May 2010 Spring birdwatching tours in Norfolk & Scottish Highlands

9th May - Scottish Highlands Abernethy Forest & surrounding areas

After a good nights sleep, we up early at 5.45AM & were out birdwatching before breakfast. We arrived shortly later at our Black Grouse site, where we were treated to 6 males & 2 female BLACK GROUSE, complete with display & the beautiful "kettling" of the males.
We also had lovely views of a singing male Whinchat, lots of displaying Tree Pipit. On the nearby pool Goldeneye were displaying, above the hillside we noted a distant PEREGRINE & a RED KITE. With the backdrop of Curlew bubbling it made for a wonderful 3 hours birdwatchng. We also several RED SQUIRREL & many commoner other species.

We headed back for breakfast, but this was interrupted when an OSPREY & then a GOLDEN EAGLE passed over the accommodation.

After breakfast we walked out & explored the areas near to our accommodation, here we found RED-THROATED DIVER, SLAVONIAN GREBE,BARNACLE GOOSE, 5 PINK-FOOTED GEESE, Godeneye, Buzzard, lots of Common Sandpiper, 2 CRESTED TIT, 100's of Willow Warbler & Siskin.

We had lunch at the accommodation & then headed out for the Forest Lodge area, here we located numerous flocks of CROSSBILLS/SCOTTISH CROSSBILLS , thorough & close views over lengthy periods were obtained & birds of varying bill sizes, plumages & calls were all noted. Including a superb "larger billed" male CROSSBILL with ivory cutting edges to the mandibles watched & photographed over 15 minutes at close range, & we also encountered a small flock of 12 Redpoll.

Evening Meal at Boat of Garten Hotel.

10th May - Scottish Highlands & surrounding areas

We were up a little later at 7.15AM with a late finish expected today.

After breakfast, we headed north to a Loch, but despite searching in cloudy, windy conditions we could not locate any Divers. Although we had nice views of OSPREY fishing, displaying Goldeneye, breeding plumage Red-breasted Meganser, 45 PINK-FOOTED GEESE, several Red Grouse & Common Sandpiper.

We continued north & then heading into the Monadhliaths we had good views of 2 GOLDEN EAGLE soaring high over the hillsides. Also along the valley - we saw DIPPER, several Buzzard, 3-4 pairs of Wheatear, several Tree Pipit & 1-2 Redstart - & eventually we had nice views of RING OUZEL, this bird was a delight sitting atop the trees singing throughout the flurries of snow. The walk back produced 2 breeding plumaged Golden Plover feeding on the valley floor.

We then headed North west to another Loch & whilst we failed to locate Black-throated Diver, we were treated to one of the most evocative birdwatching moments - 4 RED-THROATED DIVERS in full breeding plumage, displaying & calling! The Lock also hosted small numbers of Common Sabdpiper, Teal, Goldeneye, Wigeon & Red-breasted Merganser.

We had our evening meal at Carrbridge Hotel & then set off for the pre-arranged Hide we had booked for the evening - this was the Pine Marten vigil!

After 3 hours we had seen lots of Red Deer & Wood mice, but the Martens had not appeared, then suddenly in just 4 bounds & a spit second there it was a real superb male PINE MARTEN just 4'0 from the hide window - he gorged himself on the food & stayed in the lit feeding area for 5 minutes affording amazing views, of one of Britain's rarest mammals!! We also saw a Badger briefly before something spooked it & it bounded off.

We celebrated with chocolate & arrived back at the accommodation around 12.30am, we were tired but ecstactic from the experience!

11th May - Scottish Highlands & surrounding areas

I awoke around 6am & decided that I would take a further look around where we had seen Crested Tit 2 days previously as not everyone had seen the birds well. It was a good decision as after an hours searching I had not only located the birds but also a nest site.
I sat down some 100m away so as not to disturb them & watched them coming & going. After breakfast we took everyone down to the area & we were all able to quietly watch a pair of CRESTED TIT at a safe distance as they came & went to feed the young.

The walk in the forest also produced a bird we weren't expecting a HOBBY, a good bird this far north.

Mid morning we headed up to the Black Isle, we visited Chanonry Point & had excellent views of BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHIN, in this area we also found a HOODED CROW, RED KITE & had nice views of a reeling GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. We then headed further east & visited an estuary & headland, this provided some good summer seaduck & other seabirds - GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, Fulmar, Shag, Common Scoter, 6 VELVET SCOTER, Common Eider, Razorbill, male LONG-TAILED DUCK, Sandwich tern, Kittiwake & Rock Pipit plus a colony of Grey & Common Seals.

Evening meal at Cairngorm Hotel

12th May - Scottish Highlands & surrounding areas

An early start this morning we were up at 4.45am & left the accommodation at 5am heading off to Loch Garten for the "Caper Watch".
We eventually had reasonable views of a male CAPERCAILLIE, plus we were entertained by 3-4 RED SQUIRREL & the OSPREY at the nest.

After breakfast we headed off to another site where we saw 2 males & 3 female CAPERCAILLIE, but mostly flight views. We did have wonderful close views of a roosting Tawny Owl at just 10m away, another RED SQUIRREL. Nearby we had good views of Common Tern, Sand Martin, Swift, Common Sandpiper, Red-breasted Merganser & OSPREY.

We decided to retry our luck with Black-throated Diver & this we were more fortunate, as we watched a magnificent full breeding plumaged BLACK-THROATED DIVER sitting & diving close to the Loch shoreline. Also here great views of Cuckoo & Peregrine, plus many of the duck species seen regularly throughout the trip.

We headed back & had a late lunch at the accommodation, in the afternoon we visited two other local sites that we hadn't previously visited - we were able to watch a pair of SLAVONIAN GREBE at close quarters by sitting in the car & at the next site, a short walk to watch OSPREY at a nest site, with both male & female birds present.

Evening meal at Boat of Garten Hotel

13th May - Scottish Highlands & West Coast

Today we headed over to the West coast. We arrived at our first destination after around 2 hours drive. We started scanning the bay & noted some nice birds - BLACK GUILLEMOT, 4+ breeding plumage GREAT NORTHERN DIVER, Gannet, Guillemot - then suddenly the main target species appeared WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE, at this point the bird was visible but not close, so we leapt in the car and headed along the road towards where the Eagle appeared to have a dropped. After a few minutes scanning the bird swept by us coming up off the ground at a close range - the massive size was incredible at just 400m range, we watched it for 10 minutes as it eventually gained height & soared over the bay.

We visited a small bay further on & had even better views of both GREAT NORTHERN & RED-THROATED DRIVERS both in breeding plumage, whilst watching these we also found a nice party of beautiful TWITE feeding on the seaweed fringe along the shoreline. Another stop in a rocky bay produced wonderful views of breeding plumaged shorebirds - Dunlin, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Turnstone & Redshank.

The weather was very cold for mid May & having scored with our main quarry species we stopped off in a lovely village for Hot chocolate, cakes & the opportunity to buy some momento's or gifts.

A variety of other stops in a wooded valley & along a Lochside shoreline produced more good birds - lovely views of BLACK GUILLEMOT, Peregrine, Eider, HOODED CROW & GREAT SKUA.

We drove back & went out for our evening meal at Boat of Garten Hotel

14th May - Scottish Highlands & Cairngorm

We had watched the weather carefully to ensure the most suitable conditions to look for Ptarmigan & as predicted the temperature had risen over the week, and with a good mornings forecast we headed up the hill in search of Ptarmigan.

We started out at 0700am & by around 0900am we were in the area we wanted to search, the walk up had given us lots of Red Grouse, Meadow Pipit & 2-3 Wheatear. After a short search, we heard the unmistakable call of Ptarmigan, after a few minutes searching we located 2 PTARMIGAN on the boulder strewn hillside. Just as we were watching these birds we heard them calling much closer, & on our other side we located 3 PTARMIGAN, including 1 male sitting on top of a rock displaying.

Once we were safely down to the Car Park area, we headed back to the accommodation - had a relaxed lunch and then headed over to Loch Insh - the first notable bird here was a fantastic summer plumage Redpoll perched in birch trees. Out on the marsh we located a scarce Scottish bird, but one we were all familiar with - a Marsh Harrier! The marshes also held plenty of Curlew, Redshank & Black-headed Gulls - additions to our trip list were Sedge Warbler plus Grey Wagtail at a nearby stream.

We stopped off finally on the way back at a Peregrine eyrie & sat with the scopes trained on a Peregrine perched bird sat on the crags - a nice way to finish off a wonderful trip!

Evening meal at the Cairngorm Hotel

15th May - Scottish Highlands & Cairngorm

After breakfast - we packed our bags & headed off back down to England.

Over the 7 days we recorded 127 species.

2011 SCOTTISH HIGHLADS 7TH - 15TH MAY

Enquire about this trip for 2011 - please click here

17th - 19th May - 3 Day Guided Birdwatching in North Norfolk

Another of our advertised May tours - and very successful with 120 species recorded.

Day One 17th May - North Norfolk

I collected the group at 0800am and we started birdwatching at Holme where we saw Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Wheatear,
1 Barn Owl,1 Sparrowhawk, 1pr kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier & overhead 2 Buzzard passed over. We also recorded Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap all heard with several showing.

A further couple of stops produced 3 singing Corn Bunting & 1 Wheatear.

At Titchwell we saw Red-crested Pochard, Bearded Tit, we heard Cetti's warbler but it didn't want to show! A male Ruddy Duck, plus a really nice Wood Sandpiper were all added.

Day Two 18th May - Mid & North Norfolk

We started off with good views of Tree Sparrow, followed shortly by further great views of a male Montagu's Harrier, also here great views of a Hobby hunting.

We then birdwatched at a harbour area, where we were able to watch very close views of Little Tern fishing as well as a nice mixture of commoner warblers, hirundines & finches.

We then moved on to Cley & saw a nice mix of commoner waders, plus Temminck's Stint, Common Sandpiper, 60 Sandwich tern & 10 Common Tern. Plus great views of Marsh Harrier & Bearded Tit

We had an early evening meal before searching out Woodcock, & a pair of Tawny Owl. Unfortunately as the air temp dropped to around 3c - the Nightjars were silent and there was no activity.

Day Three 19th May - South Norfolk

Today we headed off towards Lakenheath Fen. On arrival we were treated to a beautiful pair of Garganey, the first section of the reserve heaved with Whitethroat, Reed & Sedge Warbler.

We set out for a long wait & vigil! After around 40 minutes the "tropical, fluty" notes were clear & loud were heard not too far away, not long after a bit of movement I glimpsed a bird flying but sadly that was all we were to see. This was some waht compensated by Marsh Harriers everywhere 2 Bitterns booming & 1 Bittern seen in flight an incredible mass of 52+ hunting Hobbies in the air together.

After lunch we headed into the Brecks & were rewarded with great views of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, flyover Crossbills, a family of Stonechat & 2 Stone Curlew

21st -23rd May 3 Day Guided Birdwatching in North Norfolk

Another of our advertised May tours - and very successful with 127 species recorded.

Day One 21st May - Mid & North Norfolk

I collected the group at 0800am and we started birdwatching at Holme where we saw 1 Turtle Dove,
1 Barn Owl,1 Sparrowhawk, 1pr kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier & overhead 2 Buzzard passed over. We also recorded Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap all heard with several showing.

A further stop produced 3 singing Corn Bunting.

We then stopped off & had good views of a Red-necked Grebe, before visiting Titchwell where we saw a pair of Garganey, Red-crested Pochard, Bearded Tit, we heard Cetti's warbler but it didn't want to show! A male Ruddy Duck, plus a mixture of commoner species

A stop off on the way back produced wonderful views of male & female Montagu's Harrier

Day Two 22nd May - Mid & North Norfolk

The day started really well - with nice views of hunting Barn Owl, then good views of a pair of Grey Wagtails followed shortly by a Spotted Flycatcher. We spent some time looking for Honey Buzzard but without success, plenty of Buzzard & Sparrowhawk for the unwary!!!

We then headed north & had good views of Tree Sparrow, followed shortly by further great views of a male Montagu's Harrier.

We then moved on to Cley & saw a nice mix of commoner waders, plus 2 Temminck's Stint, 1 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 30 Sandwich tern & 10 Common Tern. Plus great views of Marsh Harrier & Bearded Tit, lots of Black-tailed Godwit

We had an early evening meal before searching out Woodcock, & a pair of Tawny Owl. We finished the evening with 4 Nightjars churring & showing quite well overhead

Day Three 23rd May - South Norfolk

Today we headed off towards Lakenheath Fen. the first section of the reserve as normal heaved with Whitethroat, Reed & Sedge Warbler.

We set out for a long wait & vigil! Again we heard the "tropical, fluty" notes clear & loud & quite close, but very few birders were getting any satisfactory views.

We did see Marsh Harriers everywhere & heard 2 Bitterns booming, but much fewer Hobby - 4+ hunting Hobbies in the air together.

After lunch we headed into the Brecks & were rewarded with great views of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, a family of Stonechat & 2 Stone Curlew.

We headed off at a drinking pool in the forest and watched Chiff-chaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Siskin, Jay & Chaffinch all coming into drink at close quarters. The day finished as we watched a pair of Firecrest feeding young high up in the canopy.

26th May - Mid & North Norfolk - Tailored Bird watching day for 2 persons

We started off with excellent views of male Montagus Harrier, plus 2-3 Marsh Harrier, 3+ Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk & Kestrel, nearby sev Tree Sparrow, Grey Partridge & Corn Bunting.

We then headed for a harbour estuary & had great views of Little Tern, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier. In one of the freshwater channels we located juvenile Little Grebes.

The harbour buildings held 8 House Martin nests & these gave excellent views below us off the sea wall along with a nice group of low flying Swifts.

A walk around the local area of the River Wensum produced Grey Wagtail, & reasonable views of Cuckoo, plus several Otter scats including the discarded claws from a Signal Crayfish.

28th - 30th May 3 Day Guided Birdwatching in North Norfolk

Another of our advertised May tours - and very successful with 117 species recorded.

Day One 28th May - Mid & North Norfolk

The day started with a hunting Barn Owl, then good views of Cuckoo plus a pair of Grey Wagtails followed shortly by a Spotted Flycatcher, plus Buzzard & Sparrowhawk for the unwary!!!

We then moved on to Holme where we saw 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Barn Owl,1 Sparrowhawk, 1pr kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, on the shoreline there was 60 Sanderling, 1 Brent Goose & 3 Grey Plover. Nearby we located a male Ruddy Duck.

We also recorded Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap all heard with several showing.

A further stop produced 3 singing Corn Bunting.

We then stopped off at Titchwell where we saw a Red-crested Pochard, Bearded Tit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, we heard Cetti's warbler but it didn't want to show! Plus wonderful views of a Bittern flying over.

A stop off on the way back produced wonderful views of male & female Montagu's Harrier complete with a food pass & nearby Tree Sparrow, Turtle Dove & Grey Partridge

Day Two 29th May - North Norfolk

With 2 new persons joining the group, we returned for further great views of both male & female Montagu's Harrier.

We then moved on to Cley & saw a nice mix of commoner waders, plus 1 Temminck's Stint, Common Sandpiper, 30 Sandwich tern & 10 Common Tern. Plus great views of Marsh Harrier & Bearded Tit, lots of Black-tailed Godwit.

We had an early evening meal before searching out Woodcock, & a pair of Tawny Owl. We finished the evening with 3 Nightjars churring & showing quite well overhead

Day Three 30th May - South Norfolk

Today we headed off early at 6.30am towards Lakenheath Fen, the first section of the reserve as normal heaved with Whitethroat, Reed & Sedge Warbler.

We set out for a long wait & vigil for Golden Oriole & were rewarded at 0800am when a male Golden Oriole showed well perching in the trees for around a minute & then showing again briefly.

We did see Marsh Harriers everywhere & heard 2 Bitterns booming, but much fewer Hobby - 4+ hunting Hobbies in the air together.

After lunch we headed into the Brecks & were rewarded with great views of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, a family of Stonechat & 2 Stone Curlew. We had just 1 Crossbill flying over.

30th May evening & 31st May - Tailored tour for Teenagers & Parents South & Mid Norfolk

This was a tailored tour for two teenagers & their parents whom wanted to see Owls & Nightjars plus the Brackland specialities

We had a wonderful first evening with good views of Little & Tawny owl plus great Nightjar activity with birds showing overhead & churring.

We headed off early again! Destined for Lakenheath Fen, the first section of the reserve as per usual provided Whitethroat, Reed & Sedge Warbler.

The weather conditions were poor, cold & windy & held out little hope of seeing the Orioles, however incredibly a male Golden Oriole & showed really well perching in the trees with everyone managing great scope views - I couldn't believe it but was really chuffed for the young lads!

We saw plenty of Marsh Harriers, brief views of Bearded Tit & heard 2 Bitterns booming, but much fewer Hobby - 4+ hunting Hobbies in the air together.

Later we headed into the Brecks & had good views of Tree Pipit, Wood Lark, Stonechat & 2 Stone Curlew.