Birding in the Scottish Highlands, with Peter Roberts

Study Leader - Peter Roberts

Peter Roberts lives in the north of Scotland. A varied, lifelong career has included conservation and wildlife-related work from nature reserve management and teaching wildlife field courses to ornithological survey and research, environmental consultancy, and work for the UK government's Department of the Environment. Wardening the bird-banding station on the ...more

Summary

A fascinating, custom-designed expedition through the Scottish Highlands, led by renowned birding leader Peter Roberts.

The rugged and remote Highlands, comprised of magnificent mountains and glens, jagged coastlines and desolate isles, epitomize Scottish scenery. We will be targeting the more scarce and localized species that only breed in the British Isles in these far northerly areas of Scotland. While we have good chances of seeing Arctic Loon, Greylag and Pinkfooted Goose, Rock Ptarmigan, Crested Tit and Ring Ouzel, we will make valiant efforts to see the Eurasian Capercaillie and Black Grouse (both scarce and declining), and that elusive Eurasian Dotterel. The British subspecies of Willow Ptarmigan known as Red Grouse and the controversial endemic Scottish Crossbill will also be on our radar. Along with familiar raptors as Osprey and Golden Eagle we should see Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red Kite and White-tailed Eagle.

This is also an excellent time of year to view Scotland’s abundant seabirds and we expect to see a plentitude of Northern Gannet, Razorbill, Northern Fulmar, Common Murre, Black Guillemot, and Atlantic Puffin, as well as numerous species of gulls and shorebirds. Other, more widespread, species that we will have the opportunity to see include Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl plus the more common Eurasian Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, and Rook. We should see Great, Eurasian Blue, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Eurasian Treecreeper, Sedge and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Greater Whitethroat, Eurasian Siskin, European Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and much more!

Non-birders will have the opportunity to play a different golf course every day, rejoining the birders at dinner.

Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: USA – INVERNESS
• Day 2: INVERNESS – BEAULY
• Day 3: BLACK ISLE - HIGHLAND STRATHS
• Day 4: STRATHSPEY
• Day 5: WESTER ROSS
• Day 6: HANDA ISLAND
• Day 7: SPEYSIDE
• Day 8: A DAY HELD IN RESERVE
• Day 9: INVERNESS - USA