The weather is the key to this trip - species seen will depend on conditions. If winds are from the north then we will head for the coast in search of seabirds such as Arctic, Great, Pomarine or Long-tailed Skuas along with a supporting cast of Gannets and maybe a shearwater or petrel. If winds are easterly then anything is possible! Among the commoner migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and Redstart something rarer may turn up with Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike or Bluethroat likely at this time of year. We will have up to the minute information ensuring we make the most of the day.
Price: £40
FULLY BOOKED

Falsterbo is Southern Sweden is one of Western Europe’s most famous migration hotspots, where literally millions of birds leave Scandinavia in search of warmer, milder winter conditions. Often, the area is constantly alive with migrating species.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Days 1 – 2:
We take our flight from London Stansted to Copenhagen and drive east over the Oresund Bridge into Sweden. Depending on weather conditions and local information we may head down to Falsterbo itself or to an area of heathland where raptors will be migrating. In September, Honey Buzzards, Ospreys and Sparrowhawks predominate but as the autumn progresses, the Honey Buzzards start to become replaced by Common & Rough-legged Buzzards, Red Kites plus throw in Merlin, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Peregrine and it’s a birders paradise! On recent trips we have seen Lesser Spotted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kite and White-tailed Eagles as extras. But it’s not just raptors to look at - the air is often full with the calls of Tree Pipits, Siskins and Yellow Wagtails. If we are lucky it might be a Nutcracker year when hundreds of Nutcrackers leave Sweden in search of food. We will visit the Falsterbo headland where we have seen Red-backed Shrike, Kentish Plover, Caspian Tern, Thrush Nightingale and Black Woodpecker as well as the more common migrants. There is often so much to see, you don’t know where to look. During the afternoons we will head inland to some good sites where we can see Golden Eagle, Goshawk, Black Woodpecker and White-tailed Eagle with the possibility of Common Cranes migrating south overhead.
Overnight: Near Trelleborg

Tour includes:
Flights from London Stansted to Copenhagen
Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 1 night
Not included: Evening meals and lunches
Price: £295 Single Supplement £20
FULLY BOOKED

Who knows where we will end up! We could be in Norfolk or Suffolk watching migrating birds on the coast or in Kent and the Dungeness area, watching seabirds move through the English Channel. With migration in full swing there are some superb places to visit so don’t miss out on a great days’ birding.
Price: £40
1 PLACE AVAILABLE

We take a trip with a difference and explore some of the best sites and hotspots within our home county for this autumn trip. With the latest up to date information we may visit sites such as the RSPB reserves at Rainham or Old Hall Marshes. The migrant spot of Walton-on-the-Naze could be our destination or reservoirs such as Hanningfield or Abberton where a rarity such as Yellow-browed Warbler or Buff-breasted Sandpiper could be seen.
Price: £40
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

Norfolk in autumn is a great place to catch up with some easterly migrant species and early wintering birds such as Shorelark, Snow Bunting or Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Warblers.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Days 1 - 3:
Our weekend itinerary will be quite flexible due to weather conditions and local information. During the weekend we will visit sites such as Holkham, where the Pine woodland is especially good for migrants including Firecrest, Goldcrest, Siskin or something rarer such as Radde’s or Dusky Warblers. Pink-footed Geese will start to arrive during our weekend making the landscape come alive with birds. The RSPB reserve at Titchwell in autumn holds good numbers of waders and wildfowl that are returning to Britain from their more northerly and easterly breeding grounds such as Knot, Sanderling, Brent Geese, Bar-tailed Godwit plus much more. Offshore a late Sandwich Tern may pass through, along with Long-tailed, Great, Arctic or Pomarine Skuas if the winds are favourable. Our accommodation is based in Old Hunstanton making us ideally situated for all the birding sites that Norfolk has to offer
Overnight: Old Hunstanton

Full board accommodation for 2 nights
Not included: Lunch on day 1
Price: £290 Single Supplement £20
1 PLACE AVAILABLE

The Isles of Scilly in October are a mecca for birdwatchers and birds alike.

Maximum 8 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Days 1 - 7:
At this time of year, almost anything can appear from all points of the compass. It is not unusual to see birds from North America alongside birds from Asia. Common species on the islands in October can include Firecrest, Black Redstart and Wheatear, but it is the rarities that keep the adrenalin going. From North America recent visitors have included Black and White Warbler, Swainson’s and Grey-cheeked Thrushes, American Robin, Red-eyed Vireo, White-rumped Sandpiper and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. From the east, Pallas’s and Paddyfield Warblers and Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipits may appear, whilst Yellow-browed Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike are annual visitors to these beautiful islands. There is a huge variety of habitat, from sea cliffs, reedy pools, coastal moorland, sandy beaches and both deciduous and pine woodlands. It is not difficult to see why this wonderful place is so popular. There are hardly any vehicles on the islands, which makes birdwatching and walking very relaxing and enjoyable. There are also some great tearooms that we won’t be able to resist visiting! The tropical conditions of the Scillies attract some Mediterranean insects such as the Spiny Stick Insect. Monarch Butterflies from the United States are recorded most years, whilst Common Dolphins are frequently seen and also the occasional whale offshore. Our superb accommodation is on the largest of the islands, St. Marys and just a five-minute walk from the quay. From here the inter-island launches take birders to the other inhabited islands, Bryer, St. Agnes, Tresco and St. Martins. The views from the accommodation are superb and after a good days’ birding the home-cooked food will be most welcome. After our evening meals we will take a short walk into town to take part in the nightly log-call, where birders report their sightings for the day, whilst enjoying an after meal drink. Our trip includes a short helicopter flight from Penzance, a great journey to make whilst looking down on Gannets fishing in the Atlantic. Fine food, fresh air and beautiful scenery are in store for all on this trip, the birds being merely a bonus!
Overnight: St. Mary's

Tour includes: Helicopter flight from Penzance to St. Marys
Half board accommodation for 6 nights (dinner excluded on Wednesday, when we will eat out) and 2 Inter-Island Boat Trips
Not included: Lunches and dinner on Wednesday night
Price: £820 Single Supplement £60
FULLY BOOKED

The North Norfolk coast in mid-autumn is a good place to catch up with some easterly species and early wintering birds such as Shorelark, Snow Bunting and Pink-footed Goose. We will watch the weather forecasts very carefully and hope for easterly winds. A huge variety of migrants are possible from Radde’s, Dusky, Yellow-browed and Barred Warblers through to Pectoral Sandpiper, Sabine’s Gull and Leach’s Petrel. Anything can turn up at this time of year and we hope to visit sites such as Holkham, Titchwell, Holme, Wells Wood, Walsey Hills and Cley.
We will have up to the minute information ensuring we make the most of the day.
Price: £40
1 PLACE AVAILABLE

We start the day at the Hawk & Owl Trust reserve at Sculthorpe Moor where we could see species such as Willow and Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Brambling and Siskin, as well as Golden Pheasant before moving on to the north coast and the RSPB site at Titchwell. The freshmarsh will be alive with wintering waders such as Golden Plover, Knot, Black & Bar-tailed Godwits with maybe a wintering Spotted Redshank and wildfowl including Pintail, Wigeon & Teal. The sea could hold a late skua such as Arctic, Pomarine or Great and there is always the chance of wintering divers and grebes. We finish up the day at a winter raptor roost where Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier or possibly Merlin round off a great day.
Price: £40
FULLY BOOKED

The Suffolk coast is a great place to spend a winter day birding. We will visit some great birding locations within the county such as Minsmere, North Warren and Southwold. The grazing marshes at North Warren support nationally important numbers of White-fronted Geese and this is one of the few regular sites for Tundra Bean Geese in the UK. Southwold is a great place to see wintering Water Pipits along with the many gulls around the harbour which could include Caspian Gull. The coast sees large numbers of Red-throated Diver and Scoter and Gannet are not unusual at this time of year. There should be a few Kittiwakes at Sizewell and other species could include Black Redstart, Glaucous Gulls or maybe a Skua. There is a chance that we might find a wintering Great Grey Shrike or something scarcer.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

We return to Boletas Birdwatching Centre in the beautiful Spanish Pyrenees for some winter birding and sun.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Fly from London Stansted to Zaragoza and depending on flight time head for the area known as Los Monegros where at this time of year birds flock together and we could find over 500 Red Kite, 120 Marsh Harrier and 200 Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. A small population of Great Bustards occur here and become easier to see during November and we should come across flocks of Little Bustard and Calandra and Lesser Short-toed Larks.
Overnight: Boletas Birdwatching Centre

Day 2:
Today we look for Lammergeier, a species that starts displaying in November and descends to lower levels looking for food. A visit to a vulture feeding station is planned where we can expect excellent views of both Lammergeier and Griffon Vultures on the ground. Wallcreepers can also be seen nearby and Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Spotless Starling and Firecrest are common. Chough can be found on the fields and can easily reach in excess of 300 in one flock! At dusk we will look for Eagle Owl nearby.
Overnight: Boletas Birdwatching Centre

Day 3:
We head for the French border and mountain species that are easier to see in winter. Alpine Accentors and Alpine Chough are common around the ski resorts and if there is a good amount of snowfall then Snowfinch is a strong possibility. The fast flowing streams in the pre-Pyrenees have Dippers of the continental black-bellied form and Red Kites patrol the hillsides. If time permits, we will go to a lake that has good numbers of wintering Common Cranes with numbers in excess of 4000.
Overnight: Boletas Birdwatching Centre

Day 4:
Depending on the time of flights, we will look for Black Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Serin and Golden Eagle before heading back to Zaragoza for our flight home.

Tour includes:
Flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza
Full board accommodation for 3 nights
Not included: Lunch on Day 1
Price: £580 Single Supplement £50
FULLY BOOKED

Rutland Water is the destination for this winter trip. England’s largest man-made reservoir is home to good numbers of wintering and resident birds, making an ideal location for a November visit. Winter species such as Smew, Brambling, divers or a rare gull such as Iceland could still be present. Red Kite is resident, along with Willow Tit and Tree Sparrow. These fantastic birds can be seen on the feeders by the reserve Visitor Centre. There is plenty to keep us busy for the day as the Egleton reserve has over 20 hides to choose from as well as a new scrape. If time permits we will call in at Eyebrook Reservoir on our way home.
Price: £40
Not included: Reserve entrance fees
FULLY BOOKED

The Broads area of Norfolk holds a high proportion of the UK breeding population of Common Crane and with plenty of raptors to see on this winter trip, it should be a good day! We will visit the Lowestoft area looking for Purple Sandpiper, along with Eider and Shag, whilst checking the docks for the possibility of a rare gull; Ross's, Little and Glaucous Gulls have all appeared in recent years. Black-throated Diver is also a regular winter visitor to the area. The afternoon will be spent at Hickling Broad, where the sight of up to 40 Marsh Harriers and Common Cranes coming to roost in the reedbeds is one not to be missed! Hen Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Barn Owl are regular, whilst Pink-footed Geese, Whooper Swan and Woodcock may be seen, along with Chinese Water Deer.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Isle of Sheppey is the destination for this day of winter birding. We will explore the island for waders and wildfowl such as Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted Goose, Ruff and Golden Plover. Snow Bunting, Shorelark and Twite can occur on the shingle beaches. We will finish up at the Harty Ferry raptor watchpoint, where Marsh and Hen Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Rough-legged Buzzard occur (probably the best site for these in the UK).
Price: £40
FULLY BOOKED

We start the birding year in style with this trip to Norfolk. The area around Cley and Salthouse is home to some exciting wintering species, including Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting and Horned Lark. The sea in winter can host flocks of Common Scoter, along with Red-throated Diver, Razorbill and Guillemot and maybe a wintering Glaucous Gull.
We will finish the day at Holkham National Nature Reserve, where the sight and sound of up to 50,000 Pink-footed Geese coming to roost is not to be missed. On previous trips we have also found Barnacle, Ross’s and Snow Geese as well as Black Brant in the area. Raptors are usually in good supply and could include Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and Barn Owl.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The New Forest National Park covers 150 square miles and dates back to the 12th century, when it was used as a hunting ground for King William I. With resident species such as Dartford Warbler, Hawfinch, Common Crossbill and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, plus the chance of Great Grey Shrike and Hen Harrier it is a fantastic place for a weekend’s birding.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
We travel to the New Forest and make our first stop at a woodland site close to Lyndhurst where we can expect to see Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Common Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Buzzard and possible Goshawk of which several birds can be seen displaying over the woods on fine winter days. The afternoon will be spent nearby at the Blackwater Arboretum, where as the day wears on, Hawfinches come in to roost. These chunky finches can perch obligingly in full view before moving into dense cover to spend the night. We will also look for Brambling, Common Crossbill and Firecrest.
Overnight: Bournemouth

Day 2:
After a hearty breakfast we will drive the short distance to Blashford Lakes, Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve. This area of disused gravel workings is home to large numbers of common wildfowl and can include Goldeneye, Goosander, Smew and Black-necked Grebe. Over the last few winters two Great Egrets have been reported including a colour-ringed French bird. We will also visit the surrounding areas looking for the regular wintering flock of Tundra Swans. The feeders around Blashford can hold large numbers of finches including Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Brambling and with luck a Mealy Redpoll could be spotted. The afternoon will be spent in suitable habitat looking for Great Grey Shrike, Dartford Warbler and Hen Harrier before heading off late afternoon.

Tour includes:
Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 1 night

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature, evening meals and lunches

Price: £145 Single Supplement £30
1 PLACE AVAILABLE

This is a trip to North West Norfolk to find some of the wintering specialities that occur there. We will visit the famous RSPB reserve at Titchwell where the sea can produce Great Northern, Black and Red-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe, Common and Velvet Scoter, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser. The reedbeds may hold Bittern and Bearded Tit whilst the area around the visitor centre is a great place to see Lesser Redpoll, Woodcock and maybe Brambling and Tree Sparrow. Nearby Choseley Barns is a good site for wintering Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer and the nearby fields can produce Little Owl and Grey Partridge. We return to Titchwell late afternoon where both Hen and Marsh Harriers can be seen coming in to roost in the reedbeds.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Titchwell for non-RSPB members)
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

North Norfolk has long been known as a premier winter birding location, from tens of thousands of Pink-footed Geese to flocks of Snow Buntings – there is never a dull moment.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
We start the day off at Sculthorpe Moor, Hawk & Owl Trust reserve close to Fakenham, where we take a walk around this brilliant reserve. From the hides we can expect to see Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and there is always a good chance to see Willow Tit and Golden Pheasant. Barn Owl is regular here as well as Treecreeper and Nuthatch. We then travel the short distance to Cley and Salthouse, where the shingle ridges provide home to wintering Snow Buntings. The marshes at Cley can hold good numbers of wintering wildfowl and waders, whilst the sea may produce Red-throated Diver, Guillemot and Razorbill.
Overnight: Old Hunstanton

Day 2:
From our base in Old Hunstanton we plan to visit sites such as the clifftop town of Hunstanton in search of Fulmar and perhaps some Velvet Scoter, amongst mixed flocks of Eider and Common Scoter. The RSPB reserve at Titchwell has had some extensive management work recently, including new hides. Its excellent wetland habitat is sure to produce some excellent birding! A search amongst wintering Brent Geese may reveal its North American counterpart, the Black Brant and the sea could produce some Long-tailed Duck or rarer grebes such as Red-necked or Slavonian. The freshmarsh and dunes at Holkham cannot be missed as the sight and sound of thousands of Pink-footed Geese is unforgettable.
Hopefully we will see some rarer geese, as in recent years we have seen White-fronted, Barnacle, Ross’s, Snow and Black Brants. Other possibilities are Barn and Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Common Buzzard and Woodcock. The shallow bay and dunes at Holkham usually hold a small wintering flock of Horned Lark.
Overnight: Old Hunstanton

Day 3:
We say our goodbyes to Old Hunstanton and head east towards the Norfolk Broads, where our first destination will be the Yare Valley, home to the largest wintering flock of Taiga Bean Geese in England. A good selection of other geese can be seen including White-fronted as well as a small flock of Pink-footed Geese. Peregrines and Marsh Harriers are a common sight in the area, often causing havoc amongst the hordes of Wigeon and Teal. The afternoon will be spent at Hickling Broad where we have the chance to see many raptors including large numbers of Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel along with Barn Owls. The real treat is the sight of Common Cranes as they come in to roost, their bugling calls filling the air – a perfect finish to the weekend!

Tour includes:
Full board accommodation for 2 nights

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £315 Single Supplement £50
PLACES AVAILABLE

Rutland Water is England’s second largest man-made reservoir and a great place to spend a winter days birding. We will visit both Egleton and Lyndon nature reserves and with over 25 hides to choose from there is plenty to keep us busy! Winter species can include Great Northern Diver and regular visitors such as Black-necked, Slavonian and Red-necked Grebes. Smew, Scaup and Goosander can be seen from the dam and the feeding stations can produce Tree Sparrow and Willow Tit. Red Kite and Common Buzzard are frequently seen over the area and in 2010 Long-eared Owls could be seen close to the hides.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Rutland for non Leicestershire/Rutland Wildlife Trust members)
1 PLACE AVAILABLE

This tour takes place in the triangle formed by three western Moroccan cities; Marrakesh in the north of the Atlas Mountains, Agadir in the west and Goulemine in the south. Two of these lie on the Atlantic coast, far enough south to enjoy a reasonably warm winter climate. There are excellent areas rich in bird life, holding large numbers of wintering European birds as well as an interesting resident population that includes several Moroccan specialities. Agadir lies in the westernmost part of the Atlas Mountains where this huge range submerges into the Atlantic Ocean. During the tour we will explore the best habitats for a combination of desert, mountain and coastal birds, including the best Bald Ibis colony in the world, not far from Agadir.

Maximum 12 clients
Leaders: Steve Grimwade & Josele Saiz

Day 1:
We take an early flight from London Gatwick and after landing mid-morning will spend the rest of the day birding in Marrakesh, which will produce our first delights – birds such as House Bunting, White Stork, Pallid and Little Swift, and Sardinian Warbler.
Overnight: Marrakesh

Day 2:
After breakfast we drive to the Atlas Mountains, birding en-route with several stops to look for Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Firecrest, African Blue Tit and other forest specialities. At the famous Oukaimeden ski resort, we will look for mountain specialities such as Crimson-winged Finch, Rock Sparrow, Alpine Accentor, Horned Lark, Dipper, Barbary Partridge, Chough and Alpine Chough.
Overnight: Marrakesh

Day 3:
Early in the morning we drive south to Agadir, visiting the spectacular Atlantic beaches with good opportunities of seeing hundreds of gulls and terns. Near Tamri is a cliff-nesting colony of Bald Ibis, individuals from which can sometimes be seen feeding and drinking by the Tamri estuary. Birding here is non-stop and can include Fan-tailed Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, the Moroccan race of White Wagtail subpersonata, Spectacled Warbler and Barbary Falcon. Later we visit Paradise Valley in the rocky foothills of the High Atlas with dense slopes of Cistus, evergreen Oak and Juniper, where we will search for two difficult to find raptors in Morocco, Golden and Bonelli´s Eagle. Black Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Red-rumped Swallow and Blue Rock Thrush also occur in the area. The roads here wind up through typical mountain villages where Crag Martins, wintering warblers and species such as Common Crossbill and Firecrest occur.
Overnight: Agadir

Day 4:
A few miles to the south of the Oued Sous is the estuary of the River Massa. Heavy rains in 2009 and 2010 flooded large areas of the Oued Massa estuary, which modified its natural vegetation and the sandy sediments of the riverbed. This Moroccan national park is one of the richest ornithological sites in Morocco during migration and in the winter. The deeper water here attracts many water birds and herons, egrets and ducks are well represented, maybe including Marbled and Ferruginous Ducks, with perhaps a small flock of wintering Common Cranes. Depending on how cold and wet the winter has been we could see almost anything, including residents such as that little jewel, Moussier’s Redstart, the rare Plain Martin, Black-crowned Tchagra and Bald Ibis plus Spotless Starling, House Bunting, Laughing Dove, Hoopoe and Spanish Sparrow. Migrants can include Iberian Chiffchaff, Isabelline Warbler, Squacco Heron and Woodchat Shrike. The sandy desert nearby can produce Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Thekla Lark and Lesser Short-toed Lark. Later we will drive to Goulemine where we will spend the night.
Overnight: Goulemine

Day 5:
Early in the morning we drive south, beyond Goulemine, to the edge of the huge Sahara Desert. We may stop en-route for roadside Desert Lark and Black Wheatear, but we’ll search for other representatives of those two families – Temminck’s, Horned, Thick-billed, Lesser Short-toed, Bar-tailed Desert and Hoopoe Larks, plus Desert, Red-rumped and White-crowned Black Wheatears in the desert, south of the town. Lanner, Barbary Falcon, Trumpeter Finch, Cream-coloured Courser, Fulvous Babbler and the delightful streaked Scrub Warbler are also possibilities. We will then drive back to Agadir, birding en-route.
Overnight: Agadir

Day 6:
Early morning we visit the nearby estuary of the Oued Sous, frequented by large flocks of waders, gulls and terns. There are usually small flocks of Greater Flamingos and Spoonbills, with a few White Storks present. Gulls can include Mediterranean and Audouin’s. Around the edge of the estuary we will see Sardinian Warbler, Common Bulbul, Moussier’s Redstart, Black-crowned Tchagra and Barbary Partridge before we drive to Agadir for our late morning flight back to the UK.

Tour includes:
Flights from London Gatwick to Marrakesh – return from Agadir,
Full board accommodation for 5 nights and ground transport in Morocco

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £980 Single Supplement £120
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

The flooded marshes and fields that make up the RSPB reserve at Pulborough are home to thousands of wintering wildfowl such as Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler and Pintail and important numbers of Tundra Swans which in turn attract numerous raptors including Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Common Buzzard, Peregrine and Hen Harrier. Waders can include Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and Ruff and the woodland bordering the reserve holds all 3 woodpeckers. The feeders adjacent to the excellent visitor centre bring in Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and many other species. The reserve also has a fantastic tea-room serving home-made produce.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Pulborough for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Brecks on the Norfolk/Suffolk border can produce some excellent winter birding. One of the targets will be displaying Goshawk. These elusive birds are easier to see at this time of year, before they disappear into the vast woodlands to breed. We will also look for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker which should be displaying and drumming in the woodland. Crossbill, Hawfinch, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling can be seen in good numbers and good views of Firecrest and Woodlark have been obtained on previous trips. We will also visit a site that holds wintering Tree Sparrow as well as Water Rail and Bittern.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

Extremadura in southwest Spain is world-known as one of the best birding areas in Europe. It is a fantastic place to observe some of the scarcest birds in the region including the globally rare Spanish Imperial Eagle, along with such goodies as Azure-winged Magpies, Great & Little Bustards and Black-winged Kite, not forgetting our beautiful hotel set within the hills of Spain.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Travel from London Stansted to Barajas Airport, Madrid and transfer southwest towards Trujillo, stopping at a large reservoir where we stand excellent chances of seeing Purple Swamphen as well as Little Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Penduline Tit, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron and Spoonbill. Lesser Kestrel and Black-winged Kites are also in the area. We reach our fantastic hotel in the heart of the countryside and will enjoy some good local food and wine.
Overnight: Near Trujillo

Day 2:
The area around our hotel is home to a great range of birds including nesting Azure-winged Magpies, Hoopoe, Scops Owl and Great Spotted Cuckoo, which can be seen in the area before breakfast (optional!). We then head off to the rolling plains around Trujillo and begin our search for Little and Great Bustards, the latter hopefully indulging in their full ‘foam bath’ display. Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse occur in good numbers and March is a good time to see Great Spotted Cuckoo as they chase around the scrub. Calandra Larks can be seen and heard singing high above the plains. The open grassland also attracts raptors such as Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Black Vulture and the ubiquitous Little Owl. As we head north, Holm and Cork Oaks dominate the scenery and in this area, also known as Dehesa, we have the best chance to see Black-winged Kite. This small raptor can be seen displaying over the rolling countryside and we should get good views. Wildflowers such as Champagne Orchids, Petticoat-hoop Narcissi and Barbary-nut Iris as well as many others add colour to the scene.
Overnight: Near Trujillo

Day 3:
Today we head into the famous Monfragüe National Park. This area is well known in birding circles for species such as Griffon, Black and Egyptian Vultures, which drift past often at eye level, along with Black Stork nesting in rocky caves and Chough wheeling overhead. One of the most spectacular species here and a main target for our trip is the Spanish Imperial Eagle. This globally rare bird can be seen within the park, along with Bonelli’s, Golden, Short-toed and Booted Eagles. There is also a good chance of Eagle Owl, which should be busy feeding young at this time of year. Alpine Swift, Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow and Hawfinch are also present around the park.
Overnight: Near Trujillo

Day 4:
Today we head southeast to an area of irrigated rice fields and reservoirs. These habitats are home to some different species and we will hopefully see Black-necked Grebe and Gull-billed Terns at the reservoir, whilst the rice fields and surrounding areas are home to Black-winged Kite. Red Avadavats and Common Waxbills, two introduced species have also found this area to their liking. We can expect to see several species of wader on the flooded pools. After lunch we head north towards Madrid for our flight home.

Tour includes:
Flights from London Stansted to Madrid , Full Board accommodation for 3 nights including wine with evening meals
and ground transport in Spain

Not included:
Travel insurance, other drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £650 Single Supplement £70
PLACEs AVAILABLE

Ashdown Forest in Sussex is situated in the High Weald and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Covering over 6,500 acres, half of which is heathland, a very important and rare habitat. Late winter species can include Great Grey Shrike, Raven, Hen Harrier, Common Crossbill, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling and this is also a great time of year to see displaying Woodlark and Dartford Warbler, which both breed in the forest. Fallow and Roe Deer occur in the woods and Red Kite are regular at this time of year.
Price: £40
FULLY BOOKED (SEE 9th APRIL FOR EXTRA DATE)

Cornwall is famous for the number of rarities and seabirds that are recorded during the autumn but in spring there are many good sites that are under-watched giving the opportunity to find something special from Black Redstart to Hoopoe.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Travel from Essex to Cornwall, stopping en-route for birding around Exeter where we can hope to see late winter waders and wildfowl that may include Black-tailed Godwit, Little Egret, Greenshank and possibly drake Garganey.
Overnight: St. Ives

Day 2:
We spend the day in the area around Penzance where great reserves such as Marazion Marsh RSPB and the Hayle Estuary will be visited. Mount’s Bay could hold wintering divers including Great Northern and Black-throated as well as grebes such as Slavonian and Black-necked. Bittern can usually be found at Marazion, where we night locate an early Swallow or Sand Martin. The Hayle Estuary is a great place to find waders, wildfowl and gulls and possibly a Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern, an over-wintering Green-winged Teal or American Wigeon. Purple Sandpipers may also be present along Penzance seafront.
Overnight: St. Ives

Day 3:
We visit the picturesque valleys of West Cornwall, which can hold some exciting spring birds including Black Redstart, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel or something rarer such as Hoopoe, Red-rumped Swallow or Alpine Swift. The areas of Porthgwarra and St. Levan will be thoroughly explored and a look out to sea may produce Sandwich Tern, Manx Shearwater or even skua. On our way back to the hotel, we visit Drift Reservoir, situated in the hills above Penzance, where good numbers of wildfowl and roosting gulls can be seen and may include a late wintering Iceland Gull.
Overnight: St. Ives

Day 4:
Leaving the hotel after breakfast, we visit various sites around Cornwall in search of species such as Spoonbill, Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover and Chough before commencing our journey back to Essex.

Tour includes:
Full board accommodation for 3 nights

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £495 Single Supplement £60
PLACES AVAILABLE

Ashdown Forest in Sussex is situated in the High Weald and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Covering over 6,500 acres, half of which is heathland, a very important and rare habitat. Late winter species can include Great Grey Shrike, Raven, Hen Harrier, Common Crossbill, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling and this is also a great time of year to see displaying Woodlark and Dartford Warbler, which both breed in the forest. Fallow and Roe Deer occur in the woods and Red Kite are regular at this time of year.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Spanish Pyrenees is well-known for its great habitats from mountains to the area of steppes and marshland in the south. With magnificent scenery and fantastic birds, the Pyrenees is a great place to visit.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Flight from London Stansted to Zaragoza and transfer to our superb accommodation.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 2:
After our evening flight and a good nights sleep, we awake in the peaceful village of Loporzano in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Our accommodation was once a storehouse for wines and oils in the 16th Century and is now tastefully converted into a guesthouse for birders. The village is home to nesting Rock Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Quail, the ever-present Corn Bunting and Scops Owl, for which we take a walk to the village square in the evening. Our first full day is spent within the local area, where we can see a wide array of birds including Black and Black-eared Wheatears, Woodchat Shrikes, Thekla and Crested Larks, Tawny Pipit, Golden Oriole, Melodious Warbler and Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, which pass overhead as they fly out onto the steppes. We head to a reservoir that is a good site for Lammergeier as well as Blue Rock Thrush, Chough and Crag Martins. Bee-eaters breed nearby and Black Kites and Short-toed Eagle are common in the area. The afternoon is spent at a reservoir where passage migrants such as Whiskered and Black Terns pass through, along with Wood Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover and Black-winged Stilts, not forgetting the resident Cattle and Little Egrets.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 3:
Today we head further away to an area of steppe land where the habitat and bird species are completely different. We stop at a large colony of White Storks offering good photo opportunities, before reaching the plains. The rocky fields are alive with larks including Lesser Short-toed, Short-toed, Calandra, Thekla and Crested, with a chance of the rare Dupont’s Lark. Iberian Grey Shrikes sit atop bushes in search of prey and both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse can be seen here. Little Bustard, Roller and Montagu’s Harrier can also be seen and in barns we could find nesting Chough. Great Spotted Cuckoo is regular and we may stumble across a migrating Red-footed Falcon. We finish the day at a reed-fringed lake that is home to Penduline Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Black-necked Grebe, Red-crested Pochard, Garganey, Purple Heron and Marsh Harrier.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 4:
We take a walk to a tranquil river valley that is home to nesting Western Orphean Warbler, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Wryneck and possible Rock Thrush before heading back for lunch. During the afternoon we visit a ruined castle that has breeding Spectacled Warbler plus Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush and Thekla Lark before heading back to Zaragoza for our flight home.

Tour includes:
Flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza, Full Board accommodation for 3 nights including wine with evening meals
and ground transport in Spain

Not included:
Travel insurance, other drinks, items of a personal nature and evening meal (due to late flight) on Day 1

Price: £640 Single Supplement £65
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

Portland Bill on the south coast of Dorset is good for the number of migrating birds that occur during the spring as well as having an extremely high chance of a rarity occurring.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Scarcities such as Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Serin or Red-rumped Swallow may turn up and birds seen in previous years include Collared Flycatcher. Put these along with a supporting cast of Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Redstart and large numbers of Wheatear and it is sure to be a great weekend. Seabirds will be nesting on the cliffs, including Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Shag and Kittiwake and we hope our visit coincides with the passage of Pomarine Skuas that move through the English Channel at this time of year. Manx Shearwaters and maybe Balearic Shearwater can pass close inshore. Fingers crossed for southeasterly winds! Raptors such as Osprey and Montagu’s and Marsh Harrier are recorded every year.
Overnight: Weymouth

Day 2:
After breakfast we may re-visit Portland for a spot of seawatching or visit some good birding sites nearby including Radipole Lake and Lodmoor RSPB reserves, where on recent trips we have seen Hoopoe, Cattle Egret, Spoonbill, Black Tern and Mediterranean Gull to name but a few. Another site close by is the RSPB reserve at Arne, which we may visit and here Dartford Warbler can be seen with Spoonbill, Woodlark and Osprey a good possibility.

Tour includes:
Bed and Breakfast accommodation for 1 night

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature, evening meals and lunches

Price: £145 Single Supplement £30
3 PLACES AVAILABLE

Northeast Poland has long been a popular destination for birders. The small villages and unspoilt countryside, including large wildflower meadows attract a fantastic range of species.
We highlight two great wild areas of Europe: Biosphere Reserves of Bialowieza Primeval Forest and Biebrza Marshes.
The first area offers Hazel Hen, Three-toed, White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Wryneck, Corncrake, Red-breasted & Collared Flycatchers, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Pygmy Owl. Biebrza holds Great Snipe, Aquatic Warbler, Spotted Eagle, Citrine Wagtail, Marsh Sandpiper, White-winged Tern, Thrush Nightingale and Bluethroat. We will also have the opportunity to see Elk and the magnificent Bison - king of Bialowieza.

Maximum 7 clients
Leaders: Steve Grimwade & Felix Felger

Day 1:
Fly from London to Warsaw and travel to our accommodation in the Bialowieza Forest, which is the last well preserved lowland forest in Europe. We will have lunch and visit the shrubby grassland around the accommodation, which holds Lesser Spotted Eagle, Wryneck, Hawfinch, Hoopoe, Barred Warbler and Red-backed Shrike. After our evening meal we will take a walk to the nearby forest for Pygmy Owl. Later we will see Corncrake and Grasshopper Warbler whilst having a bonfire at the end of the day.
Overnight: Bialowieza Forest

Day 2:
We will spend the morning in the local area where our aim is to see Hazel Hen. It is also an excellent place to find Woodpeckers including Three-toed, White-backed, Grey-headed, Black, Lesser and Middle Spotted and Wryneck of which some will have nesting holes. The other highlights are Red-breasted and Collared Flycatchers, Nutcracker, Firecrest and Crested Tit. European Bison are present in good numbers in Bialowieza Forest so we have a good chance of seeing them. After our evening meal we will spend time visiting a Great Snipe lek, where we will have memorable views of these fantastic birds! Also in the area Common Snipe ‘drums’ and Woodcock can be seen ‘roding’ overhead.
Overnight: Bialowieza Forest

Day 3:
After breakfast we will head to Biebrza Marshes, one of the most important marsh areas in Europe. Our first stop will be the wonderful birdwatching site of Siemianówka Reservoir – an artificial lake on the Narew River which is the breeding site for Citrine Wagtail, Marsh Sandpiper, White-tailed Eagle, Black Stork, Whiskered & Black Terns and Caspian Gull. Our next stop is at the amazing fishpond complex near Bialystok, where amongst breeding birds we will find Whooper Swan, 5 species of grebes including Black-necked, Red-necked and Slavonian Grebe, Reed Bunting and Penduline Tit. It is also one of the best places to see Bittern. Warblers include Great Reed, Reed, Savi’s and Marsh. Carrying on our journey, we will make another stop to look for Ortolan Bunting and Tawny Pipit. We reach the Biebrza Mashes during the late afternoon. After an early evening meal, we will look for the elusive Aquatic Warbler, while listening to Thrush Nightingale song with Corncrake accompaniment in the background.
Overnight: Biebrza Marshes

Day 4:
We take a pre-breakfast walk around the area looking for River Warbler and Common Rosefinch before having breakfast and continuing birding from the tower hides and roads to find breeding birds including Spotted & White-tailed Eagles, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Crane, Little Gull, White-winged Tern and Bluethroat. Waders are present as well on the flooded meadows with breeding Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Redshank, Ruff, Dunlin and migrating Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Temminck’s & Little Stint. Lesser Spotted Eagle also occurs in the damp woodland. We also stand a very good chance to see the majestic Elk, of which there are about 600 living here, so it should be quite easy to see them. With a bit of luck we will spot Beavers and Otter, which are quite frequent in the area. Afterwards we return to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Biebrza Marshes

Day 5:
We spend the morning birding before departing for Warsaw and our journey home

Tour includes:
Return flights from London Luton to Warsaw,
Full board accommodation for 4 nights & ground transport in Poland

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £790 Single Supplement £80
Friday 6th – Tuesday 10th May - FULLY BOOKED
Friday 13th – Tuesday 17th May - FULLY BOOKED

The Camargue is famous as one of the best birding areas in western Europe and home to some fantastic birds, including over 15,000 pairs of Greater Flamingo as well as Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns and Collared Pratincole amongst many others. Our accommodation is ideally situated to explore the many birding spots of the Camargue, Le Crau and Les Alpilles.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Days 1 - 4:
Fly from London to France (Montpellier or Marseille) and drive to the Camargue, where we will spend the next 3 nights in our comfortable hotel, which is well-known locally for its cuisine. The immense wetlands of the Camargue are home to large numbers of waterbirds, including Little Bittern, Purple, Squacco and Night Herons, not forgetting to mention the more common Little and Great Egrets. Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill can also be seen in smaller numbers. One of the highlights on this tour has to be the number of Greater Flamingos, which breed on a large lake. The colony can number up to 15,000 pairs – a real spectacle! The marshes and reedbeds are alive with Whiskered, Black and Gull-billed Terns and the scarcer Collared Pratincole can be found in the surrounding fields. Warblers including Great Reed, Cetti’s, Fan-tailed and the scarcer Moustached Warbler can be seen, whilst Black Kites, Common Buzzard and Marsh Harrier are common and other raptors could include Short-toed and Booted Eagle.
We will be visiting Le Crau, a stony plain situated to the east of the Camargue. This unique habitat is home to Little Bustard and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, both of which are now rare and for the latter species, the only place in France it occurs. Roller, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and migrant Red-footed Falcons occur here and Tawny Pipit, Short-toed Lark and Stone Curlew breed.
An excursion will be made to Les Alpilles – a range of limestone mountains that is home to Bonelli’s Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Eagle Owl, Alpine Swift and Crag Martin, whilst on the scrub-covered slopes, Sardinian, Dartford and Subalpine Warbler can be seen. The whole area is also excellent for dragonflies, butterflies and flowers.
Overnight: Near Arles

Tour includes:
Return flights from London to Montpellier/Marseille, Full board accommodation for 3 nights
and ground transport in France

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £620 Single Supplement £60
FULLY BOOKED

The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire is a great place to spend a spring weekend. From Goshawks and Ravens to Flycatchers and Dippers – it is a superb birding location.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Travel from Essex to Gloucestershire and spend the late morning and afternoon visiting the beautiful woodland at the RSPB’s Nagshead Reserve, where we will be looking for Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Hawfinch, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We will spend the late afternoon looking for Dipper and Mandarin Duck before arriving at our accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Ross-on-Wye

Day 2:
After a good breakfast we drive to the raptor watchpoint at Symonds Yat, where our main targets will be Goshawk and Peregrine, both of which nest here. Raven, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk also occur and in the woods are small numbers of Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Coal Tits. During the afternoon we will walk around a large woodland where there are good numbers of Tree Pipit, Siskin and maybe a breeding Firecrest. Our journey home will take us through the hills of Oxfordshire, where Red Kites are incredibly common. A great weekend in a beautiful location!

Tour includes:
Bed and breakfast accommodation for 1 night

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature, evening meals and lunches

Price: £145 Single Supplement £30
PLACES AVAILABLE

With a diverse range of habitats, Southern Sweden is a great place for an early summer trip. With goodies such as Thrush Nightingale, Icterine Warbler and Wryneck and only a few hours away from the UK, this is a trip not to be missed.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Fly from London to Copenhagen where we will drive to Sweden via the Oresund Bridge, Europe’s longest combined road and rail bridge. We arrive in Sweden to the sight of Hooded Crows, Red Kites and Common Buzzards. Our first site will be a headland where we can expect to see and hear Icterine Warbler, Thrush Nightingale and Common Rosefinch and in the bays, Brent Geese rest on their journey north and Arctic Terns and Common Eiders can be seen. During the afternoon we will head to an area of lagoons where good numbers of Avocet breed, along with Ringed Plover and Dunlin, whilst the bushes can hold breeding Whinchat and Red-backed Shrike. We will then head for our comfortable accommodation overlooking a large bay.
Overnight: Near Falsterbo

Day 2:
After breakfast, we head the short distance to the coast, where there will be some wader passage which could include a Broad-billed Sandpiper. The beginning of June gives excellent opportunities for rare birds, on our last tour we found an adult Rose-coloured Starling, a scarce bird for Sweden! Migrants at this time of year often include Red-footed Falcon, Barred Warbler and Red-breasted Flycatcher. We will visit the area around the famous Falsterbo Lighthouse, where the large areas of sand dunes and pools are good for migrants and with luck, we may find a singing male Common Rosefinch.
Overnight: Near Falsterbo

Day 3:
We head north (depending on local information) to an area of meadows and reed-fringed lakes, where we can expect to see and hear Golden Oriole, Penduline Tit and Black Woodpecker. Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes nest on nearby lakes and Bittern can be heard booming over the reedbeds. Summer-plumaged Black Terns patrol over the lakes and Grasshopper Warblers sing from the damp woodland and scrub, also River Warblers are annual visitors to this area! Dragonflies and butterflies are also well represented.
Overnight: Near Falsterbo

Day 4:
We travel inland to various sites where Golden and White-tailed Eagles nest, whilst the small pools yield nesting Red-necked Grebe and Garganey. Marsh Warbler, Quail and the ubiquitous Thrush Nightingale, which can be heard singing. White Stork, Honey Buzzard and Pied Flycatcher frequent the woodlands, with Hobby and Red Kite overhead. Late afternoon we head back to Copenhagen for our flight home.

Tour includes:
Flights from London Stansted to Copenhagen, Full Board accommodation for 3 nights
and ground transport in Sweden

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £660 Single Supplement £70
PLACES AVAILABLE

England’s most northerly county is well known for its coastline, moorland and forest and the diverse range of species found there. The highlight of this tour is a visit to the world famous Farne Islands where large numbers of Arctic Tern, Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill and Kittiwake amongst others will leave us overwhelmed.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
We leave Essex and head north stopping at Fairburn Ings RSPB, where we can hope to see nesting Kingfisher, Reed and Sedge Warblers and possibly Little Ringed Plover, before continuing on and reaching our accommodation in the village of Seahouses, overlooking the harbour. If time permits, we will explore the immediate area looking for Eider and Little Tern.
Overnight: Seahouses

Days 2 - 3:
Depending on tides and weather, we visit the world famous Farne Islands, home to a large seabird colony. We take a 2½ hour cruise around the islands, stopping at Inner Farne. Inner Farne covers 16 acres and is the largest of the Farne Islands. We can hope to see Puffin, Guillemots, Razorbills, Sandwich, Common, Arctic and maybe Roseate Terns with Shag and Eiders nesting in good numbers. Gannets can be seen passing offshore on the way to their Bass Rock nesting colonies. Grey Seals swim offshore and bask in the sunshine. A trip will also be made to Coquet Island RSPB reserve, approximately 1 mile offshore from Amble and home to several thousand nesting Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns, with the real star of the show – Roseate Tern. Although we are not allowed to land due to seabird protection, we can hope for good views of this scarce bird. We also plan to visit the valley of Harthope Burn with its nesting Dipper, Wood Warbler, Whinchat and Red Grouse, whilst overhead Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk can be seen.
Overnight: Seahouses

Day 4:
After breakfast, we will head south, stopping at Druridge Bay for the morning. Waders and wildfowl breed, whilst the scrub holds nesting warblers. We will arrive back in Essex mid-evening.

Tour includes:
Full Board accommodation for 3 nights & Boat trips to Farnes and Coquet Islands

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £560 Single Supplement £60
FULLY BOOKED

This long weekend break is centred in South Devon, home to species such as Nightjar, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Cirl Bunting and offshore, the Manx Shearwater.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Travel to our base on the edge of Dartmoor where just a short distance away is a superb woodland, which is home to nesting Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Redstart, Wood Warbler and other woodland species. Insects in the area include Golden-ringed Dragonfly.
Overnight: Bovey Tracey

Day 2:
After a good breakfast we travel south to Prawle Point, home of our target species Cirl Bunting. This beautiful relative of the Yellowhammer sings its rattling song from Gorse-covered slopes with Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and maybe Firecrest frequenting the sheltered coves and valleys. Parties of Manx Shearwaters often fly by in large numbers and terns feed offshore. Turtle Doves visit the nearby fields to feed and we will keep a close eye on the skies for Honey Buzzard or Black Kite! We move on to Slapton Ley, a freshwater lagoon separated from the sea by a shingle spit and look for the common wildfowl and Cetti’s, Sedge and Reed Warblers. After our evening meal a visit will be made to an area of heathland that supports a small population of Nightjar as well as Dartford Warbler and Stonechat.
Overnight: Bovey Tracey

Day 3:
Today will be spent around Dawlish Warren and the RSPB reserves of Exminster Marshes and Bowling Green Marsh. The former is a well-known birding site and good numbers of terns may be present offshore including Little, Sandwich, Arctic and maybe Roseate, whilst Ringed Plovers nest on the sandy beaches. We may be lucky and come across a Balearic Shearwater – a species becoming more common in early summer in UK waters. The RSPB’s Exe Estuary nature reserve consists of two areas of coastal grazing marsh that are on opposite sides of the river, not far from the historic city of Exeter. One side of the estuary is Exminster Marshes and the other is Bowling Green Marsh. In summer there is a large gull and tern roost which may hold small numbers of Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull or something rarer such as Gull-billed Tern. Small numbers of waders could include Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover. The scrub and reedbeds have nesting Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers whilst Cirl Bunting numbers are on the increase in the area.
Overnight: Bovey Tracey

Day 4:
The morning will be spent at Aylesbeare Common RSPB reserve just to the east of Exeter, where we will enjoy a walk around the heathland. There is a chance of seeing Dartford Warbler, Stonechat and Tree Pipit breeding on the heath whilst the woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies including Silver-studded Blue, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Southern Damselfly and Common Hawker. We leave during the afternoon for our journey home.

Tour includes:
Full Board accommodation for 3 nights

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £490 Single Supplement £60
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

A day in search of some of the rarest breeding species in Britain. We start the day in search of the cryptically plumaged Stone Curlew, which can be seen in the Breckland areas of Suffolk and Norfolk, followed by a visit to the RSPB reserve at Lakenheath Fen. The Poplar trees are home to the Golden Oriole and with luck the adults will be feeding young and giving good views as they fly backwards and forwards in the plantations. The rest of the day will be spent searching for the extremely rare Montagu’s Harrier, which quarters the large arable fields of North Norfolk. Several pairs breed in the area and it is a delight to see the smart male. Other species which are possible to see in the area include Grey Partridge, Hobby, Marsh Harrier plus many more.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Lakenheath for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve lies on the northwestern escarpment of the Chiltern Hills overlooking the vale of Oxford. The air is full of the scent of Basil, Thyme and Marjoram and butterflies such as the Chalkhill Blue and Marbled White can be seen feeding in the rich wildflower meadows that are grazed by Beulah sheep and a small herd of feral goats. Orchids such as Pyramidal, Greater Butterfly, Frog, Bee and Fragrant can also be seen on the reserve and the nationally important Chiltern Gentian may be seen. Over 300 pairs of Red Kite now breed in the Chilterns and can be seen gliding over the surrounding area in search of food. Common Buzzard and Kestrels are also present in the area.
Price: £40
FULLY BOOKED

With wader migration in full swing, we will visit various sites in Kent, such as Oare Marshes and Elmley Marshes looking for these great birds. On previous wader trips we regularly manage to see over 20 wader species including Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Spotted Redshank and Green and Wood Sandpipers. Something rarer may turn up such as a Pectoral Sandpiper or Red-necked Phalarope. It is a good chance to study waders at close range and learn the identification features of this tricky group of species.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The RSPB reserve at Minsmere needs no introduction with its variation of habitats including reedbed, freshwater pools, woodland, heathland and coast which can provide us with a good range of species. Bitterns are easier to see at this time of year as they make frequent feeding flights over the reedbed and there is normally a good selection of terns and gulls, which may include Mediterranean and Little Gulls. Return wader passage will be underway and could produce Spotted Redshank, Ruff and maybe a rarer wader such as Baird’s or White-rumped Sandpiper. A walk onto the heath should provide us with views of Dartford Warbler as they flit amongst the gorse.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Minsmere for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Norfolk coast in late summer will produce a good days birding. Over the last 18 months, work has been undertaken to improve the habitat on the reserve by breaching part of the seawall to create new saltmarsh. This will provide the birds with good areas for feeding and roosting. At this time of year, the sea can give us good numbers of Gannet migrating to their wintering grounds and may include a skua such as Arctic or Great. Sanderling, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit are returning and still look resplendent in their breeding dress. Bearded Tit and Bittern frequent the reedbeds and we will search the damp reedy margins for Water Rail or maybe a Spotted Crake.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Titchwell for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

Dungeness in Kent is one of the largest expanses of shingle in the world and home to a huge variety of wildlife. Despite a nuclear power station being situated here, the station does have its benefits. The warm water outfall attracts large numbers of gulls and terns, which include Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls and Black and maybe Roseate Terns. The nearby bird observatory and trapping area is a great place to see Black Redstart, Firecrest and maybe something rarer such as Icterine Warbler. We will also visit the RSPB reserve where a number of hides overlook an area of old flooded gravel pits, which are home to good numbers of wildfowl. Migration should be in full swing and virtually anything can turn up from Honey Buzzard to Wryneck. Passerines such as Whinchat, Redstart and Willow Warbler could be seen in the scrubby bushes.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Dungeness for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

The weather is the key to this trip. If the winds are from the north then we will head to the coast in search of seabirds such as Arctic, Great, Long-tailed and Pomarine Skuas along with a supporting cast of Gannets and maybe a shearwater or petrel. If winds are easterly then anything is possible! Among the common migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and Redstart, something rarer may turn up with Red-breasted Flycatcher, Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike or Bluethroat likely at this time of year. We will have up to the minute information ensuring we make the most of the day.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Suffolk coast in Autumn can provide an excellent days birding with a multitude of sites to choose from, including Landguard Point, Bawdsey and Shingle Street, Minsmere, Sizewell, Lowestoft, Dunwich and Benacre. With great birding locations such as these we are sure to see some good birds. This is a great time for Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel or perhaps an early Great Grey Shrike and a look at the plentiful freshwater habitats could produce Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher or even a Glossy Ibis!
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Minsmere for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

Sweden’s second largest island is situated on the east coast of Sweden in the Baltic. This limestone island is a fantastic site for migration and wintering birds and has been re-named ‘The Swedish Isles of Scilly’.

Maximum 7 clients
Leaders: Steve Grimwade & Stig Holmstedt

Day 1:
Fly from London to Copenhagen and take a 3½ hour journey west, stopping en-route to look for White-tailed Eagle, Common Crane and other raptors before taking the Kalmar bridge onto Öland where we settle in at our comfortable family-run hotel.
Overnight: Gammalsby, Öland

Days 2 - 3:
The itinerary will depend on local information and weather, although we will visit the famous Ottenby Bird Observatory on the southern tip of the island. Thousands of Robins and Goldcrests can be seen and perhaps a Pallas’s Leaf or Yellow-browed Warbler, whilst small numbers of Long-eared Owl and Rough-legged Buzzard migrate through the area. White-tailed Eagles are common along the coast and the mighty Gyrfalcon is recorded annually. The sight of this magnificent raptor chasing geese or ducks is something not to be missed. Large numbers of Eider move south and can easily exceed 6 figures. The woodland, meadows and grassland hold the resident Black Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike and maybe a rarity such as Red-flanked Bluetail or even a Siberian Accentor. The coastline attracts large numbers of wildfowl and waders including Barnacle, Greylag, Taiga Bean and White-fronted Geese with swirling flocks of Dunlin, Knot and Ringed Plover.
Overnight: Gammalsby, Öland

Day 4:
We will spend the morning birding before catching our evening flight back to the UK.

Tour includes:
Return flights from Stansted to Copenhagen, Full board accommodation for 3 nights
and ground transport in Sweden

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £670 Single Supplement £70
2 PLACES AVAILABLE

The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago lying some twenty eight miles south-west of Land’s End, is famous for being Europe’s top location for rare and migrant birds. With just five inhabited and around fifty uninhabited islands, the islands offer birds the first and last landfall for thousands of miles. Over four hundred species have been recorded on the islands, more than any other single site in Europe.

Maximum 8 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Days 1 - 7:
At this time of year, almost anything can appear from all points of the compass. It is not unusual to see birds from North America alongside birds from Asia. Common species on the islands in October can include Firecrest, Black Redstart and Wheatear, but it is the rarities that keep the adrenalin going. From North America recent visitors have included Black and White Warbler, Swainson’s and Grey-cheeked Thrushes, American Robin, Red-eyed Vireo, White-rumped Sandpiper and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. From the east, Pallas’s Leaf and Paddyfield Warblers and Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipits may appear, whilst Yellow-browed Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Common Rosefinch, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pectoral and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Jack Snipe, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike are annual visitors to these beautiful islands.
There is a huge variety of habitat, from sea cliffs, reedy pools, coastal moorland, sandy beaches and both deciduous and pine woodlands. It is not difficult to see why this wonderful place is so popular. There are hardly any vehicles on the islands, which makes birdwatching and walking very relaxing and enjoyable. There are also some great tearooms that we won’t be able to resist visiting! The tropical conditions of the Scillies attract some Mediterranean insects such as the Prickly Stick Insect. Monarch Butterflies from the United States are recorded most years, whilst Common Dolphins are frequently seen and also the occasional whale offshore. Our superb accommodation is on the largest of the islands, St. Marys and just a five-minute walk from the quay. From here the inter-island launches take birders to the other inhabited islands, Bryer, St. Agnes, Tresco and St. Martins.
The views from the accommodation are superb and after a good days’ birding the home-cooked food will be most welcome. After our evening meals, we will take a short walk into town to take part in the nightly log-call, where birders report their sightings for the day, whilst enjoying an after dinner drink.
Our tour includes the short helicopter flight from Penzance to St. Mary’s, a great journey to make whilst looking down on Gannets fishing in the Atlantic. Fine food, fresh air and beautiful scenery are in store for all on this trip, the birds being merely a bonus!
Overnight: St. Mary's

Tour includes:
Return helicopter flight to St. Mary’s, Airport transfers
Half board accommodation for 6 nights and two inter-island boat trips

Not included:
Travel insurance, drinks, items of a personal nature, all lunches and dinner on Wednesday evening

Price: £860 Single Supplement £70
FULLY BOOKED

Late Autumn is a great time to catch up with some easterly species and early wintering birds such as Horned Lark, Snow Bunting and Pink-footed Goose. We will watch the weather forecasts carefully and hope for easterly winds. A huge variety of migrants are possible, from Great Grey Shrike, Radde’s, Dusky, Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Leaf Warblers through to Pectoral Sandpiper, Sabine’s Gull or Leach’s Petrel. We will have up to the minute information ensuring we make the most of the day.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Broads area of Norfolk holds a high proportion of the UK breeding population of Common Cranes and with plenty of raptors to see on this winter trip, it should be a great day! We will visit the Lowestoft area looking for Purple Sandpiper, along with Eider and Shag, whilst checking the docks for the possibility of a rare gull. Ross’s, Iceland and Glaucous have all appeared in recent years. We will have lunch overlooking the North Sea, where Little Auk and Sooty Shearwater may be seen before we spend the afternoon at Hickling Broad, where the sight of up to 40 Marsh Harriers and Common Cranes coming in to roost in the reedbeds is one not to be missed! Hen Harrier, Merlin and Barn Owl are regular, whilst Pink-footed Geese, Whooper Swan and Woodcock could be seen, along with Chinese Water Deer.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE

We return to the Boletas Birdwatching Centre in the beautiful Spanish Pyrenees for some winter birding and sun.

Maximum 7 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Fly from London to Zaragoza where we head for the area known as Los Monegros, where at this time of year birds flock together and we could find over 500 Red Kite, 120 Marsh Harrier and 200 Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. A small population of Great Bustards occur here and become easier to see during November and we should come across flocks of Little Bustard and Calandra and Lesser Short-toed Larks.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 2:
Today we look for Lammergeier, a species that start displaying in November and descend to lower levels looking for food. A visit to a vulture feeding station is planned where we can expect excellent views of both Lammergeier and Griffon Vultures on the ground. Wallcreepers can also be seen nearby and Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow and Firecrest are common. Chough can be found on the fields and can easily reach in excess of 300 in one flock! At dusk we look for Eagle Owl nearby.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 3:
We head for the French border and mountain species that are easier to see in winter. Alpine Accentors and Alpine Chough are common around the ski resorts and if there is a good amount of snowfall then Snowfinch is a strong possibility. The fast flowing streams in the pre-Pyrenees have Dippers of the continental black-bellied form and Red Kites patrol the hillsides. If time permits, we will go to a lake that has good numbers of wintering Common Cranes with numbers in excess of 4000.
Overnight: Loporzano

Day 4:
Depending on the time of flights, we will look for Black Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Serin and Golden Eagle before heading back to Zaragoza for our flight home.

Tour includes:
Flights from Stansted to Zaragoza, Full board accommodation for 3 nights including wine with evening meals
and ground transport in Spain

Not included:
Travel insurance, other drinks, items of a personal nature and lunch on Day 1

Price: £620 Single Supplement £65
PLACES AVAILABLE

We travel to this fantastic reserve situated on the Wash in Lincolnshire. Large flocks of Brent Geese graze the saltmarsh and thousand of ducks are present on the freshwater scrapes. Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Barn Owl and Short-eared Owls favour the saltmarsh or wet grassland. With luck we may see a small flock of Twite or even the elusive Lapland Bunting, which in recent years have occurred in good numbers. Frampton Marsh is at the leading edge of visitor and habitat conservation planning and the RSPB have designed every aspect of the new habitats and facilities to maximise their value for wildlife and visitors.
It’s a day not to be missed.
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Frampton for non-RSPB members)
FULLY BOOKED

The Avalon Marshes, situated at the foot of Glastonbury Tor and stretching westwards towards the sea, are witness to one of the country’s most exciting wildlife projects: a mosaic of new wetland habitats, including over 2,500 hectares of reedbed, wet scrub, open water, grassland and woodland. Created out of former peat workings, it gives refuge to Otters, Water Voles, Barn Owls and the Bittern, although the main spectacle here is the sight of tens of thousands Starlings wheeling through the sky.

Maximum 9 clients
Leader: Steve Grimwade

Day 1:
Travel from Essex to Somerset stopping at Chew Valley Lake. Chew attracts a variety of winter wildfowl including Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Goosander and Smew in nationally important numbers and the lake is also a stronghold for wintering Wigeon and Goldeneye. Rare wildfowl are a frequent occurrence with Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Ferruginous and Ring-necked Ducks often seen. We arrive at our hotel late afternoon.
Overnight: Bridgewater

Day 2:
After breakfast we will visit Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall. These two superb reserves (run by Natural England and the RSPB respectively) are the centrepiece of the Avalon Marshes project, which has created new and extensive wetlands out of old peat diggings. The mosaic of reedbeds, open water, scrub and damp woodland hold a wide variety of wintering species. Wildfowl are present in good numbers and flocks of Black-tailed Godwit can be seen on the scrapes at Meare Heath (part of Shapwick Heath reserve). In the last few winters, Cattle Egret, Great Egret and Glossy Ibis have wintered so fingers crossed. Our main target is the huge Starling roost, where up to a million Starlings wheel across the sky before roosting in the vast reedbeds. It’s also a great place to see Bittern, Hen & Marsh Harriers and Otter.
Overnight: Bridgewater

Day 3:
We will spend the morning at the RSPB’s Greylake reserve, once a series of carrot fields with little to offer the nature lover, now transformed into a wetland reserve teeming with wildlife. With luck, Hen Harrier, Raven and Common Buzzard can be seen overhead and large numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, Teal and Mallard frequent the wetlands. After lunch, we will spend time at Catcott Lows, a reserve which is superb for seeing wintering ducks. The hides offer views across a flooded area of fields which can hold large flocks of wildfowl. Marsh Harrier and Peregrine regularly hunt over the area. A second hide close by can yield small flocks of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin as well as Barn Owl. We will leave early afternoon for our journey home.

Tour includes:
Half board accommodation for 2 nights

Not included:
Drinks, items of a personal nature and lunches

Price: £280 Single Supplement £60
Friday 25th – Sunday 27th November - FULLY BOOKED
Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th December - FULLY BOOKED

The area around the River Yare in Norfolk hosts a significant wintering flock of Taiga Bean Geese as well as a large number of wintering duck, including thousands of Wigeon and Teal. Peregrine and Merlin are regular on the marshes, along with Marsh and Hen Harrier and Water Pipits are usually present on the flooded fields. We will also visit Strumpshaw Fen, the nearby RSPB reserve, which is home to wintering Bittern, Cetti’s Warbler, Kingfisher and Otter. We finish the day with one of the most fantastic sights – over 50,000 Rooks, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws coming into roost in nearby woodland – An early Xmas treat!
Price: £40 (does not include admission to Strumpshaw for non-RSPB members)
PLACES AVAILABLE

The Isle of Sheppey is our destination for this day of winter birding. We will explore the island for waders and wildfowl such as Purple Sandpiper, Tundra Swan, White-fronted Goose, Ruff and Golden Plover. Snow Bunting, Horned Lark and Twite can occur on the shingle beaches. We will finish up at Harty Ferry raptor viewpoint, where Marsh and Hen Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Rough-legged Buzzard occur.
It’s a day not to be missed.
Price: £40
PLACES AVAILABLE