Autumn Tours
Note that all our trips are run by a local guide. We specialise in small groups with a maximum of 8 participants on any tour and many times even smaller groups.
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
The autumn tours concentrate on bird migration although we will also look for all 8 of the resident birds of prey which includes both Golden and White-tailed Eagle. There is a good selection of species to be found besides the migrants with Great Northern, Black-throated and Red-throated Divers in favoured locations; passerines such as Twite and Corn Bunting plus a whole host of regular waders and wildfowl. Mammals that we should see include Otter (very unusual not to see them during a week trip), Red Deer (in rut from mid-September / October) and both Grey and Common Seals.
We shall also learn about some of the history of the islands and gain an insight into how life is today. Low intensity agriculture is intricately linked to the wildlife present, especially in the Uists and to see how these practises influence life on the islands is a fascinating window on the past; how it used to be all over the UK.
Migration Special
This all inclusive trips include: 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.
2010
18th to 25th September
2011
17th to 24th September
Great White Egret Pied Flycatcher Redwing (Icelandic)
Expected Highlights: This is one of the best times for species variety and we will try to maximise the range of birds as much as possible taking in the seabirds which are likely to include both Storm and Leach’s petrel as well as Sooty shearwater and possibly something a little rarer such as Sabine’s gull. Waders will also feature in these trips with regular occurring species such as Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint all possible. American Golden Plover are also quite often seen at this time of year amongst their commoner European cousins. Hordes of commoner waders will are also present including Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone and many more. Passerines will be represented by Twite, Skylark, Reed Bunting and Corn Bunting. Warblers should include Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and possible scarcer species such as Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat or Barred Warbler. Then there's the birds of prey with 8 resident species from the diminutive Merlin to the huge White-tailed Eagle. The autumn is probably the best time of year to catch up with birds of prey as the juveniles enhance the normal numbers and many come down to the machair to feed. It won’t just be birds either as we will try our hand at moth trapping in various locations and undoubtedly connect with some of our resident mammals, such as the Grey and Common Seals. Otters are common and with a little luck we will see one and then there’s always the chance of a Minke Whale or Bottle-nosed Dolphin.
Itinerary: These tours will make the most of the islands and we shall travel from one end to the other in search of fascinating migrants. We shall visit the Butt of Lewis in search of seabirds and land based migrants before travelling south exploring some of the excellent hot spots along the north-west coast of Lewis. Whilst in this area we will also drop in at the Callinish Stones, a truly wonderful archaeological site that is very under rated. Leaving Lewis we continue south to Harris where we check the Sound of Taransay for sea duck and divers. On to the Uists we will spend the following three days really adding to that species list and no doubt connecting with some exciting wayward migrants.
Short list of species: Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Curlew Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, three species of diver, Eider, Greylag Geese, migrant warblers, Greenland Wheatears and White Wagtails, Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Pererine Falcon, Merlin, Corn Bunting, Twite, Grey Seal, Common Seal, Red Deer, Risso’s Dolphin, Otter and many more.
Migration Special (Lewis to South Uist) costs £800.00
Booking: To book any of these tours please contact Steve on 01870 620241 or 07733 026663. Alternatively you can email me on steveduffield@hebrides.net
Autumn Gold
These all inclusive trips include: 5 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.
2010
4th - 9th October
18th - 23rd October
2011
1st - 6th October
8th - 13th October
Buff-bellied Pipit Grey Phalarope (John Kemp) Isabelline Shrike (John Kemp)
We will see an excellent variety of both resident and migrant birds at a relaxed pace and in a small group. This is a great trip for anyone that would like to expand their identification skills whether a new-comer to birding or more experienced enthusiast that would like a little help with LBJs. This tour will look at how to approach identifying those tricky species that at first glance all look the same. We will look at the challenging groups such as immature gulls, small waders, seabirds at sea and any number of immature or autumn plumaged chats and warblers. This fascinating tour will provide a superb experience with some of the best birding in Scotland.
Expected Wildlife Highlights: Huge flocks of waders up close are sure to contain a few unusual species such as Curlew Sandpiper or Little Stint as well as the good chance of something rare from the other side of the Atlantic. Good numbers of migrating wildfowl including geese ducks and swans on their way from Iceland and Greenland to their wintering sites elsewhere in the U.K. 8 resident species of raptors including both White-tailed and Golden Eagles, Hen Harrier and Peregrine. Warblers, chats and thrushes passing through from destinations far and wide and then if the conditions are right there's always the chance of something very rare. Other species we will see include Grey and Common Seals, plus Otters and the chance to hear Red Deer rutting.
Itinerary: On the southern isles we will explore the excellent wooded garden at Loch Eynort on South Uist where we are also likely to see a variety of raptors. We will try a spot of sea-watching from the Ardvule headland on South Uist and explore the environs of the South Ford for waders. In Benbecula we find what we can on the selection of lochs on the west side and the aptly named Stink Bay. North Uist holds a number of hot spots that we will also explore including Balranald, Langass and Clachan Farm. All this coupled with the wealth of culture is sure to make a fascinating holiday.
Short list of species: Sooty Shearwater, Leach's Petrel, 5 species of geese, scoters, Long-tailed Duck, Great Skua, a good selection of migrant thrushes, chats and warblers including Yellow-browed Warbler, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine, Purple Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Greenshank, Woodcock, Whooper Swan, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Twite, Corn Bunting, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting and many more. Red Deer, Grey Seals, Common Seals, Otter.
The Autumn Gold tours 2010 costs: £600.00 all inclusive.
Autumn Gold 2011 costs: £650 all inclusive.
Migration Special (Lewis to South Uist) 2010 costs £800.00.
Migration Special 2011 costs: £850 all inclusive.
Booking: To book any of the tours above please contact Steve on 01870 620241 or 07733 026663. Alternatively you can email me on steveduffield@hebrides.net Or write to: Steve Duffield, 5 Drimsdale, Isle of South Uist, Western Isles, HS8 5RT
Contact Steve: steveduffield@hebrides.net
