April 5 – 11 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 8
Starting Point: Perth
Based: Pitlochry 3 nights, Ballater 3 nights
Walking: Easy
Description :
This extremely diverse and attractive region of Scotland features a wide range of environments, from sea cliffs and large estuaries to high mountains and large lochs. In some respects it may be regarded as a merging zone between north and south. Large well-managed estates proliferate throughout the area, where heather moorland is preserved and forests are often permitted to attain a state of maturity usually denied to commecial plantations.
In arable areas many overwintering geese are still present; estuaries contain gatherings of Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoters and other wildfowl; in moorland there are thriving populations of Red Grouse and Blue Hares, also Black Grouse; upland lochs host Black-throated and Red-throated Divers, while smaller bodies of water attract nesting Black-necked Grebes and waterfowl typical of the lowlands.
Raptors are well represented, including Golden Eagle, Osprey, Hen Harrier and Merlin; among an attractive array of small passerines we see Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Hawfinch and Common Crossbill.
The overall bird tally should be one of the highest for the season, while mammals include Red Squirrel, Red, Roe and Fallow Deer.
From our base in Pitlochry we travel to Lochs Rannoch and Kinnordy, Glens Tilt and Isla, and the grounds of Scone Palace; from Deeside we visit Loch of Strathbeg and the Ythan Estuary in the north, plus locations along the river Dee including Balmoral Estate. Our final day's travel takes us through Speyside.
Itinerary
Days 1 – 3 Sat - Mon...09:30 Rendezvous:
Starting with a visit to Scone Palace by Perth the tour is primed with Hawfinches and Stock Doves. The nearby Inner Tay Estuary is checked for migratory wildfowl and waders - grey geese, Goldeneye, Shelduck, Bar-tailed Godwit and Greenshank among others. Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Reed Bunting breed in the expansive reed beds and Tree Sparrows are locally common. Loch of Kinnordy is a body of nutrient-rich water where Black-necked Grebes are of primary interest. Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Pochard breed, and a Black-headed Gull colony numbers 7,000 pairs.
Red-throated Divers. Whooper Swans may also be present; Redpoll, Siskin, Bullfinch and Common Crossbill are be seen in surrounding deciduous woodlands and forestry plantations. Moorland habitats often produce a hunting Hen Harrier or Peregrine, with flocks of Golden Plovers, Lapwings and migrant Redwings and Fieldfares in the lower fields.
A high-level moorland excursion above Loch Tay takes us into Red Grouse and Blue Hare habitat, with Black Grouse (possibly lekking) showing along the ascending route. We often see a Red Squirrel in this area. Glen Tilt is one of the most scenic glens in Scotland, where we look for Golden Eagle, Raven and Ring Ouzel, also the handsome Purple Saxifrage.
Days 4 - 6 Tue - Thu:
Transfer to our next base passes through Glenshee, where Ptarmigan is occasionally spotted from the ski centre.
Loch of Strathbeg, north of Aberdeen, is an outstanding wildfowl site regularly attracting Smew and rarities. The nearby Ythan Estuary presents Long-tailed Duck, Velvet and Common Scoters, also King Eider on a regular basis. Merlin and Short-eared Owl hunt surounding dunes.
On Deeside there is further chance of Osprey, plus Scottish Crossbill. Dipper and Grey Wagtail frequent the river and, up spur glens, we are again in Golden Eagle country.
Day 7 Fri:
Speyside is visited to look for Crested Tit and Red Squirrel, en route to Perth where the tour finishes late-afternoon.
Cost: £790...includes:
six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; lunches; all excursions including transfers to and from Perth Railway Station.