Autumn Tours
Below are examples of what you could expect from an all inclusive week long tour.
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
ll pre-booked tours will be met at your port of entry to the Uists, whether you come by air or sea. You will be taken to your comfortable lodgings to relax and gather yourself whilst having the opportunity to meet some of the other guests and local characters. All tours include the cost of breakfast, packed lunch and dinner (drinks are not included). All travel on and between islands is also arranged and paid for to make your stay as relaxing as we can and allow you to enjoy the wildlife.
Dates:
September – week all inclusive tours
Migration Special
Expand your knowledge and identification skills
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. Quite often rarer species also turn up at this time of year, especially from America. Anything is possible and it may be Yellow-browed Warbler from Siberia or a seabird from the South Atlantic or a stray American Golden Plover from the tundra region of Canada. 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, Risso’s Dolphin or Basking Shark.
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.
Dates:
October
Something special for the birder
6th - 11th October 2008
20th - 25th October 2008
Excellent for those that would like to expand their identification skills. 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 leave you feeling more confident when trying to identify that LBJ (little brown job) or that distant speck flying low over the sea, which may have been a fly on your lens.
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: the tour will concentrate on the southern isles but if we hear of something on another island we shall try our best to connect with it. On the southern isles we will have a day trip to Barra, 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. Red Deer, Grey Seals, Common Seals, Otter.
November
Late
Autumn Surprise
Expected Wildlife highlights: This tour has huge amounts to offer in terms of catching the last of autumn migration, a full assortment of winter visitors and a very good chance of catching up with the majority of the island residents. Geese, ducks and the odd passerine bird are still passing through and the previous years have produced some excellent birds in the first half of November. Grey Seals pupping is well under way and Otters are probably at their most obvious with lots of sightings. Five full days between Berneray in the north and Barra in the south will fly by all too quickly.
Itinerary: We will concentrate our efforts in the southern isles from Berneray to Barra, including the best locations on North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist.
Short list of species: Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan, Greenland White-fronted Geese, Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag Geese (there's also the chance of either Bean or Canada Geese at this time of year) Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Snow Bunting, Corn Bunting, Twite, Red Deer, Common Seal, Grey Seal, Otter.
The October tours cost: £699.
The tours in October and November are also available to those who would like to find their own accommodation and meals.
The price for a basic guided tour in October and November is £300 for the week.
Two day guided bird-watching breaks are also available for just £100 per person (food and accommodation not included)
Contact Steve: steveduffield@hebrides.net
