****Migration Special****
Treat yourself to a
Midweek Highland getaway
With Birding Ecosse and The Grant Arms Hotel
Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 October 2024
**** Sorry this tour is now full ***
Tuesday – Arrival day
The magnificent Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey
This is a very special time of year to visit the Highlands, Moray and Nairn and taking advantage of our fantastic and varied habitats this tour will concentrate on any migrants hitting our shores.
With this in mind the itinerary below is purely a guideline, so expect short notice alterations as we “chase the rarities” a very exciting couple of days are in the offing and a great way to increase your year and life list!
Tuesday
Arriving on Tuesday afternoon settle into your room before enjoying your exquisite evening meal in the beautiful dining room prior to perhaps a few nightcaps in the Hotels “Capercaillie” bar.
Be sure to get a good night’s sleep though as the tour starts early tomorrow morning!
Autumn Chiffchaff, indicator of something more exotic nearby?
Wednesday
Portmahomack, Balintore and Tarbat Ness
Today we head North to the migrant hotspots of Portmahomack, Balintore and Tarbat Ness.
The remote location of these areas are a magnet not only to Skuas, Diver and Grebes, but also for any passerines passing through as it provides a quick fuelling station after their long flight over the North sea.
Winter plumaged Slavonian Grebe, a regular in the area.
Recent Highlights included Five individual Yellow Browed Warblers! What will 2024 reveal?
Target birds for today? Yellow Browed Warbler, Arctic Skua and Velvet Scoter.
Accessibility: Todays tour may involve walking on uneven gravel and mud paths.
Will your visit coincide with a Waxwing year?
Thursday
Findhorn and the Moray Coast
Bar Tailed Godwits feed in the surf
A guided walk through the gorse and sycamore tree’s and foreshore of my local patch starts the day off, will we flush a Wryneck or Barred Warbler or pick up a Yellow Browed Warbler? We will be looking for newly arrived migrants as they try to find a tasty morsel to replenish their body fat. Add to that the Seaducks, Waders and Divers on the Moray Firth plus other migrant hotspots such as Lossiemouth Estuary and Spey Bay it really is a fantastic area to rack up a great days total.
Cummingston
Accessibility: Todays tour involve a walk of around 1 mile over rugged and uneven sand, gravel and mud paths.
Chance of an early Snow Bunting on the beach? Who knows!
Target Birds for today: Passerines filtering through the area plus Sea ducks, Divers and Grebes on the Moray Firth.
Red throated Diver
Friday
Give yourself a treat! Enjoy a long lie before you head down for your last breakfast at the Grant Arms. Sit back and enjoy the memories of the past two full days birding in the glorious Scottish Highlands, and start planning your next trip North!
***All this for only £570 per person!***
So what is included?
3 nights Full board (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey.
2 Full days Birding.
Delicious packed Lunch on Wednesday and Thursday
Tea/Coffee morning and afternoon on Wednesday and Thursday
All transport on outings
All guiding fees.
Complimentary Checklist
Use of binoculars if required.
What’s not included:
Transport to and from the Grant Arms Hotel
Drinks at hotel
Personal insurance
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Items of a personal nature
Interested? Then please feel free to contact Birding Ecosse for more information or to book your place.
