What better way to start 2024 than with the best winter wildlife around Strathspey and the Moray Firth coast - join us for 3 full days on this fantastic wildlife-filled short tour.
Highlights
Join us over three full days as we head out in search of Golden & White-tailed Eagles, Bottlenose Dolphins, Crested Tits, Scottish & Parrot Crossbills, Common Seals, Black & Red Grouse, Red Squirrels, Long-tailed Ducks, Reindeer and maybe even the likes of King Eider and Waxwing, not to mention a plethora of waders and wildfowl, mammals and a superb suite of wintering raptors.
The area holds some of the UK’s most highly prized and enigmatic species and we will be focused on making the most of daylight and finding as many as we possibly can. As well as Golden and White-tailed Eagles we will hope to see Mountain Hares, Wild Goat, Sika Deer, and find Goshawk, Peregrine, and Merlin. In contrast the coast is rich in wildlife with dolphins, seals and Otters as we as some brilliant farmland birds with Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow and Grey Partridge all possible. Here, the large geese flocks are spectacular to watch and the coastal mudflats and marshes can throng with birds.
Itinerary
Day 1:
Explore the secluded mountain glens around Strathspey in search of Golden & White-tailed Eagles, Peregrines, Red and Sika Deer, Mountain Hares, Wild Goats, Black & Red Grouse, Dippers and Grey Wagtails. The glens and straths afford some spectacular views and when combined with great wildlife are sure to kick off our wildlife extravaganza in style.
Day 2:
Today we will delve into the ancient Caledonian Pine forests of Abernethy where we will search for Scottish, Common and possibly even Parrot Crossbills, Crested Tits and Red Squirrels. We may even find Black Grouse amongst the Juniper scrub and statuesque Granny Pines. The slopes of Cairngorm will occupy us in the afternoon where we will look for Red Grouse, Snow Bunting, Mountain Hare and with luck the local herd of Reindeer.
Day 3:
In stark contrast to the mountain and valley landscapes of the Cairngorms and Strathspey we will head the short distance to the Moray and Cromaty Firths, home to thousands of waders and wildfowl including Scaup, Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Ducks, skeins of Pink-footed Geese and a plethora of waders. With luck we will see Bottlenose Dolphins, Common and Grey Seals along the coast. Inland Red Kites have now become widespread and we will look for these as well as other raptors such as Merlin, Peregrine and Hen Harrier. The area is also very good still for farmland birds such as Yellowhammers and Tree Sparrow and with luck we may even find Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge.
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A pioneering wildlife-watching tour company run by experts for wildlife enthusiasts. Conservation and sustainability are at its core; travel with purpose, tread lightly and experience more. Founded by husband and wife team Dan & Rachael Brown, they bring passion and expertise to every expedition. Driven by current biodiversity loss, the climate crisis and the need to reconnect people with nature, they created a company that endeavours to address all these through sustainable conservation-orientated tourism. We offer fully inclusive tours, self-drive short breaks or custom-made tours.