WINTER CALEDONIA

This is a five day tour to Speyside, the Spey estuary and Loch Lomond aiming to see Golden Eagle, Capercaillie, Hen Harrier, Scottish Crossbill, Crested Tit and Ptarmigan.  

 Possible bird list of 110 species. Maximum of 8 persons and two leaders.

Dates: 15th-20th Feb 2008 - Now fully booked! ; 14th-19th Mar 2008; 21-26 Nov 2008

Cost: £599.00 per person.

Friday afternoon arrival in Glasgow. You will be picked up and transferred free of charge to your accommodation. You will be met by the team and given a short presentation on your chosen birding break before enjoying your evening meal in the hotel.

In the morning, we will explore Rob Roy Country. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park has a wonderful wildfowl population with Greenland White fronted, Pink and Greylag Geese. The scenery is absolutley stunning and makes the most atmospheric of backdrops for these wintering geese.

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with a snowcapped Ben Lomond and the Endrick Mouth National Nature Reserve in the foreground.

We will then make the short journey to the Slammannan Plateau to see the only population of Bean Geese in Scotland. For most of the winter the only flock in Britain. We will then drive north into the highlands. Golden Eagles are at their most obvious at this time of year and we will aim to see them soaring over the central highlands. We will take the chance seeing one of central Scotland's special birds, Black Grouse. The region has a healthy  population of this species and every responsible effort will be made to see these extraordinary birds. We will then join Duncan Cameron for a Red Kite radio tracking demonstration. This is a real highlight to the holiday and is most memorable of experiences.

We will then head north through scenic Perthshire stopping at a number of excellent sites for raptors. Later that afternoon we will arrive in glorious Speyside and head for the Insh Marshes RSPB reserve for Whooper Swans and a selection of winter wildfowl and passerines. With the day coming to a close we will head of to the comfort of our highland hotel.

In the morning, we will go for a short walk to look for Crested Tit and other Caledonian pinewood specialities. The Caledonian pine forest is a truly remarkable place and has a rich diversity of both animal and plantlife. Whilst it can be chilly, dawn within the forest is a beautiful experience. With Red Deer and Red Squirrel moving quietly through the ancient pines, it promises to be a memory you will never forget. At this time we hope to see Capercaillie and Scottish Crossbill. The forest is home to all three crossbill species, Common, Scottish and Parrot. We will dedicate as much time as we can to try to ensure that we see these species.

Mid morning we will head to the Cairngorms aiming to see Snow Bunting, Red Grouse and Ptarmigan. With their plumage changed to white, Ptarmigan are quite different in appearance and combined with their croaking call they are a real must see in Speyside.  In summer these species live at arctic altitudes but in winter they often come down the slopes of the mountains. Should you wish to take a walk in this amazing environment, our expert birder and hillwalker will take you on to the hill to see these special birds.

We will be visiting areas within the Rothiemurchus estate in the foothills of the Cairngorms. We will be right up on the tree line and always have a chance of encountering Wildcat and Pine Martin.

The Wild Caledonia team believes that these are unquestionably the best value birding holidays available in Scotland. Put your trust in Wild Caledonia to deliver the experiences, memories and species that you have always wanted. 

We’d love to show you our country, a special place with special wildlife!