Customer Comments:
20th June:
Hi Steve,
Just to say how much we much we enjoyed our day with you in South Uist last week - seems so long ago now! It was a real day to remember, what with the dramatic weather change from grey to blue skies, the successful otter-viewing and then the golden eagles appearing on cue over Loch Eynort - so much to remember, and a real encouragement to us to keep learning about wildlife.
We felt that many times on the rest of the holiday that we needed you with us! Not least because we spent several hours looking for otters in likely places in South Uist and again in Harris, but without success!
Many thanks again and hope all is well with you. It's fairly average to be back in Manchester but at least the sun is shining!
Paul and Jean
18th June 2010:
Please see Martin Dyers comments on our recent trip around North Uist: http://wildlifeacrossthewater.blogspot.com/2010/06/trip-report-north-uist-day-4_18.html
27th May 2010:
Hi Steve
Agnes and I would like to send our sincere thanks for a marvellous tour of the islands again with you as our inspirational guide. We really liked Borve Guest House as a base, and the Dark Island Hotel was the ideal place for good food and welcoming atmosphere in the evenings.
We were extremely lucky with the weather, albeit a bit cold and windy, but what an amazing directory of birds and wildlife we were fortunate to witness in just 4days. I counted 97 species which I saw, but you were probably over 110 with your exceptional sharp eyesight, quick reaction and skill in identifying calls. Of course, the corncrake takes pride of place, and what an amazing number of really good shots you have put on your website. Other than that, golden eagles and white tailed eagles galore, often high in the sky, hen harriers and short eared owls along the Committee Road, divers of all types on and off the nest, and those beautiful dotterel. And then the Bonxies and Arctic Skuas on the Saturday morning.
We are also now much more clued up on recognising waders and ducks than previously.
But I have no doubt that a telescope is essential to make correct identification at a distance, and I intend to acquire one shortly!!
Anyway, very enjoyable, and a great trip, and we will wait in keen anticipation to see more of what you took on our trip, when you eventually have time.
Warm regards
Slainte Mhath
David Auld
1st October 2009:
Dear Steve
This is just a note to thank you for a most enjoyable day with you on the 23rd September. Despite the wind and occasional shower of rain you managed to find us lots of birds to look at and there were two firsts for me - the hen harrier and the grey phalarope which I'm sure I would never have spotted if you hadn't been there. It was also nice to see the otter and the seals - never managed to see a deer though! Even Francis who says he is just the bag carrier was enthusiastic. Make a bird watcher out of him yet.
Thank you once again for a memorable day out and if I hear of anyone visiting the Outer Hebrides and in particular the Uists who are interested in bird watching I shall certainly recommend that they get in touch with you. I hope the business builds up for you, it should.
Best wishes from us both Jean Walker
26th August 2009
Hi Steve
Agnes and I have finally returned to the "reality of home", after a memorable trip to the Outer Hebrides and Scotland, during which we experienced fantastic scenery and wonderful island hospitality.
We would like to thank you especially for a marvellous guided tour of Benebecula and the Uists in your car on my birthday, August 14th, which for us was the highlight of the trip!. Although the rain and wind prevented us from making any sorties on foot, you were able to take us to inaccessible places nevertheless, which afforded us a 30minute encounter with an otter, and identified 47different species of birds, including red-throated diver, peregine falcon and many waders and ducks. And then, just as we were returning, you spotted the female Merlin preening herself behind the shelter of a rock, and we sat for a good 15minutes observing the antics close by! It was a superb experience, and we also learned a lot about potential viewing sites for eagles on Harris and Lewis, what to look for, and above all, patience needed to be successful! Anyway, we have great memories of this wildlife excursion and it was nice to be able to chat to a local expert on birds, butterflies, moths, flora and fauna, as well as to learn about the island culture.
We would happily recommend your services to anybody who loves nature, wants to observe wildlife / birds in th the Uists and is keen to sharpen their observation skills when walking.
Thank you and Slainte Mhath
David Auld
26th June 2009
Dear Steve My day out with you was the highlight of the holiday for me. Even a good view of a buzzard mobbing a golden eagle outside Langlass Lodge N Uist didn't compare with all the things I saw with you. I've done a Trip advisor review for Wegg and have mentioned you and your website on it, so hope I can spread the word a bit.
Many thanks, and hope we can meet again, Holly
23rd July 2008
Hi Steve
Just a short note to thank you for a very interesting and educational (!) day last week. We continued to see short eared owls every day, buzzards and pos another golden eagle. We both feel spending the day with you gave us a very good insight into the wildlife and nature of N Uist. Good luck for the future, we will recommend your wildlife tour to anyone visiting the islands.
Best regards
Marianne
24th May 2008
Hi Steve,
Just wanted to thank you for a brilliant week. It was fabulous to have such good views of corncrakes calling, see the snowy owl and so many golden eagles in particular. The whole atmosphere of the place is so special with the air full of birdsong, and watching a short-eared owl catching voles from my bedroom window makes it 5 star in my book! Most of all though I want to thank you for all the hard work you put in, always looking out for things even when the rest of us were feeling lazy, and the way you picked up the bee-eater is a tale I've been boring all my friends with! Am keen to return next year, so hopefully I'll be in touch when I've convinced Chris!
All the best, Sandra.
24th May 2008
Steve
"Can we both thank you for a fantastic week in Uist - Mediterranean weather and an exceptional bird watching tour - 113 different birds inc. a snowy owl and first ever sighting on Uist of a bee-eater. Also 86 raptor sightings in the week Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, Peregrine, Merlin, Short Eared Owl, Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Kestrel and 1 Unidentified Falcon. Without hesitation we would recommend any amateur or professional bird watcher to sample Steve's selection of tours".
Allen & Janet from Sheffield.
6th November
Steve, Thanks very much for your assistance this morning, I had another Golden Eagle after you left me, behind the airport.
Regards Paul
Feedback from tour on September 6th.
Excellent day how you managed for us to spot everything I'll never know. Sue & Les
"The one thing I wanted to see was an otter, which we did see swimming in the water! Everything else we saw was a real bonus. Brilliant day " Sue, Adelaide South Australia