Birding the UK: England & Scotland

Inquire with Chris for future dates

Thurs 2nd Pick-ups from Heathrow/Gatwick Airports. We will then visit one of the heathland sites in Surrey in search of Hobby, Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Stonechat, Tree Pipit and Redstart. Some commoner woodland species will also be present and we should see Chaffinch, Robin, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit. Around the middle of the day we will begin the drive north, pausing near Stokenchurch in Oxfordshire in order look for Red Kite. Most of the rest of the day will be spent driving northwards to north-eastern England. Overnight in NE England.

Fri 3rd This morning we will visit some seabird colonies in search of Shag, Northern Fulmar, Eider, Guillemot, Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake and Rock Pipit. Around the middle of the day we will continue our northward journey and will arrive in Aviemore in the evening. If time permits we will undertake some initial birding in the Aviemore area. Overnight Aviemore.

Sat 4th We will make an early morning visit to Loch Garten where we will hope to see a displaying male Capercaillie. This species is declining in Scotland and our chances of seeing this species will depend upon a displaying male being present at this site. If there is no male here our chances of finding this spectacular species is relatively low. We will also explore the local woodland in search of some Speyside specialities. These include Crested Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskin and the taxonomically controversial Scottish Crossbill. This last species is the subject of ongoing research and may actually be a form of Parrot Crossbill, which also appears to be breeding on Speyside. Later in the day we will visit some moorland in search of Red Grouse, the British subspecies of Willow Ptarmigan. A visit to some birch woodland we should produce Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and other common woodland species. Overnight Aviemore.

Sun 5th Today we will visit the high tops around Cairngorm. Here we will search for Dotterel and Rock Ptarmigan, two specialities of this area. Later we will visit the Findhorn Valley where we will search for Northern Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, European Golden Plover, Lapwing and raptors that may include Sparrowhawk, Northern Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle and Peregrine. A visit to a suitable fast flowing river should produce Dipper and Grey Wagtail. Finally we will visit a loch where Horned Grebe and Twite are regular. Overnight Aviemore.

Mon 6th The morning will be spent searching for any remaining target species on Speyside, before we begin our journey south. Much of the day will be spent in the vehicle, but we will be able to make stops for any interesting birds. In the afternoon we will visit the breckland area of Norfolk where we will hope to find Stone Curlew. Evening in Norfolk

Tues 7th The day will be spent exploring the North Norfolk coast and also the reedbeds of East Norfolk. A variety of passage waders should be present, with Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank all being possible. Scarce migrants such as Wryneck or Bluethroat may also be present and we will search for any interesting new finds. We will visit a site for Golden Pheasant, although they can be difficult to locate, whilst we will also search for Willow Tit. There is a regular Black-winged Stilt at Titchwell and reedbeds are home to Reed & Sedge Warblers and Bearded Tits can be reliably found at this site as well. We will also visit sites where we will hope to find the elusive Bittern, Savi's & Grasshopper Warblers. Overnight in Norfolk.

Weds 8th We will continue searching for remaining target species in East Anglia before continuing on south to Kent in the afternoon. The marshes of North Kent are home to populations of breeding and migrant wildfowl and waders. We will look for Avocet, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper at Elmley RSPB reserve. This reserve also plays host to Grey Partridge, a regular pair of Little Owl and Mediterranean Gull is also possible. Overnight in Kent.

Thurs 9th This morning we will visit the woodlands of East Kent where we will search for remaining woodland species which may include Lesser Spotted and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Jay. Nearby we will visit the wetland habitats at Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry. Here we stand a good chance of finding Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers. Garganey will be present on the shallow floods, while spring passage of waders will be peaking and species such as Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper may all be present. Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat all breed here. Later we will visit Dungeness, a complex of gravel pits, shingle beach and coastal scrub. This is an excellent migrant trap and almost anything can and does turn-up. Offshore there will be flocks of terns, while Little Gull is regular at this time of year. If the winds are favourable, seawatching from the beach could produce Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skuas and with luck Manx Shearwater. Migrant waders will be passing through as elsewhere in Kent and scarcer species such as Kentish Plover or Temminck's Stint are possible. Farmland species such as Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Skylark, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting also occur here. Later in the day we will visit a site which regularly plays host to breeding Firecrest. The trip will conclude with an evening visit to look for Woodcock and the newly arrived Nightjar. Overnight in Kent.

Fri 10th Transfer to airport for flights home.

This itinerary is a guide to what we will do. However, it may be altered to take account of weather conditions (e.g. when visiting the mountain tops around Aviemore) and any up to date information about recent sightings and arrivals.