November 9 - 15 Sun - Sat
Group Size: 8
Starting Point: Glasgow
Based: Islay 3 nights, Jura 2 nights, Kintyre 1 night
Walking: Easy
Description :
The sight and sound of flighting geese, mainly Barnacle and White-fronts, is the principle feature of this tour.
Most southerly of the Inner Hebridean islands, Islay is also the most fertile. Heathery uplands in the north and east plane down to extensive farmlands well patterned with small broad-leaved and coniferous woodlands, which in turn give way to saltmarsh, tidal mudflats and sandy beaches around Loch Indaal - a sea loch that bites deep into the island from the south-west.
Raptors abound throughout the island, while over-wintering wildfowl may be counted in tens of thousands. The low-lying arm of moorland and rough pasture known as The Rhinns, located to the west of Loch Indaal, is the main stronghold of Choughs. These features identify Islay as the premier bird-watching island off West Scotland.
The tour includes a visit to Jura which, with its wild expanses of wild moorland, contrasts starkly with its sister island. Jura accommodates the densest Red Deer population in Scotland and is also one of the best islands for finding Otters.
The charming and sparsely populated Kintyre Peninsula is also visited, where large gatherings of divers, Slavonian Grebe, Common and Velvet Scoters are seen in the Sound of Gigha.
Itinerary
Days 1 Sun...09:30 Rendezvous
(10:00 Glasgow Airport): We meet at Glasgow Central Station and travel west, passing Loch Lomond with its mirrored reflections of stunning autumn colour. A one-and-only chance to spot a Magpie or Carrion Crow occurs at this stage! Stops along Lochs Long and Fyne introduce Buzzard, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser and possibly a first Otter to the tour experience.
Reaching the Crinan Canal we visit a hide where Shelduck, Wigeon and Teal are scoped. Visiting Loch Sween a first Dabchick and Goldeneye may show, and Sika Deer are usually seen. Late afternoon we arrive at our rather splendid hotel on Kintyre.
Days 2 & 3 Mon & Tue:
An opening visit to the Sound of Gigha, a shallow passage of water where large numbers of waterfowl gather, produces Slavonian Grebe, Common and Velvet Scoter, and Long-tailed Duck. We then visit the Kilbrannan Sound which consistently presents views of Black-throated Diver, many in breeding plumage. Black Grouse have regularly been seen in moorland en route.
Midday we board the ferry from Kennacraig to Port Askaig (1 hour 45 mins.), seeing a great many Great Northern Divers as we sail out through West Loch Tarbert. From Islay we immediately make the short crossing to Jura and spend the remainder of the afternoon looking for Otters near our hotel by Craighouse Bay.
A full day on Jura is mainly devoted to finding Otters, with good easy walks along shorelines. We shall also take walks along wooded tracks towards the north of the island, where Bullfinch, Woodcock and Tawny Owl (late afternoon) may be seen, and visit open moorland to enjoy a taste of the island's wildest areas.
Days 4 - 6 Wed - Fri:
Mid-morning we take the short ferry crossing to Islay, first stopping at Finlaggan - location of an early seat of the 'Lords of the Isles'. A woollen mill is then visited, interesting for the tweeds produced and for the Dipper frequenting the neighbouring river. An opening search is then made for Chough, often seen foraging is stubble fields in the company of Ravens and Rock Doves. Towards late afternoon we shall head for Loch Gruinart to await the flighting of over 10,000 Barnacle and White-fronted Geese.
The Rhinns of Islay present further chance of Chough, and Peregrines are often seen hunting - on several tours we witnessed prey being taken. Around Loch Gorm we can expect Hen Harrier and Merlin. A visit to Loch Gruinart observation hide presents close views of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Pintail, plus waders such as Snipe and Black-tailed Godwit.
Excursions take us along Loch Indaal, where Brent Geese add to the list and an array of ducks include Shelduck, Scaup and Goldeneye. Among waders Knot, Dunlin, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank are seen; on shoreline rocks we pick up Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone. Beyond Port Ellen Golden Eagle typically shows, also Red, Fallow and Roe Deer.
Day 7 Sat:
After breakfast we drive to Port Ellen for the return ferry to Kennacraig, arriving midday. We travel directly to Glasgow where the tour finishes mid- afternoon, with transfers provided to transport terminals.
Cost: £825...includes:
Six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; all excursions including transfers to and from transport terminals.