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Birdwatching Breaks 2021 Over 30 Years of Guided Tours Destinations

Birdwatching Breaks 2021 Over 30 Years of Guided Tours Destinations

Birdwatching Breaks 2021 Over 30 of guided tours Destinations

BLACK ISLE BIRDING – Scotland ...... and ...... 12 Scotland ...... and Galloway with Northumberland ...... 14 Scotland ...... and Aberdeenshire ...... 16 Scotland ...... Isle of ...... 18 Scotland ...... Mull, Tiree and the Uists ...... 20 Scotland ...... Scottish Highlands Ð spring ...... 25 Scotland ...... Scottish Highlands Ð autumn ...... 23 Scotland ...... Ð autumn ...... 28 Scotland ...... Shetland Ð breeding ...... 30 Scotland ...... Western Isles Ð the Uists, Harris and Lewis ...... 32

AFRICA ...... Birds and Mammals of north-east ...... 34 -Bissau ...... Casamance and Guinea-Bissau ...... 38 ...... Birds of Etosha and the Skeleton Coast ...... 41 ...... Albertine Rift endemics and mammals ...... 44 ...... SE Senegal and Saloum ...... 46 Senegal ...... Birds of the and Saloum Delta ...... 49 Senegal ...... Pelagic birding and birds and the Sahel ...... 53

ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA ...... Breeding birds and migrants ...... 56 Japan ...... Winter birds in the Land of the Rising Sun ...... 59 ...... Autumn migration at and Buryat ...... 62

EUROPE ...... Winter birds of the Black ...... 66 ...... West ...... 68 England ...... Kent and in springtime ...... 71 ...... Champagne-Ardennes at New 2021 ...... 74 France ...... Camargue and ...... 76 ...... Northern Ireland and Donegal ...... 78 ...... Autumn in the ...... 80 ...... Winter birds of the High Arctic ...... 82 ...... Autumn migration at Falsterbo ...... 84 Sweden ...... Lake Hornborga ...... 86

THE ...... Long Point, Algonquin and Carden Alvar ...... 88 Colombia ...... The world’s best birding country ...... 92 Mexico ...... Veracruz, Oaxaca and Sierra Madre ...... 96 Tr inidad and Grenada . . Birds of the southern Caribbean ...... 100

Front cover: , taken near Lake Hornborga, Sweden. Although present in Scotland it is hard to locate. Photo: Kent-Ove Hvass Back cover: Atlantic Puffins Photo: Jo Finn Layout and design www.russellturner.org Printed by Speedprint, Copyright © Breaks 2020

2 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Tour Calendar

January 2021 Colombia ...... The World’s Best Birding Country ...... January 9-23 Senegal ...... South-east Senegal and Saloum ...... January 13-26 Scotland ...... Isle of Islay ...... January 26-30 February Japan ...... Winter birds in the Land of the Rising Sun . . . February 5-20 Senegal ...... Pelagic birds and the Sahel ...... February 27-March 7 March France ...... Camargue and Corsica ...... March 6-14 Sweden ...... Cranes, and ...... March 24-28 Scotland ...... Highlands and Aberdeenshire ...... March 28-April 4 April Norway ...... Winter birds of the High Arctic ...... April 3-9 Scotland ...... Early spring in the Highlands ...... April 18-25 England ...... Kent and Sussex in springtime ...... April 24-30 May Scotland ...... Spring in the Highlands ...... May 1-8 Canada ...... Long Point and Algonquin ...... May 6-15 Scotland ...... Mull, Tiree and the Uists ...... May 9-16 Scotland ...... Caithness and Orkney ...... May 24-30 June Japan ...... Breeding birds and migrants ...... June 1-20 Scotland ...... Breeding birds of Shetland ...... June 12-19 July Namibia ...... Birds of Etosha and Skeleton Coast ...... July 24-August 8 August Siberia ...... Autumn migration in Siberia ...... August 28-September 11 September Scotland ...... Autumn migration ...... September 18-25 Sweden ...... Migration at Falsterbo ...... September 25-October 2 Scotland ...... Western Isles ...... September 26-October 3 October Shetland ...... Autumn in the ...... October 2-9 Mallorca ...... Eleonora’s and migrants ...... October 2-9 England ...... West Cornwall ...... October 9-16 Ireland ...... Northern Ireland and Donegal ...... October 9-17 Senegal ...... Pelagic birds and the Sahel ...... October 23-31 Senegal ...... Casamance and Guinea-Bissau . . . October 31-November 12 November Scotland ...... South-west Scotland and Northumbria . . . . . November 6-13 Tr inidad and Grenada . . Birds of the Caribbean ...... November 20-December 1 December Ethiopia ...... Birds and mammals of Ethiopia ...... December 2-16 France ...... New Year in eastern France ...... December 28-January 2 January 2022 Colombia ...... The World’s Best Birding Country ...... January 8-22 Mexico ...... Veracruz and Yucatan ...... January 8-22 Rwanda ...... Birds of the Albertine Rift ...... January 15-27 February Japan ...... Winter birds in the Land of the Rising Sun . . . February 4-19 Bulgaria ...... Winter birds of Eastern ...... February 12-19 Senegal ...... Sahel and Saloum Delta ...... February 27-March 11

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 3 Welcome to Birdwatching Breaks 2021

A warm welcome to our 2021 brochure of are extreme rarities in Britain. birdwatching holidays, this being our 34th In Africa, we have departures to year of operation. Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, In 2021, we have introduced new tours to Senegal and Rwanda. These destinations interesting countries around the world, all offer you an extremely wide range of of them having had an inspection trip either African birds and mammals from the Sahel by us or our local tour operators. in Senegal to and mammals of In , we have destinations to Japan Rwanda. Rwanda is a small country in both in winter and early summer plus an Central Africa and relatively unexplored for autumn tour to Russian Siberia. For those birds and wildlife. We have tours here who wish to witness the winter wonderland December 2021 and January 2022. In of Japan, we have tours in February 2021 Senegal we have a new tour taking in a and 2022. The country continues to be a pelagic trip off Dakar and the Sahel region popular destination and we have modified along the Senegal River. To the south a the winter tour slightly to visit an area for new tour has been introduced taking in the Japanese Murrelet. I have also introduced unexplored country of Guinea-Bissau and an early summer tour to Japan taking in the the southern part of Senegal, Casamance. Ryuku Islands, Izu Islands and the beauti- Ethiopia is revisited in December 2021 with ful island of . many improvements made in recent years Siberia is repeated in 2021 this stunning- to infrastructure and hotels. A comprehen- ly beautiful region of with equally sive tour taking in the major birding sites of impressive life. Our focus is in early this beautiful country. In our summer autumn on the migration of shorebirds, rap- months we are going back to Namibia to tors, warblers and buntings many of which visit this fascinating desert country for its birds, abundant wildlife and . In The Americas a birding tour to Colombia the world’s best birding country is planned for January 2021 and 2022. In springtime our annual tour to Long Point and Algonquin in the Canadian province of Ontario for a migration spectacle without the crowds who flock to Point Pelee. During the winter of 2021 a wonderful tour to Tr inidad plus a few days in the island state of Grenada is bound to produce a wealth of birds closely associated to the avifauna of . In the same geographical region I am pleased to reintroduce our tour to Mexico which takes in the bird rich areas of Mexico City, Veracruz, Oaxaca and the impressive Sierra Madre mountain range. Closer to home, we have departures to Bulgaria, Corsica, France, Ireland, Mallorca, Norway and Sweden. These countries offer you great birding among spectacular countryside and vistas. Slavonian Photo: Jo Finn Extreme Northern Norway is being offered

4 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Birding on the /Rwanda border Photo: Jo Finn in April a prime time to watch some spec- ern Scotland. We have several other tacular winter birds of the High Arctic. In Scottish tours to Aberdeenshire, Caithness 2021 a week long tour to southern France and Orkney, Islay, Shetland, and an island and the island of Corsica should provide special visiting Mull, Tiree and The Uists. exceptional winter birding and two I firmly believe we offer you the best bird- European endemics. Over the New Year in ing packages in Scotland, with the coun- 2021 a short visit to Champagne-Ardenne try’s top birding guides, along with a friend- in Eastern France for winter birds. I have ly and welcoming service with no hidden reintroduced our tour to Northern Ireland extras. and Donegal in October for late migrants. Further afield in Britain tours have been Falsterbo in Sweden is offered for the spec- added to my old home of Kent and Sussex, tacular migration of birds whilst earlier in autumn in West Cornwall and the northern the year a tour to Central Sweden for the county of Northumbria which is combined migration of cranes plus woodpeckers and with . owls. The team at Birdwatching Breaks looks 2021 sees the 16th year of forward to welcoming you on one of our Birding which covers all our holidays oper- tours. ating in Scotland and Britain. This sector Finally, my thanks go to Simon Papps for has grown significantly over the last few proof-reading our 2021 brochure and for years and we are pleased to say that we the layout and design Russell Turner. have a growing reputation as one of Scotland’s premier birding companies. Jo Mark Finn and I operate our popular “holiday at home” Birdwatching Breaks programme based at Cygnus House. Its Cygnus House location, overlooking the Gordons Mill, Balblair and set in two acres of wildlife habitat, Black Isle, Ross-shire IV7 8LQ makes it is an ideal base for visiting north- Scotland

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 5 Birdwatching Breaks Leaders

Mark Finn lives on the Black Isle in Scotland and is the principal leader of Birdwatching Breaks, having formed the company in May 1987. In 2005, Mark set up Black Isle Birding for tours based in Scotland. Mark originally trained in hotel management and catering before pursuing careers in the Merchant Navy, industrial catering and, finally, as a sales representative. He has trav- elled widely in search of birds both whilst leading trips and on reconnaissance trips for future tours. His travels have taken him to a wide variety of destina- tions around the world. Mark is also a member of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club. In between leading tours, Mark deals with the administration work of Birdwatching Breaks. He has a keen interest in sport, particularly cricket and soccer, and enjoys wine and good food.

Phil Beraet lives in Ramsgate, Kent. He is a very experienced birder with excellent knowledge of his home county of Kent and neighbouring Sussex. After working in the civil service for several years he then became involved at Dungeness RSPB reserve and the nearby bird observatory. In his spare time Phil visits Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory where he helps out with survey work and the ringing of migratory birds. Phil has an easy-going nature and a wealth of knowledge regarding all things natural and is thus a welcome addi- tion to the team.

Harriet Kemishiga lives in Kampala, Uganda. She is Uganda’s only female bird guide and one of the directors of Harrier Tours. Her passion for wildlife and birds started when she was a little girl growing up with her grandfather at the edge of Kibale National Park. Harriet has guided countless birding trips in Uganda and Rwanda since 2003. She also works for the avian vocalisation centre, specialising in capturing the sounds of rare which have not been previously recorded for science. Harriet is one of the best birding guides in Africa today, with an incredible knowledge of birds and bird sounds within her native Uganda.

Anders Faugstad Mæland lives in central Norway and has been a birder from a young age. Anders has established himself as a professional guide in Norway and taken part in a wide variety of ornithological surveys and biodi- versity projects. He was the main ringer and migration counter at Jomfruland bird observatory from 1997Ð2011 before setting up Birdwatching Norway. Anders has an intimate knowledge of his native Norway and its abundant wildlife, especially in the far north of the country.

Igor Fefelov lives in Irkutsk, Siberia. He is a skilled bird guide and natural- ist, having written several papers on the and swifts which occur around Lake Baikal. Igor has an interest in anything concerning the natural world. His ability, professionalism and personality are second to none, making him an ideal guide for Birdwatching Breaks in this huge area of Russia.

6 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Kent Ove Hvass lives and works in Skovde in central Sweden. For many years he has worked in education, however his main passion is for the birds that reside on and around Lake Hornborga, where he spents much of his time studying owls, woodpeckers and the annual migration of cranes.

Assen Ignatov is one of the most experienced birdwatching and wildlife guides in Bulgaria. He has an MSc in Biology from the University of Sofia and currently works at the National Natural History Museum. Assen is an excellent wildlife artist with many painting and drawings published in books, calendars and elsewhere. He leads birdwatching, wildlife, and tours.

Simon MacLaughlin lives near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands and is currently a warden for the RSPB. He has worked in conservation for many years and has a vast knowledge of forestry and the wildlife than occurs within it. Simon has a passion for birds and is exceptionally good with people, con- veying his enthusiasm for wildlife. He is a welcome addition to the Birdwatching Breaks team.

Kiwako Minami lives in Sapporo on Hokkaido, the most northerly of the main Japanese islands. Kiwa, as she is fondly known, is just starting out on her birding career. Among her many strengths are her outstanding understanding of the and the humour associated with it. Kiwa is an essen- tial part of our Japan tours, making sure that everything runs to perfection and ensuring guests gain a fascinating insight into Japanese life.

Ass Ndiaye lives in Dakar, Senegal. He has worked with Birdwatching Breaks since we initiated tours to Senegal in the mid-1990s. Ass is a skilled birder with a happy knack of locating unusual birds; he has a particularly good eye for rap- tors and owls. Ass lives with his wife and young son and is an avid follower of football, particularly the English Premier League.

Simon Papps lives in Waltham Abbey, Essex. Simon is a vastly experienced birder having travelled to more than 50 countries in pursuit of birds. He was for- merly sub-editor at Birdwatch magazine, the highly respected monthly publi- cation for birders. Currently, he works as publisher for natural history books at New Holland Publishers based in . Away from birding, Simon enjoys all sports, but particularly kayaking, running, mountain biking and football.

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 7 Holidays with Birdwatching Breaks

Our holidays are friendly, exciting and run active at dawn, hence we start birding at by professional guides with a passion for this time. We usually arrange coffee or tea birding and natural history. Our guides have before going out and come back mid-morn- a background from bodies like the RSPB or ing for brunch. In countries with a hot cli- other conservation organisations. On over- mate we take a siesta in the middle of the tours we use local ornithologists who day or travel between sites. We return to are highly experienced in the country they birding late afternoon when bird activity operate and work in. Our groups are based starts again. To balance early starts we try on a maximum ratio of seven clients to one to return earlier in the evening. Before din- leader. ner, we have drinks and go through the All tours have inspection trips before we daily log of birds observed. offer them to our clients We cater for all abilities of birders from Where to stay beginners to those with more experience, including clients who wish to visit more We endeavour to stay in hotels, lodges and adventurous countries around the globe in homes as close as possible to areas their quest for birds. Our tours range from of birding interest. Wherever possible, we tours in Europe to weeks in Scotland and stay in accommodation reflecting the char- the and Ireland. Generally acter and atmosphere of the country we speaking, African and Asian tours are up to are visiting rather than ’standard type’ 18 days and those to the Americas and the hotels. Rooms have private facilities unless Caribbean of 10-15 days duration. To par- otherwise stated. In some locations without ticipate in our tours you need to have a rea- a tourist infrastructure, facilities may be sonable degree of fitness for the tour you shared or, in areas without permanent select. If you wish to know more about a accommodation, a chemical toilet and bush tour we have bird lists and tour reports or, shower are used. Hotels around the world in the case of inspection trips, a general are phasing out single rooms and accom- information package.You can access these modating clients in double/twin rooms. This by visiting www.birdwatchingbreaks.com or has, in effect, pushed up the price of a sin- simply contact us by phone or email. On gle room quite considerably. If you are a booking your Birdwatching Breaks holiday single traveller, please consider sharing a we send you all the relevant information room. If you have ticked twin-bedded room including flight details, accommodation list- on your holiday booking form but we are ings, what to take with you, health and visa unable to find you a suitable roommate, a regulations, titles of field guides and where single-room supplement will apply. Food is to obtain them. important to our clients and is on a half- board basis of breakfast and evening meal A typical day with with a packed lunch in the field. We try to Birdwatching Breaks ensure food is based upon the cuisine of the country we are visiting. On occasions Naturally we spend most of our time in the where half-board is not available, you can field but this does vary on each tour. In tem- choose from a la carte menus. If this is the perate climates we generally have break- case, we make an allowance of £25 per fast early and take a packed lunch with us person for evening meals. for the day. Returning in the evening, we try to allow you at least one hour before dinner What the tour price includes to shower and freshen up. In Africa, parts of Asia and the Americas, birds are most Tour prices are fully inclusive of accommo-

8 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Kruper’s Photo: Jo Finn dation, meals, guidance, entry permits into same flight. On departure, flight times reserves, tips and taxes. Not included in should be after or at the same time as the your tour price are air fares, which are group. Birdwatching Breaks are not respon- quoted separately with our best estimate of sible for your own flight arrangements and the fare. Also not included are credit card you must ensure you have adequate travel and baggage charges (where applicable), insurance in place to cover your flights. drinks, laundry and telephone bills, visa fees, travel insurance, items of a personal Flying from regional airports nature and any relevant fuel surcharges. On some occasions flights from regional Flights airports and those which connect with the London hubs cost more than Because of fluctuating fuel prices it is London/London flights. Whilst we are becoming very difficult to obtain accurate happy to arrange these for you, where pos- quotes for airfares. Tour prices are broken sible, the additional charge will be passed down into two elements Ð the basic cost of on to you. the tour, which includes everything except the cost of the international and internal Your money paid to flights, and secondly our best estimate of Birdwatching Breaks the air fares when the tour was costed. Please advise us if you wish us to book Air holidays and flights in our 2021 your flights. When we send invoices for the brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil tour, we charge you the exact airfare and Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is hope that many of these will be near the 4324. In the unlikely event of our insolven- price currently quoted in our 2021 cy, the CAA ensures you are not stranded brochure. overseas and will arrange to refund you for any monies paid in advance to Arranging your own flights Birdwatching Breaks. Visit the ATOL web- site www.atol.org.uk for further details. You should arrive at least one hour before In accordance with passenger protection the main group or be booked onto the policy for insolvency cover in respect of the

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 9 Package Travel and Linked Travel oped world, require you to have a visa in Regulations 2018, all passengers booking to enter the country. Birdwatching with Birdwatching Breaks are fully protect- Breaks will supply you contact addresses, ed for the initial deposit and subsequently e-mail and phone numbers in order for you the balance of all monies paid to us, includ- to obtain the correct visa. This should be ing repatriation costs arising from cancella- done when you receive your final docu- tion or curtailment of your travel arrange- mentation from us around 12 weeks before ments due to the insolvency of departure. If you are a non-UK national, Birdwatching Breaks. There is no require- British Subject or live overseas, you are ment for Financial Protection of day trips, responsible for obtaining your own visa and none is provided. Consumer aware: from your country of residence. Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. This insurance is only Health valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Birdwatching Breaks If you The majority of tours in Europe do not have booked and/or paid direct to a Travel require compulsory vaccinations when Agent for a holiday with Birdwatching entering from the UK. We do recommend Breaks please request proof of how the that your injections are current for polio, booking is secured as this will not be cov- hepatitis A and tetanus. Travel to Africa, ered by IPP Ltd in this instance. This Asia and parts of the Americas require pro- Insurance has been arranged by tection against yellow fever (if coming from International Passenger Protection Limited an infected country), typhoid, diphtheria and underwritten by Liberty Mutual and tuberculosis. The threat of malaria Insurance Europe SE. For further informa- around the globe also makes a course of tion please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk anti-malaria tablets a necessity for certain CLAIMS PROCEDURE: You must notify destinations. We will advise you in our final IPP as soon as practically possible, giving documentation of the health requirements full details of what has happened and quot- you need to enter the country. We would ing the name of your Travel Operator: IPP also recommend you consult your Claims at Cunningham Lindsey, Oakleigh doctor/surgery to confirm the current House 14-15 Park Place Cardiff CF10 requirements. 3DQ, United Kingdom. Telephone: 0345 266 1872 Email: Insolvency-claims@ Travel insurance ipplondon.co.uk or online at www.ipp london.co.uk/claims.asp It is a legal requirement that you have ade- quate travel insurance. On your booking Credit cards form we require proof of travel insurance before we process the final documentation. We accept most major credit cards with the Insurance covers and protects you whilst exception of American Express. Credit card on tour and also if you have to cancel prior payment is ideal for late bookings and air- to holiday commencement through illness line seats which we have to secure quickly or accident. If you are over 65 (in some if departure is imminent. cases 70) you are subject to additional insurance premiums. Passports and visas Foreign Office advice You must be in possession of a current passport with a minimum of 6 months to The Foreign Office advice website is at run after your chosen holiday has ended. If www.fco.gov.uk Generally speaking this is you are applying for a new passport, the good, sound advice but on occasion it may quickest and most efficient process is be inaccurate or harsh in its message. If through your local high street post office. you cancel through advice from the Foreign This process, in some cases, may take up Office, your insurers may not cover the to 8 weeks. With regards to visas many claim of your cancellation with Birdwatch- countries, particularly in the underdevel- ing Breaks.

10 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Black Isle Birding – birding holidays in Scotland

Welcome to Black Isle Birding, one of Scotland’s premier birding companies spe- cialising in the Scottish Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Mull, Tiree, Islay, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. We offer you the following services: ■ Accommodation at Cygnus House on a full-board basis using locally produced Pine Martens at Cygnus House meat, and vegetables. Complimentary drinks and wine at the table variety of habitats including rough grass- ■ Excellent location on the Black Isle over- land, saltmarsh, , farm land, estu- looking the and Udale Bay arine mud and river and eco-friendly gar- ■ No single room supplement at Cygnus dens. This combination of habitats ensures House a healthy birdlife throughout the year. In the ■ Wi-fi access in all rooms garden and adjacent area we have record- ■ Visits to areas of the extreme north and ed over 155 species of bird to date, with the islands for birds and other wildlife most unusual species being Snow and ■ Complimentary travel by 9-seat minibus White-fronted Geese, American with individual seats and seatbelts Wigeon, Eurasian , Common , ■ Small group size with one leader Glaucous and Little , Pomarine , ■ One of Scotland’s top birding guides with Red-rumped , Blue-headed up-to-date knowledge of where to find and Wagtail, Marsh Warbler, and the show you the country’s birds Northern races of Eurasian Bullfinch and ■ Complimentary pick-up from Inverness Lesser Redpoll. From early April until the Airport or Inverness railway station. end of September, Ospreys regularly Flights to Inverness are available from over the house to fish in the Cromarty Firth. Amsterdam, Bergen, Belfast, Birmingham, Numerous bird feeders attract a variety of Bristol, , London Heathrow, London species throughout the year including Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester. If Great Spotted , Tree Sparrow, using Logan Air, many flights are via , tits, , Reed Manchester to Inverness. and . The winter Day trips, private tours and RSPB months bring , , groups are also catered for. Please con- and Mistle . Mammals using the gar- tact us for details. den on a regular basis include Pine Cygnus House, our base, is situated on Marten, Badger and Roe the Black Isle, north of Inverness, the capi- Our base is ideally situated for visiting tal of the Highlands. Inverness has good the remote and beautiful counties of air, and road connections with the rest Caithness and , Wester and of Britain and Ireland. When we collect you , Speyside, Firth coast from the airport or railway station, we make and the mountains and forests of the short journey across the Kessock Cairngorm and Speyside. Bridge and onto the rolling farmland and Our Scottish programme also includes forests of the Black Isle to Cygnus House. tours to Mull, Tiree and the Uists, This gives you a feel of the area and Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Dumfries and scenery and the idyllic surroundings where Galloway, Islay, Orkney and Shetland, we live. Our home is located next to Udale many of which can be combined with your Bay RSPB reserve and is surrounded by a stay at Cygnus House.

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 11 Caithness and Orkney Birding at the top end of Scotland This is a new tour visiting the north-easterly corner of mainland Scotland and the nearby Orkney Islands. Caithness is relatively unknown for birds but it has several important sites in a small area. Just across the Pentland Firth are the Orkney Islands with their colonies and important populations of breeding species. Please note you should stay in Inverness on the nights of May 23rd and May 30th.

Day 1: This morning we head north along the A9 towards Thurso the largest town in Dates Caithness. We have an afternoon ferry to Monday May 24th Ð Sunday May Orkney with a good selection of ; 30th 2021 , Manx Shearwater, four Leader: Simon McLaughlin species of and the possibility of Group Size: 7 migrant Pomarine and Long-tailed if Birds: 120-140 the winds are favourable. On arrival in Stromness we transfer to , the main town on Orkney, for a four-night stay. holds little in the way of population. Our interest is in the moorland birds which Day 2: Today we start our exploration of come to breed in the northern part of the Mainland with a visit to the old red sand- island including substantial numbers of stone cliffs of Marwick Head. During May Great and Arctic Skuas. Other species the cliffs are home to Black-legged include European Golden , Dunlin, , Common Guillemot, , Eurasian , and and Northern Raven. The . A visit to the towering cliffs of St RSPB reserve is close by and John’s Head is productive for auks includ- breeding here include Northern ing plus Peregrine Pintail, Eurasian Wigeon and Northern and on occasion White-tailed . Shoveler. Also present in the marsh are Arctic , and dis- Day 4: A check of Kirkwall Harbour for any playing . In the afternoon lingering and Glaucous Gulls we make a visit to Moors, which is before heading into East Mainland. Deer an important area for , , Sound is an important area holding Great Short-eared and Red-throated Diver. Northern Diver and seaducks during mid- May. On the foreshore we should find Day 3: Today we visit the island of migrant waders including Sanderling and which is fairly mountainous in nature and Ruddy . Our journey continues south to and Burray which are linked by the famous Churchill Barriers. This is a good area for lingering Black-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe. If the winds have been southerly or easter- ly in nature migrants may be located. In recent years sightings have included Common , Woodchat , Bluethroat, Pied Flycatcher and Common .

Northern Fulmar Photo: Jo Finn Day 5: Head to Stromness for the ferry

12 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Caithness and Orkney

Whimbrel Photo: Jo Finn back to Scrabster. On arrival we can check Balnakiel often have lingering Barnacle the harbour for Common Eider, Black and Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Guillemot and possibly Iceland . We fol- Swans. Rarities and scarcities occur on a low the coast, stopping at Dunnet Bay, a regular basis at with Ring-necked regular haunt of divers, Long-tailed , Duck, , Wood , , Great and Arctic Skuas , Western Yellow Wagtail and and . St John’s Pool is a pro- Red-breasted Goose seen in recent years. ductive area for birds, attracting Arctic and Return to Thurso via Bettyhill, where the Common , Whimbrel and scarce fields often hold and Twite. breeding ducks of northern Scotland including and Northern Shoveler. Day 7: We check areas in and around Unusual species on recent visits have Thurso before making our way south to included Garganey, Lesser Scaup and Inverness. Along the way we make stops at Ring-necked Duck. Later we travel to Brora, where the estuary attracts unusual Broubster Leans, located in the flow coun- birds in late spring notably . Loch try of Caithness where we should Fleet is further south with nesting Ospreys encounter Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, and a wide selection of waders and wild- and Dunlin. . The tour concludes in Inverness later Transfer to Thurso for two nights. in the day.

Day 6: A change of direction today as we Prices cross the county boundary of Caithness into Sutherland which is a large and Tour Price: £1,995 sparsely populated area of Britain. Our first Single room: £100 stop is the Hope Valley a reliable area for Deposit: £200 , , Eurasian and in some summers This holiday is fully inclusive of Redwing and Brambling. The marshy areas accommodation and meals, around Loch Hope often have Whooper complimentary transport and any Swan. On the beach at Durness, the most boat fees. north-westerly village in mainland Britain, migrant Bar-tailed and Sanderling Not included: Drinks, insurance and are joined by Sandwich and Arctic Terns. items of a personal nature. Slightly inland the water meadows of

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 13 Dumfries and Galloway with Northumberland Winter birding in and around the Borders Black Isle Birding and Birdwatching Breaks are offering you a unique combination of early winter birding in Northumberland and the south-west region of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. Your tour is timed to coincide with the arrival of wintering birds to these regions, which can be varied and exciting and often turns up rarities. The tour starts and finishes in , which has excellent travel connections with the rest of the UK. Clients should arrive in Edinburgh on the evening of November 5th.

Day 1: From Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, we travel south to the border Dates town of Berwick-upon-Tweed which is situ- Saturday November 6th Ð Saturday ated in Northumberland. Our main interest November 13th 2021 is the River Tweed and adjacent . Leader: Simon McLaughlin The river is an important area for Mute, Group Size: 8 Whooper and on occasions Bewick’s Birds: 110-130 Swans, plus concentrations of and Common Merganser. Any exposed areas of mud may yield views of footed and Greylag Geese and in some the commoner waders at Yarrow Slake and years Greater White-fronted Goose and a chance of wintering . Transfer Northern . Further south we visit to Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is our base the picturesque village of Bamburgh with for three nights. its dominating castle. The coast here is attractive to wintering Black-throated and Days 2-3: Our destination today is Red-throated Divers, Slavonian and Red- Lindisfarne, an island situated just off the necked , Common and Velvet Northumberland coast and reached by Scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, causeway. We have to time our visit with Common Guillemot, Razorbill and if the the tidal conditions as the island gets ’cut winds are onshore Little . Rocky areas off’ at high tide. The area is internationally can be productive for Purple Sandpiper, important for Pale-bellied Brent Goose, , Grey Plover, Sanderling Eurasian Wigeon, Red Knot, European and Red Knot. In recent years rarities and Golden Plover and Bar-tailed . In scarcities which have occurred at this time deeper waters we have good chances of of the year have included Long-billed locating Common Eider, Long-tailed Duck , Glaucous and Iceland Gulls and and Common Scoter. The island has in irruption years. stands of bushes, and cover which attract migrant Redwing, Fieldfare and Day 4: This morning our travels take us maybe a late . In recent years westwards into Dumfries and Galloway, a the area has had late migrants including remote and sparsely populated area of and . The south-west Scotland. En route a visit to The sand dunes and open fields often have Hirsel is planned. This large estate close to Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Coldstream has commoner waterbirds on , especially if the winds the lakes, whilst the surrounding extensive are easterly. On another day we head to woodland holds Green and Great Spotted Budle Bay, a huge expanse of tidal mud Woodpeckers, , tits and shore which attracts Barnacle, Pink- including Marsh, and on occasions

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European Stonechat Photo: Simon Papps Hawfinch. Transfer to Dumfries, which is important wintering area which we will visit our base for four nights. during our stay. is close to . This large sea loch, with a shin- Days 5-7: Caerlaverock is one of gle spur and patches of exposed mud at Scotland’s most famous reserves and low tide, is an important wintering ground attracts thousands of birds during the win- for Great Northern, Black-throated and ter months. A combination of grassland, Red-throated Divers, Red-necked and hedges and coastal habitats combined with Slavonian Grebes and Greater Scaup. At several hides makes it an ideal winter des- the , south of Stranraer, tination. In early November most wintering farmland attracts Common Stonechat, birds will have arrived, including thousands Twite and small numbers of . of Barnacle Geese and lesser numbers of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese. Wildfowl Day 8: Depart from Dumfries, where the can be numerous with important popula- river attracts Common and Red-breasted tions of , Northern Shoveler Mergansers and White-throated . and Eurasian Wigeon. Vagrant ducks from Transfer to Edinburgh, where the tour con- North America occur on a regular basis cludes mid-afternoon. with recent visits recording American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Ring- necked Duck. As dusk falls we should Prices encounter Short-eared Owl, Western and falcons including Peregrine and Tour Price: £1,495 Merlin. On one morning we make a visit to Single Room: No Charge Loch Ken, a habitat of woodland, fen, Deposit: £150 marshes and open water. In the forest habi- tats we may find Willow , Great Spotted This holiday is fully inclusive of Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch and the accommodation, meals and commoner woodland birds. Damper areas complimentary transport. around the loch lure , Common Snipe, and in some win- Not included: Drinks, insurance and ters small numbers of Greenland White- items of a personal nature. fronted Geese. Mersehead is another

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 15 Scotland Late winter birds of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire The wild and dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the adjacent North Sea and Atlantic Ocean coasts offer some of the finest late-winter birding in Britain. You are visiting at the optimum time for concentrations of divers, seaducks, geese and other wildfowl along the coast and inland lochs. In the forests and glens we have a chance of observing Western Capercaillie, Black and birds of prey. On beaches and exposed headlands we can expect flocks of waders, and buntings. Aberdeenshire is one of the largest counties of Scotland, situated in the north-east of the country. It has an extremely long coastline bordering the North Sea, and several headlands which attracting migrants. The tour takes in some of Scotland’s most important bird areas including , Rattray Head and the Ythan Estuary. Travel arrangements should be into Inverness (March 27th) and out of Aberdeen (April 4th).

Day 1: Arrive at Cygnus House situated on the eastern half of the Black Isle, overlook- Dates ing the RSPB reserve of Udale Bay, for a Sunday March 28th Ð Sunday April four-night stay. Feeders in the garden are 4th 2021 well stocked, attracting Eurasian Tree Leader: Mark Finn Sparrow, Eurasian Siskin, Brambling and Group Size: 7 other common garden birds. The lower gar- Birds: 120-135 den regularly has , , Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Further inland, on the exten- journey, Loch Eye is an important roosting sive farmland of the Black Isle, we should site for Greylag and Pink-footed Geese and encounter , and as dusk falls we Whooper Swan. have a chance of observing Western Barn Owl. Mammals at Cygnus House include Day 3: This morning we travel south into Pine Marten and Badger, both of which Speyside and . Species of occur on a regular basis. interest include Common, Scottish and Crossbills and Crested and Coal Day 2: Udale Bay, situated in the Cromarty Tits. With luck we may encounter the rare Firth, is literally on our doorstep and is an and declining Western Capercaillie along exceptional area for birds. The deeper- forest trails. Later in the day we head water sections have Red-throated Diver, towards the Cairngorm Mountains where Slavonian Grebe, Red-breasted we have a chance of locating Red Grouse, Merganser, Greater Scaup and Black Rock Ptarmigan and parties of Snow Guillemot. The new reserve at Buntings at low levels. Early migrants often attracts thousands of geese and shorebirds appear around the lower car park, including including Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Ring Ouzel and Northern . Curlew, Red Knot, Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwit. Tarbat Ness is a long spit of land Day 4: Early morning visit to for jutting into the North Sea. Fields here lekking followed by visits to attract geese, swans, finches and buntings, Gruinart Bay and Little in plus predatory and . Travelling through the coun- Merlin. Off the coast we should see divers, tryside, we pass fast-flowing rivers and dra- seaducks, auks and gulls. On our return matic mountain ranges to reach the heavi-

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scrub lure Short-eared Owl, Merlin and Peregrine Falcon. Recent rarities and scarcities have included Garganey, Eurasian Spoonbill, , Little Gull, Green-winged Teal and Common Crane.

Day 7: Today we visit the Ythan Estuary and Sands of Forvie, an interesting tidal area of mud flats, beaches, sand dunes and moor. Ythan is an important staging point for ducks including Common Goldeneye and Long-tailed Duck, and in recent years it has been reliable for King Eiders. The commoner waders occur in roosts along the river. Offshore waters have Red-throated Diver, Greater Scaup and Purple Sandpiper Photo: Anders Mæland Common and Velvet Scoters. In the after- noon a visit to the and ly indented coastline of Wester Ross. An of Haddo Country Park is planned to island in Gruinart Bay may have White- search for and tailed . We have excellent chances variable numbers of Brambling and of locating Red-throated, Black-throated Eurasian Siskin. Aberdeenshire often has and Great Northern Divers. Other species parties of northbound Bohemian present include Barnacle Goose, Common in late winter. If time permits, we revisit Eider, Golden Eagle, Common Guillemot Loch of Strathbeg for the spectacle of and Razorbill. are few but may roosting geese and swans. include Lesser Redpoll and Twite. Day 8: Return to Aberdeen, visiting Black Day 5: Today we head south-east towards Dog en route. Extensive sandy beaches Aberdeen via the coastal town of Portsoy, border the North Sea. Offshore we should which is a reliable staging post for White- find Common Eider and Common and billed Divers. Girdle Ness, an exposed Velvet Scoter, plus the occasional Surf promontory jutting into the North Sea, Scoter. Transfer to Aberdeen airport for attracts Great Northern Diver, early afternoon connections to the rest of and possibly returning Sandwich Terns. As Britain. we head north we stop at the River Don for waders, with and Black-tailed Godwit Prices being possible in late March. Travel to Peterhead for a three-night stay. Tour Price: £1,595 Single room: No charge Day 6: Rattray Head has a good reputa- Deposit: £150 tion for attracting migrants among the net- tles and docks. Regular visitors include This holiday is fully inclusive of Redwing, Fieldfare, accommodation, meals, and , while the beach attracts complimentary pre-dinner drinks and Snow Bunting and on occasions Horned wine at Cygnus House, . Nearby is Loch of Strathbeg Ð one of complimentary transport and any the premier RSPB reserves in Scotland for boat fees. wildfowl and waders. We should see Whooper Swan, ducks and Pink-footed and Not included: flights, insurance and Greylag Geese. Barnacle and Greenland items of a personal nature. Drinks in White-fronted Geese are also regular while hotels at Peterhead. Entry into RSPB there are occasional sightings of Snow and reserves if you are not a member. Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Marshes and

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 17 Isle of Islay New Year in the Inner The island of Islay is located in the large and spectacular region of and Bute. Islay is one of the largest islands in the Inner Hebrides chain and is literally just to the north-east of Ireland. The mild climate attracts thousands of wintering geese, mainly Barnacle and the distinctive Greenland race of Greater White- fronted Goose, to the fields and moors. Islay is almost split into two by a large sea loch Ð Loch Indaal. This in turn is an important wintering area for divers, grebes, seaduck and waders, which are attracted by the mild winter climate. Please note you should arrive in on the nights of December 29th 2020/January 25th 2021 as departure is early the next day.

Day 1: This morning we travel to Argyll and Bute from Glasgow, following the shore Dates of spectacular Loch Lomond. Our journey TOUR A: Wednesday December 30th takes us through increasingly beautiful 2020 Ð Monday January 4th 2021 scenery to Lochgilphead and eventually to TOUR B: Tuesday January 26th Ð the ferry terminus at Kennacraig. The ferry Saturday January 30th 2021 crossing offers us Great Northern, Red- Leaders: Mark Finn (A) and Simon throated and Black-throated Divers, McLaughlin (B) Northern Gannet, Common Guillemot and Group size: 8 Razorbill. On arrival at Port Askaig or Port Birds: 90-115 Ellen we make the journey to our accom- modation at Bowmore, which is ideally situ- ated for exploring the island and offers Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail. views towards Loch Indaal. The drier islands attract wintering Common Snipe and the uncommon Water Rail. The Days 2-4 (5): Islay has many places in surrounding dykes and damper areas are which to observe birds in a wide variety of good for Western Barn Owl and Eurasian habitats. , situated at the Woodcock at dusk, along with the specta- head of a sea loch amidst low-lying hills cle of huge flocks of geese coming in to and moorland, is famous for Greenland roost. White-fronted and Barnacle Geese. Careful Ardnave Point, a remote peninsula, juts scanning of the goose flocks may reveal out towards Colonsay. The loch often has annual but rare visitors in the form of Whooper Swans, Common Goldeneye, Cackling and Snow Geese from Greenland Tufted Duck and, occasionally, vagrant and Canada. The presence of thousands of Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck. geese attracts good numbers of raptors, The machair at Ardnave has Red-billed including Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Hen and Twite, while Snow Buntings Harrier and, on occasions, Golden Eagle. forage along the sandy shoreline. The reserve has areas that flood and draw Loch Indaal, a large sea loch with mud in wildfowl and waders, which usually flats, beaches, rocky promontories and include flocks of Northern Lapwing, several piers, almost severs Islay in two. European Golden Plover, Greater Scaup are numerous along with and sometimes wintering Ruff and smaller numbers of Great Northern, Red- Common Greenshank. Loch Gruinart is throated and Black-throated Divers, blessed with a well-placed hide where we Slavonian Grebe, Common Scoter, Long- watch hundreds of wintering ducks, includ- tailed Duck and Common Goldeneye. ing scarcer species such as Gadwall, Rocky beaches and mud flats attract

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Greenland White-fronted Geese Photo: Jo Finn Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Bar-tailed reserve holds important populations of Godwit and Red Knot. The mud at Golden Eagle and Red-billed Chough, Bridgend is one of the best areas for while in recent years it has become a reli- waders and we may locate uncommon able site for the huge White-tailed Eagle. birds for Islay including Pink-footed Goose, Islay does have a good track record for rar- Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Red-breasted ities and we will look for these if they turn Merganser, Grey Plover and in some win- up during our stay. ters the Icelandic race of Black-tailed Godwit. Near Bridgend the fast-flowing Day 5 (6): Today we take the morning rivers attract Grey Wagtail and occasional- ferry back to the mainland at Kennacraig ly White-throated Dipper. A large freshwa- and travel to Glasgow where the tour con- ter loch often holds and the cludes. commoner ducks. Woodland on Islay is generally stunted Prices and old, attracting Blue, Great and Long- tailed Tits, Eurasian and Tour Price: (A)£1,695 (B)£1,395 Goldcrest. In the open fields Fieldfare, Single room: £100 Redwing, Mistle and Song Thrushes form Deposit: £200 large flocks before making the short migra- tion across to Ireland. This holiday is fully inclusive of In the south of Islay we visit the harbour accommodation, meals, ferry fares, at Port Ellen, which is sheltered from the transport and guidance. worst of the elements. This is a reliable area for wintering Glaucous and Iceland Not included: Accommodation and Gulls although their numbers vary from meals in Glasgow, insurance and year to year. The maltings around the coast items of a personal nature. Entry into attract Common Reed Bunting and RSPB reserves if you are a non- Yellowhammer. member. The Mull of Oa is close by. This RSPB

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 19 Mull, Tiree and the Uists Springtime on the islands The islands of Mull and Tiree are situated off the western coast of Scotland in Argyll and Bute. We also visit the rugged and remote Peninsula. Tiree is the most westerly of the islands with habitats ranging from machair to low wet moorlands. The island has significant numbers of nesting ducks, terns and shorebirds, plus a good population of Corncrakes which can number over 300 calling males. Mull is a large mountainous island dominated by rugged peaks and indented coastal lochs with White-tailed and Golden Eagles in high densities. The sea crossing between Oban and Tiree is exceptional for seabirds and cetaceans. The , straddling the western coast of Scotland, is an area of outstanding natural beauty. This tour visits the remote islands of Barra, North and South Uist and Benbecula. Habitat ranges from the wind-lashed west coast to upland moors and bogs and, on the eastern seaboard, indented sea lochs. In recent years, the islands have built up a reputation for rare and unusual species and extensive coverage has revealed a rich vein of migrants and vagrants. On recent tours we have found our clients White-billed Diver, Surf Scoter, Laughing and Bonaparte’s Gulls, Grey and Red-necked , , Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas, Black-billed and Red-rumped Swallow. ■ This tour starts and finishes in Inverness, which has good flight connections with the rest of Britain. Clients should book accommodation in Inverness on the nights of May 8th and 16th. This tour can be combined with the Scottish Highlands tour on page 23.

Days 1-2: After leaving Inverness, we pass through Skye and on to the port of Dates Uig. On arrival, we transfer to Balranald, Sunday May 9th Ð Sunday May 16th which is situated on the north-west coast of 2021 North Uist. The area is made up of crofts Leader: Mark Finn that use traditional farming methods, thus Group Size: 8 ensuring a healthy population of migrant Birds: 120-140 Corncrakes and resident Corn Buntings. Lochs and marshes have Whooper Swan, Eurasian Teal, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. Arctic and Little Terns along with harassing Nesting waders comprise Northern Arctic Skuas. We spend three nights on Lapwing, Common Redshank, Ringed Benbecula Plover and Dunlin. Close by, Aird an Runair is an excellent seawatching point, particu- Day 3: Loch Druidibeg is our destination larly in spring when favourable weather today Ð a rather harsh landscape of shal- conditions can result in Northern Fulmar, low lagoons, marshes, machair and dune Manx Shearwater, European and Leach’s systems. On the lagoons we should find Storm Petrels and Pomarine Skuas pass- Black-throated Diver, Whooper Swan, ing offshore. Eurasian Dotterels are occa- Greylag Goose and a wide range of ducks. sionally seen resting on the machair. On surrounding moors we have a chance Benbecula is situated between the two of finding Merlin, Short-eared Owl and Hen larger islands. From the coast road we Harrier. Agricultural land around the loch should see a variety of species including may have Common Redpoll and Twite. In Red-necked , Common Eider, the afternoon, a visit to an indented sea Long-tailed Duck and, in May, Common, loch with patches of woodland is planned.

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Red-necked Phalarope Photo: George Matz We have excellent chances of Golden and Tiree with a visit to Loch a’Phuill, a large, White-tailed Eagles and a range of - shallow lagoon bordered by farmland and ines including and endemic flower meadows. Loch a’Phuill often has of and Eurasian , Water Rail, Eurasian . Nearby, on the Atlantic Ocean coast, Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck and sheltered bays and beaches with seaweed rarer breeding species such as Northern attract Pale-bellied Brent Goose and linger- Shoveler and Northern Pintail, whilst ing Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, while Whooper Swans occasionally remain over shorebirds gather in huge concentrations. the summer. On our return to Scarinish, a stop at The Reef is productive for flocks of Day 4: Morning ferry from Eriksay bound northbound European Golden and for Barra, the southernmost island of the prospecting Arctic Terns. Balephetrish Bay Western Isles. The waters around Barra has Great Northern Diver, Arctic and Little have recently been mooted as a potential Terns, Sanderling, Common Ringed Plover marine reserve as they hold good numbers and Ruddy Turnstone. Farmland is an of Great Northern Diver, Razorbill, important habitat on Tiree for nesting Common and Black Guillemots and other Common Snipe, Northern Lapwing, Dunlin, seabirds. Eoligarry is a good spot for Common Redshank, Rock Dove, Eurasian Golden Eagle and the adjacent seas usual- Skylark, Raven, Hooded , Twite, ly hold Black-throated and Red-throated Common Reed Bunting and substantial Divers. Barra has a few small reedbeds numbers of Corncrakes. Tiree holds around which attract , 300 pairs of this rare and declining species and, on occasions, Whinchat. Any stands and we have excellent opportunities to of mature trees are worth checking on locate one giving its distinctive ’crex-crex’ Barra as they often have migrants. Later in calls during daytime. the afternoon, we make the ferry crossing to Tiree, which is our base for two nights. Day 6: From Tiree we board a morning ferry bound for Oban, our base for the next Day 5: We start our initial exploration of two nights. Seabirds from the ferry include

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 21 Mull, Tiree and the Uists

Ruddy Turnstone Photo: Jo Finn Northern Gannet, Manx Shearwater, , Whinchat, Common , Great, Arctic, Stonechat, and Northern Pomarine and, occasionally, Long-tailed Wheatear breed. Before returning to Skuas, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and Craignure, we visit the capital of Mull Ð Atlantic Puffin. Cetaceans are often Tobermory. This picturesque town is home observed and Atlantic White-sided Dolphin, to White-throated Dipper and, on occa- Harbour Porpoise and Minke Whale are all sions, white-winged gulls. Return to Oban possible, together with the huge Basking for the night. Shark. From Oban we head south to Loch Nell, an enclosed freshwater loch sur- Day 8: We leave Oban and head north to rounded by woodland. On the loch, Little the remote and rugged Ardnamurchan Grebe and are present with the peninsula. Our main interest is nearby woodlands alive with the songs of Glenborrowdale, an wood with stands Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, of pines and adjacent moors. Typical wood- Blackcap and, sometimes, European Pied land species include , Flycatcher. Glen Loran is nearby, a site for Wood Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. On Whinchat, Grey Wagtail and the highly the moors, we may find Golden Eagle, Hen localised . Harrier, European Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel and Whinchat. We return to Day 7: Oban is the departure point for Mull Inverness in the late afternoon where the and we make a day trip to the island. tour concludes. Reaching Mull, we head to Lochdon, a small shallow sea loch. Common and Arctic Ter ns fish on the loch edge while resident Prices species include Red-breasted Merganser and Common Eider. White-tailed Eagle and Tour Price: £1,995 Common Buzzard are frequently seen Single room: £100 hunting overhead or sitting in large trees. Deposit: £200 Passage waders occurring in Lochdon usu- ally include Grey Plover, Sanderling, Red This holiday is fully inclusive of Knot, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, accommodation, meals, ferry fares, Green Sandpiper and Ruff. Glen More is a complimentary transport and long, wide, open valley flanked by moun- guidance. tains and patches of plantations; it is an important area for birds on Mull and Not included: insurance and items an optimum site for upland species. Careful of a personal nature. Entry into scrutiny may reveal Golden Eagle, Hen RSPB reserves if you are a non- Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Raven. Lower member. down in the valley, Eurasian Curlew,

22 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Northern Scotland and the Highlands Autumn in the Highlands Autumn birding in the highlands of Scotland is an exciting and rewarding experience. Our base on the Black Isle gives easy and quick access to the major birdwatching areas of northern Scotland and Speyside. During the week, we visit the Cairngorm Mountains in search of Rock Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting. It is also an optimum time to visit Caledonian pine forests for Western Capercaillie and parties of Crested Tit. Other specialities which are easier to see in September include Black Grouse, Scottish and Parrot Crossbills and the first winter thrushes of the autumn. On the Moray Firth and North Sea coasts, the main arrival of geese and ducks starts along with good seabird passage in north-easterly to south- easterly winds. If the former are blowing we expect Sooty Shearwater, Great and Arctic Skuas and possibly rarer species in the form of Pomarine Skua and Sabine’s Gull. Coastal scrub and bushes along the east coast often lure migrants at this time of the year. ■ This tour can be combined with the Western Isles on page 30

Day 1: Arrive at our home, which is situat- ed on the Black Isle and overlooks the Dates RSPB reserve of Udale Bay. Feeders have Saturday September 18th Ð Saturday Eurasian Siskin and Eurasian Tree September 25th 2021 Sparrow while lingering migrants include Leader: Mark Finn , Common Chiffchaff and Group size: 7 . Common Linnet, Twite Birds: 120-140 and Yellowhammer occur on the entrance track. In Udale Bay we may find Slavonian Grebe and Greater Scaup. Charonry Point tide including Common Greenshank. is excellent for viewing seabirds in the right Further along the coast, fields regularly conditions. If winds are favourable we may host Greylag Goose and Twite. observe Great and Arctic Skuas, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, Razorbill and Day 3: Today we visit Abernethy Forest, a Common Guillemot, along with the most reserve of Caledonian pines interspersed northerly Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Britain. with lochs. Our main interest is to observe Western Capercaillie, a rare and declining Day 2: Wester Ross is our destination, an species. In the pinewoods we may area of huge bays and low cliffs hugging encounter Eurasian Woodcock, Coal and the Atlantic Ocean. Before reaching the Crested Tits, , west coast we visit the remote village of Eurasian Bullfinch, and Scottish and Parrot . Our main interest here is low- Crossbills. Later in the day, we venture into level Rock Ptarmigan which reside on the the Cairngorm Mountains for Rock boulder fields. Further along the coast, a Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and Snow Bunting. village has White-tailed Eagles. A stop at the Ness Islands in Inverness is and Rubha Reidh hug the rocky coastline made for Common Merganser, White- of Wester Ross with the former holding throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail. concentrations of Black-throated Divers and other seabirds. Rubha Reidh is a noted Day 4: A change of scenery today as we seawatching point and, if the winds are head to Caithness and visit Noss Head and westerly, we expect a wide range of Dunnet Bay, two migration hot-spots. At seabirds. attracts waders at high Noss Head, bushes and shrubs around the

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Moray. Burghead Bay attracts Long-tailed Duck, Common and Velvet Scoters and, in recent years, Surf Scoter. Along the shore Arctic and Sandwich Terns may be present. The rocky foreshore at Burghead often has Purple Sandpiper. Lossimouth is reliable for gulls, terns and waders including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. Nearby Loch Spynie has waterbirds, migrant passerines and the possibility of Eurasian Otter.

Day 7: We travel to Easter Ross and visit Portmahomack for Purple Sandpiper and Ruddy Turnstone. Close by is Tarbat Ness, an important migration point. From the Rock Ptarmigan Photo: Bob Martinka point we should see Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, Red-breasted lighthouse are attractive to Ring Ouzel, Merganser, Common Eider, Common Whinchat, Common Stonechat, Blackcap, Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. Stubble fields Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and regularly attract Whooper Swan, migrant European Pied and Spotted Flycatchers. geese, Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. If Rarer migrants regularly appear including winds are from an easterly direction, Sooty Wryneck, Bluethroat, Red-breasted Shearwater, Great, Arctic and Pomarine Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler. Skuas and large numbers of auks occur. Dunnet Bay is further west, attracting gulls We end the day at Nigg Bay for Black-tailed which have included Mediterranean, and Bar-tailed Godwits, Red Knot and Sabine’s and Bonaparte’s in recent years. other wildfowl and waders. Within the bay we may see the first return- ing Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck. Day 8: Depending on flight and travel St John’s Loch is a privately run nature times, a visit to the Black Isle Forest is reserve attracting wildfowl and terns. On planned for woodland birds including our return south, we visit Embo and Loch Common and Scottish Crossbills, Crested Fleet for waders and wildfowl. Tit and Lesser Redpoll.

Day 5: Corrimony is our first stop today. On Prices this remote reserve of woodland and moors our main interest is in locating Black Tour Price: £1,095 Grouse which finds a stronghold here. Near Single room: No Charge Dingwall we visit a private estate for Deposit: £150 Common and Scottish Crossbills and Lesser Redpoll. On our return to the Black This holiday is fully inclusive of Isle, a river complex may have Red Kite, accommodation, meals, Western and migrant shorebirds. complimentary pre-dinner drinks and Depending on tides, a visit to Udale Bay is wine at Cygnus House, planned. Shorebirds here include Bar- complimentary transport and any tailed Godwit, Red Knot and Dunlin. Pink- boat fees. footed Goose, Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal numbers increase in Not included: insurance and items September and attract hunting Peregrine of a personal nature. Entry into Falcons. RSPB reserves if you are a non- member. Drinks purchased in hotels Day 6: Today we travel to the coastal away from Cygnus House. towns of Lossiemouth and Burghead in

24 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Northern Scotland and the Highlands Spring in the Highlands Birding in springtime in the highlands of Scotland is an exciting and rewarding experience. Our base on the Black Isle gives easy and quick access to the major birdwatching areas of northern Scotland including Speyside. Cygnus House and the adjacent fields, shore and woodland have so far recorded 157 species of birds since 2003. During your stay we visit the Cairngorm Mountains in search of Rock Ptarmigan, Snow Bunting and . Nearby, the ancient Caledonian pine forests host Western Capercaillie and a wide range of breeding and resident species. During the spring, we embark on Black Grouse safaris, and further north visit the of Caithness and Sutherland for waders, owls and harriers. On the west coast, interesting species include Great Northern, Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, White-tailed Eagle and, from late April, Corncrake. The seabird colonies on Handa are busy from April. During spring rare migrants are regularly found and highlights on previous tours have included White-billed Diver, Ring-billed Gull, Blue-winged and Green-winged Teals, Smew, King Eider, Snowy Owl, European -eater, Eurasian and . ■ Please note the following itinerary is subject to change due to tides and other factors. ■ Tour B can be combined with Mull, Tiree and The Uists on page 18.

Day 1: Travel to Cygnus House, our home which is situated on the Black Isle and Dates overlooks the RSPB reserve of Udale Bay. TOUR A: Sunday April 18th Ð Depending on tides, we check Udale Bay Sunday April 25th 2021 for wildfowl, waders, gulls and terns. Flocks TOUR B: Saturday May 1st Ð of Pink-footed Geese linger into early May Saturday May 8th 2021 before embarking on their long flight to Leader: Mark Finn Iceland. Feeders have Eurasian Siskin and Group size: 7 while migrants Birds: 125-145 include Barn Swallow, , Common Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers, Common Whitethroat and Golden and White-tailed Eagles, and Loch Common Cuckoo. Northern Wheatear, Ewe where the sea loch attracts Red- Common Linnet, Common Reed Bunting throated and Black-throated Divers, auks and Yellowhammer occur on the entrance and Arctic Terns. Poolewe often has track. In the evening we have a very good Eurasian Whimbrel, Dunlin, Common chance of observing Pine Marten and Greenshank and other waders, plus the Badger. possibility of Otter. Nearby, an isolated vil- lage is reliable for Northern Gannet, Day 2: Wester Ross is our destination, an Northern Fulmar, European Golden Plover, area of huge bays and low cliffs hugging gulls, Fieldfare, Redwing, the Atlantic Ocean. En route we stop for and Twite. Slavonian Grebe, Red Kite and wildfowl. Along the valley bottom, lochans and Day 3: A visit to Strathconon for Common marshes may have Whooper Swan, Sandpiper and Northern Wheatear, while Eurasian Wigeon, Common Scoter and the woodlands hold Blackcap and . Our journey takes us to Wood and Willow Warblers. Later in the remote areas of Wester Ross with breeding morning we visit a private estate which has

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 25 Northern Scotland and the Highlands

Atlantic Puffins Photo: Jo Finn Common and Scottish Crossbills and on on its high vertical sandstone cliffs. We can occasions Parrot Crossbill. We travel expect Northern Fulmar, Black-legged towards for Common and Kittiwake, Common Guillemot, Razorbill Red-breasted Mergansers. The moors and and Atlantic Puffin. After leaving Handa we birch forest beyond offer us Red Grouse, head to Durness, the most north-westerly Hen Harrier, Tree Pipit and Whinchat. Loch village in mainland Britain. After dinner we Fleet is reliable for Western Osprey, ducks can check meadows for calling and waders. Embo is close by with an old Corncrakes, while on the beach we may jetty and rocks which attract waders at high find migrant Black-tailed Godwit and tide including Purple Sandpiper, Red Knot Sanderling along with Barnacle and Pink- and Sanderling. We end the day at Nigg footed Geese and Whooper Swan. Rarities Bay for Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian and scarcities occur on a regular basis at Whimbrel and other wildfowl and waders. Durness, with Little Stint, Western Yellow Wagtail, Ring-necked Duck and Common Day 4: A change of scenery today as we Crane all seen in recent years. head into Sutherland and to the island of Accommodation for the night is at Durness. Handa. Our journey takes us past lochs with Black-throated Diver. Beyond Ullapool, Day 5: Loch Eriboll is our first destination. the scenery becomes more dramatic and This large sea loch holds Great Northern rocky. Handa is accessed by boat from and Red-throated Divers in summer Tarbat. On arrival, we walk around the and, on recent tours, White-billed island on boardwalks and footpaths. Diver. Nearby, the Hope Valley is reliable for Moorland sectors have impressive num- Golden Eagle and Redwing. We follow the bers of Great and Arctic Skuas, Common coast, stopping at Dunnet Bay, a regular Snipe and Common Stonechat. Handa, haunt of divers, Long-tailed Duck, Greater however, is famous for breeding seabirds Scaup, Great and Arctic Skuas and

26 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Northern Scotland and the Highlands

Sandwich Tern. St John’s Pool is a produc- Day 7: Corrimony is our first stop today. On tive area for birds, attracting Sandwich, this remote reserve of woodland and moors Arctic and Common Terns, Eurasian our main interest is in locating Black Whimbrel and scarce breeding ducks of Grouse which finds a stronghold here. After northern Scotland including Gadwall and breakfast we make a visit to the Cairngorm Northern Shoveler. Unusual species on Mountains. *Recent changes have permit- recent visits have been Garganey, Lesser ted us to walk out from the Ptarmigan Scaup and Ring-necked Duck. In late April Restaurant which is accessed by the funic- we may find lingering Greenland White- ular railway to search for Rock Ptarmigan, fronted Geese. Later, we travel to Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Dotterel and Snow Broubster Leans, located in the flow coun- Bunting in the boulder fields. At Abernethy try of Caithness, where we should Forest, a reserve of Caledonian pines inter- encounter Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, spersed with lochs, our main interest is to European Golden Plover and Dunlin. observe the rare and declining Western Return to the Black Isle with stops for Capercaillie, and we may encounter Coal divers, ducks and Common Scoter on loch- and Crested Tits, Eurasian Treecreeper, side pools. Tree Pipit and Common Redstart. Nesting boxes on the lochs lure Common Day 6: Nairn is our destination today, Goldeneye while Greylag Goose and where the deep waters of the Cromarty Common Merganser are regularly Firth attract migrant seaduck including observed. Long-tailed Duck and in recent years King Eider. Portsoy is further east in Day 8: Depending on flight and travel Aberdeenshire and is a regular and reliable times, a visit to the Black Isle Forest is place for migrating White-billed Divers. planned for woodland birds including Red Lossiemouth often has shorebirds includ- Kite, Common and Scottish Crossbills, ing Red Knot and Sanderling, and Crested Tit and Lesser Redpoll. Sandwich Tern fishing in the bay. Loch Spynie is a new reserve managed by the *At the time of writing the railway is being RSPB which often attracts interesting birds repaired and may not be open in 2021. If in the spring. Later in the day, we venture this is the case we have alternative sites for into the Findhorn Valley for Peregrine the mountain birds mentioned. Falcon, Golden Eagle and European Golden Plover. White-throated Dipper occurs in the boulder-strewn rivers, while along the Farr Road we may find Merlin Prices and parties of Red Grouse. Tour Price: £1,195 Single Room: No Charge Deposit: £150

This holiday is fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, complimentary pre-dinner drinks and wine at Cygnus House and Durness, complimentary transport, Cairngorm railway and any boat fees.

Not included: insurance and items of a personal nature. Entry into RSPB reserves if you are a non- member. Drinks purchased in hotels away from Cygnus House. Black Grouse Photo: Jo Finn

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 27 Shetland Autumn migration in the Northern Isles The remote archipelago of the Shetland Islands is closer to Norway than the Scottish mainland and is ideally placed to receive autumn migrants from Asia and North America. The islands are around 90 miles in length and connected by a good inter-island ferry system. To make best use of our time we have two bases on the islands: on in the far north, and Mainland, which covers the southern part of Shetland. ■ Please note you should arrive on Shetland on October 1st.

Days 1-3: These three days have been set aside to explore the extreme north of Dates Shetland with visits to the islands of , Saturday October 2nd Ð Saturday Yell and Unst from our base at Saxa Vord. October 9th 2021 Our birding adventure starts in Unst, the Leader: Simon McLaughlin most northerly of the islands, and we con- Group Size: 8 centrate on the sycamore plantations and Birds: 100-120 gardens at Norwick, Uyeasound and Baltasound. Recent visits have produced sightings of , Eastern included Greater Short-toed Lark, Yellow and Citrine Wagtails, Blyth’s Reed Hawfinch, Olive-backed Pipit and Greenish Warbler and . There is Warbler. Falls of Redwing and Fieldfare are always something unexpected with the also possible and there is an outside possibility of Snowy Owl or a vagrant chance of finding a Ring Ouzel during our from North America. Yell is the second visit. largest of the islands, with Yell Sound being important for passage and wintering birds Days 4-7: Travel south to our base at including Common Eider and Long-tailed , which is ideally situated Duck. Fetlar is a compact island where a for visiting the southern half of Mainland search of gardens and crofts may be pro- Shetland. The hotel gardens often have ductive for migrants. Recent sightings have migrants and the area is a rarity hot-spot itself. Our precise plan is dependent on the prevailing weather conditions and news of recent arrivals. We visit a number of sites in the southern part of Mainland. Sumburgh Head and Grutness are well known for migrants, which may include Siberian Stonechat, , Marsh Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Red-backed Shrike and Eurasian Wryneck. Open ground and stone walls are important for tired migrants and we search these for anything of interest, especially warblers, thrushes and flycatch- ers. Pool of Virkie attracts waders with Black- tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper being regular visitors and occasional rarities including the odd red-letter bird such as Arctic Warbler Photo: Jo Finn Killdeer. Nearby gardens lure migrants and

28 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Shetland

Long-eared Owl Photo: Jo Finn vagrants such as Western Bonelli’s encouraging tired migrants to linger a little Warbler. Virkie willows are a reliable spot longer. Recent visits have produced Long- for Yellow-browed Warbler, a regular eared Owl, Brambling and Red-breasted autumn migrant on the islands. They are Flycatcher. The numerous mussel farms often joined by other scarce migrants in the attract Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, form of Barred and Icterine Warblers, Red- Red-breasted Merganser, Common Eider backed Shrike and Common Rosefinch. and recently also Surf Scoter and King Rarer species noted in recent years include Eider. Lanceolated and Arctic Warblers, Red- flanked Bluetail and Great Snipe. Quendale Day 8: The tour concludes after breakfast Mill with its habitat of damp vegetation can in order to catch connecting flights back to sometimes be good for warblers, with mainland UK. recent records of River and Sykes’s. Places such as Scatness, Exnaboe and Prices Toab are locations likely to be on the agen- da for interesting migrants. Many of the Ground Price: £1,795 species associated with are possi- Single room: £100 ble, and mouth-watering rarities often Deposit: £200 appear at these locations during the autumn. Rarer species seen in this area This holiday is fully inclusive of have included Pallid Harrier, Buff-breasted accommodation, meals, Sandpiper and Citrine Wagtail. Loch of complimentary transport, permit fees, Spiggie attracts wildfowl including guidance, tips and taxes. Common Goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Whooper Swan, Greylag Geese and in Not included: travel to and from 2018 Pied-billed Grebe and Lesser Scaup. Shetland, accommodation in We also explore other locations further Shetland on October 1st, drinks, north on Mainland, with the plantations of insurance, and items of a personal Kergord, and Voe having more cover nature. than much of Shetland and hence often

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 29 Shetland Breeding birds and late migrants of Northern Isles Shetland is closer to Norway than mainland Scotland and these isolated and windswept islands offer some exceptional breeding birds. Our tour is based in two areas, starting at Unst, the most northerly point in the , and continuing to Mainland where the capital Lerwick is located. ■ Clients should arrive on Shetland on June 11th.

Day 1: Our journey commences in Lerwick and follows a northerly route to Yell, the Dates second largest of the islands. Yell is pre- Saturday June 12th Ð Saturday June dominately low lying with tracts of moor- 19th 2021 land, bogs and lochans. Breeding birds Leader: Simon McLaughlin include Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Group Size: 8 Merganser, Common Eider and Common Birds: 75-100 Snipe. Unst is reached by crossing Bluemull Sound, where our accommoda- tion is located at Saxa Vord. Golden Plover Eurasian Whimbrel and Great Skua. Passerines are few but include Days 2-3: On one day we visit the cliffs of small numbers of Northern Wheatear and which overlook Muckle Flugga Twite. On reaching the cliffs we witness one and Out Stack, the most northerly points of of the largest seabird colonies in Britain the British Isles. Walking along the coastal with substantial numbers of Northern path we should encounter typical breeding Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Black-legged birds of Unst including Dunlin, European Kittiwake, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and large populations of Atlantic Puffin. Any patch of sycamores and gardens on Unst often hold late migrants with recent visits recording Marsh and Icterine Warblers and Red-backed Shrike. On another day we visit Fetlar on one of the many inter-island ferries. Fetlar is famous for Red-necked Phalaropes and we should get excellent views of them ’spinning’ around on the lochans. Fetlar is also pro- ductive for breeding Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Curlew and Arctic Skua. Along the coast Arctic and Common Terns occur, whilst the open moors and cliffs attract Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and Rock Dove.

Days 4-7: On Day 4 we return south to Mainland using the inter-island ferries which give us a chance of locating sum- mering Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck and colonising Whooper Swans. Sumburgh Head is in the southern sector Common Rosefinch Photo: Jo Finn of Mainland and famous for its many rare

30 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Shetland

Northern Gannets Photo: Simon Papps bird sightings and seabird passage. the nooks and crannies of the rocks both Offshore we may find a late Pomarine or Rock Pipit and the endemic subspecies of Long-tailed Skua. On recent June visits to breed. Mainland we have recorded , Western Osprey, European Honey Day 8: Transfer to the airport and flights Buzzard, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, south to mainland UK. Common Crane, and Black-headed Bunting. There are many areas to visit in Mainland in a compact Prices area, such as Lerwick Harbour where fish- ing boats attract gulls including Glaucous Ground Price: £1,795 and the harbour itself is home to Black Single room: £100 Guillemots. On one evening we take a boat Deposit: £200 trip to the island of Moussa and its 2000- year-old brock. As darkness falls the brock This holiday is fully inclusive of comes alive with the churring noise of accommodation, meals, European Storm Petrels which breed with- complimentary transport, permit fees, in the walls. The island of Noss is situated guidance, tips and taxes. off the east coast and is famous for its seabird colonies. The best way to view the Not included: travel to and from birds is by boat which circumnavigates the Shetland, accommodation in island to give us excellent views. In addition Shetland on June 11th, drinks, to the birds at Hermaness we should have insurance, and items of a personal close views of European Shag, Great nature. Black-backed Gull and Northern Raven. In

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 31 Western Isles Autumn Migrants on the edge of Europe The Outer Hebrides, straddling the western coast of Scotland, is an area of outstanding natural beauty. This tour visits Lewis and Harris in the north and the southern islands of North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra. Habitat ranges from the wind-lashed west coast to upland moors and bogs and, on the eastern seaboard, indented sea lochs. In recent years, the islands have built up a reputation for rare and unusual species. Extensive coverage of the islands has also revealed a rich vein of migrants and vagrants from North America. Anything can and does turn up on these remote islands. On recent tours we have found our clients White-billed Diver, Surf Scoter, Laughing and Bonaparte’s Gulls, Grey and Red-necked Phalaropes, Snowy Owl, Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas and Red- rumped Swallow. If wind conditions are favourable, we can expect close views of Leach’s Storm Petrel, Sabine’s Gull and rare waterbirds from North America; Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral and Buff-breasted , Long-billed Dowitcher, American Coot, Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck have been seen regularly in recent years. This tour starts and finishes in Inverness, which has good flight connections with the rest of Britain. Clients should book accommodation in Inverness on the nights of September 25th and October 2nd. The tour can be combined with our Scottish Highlands autumn tour on page 21

Day 1: Morning departure from Inverness, passing over Skye to Uig for a ferry cross- Dates ing to Lochmaddy on North Uist. En route Sunday September 26th Ð Saturday we make a short stop at Broadford Bay on October 2nd 2021 Skye, which is one of the few areas with Leaders: Mark Finn extensive areas of mud and grass islands. Group Size: 8 Waders may be numerous and we will be Birds: 100-120 on the lookout for rare migrants which in recent years have included Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. The bay is also a regu- nearby Loch Bee have hosted Pectoral, lar stopping off point for Pale-bellied Brent Buff-breasted and White-rumped Geese and overhead skeins of Pink-footed Sandpipers and Grey and Wilson’s Geese heading east and south. As our Phalaropes. On lochs and sheltered sea journey passes through the mountains, it is bays, we may find Great Northern, Red- possible to have views of both eagles and throated and Black-throated Divers and a other raptors. On arrival in North Uist, we wide range of ducks including Long-tailed check Vallay Strand, a huge inter-tidal area, Duck, Greater Scaup and Common for waders and wildfowl and the possibility Goldeneye. The return passage of waders of American vagrants. Transfer to our base comprises Purple Sandpiper, Red Knot, on Benbecula for four nights. Dunlin, Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone. On surrounding moors and high peaks, we Days 2-3: The Uists have a range of habi- have a chance of finding White-tailed and tats, from shallow lagoons, marshes, Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, machair and dune systems to the open sea Short-eared Owl and Hen Harrier. and sandy beaches. Our main interest is in Agricultural land holds Twite, Snow Bunting locating migrants from Europe and North and, sometimes, Lapland Bunting. Rubha America. In recent years The Range and Ardvule is a noted seawatching point in

32 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Western Isles

Days 5-6: Travel to North Uist and cross the Sound of Harris into Lewis and Harris. Our main destination is the Butt of Lewis and its adjacent fields, lochs and scrub. Seabirds we may encounter from the ’Butt’ include Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, European and Leach’s Storm Petrels, Sabine’s Gull, Great and Arctic Skuas and, possibly, Cory’s and Great Shearwaters. Nearby fields sometimes attract vagrants including, in recent years, American Golden Plover, Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpipers and Ruff among the hundreds of European Golden Plovers. Passerines are few but may include migrant Snow and Lapland Buntings. The harbour at Stornoway attracts gulls and has the possi- bility of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. To the Great Northern Diver Photo: Simon Papps north of the town a small freshwater reser- voir attracts Long-tailed Duck, whilst off- westerly winds, providing close views of shore we have good chances of finding seabirds including Leach’s Storm Petrel skuas and other seabirds in onshore winds. and, on occasions, Sooty Shearwater and On the morning of Day 6 we check the Sabine’s Gull. Various lochs may have grounds of Stornoway Castle for any Whooper Swan and other wildfowl, includ- recently arrived migrants. The remainder of ing American Wigeon and Ring-necked the day is spent exploring sites along the Duck in recent autumns. Stands of bushes exposed western shore of Lewis. Rare may harbour migrants and occasional rari- migrants are always possible; in recent ties. Loch Aynort has mature trees, a rare years these have included Barred Warbler, habitat on the lower islands. Careful Citrine Wagtail, Isabelline Shrike and searching in the right weather conditions Eurasian Wryneck. If the wind is blowing may reveal the presence of Eurasian onshore, we have further opportunities to Wryneck, Spotted and European Pied watch southbound seabirds from the Butt Flycatchers, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, of Lewis. Goldcrest, Common Redpoll, Common Crossbill and the local races of Dunnock Day 7: Morning ferry to Ullapool, sea- and Eurasian Wren. watching en route. Transfer to Inverness where the tour concludes later in the day. Day 4: Today a day trip is planned to the island of Barra, which is the most southern of the Western Isles. In recent years the island has built up a reputation for attract- Prices ing rare birds from North America and Asia. Any patch of bushes or trees are worth Ground Price: £1,795 checking for regular migrants including Single room: No Charge Yellow-browed Warbler, European Pied and Deposit: £200 Red-breasted Flycatchers and, perhaps, European Turtle Dove and Wood Warbler. This holiday is fully inclusive of Rarities have included a Blyth’s Reed accommodation, meals, guidance, Warbler in 2019. In addition to these tips, taxes, transport and ferry fares. species, Barra holds reasonable numbers of Golden and White-tailed Eagles, whilst Not included: insurance, drinks and the sheltered bays attract divers and sea- items of a personal nature. ducks.

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 33 Ethiopia Birds and wildlife of the Rift Valley Ethiopia is located in north-eastern Africa, a mountainous country with the Great Rift Valley being a prominent feature. Our tour covers the migration period when bird activity and migration is at its peak. A highlight of Ethiopia is the remote and beautiful Bale Mountains National Park, home to Ethiopian Wolf. This tour promises outstanding birding and sightings of rare mammals in the Ethiopian Highlands. ■ The itinerary is sometimes subject to change. This tour may depart one day earlier/later due to flight schedules from the UK.

Days 1-2: Fly to Addis Ababa, with arrival early the next day. Transfer to the city cen- Dates tre for a night’s stay. In the afternoon a visit Friday November 26th Ð Wednesday to the grounds of the Ghion Hotel where December 15th 2021 our first Ethiopian birds await us, including Leaders: Mark Finn and local guides Nyanza Swift, Black-winged Lovebird, Group Size: 8 Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Mountain Birds: 390-450 Thrush, Tacazze Sunbird and Streaky Seedeater. cheeked . Nearby, a gorge attracts Day 3: On our departure from Addis White-winged and Mocking Cliff Chats, Ababa, we explore the Suluta Plain, an Rüppell’s Black and, in scrubby important habitat for Blue-winged Goose, areas, Erckel’s Francolin. Night in Fiche. Wattled Ibis and Spot-breasted Lapwing. The monastery of Debre Libanos is adja- Day 4: A visit to the Jemma Valley which cent to mature woodland holding Banded holds Harwood’s Francolin, a rare Barbet, African Lemon Dove and White- Ethiopian endemic. The cliffs and boulder- strewn slopes of the Jemma Valley have White-billed , Stone and the rare Salvadori’s Serin. In gorges with small bushes, we hope to locate Foxy , Speckle-fronted Weaver and Black-throated Firefinch. Further down the valley exposed cliffs hold White-winged Cliff Chat, Little Rock Thrush, Lesser Striped Swallow, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and Abyssinian Wheatear. Along the Jemma River, a tributary of the White Nile, fruiting trees lure Lesser , Northern Crombec, Vitteline Masked Weaver and Yellow-spotted and Sahel Bush Sparrows. Transfer to Lemi for the night.

Days 5-6: Today we head to Debre Birhan, travelling through farmland that holds , Tawny and Steppe Abdims Photo: Jo Finn Eagles, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Fan-

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Secretarybird Photo: Jo Finn tailed Raven and wintering Red-throated ed Buffalo Weaver and Nile Valley Sunbird. Pipits. On arrival at Debre Birhan, we Along the river we can expect Bruce’s explore the road to Ankober. On lower Green Pigeon, Nubian and Bearded fields we can expect Augur Buzzard, Woodpeckers and Sulphur-breasted Lesser Kestrel, White-collared Pigeon, Bushshrike. As dusk starts to fall, we Isabelline Wheatear, Northern Fiscal, should locate Lichtenstein’s , Western Yellow Wagtail and Ortolan Arabian, Kori, Black-bellied and Buff-crest- Bunting. Livestock attract Hooded, White- ed and, if we are lucky, the rare backed and Bearded Vultures. Beyond Hartlaub’s . On Day 8 we visit Ali Debre Birhan the road rises over a few Dege, an area of plains habitat with a few kilometres until it reaches the rocky outcrop clumps of trees and cover, which has of Gemessa Gadal - an area for Ankober Somali Ostrich and wintering Montagu’s Serin, and singing Cinnamon and Pallid Harriers. The acacia bushes and Warbler. Driving along old Ankober adjacent bare ground attract Woodchat and Road the grassy habitats often have Red- Great Grey , Tawny Pipit and breasted Wheatear, Groundscraper Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark. Ali Dege is Thrush, Ethiopian Siskin, Ethiopian also a reliable place to see , Longclaw, Red-billed Oxpecker, African , Black-winged and Stonechat, Yellow-crowned and Yellow Scissor-tailed Kites, Taita and Somali Bishops and Ethiopian Cisticola. Fiscals, Northern White-crowned Shrike and Gillett’s Lark. A return to Awash Days 7-8: Transfer to Awash National Park National Park for White-bellied Go-away- and explore acacia scrub and riverside bird, Crested Francolin and along the river campgrounds. The former has White-head- edge Pied, Great and Grey-headed

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 35 Ethiopia

Kingfishers, Striated and Eastern endemic subspecies of Brown Woodland Plantain-eater. Warbler. In the park itself, pools attract rem- nant populations of Ruddy , Day 9-10: Lake Betakes is surrounded by and the endemic Rouget’s lava fields and isolated trees. Our main Rail. Our main objective is to find and study interest is the lava fields which attract Ethiopian Wolves hunting for mole rats. Western Osprey, Pied and Isabelline Less than 600 of these impressive Wheatears, Beautiful, Variable and Nile survive. Later in the day we return to Goba, Valley Sunbirds and Blackstart. This area is revisiting the forest for Tacazze and also home to Sombre Rock Chat, a little- Malachite Sunbirds. Fields in and around known endemic. Travel to Lake Langano Goba attract Black-winged Lapwing, where the grounds of the hotel are excel- Erlanger’s Lark and Groundscraper lent for birds, including migrants from Thrush. Europe and Asia. A steep escarpment has Little Rock Thrush whilst scrubby patches Day 13:Today we cross the Bale have Boran Cisticola and Rüppell’s and Mountains en route to Negele in eastern Lesser Masked Weavers. Langano Lodge Ethiopia. Our main interest is the Harenna is an excellent place to stay and birdwatch Forest which holds the rare African White- around the extensive grounds. African winged Dove, Mountain Buzzard, Rameron Hoopoe and Marico and Scarlet-chested Pigeon, Narina and African Citril. Sunbirds occur around the reception area. The habitat changes to acacia and desert- A walk down towards the lake shore may like conditions with patches of trees holding produce Mocking Cliff Chat, Red-winged the spectacular Ruspoli’s Turaco, Juba Starling, Heuglin’s White-eye, Rattling Weaver and Brown-rumped Bunting. Two Cisticola, Little and Vitteline Masked nights in Negele. Weavers. The gardens at the bottom of the road often have Red-throated Wryneck, Day 14: Early start to visit the Liben Plains Little Swift, African Thrush, Orange-bellied which hold several interesting birds of dry, Parrot, Grey-headed Batis, Plain Martin open country. This is a and Grey-backed Fiscal. although it suffers from over-grazing by livestock. On the plain we should find the Day 11: Bale Mountains National Park is scarce Archer’s Lark, Somali Lark, Tawny our destination. En route we pass through Pipit, Temminck’s Courser and Kori farmland used for cereal production and Bustard. Birds occurring around farms sheep grazing. Birds of prey can be numer- include White-crowned and Superb ous, including , and Cut-throat . Darusalem Lanner Falcon and Lesser Kestrel. Grass is a small village with a habitat of acacia, verges attract White-collared Pigeon, farmland and rocky slopes. The acacia Ethiopian Longclaw, Red-breasted attracts Abyssinian , Shelley’s Wheatear and Alpine Chat, whilst scrub Starling, Dodson’s Bulbul, Yellow-bellied holds Moorland and Chestnut-naped Eremomela, Purple Grenadier, Salvadori’s Francolins and Cinnamon Bracken Warbler. Seedeater and Somali Bunting. In the forest of Dinsho we expect to find Abyssinian and African Wood Owls, Days 15-16: Transfer to Yabelo, an impor- White-backed Black Tit, Abyssinian Ground tant junction town in the middle of a red Thrush, Brown Parisoma, Malachite sandstone landscape dotted with Sunbird and Abyssinian Siskin. Goba is our mounds and acacia trees. Around the hotel base for a two-night stay. complex, Red-winged and White-crowned Starlings nest in old buildings. On Day 15 Day 12: Beyond Goba is an extensive we head south of Yabelo to an area of cliffs stand of juniper forest, home to Abyssinian to search for the recently described Black- Catbird, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, faced Francolin. In the cliffs Verreaux’s African, Abyssinian and Bare-faced Eagles hunt the local Rock Hyrax for food. Thrushes, Abyssinian Woodpecker and the The river area is productive for Abyssinian

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grounds may produce African Spotted Creeper, Grey and Bearded Woodpeckers, Pringle’s Puffback and Blue-headed Coucal. Three nights at Awassa.

Days 18-19: Morning visit to Lake Awassa and the fish quay. The latter has Yellow-billed Kite, Black Egret, Black Crake and, in surrounding large trees and scrub, Black-winged Lovebird, Banded Barbet, Red-fronted Tinkerbird and Eastern Black- headed Oriole. Lake Awassa, although small in size, is a regular haunt of Pink- backed , African Pygmy Goose, Western Marsh Harrier and migrant ducks, terns and warblers. One day we visit Wondo Genet, watching the rocky hillsides for Long-billed Pipit en route. On arrival we search the area for Ethiopian Oriole, Silvery-cheeked, Crowned and Hemprich’s Hornbills, Yellow-fronted Parrot, Half-col- lared and Abyssinian Hill Babbler. Along the tracks, we may Superb Starling Photo: Jo Finn encounter Mountain Wagtail, Yellow-bellied Waxbill and Eastern Olive Sunbird. Ground Hornbill, African Hoopoe, Red- fronted Tinkerbird and Rattling Cisticola. Day 20: On our last day in Ethiopia we Bare areas with bushes are favoured by visit the wetlands of Debra Zeit. Late after- Long-billed Pipit and Sulphur-breasted noon travel back to Addis Ababa for late Bushshrike. Other species we may see evening flights back to Europe and North include Rufous Chatterer, Red-headed America with arrival on the 15th. Weaver and Singing Cisticola. Along the El Soad road several spectacular birds occur, notably the charismatic Stresemann’s Bushcrow and parties of colourful Vulturine Prices . Acacias attract Pygmy Falcon, Grey Wren-Warbler, Shelley’s, and Ground Price:£4,295 Golden-breasted Starlings, Red-and-yel- Single room:£275 low Barbet and Black-billed Woodhoopoe. Deposit:£400 The plain also has Pygmy Falcon, Crowned *Air Fare:£720 Lapwing, White-tailed Swallow, Rosy- patched Bushshrike and Somali and Taita This holiday is fully inclusive of Fiscals. The drier areas often have Flappet flights, accommodation, meals, Lark and White-bellied Canary. On the way transport, entrance and permit fees, back to Yabello we make roadside stops for guidance and tips. Abyssinian Scimitarbill, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, White-browed Scrub Robin, Spotted Palm Not included: drinks, insurance and Thrush, Black-capped Social Weaver, items of a personal nature, a visa to Purple Grenadier and Orange-winged enter Ethiopia and any fuel Pytilia. surcharges.

Day 17: A travelling day to the city of *Please refer to our terms and Awassa, an important area for birds and conditions relating to flights wildlife. On arrival, an exploration of the

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 37 Guinea-Bissau and Casamance Birding in little-known areas of West Africa This is a new tour which takes in the small West African country of Guinea-Bissau and the extreme southern area of Casamance in Senegal. Until now this region has been largely ignored by birders although it holds many range-restricted species in remnant patches of forest. The islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau are an important wintering ground for many species from further north in Europe. ■ This tour can be combined with Senegal Pelagic Birds and the Sahel, page 51.

Day 1: Fly to the new airport in Dakar and transfer to the coastal village of Dates Popenguine for an overnight stay. En route Sunday October 31st Ð Friday there is a good chance of seeing Black- November 12th 2021 headed Lapwing. Leaders: Mark Finn and Ass Ndiaye Group size: 8 Day 2: An early morning flight to Birds: 220-260 Ziguinchor, the largest city in Casamance. On arrival we travel south and cross the border into Guinea-Bissau and the capital Hylia, White-browed Forest Flycatcher, Bissau for an overnight stay. Bissau has Mangrove Sunbird, Crimson Seedcracker, many interesting areas for birds within the Western Bluebill and Western Oriole. city itself including substantial numbers of Cufada also has areas of savannah dotted Black Heron, Western Reef Egret, Collared with patches of bushes which attract Pratincole, Grey and Kentish Plovers, Bar- Bearded Barbet, Oriole Warbler, Splendid tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper. Sunbird, Red-winged Pytilia and Sahel Patches of forest and cultivated land near Bush Sparrow. Transfer to Buba for two the coast attract Violet Turaco, Red-throat- nights. ed Bee-eater, White-fronted Black Chat, Grey-headed Oliveback, Lavender Waxbill, Day 4: An early start is essential to visit Purple Glossy and Bronze-tailed Starlings the Cantanhez Forests on the border with and . Guinea. This is a relatively new and little- visited area for birdlife. The habitat of semi- Day 3: This morning our journey takes us humid forest along with seasonal swamps, towards Buba and the Cufada Lagoons, a rivers and mangrove stands make it an series of freshwater wetlands bordered by interesting area for wildlife. In addition to forest. Before reaching Buba a stop at the the commoner forest birds we are on the Rio Corrubal may produce sightings of lookout for Timneh Parrot, Little Green and Rock Pratincole, Egyptian Plover and Buff-spotted Woodpeckers, Western Preuss’s Cliff Swallow. On reaching Cufada Bearded, Red-tailed and Spotted Lagoons the secondary woodland is home Greenbuls, Grey-chinned Sunbird, to the near-endemic Turati’s Boubou. Other Chestnut-breasted Negrito, Red-headed species inhabiting the forest include Red- Malimbe and Black-faced Firefinch. thighed Sparrowhawk, Green Turaco, White-bellied Kingfisher, Black-and-white- Day 5: Today we revisit sites around Buba casqued, Yellow-casqued, White-crested and on the road back towards Bissau, and African Pied Hornbills, Spotted where we have an overnight stay. A sector Honeyguide, Woodpecker, Fanti of forest may have African Goshawk, Saw-wing, Red-tailed Leaflove, White- Stone Partridge, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, tailed Alethe, Capuchin Babbler, Green Brown-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied

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Brown Babbler Photo: Roger Ridley Hyliota, Red-winged Warbler, Western Sunbird. The archipelago is also an impor- Violet-backed Sunbird, African Golden tant area for five species of turtles which Oriole and Violet-backed Starling. come ashore to lay their in November. This in turn attracts Palm-nut Vultures to Days 6-8: On Day 6 we travel to the breed and feed on the hatchlings. Several Bijagos Archipelago which has over 80 species of waders winter in the region and islands, of which around 20 are inhabited. number many thousands, including Curlew Bijagos is the second-most important Sandpiper, Little Stint, Sanderling, coastal site for birds in West Africa after the Eurasian Whimbrel and Common Banc d’Arguin in . It takes Redshank. Also present are Grey-hooded around four hours in a speedboat from and Slender-billed Gulls, Black, Gull-billed, Bissau to our base in the islands. The lodge Caspian and African Royal Terns. On Day 8 is located within secondary forest where we return to Bissau for an overnight stay. the gardens hold White-throated Bee-eater, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, African Day 9: This morning we travel north to Thrush, African Paradise Flycatcher, Casamance in Senegal via Mansôa - an Western Violet-backed and Collared important area for the endangered Black Sunbirds and Violet-backed Starling. Other Crowned Crane. After crossing back into species we may find include Hadada and Senegal we head towards the small border , Western Plantain- town of Mpak which has a varied habitat of eater, Squacco, Black and Purple , farmland, degraded forest and bush. Great and Little Egrets, , African Travelling along the main road we have a Spoonbill, Pied, Woodland, Blue-breasted, good chance of Long-crested Eagle Malachite and African Dwarf , perched on telegraph poles. In the forest Little Greenbul and Green-headed patches we should find several skulking

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 39 Guinea-Bissau and Casamance

road towards the village of Elinkine may have Lanner Falcon, Piping Hornbill, Northern Black Flycatcher and possibly Plain-backed Pipit. Further along the road the village of Kagnout has a area where recent sightings have included the scarce Cuckoo-finch, Greater Painted- snipe, Lesser Moorhen, Yellow-throated Longclaw and the commoner wetland species. Also of interest are several species associated with wetlands, namely Yellow-crowned Bishop, Yellow-mantled Widowbird and Quailfinch. On the return to base another protected area of forest may have Black-throated Coucal, Western Square-tailed Drongo, Red-tailed Leaflove and maybe lingering from the wet season. Kamobeul and the Essil Forest hold several interesting species including the recently split Grey-hooded Capuchin Babbler, Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Yellow-throated Leaflove. Boutoute is east Palm-nut Vulture Photo: Roger Ridley of Ziguinchor and a good area for wetland birds with regular sightings of Allen’s species including Western Bluebill, Grey- Gallinule, West African, Wire-tailed and headed Bristlebill, Western Nicator, Yellow- Red-chested , Fanti Saw-wing throated Leaflove, Puvel’s Illadopsis and and Short-winged Cisticola. Yellow-breasted Apalis. The forest is also a good area for the range-restricted Blue Day 13: Our last day in Casamance with Malkoha, and if the rains have been late in birding close to Ziguinchor. In the afternoon the season we may locate lingering cuckoo we take a flight to Dakar and onward con- species - Diederik, Klaas’s, African and nections to Europe. Arrival is on the follow- Red-chested. Due to logging activity there ing day. is a good chance of finding the secretive Turati’s Boubou which has recently colonised Senegal from Guinea Bissau. Prices The farmland is a good area to find the attractive Red-winged Warbler, plus grass- Ground Price: £2,845 loving Whistling and Singing . Single room: £250 Transfer to Ziguinchor for four nights, where Deposit: £300 we will be ideally located to visit several *Air Fare: £600 areas with excellent birdlife. This tour is fully inclusive of Days 10-12: These three days have been accommodation, meals, transport, set aside to explore and visit little-known boat fees, park entrance fees and areas of Casamance. Our main interest is permits, guidance, tips and taxes. exploring the marshes and remnant forest patches to the west of Ziguinchor. We trav- Not included: visa to enter Guinea- el west towards Oussouye and the forest of Bissau, drinks, insurance, items of a Boukitimigo - a known area for scarce personal nature. species occurring in Senegal. With a little luck we should locate Ahanta Francolin, *Please refer to our terms and White-spotted Flufftail, Brown Illadopsis, conditions relating to flights Green Crombec and Olive Sunbird. The

40 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Namibia Birding the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park Namibia is a remarkable country of stark landscapes with the Namib Desert, one of the driest places on earth, extending right to the ocean at the Skeleton Coast. Dunes and gravel plains of the Namib eventually give way to bush and secondary woodland. Our tour starts in the capital city of Windhoek with a visit to Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. Swakopmund is situated on the Skeleton Coast, where the adjacent cold Benguela Current results in an area rich in seabirds and waders. Spitzkoppen is next on the agenda, holding the endemic Herero Chat. Our main birding region is Etosha National Park, the jewel of Namibia. Etosha, translated literally, means Great White Place - a reference to the vast pan that dominates the centre of the park. Our final destination is Waterberg Plateau National Park, a district of deciduous woodland surrounded by semi-dry acacia forest.

Days 1-2: We fly to Johannesburg and connect with a flight to Windhoek, the cap- Dates ital of Namibia. Transfer to our accommo- Saturday July 24th Ð Sunday August dation for a one-night stay. On arrival we 8th 2021 make an initial visit to Daan Viljoen Game Leader: Mark Finn Reserve covering the rolling hills of Group Size: 8 Khomas Hochland. The main habitat is Species: 230-250 grassland dotted with small trees attracting a range of seed-eating birds. These may include Orange River and Red-billed faced Vultures which often perch in the top Francolins, Stark’s Lark, Rufous Sparrow, of Camel Thorn Trees. In the same habitat Green-winged Pytilia, Violet-eared and we may locate Rüppell’s Korhaan and Black-cheeked Waxbills, Shaft-tailed Double-banded Courser. Transfer to Whydah, Red-headed Finch, Scaly Swakopmund for a three-night stay. Weaver, White-throated Canary and Lark- like and Cape Buntings. Near watercourses Days 4-5: Rooibank is our destination. It is the trees are larger with a dense under- situated on the banks of the Kuiseb River, storey, attracting African Darter, African which is home to the localised Dune Lark. Black and Maccoa Ducks, South African Visits are also planned to the salt-works, Shelduck, Cape Shoveler and Hamerkop. Walvis Bay Lagoon, Platform and Tree-loving species comprise Monteiro’s Paaltijies. On one morning we take a pelag- Hornbill, Grey Go-away-bird, Purple Roller, Acacia Pied Barbet, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Marico Flycatcher, Southern Black and Ashy Tits and Groundscraper Thrush. Rocky hillsides with bushes hold Rockrunner, Mountain Wheatear and Familiar Chat. On our way out of the park, we may locate Three-banded Plover and Namaqua Sandgrouse.

Day 3: Today we head west to the coastal town of Swakopmund, which is very Germanic in character. The Namib is an important breeding ground for Lappet- Female Lion Photo: Jo Finn

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Southern Red-Billed Hornbill Photo: Jo Finn ic trip into the Southern Atlantic Ocean, the birds within this region. Likely species with late July being an optimum time for include Common Ostrich, White-backed seabirds from the southern oceans. Birds Vulture, Tawny, Booted and Martial Eagles, we hope to see include Cape , African -Eagle, Black-breasted Snake Cape Gannet, White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ludwig’s, Shearwater and Shy and Black-browed Rüppell’s and Northern Black Korhaans, , along with scarcer species Double-banded Sandgrouse, Monotonous, notably Brown Skua, Northern and Karoo Long-billed, Spike-heeled, Red- Southern Giant Petrels, Yellow-nosed capped, Stark’s and Gray’s and , Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark. Broad-billed Prion. Walvis Bay Lagoon is a Ramsar site supporting resident species Day 8: An early morning walk to look for such as Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Hartlaub’s Francolin before we travel north White-fronted Plover and the scarce to Etosha National Park in time for an after- Chestnut-banded Plover. A visit to Walvis noon’s birding and game drive. We have a Bay Sewage Works is expected to produce four-night stay in the Etosha area. Hottentot and Cape Teals, Red-billed Duck and Cape Shoveler and possibly early Days 9-11: Etosha National Park was returning migrants from Europe. designated in 1907. The Etosha Pan which dominates the park is 150km long and Days 6-7: Today we leave the coast and 70km wide and is dry for most of the year. drive east to Spitzkoppe, which rises 600m Two rivers run into the park along with var- above the surrounding plains. This is a reli- ious artesian wells and seepage of saline able spot for the endemic Herero Chat. and non-saline water. Consequently, this Rainfall in the arid Namib is extremely vari- attracts large numbers of birds and mam- able and this has an enormous effect on mals. We can cover Eastern, Central and

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Western Etosha and stay in each area for Paradise Whydah and Golden-breasted easy access. The eastern region receives and Cinnamon-breasted Buntings. the highest rainfall, much of it draining into Fischer’s Pan. The pan verges occasional- Days 13-15: Today we leave Etosha and ly hold African Openbill, Marabou and travel to Waterberg Plateau Park for a Saddle-billed . The Andoni Plains three-night stay.The plateau itself rises 420 have Blue and Grey Crowned Cranes and metres above the surrounding countryside. Clapper Lark whilst sandy areas usually Sandstone cliffs dominate the side of the have Burchell’s Sandgrouse. In woodland plateau with the slopes being covered in areas we should see Emerald-spotted rocks. Waterberg attracts a high number of Wood-Dove, Crimson-breasted Boubou species due to its location where broad- and Black-faced Babbler. Verreaux’s Eagle- leafed woodland meets the Kalahari Owl is sometimes seen at Klein Namutoni. Desert. The cliffs at Waterberg hold the The camp itself has African Palm Swift and, most northerly Cape Vultures in Africa and at dusk, Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, Red- also support Peregrine Falcon and Rosy- billed, Swainson’s and Crested Francolins faced Lovebird. Various trails run through can be common here along with Red-crest- the area where Bradfield’s Hornbill, ed and Northern Black Korhaans. Central Freckled Nightjar and Short-toed Rock and Western Etosha is dominated by Thrush occur. We also take a four-wheel Mopane woodland supporting Southern drive trip onto the plateau looking for Coqui Red-billed Hornbill, White-crested Francolin and African Barred Owlet. Other Helmetshrike, White-crowned Shrike, Violet species we may see at Waterberg include Woodhoopoe and Carp’s Tit. It is also one Black-chested Prinia, Southern Pied-bab- of the best places to find Bare-cheeked bler, Pririt Batis, Pale-winged and Babbler. Other woodland species comprise Burchell’s Starlings, Black-cheeked , Meyer’s Parrot, Grey-backed Waxbill, White-breasted Sunbird and Cape Camaroptera and Familiar Chat. The scrub Bunting. mopane supports Monotonous and Fawn- coloured Larks. Among the raptors we Day 16: Travel to Windhoek where our should find Gabar Goshawk - which is often flight departs for Europe. If time permits, seen hassling seedeaters and Wattled we can make further visits to Daan Viljoen Starlings - and Lanner and Red-necked Game Reserve. Falcons. At night we can search for African Scops and Southern White-faced Owls. The Charitsaub and Salvadora Plains offer us a chance of . Desert species Prices thrive in drier areas particularly Double- banded Courser and Grey-backed Ground Price: £3,295 Sparrow-Lark. Scrubby bushes may have Single room: £250 Rufous-eared Warbler. Okaukuejo Camp Deposit: £350 has a number of trees with Acacia Pied *Air Fare: £1,100 Babbler and Burnt-necked Eremomela. At night the waterhole is floodlit allowing This holiday is fully inclusive of views of Namaqua and Double-banded flights, accommodation, meals, Sandgrouse coming to drink. The sur- transport, entrance and permit fees, rounding countryside has Sociable Weaver guidance and tips. colonies attracting Pygmy Falcons to nest. Not included: drinks, insurance and Day 12: We use a lodge outside the park items of a personal nature, and any today and travel towards Namutoni where fuel surcharges. we may find Secretarybird and Swainson’s Francolin. At Uris Lodge a walk around the *Please refer to our terms and extensive grounds for Familiar Chat, conditions relating to flights African Paradise Flycatcher, Long-tailed

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 43 Rwanda Birds and mammals of Rwanda’s National Parks Rwanda is quite small, covering an area of around one fifth the size of England. Despite its small size the country is blessed with extensive areas of forest, lakes and swamps which in turn attract a wide species of birds and mammals. Rwanda is a wonderful destination for wildlife tourism and an excellent location to watch Mountain Gorillas. Our tour visits Akagera National Park, which has a mix of wetlands and forest, and the bird-rich Nyungwe Forest National Park. We expect to see almost 25 of the range-restricted Albertine Rift endemics. Birding within Rwanda is still in its infancy and this tour could well bring a few surprise species within the extensive forest systems.

Days 1-2: We have a flight to Kigali the capital of Rwanda with arrival on Day 2. Dates Transfer to Akagera National Park in east- Saturday January 15th Ð Thursday ern Rwanda which is close to the border January 27th 2022 with . En route we should Leader: Harriet Kemishiga and local encounter the commoner birds of the coun- guides tryside, including Hamerkop, African Group Size: 8 Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Augur Buzzard, Birds: 300-350 Long-crested Eagle, and Village, Black- headed and Vieillot’s Black Weavers. The journey passes through large tracts of agri- chance of locating Black-chested, Brown cultural areas where Grey-backed Fiscal and Western Banded Snake Eagles, White- resides, whilst patches of marsh and reeds headed Vulture, Ross’s Turaco, Black-col- attract Fan-tailed Widowbird and lared and Red-faced Barbets, Bennett’s Carruther’s Cisticola. We spend four nights Woodpecker, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, at Akagera Lodge. and Klaas’s, Red-chested, and Black Cuckoos. In the grasslands a search for Days 3-5: Akagera National Park was Black-bellied Bustard, Red-necked founded in 1934 to protect animals and Francolin, and Red-billed and occasionally other wildlife using a mixed combination of Cardinal Queleas. gallery forest, swamps and lakes. Almost 500 bird species can be found in the park. Day 6: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest A boat trip on Lake Ihema should reward us National Park. En route stops at papyrus with views of Rufous-bellied Heron, and swamps may produce Papyrus Gonolek, papyrus-loving Lesser and Greater Swamp White-winged Warbler and the uncommon Warblers, Slender-billed Weaver and Papyrus Canary. In roadside marshes we Swamp Flycatcher. The lakes also offer us search for another rare regional endemic - the chance of although this Grauer’s Swamp Warbler. Arrive at species has become scarce in recent Nyungwe Top View Hotel, which is our base years. Other species we may see include for five nights. Goliath, Black-headed, Striated, and Squacco Herons, Little , Grey Days 7-10: The next few days are spent Crowned Crane, African Openbill, African exploring the forests of Nyungwe. Within Darter, Black Crake, Wattled, Long-toed the reserve several well-maintained trails and Senegal , Water Thick-knee, allow access to this extensive forest, which Blue-headed Coucal and . is one of the largest remaining in Africa. In the forests and savannah we have a Albertine Rift endemics occurring in

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Grey-crowned Cranes Photo: Jo Finn Nyungwe include Handsome Francolin, final visit into the forest. Great Blue and Ruwenzori , White- headed Wood-hoopoe, Barred Long-tailed Day 12: Travel to the swamps of Gahanga Cuckoo, Chestnut Owlet, Olive and Elliot’s and Gashora for our final full day in Woodpeckers, Stripe-breasted Tit, Red- Rwanda. Areas near sugar cane factories collared Babbler, Archer’s and White-bel- can be productive for Blue-headed Coucal, lied Robin-Chats, Doherty’s Bushshrike, Red-faced Cisticola, Papyrus Canary and Mountain Masked, Black-faced, Chestnut- White-winged Warbler. Gashora is an throated, and Collared Apalises, Rwenzori important bird area in Rwanda, holding Batis, Grauer’s and Short-tailed Warblers, several species of migrants from Europe White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Chapin’s plus Cape Wagtail, African Snipe, Red- Flycatcher, Rwenzori Apalis, Purple- chested Cuckoo and Carruther’s Cisticola. breasted and Regal Sunbirds and Strange Weaver. Birding in dense forest can be Day 13: Morning flight back to the UK with challenging but a wide range of birds is arrival on the same day. possible. We should encounter Black-and- white-casqued Hornbill, Cinnamon-chest- Prices ed Bee-eater, Pink-footed Puffback and more skulking species in the form of Ground Price: £4,695 African Hill Babbler, Dusky Single room: £450 and Grauer’s Warbler. Walking along roads Deposit: £450 and trails can be productive for African *Air Fare: £650 Broadbill, Willard’s Sooty Boubou, Mountain Oriole, Mountain Illadopsis, This holiday is fully inclusive of Archer’s Robin and Red-faced Woodland accommodation, meals, transport, Warbler. On the canopy walk we search for guidance and taxes. Black-billed Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush and Purple-headed Sunbird. Along the Not included: drinks, insurance, waterfall trail we have chances of Grey airport departure taxes and items of Apalis, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Yellow-bellied a personal nature. Visa to enter Wattle-eye and Yellow-eyed Black Rwanda. Flycatcher. Almost anything may turn up at this undiscovered forest. *Please refer to our terms and conditions relating to flights Day 11: Today we return to Kigali after a

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 45 Senegal Birds of south-east Senegal and Saloum Senegal is one of West Africa’s most stable countries with a heavy French influence dating back to colonial days. The first half of the tour concentrates on the little-visited far east of the country on the border with Guinea, including Wassadou and the almost unknown Dindefelo region which stretches east towards the border with . The former area is the most reliable in West Africa for the beautiful Egyptian Plover and the localised African Finfoot. Dindefelo also holds significant numbers of mammals and over 220 species of birds, making it one of the premier wildlife areas of West Africa. Our final destination on this tour is Saloum National Park, an area of inter-tidal rivers, scrub and savannah. The range of bird species in Senegal is impressive and the many highlights include Arabian and Savile’s Bustards, Goliath Heron, Saddle-billed Stork, Scissor-tailed Kite, Fox Kestrel, Adamawa Turtle Dove and Kulikoro Firefinch to name a few. ■ Birdwatching Breaks has operated in excess of 25 tours to Senegal since the 1990s and is pleased to offer these unique birding tours at a peak time for birdlife.

Day 1: Fly to the new airport south of Dakar. On arrival, we transfer to the sea- Dates side village of Popenguine for a two-night Wednesday January 13th Ð Tuesday stay. January 26th 2021 Leader: Mark Finn and Ass Ndiaye Day 2: Dawn visit to the coastal scrub Group Size: 8 reserve of Popenguine where we should Birds: 260-320 find Blue Rock Thrush and European , which are rare visitors from Europe. To the south of Mbour is Lac Sarene, an Black Scimitarbill and Piapiac. Seasonal area bordered by farmland and just inland pools adjacent to the road lure small birds from the Atlantic Ocean. This is an incredi- to drink, including Cut-throat Finch, ble place for waders, wildfowl, terns and Exclamatory Paradise and Pin-tailed gulls, with recent visits recording Greater Whydahs, Golden Sparrow, Village Painted-snipe, Marsh and Curlew Indigobird and hunting Shikra. Near Sandpipers and high numbers of wintering Tambacounda we may locate Senegal Western Ospreys from Europe. These vis- Batis, Yellow , Chestnut- its have also produced rarer species, crowned Sparrow-Weaver and the uncom- notably Great Snipe and Citrine Wagtail. In mon and localised Brown-rumped Bunting. the surrounding acacia woodland we As dusk falls, we should encounter Four- should locate a wide range of wintering banded Sandgrouse. We spend three warblers and flycatchers. Later in the after- nights at Wassadou. noon we visit Lac Somone for close views of waders and terns and the possibility of Days 4-5: The area is home to over 300 the scarce Brown Sunbird. hundred species of birds, with some of the more interesting species including Day 3: After breakfast, we travel to Bateleur, , Denham’s Bustard, Wassadou via Tambacounda, the largest Egyptian Plover and Violet Turaco. The city in eastern Senegal. En route we may Gambia River meanders slowly through the encounter the beautiful Scissor-tailed Kite, region with extensive vegetation along the Dark Chanting Goshawk and, in the dry banks, sand-bars and banks attracting acacia woodland, Black-bellied Bustard, Saddle-billed and Woolly-necked Storks,

46 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Senegal

African Spoonbill Photo: Roger Ridley African Finfoot, Giant and Shining-blue Eremomelas, Swamp Flycatcher, White- Kingfishers, White-headed Lapwing and crowned Robin-Chat, Blackcap and Brown Oriole Warbler. In recent visits we have Babblers, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, seen Pel’s Fishing Owls at one of the few African Pied Wagtail, Orange-cheeked known sites in West Africa. During our stay Waxbill, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, within the park, we make several excur- Vitelline Masked Weaver and Pygmy sions to birding hot-spots. Savannah habi- Sunbird. tats offer us , Stone Partridge, Black-headed Heron, Hadada Day 6: This morning we continue our jour- Ibis, Palm-nut Vulture, Short-toed, ney east towards the borders with Guinea Beaudouin’s, Brown and Western Banded and Mali.The habitat starts to change slow- Snake Eagles, Bateleur and Black ly as the border has cliffs, gallery forest and Crowned Crane. Also present in the savan- ravines. In the afternoon we visit the forest nah in lower numbers are Sun Lark, Pied- and bush area of Samecouta. This is an winged Swallow and a wide range of estril- interesting place where we may find the dids Ð Black-bellied and Black-faced rare Senegal Lapwing, Lanner Falcon, Firefinches and Black-faced and Black- Violet Turaco and Black-rumped Waxbill. rumped Waxbills. Wassadou also has Our base for the next three nights is in the patches of gallery forest holding Red-thigh- regional town of Kedougou. ed Sparrowhawk, Green Turaco, Spotted and Wahlberg’s , Little Green Days 7-8: Our main interest is visiting the and Buff-spotted Woodpeckers, Swamp Dindefelo Nature Reserve, which was Palm Bulbul, Green Crombec and Crimson formed thanks to a partnership between Seedcracker. Wassadou attracts many the Jane Goodall Institute and the Rural birds, with previous visits recording Red- Community of Dindefelo, in order to protect throated, Green and Northern Carmine an isolated population of chimpanzees. It Bee-eaters, Greater Honeyguide, Grey- also protects areas of forests, cliffs and headed Bushshrike, Red-shouldered waterfalls which are rare habitats within Cuckooshrike, Yellow-bellied and Senegal Senegal. Rare species occurring include

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Fox Kestrel, Narina’s Trogon, Mocking Cliff attract European, Blue-cheeked and occa- Chat, Neumann’s Starling, Dybowski’s sionally Green and Northern Carmine Bee- Twinspot and Kulikoro Firefinch. Several eaters. On one evening, we visit a huge recent surveys have found species at the raptor roost site which holds hundreds of edge of their ranges or rare migrants from Scissor-tailed Kites, Lesser Kestrels and Europe. These have included Black Stork, possibly three species of harriers Ð Red-chested Goshawk, Red-thighed Western Marsh, Montagu’s and Pallid. Sparrowhawk, Common , Forbes’s Plover, Rock Martin, Rufous-tailed Day 13: Today we return to Popenguine Rock Thrush, Olive Sunbird and Wilson’s and visit a series of wetland lagoons adja- Indigobird. In other areas we may cent to the coast where it is possible to find encounter Guinea and Violet Turacos, wintering Audouin’s and Mediterranean African Cuckoo, Northern White-faced Owl, Gulls and, in recent years, Franklin’s Gull Fanti Saw-wing, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, from across the Atlantic. Anything is possi- Singing, Short-winged and Rufous ble here and recent rarities have included Cisticolas, Green-headed Sunbird and American Golden Plover. The dry acacia Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. In the woodland holds many of Europe’s warblers evenings the balcony viewing point of our here on their wintering grounds. hotel should give us views of Long-tailed and Standard-winged Nightjars and Pearl- Day 14: A morning visit to Technopole Ð a spotted Owlet. recently established reserve situated in the centre of Dakar. A habitat of sandy islands, Day 9: A travel day back towards Kaolack reedbeds and exposed mud attracts a wide and onto Keur Saloum where we have a range of species in a relatively small area. four-night stay. Expect a wide range of wintering waders, gulls and terns plus resident African Days 10-12: Today we head to Saloum . Technopole has a reputation National Park, an extensive region of for attracting unusual birds from Europe forests and mangrove swamps. As we and North America, which on recent visits approach our hotel, we expect to find Black have included Laughing Gull, American Woodhoopoe, Fork-tailed Drongo, Fine- Golden Plover and Buff-breasted spotted Woodpecker, and African and Sandpiper. Later in the day we return to the Bruce’s Green Pigeons. On one morning, airport for flights to Europe, with arrival depending on tide times, we take a boat trip early the next day. through mangrove swamps and visit isolat- ed sandbars. The hotel quay sometimes has Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Goliath Prices Heron. Shorebirds are numerous and include White-fronted, Kentish, Common Ground Price: £2,795 Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew Single room: £250 Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Deposit: £250 Oystercatcher and Common Greenshank. *Air Fare: £700 On previous visits, we have observed White-crested Bittern, White-backed Night This tour is fully inclusive of Heron, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Shikra, Bronze accommodation, meals, transport, Mannikin, Brown Babbler, Klaas’s Cuckoo, park entrance fees and permits, Western Plantain-eater, Greater and guidance, tips and taxes. Lesser Honeyguides, Lavender Waxbill and Brown Sunbird. An afternoon visit is Not included: drinks, insurance, planned to a forested area where birds of items of a personal nature. prey abound. We may find Grasshopper Buzzard, Brown, Beaudouin’s and Short- *Please refer to our terms and toed Snake Eagles, Grey Kestrel, African conditions relating to flights Hobby and Palm-nut Vulture. Open areas

48 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Senegal Birds of the Sahel and Saloum Delta Senegal is one of West Africa’s most stable countries with a heavy French influence dating back to colonial days. The coastline has several wetlands of international importance which are protected in the form of national parks. The north of the country has a wide belt of Sahel holding several species which prefer sub-desert habitats while the south is primarily savannah dotted with stands of acacia trees and secondary forest. We visit Djoudj National Park which is a wetland where Palearctic migrants winter in their thousands. The range of bird species in this little known country is impressive; Arabian and Savile’s Bustards, Little Grey Woodpecker, Sennar Penduline Tit, Fulvous Babbler and Cricket Warbler all being found regularly on recent tours. ■ Birdwatching Breaks has operated several tours to Senegal since the 1990s and is pleased to offer these unique birding tours at a peak time for birdlife.

Day 1: Fly to Dakar and transfer to Popenguine for an overnight stay. Dates Sunday February 27th Ð Friday Days 2-4: Dawn visit to the coastal scrub March 11th 2022 reserve of Popenguine where we should Leader: Mark Finn and Ass Ndiaye find Blue Rock Thrush, European Crag Group Size: 8 Martin, White-rumped Swift and on the Birds:230-260 cliffs Gosling’s Buntings. Yellow-billed Kite is abundant in the region and on our jour- ney northwards birds of prey can be Fish Eagle, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers numerous and include Lappet-faced, African Jacana, , Ruppell’s, Hooded and White-backed Abyssinian Roller and Senegal Coucal. A Vultures. Near St Louis itself, we should thorn forest regularly has roosting Long- find Red-necked Falcons in roadside palm tailed Nightjars. The drier ground is home trees. For the next few days we are based to Senegal Thick-knee, Black-billed Wood at Ranch de Bango and Richard Toll from Dove, Little Bee-eater and Northern Grey- where we explore sub-Saharan Senegal. headed Sparrow. The grounds of the ranch offer excellent birding with regularly seen species Ð Marigot One: This is, in effect, a private- Western Red-billed Hornbill, Grey-headed ly run nature reserve. Our main interest Kingfisher, Grey Woodpecker, Blue-naped here is in locating the internationally scarce , Tawny-flanked Prinia, Red- Savile’s Bustard. Other sub-Saharan birds billed Firefinch, Beautiful and Scarlet- present include Marsh, Montagu’s and, chested Sunbirds, African Silverbill, Sudan occasionally, Pallid Harriers, Barbary Golden Sparrow and Long-tailed Glossy Falcon, Cream-coloured and Temminck’s Starlings. Wintering Palearctic migrants are Coursers, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, common and include , and Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark. A lake Melodious, Subalpine and Western attracts shorebirds and many species of Olivaceous Warblers, Common Redstart, heron, including Black Heron. A stop at Red-throated and Tree Pipits. Our base, dusk may give us Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, a adjacent to the Senegal River, is a haven local resident. for waterbirds Ð Long-tailed Cormorant, Squacco and Purple Herons, Purple Marigot Two and Three: We spend a Swamphen, Spur-winged Lapwing, African day in this area and typical species include

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Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Photo: Simon Papps Northern Anteater-chat, Black and Rufous- Wryneck. We take a boat safari into one of tailed Scrub Robins, Senegal Batis, Long- nature’s wonders. Our boat takes us along tailed and Chestnut-bellied Starlings, a branch of the Senegal River, which is Green Woodhoopoe and Blue-naped alive with birds, to a colony of Great White Mousebird. If are present, we may . This area usually holds large find Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. Patches of numbers of ducks and herons. Seasonal acacia trees are home to specialised lakes in Djoudj attract Western Marsh Sahelian birds Ð Cricket Warbler, Sennar Harriers and Striated Heron, kingfishers, Penduline Tit and Little Grey Woodpecker. Black Crake, and Yellow-billed Stork. Other Other birds may include Great, highlights include Black-crowned Night Intermediate and Little Egrets, Sacred and Heron, White-faced and Fulvous Whistling- Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, Ruff, Black- ducks, Western Osprey, Caspian, Gull- tailed Godwit, Black Crake and Collared billed, Black and Whiskered Terns and the Pratincole. range-restricted River Prinia. Lac de Kahr and Grand Lac hold Greater and, some- Djoudj National Park: Djoudj National times, Lesser . Grand Lac also Park is the third most important wetland in holds substantial numbers of Garganey the world. En route we travel through aca- with lesser numbers of Eurasian Teal, cia forest looking for , Northern Shoveler and Northern Pintail. Vieillot’s Barbet, and Desert Wheatear Isolated trees on the surrounding desert whilst a reed-fringed pool attracts Greater landscape provide hunting perches for Painted Snipe and waders. Patches of migrant Peregrine and Lanner Falcons. The woodland attract many interesting species park has what is possibly the only protect- Ð , Northern Crombec, ed area for Arabian Bustard, a species Village Indigobird, Yellow-backed, Village under constant threat from hunting and, in and Little Weavers and wintering Eurasian this area of Africa, greatly endangered. On

50 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Senegal the return to Ranch de Bango, roadside Verde and Scopoli’s Shearwaters, the lagoons may hold Eurasian and African uncommon Baroli’s Shearwater, Pomarine, Spoonbills, Spur-winged and Egyptian Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas, a wide range Geese, and shorebirds including Avocet, of terns comprising of Caspian, African , Temminck’s Stint and Royal, Common, Arctic, Roseate, Little and Black-winged Stilt. Sandwich the latter being quite common. Other possibilities include Grey Phalarope Days 5-6: Richard Toll and Podor: A and rarer species Ð Bulwer’s Petrel, new road running east towards the town of Leach’s, Wilson’s and Madeiran Storm Richard Toll allows us to explore the exten- Petrels, South Polar Skua and Sabine’s sive Senegal River floodplain and the Gull. Nights in Popenguine Sahelian environment. Among the many birds that we may encounter here are Day 9: This morning we travel south to visit African Pygmy Goose, Black-shouldered birding areas near the coastal city of Mbour Kite, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, (or take the boat trip if weather conditions Wahlberg’s, Short-toed and Booted have been poor). Habitats include several Eagles, Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Quail, patches of acacia scrub which are attrac- African Reed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, tive to migrants from Europe and may Black-crowned Sparrow Lark, Kordofan include Bluethroat, Spotted and Pied and Singing Bush Larks, African Flycatchers and Iberian Chiffchaff. Several Quailfinch, Desert Cisticola, Grey-backed small ponds dot the landscape which Eremomela and, occasionally, Hoopoe attract a wide range of waterbirds including Lark. This is also a known area for Arabian numerous ducks and waders. and, in some years, Denham’s Bustard. To the east of Richard Toll and towards the Days 10-12: Today we head to Saloum settlement of Podor several species occur National Park, an extensive region of which are hard too see elsewhere in the forests and mangrove swamps. As we country. The dry grasslands with scattered approach our hotel, we expect to find Black bushes are reliable for Cricket Warblers Woodhoopoe, Fork-tailed Drongo, Fine- and the shy Fulvous Babbler. The habitats spotted Woodpecker, African and Bruce’s around Podor offer us the chance to Green Pigeons. On one morning, depend- observe the rarely seen Golden Nightjar, ing on tide times, a boat trip takes us Little Grey Woodpecker and wintering through mangrove swamps to visit isolated Cream-coloured Coursers. Nights in Podor sandbars. The hotel quay sometimes has Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Goliath Days 7-8: Today we travel south towards Heron. Shorebirds are numerous and the capital city of Dakar. There are several include White-fronted, Kentish, Common birding locations along the way including and Little Ringed Plovers, Curlew Technopole which is a failed shopping Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian complex with lakes and reedbeds. Careful Oystercatcher and Greenshank. On previ- scanning of the grass islands and shallow ous visits, we have observed White-crested pools may produce a variety of gulls includ- Bittern, White-backed Night Heron, Pearl- ing Audouin’s and Mediterranean and spotted Owlet, Shikra, Bronze Mannikin, occasionally stragglers from North America Brown Babbler, Klass’s Cuckoo, Western which has included Franklin’s in recent Grey Plantain-eater, Greater and Lesser years. Waders can be numerous and often Honeyguides, Lavender Waxbill and Brown reveal the presence of rarer species which Sunbird. An afternoon visit is planned to a in recent years have included Buff-breast- forested area where birds of prey abound. ed Sandpiper and American Golden We may find Grasshopper Buzzard, Brown Plover. On Day 8 we take a pelagic trip off and Baudouin’s Snake Eagles, Short-toed Dakar where the deep cool waters of the Eagle, Grey Kestrel, African Hobby and North Atlantic attract a variety of species. In Palm-nut Vulture. Open areas attract the right weather conditions we should European, Blue-cheeked and, occasional- encounter Red-billed , Cape ly, Little Green and Northern Carmine Bee-

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Savile’s Bustard Photo: Roger Ridley eaters. On one evening, we visit a huge Prices raptor roost site which holds hundreds of African Swallow-tailed Kites, Lesser Ground Price: £2,595 (provisional) Kestrels and possibly three species of har- Single room: £250 riers – Marsh, Montagu’s and Pallid. Deposit: £250 *Air Fare: £700 Day 13: Today we return to Popenguine and visit a series of wetland lagoons adja- This tour is fully inclusive of cent to the coast where it is possible to find accommodation and meals, wintering Audouin’s and Mediterranean transport, park entrance fees and Gulls and, in recent years, Franklin’s Gulls permits, guidance, tips and taxes. from across the Atlantic. Anything is possi- ble here and recent rarities have included Not included: drinks, insurance, American Golden Plover. The dry acacia items of a personal nature. woodland holds many of Europe’s warblers here on their wintering grounds. In the *Please refer to our terms and evening transfer to the airport and flights conditions relating to flights back to Europe.

52 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Senegal Pelagic birding and Birds of the Sahel Senegal is one of West Africa’s most stable countries with a heavy French influence dating back to colonial days. The coastline has two important wetlands of international importance which are protected in the form of national parks. The north of the country has a wide belt of Sahel holding several species which prefer sub-desert habitats while the south is primarily savannah dotted with stands of acacia trees and secondary forest. We visit Djoudj National Park which is a wetland where Palearctic migrants winter in their thousands. The range of bird species in this little-known country is impressive; Arabian and Savile’s Bustards, Little Grey Woodpecker, Sennar Penduline Tit, Fulvous Babbler and Cricket Warbler all being found regularly on recent tours. ■ Birdwatching Breaks has operated in excess of 25 tours to Senegal since the 1990s and is pleased to offer these unique birding tours at a peak time for birdlife. ■ Tour C can be combined with Casamance and Guinea-Bissau, page 36.

Day 1: Fly to Dakar and transfer to Popenguine for an overnight stay. Dates TOUR A: Friday November 6th Ð Days 2-4: Dawn visit to the coastal scrub Saturday November 14th 2020 reserve of Popenguine where we should TOUR B: Saturday February 27th Ð find Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Crag Sunday March 7th 2021 Martin, White-rumped Swift and, on the TOUR C: Saturday October 23rd Ð cliffs, Gosling’s Bunting.Yellow-billed Kite is Sunday October 31st 2021 abundant in the region and on our journey Leader: Mark Finn and Ass Ndiaye northwards birds of prey can be numerous Group Size: 8 and sightings could include Lappet-faced, Birds: 200-250 Rüppell’s, Hooded and White-backed Vultures. Near St Louis itself, we should find Red-necked Falcon in roadside palm Cormorant, Squacco and Purple Herons, trees. For the next few days we are based African Swamphen, Spur-winged Lapwing, at Ranch de Bango and Richard Toll, from African Fish Eagle, Malachite and Pied where we explore sub-Saharan Senegal. Kingfishers, African Jacana, Winding The grounds of the ranch offer excellent Cisticola, Abyssinian Roller and Senegal birding with regularly seen species includ- Coucal. A thorn forest regularly has roost- ing Western Red-billed Hornbill, Grey- ing Long-tailed Nightjar. The drier ground is headed Kingfisher, Grey Woodpecker, home to Senegal Thick-knee, Black-billed Blue-naped Mousebird, Tawny-flanked Wood Dove, Little Bee-eater and Northern Prinia, Red-billed Firefinch, Beautiful and Grey-headed Sparrow. Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, African Silverbill, and Marigot One: This is, in effect, a private- Long-tailed Glossy Starling. Wintering ly run nature reserve. Our main interest Palearctic migrants are common and here is in locating the internationally scarce include Iberian Chiffchaff, Melodious, Savile’s Bustard. Other sub-Saharan birds Subalpine and Western Olivaceous present include Western Marsh, Montagu’s Warblers, Common Redstart, and Red- and, occasionally, Pallid Harriers, Barbary throated and Tree Pipits. Our base, adja- Falcon, Cream-coloured and Temminck’s cent to the Senegal River, is a haven for Coursers, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, waterbirds Ð we may find Long-tailed and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark. A lake

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Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin Photo: Simon Papps attracts shorebirds and many species of Kingfisher, Vieillot’s Barbet and Desert heron, including Black Heron. A stop at Wheatear, whilst a reed-fringed pool dusk may give us Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, attracts Greater Painted-snipe and waders. which is a local resident. Patches of woodland attract many interest- ing species Ð Speckled Pigeon, Northern Marigot Two and Three: We spend a Crombec, Village Indigobird, Yellow- day in this area and typical species include backed, Village and Little Weavers and win- Northern Anteater Chat, Black and Rufous- tering Eurasian Wryneck. We take a boat tailed Scrub Robins, Senegal Batis, Long- safari into one of nature’s wonders. Our tailed and Chestnut-bellied Starlings, boat takes us along a branch of the Green Woodhoopoe and Blue-naped Senegal River, which is alive with birds, to Mousebird. If cattle are present, we may a colony of Great White Pelicans. This area find Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. Patches of usually holds large numbers of ducks and acacia trees are home to specialised herons. Seasonal lakes in Djoudj attract Sahelian birds Ð Cricket Warbler, Sennar Western Marsh Harrier and Striated Heron, Penduline Tit and Little Grey Woodpecker. kingfishers, Black Crake, and Yellow-billed Other birds may include Great, Stork. Other highlights include Black- Intermediate and Little Egrets, Sacred and crowned Night Heron, White-faced and Glossy Ibis, Common Snipe, Ruff, Black- Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Western Osprey, tailed Godwit, Black Crake and Collared Caspian, Gull-billed, Black and Whiskered Pratincole. Ter ns and the range-restricted River Prinia. Lac de Kahr and Grand Lac hold Greater Djoudj National Park: Djoudj National and, sometimes, Lesser Flamingos. Grand Park is the third most important wetland for Lac also holds substantial numbers of birds in the world. En route we travel Garganey with lesser numbers of Eurasian through acacia forest looking for Striped Teal, Northern Shoveler and Northern

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Pintail. Isolated trees on the surrounding the presence of rarer species which on pre- desert landscape provide hunting perches vious tours have included Buff-breasted for migrant Peregrine and Lanner Falcons. Sandpiper and American Golden Plover. The park has what is possibly the only pro- On Day 8 we take a pelagic trip off Dakar tected area for Arabian Bustard, a species where the deep cool waters of the North under constant threat from hunting and, in Atlantic attract a variety of species. In the this area of Africa, greatly endangered. On right weather conditions we should the return to Ranch de Bango, roadside encounter Red-billed Tropicbird, Cape lagoons may hold Eurasian and African Verde and Scopoli’s Shearwaters, the Spoonbills, Spur-winged and Egyptian uncommon Baroli’s Shearwater, Pomarine, Geese, and shorebirds including Pied Arctic and Long-tailed Skuas, a wide range Avocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint of terns including the quite common and Black-winged Stilt. Sandwich plus Caspian, West African Crested, Common, Arctic, Roseate and Days 5-6: Richard Toll and Podor: A Little. Other possibilities include Grey new road running east towards the town of Phalarope and rarer species such as Richard Toll allows us to explore the exten- Bulwer’s Petrel, Leach’s, Wilson’s and sive Senegal River floodplain and the Madeiran Storm Petrels, South Polar Skua Sahelian environment. Among the many and Sabine’s Gull. Nights in Popenguine. birds that we may encounter here are African Pygmy Goose, Black-winged Kite, Day 9: This morning we travel south to visit Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers, Wahlberg’s birding areas near the coastal city of Mbour and Booted Eagles, Short-toed Snake (or take the boat trip if weather conditions Eagle, Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Quail, have been poor). Habitats include several African Reed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, patches of acacia scrub which are attrac- Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark, Kordofan tive to migrants from Europe and may and Singing Bush Larks, African include Bluethroat, Spotted and European Quailfinch, Desert Cisticola, Grey-backed Pied Flycatchers and Iberian Chiffchaff. Eremomela and, occasionally, Greater Several small ponds dot the landscape Hoopoe-Lark. This is also a known area for which attract a wide range of waterbirds Arabian and, in some years, Denham’s including numerous ducks and waders. Bustards. To the east of Richard Toll and Later in the day we return to Popenguine to towards the settlement of Podor several freshen up and travel to the airport for our species occur which are hard to see else- late night flight back to the UK. where in the country. The dry grasslands with scattered bushes are reliable for Cricket Warbler and the shy Fulvous Prices Babbler. The habitats around Podor offer us the chance to observe the rarely seen Ground Price: £2,295 Golden Nightjar, Little Grey Woodpecker Single room: £150 and wintering Cream-coloured Courser. Deposit: £200 Nights in Podor *Air Fare: £700

Days 7-8: Today we travel south towards This tour is fully inclusive of the capital city of Dakar. There are several accommodation, meals, transport, birding locations along the way including park entrance fees and permits, Technopole, which is a failed shopping guidance, tips and taxes. complex with lakes and reedbeds. Careful scanning of the grass islands and shallow Not included: drinks, insurance, pools may produce a variety of gulls such items of a personal nature. as Audouin’s and Mediterranean and occa- sional stragglers from North America which *Please refer to our terms and have included Franklin’s in recent years. conditions relating to flights Waders can be numerous and often reveal

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 55 Japan Breeding birds and migrants of Japan Birdwatching Breaks is pleased to offer you a summer tour to Japan concentrating on Honshu, Hokkaido and the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Ishigaki-jima and finally Miyake-jima Ð a part of the Izu Island chain. This tour takes you to some of the most beautiful and remote areas of Japan. ■ Please note the itinerary is subject to change at short notice due to weather conditions and air travel timetables in the Ryukyu Islands. We have alternative birding sites if this happens.

Days 1-2: A morning flight to Tokyo arriv- ing on the following day. Transfer to Dates Sasagawa for a night’s stay. Our main inter- Tuesday June 1st Ð Sunday June est is locating the scarce Marsh Grassbird 20th 2021 which displays above the reeds. Other Leaders: Mark Finn and Kiwako species present include Oriental Reed Minami Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and Japanese Group size: 8 Reed, Masked and Meadow Buntings. We Species: 190-220 may find Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets and possibly late waders Ð Eurasian browed Reed Warbler and Chestnut-eared Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone and Grey- Bunting. tailed Tattler. Days 5-6: Today we transfer to Gotemba, which is located near Mount Fuji and its Days 3-4: Today we transfer to Karuizawa, extensive forested slopes on the northern which is situated in forest and undulating and eastern edges. On the afternoon of hills close to Asamayama, a volcano rising Day 5 we make an initial exploration of the to 2,500 metres, for a two-night stay. Our forest searching for White-bellied Green base is situated among mixed deciduous Pigeon, , Northern Hawk- and conifer forest. Hotels have bird feeders Cuckoo, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-flanked attracting Great Spotted and Japanese Bluetail, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Pygmy Woodpeckers, Japanese Japanese , Goldcrest, Grey- and Grey-bellied Bullfinch. Our interest, bellied Bullfinch and the shy Siberian however, is Hoshino Onsen, an area of Thrush. Areas near the tree line offer us fast-flowing rivers, forests and clearings. our best chances of the localised Japanese Along the rivers we should find Ruddy and . On Day 6 we revisit forest areas Crested Kingfishers, Japanese and Grey before transferring to Tokyo docks and an Wagtails and Brown Dipper. The wood- overnight ferry to the island of Miyake-jima lands support Copper , Japanese in the Izu Islands. Green, Pygmy and White-backed Woodpeckers and summer visitors includ- Day 7: On arrival in Miyake-jima we head ing White’s, Japanese and Brown-headed to a forested area for Ijima’s Leaf Warbler, Thrushes, Ashy Minivet, Siberian Blue Izu Thrush and the endemic island race of Robin, Japanese Bush and Pale-legged Warbling White-eye. Other species inhabit- Warblers and Blue-and-white and Asian ing the forest include the island-endemic Brown Flycatchers. With a little luck we may race of Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Izu find the endangered Yellow Bunting. Near Robin and Izu Tit. Around the island we Karuizawa, abandoned rice fields hold may find Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler, Green Pheasant, Latham’s Snipe, Black- Brown Shrike and Lesser Cuckoo. At Tairo-

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Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Photo: Neil Norvock ike Western Osprey and Black-eared Kite through the forest searching for the endem- are possible, with the surrounding forest ic Amami Woodcock, Ruddy Kingfisher and holding the scarce Japanese Woodpigeon. Ryukyu Scops Owl. After dinner we search wooded areas for Japanese Scops Owl and displaying Day 10: Today we check the forest areas Eurasian Woodcock. and gardens for two island endemics Ð Lidth’s and Amami Robin. The coast Day 8: Today we recheck Miyake-jima for has rocky headlands and bays attracting any species we may have missed. Striated Heron, Common Kingfisher and Afternoon ferry back to Tokyo with possible occasionally migrant waders and terns. If sightings of Laysan and Black-footed required we take another night drive to Albatrosses, Streaked and Short-tailed catch up with any missing species. Shearwaters, Brown Booby, Pomarine Skua and Tristram’s Storm Petrel. Night in Days 11-12: Transfer to the airport for a Tokyo. flight to Naha in Okinawa and then on to Ishigaki-jima, in the southern Ryukyu Day 9: Morning flight to Amami Oshima in Islands. Our main interest is in locating the Ryukyu Islands for a two-night stay. On Ryukyu Serpent Eagle (another Japanese arrival we transfer to the main town of Naze endemic) and Ishigaki Tit, while there is which is close to the forest habitats of the also a chance of the secretive and rare island. Woodland species can be numer- Malayan Night Heron. Other species we ous, including Ryukyu Green Pigeon, may see on Ishigaki-jima include Owston’s Woodpecker, Ryukyu Flycatcher Cinnamon Bittern, Pacific Reef Egret, and Owston’s Tit. As dusk falls it is a good Purple Heron, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, time to look for the rare Amami Thrush on Common Moorhen, White-breasted the forest floor or singing from a low perch. Waterhen, Greater Crested and Little After dinner we embark on a night drive Terns, Emerald Dove, Pacific Swallow,

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bring us Eastern Buzzard, Grey-headed and White-backed Woodpeckers. On one night we visit a private farm for Blakiston’s Fish Owl. Tofutsu-ko, adjacent to the Sea of Okhotsk, is a large lake with reedbeds and sand dunes where we should locate Siberian Rubythroat, Grasshopper Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler singing from stands of wild roses. Other summer visitors include Latham’s Snipe, Middendorf’s Grasshopper Warbler, Meadow Bunting and Long-tailed Rosefinch. Open water with emergent veg- etation attracts wildfowl, Eastern Marsh Harrier, White-tailed Eagle and Eurasian Hobby. Cape Ochiishi has a boardwalk Varied Tit Photo: Neil Norvock leading to a lighthouse. At the cape, and on the sea below, a search may provide us Light-vented, Bulbul, Ryukyu Minivet and with views of Pelagic and Red-faced Eastern Blue Rock Thrush. Chinese Egret , Harlequin Duck, Spectacled is another possibility and the island is also Guillemot, Rhinoceros Auklet and Slaty- home to rarer species such as Watercock backed Gull. Cape Kiritappu is a large and Slaty-legged Crake. rocky promontory jutting into the sea. Our main interest is locating Tufted Puffin Ð a Days 13-14: Morning flight to Okinawa rare breeding bird in Japan. On our return and transfer to the small town of Ada for to Nemuro we can search for two nights. The Yambura Forest is close by along birch-dominated roadsides. and this site attracts Ryukyu Robin, Okinawa Woodpecker, Japanese Day 19: Today we head back to Kushiro Woodpigeon, Japanese Bush Warbler and and our flight to Tokyo. En route, we make Brown-eared Bulbul along with the beauti- a return visit to Furen-ko for Japanese ful Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. In the Robin and other woodland birds. evening after dinner we take a night drive to locate the flightless Okinawa Rail and Day 20: Morning departure to Europe Pryer’s Scops Owl. Several areas of rice arriving later the same day. paddies around the coast attract egrets and herons plus Black-naped and Roseate Prices Ter ns in coastal waters. Ground Price: £5,695 Day 15: We take and an internal flight to Single room: £500 Kushiro in eastern Hokkaido via Tokyo and Deposit: £500 transfer to Nemuro, which is our base for *Air Fare: £1,500 four nights. This tour is fully inclusive of Days 16-18: Our first stop is Furen-ko, an accommodation, meals, transport, exceptional area for birds which is home to entrance fees and permits, tips and White-tailed Eagle, Whooper Swan and taxes. majestic Red-crowned Crane. The lake is typical of those on Hokkaido, being Not included: drinks, insurance, and extremely shallow and bordered by stands items of a personal nature. of fir and spruce. June brings Red-necked Grebe, Tufted and Falcated Ducks, Greater *Please refer to our terms and Scaup and Eurasian Teal to breed on the conditions relating to flights lagoon. Walking through woodland should

58 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Japan Winter birds in the Land of the Rising Sun Japan is a huge archipelago stretching along the northern Pacific Ocean. Our tour concentrates on Kyushu, Hokkaido, Katano on the Sea of Japan and Karuizawa in the Japanese Alps. This winter tour to Japan should produce many memorable highlights in a country steeped in its own tradition and culture. Interesting species present in winter include Short-tailed Albatross, White-naped and Hooded Cranes, Baikal Teal, Blakiston’s Fish Owl and impressive concentrations of Steller’s and White-tailed Eagles. This is the most comprehensive Japanese winter tour available today taking in a wide-range of habitats and sites. Birdwatching Breaks has been running tours to Japan since 1996, totalling 24 to date. Mark Finn has an extensive knowledge and experience of Japan’s unique birdlife and where to find it. Over the years, Birdwatching Breaks has built up trust with local Japanese birdwatchers, making the company one of the market leaders to this wonderful country. ■ The following itinerary is sometimes subject to change due to ferry schedules from Nagoya.

Days 1-2: We fly to Tokyo, arriving on the morning of Day 2. On arrival, we travel to Dates Tokyo station and take the bullet train to Tour A: Friday February 5th Ð Karuizawa for a two-night stay. Karuizawa Saturday February 20th 2021 is a picturesque town situated in the Tour B: Friday February 4th Ð foothills of the Japanese Alps. We make an Saturday February 19th 2022 initial exploration of woodland and forest Leader: Mark Finn and Kiwako habitats for Brown Dipper, Japanese Minami Wagtail, , Grey-capped Group Size: 8 Greenfinch, Hawfinch, Brambling and Birds: 155-175 Rustic Bunting.

Day 3: This morning we walk the forest Day 4: Today we travel back to Haneda air- trails of Karuizawa searching for the rare port for an internal flight to Miyazaki in Copper Pheasant. Feeders attract Kyushu. On arrival, we transfer to Hyuga. Night at Hyuga. Japanese Green Woodpecker, Long-tailed and Pallas’s Rosefinches, Japanese and Day 5: Our main interest today is the near- Varied Tits, Japanese Grosbeak and endemic Japanese Murrelet, which is best Meadow Bunting. Near the river, we may viewed by taking a short boat trip offshore. locate Japanese Accentor, Eurasian Wren After seeing the murrelet, we travel to Mi- and, in trees laden with mistletoe, ike, a forested area of evergreens and Japanese Waxwing. Patches of mature deciduous trees surrounding a volcanic woodland often have White-backed lake. En route we make a short diversion to Woodpecker and . During a coastal wetland which has on recent vis- the afternoon, we explore rural roads and a its produced sightings of Oriental Stork, reservoir near Karuizawa in search of Baer’s Pochard and Long-billed Dowitcher. Green Pheasant and the localised Long- At Mi-ike a walk along the paths should billed Plover. On the reservoir we should give views of Red-flanked Bluetail and locate a wide range of wildfowl including Grey and Yellow-throated Buntings. A Smew and Falcated Duck. campground is productive for Japanese

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Green and Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers, Olive-backed Pipit, Varied Tit, Ryukyu Minivet and Japanese Grosbeak. Transfer to Izumi along a quiet country road which often has Pale Thrush and a chance of Copper Pheasant. On arrival, we have a two-night stay in Izumi.

Day 6: This morning we visit Arasaki crane reserve, with wintering Hooded and White- naped Cranes and, possibly, Sandhill, Common, Demoiselle and Siberian Cranes. Extensive estuarine habitats at Arasaki attract Japanese Cormorant, Intermediate Egret, Black-eared Kite and wildfowl. Agricultural fields are a winter home to Greater Painted-snipe, Japanese Skylark, Oriental , and Rustic, Black-faced and Meadow Buntings. Gardens and hedgerows of Arasaki attract Hawfinch and Japanese Grosbeak. Further south an area of dor- mant ricefields can be productive for win- tering Eastern Reed and Chestnut-eared Buntings and in milder winters Eurasian Wryneck. A scan of the wires may reveal substantial numbers of Brambling and . In late afternoon, we visit a boulder-strewn river holding Long-billed Plover, Crested Kingfisher, Eastern Blue Red-crowned Crane Photo: Neil Norvock Rock Thrush, Barn Swallow, Asian House Martin and Japanese Wagtail. necked Grebes, Greater Scaup and other wildfowl. Shikanoshima is a reliable area Day 7: An early start today as we travel to for wintering Japanese Bush Warbler, Pale Ariake-kai, a coastal bay north of Arasaki Thrush and, on offshore stacks, Japanese which has extensive areas of mudflats, Cormorant and on occasions Brown Booby. river estuaries and agricultural fields. At Transfer to Fukuoka for a flight to Komatsu high tide we study roosting and feeding for a two-night stay. Saunders’s Gulls, Black-faced Spoonbills, shorebirds and wildfowl. Muddy dykes usu- Days 9-10: Our main interest is the wet- ally have Spotted Redshank and Marsh lands and rice fields of Katano bordering Sandpiper with Meadow Bunting and the Sea of Japan. Although small in size, Chinese Penduline Tit in the reeds. A rem- Katano attracts geese and ducks in winter nant patch of marsh near Saga is reliable including the globally-threatened Baikal for wintering Merlin, Eurasian Woodcock, Teal. Other species occurring on a regular Ruddy Crake and . Transfer basis include Middendorf’s Bean, Greater to Saga for the night. White-fronted and occasionally Lesser White-fronted Geese, Eastern Marsh Day 8: Today we head north to Harrier and Grey-headed Lapwing, whilst Shikanoshima Island which is reached via rarities comprise Bean and Swan a causeway. Shikanoshima is a regular Geese and . Depending on haunt of Red-throated, Black-throated and winter conditions we also have a chance of Pacific Divers whilst sheltered bays offer a locating Solitary Snipe in woodland pools. safe refuge to Great Crested and Black- Along the Sea of Japan, we search for

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Red-necked Grebe, Ancient Murrelet and At the end of the day, we visit a farm for other seabirds. Woodlands around Katano Blakiston’s Fish Owl. hold the commoner Japanese birds and, on occasions, Chinese Grosbeak and Day 14: Today we head north towards Japanese Waxwing. On Day 10 we take the Notsuke Hando, a remote peninsula. On express train to Nagoya where we board a our journey north, we check harbours for comfortable ferry bound for Tomakomai in Whooper Swan and Smew. Depending on Hokkaido. We have two nights aboard in the severity of the winter, we may find first- en-suite cabins. Short-eared Owl and Snow Bunting. At Notsuke Hando hundreds of Steller’s Sea Day 11: A whole day seawatching in the Eagles congregate on the ice or in bare North Pacific Ocean. We can expect White- trees Ð a truly spectacular sight. Also pres- billed and Pacific Divers, , ent are White-tailed Eagle, Slaty-backed Streaked and Short-tailed Shearwaters, and Kamchatka Gulls, Greater Scaup, Rhinoceros and Ancient Murrelets, Common Goldeneye and Common Pomarine and South Polar Skuas, Black- Merganser. Ice-free rivers are home to tailed Gull and Red-necked and Grey Brown Dipper. If we have not managed to Phalaropes. Rarities may include Short- see Blakiston’s Fish Owl we make a short tailed Albatross and Tristram’s Storm diversion to Rausu. Petrel. We also have a chance of observing Northern Fur Seal and Pacific White-sided Day 15: We leave Nemuro and visit Dolphin. Tancho no Sato, a feeding area for Red- crowned Cranes. In winter this delightful Day 12: Before docking at Tomakomai, we bird often dances in the snow accompany- may see Least Auklet and Common and ing itself with bugling calls. After this finale, Brünnich’s Guillemots. In the harbour itself we head towards Kushiro Airport for an we may encounter Fork-tailed Storm internal flight to Tokyo and our final night in Petrels which winter in the area. Transfer to Japan. Chitose airport for an internal flight to Kushiro. On arrival we travel to Nemuro, our Day 16: Transfer to Narita for our flight to base for three nights. Furen-ko should pro- Europe. Arrival is later the same day. vide us with Black and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, and other wood- land species. In Nemuro we may locate parties of Bohemian Waxwings. Prices Day 13: Our main interest today is the Ground Price: £5,995 sheltered bays and estuaries en route to Tour B: £5,995 (provisional) Cape Nosappu overlooking the Kurile Single room: £600 Islands. The Nemuro Straits concentrates Deposit: £600 divers, seaduck, gulls and alcids. We *Air Fare: £1,550 should find Pelagic Cormorant, Harlequin Duck, Snow’s and Spectacled Guillemots, This holiday is fully inclusive of Least Auklet and, possibly, Long-billed ferries, accommodation, meals, Murrelet. The frozen capes have White- transport, guidance and taxes. tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles and the har- bours Glaucous and Glaucous-winged Not included: drinks, insurance, Gulls. In the afternoon, we visit Cape items of a personal nature, air Kiritappu, an exposed peninsula jutting into passenger duty taxes, excess the Sea of Okhotsk where a house with baggage and fuel surcharges. feeders has Asian Rosy Finch. Off the cape, we may see Red-necked Grebe, *Please refer to our terms and Red-faced Cormorant, Black and conditions relating to flights Stejneger’s Scoters and Long-tailed Duck.

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 61 Siberia Autumn migration at Lake Baikal – taiga, forests and wetlands This Birdwatching Breaks tour brings us to central Siberia, Lake Baikal and the Buryat Republic on the border with . As the vast evergreen forests of Russia's Siberian taiga extend southward toward Mongolia, the ground rises and the terrain becomes more varied. The border between Siberian Russia and Mongolia is a natural divide here, with rugged hills and mountains forming a series of ranges between the sprawling Russian forests to the north and rolling steppes to the south. About midway along this border is Lake Baikal, situated in a region of unsurpassed beauty, its forested shores dominated by the snow-clad peaks of the Khamar-Daban, Sayan, and Barguzin Mountains. Birding in this area of Russia is still relatively unknown and it gives you the opportunity to find and study birds that are major rarities further west in Europe. This tour is timed to coincide with the autumn migration and we will encounter birds originating from further north in Siberia and around Lake Baikal.

Day 1: Fly to Ulan-Ude via Moscow where arrival is early on Day 2. Dates Saturday August 28th Ð Saturday Day 2: Ulan-Ude is the capital and main September 11th 2021 city of the Buryat Republic and lies on the Leaders: Igor Fefelov and Mark Finn Selenga River which flows into Lake Baikal. Group Size: 8 After checking into our hotel, we make an Birds: 155-175 initial exploration of the area. Common birds within the city include Baikal Wagtail whilst stands of trees near our hotel may Bunting and Brown Shrike. Our journey have migrant warblers including Arctic. The takes us to a large wetland surrounded by Selenga River has sandy islands attracting reeds. This is an important area for birds migrant waders including Marsh, Green with the open waters attracting Common and Wood Sandpipers, Eastern Common Goldeneye. Raptors use the area on a reg- Ter n, and waterfowl. Willow scrub is attrac- ular basis and include Eastern Marsh and tive to Daurian Partridge, , Hen Harriers and White-tailed Eagle, while Chinese Penduline Tit and Azure-winged migrants may include Eastern and Upland Magpie. An area of steppe near the city Buzzards and Greater Spotted and Steppe holds Richard’s Pipit and on occasions Eagles. In the stands of reeds Eastern Water Rail, and Bearded Red-throated Pipit from the High Arctic. Reedling are possible. The dry country sur- Night Ulan-Ude. rounding the lake attracts Citrine and Eastern Yellow Wagtails, Asian Short-toed, Day 3: This morning we travel south-west Horned and Mongolian Larks. We end the towards Gusinoozersk where we have a day by birding along the road towards three-night stay. En route a riverside wood- Beloozersk with concentrations of Amur land should hold Siberian Rubythroat, Falcon and possibly Northern, Pied and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Long- Isabelline Wheatears. On the return to tailed Rosefinch. Another area of fields with Beloozersk we may encounter Red-billed bushes should reveal Chestnut-eared Chough in the mountain passes.

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Eurasian Nuthatch (Siberian race) Photo: Jo Finn

Days 4-5: We have set aside two full days species. On the muddy margins we may to explore two salt lakes near Beloozersk find migrant waders including Red-necked, which are an important staging point for Little, Long-toed and Temminck’s Stints, southbound waders. En route a roadside Far Eastern Curlew, Eurasian Whimbrel, freshwater lake often attracts the rare Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers and Spotted Swan Goose and migrant geese which may Redshank. We also check riverside wood- include Greater White-fronted, Lesser land with cliffs for migrant passerines, White-fronted and Tundra Bean Geese, Golden Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Azure Tit plus Pacific Golden Plover, Eastern Black- and Meadow and Black-faced Buntings. tailed Godwit and Common and Pintail Snipe. The open steppe habitat attracts Day 6: Today we travel back to Ulan-Ude Demoiselle and Common Cranes and via an area of riverine woodland. Beyond groups of . The village of the village of Orongoy a visit to an area of Beloozersk is very run down and nowadays lakes may be productive for migratory almost devoid of any human population. Black Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Broad- Gardens and bushes may harbour billed Sandpiper and White-winged Tern. A migrants with recent visits having Thick- walk around the lake should produce billed and Dusky Warblers and Eurasian Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler which may Hoopoe. Our main interest is the lakes that be flushed from cover. host hundreds of Ruddy Shelduck, Whooper Swan and the commoner duck Days 7-10: Today we travel north towards

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Citrine Wagtail Photo: Jo Finn Vydrino and Utulik on the shores of Lake Yellow-browed Warblers, Asian Brown, Baikal where we stay for four nights. The Taiga, Mugimaki and Spotted Flycatchers, taiga forest has a plethora of interesting Lesser Whitethroat, Common and Long- species although most of our interest is in tailed Rosefinches, Little, Lapland, Eastern the gardens, scrub and silver birch forest Reed and Pallas’s Reed Buntings and along the shores of the lake. The whole Siberian Stonechat. area is literally a migration bottleneck in On one morning we head in a westerly late August and into September. Migrant direction to the village of Utulik. The gar- birds of prey use the surrounding moun- dens here hold the commoner birds plus tains and hillsides with sightings of Oriental Tytler’s Barn Swallow, Daurian and Honey Buzzard, Japanese and Eurasian Common , Eurasian Nuthatch Sparrowhawks, Eastern Buzzard, and and Azure-winged Magpie. Stands of silver being the most numer- birch dominate the area where we should ous, and other possibilities including locate the attractive Oriental Turtle Dove, Peregrine Falcon and Western Osprey. In Eurasian and Baikal Bullfinches, Hawfinch the forests resident species include Great and various woodpeckers. On one after- Spotted, White-backed and Grey-headed noon we take the ski-lift to an area of conif- Woodpeckers, while the uncommon erous forest for Spotted and is also known to occur. At this Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker. Kultuk is time of the year we should locate Olive- on the shores of Lake Baikal and is a noted backed and Buff-bellied Pipits, migration hot-spot with recent visits record- Lanceolated, Radde’s, Pallas’s Leaf and ing Grey-tailed Tattler, Green Sandpiper

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Black Grouse, White-tailed Eagle and Little Gull.

Day 13: A morning visit to the birch forest and river habitats at Arshan. The forest has and the commoner for- est birds. After lunch we travel to Irkutsk, one of the largest cities of Siberia and also known as an open museum with its authen- tic wooden houses. The city is built on the shores of the Angara River, a tributary of the Yenisey River. Two-night stay in the old city by the river.

Day 14: Irkutsk is blessed with a wide range of habitats from forests to marshes and several river systems. Our first birding spot is the extensive marshes of Novo- Leninsky within the city boundary. This is a truly wonderful place for birds with the wil- low scrub and birch attracting Bluethroat, Yellow-breasted and Eastern Reed Buntings and Siberian Stonechat. On the shallow pools wildfowl abound and may include the scarce Falcated Duck. The drier meadows here give us the opportunity to find Eurasian Bittern in the open along with Siberian Rubythroat Photo: Jo Finn Northern Lapwing and possibly migrant waders. Fieldfare occur in the poplars and the near-endemic Mongolian Gull. whilst the pylons sometimes attract Offshore, large flocks of Stejneger’s Scoter, Western Osprey on migration. Common and Red-breasted Mergansers and Common Goldeneye are often pres- Day 15: Fly to London via Moscow with ent. arrival later the same day. Day 11: The habitat starts to open up into Prices farmland dotted with seasonal lakes as we approach the town of Arshan. Out on the Ground Price: £2,995 steppe Demoiselle and Common Cranes Single room: £150 occur along with Black-eared Kite and a Deposit: £300 small population of Eastern Imperial Eagle. *Air Fare: £550 Two-night stay at Arshan. This holiday is fully inclusive of Day 12: Today we visit the Tunka marshes, accommodation and meals, transport an area dominated by snow-capped peaks, and permit fees, guidance, tips and patches of woodland, grass meadows and taxes. several small lakes with reedy margins. Before reaching Tunka, the bushes are Not included: drinks, insurance, items worth checking for Siberian Rubythroat, of a personal nature. Visa required Tree Pipit and Pine Bunting. In the mead- for Russia. ows Richard’s Pipits are common whilst stands of trees and scrub hold Eurasian *Please refer to our terms and Wryneck, Northern and Brown Shrikes. conditions relating to flights Scarcer birds occurring at Tunka include

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 65 Bulgaria and the Black Sea Wintering Birds of the Bulgaria is situated in south-eastern Europe. The country borders Romania to the north where the River Danube forms a natural boundary. The Danube rarely freezes in winter and is therefore an important area for wintering geese. is still undeveloped in places. It is in these areas that large numbers of geese over-winter after being forced south by poor weather. Recent tours have produced huge numbers of the internationally-threatened Red-breasted Goose with one visit producing in excess of 30,000 birds. The mild climate of the Black Sea coast is also important for swans, ducks, shorebirds, gulls and raptors.

Day 1: Fly to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. If time allows we visit Vitosha Mountain. Dates Species of interest using the coniferous for- Saturday February 12th Ð Saturday est in winter include Spotted Nutcracker, February 19th 2022 Common Crossbill, Goldcrest and if we are Leader: Simon McLaughlin and fortunate Three-toed Woodpecker. Short Assen Ignatov transfer to a hotel located at the foot of Group size: 7 Vitosha Mountain. Birds: 90-110 Day 2: Transfer to Pomorie, a section of the Burgas lake complex including Mandra fields or through beech woodland looking and Vaya, and a series of active saltpans for Northern Goshawk, woodpeckers, which attract Caspian, Mediterranean, Sombre Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch and Little and Slender-billed Gulls. Great Black- Eurasian Treecreeper. Large flocks of headed Gulls are occasionally observed European Starlings are often pursued by during the late winter months. The lake Peregrine Falcons. Along the coast we may itself has Pygmy Cormorant and a selec- find Black-necked Grebe, Black-throated tion of wildfowl. Depending on the severity Diver and large rafts of Eurasian Coots. of the winter, we may find Whooper and Even during the harsh winter months the Bewick’s Swans. Vaya and Mandra lakes large saltpans of Burgas attract Pied are situated in the Burgas district. Lake Avocet, Eurasian Curlew and Northern Vaya is a brackish to freshwater lake con- Pintail.The pans also hold substantial num- nected to the Black Sea by a canal with a bers of Dalmatian Pelicans and occasional- sluice. The lake has stands of reeds on ly wintering Great White Pelican. three sides which attract Eurasian Bittern, Eurasian Penduline Tit and Bearded Day 4: Today we leave Burgas and travel Reedling. Open areas of water have north to Kavarna for a three-night stay. Our Dalmatian Pelicans. Ducks present include journey takes us along the Black Sea Greater Scaup and White-headed Duck. coast. From the coastal plain north of Lake Mandra is a brackish coastal lake Burgas we climb slowly through oak and attracting GreaterWhite-fronted Geese, beech woods to a small taverna situated in Red-breasted Merganser and Smew. woods around Goritsa. We stop at Goritsa to look for Black, Grey-headed, Great Day 3: Today we visit several areas around Spotted, Middle Spotted and Lesser the coastal port of Burgas. Our first stop at Spotted Woodpeckers. Other woodland an old quarry may provide us with wintering species include Hawfinch, Eurasian Ruddy . The rest of the day is Bullfinch, Brambling and Eurasian Siskin. spent driving on roads either with open Villages in the vicinity of Goritsa have the

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Dalmatian Pelicans Photo: Pandion Tours rather localised Syrian Woodpecker. We fields for Red-breasted Geese. Depending also check a traditional site for Eurasian on numbers of wildfowl present, we may Eagle Owl which are actively calling in late also locate reasonable numbers of White- winter. Further north we reach Kavarna, a tailed Eagles and perhaps a hunting town adjacent to high cliffs and the cool Northern Goshawk. We may find parties of Black Sea. Bohemian Waxwings and Great Grey Shrikes. Fields may have hunting Rough- Days 5-7: Lake Shabla is situated near legged Buzzards and, if it is mild, Short- the border with Romania adjacent to the eared Owls. Black Sea. Offshore, birds include Black- throated and Red-throated Divers, Black- Day 8: Transfer to Varna, birding along the necked Grebe, Goosander, Red-breasted road, and then an internal flight back to Merganser and Greater Scaup. The lake is Sofia for onward connections to London important for Red-breasted and Greater where the tour concludes. White-fronted Geese which are usually present in their thousands. In amongst the Prices ’common’ two goose species we search for Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, Greylag Ground Price: £1,455 Goose and if we are fortunate Lesser Single room: £90 White-fronted Goose. Birds of prey include Deposit: £150 Hen Harrier and Rough-legged Buzzard. *Air Fare: £515 Cape Kaliakra, a steppe-like grassland with adjacent cliffs, juts out into the Black Sea. This holiday is fully inclusive of Passerines are few in winter but we should flights, accommodation, meals, find Calandra Larks and, in the gorge itself, transport, permit fees, guidance, tips Eurasian Eagle Owl. Offshore we have a and taxes. chance of European Shag. Lake Durankulak, a brackish to freshwater Not included: drinks, insurance, coastal lagoon, will be our destination one items of a personal nature. day. There are a few reedbeds which hold Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier *Please refer to our terms and and occasionally Moustached Warbler. conditions relating to flights Before reaching Durankulak we will check

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 67 England Autumn migration in Cornwall Cornwall is located in the extreme south-west of the British Isles and is ideally located to receive migrants from North America, Asia and Europe. The majority of sites are situated in the west of the county and are easily accessed from our base in Penzance. Over the years West Cornwall has regularly attracted rare species during mid-October. Please note it is advisable to arrive in Penzance on the evening of October 8th. ■ The following itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and wind direction, particularly when visiting Porthgwarra and Pendeen.

Day 1: Surrounded by farmland and scrub, Drift Reservoir is our first destination today. Dates On the reservoir resident species include Saturday October 9th Ð Saturday Little Grebe, Common Pochard, Tufted October 16th 2021 Duck and Common Kingfisher. If the water Leader: Phil Beraet levels are low the muddy edges attract Group Size: 8 Common Greenshank and Green Birds: 90-110 Sandpiper. In recent years Drift has attract- ed rarities in the form of Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup. For the remainder of the attract unusual pipits, which may include day we explore the West Cornwall valleys Richard’s and Red-throated, plus a chance of Nanquidno, Cot and Kenidjack, which of Greater Short-toed Lark. If conditions are close to St Just. In the upper part of the are good we will revisit the three valleys valleys it is possible to locate several and explore the fields and cliff-tops near species which use sycamore and oak trees the coast. Our main objective is to locate in search of food. Among the flocks we the increasing numbers of Red-billed should locate Spotted and European Pied which use the area on a regular Flycatchers whilst Firecrest and Yellow- basis. If the winds are onshore there is the browed Warblers occur on an almost annu- possibility of migrant Merlin, Peregrine al basis. Careful searching of the scrub Falcon and Short-eared Owl. In the second may reveal a migrant Eurasian Wryneck or week of October there is a good chance of perhaps something scarcer in the form of a Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel and Lapland Barred or Melodious Warbler. All three val- and Snow Buntings using the coastal fields leys have small streams running through and rocky outcrops. them which attract Common Snipe, Eurasian Woodcock and if we are fortunate Day 3: Marazion Marsh is close to our the uncommon and cryptically plumaged base in Penzance and is in part-managed Jack Snipe. by the RSPB. The marsh is a reliable spot for the commoner herons and wildfowl and Day 2: First port of call today is Land’s End gives us a chance of locating Eurasian airport, which usually has no air traffic on Bittern in the reedbeds. In the reeds Cetti’s Sundays. A check of the grassy fields Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, European should reveal European Golden Plovers, Stonechat and Common Reed Bunting are and perhaps an American Golden Plover resident. A scan into the bay from Marazion among them Ð the species occurs almost may reveal returning winter birds, notably annually here. In the right conditions this is Great Northern and Black-throated Divers also a favoured area for Buff-breasted and in recent years Pacific Diver. Careful Sandpiper. The grasslands sometimes scanning of the sea may also reveal Black-

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Eurasian Bittern Photo: Simon Papps necked and Slavonian Grebes, Common Warbler and Red-backed Shrike in October Scoter and the ever-present Northern while rarer species in recent years have Gannet, Razorbill and Common Guillemot. included Western Bonelli’s, Pallas’s, and Penzance and Newlyn both have extensive Black-and-white Warblers and Red-eyed fishing ports and a visit to these could pro- Vireo, the latter being almost annual in duce Mediterranean, Iceland and Glaucous occurrence. On exiting the village a check Gulls. Waders using the area include the of the heathland often produces sightings declining Purple Sandpiper, Ruddy of the shy Dartford Warbler and Hen and Tur nstone, Sanderling and Dunlin. Rarities Western Marsh Harriers, whilst Peregrine observed in recent years have included Falcon and Eurasian Kestrel often hunt Surf Scoter, Grey Phalarope and North over the heath. American gulls, notably Ring-billed, Laughing and Bonaparte’s. Day 5: Our main interest today is spending time around the Hayle Estuary, which is Day 4: A change of direction today as the one of the most important birding areas in group heads to The Lizard Ð a long Cornwall. Areas of interest include Ryan’s promontory jutting into the English Channel Field, Carnsew Pool and the old railway and the most southerly point of mainland station at Lelant. Anne’s Wood holds the Britain. Our first stop at Kynance Cove may common woodland species and localised have migrating flycatchers, warblers and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Eurasian thrushes. At Church Cove, on the eastern Nuthatch. The estuary often has large num- side of the peninsula, our interest is in the bers of gulls including reasonable numbers sycamore trees around the churchyard. of Lesser Black-backed, Mediterranean This site often produces records of Icterine and on occasions Little. Muddy sectors of

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Eurasian Spoonbill Photo: Simon Papps the estuary attract waders in the migration ed Flycatcher and Ring Ouzel. If the west season and we have a chance of Red Knot, winds have been present for a long period Common Greenshank and Bar-tailed there is an excellent chance of a North Godwit. Scarcer species which occur in American . Stithians Reservoir is autumn include Wood and Curlew close to The Lizard and a reliable site for Sandpipers, Little Stint and Ruff. The Hayle Green and Wood Sandpipers and maybe Estuary also has a long track record of an American ’peep’ such as White-rumped attracting rarities and scarcities from North or Baird’s Sandpiper. On the reservoir wild- America, Europe and Asia with recent fowl such as Northern Shoveler, Eurasian records including Eurasian Spoonbill, Teal and Eurasian Wigeon are sometimes Great Egret, Pectoral and Baird’s joined by rarer ducks in the form of Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Garganey, Lesser Scaup and Green- Bonaparte’s and Ring-billed Gulls and winged Teal. Depending on news of unusu- White-winged Tern. al or rare birds these last two days are flex- ible to meet our needs. Days 6-7: On one of these two days we will pay a visit to Porthgwarra or Pendeen Day 8: The tour concludes after breakfast for seabird passage. For best results these with ample time for journeys back home by sites are reliant on south-westerly or west- either rail or road. erly winds. Gwennap Head is probably the best area for sightings of shearwaters, Prices skuas, terns and storm petrels with good passage numbers of Great and Arctic Tour Price: £1,495 Skuas, Balearic, Manx and possibly late Single Room: No charge Sooty Shearwaters along with steady flows Deposit: £150 of Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Common Guillemot and Razorbill. The val- This holiday is fully inclusive of leys at Porthgwarra often harbour migrants accommodation, meals and and passage birds of prey. Recent visits complimentary transport. have produced sightings of Merlin, Short- eared Owl, Black Redstart, Richard’s Pipit, Not included: Drinks, insurance and Lapland and Little Buntings. Other possibil- items of a personal nature. ities include Eurasian Hoopoe, Red-breast-

70 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 England Spring migration in Kent and Sussex Kent and East Sussex are situated in the south-east of England and hold several interesting areas for birds in the form of reserves and protected areas. Our tour takes in the very best of this unique area from the wetlands of the Swale Estuary and Isle of Sheppey and then on to the bird-rich sites of Stodmarsh and Sandwich Bay and the migration hot-spot of Dungeness. The tour concludes in East Sussex, a predominantly rural county with areas of interest being at Rye Harbour, Cuckmere Valley and Ashdown Forest. ■ Please note you should arrive at Faversham by 1400 hours on April 24th. Faversham is well served by the fast railway network from London and the motorway system.

Day 1: After arriving at our base in Faversham we make the short journey to Dates Oare Marshes, a reserve run by the Kent Saturday April 24th Ð Friday April Wildlife Trust. The reserve is adjacent to the 30th 2021 Swale Estuary and a footpath traverses the Leader: Phil Beraet habitats of shallow lagoons, reedbeds and Group Size: 7 muddy shore. Common, Sandwich and Birds: 130-160 Little Terns regularly feed in the estuary. On the scrapes we should find Pied Avocet and migrant waders, notably Black-tailed Grey and European Golden Plovers, and Bar-tailed Godwits, Common Spotted Redshank and Green and Greenshank, Ruff and perhaps rarer Common Sandpipers, while at this time of species such as Wood Sandpiper and Little the year there is always the chance of a Stint. Within the reedbeds Eurasian Reed rarer species such as Curlew Sandpiper or and Sedge Warblers should be in full song Temminck’s Stint. After leaving Elmley we with Western Marsh Harriers quartering the travel along the Harty Ferry road, which is area. Return to our base in Faversham for probably one of the best sites for raptors in the next three nights. south-east England. Careful scanning may reveal Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, Day 2: Today we head north across the Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Swale Bridge and onto the Isle of Sheppey, and Merlin. Patches of trees attract rem- which retains large expanses of the North nant populations of Corn Bunting, Eurasian Kent Marshes. Our first reserve is at Elmley Linnet and other farmland species. which is reached along tracks passing through farmland, much of which is man- Day 3: This morning we head to Sandwich aged for wildlife. Along the track we should Bay and its bird observatory. Like all migra- encounter displaying Northern Lapwing, tion spots it is hard to predict what may Eurasian Curlew and, if there are any sea- appear, but recent years late April has wit- sonal pools lingering, wildfowl. A walk down nessed good passage numbers of Common towards the reserve can be productive for Swift, Common and Lesser Whitethroats, and occasionally Short-eared Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Owl, Northern Wheatear, Pied and Cuckoo and . Nearby Western Yellow Wagtails, European Worth Marshes is a reliable spot for Little Stonechat and . The scrapes Ringed Plover and migrant Garganey. In the at Elmley hold significant numbers of afternoon we head towards the Stour Valley waders which should include migratory and Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve.

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Little Egret Photo: Simon Papps An area at the eastern end often attracts Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns, and waders in springtime. We have a good Great, Arctic and occasionally Pomarine chance of locating Eurasian Bittern, Water Skuas. Migrant passerines use the bushes Rail, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian and scrub and we may find Ring Ouzel, Hobby, and in the reedbeds Bearded Goldcrest, Firecrest and migrant warblers. Reedling, Cetti’s, Sedge and Eurasian Reed The nearby RSPB reserve has hides over- Warblers. A section of woodland and scrub looking scrapes and lagoons where we can be productive for the declining could see Little and Great Egrets, European Turtle Dove and Common Garganey, Little and Black Terns, Nightingale plus other woodland species. Mediterranean and Little Gulls, and Common Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers. Day 4: Dungeness is our destination A walk around the trails may produce today. It is the largest shingle spit in migrants including Common Redstart, Europe, jutting into the English Channel, Common Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and other and has its own bird observatory and adja- passerines. Rarities turn up on a regular cent RSPB reserve. At this time of the year basis and have included Common Crane expect to see a wide range of birds includ- and Black-winged Stilt. Dengemarsh is ing many migrants from further south in often worth visiting with recent records of Europe. A scan of the power station may Purple Heron and Western . reveal Black Redstarts which breed in the Scotney Pit often has Black-necked Grebe vicinity. Offshore seabirds can be numer- in spring, plus egrets and wildfowl. Further ous in suitable wind conditions and should along the road there is a possibility of include Manx Shearwater, Brent Goose, Common Scoter in inshore waters. Transfer

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Bearded Reedling Photo: David Bonniface to Rye in East Sussex via the coast road for Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow three nights. Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and small numbers of European Turtle Dove. Day 5: We start our day by visiting Rye Later in the day we return to Faversham Harbour National Nature Reserve, a com- where the tour concludes. It is possible to pact area of shingle adjacent to the River drop clients off at East Grinstead, which Rother. Similar birds occur to those at has good connections to London. Dungeness although there is a large colony of terns which sometimes attracts Roseate Prices Tern on passage. Later in the morning we travel to Cuckmere and the Seven Sisters Tour Price: £1,495 Country Park. This is an interesting area in Single room: No Charge spring for migrants with recent records of Deposit: £150 Eurasian Spoonbill, , Kentish Plover and . This holiday is fully inclusive of accommodation, meals, Day 6: Our final destination is the complimentary transport and Ashdown Forest, which has a wide variety guidance. of birdlife in spring. Patches of heath attract , Common Stonechat, Dartford Not included: insurance and items Warbler, Tree Pipit and Eurasian Hobby. On of a personal nature. Entry to RSPB the forest edge we may find Yellowhammer, reserves if you are a non-member. Common Reed Bunting, Common

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 73 France New Year in Champagne-Ardenne Lac du Der Chantecoq is the largest artificial lake in France. It was constructed in the 1970s to take the overflow from the Seine and Marne rivers. Almost by accident the lake was built on a major migration route of Common Cranes which now stop and winter here in large numbers. Lac du Temple is nearby and covers a huge area towards the historic and timber-built town of Troyes. The whole area is experiencing human population decline and consequently this has affected the main industries of farming and forestry, resulting in several abandoned villages. This tour should produce some excellent birding, especially if the weather is not too cold and the lakes remain unfrozen.

Day 1: Morning flight to Paris and then travel east to St Dizier, a small country Dates town close to Lac du Der, which is our base Tuesday December 28th 2021 Ð for the tour. Sunday January 2nd 2022 Leader: Mark Finn Days 2-5: St Dizier town centre has wood- Group Size: 8 ed parks and fast-flowing rivers which Birds 90-110 attract Grey Wagtail and in some winters the ’black-bellied’ race of White-throated Dipper. Mature trees within the parkland Wigeon, Smew and Common Merganser. A landscape are home to Great Spotted and few waders winter on the muddy fringes of Green Woodpeckers, Eurasian Nuthatch, the lakes with recent visits finding Dunlin, Firecrest, Goldcrest and the continental Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, race of . Depending on water levels Common Greenshank and Eurasian Lac du Der can be excellent for Black- Curlew. Birds of prey using the region con- necked and Red-necked Grebes, Taiga sist mainly of Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Bean, Tundra Bean and Greater White- Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, fronted Geese, Great Egret, Eurasian Peregrine Falcon and Merlin, while there is

Common Cranes Photo: Jo Finn

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Western Cattle Egret Photo: Simon Papps a chance of the rarer Rough-legged and Smew whilst the muddy margins Buzzard. Lac du Der is famous for winter- attract wintering Water Pipits. The wood- ing Common Cranes and these may num- land is predominately oak with an under- ber several thousand if the weather storey of hornbeam Ð a favourite haunt of remains mild. Etang de la Horre and Lac Short-toed Treecreeper, Eurasian d’Orient are situated close to Troyes. Nuthatch, Hawfinch and Marsh, Willow and Species we may encounter include Crested Tits. Late afternoon flight back to Eurasian Bittern, Water Rail, Common the UK where the tour concludes later in Kingfisher and if we are lucky a wintering the day. Great Grey Shrike. Open fields of the area often attract parties of Whooper and Prices Bewick’s Swans, Fieldfare and Redwing. Lac du Temple is a relatively new lake Ground Price: £1,495 attracting White-tailed Eagle and Peregrine Single room: No Charge Falcon. Wildfowl find a safe refuge here Deposit: £150 and recent visits have seen Common Eider *Air Fare: £160 and Velvet Scoter occur in bad weather. Trois Fontaine is north of St Dizier and has This holiday is fully inclusive of extensive oak and beech forests that are accommodation, meals, transport home to Black, Middle Spotted and Lesser and permit fees, guidance, tips and Spotted Woodpeckers, Hawfinch, taxes. Brambling, Eurasian Siskin, Common Redpoll and, if we are fortunate, Northern Not included: drinks, insurance, Goshawk. baggage and credit card charges, items of a personal nature and any Day 6: Today we leave the region and trav- relevant fuel surcharges. el back towards Reims with a stop at Lac de l’Ailette near Laon, which is a good *Please refer to our terms and place for wildfowl and woodland species. conditions relating to flights. Ducks may include Red-crested Pochard

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 75 France Winter birding in the Mediterranean This tour covers the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur – a beautiful area close to the Ð and the island of Corsica. We visit the limestone hills of Les Alpilles and the wetlands of the Camargue which in winter offer some superb birding for desired species such as Wallcreeper, Citril Finch, Alpine Accentor, and spectacular concentrations of wildfowl from further north and east. This area is bound to produce a few surprises in winter, with recent tours encountering Greater Spotted Eagle and wintering Richard’s Pipit. Corsica is located further south in the Mediterranean Sea and offers memorable birding amid some spectacular mountainous landscapes. In particular it hosts two endemic birds: and Corsican Finch, with other exciting possibilities including Marmora’s Warbler, Audouin’s Gull and maybe even .

Day 1: We take an early morning flight to Marseille and transfer to our base at Dates Beaucaire. En-route we should see our first Saturday March 6th Ð Saturday Little and Great Egrets, White Storks, and March 13th 2021 birds of prey such as Common Buzzard Leader: Simon Papps and Western Marsh Harrier. If time permits Group Size: 8 we will make an initial exploration of the Birds: 120-135 northern part of the Camargue.

Days 2-4: During our stay we explore Calandra Lark are further possibilities. three main areas with our daily routine Les Baux-de-Provence is a small town determined by the weather and our suc- dating back to medieval times which is cess in finding our target species. perched on top of a huge rocky outcrop We have plenty of time to explore the with high cliffs. It is known as a regular win- world-famous Camargue, France’s largest tering site for Wallcreeper, with other possi- wetland. Greater Flamingos are among the bilities including Alpine Accentor, Eurasian most famous inhabitants and are present in Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Wood Lark, good numbers. Wintering species from European Serin and Blue Rock Thrush. northern Europe include Ferruginous Duck On one day we visit the impressive forest and Red-crested Pochard, Common Crane and montane habitats of Mont Ventoux.The and perhaps Bewick’s Swan. Raptors road passes through areas of forest home include Western Marsh and Hen Harriers, to Firecrest, Crested and Coal Tits, Short- with White-tailed Eagle and Greater toed Treecreeper, Common Crossbill and Spotted Eagle also occurring on an annual with luck perhaps the impressive Black basis. The extensive reedbeds host Woodpecker. The upper slopes of the Eurasian Bittern and Glossy Ibis with mountain above the tree-line offer us passerines including Eurasian Penduline Alpine Accentor and the uncommon White- Tit, Cetti’s Warbler and, with luck, winged Snowfinch. Nearby the Pont du Moustached Warbler. Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct, is a Inland from the Camargue is La Crau a regular site for Rock Petronia. steppe-like habitat that is home to groups of Little Bustard and Pin-tailed Day 5: This morning we return to Marseille Sandgrouse. Great and Iberian Grey and fly to Bastia in the north-east of Shrikes, Eurasian Thick-knee and Corsica. Etang de Biguglia is our first bird-

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Black- winged Stilt Photo: Simon Papps ing stop. Spotless Starlings and Red Kites Blackcap and perhaps some early return- should be easily encountered. The lake is ing spring migrants. If there are onshore important for waterbirds and we should find winds we may see Scopoli’s and Balearic Tufted Duck and Great Crested and Black- Shearwaters and the local race of necked Grebes. A few Sandwich Terns can European Shag. usually be found, whilst we have an excel- lent chance of seeing Audouin’s Gull. Day 8: We return to Bastia and fly back to Transfer to the old, historic town of Corte, Marseille on the French mainland. In the our base for the next three nights. early afternoon, we fly back to London where the tour concludes. Day 6-7: Corte is conveniently placed for exploring the mountainous centre of Corsica which is dominated by pine woods, Prices rocky gorges and areas of maquis. Our main interest is in locating the island’s two Ground Price: £1,995 endemic birds: Corsican Nuthatch and Single room: No Charge Corsican Finch. We also expect to find a Deposit: £200 selection of woodland species including the *Air Fare: £320 local koenigi subspecies of Eurasian Wren. In the low maquis scrub we search for This holiday is fully inclusive of Marmora’s Warbler and Eurasian Wryneck. accommodation, meals, transport The mountains of central Corsica hold a and permit fees, guidance, tips and few pairs of Bearded Vulture. Other species taxes. we hope to see include Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Golden Eagle, Blue Rock Not included: drinks, insurance, Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Northern Raven, baggage and credit card charges, White-throated Dipper and on the highest items of a personal nature and any slopes Yellow-billed Chough. A visit to the relevant fuel surcharges. coastal lagoons of the east coast should reveal Common Sandpiper and Little *Please refer to our terms and Ringed Plover. Areas of scrub host conditions relating to flights Sardinian Warbler, Common Chiffchaff,

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 77 Northern Ireland and Donegal Autumn migrants and birds of Ireland

Northern Ireland and Donegal are relatively under-watched by visiting birders from the United Kingdom. This tour is timed to maximise the opportunities for locating vagrants from North America and coincide with the southbound migration of wildfowl, including geese and swans, from further north and east. Our tour takes in a diverse range of habitats including Strangford Lough, Lough Beg, the Bann Estuary and Lough Foyle. We also spend a few days birding in Donegal, the most north-westerly county in the Republic of Ireland. Our main objective here is visiting the remote island of Tory and the rugged north-west coast of Donegal. Malin Head is an excellent seawatching point in favourable conditions whilst Lough Swilly attracts a wide range of waterbirds. Recent rarities at this time of the year have included Black Brant, Snowy Owl, American Golden Plover, Buff- breasted and Baird’s Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher and Common Nighthawk. ■ Please note you should arrive in Belfast on the evening of October 8th. The itinerary below is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Day 1: The tour commences in Belfast from where we head to Castle Espie. Dates Strangford Lough is famous for its thou- Saturday October 9th Ð Sunday sands of Pale-bellied Brent Geese which October 17th 2021 feed on expanses of grass and are Leader: Mark Finn occasionally joined by Black Brant. Waders Group Size: 8 use the lough on a regular basis with huge Birds: 100-120 numbers of Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank, Dunlin, Red Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit. Adjacent fields harbour including Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Common Stonechat, Common Linnet, Leach’s Storm Petrel, Sabine’s Gull, Great Twite, Eurasian Tree Sparrow and Common and Arctic Skuas and, possibly, Little Auk. Reed Bunting. Night at Castle Espie. Grassy areas around Malin Head regularly attract Red-billed Choughs. In the after- Day 2: After breakfast, we head west noon, we visit Lough Swilly, a long sea towards the Myroe Levels. In recent lough with a variety of habitats. Shallower autumns, the levels have attracted White- waters lure Great Northern and Red-throat- rumped, Buff-breasted and Pectoral ed Divers and Slavonian Grebes. Sandpipers, and American Golden Plover Shorebirds are few but we may find more among flocks of European Golden Plover. unusual species in Ruff, Little Stint and Lough Foyle is close by Ð it is an important Spotted Redshank, and wintering area for Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, ’Icelandic’ Black-tailed Godwits. Raptors Pale-bellied Brent, Greenland White-front- present include Common Buzzard, ed and Greylag Geese and concentrations Peregrine Falcon, Merlin and, on occa- of Eurasian Wigeon and other ducks. sions, Short-eared Owl. Lough Swilly regu- Transfer to Letterkenny in Donegal for a larly attracts wildfowl from North America two-night stay. with recent sightings of Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup. Day 3: This morning we drive north to Malin Head, the most northerly point in Days 4-5: An early start in order to catch mainland Ireland. If north-west winds are the ferry across to Tory Island, which is sit- blowing, we expect a range of seabirds uated 11km off the Donegal coast. This iso-

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an important area for birds. En route we visit Killybegs Harbour, the centre of Ireland’s deep-sea fishing fleet. Although this is early in the ’gull season’, we may locate American Herring, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. Careful scanning of Donegal Bay may reveal Black-throated Diver, Common and more rarely Velvet and Surf Scoters, Greater Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider and Red-breasted Merganser. Along the shore, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Sanderling, Common Greenshank and Bar-tailed Godwit occur in varying numbers.

Day 8: We leave Donegal, enter Northern Ireland, and visit the Bann Estuary near Glaucous Gull Photo: Simon Papps Coleraine which has a reputation for rare waders with records of Long-billed lated spot has a population of a few hun- Dowitcher and Wilson’s Phalarope. dred Gaelic-speaking people. Due to its Commoner shorebirds comprise Dunlin, unique geographical location, anything Red Knot and Curlew Sandpiper. Lough may appear in this under-watched birding Beg is nearby, adjoining Lough Neagh, location. There is very little in the way of which is the largest body of freshwater in cover on the island apart from low bushes the British Isles. Our interest is along the and stone walls. We hope to locate passer- north-west shore of Lough Beg, which ine migrants, which have in the past includ- attracts a wide range of shorebirds with ed Whinchat, Red-backed Shrike, Barred Little Stint, Common and Jack Snipe and and Yellow-browed Warblers, Common the possibility of North American vagrants. Redpoll (Greenland races), Common Open water holds diving ducks, mainly Rosefinch and Snow and Lapland Common Pochard, Tufted Duck and Buntings. If a westerly airflow is blowing, Common Goldeneye. We have an the possibility of North American passer- overnight stay at Portstewart. ines is high. Seawatching can be produc- tive for Great, Pomarine, Arctic and Long- Day 9: After breakfast, we make the short tailed Skuas, European and Leach’s Storm journey to Belfast airport where the tour Petrels and Grey Phalarope. We have a concludes. two-night stay on Tory Island. Prices Day 6: Today we leave Tory Island. Once on the mainland, we continue westwards to Ground Price: £1,995 Sheskinmore Loch adjacent to the Atlantic Single room: £100 Ocean. Sheskinmore has a wide range of Deposit: £200 habitats in a relatively small area and has the potential to attract North American This holiday is fully inclusive of passerines. Other species we may accommodation, meals, transport, encounter include Greenland White-fronted ferry fares and guidance. and Barnacle Geese, Common Redpoll, Snow Bunting and, occasionally, Lapland Not included: flights to and from Bunting. Transfer to Bruckless for two Belfast (it is recommended to fly in nights. and out of Belfast City Airport), insurance and items of a personal Day 7: Today we travel to the town of nature. Donegal and Donegal Bay, the latter being

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 79 Mallorca Autumn in the Balearic Islands Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands. It is situated 160 kilometres off the Spanish mainland and is a noted autumn migration hot-spot. The island has several species of interest, notably Eleonora’s Falcon, Audouin’s Gull and the endemic Balearic Warbler. Early October is an optimum time to visit and migrants may appear in large numbers. Our base is in the north-east of the island at Puerto Pollensa, giving easy access to the main birding sites. ■ Please note that it is possible to fly into Mallorca from several UK airports thus avoiding the London hubs.

Day 1: On arrival at Palma-de-Mallorca Airport we head westwards towards Saint Dates Elm and Isla Dragonera. The island holds a Saturday October 2nd Ð Saturday substantial colony of Eleonora’s Falcons October 9th 2021 numbering over 70 pairs, plus smaller num- Leader: Simon Papps bers of the near-endemic Audouin’s Gull. Group size: 8 Sections of pine interspersed with rocky Birds: 80-100 outcrops attract the Mallorcan race of Common Crossbill, Firecrest, Cirl Bunting and Blue Rock Thrush. Later in the day we plus Rock Dove, Eurasian Hoopoe, Blue transfer to Puerto Pollensa, which is our Rock Thrush, Eurasian Wryneck, Eurasian base for the next seven nights. Crag Martin, Greater Short-toed Lark, Sardinian Warbler, European Serin, Cirl Days 2-7: S’Albufera is probably the Bunting and Northern Raven. Overhead island’s most famous birding area. Along there is a good possibility of Alpine Swift the entrance track we should find roosting and . Black-crowned Night Herons, Western On one day an early start is needed as Cattle and Little Egrets. The extensive we head inland to Embalse de Cuber Ð a reedbeds are home to Purple Heron, Little noted haunt of Cinereous and Griffon Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier, Western Vultures which regularly patrol the moun- Swamphen, Bluethroat, the skulking sides. Other species we may Moustached Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and encounter include Eleonora’s and the endangered endemic subspecies of Peregrine Falcons and passerine migrants Common Reed Bunting. Open waters often heading south. Pallid Swifts are often pres- have increasing numbers of Marbled Duck, ent overhead whilst Thekla Larks reside on Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard and Red- the rocky hillsides. Around the reservoir we knobbed Coot. Migrant shorebirds from fur- may encounter migrant passerines with ther north are attracted to muddy sectors recent visits producing Blackcap, Common along with resident Black-winged Stilts. In and Iberian Chiffchaffs and European the surrounding fields we may come across Reed Warbler. Cala San Vicente is another Eurasian Stone-curlew and migrating migration hot-spot where a check of trees European Bee-eaters. and scrub can be productive for migrants. The Boquer Valley has rocky sides whilst The Formentor Peninsula is a beautiful the valley bottom has bushes and shrubs area reached by a narrow and twisting road attracting migrants. Our main target is the which eventually leads to a scenic view- endemic Balearic Warbler a skulking inhab- point overlooking the sea. The peninsula is itant of the valley. We may encounter vari- famous for Eleonora’s Falcons which prey ous migrants in favourable wind conditions on tired migrants at this time of the year.

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Cinereous Vulture Photo: Simon Papps Offshore we may see Scopoli’s and which form small flocks in October. Balearic Shearwaters along with the Mediterranean race of European Shag. Day 8: Depending on flight times it may be Casas Vellas is an area of fig and olive possible to revisit areas around Puerto groves which attracts a wide range of Pollensa. Most flights depart in the after- migrants including Mediterranean, Spotted noon with arrival later in the day into the and Pied Flycatchers, Common Redstart, UK. Common Crossbill and Firecrest. The Arta Peninsula is close by and this is another Prices area for migrants which may include Western Osprey, Tawny Pipit and Thekla Ground Price: £1,595 Lark. Single room: No Charge Salinas de Levante are situated in the Deposit: £150 south of Mallorca. This area of saltpans is a *Air Fare: £150 premier site for waders. The southern sec- tor is usually productive for Greater This holiday is fully inclusive of , Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, accommodation, meals, transport Ruff, Kentish Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, and permit fees, guidance, tips and Common Greenshank, Curlew Sandpiper taxes. and Little Stint. Further south the light- house allows seawatching opportunities for Not included: drinks, insurance, shearwaters and gulls which may include baggage and credit card charges, Audouin’s Gull and passing Sandwich seat upgrades and items of a Ter ns and Great Skuas. The scrub around personal nature. the lighthouse often hosts migrants with recent visits recording European Turtle *Please refer to our terms and Dove, Whinchat and Northern Wheatear conditions relating to flights plus resident Eurasian Stone-

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 81 Norway Eider ducks and the Aurora Borealis in Varanger This tour concentrates on the wintering birds of Northern Norway and along the border with Russia. Even in early April, daytime temperatures can be low. We have exceptional opportunities to watch and observe many familiar and uncommon European bird species that winter in and around the Varanger Fjord, which includes various owls, ducks and High Arctic species. Please note you should arrive in Oslo on April 2nd as the flight to Kirkenes is early on the 3rd.

Day 1: Fly to the mining town of Kirkenes in extreme northern Norway. On arrival we Dates drive towards the taiga forest in the Pasvik Saturday April 3rd Ð Friday April 9th valley, where our base is at Svanvik for two 2021 nights. The vegetation of Pasvik is domi- Leaders: Anders Mæland nated by pine and birch forests. Group Size: 7 Birds: 60-90 Day 2: We birdwatch along the border with Russia and in the Pasvik National Park. Some of the species we look for include Resident species of interest include Great Western Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Pine Spotted, Lesser Spotted and Eurasian Grosbeak, Siberian Jay, Siberian and Three-toed Woodpeckers and Bohemian Willow Tits, Arctic Redpoll and the northern Waxwing. race of Eurasian Bullfinch which often forms small flocks. Birds of prey include Day 3: Drive towards the Varanger Merlin and White-tailed Eagle. We also Peninsula. As we cross the Tana Valley with have a good chance of seeing Northern its rocky outcrops we should keep an eye Hawk-Owl, Short-eared Owl and, if it is a out for Rough-legged Buzzard, Golden good rodent year, Great Grey Owl. Eagle and Northern Hawk-Owl, which are a distinct possibility along the road. Stunted willows attract flocks of Arctic Redpolls. At the highest elevations of our journey the road edges and any exposed rocks may have Willow and Rock Ptarmigan, both of which will be in their white winter plumage. Eventually we approach Batsfjord, which will be our base for the next two nights.

Day 4: Today is spent birding around Batsfjord and Berlevåg. The landscape and scenery are quite dramatic with snowfields, frozen lakes and Arctic tundra. The fishing port of Batsfjord has Steller's, King and Common Eiders at close range along with Long-tailed Duck and Common Merganser. In the afternoon we drive slowly towards the isolated settlement of Berlevåg. This can be a productive area in late winter for Pine Grosbeak Photo: Anders Mæland Merlin, Gyrfalcon and Rough-legged

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Steller’s Eider Photo: Anders Mæland

Buzzard. The harbour at Berlevåg often Kittiwake and European Shag all breed. holds large numbers of gulls which may Later in the day we make visits to Svartnes include Glaucous, Iceland and the northern and Kiberg harbours in search of anything races of Herring. In recent years both Ivory we may have missed earlier in the tour. and Ross's Gulls have put in an appear- ance. Shorebirds present include Purple Day 7: Return to Kirkenes for our flights Sandpiper. south to Oslo and on to London, with arrival later the same day. Day 5: Today we drive back over the mountains towards the spectacular Prices Varanger Fjord, a huge indented sea loch where White-tailed Eagles are particularly Ground Price: £1,795 numerous. Stops along the shore at Single room: £160 Nesseby, Varangerbotn and Vestre Deposit: £200 Jacobselv allow good vantage points for *Air Fare: £510 viewing into the fjord and we should find White-billed and Red-throated Divers, This holiday is fully inclusive of Common and Velvet Scoters, Black accommodation, meals, transport, Guillemot and the three eider species. permit fees, guidance, tips and taxes. Transfer to Vads¿ for two nights. Not included: drinks, insurance, Day 6: This morning we visit the fishing items of a personal nature. Night in port at Vard¿ for a trip to the fantastic Oslo and meals on the 2nd. seabird cliffs at Horn¿ya. It is a short boat trip from the harbour to the cliffs where *Please refer to our terms and Common and Brünnich's Guillemots, conditions relating to flights Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 83 Sweden Autumn migration at Falsterbo Falsterbo is located at the end of a narrow peninsula in south-west Sweden. Due to its unique geographical location migrant birds are literally funnelled down to the point when they have to decide to migrate across the Baltic Sea or stay until conditions are right. The birding week and itinerary is dependent on the weather situation. We mainly stay on the peninsula when the conditions are good for migration. On some days we explore the wonderful Baltic Sea coastline and several lakes and wetlands in the province of Skåne.

Day 1: Clients should arrive in at Copenhagen international airport on the Dates morning of September 25th. From Saturday September 25th - Saturday Copenhagen we drive across the bridge October 2nd 2021 connecting Denmark and Sweden and turn Leader: Anders Mæland south to Falsterbo, which is our base for the Group size: 7 week. Birds: 110-130 Days 2-7: Falsterbo is a charming village, surrounded by wetlands, meadows and that migrate in large numbers. The raptor small woodlands. On the north-west side of migration is perhaps the most famous the peninsula extends a tiny strip of land, attraction. Here you can see most of the covered with sedge and salt marsh vegeta- north European species during a single tion. The migration is at its most intense day. Common Buzzard and Eurasian from late September to the middle of Sparrowhawk are the most numerous in October. Barnacle Goose, Brambling, September and October when daily num- , Common Wood bers can reach several thousands. Other Pigeon, and Common common raptors at this time are Red Kite, Starling are the most numerous species. Hen Harrier, Merlin and . Eurasian Siskin, Common Linnet, Meadow Rarer species which occur on a regular Pipit, Common Eider and Eurasian Wigeon basis include Pallid Harrier, Black Kite, are just some of the many other species Peregrine Falcon, White-tailed Eagle and

White-tailed Eagle Photo: Kent-Ove Hvass

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Black Woodpecker Photo: Pandion Wildlife Tours Golden Eagle. On the west side a sandy rare Lesser White-fronted Goose. Many beach stretches all the way south to birds of prey linger in Southern Scania, Nabben. East and north is an area of mud- waiting for ideal migration weather. With flats uncovered during low tide which some luck rare species like Red-footed attracts thousands of Dunlin and other Falcon and Lesser and Greater Spotted waders. During our stay we see less com- Eagles can be observed from strategic mon species Ð Little Ringed Plover, Broad- watching points. billed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Pied Avocet. This is also a good area for Day 8: A final morning birding around resting terns, gulls, waterfowl and pipits. Falsterbo before returning to Copenhagen A short drive inland takes us through the for flights back to Britain. countryside to beech forests, meadows and lakes. The avifauna here is quite differ- Prices ent from that on the Falsterbo peninsula. Some of the species likely to be found here Ground Price: £1,995 are , Black and Single room: £180 European Green Woodpeckers, Bearded Deposit: £200 Reedling, Marsh Tit, Hawfinch and *Air Fare: £150 Common Kingfisher. Large flocks of geese rest and feed and may include Tundra and This holiday is fully inclusive of Taiga Bean Geese and increasing numbers accommodation, meals, transport, of Greylag Geese. Another feature of the permit fees, guidance, tips and taxes. area are migrant Common Cranes which can occur in huge numbers feeding in the Not included: drinks, insurance, meadows and fields. The nutritious lakes items of a personal nature. Krankesjon and Vombsj¿en are attractive for waterfowl and other freshwater species *Please refer to our terms and including Whooper Swan, Greater White- conditions relating to flights fronted Goose and in some autumns the

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 85 Sweden Cranes, owls and woodpeckers of Hornborga Western Sweden is within easy reach of the UK and offers exceptional birding in early spring with large concentrations of Common Cranes at Lake Hornborga. In addition to the cranes this is an optimal time to search for several species of owls and woodpeckers, many of which will be on at the end of March. The area around Hornborga is dominated by a mix of agricultural land, huge coniferous forests, bogs and shallow lakes which attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

Day 1: On arrival transfer to the small town of Skövde travelling along quiet roads Dates passing through patches of forest and Wednesday March 24th - Sunday farmland. On the forest edge there is a March 28th 2021 good chance of locating Fieldfare, Eurasian Leaders: Kent-Ove Hvass and Simon Nuthatch, the Scandinavian race of Long- McLaughlin tailed Tit, Marsh Tit and Hawfinch. Group size: 8 Birds: 75-100 Days 2-4: Three full days to explore the delights of Lake Hornborga and several other areas within close proximity. Bittern is present and with luck we should Hornborga is one the largest lakes in locate some birds giving their booming Sweden, being fairly shallow and fringed calls. Other species we may encounter with reeds and willow scrub. Our main include Greater White-fronted, Greylag and interest is connecting with almost 25000 Taiga Bean Geese, Northern Pintail, Common Cranes which rest on their jour- Eurasian Teal and hunting White-tailed ney north to breed. On the lake we should Eagles. On one day an early morning visit locate Great Crested, Red-necked, Little, to the woodland bogs at Billigen may reveal Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes. In the Western Capercaillie, Black Grouse, reedbeds a sizeable population of Eurasian Eurasian Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls and

Eurasian Eagle Owl Photo: Kent-Ove Hvass

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Common Cranes Photo: Kent-Ove Hvass the impressive Black Woodpecker. To the including Whooper Swan, Common Eider, north is Lake Osten, another important Common Goldeneye and Greater Scaup. stopover point where we have a chance of Later in the day we transfer to the airport finding the rare Lesser White-fronted for flights back to the UK. Goose whilst the reedbeds attract Western Marsh Harriers to breed. Lake Dattern is another area to visit where we may Prices encounter passage waders in the water meadows. During late March we may find Ground Price: £1,645 lingering visitors from further north includ- Single room: No Charge ing Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard Deposit: £150 and Northern Goshawk. The extensive for- *Air Fare:£125 est also has scarcer species, notably Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Spotted Nutcracker, This holiday is fully inclusive of Common and Parrot Crossbills and, if it has flights, accommodation and meals, been an invasion year, Northern Hawk-Owl transport, permit fees, guidance, tips and Great Grey and Ural Owls from the and taxes. High Arctic. Not included: drinks, insurance, Day 5: Depart from Skövde to Gothenburg items of a personal nature. via Torslandaviken, a vast bay fed by one of Sweden’s largest rivers. The area is a *Please refer to our terms and noted migration hot-spot with a wide range conditions relating to flights of waterbirds using it as a staging post

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 87 Canada Spring migration at Long Point, Ontario Following past successful visits to Long Point in Ontario, we are once again returning to this beautiful, bird-rich area of Canada. For those fortunate to have witnessed it, a fall of North American songbirds in springtime is an exciting and memorable experience. Warblers, orioles, and frequently abound, their colours and characters defying adequate description. This holiday offers the opportunity to encounter many such visually stunning species. Our visit is timed to coincide with the spring migration of songbirds, mid-May being the prime period. We also search for breeding species in southern Ontario and lingering winter migrants around the Great Lakes. We have extended the tour by two days to visit the Algonquin and Carden Alvar areas which hold several scarce species and migrants during May.

Day 1: Fly from London to Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario. On arrival, Dates we transfer to Orillia for a two-night stay. Thursday May 6th Ð Saturday May 15th 2021 Day 2: A visit to the beautiful wilderness of Leader: Simon Papps Algonquin Provincial Park. Near the park Group size: 6 entrance, fields attract mixed flocks of Birds: 160-190 sparrows that include White-crowned, Chipping, Savannah and White-throated. The forest edge has Eastern Phoebe, Bittern. Drier sections of the marsh with Northern Raven and . Opeongo scrub may attract Golden-winged Warbler, Road is a good area for Black-backed Indigo Bunting and Clay-coloured and Field Woodpecker and Ruffed Grouse, while Sparrows whilst in recent years rarities Boreal Chickadee and Spruce Grouse are have included Lark Sparrow and Prairie both possibilities. Other species include Warbler. Black is also a possibility. Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Golden- Transfer to Port Rowan in the afternoon. crowned Kinglet. Spruce Bog Trail and its environs has tame Black-capped Day 4: Long Point’s Old Cut Field Station Chickadees and Red-breasted , is our first destination today. This site is while interesting mammals include Moose world famous for migrant songbirds and and Groundhog. rarities which occur during spring migra- tion. Falls of migrants occur with regularity Day 3: We start our exploration of Carden at the time of our visit. One area of wood- Alvar by visiting Kirkfield Lift Lock which land, on a good day, can hold in excess of has Cliff and Northern Rough-winged a hundred species. On occasions it can be Swallows. Nearby, a check of meadow difficult to know where to look next as birds habitats may reveal the presence of of every colour adorn the trees. For many, Northern Harrier, Wilson’s Snipe, Upland however, it is the flocks of warblers which Sandpiper, , the endan- are the biggest draw. At Long Point in gered eastern race of Loggerhead Shrike, springtime you stand the best chance of Grasshopper Sparrow and Bobolink. observing large mixed flocks of these birds Patches of marsh are worth checking for which are always stunning both in their the highly localised Sedge Wren and we diversity and in the brightness of their may hear the calls of Yellow, Virginia and plumage. A number of species ar common Sora Rails and glimpse an American or fairly common, including American

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Red-breasted Nuthatch Photo: Simon Papps

Redstart, Ovenbird, Common Yellowthroat, Waterthrush. Broad-winged and Cooper’s Northern Parula, the enigmatic Black-and- can also be found. Nearby an old white Warbler, the stunning flame-throated orchard holds Eastern and Blackburnian Warbler, plus Magnolia, meadows are home to Grasshopper, Field Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Vesper Sparrows. Later in the day, after Palm, Bay-breasted, Yellow-rumped, a stop at Long Point to discover the state of Nashville and Chestnut-sided Warblers. the day’s migration, we progress to nearby Other species which are regularly recorded Port Rowan and birdwatch around the include Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, pond and the cemetery where Orchard Scarlet , Grey Catbird, Northern Orioles occur on a regular basis. Port Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher and Rowan sewage ponds are close by where . The undergrowth can be shorebirds rest on their northward migra- alive with Grey-cheeked and Swainson’s tion. Wilson’s Phalarope, Lesser Thrushes, Lincoln’s and White-throated Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper and Short- Sparrows. Rarities encountered on previ- billed Dowitcher often turn up along with ous tours include Worm-eating Warbler and American Black Tern and Common Harris’s Sparrow. We visit Old Cut and sur- Nighthawk. Lake Erie itself often has Great rounding areas several times during the Northern Diver, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser week in order to stand the greatest chance Scaup, Redhead, Canvasback and of witnessing songbird migration at its best. Caspian Tern.

Day 5: Today we head straight for Wilson Day 6: After a visit to Long Point to check Tract, an area of old Carolinian forest. It will on the day’s migration potential, we head be an early start to this birding hot-spot north-east to Point. En route, we which holds breeding Yellow-billed and visit Spooky Hollow which, along with typi- Black-billed Cuckoos, Blue-winged, Black- cal woodland species, provides the oppor- throated Blue, Cerulean, Prothonotary and tunity to discover Black-throated Green, Hooded Warblers and Louisiana Blackburnian, Cerulean and Canada

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Black-capped Chickadee Photo: Simon Papps Warblers and, on occasions, Louisiana Nuthatch, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Acadian Waterthrush, Carolina Wren and Yellow- Flycatcher and Solitary Vireo. billed Cuckoo. Turkey Point itself is an excellent site for shorebirds, gulls and Day 8: Rondeau is west of Simcoe, a terns. We can expect Killdeer, Greater peninsula facing south-west into Lake Erie. Yellowlegs, Solitary and Spotted It is a noted migration hot-spot although not Sandpipers. The overlook of Turkey Point as well known as Long Point. The entrance Marsh is a reliable site for Wood Duck and road can be a reliable place to see Great the impressive Bald Eagle. Along the road- Horned Owls. However, our main interest is side we search for Red-bellied the feeders outside the visitor centre. On Woodpecker and Carolina Wren. The forest our last visit we recorded Ruby-throated at Normandale should provide us with , Red-headed, Red-bellied, Least Flycatcher, Black-throated Green Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, White- Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and Wood and breasted Nuthatch, , Hermit Thrushes. White-crowned Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and . A walk Day 7: After our morning visit to Long along a boardwalk through a swamp should Point we progress to the extensive areas of provide us with Prothonotary Warbler and wetlands at Big Creek Reserve and Hahn . There are several trails at Marshes. Several species of interest are Rondeau providing good access to wood- present including , land, scrub and the shore of Lake Erie. American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Walking along South Beach Trail, we may American Black Duck, , encounter Field Sparrow, Pileated Forster’s Tern, Purple Martin, Marsh Wren Woodpecker, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat. Woodland Common Yellowthroat and Brown Thrasher. tracts sometimes have a few migrants After an early dinner, we return to Rondeau including Brown Creeper, Red-breasted to observe the remarkable display flight

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White-crowned Sparrow Photo: Simon Papps and feeding actions of American falls. Niagara is noted for Bonaparte’s Gulls . Common Nighthawk is also a and Double-crested Cormorants. The distinct possibility as dusk falls. gorge below the falls attracts Ring-billed Gulls in their thousands and, occasionally, Day 9: Today we head towards Backus Great Black-backed Gull. We then travel to Woods to look for Blackburnian, Canada, Toronto Airport for our flight home with Cerulean, Blue-winged and Black-throated arrival early the next morning. Green Warblers. Backus Woods also pro- vides us with a chance of locating Red- Prices shouldered Hawk, Wild Turkey, Barred Owl, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Orchard Ground Price: £2,495 Oriole. Lakeland Drive follows the shoreline Single room: £230 of Lake Erie with several vantage points. Deposit: £250 We may locate lingering Bufflehead off- *Air Fare: £600 shore and Semipalmated Plover along the muddy shore. Fields and weedy areas may This holiday is fully inclusive of hold Savannah Sparrow, Eastern flights, accommodation and meals, Meadowlark and Bobolink. transport, permit fees, guidance, tips and taxes. Day 10: After a final visit to Long Point, we head for Niagara Falls. Sightseeing at Not included: Visa to enter Canada, Niagara will be arranged to suit the group. drinks, insurance, and items of a Visually, the falls are a stunning spectacle personal nature. with rainbows in the spray. The force of the falling water is astounding. Nearby are tow- *Please refer to our terms and ers that have been erected to give the very conditions relating to flights best viewpoint from which to survey the

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 91 Colombia Endemics and antpittas in the world’s best birding country Colombia is home to a staggering total of over 1,950 bird species Ð more than any other country on Earth - and the world's best birding country is once again safe and open for business. This tour, which has been specially designed to see as large a selection of species and as many endemics as possible, will begin at the legendary hot-spot of Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast, and then focus on the various cordillera of the central Colombian Andes. The wonderful birdlife, combined with friendly people, good food, quality accommodation, efficient infrastructure and varied geography, from the High Andes to the Caribbean coast, make Colombia arguably the number one birding destination anywhere in the world.

Day 1: Overnight direct flight from London Heathrow to Bogotá, arriving early the next Dates morning. TOUR A: Saturday January 9th Ð Saturday January 23rd 2021 Day 2: Bogotá is located at an altitude of TOUR B: Saturday January 8th Ð around 2,300m, nestled in a large plateau Saturday January 22nd 2022 in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. We Leader: Simon Papps and local have an early start to visit La Florida, which leader holds three endemic birds: Bogotá Rail, Group Size: 6 Silvery-throated Spinetail and Apolinar’s Species: 450-500 including up to 42 Wren. There is also a good chance of endemics Subtropical Doradito, Noble Snipe, Rufous- browed Conebill and the local race of . We also become acquainted with may produce Scaled Dove, Glaucous widespread species such as Roadside Tanager, Grey Kingbird and Yellow Oriole. Hawk, Blue-and-white and Southern Rough-winged Swallows, Great Kiskadee, Day 3: We spend the morning birding in Fork-tailed and Vermilion Flycatchers, the Guajira desert near Los Flamencos. Masked and Black-crowned Tityras, Buff- Inland, xerophytic scrub dominates, which breasted Wren, Black-billed and Pale- is very productive for Guajira specialties breasted Thrushes, Saffron Finch, and win- restricted to north-east Colombia and tering Blackburnian and Canada Warblers. north-west . These include We then catch a late morning flight from Rufous-vented Chachalaca, Bare-eyed the nearby airport to the city of Riohacha, Pigeon, Buffy Hummingbird, Russet-throat- which is the setting for parts of several nov- ed , Chestnut , White- els by Gabriel García Márquez, including whiskered Spinetail, Slender-billed Inezia, One Hundred Years of Solitude. The nearby Orinocan , Pileated Finch, Tocuyo Los Flamencos Sanctuary on the Guajira Sparrow and Vermillion Cardinal. We also Peninsula is an important coastal wetland search for Crested Bobwhite, Blue- and dry forest reserve created to protect a crowned and Brown-throated Parakeets, large population of American Flamingos Green-rumped Parrotlet, Black-crested and numerous other birds including Antshrike, White-fringed Antwren and herons, waders, Black Skimmer and Northern Scrub-Flycatcher. After lunch the Roseate Spoonbill. Scarlet Ibis can usually scorching desert sun is overpowering, so be found in the small flocks of White Ibis. we head west, visiting lush coastal forest Scattered trees and brush by the lagoons where we have a chance of encountering

92 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Colombia the likes of Trinidad Euphonia, Yellow- Santa Marta Bush-Tyrant, Santa Marta rumped Cacique, Streaked Flycatcher and Mountain-Tanager, Yellow-crowned if we are lucky Military Macaw. Overnight Whitestart and Santa Marta Warbler. The near Tayrona National Park. peaks of the sierra Ð the highest in Colombia Ð are usually visible in the early Day 4: Early start at Tayrona National morning. Watching the skies may reveal the Park, where forest birds include Lance- presence of Scaly-naped and rap- tailed and White-bearded Manakins, Blue tors including , Black-and- Dacnis, White-chinned Sapphire and a chestnut Eagle and Semi-collared Hawk. variety of woodcreepers, tanagers and other birds. Mammals include Venezuelan Day 7: We bird down the road towards Red Howler and Cottotop Tamarin. If our Minca this morning looking for species luck is really in we may encounter a Blue- such as Black-backed Antshrike, Golden- billed . winged Sparrow, Golden-fronted Greenlet, Later in the morning we will drive to the Coppery Emerald and Rosy Thrush- foothills around Minca. Birding here may Tanager. The little known Santa Marta produce Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Scaled Sabrewing is occasionally seen here. We Piculet, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, then take a flight from Santa Marta to Red-billed Parrot, Boat-billed Flycatcher Colombia’s second largest city, Medellín, and Keel-billed , plus a wide range and from here head west crossing over the of warblers and other species. western Andes. The Chocó rainforest in Accommodation near Minca. western Colombia contains one of the highest concentrations of range-restricted Days 5-6: We ascend to the famous El in the world, with many birds, Dorado reserve in the Sierra Nevada de plants and amphibians at risk of . Santa Marta for a two-night stay. This We will be based in the comfortable Las mountain range is the jewel in the crown of Tangaras lodge for the next three nights. Colombian birding and is home to no less The endemic Crested Ant-Tanager is regu- than 19 endemic bird species, including the larly seen in the lodge garden. recently described Santa Marta Screech Owl. Birding around the lodge is productive Days 8-9: We will have two full days to for Santa Marta Brush-Finch and Crested explore the area around the reserve, where Oropendola. include the we will look for a number of endemics such uncommon endemics, Santa Marta as the Chocó Vireo, Gold-ringed Tanager, Blossomcrown and Santa Marta Woodstar. Black-and-gold Tanager, Chestnut Wood- Tanagers visit the feeding trays, with Black- Quail, Red-bellied Grackle and the recently capped Tanager and Blue-naped described Tatama Tapaculo. Other speciali- Chlorophonia being possible. The lodge ty species of the area include , clearing, with a view of the Caribbean Black , Fulvous-dotted Treerunner, below, is a good place for Scarlet-fronted Black-chinned Mountain-Tanager, Orange- Parakeets and White-rumped Hawks. breasted Fruiteater, Toucan Barbet and Black-fronted Wood-Quail, Santa Marta White-headed Wren. We will also visit a Toucanet, White-tipped Quetzal, Strong- hummingbird feeding station within the billed Woodcreeper, Streak-capped reserve where we will see Velvet-purple Spinetail, Grey-throated Leaftosser, Santa Coronet, Violet-tailed Sylph, Rufous-gaped Marta Antpitta, Golden-breasted Fruiteater, Hillstar, Empress Brilliant, Purple-throated Black-hooded Thrush and White-lored Woodstar, and Tawny-bellied Hermit. Warbler are present in forests adjacent to the lodge. Many of the endemics are found Day 10: After a final morning’s birding at at higher elevations above the lodge, Las Tangaras, visiting a different area in including Santa Marta Parakeet, White- search of Tanager-finch and Munchique tailed Starfrontlet, Rusty-headed Spinetail, Wood-Wren, we head back over the moun- the distinctive endemic subspecies of tain pass to the pleasant colonial town of Rufous Antpitta, Brown-rumped Tapaculo, Jardin for a two-night stay, stopping en

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Blue-naped Chlorophonia Photo: Simon Papps route to look for the endemic Greyish of the country), for a two-night stay. Piculet is some degraded forest fragments by the roadside. Day 12: A full day in the hills above Manizales at the magical Rio Blanco Day 11: The reserve above Jardin is the reserve which is home to a large variety of best place to find the spectacular and criti- endemics and specialties representative of cally endangered endemic Yellow-eared the Central Cordillera. Cabins at the Parrot. Munchique Wood-Wren has recent- reserve entrance are festooned with hum- ly been discovered here and we have a mingbird feeders and we expect to see up good chance of seeing this critically endan- to ten species, including Tourmaline gered Colombian endemic. The forests are Sunangel and the diminutive White-bellied also home to the Colombian subspecies of Woodstar. Birding activity is exceptionally Acorn Woodpecker, White-browed good with large mixed-species flocks fre- Spinetail, Chestnut-crowned Cotinga, quently encountered. Flocks contain an Golden-faced Whitestart, Black-and-white incredible diversity of furnarids, tanagers Seedeater and Tanager Finch. Groups of and flycatchers, including Tyrannine White-capped Tanagers are occasionally Woodcreeper, Dusky Piha, Handsome found. Later in the day we will visit a lek of Flycatcher, Golden-faced Whitestart, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock which, incongru- Oleaginous Hemispingus, Buff-breasted ously, is situated just five minutes’ walk Mountain-Tanager and Grass-green from the town centre. In the afternoon, we Tanager. Understorey flocks in areas of drive down the Central Andes to the city of are of particular interest and Manizales, in the so-called coffee zone include Plushcap, Black-eared (although in fact coffee is grown over much Hemispingus, Yellow-billed Cacique, Black-

94 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Colombia billed Peppershrike and Masked Saltator. Tanager, Crested Ant-Tanager and Greyish Other highlights include the noisy Black- Piculet. Other key species in the upper sub- billed Mountain-Toucan, Powerful tropical and montane forest include Woodpecker, Northern Mountain-Cacique, Moustached Puffbird, Bar-crested Black-collared Jay and White-capped Antshrike, Moustached Antpitta, Chestnut- Tanager. This is also a good area for par- breasted Wren and Slate-coloured rots, including Rusty-faced Parrot, Golden- Seedeater. Two trails and a road passing plumed Parakeet and the endemic Rufous- through the forest are good for finding fronted Parakeet. The skulking Ocellated, Motmot, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow and Blackish and Spillmann’s Tapaculos and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. Mixed flocks Chestnut-naped Antpitta can sometimes may contain Moustached Puffbird, Streak- be tempted into view. Rio Blanco’s high- capped Treehunter, Bar-crested Antshrike, light, however, is its antpitta feeding station. Rufous-breasted Flycatcher and Chestnut-crowned and the endemic Plumbeous-crowned Tyrannulet. The cabin Brown-banded Antpittas are regular while area is good for Great Antshrike, Slate-crowned and the endemic Bicoloured Whiskered Wren, Golden-rumped Antpittas are occasional visitors. We will Euphonia and Flame-rumped Tanager, stay until dark for a chance of Lyre-tailed while the river is home to and Nightjar, Common Potoo, Rufous-banded White-capped Dipper. The road continues Owl and White-throated Screech-Owl. to El Cedral where a mule trail leads up to cabins at La Pastora, an area for Dusky Day 13: An hour’s drive from Manizales, Piha, Flammulated Treehunter, Masked the road up to Nevado de Ruiz National Saltator, Golden-fronted Whitestart, White- Park passes through elfin forest and capped Tanager and Black-collared Jay. paramo where we search for a very special high-elevation hummingbird Ð the remark- Day 15: After another morning’s birding at able Buffy Helmetcrest. Other species we Otun-Quimbaya, we take a flight from may encounter are Viridian Metaltail, Tawny Pereira to Bogotá and connect with a flight Antpitta, Brown-backed Chat-Tyrant, Stout- back to the UK. Arrival is on the following billed Cinclodes and Glossy . morning. Lower down, the road passes Laguna Negra, a glacial lake that is home to Andean Duck and Andean Teal. Golden- breasted Puffleg, Andean Tit-Spinetail, White-chinned Thistletail, Black-backed Prices Bush-Tanager and many others also occur. The park entrance road passes through Ground Price: £4,995 elfin forest patches, home of the scarce Tour B: £5195 (provisional) and elusive endemic Rufous-fronted Single room: £400 Parakeet. This forest also has Rainbow- Deposit: £500 bearded Thornbill, Andean Pygmy-Owl, *Air Fare: £600 White-browed Spinetail, Crowned Chat- Tyrant, Ocellated and Paramo Tapaculos, This holiday is fully inclusive of Golden-crowned Tanager, Scarlet-bellied accommodation and meals, Mountain-Tanager and Pale-naped Brush- transport, permit fees, guidance, tips Finch. In the afternoon, we drive to the La and taxes. Suiza lodge in the Otun-Quimabya region- al park, near the city of Pereira, for a two- Not included: drinks, insurance, night stay. items of a personal nature, fuel surcharges. Day 14: Today we visit Otun-Quimbaya reserve which holds the Cauca Valley and *Please refer to our terms and Central Cordilleran endemics Cauca , conditions relating to flights Chestnut Wood-Quail, Multicoloured

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 95 Mexico Veracruz, Oaxaca and the Sierra Madre Mexico is a country with a diverse avifauna and important ecological areas. Our tour starts in Mexico City, which lies in a bowl 2,230 metres above sea level and is one of the largest conurbations in the world. Just outside the city are extensive areas of pinewoods and oak woodlands interspersed with grassy plains. The tour then moves on to Veracruz province, which is one of Mexico’s richest areas for birds with a habitat of limestone cliffs and secondary forest. Veracruz is a long straggly state along the Gulf of Mexico and is in ornithological terms classified as the Atlantic Slope. Our final base is at Oaxaca which is reached by travelling over the Sierra Madre Ð a dramatic area of mountains and forests. Oaxaca is steeped in history and Spanish is the second language to almost thirty local dialects. The area is rich in archaeological ruins especially at Monte Alban. The area surrounding Oaxaca holds up to thirty endemic bird species.

Day 1: Fly to Mexico City and transfer to our hotel on the outskirts of the city for a Dates three-night stay. Saturday January 8th Ð Saturday January 22nd 2022 Days 2-3: Our main interest is the mixed Leaders: Mark Finn and local guides woodlands and open grasslands of La Group Size: 8 Cima. The latter habitat holds the endemic Birds: 290-350 Sierra Madre Sparrow. Stands of pines attract Strickland’s Woodpecker, Townsend’s, Pine and Olive Warblers and Lerma Marshes are nearby, where the on occasions the uncommon Colima endemic Black-polled Yellowthroat is found Warbler. The pines also attract Buff-breast- along with migrant waterfowl and waders. ed Flycatcher, Blue-hooded Euphonia and Evening Grosbeak. Tres Marias is a small Day 4: Today we head towards the rural village with extensive oak woods. Open town of Fortin de las Flores, passing trails here allow easy viewing of feeding through agricultural lands where Tropical flocks and we hope to find Rose-throated Kingbird and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher can Becard, Grey-breasted Jay, Grey-barred be numerous. Our hotel in Fortin is situated Wren, White-throated Thrush, Blue in superb tropical gardens for birds includ- Mockingbird, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, ing , Montezuma’s and Wagler’s Crescent-chested, Red-faced and Red Oropendolas, Yellow-winged Tanager and Warblers, Painted Redstart and Varied Black-headed Saltator. Shrubs attract Bunting. Older trees often have White- North American wintering warblers, in par- striped Woodcreeper. Areas of scrub attract ticular Magnolia and Wilson’s. Mature trees Rufous-capped and Green-striped are good for Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Brushfinches. Flowering shrubs are impor- Singing Blackbird and noisy Band-backed tant for White-eared, Blue-throated and . We spend three nights at Fortin Magnificent Hummingbirds, Cinnamon-bel- lied Flowerpiercer and a range of orioles Day 5: An area of dry thorn scrub at including Black-backed. Lobos Canyon is a Colonia Francisco Barrios is our destina- reliable spot for Slate-blue Seedeater tion today. En route we pass through exten- whilst other species of interest include sive marshes with borderline ditches. We Balsas Screech Owl, Colima , have good chances of finding Yellow- Golden Vireo and Black-chested Sparrow. crowned Night Heron, ,

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Blackburnian Warbler Photo: Simon Papps Jabiru and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Day 7: Today we travel towards Veracruz plus the commoner ducks and herons. stopping at a coastal wetland with adjacent Arriving in the thorn forest we search for grassland Ð a favourite habitat of Double- Mexican Sheartail, White-bellied Wren and striped Thick-knee, Long-billed Curlew, Botteri’s Sparrow. Other species using the American Golden Plover, Aplomado thorn forest include Red-lored Parrot, Falcon, American and Sprague’s Pipits, , Ladder-backed Grassland Yellow Finch and on telegraph Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, lines Fork-tailed Flycatcher. Areas of scrub Grey-crowned Yellowthroat and White-col- hold Striped Cuckoo, Rufous-breasted lared Seedeater. Spinetail and Barred Antshrike. Seasonal pools often have Blue-winged Teal, Day 6: First stop today is to check the river Northern Jacana and Solitary and Pectoral area for Black Phoebe and American Sandpipers. Our journey takes us along the Dipper. In the surrounding forest it is possi- coast with Magnificent Frigatebirds for ble to find Lineated Woodpecker, Altamira company. Eventually we reach our hotel Oriole and Red-billed Pigeon. An area of overlooking Lake Catemaco for a four-night limestone outcrops and shade forest at stay. From the hotel veranda we can study Amatlan is close to our base. Our aim is to Snail Kite, American Royal and Forster’s locate Sumichrast’s Wren, which is only Ter ns and . found in Eastern Mexico. The forest itself is home to Thicket , White-crowned Day 8: An early morning walk around the Parrot, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Northern grounds may produce Northern Emerald Toucanet, Golden-olive Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler and Blue- Woodpecker, White-breasted Wood-wren, grey Tanager. After breakfast we head Fan-tailed, Golden-crowned and Rufous- towards an isolated patch of rainforest with capped Warblers, White-winged Tanager a biological research station. Typical birds and up to ten species of flycatchers. of this lowland forest include Grey-headed

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Kite, White Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, En route a stop in Catemaco may produce Brown-hooded Parrot, Long-tailed Hermit, Ye llow-throated Warbler, and above the Red-capped Manakin, Lovely Cotinga, lake Chestnut-collared and Lesser Stub-tailed Spadebill, Black-throated Swallow-tailed Swifts.The grounds of Playa Shrike-Tanager and Crimson-collared Azul are overgrown with flowering trees Tanager. En route to Sontecomepan an iso- and flowering shrubs which attract Grey- lated village has Limpkin and Ruddy Crake. collared Becard, Band-backed Wren, Late afternoon we arrive at Arroyo Agrio, Green-breasted Mango and Azure- an area fringed with hedgerows and fruiting crowned, Rufous-tailed and Buff-bellied trees, with the latter attracting Aztec Hummingbirds. The road to Bastonal is Parakeet, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared steep, passing fields used for cattle ranch- Aracari, tanagers and orioles. Nearby for- ing. Typical species of the area include est patches sometimes have Collared Hook-billed and Double-toothed Kites, Forest Falcon, Barred Woodcreeper and Laughing Falcon, Northern Bobwhite, Red-throated Tanager. Scaled Pigeon, Smoky-brown, Chestnut- collared, Lineated and Black-cheeked Day 9: Today should be one of the high- Woodpeckers, Bright-rumped Attila, Worm- lights with a boat trip on Lake eating Warbler, Blue Bunting, Black-cowled Sontecomepan with visits to mangrove and Altamira Orioles and parties of Lesser swamps, rivers, rainforest and open water. Goldfinch. The harbour itself often has Reddish Egret and Tricoloured Heron. Our boat takes us Day 11: Transfer to Tuxtepec, a bustling into the backwaters where we have our and lively town situated in a valley below best chances of , Pinnated the Sierra Madre. Thickets have Slate- Bittern, Bare-throated Tiger Heron and the throated Tody-Flycatcher and the rather localised Boat-billed Heron. Other species uncommon Thick-billed Seedfinch. Rivers of the mangroves include American Pygmy attract Spotted Sandpiper, Mangrove Kingfisher and Yellow-tailed Oriole. After Swallow and a range of herons and egrets. lunch we explore the forest above Catemaco for Tuxtla Quail-Dove, Violet Day 12: We have all day to cross the spec- Sabrewing, Slate-coloured Solitaire, Black- tacular Sierra Madre en route to Oaxaca. headed Nightingale-Thrush and Plain- The road zigzags and winds its way breasted Brushfinch. through pristine forest and pinewoods before reaching the summit. Valle Nacional Day 10: Our last day in the Catemaco is a hamlet with extensive forests offering area with visits to Bastonal and Playa Azul. us the chance of Crested Guan, White- faced Quail-Dove, Barred Parakeet, Emerald-chinned and Bumblebee Hummingbirds, Black-crested Coquette, Azure-hooded and Unicoloured Jays and White-naped Brushfinch. Transfer to Oaxaca for three nights.

Days 13-14: Monte Alban, the old capital of the Zapotec empire, is close to Oaxaca. The habitat is mainly arid with areas of scrub and vegetation filled gullies. Typical birds of Monte Alban include White-throat- ed Towhee, Blue Mockingbird, Canyon and Rock Wrens and Thick-billed and Western Kingbirds. The surrounding countryside is bordering on sub-desert with patches of Rufous-tailed Jacamar Photo: Barry vegetation in watercourses. Flowering Lancaster trees attract Berylline, Black-chinned and

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Aplomado Falcon Photo: Simon Papps Dusky Hummingbirds. Open areas with fantastic views over the desert and dramat- trees have Loggerhead Shrike and Curve- ic canyons. Near the town of Puebla, where billed Thrasher. Birds of prey using the area cacti forest start to dominate, colonies of include Short-tailed and Swainson’s the endemic Grey-breasted Woodpecker Hawks. To the north of Oaxaca the road reside. Other species include Harris’s leads up into the Sierra Madre mountains. Hawk and Botteri’s Sparrow. Our flight back Important species we hope to locate to Europe leaves in the evening with arrival include Oaxaca and Bridled Sparrows, on the following day. Boucard’s Wren, Grey Silky-flycatcher, Slaty and Golden Vireos and Black-vented Prices Oriole. Cerro San Felipe is an area of pine and oak woodlands where we will seek out Ground Price: £2,995 some of Mexico’s rarest endemics. Single room: £200 Common species include Red, Crescent- Deposit: £300 chested, Rufous-capped and Golden- *Air Fare: £625 browed Warblers, Slate-throated Redstart and Collared Towhee. The higher ground is This holiday is fully inclusive of home to the endangered . Other accommodation, meals, transport, species we may encounter include Long- permit fees, guidance, tips and taxes. tailed Wood Partridge, Mountain Pygmy Owl, Mountain Trogon, Spot-crowned Not included: drinks, insurance and Woodcreeper, and Russet and Orange- items of a personal nature. billed Nightingale-Thrushes. *Please refer to our terms and Day 15: Today we leave Oaxaca for the conditions relating to flights journey back to Mexico City, which offers

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 99 Trinidad and Grenada Birding in the southern Caribbean Trinidad is situated just a few miles off the coast of Venezuela in South America and offers an ideal introduction to the birdlife of South America. The secret of the island's varied avifauna lies in the wide range of habitats, which includes high mountains, rainforests, marshes, agricultural lands and abandoned cocoa plantations. These diverse areas attract a wide range of birds from North and South America. Our base in Trinidad is the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre, which is located within tropical rainforest habitats. Grenada in contrast is a tiny island famous for the production of spices, notably nutmeg. The island has several interesting areas for birds, including the Mount Harman Estate which is home to the critically endangered Grenada Dove.

Day 1: Fly to Port of , the capital of Tr inidad and Tobago, and transfer to the Dates Asa Wright Nature Centre, which will be Friday November 19th Ð Tuesday our base for the holiday. November 30th 2021 Leader: Simon Papps and local Days 2-8: Today is spent in and around guides the centre, which is situated on a ridge at Group Size 7 360 metres in the grounds of an old cocoa Birds: 200-250 plantation. The view from the veranda is over a rainforest valley with the lowlands of the island visible in the distance. The high- itself has many hummingbird feeders er trees often give views of Channel-billed attracting Bananaquit, White-necked Toucan and Bearded Bellbird giving their Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Blue- hammer-and-anvil-like calls. The veranda chinned Sapphire, White-chested Emerald

Tufted Coquette Trinidad Motmot Photo: Mukesh Ramdass Photo: by Barry Lancaster

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Purple Honeycreeper Photo: Peg Abbott and Copper-rumped Hummingbird. The Blanchisseuse Road, which has many hair- grounds have extensive areas of shrubs pin bends as it winds its way towards the attracting Spectacled, Cocoa and White- Atlantic Ocean. The roadside vegetation necked Thrushes, Barred and Great and luxuriant jungle habitats offer us Antshrikes, Squirrel Cuckoo and North Guianan and Green-backed and American warblers including American Golden-headed Manakin. The higher parts Redstart and Northern Waterthrush. The of the road are home to many of the lower gardens have lekking grounds of island’s 29 tanager species including Golden-headed and White-bearded Speckled Tanager. The lower valleys often Manakins and it is possible to find the have Lilac-tailed Parrotlet and Blue-headed secretive Little Tinamou. Parrot whilst overlooks can be good for rap- The trails lead to lower elevations fes- tors including Falcon and Grey-headed tooned with creepers which are home to Kite. Andrews Trace is the highest point on Rufous-breasted Hermit and Red-crowned the road and this area attracts Tropical Ant Tanager. A major attraction is a cave Parula and Golden-crowned Warbler. housing Ð an extremely rare and Brasso Seco is an area with plenty of ants, nocturnal species which finds a daytime which in turn attract Plain-brown and roost here. A check of bamboo thickets Cocoa Woodcreepers, Great Antshrike and may produce Ferruginous Pygmy and Plain Antvireo. Today we head towards the Tropical Screech Owls. Secondary forest Nariva Swamp, which is the largest herba- has the rail-like Black-faced Antthrush, ceous swamp in Trinidad. Along the vege- Grey-throated Leaftosser and Streaked tated banks we may find Black-crested Xenops. Above the valley White Hawk, Antshrike, Silvered Antbird and Green- Ornate Hawk-Eagle and Common Black throated Mango, plus a chance of the rare Hawk are regularly observed. Limpkin. The swamp itself usually hosts a On another day we explore the few waders, Pinnated Bittern, American

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Large-billed Terns Photo: Simon Papps

Purple Gallinule and possibly the rare es with typical species being Greater and Azure Gallinule, Wattled Jacana and Lesser Yellowlegs and White-flanked migrant herons and egrets. The drier parts Antwren. of the marsh have Red-breasted On one afternoon a boat trip will be taken Meadowlark, Southern Lapwing, White- into the world-famous Caroni Swamp. The headed Marsh Tyrant and overhead extensive mangroves and tidal mudflats Savannah Hawk and Pearl Kite. attract hundreds of Scarlet Ibis to roost. An early start to visit the village of Other species include Masked Cardinal, Grande Riviere on the north-east Bicoloured Conebill, Northern Waterthrush Caribbean coast of Trinidad. Our main and Green-throated Mango. The mud objective is to find one of the island’s attracts Yellow-crowned Night Heron and endemic bird species, the scarce and North American shorebirds. As dusk falls localised Trinidad Piping Guan which has a we have a good chance of Boat-billed small and stable population in the area. Heron and Common Potoo, which are two Other species include Chestnut-collared nocturnal species. The Aripo Livestock and Lesser Swallow-tailed Swifts, Crimson- Farm is situated in the lowland plains of crested Woodpecker, White-bellied Antbird, Tr inidad. Habitats include wet pastures, Black-tailed Tityra, Greyish Saltator and hedgerows and a few isolated trees attract- Tr inidad Euphonia. The old airfield at ing Savannah Hawk. Anywhere where the Wallerfield and Aripo Savannah have cattle are fed lures Shiny Cowbirds and grassland habitats attracting Yellow-head- Yellow-hooded Blackbirds, Blue-black ed Caracara, Orange-winged Parrot, Grassquit and Pied Water Tyrant. The pas- Squirrel and Striped Cuckoos, Fork-tailed ture land is dotted with seasonal ponds Palm Swift, Sulphury and Bran-coloured which are attractive to Least Grebe, Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Cacique and Wattled Jacana, Least and Pectoral the rare Moriche Oriole. Aripo is dominated Sandpipers. Raptors use the area on a reg- by palm trees, wet areas and cattle ranch- ular basis including wintering Peregrine

102 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Trinidad and Grenada

Wattled Jacana Photo: Simon Papps

Falcon and Merlin alongside resident Yellow-bellied Seedeater and Shiny Zone-tailed Hawk. Arena Forest is a low- Cowbird. Grenada has around 35 resident land rainforest with a dam of the same land birds. Other range-restricted species name. In the forest and environs we expect include Grenada Flycatcher, Lesser to locate White Hawk, Blue-headed Parrot, Antillean Tanager and Lesser Antillean Crimson-crested Woodpecker, woodcreep- Bullfinch. ers, Pale-breasted and Stripe-breasted Spinetails and Greyish Saltator. It may be Day 12: Early morning flight to Trinidad possible to visit the Arena Dam where and onward connections to the UK. Cocoi Heron, Black-bellied , and other waterbirds occur. Prices Day 9: Today has been set aside to revisit Ground Price:£4,495 areas mentioned on Days 2-8. Single room: £500 Deposit: £250 Days 10-11: This morning we fly to *Air Fare: £675 Grenada, the most southerly of the Lesser Antilles, for a two-night stay. Grenada is This holiday is fully inclusive of also known as the spice island and is accommodation, meals, transport, famous for the production of nutmeg. Our permit fees, guidance, tips and taxes. target species here is the highly endan- gered Grenada Dove which has a popula- Not included: drinks, insurance, tion numbering around 60 birds and occurs items of a personal nature. in the dry forest woodlands along with the critically endangered Grenada Hook-billed *Please refer to our terms and Kite. Other species present include Rufous- conditions relating to flights breasted Hermit, Yellow-bellied Elaenia,

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 103 Booking Birdwatching Breaks Form 2021

104 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 Booking Birdwatching Breaks Form 2021

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 105 Terms and Conditions 2021-22

Birdwatching Breaks, founded in May 1987, is the trad- which may necessitate us amending the stated itinerary. ing name of Mark Finn. The terms and conditions listed Change of UK airports excludes the London hub of below form the contract between Mark and his clients. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. No compensa- tion is due from Birdwatching Breaks where cancella- Reservation: A reservation is made when the booking tion or change results from unforeseeable or unusual form and deposit have been confirmed by Birdwatching circumstances beyond our control. This includes war or Breaks. Bookings by telephone should be confirmed in threat of war, terrorist activity, riots, civil disorder, natu- writing or by email and received within seven days ral or nuclear disasters, pandemics, epidemics, fires, accompanied by the appropriate deposit. To secure air adverse weather conditions, strikes by air traffic con- flights booked within 72 days of departure, we require trollers in the and elsewhere in the full payment (of the flights) by credit card. In return, you world, no fuel availability preventing carriers, hoteliers receive a confirmation invoice with details of the holiday and other suppliers from carrying out their duties. In you have chosen, departure dates and airline timings if addition to the above, no compensation is payable if the known at the time of booking. We agree to operate your balance is not paid on time or the tour is cancelled due holiday as stated in our 2021 brochure. The contract is to insufficient bookings. Save for the above compensa- deemed to have been made at Cygnus House, Gordons tion in (4) we will be under no further liability to you. We Mill, Balblair, Ross-shire, Scotland, and is therefore reserve the right to change any of the prices in our 2021 governed by Scottish law and is subject to the exclusive brochure before we enter into a contract with you. If jurisdiction of Scottish courts. there is a change, we will notify you by email or in writ- ing. Birdwatching Breaks reserves the right to cancel tours up to 6 weeks before departure if sufficient num- Balance: The balance for all bookings is ten weeks before the holiday is due to commence. In the case of bers are not obtained. In this event, we can offer you an holidays in Scotland and the United Kingdom, the bal- alternative holiday or a full refund of monies paid. ance is due six weeks before holiday commencement. If the balance has not been paid by the appropriate date, Flights: Because of fluctuating fuel prices, it is becom- we regard your holiday as being cancelled. Cancellation ing very difficult to obtain accurate quotes for airfares. charges would be levied. Tour prices are broken down into two elements: the basic cost of the tour which includes everything except the cost of the international and internal flights; and, Cancellations: A cancellation can only be accepted in writing or by email and takes effect on the date we secondly, our best estimate of the air fares when the receive it at Cygnus House. Cancellations received tour was costed. When we send invoices for the tour, we twelve weeks or more before the holiday commence- only charge you the exact airfare and hope that many of ment will involve the loss of deposit. If, however, flights these will be near the price currently quoted in our 2021 have already been bought and paid for, these will be brochure. charged to you and it is your responsibility to try and obtain a refund from either the airline or your insurance Party Size: The minimum size of group necessary for company. Thereafter, the following charges will apply: our tours to operate is four. If the party size is not attained, the client will be informed in writing eight Over 96 days before departure Ð deposit only weeks before holiday commencement. 40-95 days before departure Ð 80% Under 40 days until the day of departure Ð 100% Birds and Mammals: The birds and mammals men- tioned in this brochure are only a guide to what you Tours: We do everything in our power to ensure all our might expect to see on the tour you have selected. tours are operated as advertised. However, situations Whilst many additional species will be seen, we are may arise which are outside our control and these may unlikely to see every species mentioned in our text. necessitate change. If such circumstances arise, we However, you should see a good proportion of them if reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary. We you participate fully in the tour and have reasonable reserve the right to alter the tour or substitute leaders or eyesight. accommodation if necessary.You will be informed if this action takes place. If major changes to the tour take Liability: We have taken all reasonable steps to place, we will inform you and advise the following: 1/ ensure holidays published in our 2021 brochure have accept the new arrangements; 2/ an alternative holiday been properly arranged. The travel agents, vehicle hire if available (with you paying any additional sums or operators, hotels, motels and restaurants we use are alternatively Birdwatching Breaks refunding you the dif- reputable. We accept liability as a direct result of our ference) ; 3/ cancelling your chosen tour for a full refund; negligence or breach of contractual duty in making or 4/ compensation for a major change made by arrangements for you, including acts or omissions by Birdwatching Breaks which is: above 95 days Ð nothing, our agents. We will accept liability for death, bodily 14-94 days Ð £30, under 14 days Ð £50. A major change injury or illness arising out of our proven negligence or is defined as a significant change of itinerary. At the time that of our employers or our sub-contractors or suppli- of going to print, airlines currently flying to the stated ers or their servants and/or agents, providing they were destinations on the days quoted and internal flight acting in the scope of their employment at the time. schedules have been checked. It is beyond the control Claims in respect of the above matters shall fall within of Birdwatching Breaks if airlines change their schedule the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Scotland. All

106 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com ☎ 01381 610495 claims must be made in writing to us within 28 days of rates. Asia, with the exception of Japan, is based on your return from holiday. We do not accept liability for US$ rates. Otherwise, the following rates apply: or snake bites, as we have no control over them. Canadian Dollar 1.59, Japanese Yen 126.28, Mexican We cannot accept liability for claims arising out of car- Peso 25.36, Norwegian Kroner 11.26, South African riage by air and sea. We have no control over the carri- Rand 20.41, Swedish Krona 10.98. All other destina- ers concerned and you are subject to their terms and tions not listed above use US Dollars, Euro or Pounds conditions, some of which exclude or limit liability in Sterling. respect of death, injury, delay and loss of baggage. We do not accept liability for delays in air flights, ship sailing Booking and Financial Security: Birdwatching times or other conveyances used in carrying out our Breaks holds an ATOL (Air Travel Operators Licence) tours. We accept no responsibility for losses or addi- Number 4324 issued by Civil Aviation Authority. This tional expenses due to delay or changes in flights or lost licence means that we are fully bonded against financial airline or ferry tickets, other services, weather, active insolvency for packages which include flights. We are volcanoes and ash clouds, strikes, terrorism activity, not in a position to name the operator or state the type pandemics, war or Acts of God. All such losses will be of aircraft or its destination. The Civil Aviation Authority borne by the passenger. Birdwatching Breaks is not is a government-approved organisation. Anybody book- responsible for loss, damage or theft of luggage, cam- ing a holiday through Birdwatching Breaks can do so eras, binoculars, telescopes and personal belongings, with complete financial security. Our bonding arrange- or for accidents or illness, death or personal injury. We ments guarantee your holiday will continue in the unlike- accept no claims arising out of your own acts or omis- ly event of our insolvency.With regard to holidays involv- sion or those of a third party not connected with the pro- ing land-based travel, you are covered by International vision of your holiday. For your own protection it is high- Passenger Protection (IPP) Ð details are on page 10. ly advisable to have adequate insurance cover. This is a legal requirement. Your Financial Protection: When you buy an ATOL- protected flight or flight-inclusive holiday from us you will Visiting countries: At all times it is advisable to fol- receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially low the customs of the country you are visiting and protected, where you can get information on what this comply with the laws and regulations which may be in means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. force. You must conduct yourself in a manner deemed “We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, by the leader to be compatible with the tour. will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Birdwatching Breaks reserves the right to send any Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, client home, at their own expense, if they disrupt the where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for tour through unreasonable or unacceptable behavior. reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may We will make no refund, nor pay or be liable for any provide you with the services you have bought or a suit- compensation. able alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL Surcharges: All our prices are based on exchange holder will perform those obligations and you agree to rates at the time of going to press and we reserve the pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your right to make reasonable adjustments if the pound falls contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you in value or foreign rates fall below what our prices are also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to based on. In certain circumstances we may levy a sur- appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you charge on tour prices involving departure taxes, landing will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme fees, transport costs including fuel, scheduled airfares (or your credit card issuer where applicable).” For land- and any other airline surcharges and ground agent and based travel you are covered by IPP. tour operator increases. We will absorb any minor fluc- tuations of up to 2% of the full tour price. Anything Hand Luggage on Aircraft: Please note many air- above this will be surcharged until 10% is reached. If the lines are extremely strict about the amount you can take latter is reached, you are entitled to cancel your book- on board with you. The maximum weight allowance is ing for a full refund. To exercise this right, you must 10kg (subject to change) in the case of low-cost carri- inform Birdwatching Breaks in writing or by email within ers. To keep the weight down, pack your in your 14 days of the invoice date. main case, in addition to any books you do not need in transit. Any sharp implements such as scissors, Fuel Surcharges: If any fuel charges are passed on penknives and screwdrivers should be packed in your to us by airlines on booking flights in conjunction with hold luggage. your holiday, we reserve the right to pass these on to our clients. We have no control over oil prices and the Complaints: If you have any complaints on tour, volatile nature of the airline industry as our prices are please notify the leader so that they can be addressed based on fares and other factors nearly a year in immediately. If this is not done to your satisfaction, advance. please notify us by writing or email within 28 days of your return. Currency: We plan our tours many months in advance. Our prices are based on tourist exchange Names and addresses: We keep these on our com- rates from Ramsdens on June 17th 2020. All rates are puter systems for use by Birdwatching Breaks and no equal to £1.00 sterling. £1.00 is equal to €1.07 and other parties. If you wish to be removed from our data- US$1.20 All European/ destinations, with base, please contact us at the relevant address. Your the exception of the United Kingdom, are based on details are kept secure by us and conform with current Euro rates. In the Americas, rates are based on US$ data protection rules as of May 2020.

☎ 01381 610495 www.birdwatchingbreaks.com 107 Enjoy a relaxing Scottish break with Black Isle Birding

Birdwatching holidays from the Borders to Shetland www.birdwatchingbreaks.com

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