellent trip and lying at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn could produce a surprise visitor or two as well.
Itinerary: This trip includes all the major islands making up the main chain of the Outer Hebrides. We will start on the small but lush island of Barra before taking the ferry across to Eriskay with its tales of Whisky Galore. Eriskay is the smallest of the islands that we visit and is now connected to South Uist by a causeway which has helped maintain the population here. The next three islands are also connected by causeways linking South Uist to Benbecula, North Uist and Berneray. They may all be linked but this has not changed the unique feel of each place although it has certainly eased movement between them. From Berneray we have to take a further ferry across to Harris which is the most mountainous of all these islands. Harris is actually connected to Lewis and the border separating one from the other, although once marked by the condition of the road is now more subtle and easily missed. From Lewis we will either return to Uist to connect with a ferry / flight home or if you want you can take the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool.
Short list of species: Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Kittiwake, Eider, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin, Short-eared Owl, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Black Guillemot, Red-throated Diver, Arctic Tern, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Twite, Corn Bunting, Grey Seal, Common Seal, Otter, Porpoise, Red Deer, Minke Whale and possibly the rare Great Yellow Bumblebee.
Barra to the Butt Costs: £850.00 per person (all inclusive).
Note that all inclusive trips do not include the cost of getting to the Outer Hebrides.
Booking: To book any of the following tours please contact Steve on 01870 620241 or 07733 026663. Alternatively you can email me on steveduffield@hebrides.net
