birding and wildlife holidays 2015details, airport hotels, accommodation in the destination country...

birding and wildlife holidays

2015

t: 01479 821248 e: [email protected] www.heatherlea.co.uk twitter: @heatherleabirds facebook: heatherleabirdwatching

WELCOME TO HEATHERLEAYOUR NATURAL HOLIDAY CHOICE

WELCOME TO OUR 2015 BROCHURE

In 2015 we celebrate our 25th Anniversary with more choice than ever,both in Scotland and overseas. Inside you will find established favouritesand exciting new trips, with many added features to offer you the verybest in wildlife holiday value.

Here at our HQ in Nethy Bridge, our 'Mainland Scotland' groups are smallin size, with a high level of personal attention, as we focus on wonderfulScottish birding all year round. Comfortable en-suite rooms, all meals, alltransport, access fees and guidance are included, to give you everythingyou need from our top-rated birding holidays. Many one-week itinerariesinclude brief second-centre destinations, including the Outer Hebrides,Mull or Orkney, giving you great value and the best available use of yourvaluable holiday time.

Around the Scottish Islands, Heatherlea offer a unique gateway tobeautiful, isolated places where wildlife is special, with 20 fantasticholidays from Islay to St Kilda. Our expert, friendly guides make eachexperience truly memorable.

INDEXMAINLAND SCOTLANDMainland Scotland with Heatherlea ............................1Our guides .............................................................................. 2Our Hotel in the Cairngorms National Park ............ 4Options ......................................................................................6Field notes ................................................................................8Getting here is Easy! ..........................................................10Some key Scottish birds ....................................................11

SCOTLAND HIGHLAND HOLIDAYSHogmanay Birding Festival ..............................................12New Year Birdlist Booster ................................................12Short breaks – Scottish birding in winter ................13Highland Winter Birding ....................................................13 The Top 20 – birds and mammals in spring ............14 Highlands and Mull..............................................................14Spring into Scotland including Mull............................15Highlands and Skye ..............................................................15Birding the Highlands in May..........................................16High Season across the Highlands................................16Highlands and Orkney ........................................................17NEW! The Outer Limits in summer ............................17Highland Wildlife..................................................................18 Short breaks – Scottish birding in summer ............18 Eagles, Divers and Dotterel including Mull..............19 The Top 30 – birds and mammals in summer ........19 High summer wildlife by land and sea......................20Specials, migration and ‘The Burma Bank’ ..............20Autumn Migration and Scottish Specials ................21The ‘Outer Limits’ Adventure ........................................21The Top 20 – birds and mammals in autumn ........22Late autumn in the Highlands........................................22 Short breaks – Scottish birding in autumn..............23Scottish holidays with ‘Easy Walking’ ........................23

SCOTTISH ISLAND HOLIDAYS ..................................24NEW! Highlands and Islands in spring ......................25Outer Hebrides in spring..................................................25 Mull, Iona and the Treshnish Isles ..............................26 Southern Hebrides from Colonsay to Islay ............26

Islands on the Edge ............................................................27Orkney Island Explorer......................................................27Shetland Island Explorer ..................................................28Shetland and Orkney ........................................................28Inner Hebrides from Canna to Iona............................29Unexplored Outer Hebrides ..........................................29St Kilda and the Hebrides................................................30NEW! Highlands and Islands in summer ..................30NEW! Summer Island Spectacular................................31North Ronaldsay and mainland Orkney ....................31 Shetland for birders ............................................................32 Fair Isle ......................................................................................32Outer Hebrides for birders ..............................................33 Coll and Tiree ........................................................................33Islay and Jura ..........................................................................34 Solway Firth ............................................................................34

OVERSEAS ............................................................................35

EUROPE ....................................................................................37Spain – birding and Lynx ..................................................37NEW! Fuerteventura ..........................................................37Holland and Flanders by train........................................38Iceland birds and borealis................................................38Camargue ................................................................................38NEW! Iceland orcas and auroras ..................................39Spain in early spring............................................................39Italy – Po Delta and Venice ............................................39Lesvos........................................................................................40 Extremadura ..........................................................................40Croatia ......................................................................................40Skyros ........................................................................................41Turkey ........................................................................................41Mallorca ....................................................................................41Estonia ......................................................................................42Hungary ....................................................................................42Spanish Pyrenees to Ebro Delta....................................42Spitsbergen ............................................................................43Iceland (summer) ..................................................................43NEW! Spain – Picos Mountains ....................................43

birding and wildlife holidays

Azores........................................................................................44Andalucia ................................................................................44Hungary in autumn ............................................................44

AMERICAS..............................................................................45Costa Rica................................................................................46Cuba ..........................................................................................46Arizona and Grand Canyon ............................................47Trinidad, Tobago and St Lucia........................................47 Yellowstone and Grand Teton ......................................48Nova Scotia ............................................................................48Brazil ..........................................................................................49Panama......................................................................................49NEW! Mexico ........................................................................50Florida ......................................................................................50

REST OF THE WORLD ......................................................51Gambia ......................................................................................52Nepal..........................................................................................52India ............................................................................................53 Morocco ..................................................................................53 NEW! North Morocco ......................................................54NEW! Ethiopia ......................................................................54Goa..............................................................................................55NEW! Senegal ........................................................................55Booking Form ........................................................................56Calendar ..................................................Inside back cover

‘High standards of customer

care and a genuine passion

for birding and wildlife

make this a most rewarding

experience.’

VisitScotland, Heatherlea assessment

Overseas our very popular Pre-flight Service saves you money and makeseverything easy. With just 12 clients per holiday, the accent is again onpersonal service to you, our valued customer. We have many exciting newdestinations, and some departures arealready filling as we write thisintroduction.

Above all, we are grateful for yoursupport and choice of Heatherlea.Thanks to all friends old and new whohave joined us in the past, we hope toearn your support again. Here's togreat wildlife watching!

COVER PHOTOSPtarmigan, Scotland, Neil McIntyreScarlet-chested Sunbird, Senegal, Cristian Jensen

Kevin, Caryl and the Heatherlea team

bigger than ever before!

Years of

outstandingwildlife holidays

35t: 01479 821248 e: [email protected] www.heatherlea.co.uk twitter: @heatherleabirds facebook: heatherleabirdwatching

OVERSEAS BIRDING AND WILDLIFE HOLIDAYSDO IT THE HEATHERLEA WAY!Our overseas holidays are planned with care to offergreat birding and wildlife, led by capable Leaderswho really look after you. Every holiday is run the‘Heatherlea Way’, offering rewarding and excitingdays in the field, and good quality accommodationand meals, with a real flavour of the country we arevisiting. Most holidays include at least an elementof local guiding, and we always seek to include thepersonal touches that make all the difference.

Heatherlea holidays are not ‘dawn to dusk’expeditions. Our less-intensive approach is ideal forthose who want to relax whilst enjoying excellentwildlife watching, and wherever possible weorganise early or late activity on an optional basis.We also take sensible breaks when in very hotplaces and regular comfort breaks onevery holiday whenever possible. Allitineraries are planned carefullyaround the best wildlifeopportunities, and our relaxed,informal holidays are great fun.

MORE IMPORTANT DETAIL!� If you would like more information before you

decide, please read our Heatherlea ‘EXTRA PACK’for the holiday of your choice. Each containsdetailed information covering our itinerary, a tripreport, bird list and lots more info. ‘EXTRA PACKS’can be downloaded from the Internet – just visitthe holiday page at www.heatherlea.co.uk, andhelp yourself, or ring us here in the office and wewill post a printed copy to you. For furtherinformation and booking details contact us on01479 821248 or email [email protected].

� Trip Notes’ will be issued when you book,including information you need to help preparefor your holiday. Sections headed ‘Before youleave’ ‘What to bring’, ‘During the journey’, ‘Onarrival’ and ‘In the field’ will help you to plan –you will be very well informed!

� A ‘Final Information’ Pack will be issued prior totravel, containing flight detail, Guide contactdetails, airport hotels, accommodation in thedestination country including relevant websites,plus health and other information you mightneed whilst abroad (telephone, currency, medicalservices, etc).

� All elements of our holidays are sold under ourown licence, ATOL 6113. Under UK ‘Flight-Plus’legislation it is a legal requirement of any touroperator to hold an ATOL licence for the supplyof any overseas holiday where a flight is involved,if that holiday includes either overseasaccommodation and/or car hire. It can be acriminal offence for an operator to book flights aspart of a package without an ATOL licence. Bookholiday extensions through us, and your ATOLprotection is extended even further. Heatherleaalso hold full Tour Operator Insurance for youradded protection.

WHY CHOOSE HEATHERLEA?The really important part of any wildlife holiday is the experience for you, our valued customer. Heatherleainvest in many things to help you get the best:

� Heatherlea is your complete wildlife holiday provider, and our team can organise all your pre-flight andother travel needs, so you book the best services, at the best price,

� We have been organising birding and wildlife holidays for more than 24 seasons, and have a highlyexperienced and capable office team. We also offer a telephone and email service outside normal officehours.

� Many holidays include content which might not seem important before you book, but will make adifference when you arrive – examples include an invaluable three day waterbus pass in Venice, tavernalunches in Lesvos and Skyros, internal flights in India and Nepal, and many more.

� A 'feel' of the country we are visiting is an important part of our holidays. This may mean a tour of Havanain Cuba, or tea at a Saharan community in Morocco. We don't lose birding time, just offer a little extra soyou can enjoy a rounded holiday experience.

� Often our holidays include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance DepartureTaxes and tips to hotels.

� Heatherlea overseas holidays have a maximum of 12 clients per trip, putting the emphasis on personalservice, and helping you get the best possible experience.

� Low initial deposit secures your holiday for most destinations. A full payment schedule will be sent to youwith your confirmation of booking.

TRAVELFlights for all holidays are by scheduled airline, usuallyfrom London. Due to demand, we now have a number ofdepartures from Manchester, please look for this logo:

Manchester departure availableM

t: 01479 821248 e: [email protected] www.heatherlea.co.uk twitter: @heatherleabirds facebook: heatherleabirdwatching36

All 2015 Heatherlea overseas holidayswhich include flights also include acomplimentary airport hotel and loungebefore you fly, organised and paid for byHeatherlea as part of our pre-flightservice. We will contact you as yourholiday approaches to organise detailsand any other services you might require.To benefit, make sure book your nextoverseas wildlife holiday withHeatherlea!

PRE-FLIGHT HOTELHeatherlea select your airport hotel from ourapproved shortlist. All offer a good standard of en-suite accommodation, with evening meals usuallyavailable, and readily accessible car parking andtransfers to the terminal. If travelling with you, yourHeatherlea Guide will probably be staying in thesame hotel, and may be able to join you for aninformal chat the night before travel.

PRE-FLIGHT AIRPORT LOUNGEWe want you to start your holiday early, and unwindbefore you fly. A busy airport terminal is hardly theideal place to relax! By the time you've bought food,drinks, newspapers and a magazine to pass the time,terminals can prove expensive too. Why not choosethe comfort of an airport lounge, where you canrelax for up to three hours before your flight?

Most of our lounges offer ample free drinks andsnacks, magazines and newspapers, businessfacilities including wireless broadband, TV andcomfortable seating amid quiet surroundings, in asecluded getaway from the crowded terminal. Iftravelling on your flight, your Heatherlea guide willbe there for an optional chat after everyone haschecked-in, and you can get to know your fellowtravellers or just sink into a comfortable armchair –the choice and comfort are yours! We will confirmarrangements for your airport lounge, and includeany necessary admission tickets, in your FINALINFORMATION PACK. If you've never used an airportlounge before, you don't know what you're missing– just don’t get too comfortable and forget to catchyour flight!

PARKINGDriving to the airport? Book secure car parking withus to save time and money; we offer trusted andgood value airport parking services. We can arrangeparking at your hotel or at the airport terminal, andoptions include valet parking, and a ‘meet-and-greet’ service, just ask!

THE HEATHERLEA PRE-FLIGHT SERVICEENJOY A PRE-FLIGHT AIRPORT HOTEL and LOUNGE - FREE!

REGIONALDEPARTURES/CONNECTIONSPrefer to fly from your local airport? Some of ourholidays depart from regional airports, and onothers you can often join the rest of the holidaygroup in your destination country rather than inLondon. We are happy to arrange regionaldepartures for any of our holidays, and will tailorflight options to your requirements.

FLIGHT UPGRADESFancy some extra legroom or a reclining seat? On along flight you might like a lie-flat bed, or perhapspersonal service including complimentary drinks andmeals. Seat and special meal requests are all part ofour service, and where possible we give you writtenconfirmation of special arrangements to carry withyou during the flight. Heatherlea offer great dealsfor Premium Economy and Business Classpassengers, often bookable instantly over thephone.

TAILOR MADE EXTENSIONSMany of you plan other activity before or after yourwildlife holiday, so why not let us arrange travelservices for you? It’s quicker and easier than doingit yourself, and you will benefit from ATOLprotection too. Heatherlea can arrange extensionsto all our overseas tours, including flights, hotels andtransfers - let us know your requirements and wewill do the rest!

MORE INFOYour holiday price is inclusive of pre-flight hoteland lounge. If you don’t need the pre-flight hotel,we adjust your final invoice downwards, so youpay slightly less than the full holiday price. Wealso adjust your final invoice downwards if anairport lounge is unavailable at our point ofdeparture. Other services including meals, carparking, upgrades etc are charged separately if weorganise them for you. It is important toremember that extra services (eg car parking) canbe more expensive as your departure dateapproaches, so please contact us before your finalbalance payment is due should you require us toorganise any additional service.

QUALITY ASSURANCE – WHYCHOOSE HEATHERLEA?2015 will be our 25th year, and we have a highlyexperienced and capable team. All elements of ourpackage holidays are sold under licence (ATOL 6113),and our business partners include British Airways,Delta Airlines, Premier Inn and Hilton Hotels. Ourspecialist knowledge will help you get exactly theright services, at the best price. We offer all yourairport needs with just one call, so to save time andmoney choose Heatherlea, your complete wildlifeholiday provider.

NEW! WITH HEATHERLEA, THE FIELD GUIDE IS FREE!

Our unique Pre-flight Service is developing all the time,and now we are offering FREE bird books with selectedholidays. Beginning in 2015 with Arizona, CubaGoa, Nepal,Senegal and India, travel with Heatherlea, and the leadingbird book relevant to the holiday is included in the price.With some titles costing around £40, this is anotherbenefit from Heatherlea which saves you money!

‘Now the dust has settled a little and life is returning tonormal I'd like to express our gratitude to all at Heatherleafor organising a splendid holiday in Skyros. The travel andaccommodation arrangements were spot on, it was a delightto have the Heatherlea team beforehand and Phil Knott at theairport to take all the usual stress out of air and coach travel. The island experience was exactly as the brochure had led usto expect, not a huge bird list but plenty of magical wildlifeexperiences and great Skyrian culture and food. Veryinteresting, a tremendous introduction to a magical island.Our guides, Phil and Ed, were excellent, truly talented both atbirding and at organising the days.

An excellent first trip with Heatherlea, the first of many Ihope! Thanks ALL!’

Mr and Mrs DA, Lincs

37

SPAIN - BIRDING AND LYNXANDUJAR PLUS BIRDING IN COTO DONANA

TUES 6 JANUARY – TUES 13 JANUARY

PRICE: £1395PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £75PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER CRISTIAN JENSENJOINED BY JAUME SOLER WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This is a combined birding and mammal trip in the mild winter of southernSpain, with a special focus on seeing endangered Iberian Lynx. This two-centre holiday also includes time in Coto Donana for some excellent birding.

We begin by looking for White-headed Duck as we transfer to Coto Donana, where we explore the mosaic of marshes, pinewoodland, open heathland and sand dunes at one of the best times to visit. Expect large numbers of gulls, waders, heronsand egrets, plus White Stork, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill and the opportunity to see key Spanish specialities, in particularPurple Gallinule, Marbled Teal, Red-knobbed Coot and rare Spanish Imperial Eagle. Some breeding raptors are back onterritory or passing on migration, and the whole area is full of birds.

Our second centre is in Sierra de Andújar. This beautiful mountain chain holds the largest remaining Lynx population in Spain, now critically endangered and increasinglydifficult to see, though our local contacts are extensive, and on previous visits we have always succeeded! In 2015, we will use the tracks in a private estate where theremaining population is perhaps at its greatest density. We have to pay extra for access, but consider it worthwhile, as we can search for these rare animals in quietplaces away from the crowds at public viewpoints, though we will do this too! We may also see Red and Fallow Deer, Moufflon, Otter, and Wild Boar. Birds here includeGriffon and Black Vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Azure-winged Magpie, and Black Wheatear. Expect around 120 - 140 bird species in total.

This is a relaxed and interesting itinerary, with good birding and mammal watching in a pleasant climate. Our small, exclusive group visits isolated places in incrediblelandscape, and our rural hotels give a real feel of Spain.

NEW! FUERTEVENTURAFRI 23 JANUARY – WED 28 JANUARY

PRICE: £995PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £75PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER TOBY GREEN JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands, and is an exciting birdingdestination. On this new short break we enjoy an exciting few days birding,discovering the riches of the Barrancos and the arid desert interior.

We concentrate on finding some key species, and this is a great island to top up your European list, because there areseveral birds here that would be more usual in Africa. A key target is Houbara Bustard, which at this time of yearconduct an impressive breeding display, turning themselves 'inside-out' whilst strutting around the spectacular desertscenery. Fuerteventura is a good destination for those wishing to see Houbara, they are easier here than in some otherplaces, and by using our vehicle as a hide, we hope for close-up views of this impressive display. The island's onlyendemic, Fuerteventura Chat, is another key species, with only around 1000 pairs in existence. We hope to find theseattractive chats perching and perhaps singing at the top of thorny scrub vegetation in a few select ravines and slopes.

Other key birds should include Cream-coloured Courser, Barbary Partridge, Barbary Falcon, Black-bellied Sandgrouse,Plain Swift, Egyptian Vulture, Trumpeter Finch, Lesser Short-toed Lark, African Blue Tit (degener), and Canaries endemic Berthalot's Pipit.

Our list will be boosted by coastal birding, with Cory's Shearwater and passage waders including Kentish Plover and Whimbrel, and the possibility of over-winteringvagrants from both east and west. Recent rarities include Olive-backed Pipit, Yellow-browed Warbler, White-rumped Sandpiper and Ring-necked Duck. Other ‘goodbirds’ may include Sardinian Warbler, Ruddy Shelduck, Stone Curlew, Southern Grey Shrike, Hoopoe and Pallid Swift.

A great short break birding as we investigate spectacular mountainous regions, impressive areas of desert, fresh water pools and scrapes, based in a family run hotelwith a real flavour of the island!

SOME RECENT FEEDBACK .....

‘Thanks for a most enjoyable trip to Croatia. I’m grateful to

Gerard and Toby for looking after us so well and being so

patient. Lovely landscapes; hotels and food, great company...

Mr and Mrs TA, Northants

‘Very many thanks for an utterly

stunning week in Extremadura; the birds

were amazing, and our guides Dave and

Cristian so enthusiastic, kind and

helpful – not just brilliant spotters and

walking bird encyclopaedias, but great

company over dinner AND they took

care of every tiny detail in our daily

itinerary. I don’t know where they find

the stamina, especially when they do

something similar week after week. I’m

already looking at long haul trips, so will

be travelling with you again soon,’

Ms SP

EURO

PE20

15

t: 01479 821248 e: [email protected] www.heatherlea.co.uk twitter: @heatherleabirds facebook: heatherleabirdwatching


ICELAND - BIRDS AND BOREALISEXCLUSIVE SMALL GROUP

THURS 4 DECEMBER – MON 8 DECEMBER 2014 THURS 26 FEBRUARY – MON 2 MARCH 2015

PRICE: £1520PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER ANDY JONES OR TRAUSTI GUNNARSSON. MAX 5 CLIENTS PER GUIDE.

A tremendous long weekend in the land of fire and ice in winter. See Gyrfalcon, Harlequin Duck, Barrow’sGoldeneye, White-tailed Eagle, Ptarmigan in white plumage, Glaucous and Iceland Gull, winteringWhooper Swan and a chance of Brünnich’s Guillemot, Little Auk and more in a very relaxed setting. PLUSwe hope to see the awe-inspiring aurora borealis, or northern lights, an experience never to be forgotten!Glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls…. Our group size is very small, and we travel in awinterised 4x4 vehicle to some of the best sites in south-west Iceland, accompanied by our veryknowledgeable and experienced guide.

The tour is based in southern Iceland, where in addition to the birds we will visit many natural wondersincluding Gullfoss, considered by many to be Iceland’s finest waterfall. Nearby is the famed Geysir afterwhich all geysers are named. A dynamic gusher erupts every few minutes to a height of 30 metres. We thenexplore Pingvellir National Park, where for centuries the early parliament met in the open air. We travelover vast glacial outwash plains to stand on the Myrdalsjökull glacier, and of course watch the fabulousdisplay of the Northern Lights. A dramatic and awe-inspiring birding and geological adventure!

HOLLAND AND FLANDERS BY TRAINEUROSTAR TO BRUSSELS THEN GREAT WINTER BIRDING

SAT 7 FEBRUARY – SAT 14 FEBRUARY

PRICE: £1395PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £110PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER JOZEF LEESTMANSJOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Join popular Heatherlea Guide Jozef Leestmans to see the native birds of his home region. Jozef was formerly ReserveManager at Bootjesven, and still has close birding contacts in Holland and Flanders.

We begin in south-west Holland, amid more than a million wintering geese, together with high numbers of waders,swans, divers, grebes and seaduck. Expect flocks of wintering Barnacles, with Red-breasted mixed in, Whitefronts witha few Lesser Whitefronts, dark-bellied Brent, and 'Tundra' Beans with Snow Goose a distinct possibility. Seaduck includeSmew, and water birds include all three egrets, Eurasian Spoonbill and returning Black-tailed Godwits. All these birdsattract raptors including Peregrine, and White-tailed Eagle and Short-eared Owl are also found.

Later we are based in Bootjesven in Belgium, a woodland area with lakes and ponds, and we expect five species of woodpecker including Black, and both Middle andLesser Spotted. Great Grey Shrike and Woodlark overwinter, and other species include Crested Tit and Firecrest. On the sea all four divers are possible, and we shouldsee Long-tailed Duck, Common and Velvet Scoter and grebes. In the mudflats waders include Greenshank, Avocet, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Redshank andboth Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwit. On the shore we look for Sanderling, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting and Shore Lark.

Other birds might include Short-eared Owl, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Bearded Tit, Bittern, Caspian Gull, Crested Lark and Serin, and perhaps Rough-legged Buzzard. Weshould see large herds of Konik-horses and Heck-cattle, wild creatures which exist without interference or regulation from humans.

Many of our guests prefer not to fly, and on this holiday only the birds take to the air! We travel Eurostar to Brussels, and then by minibus, returning to Brussels forthe train back to London on the final day.

CAMARGUEWONDERFUL EUROPEAN BIRDING – WITHOUT FLIGHTS!DEPARTURE FROM LONDON ST. PANCRAS BY EUROSTAR

WED 18 MARCH – WED 25 MARCH

PRICE: £1445PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £110PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER TOBY GREEN, JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR GUIDING TEAM WITHMORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.Join us in one of Europe’s premier birding destinations, just as migration begins. From the sweeping marshesof the Camargue reserve and the surrounding plains of La Crau to the limestone cliffs of Les Alpilles andthe mountain slopes of Mont Ventoux, we explore all the special places and key sites, returning in theevening to a lovely cosy hotel and traditional food; Heatherlea aficionados will feel right at home!Wintering birds usually include Wallcreeper, Bonelli’s Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Little Bustard, CitrilFinch, Eagle Owl, Black Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Alpine Accentor, Penduline Tit, Calandra Lark, MoustachedWarbler, and flocks of Greater Flamingo, which can usually be measured in thousands. We travel in earlyspring, so migrants should be arriving daily, and other birds of note may include Golden Eagle, Pin-TailedSandgrouse, Black-necked Grebe, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Long-Legged Buzzard, Red Kite, Yellow-legged Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Little Owl, Crag Martin, Water Pipit, Richard’s Pipit, Blue Rock Thrush,Southern Grey Shrike, Crested Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Firecrest, Serin, Hawfinch, Brambling, CommonCrossbill, Cirl Bunting and Rock Bunting. A tremendous start to your overseas birding year! Watch out alsofor the famous Camargue Horses, Camargue Bull, Coypu in ditches, and blundering Wild Boar crashingthrough vegetation.

EURO

PE20

15

..

t: 01479 821248 e: [email protected] www.heatherlea.co.uk twitter: @heatherleabirds facebook: heatherleabirdwatching 39

SPAIN IN EARLY SPRING WED 25 MARCH – SUN 29 MARCH

PRICE: £1145PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £115PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER SANTIAGO VILLA, JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORETHAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Great birding as spring begins, on this tremendous opportunity to get to grips with some iconic Spanish speciesin just a few days. We fly to Madrid, and focus upon exceptional birding in central Spain, with Imperial Eagle,Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Crane, BlackVulture, Lesser Kestrel and specialities including Azure-winged Magpie, Great-spotted Cuckoo, Penduline Tit,Purple Swamphen, Red-crested Pochard, Greater Flamingo and White-headed Duck among our targets. Bonelli’sEagle is also possible. Habitats include the vast plain of Campo de Calatrava, where mixed flocks of bustardsand sandgrouse can number into the hundreds. We also visit the wetlands of Tablas de Daimiel, and theCabañeros National Park, which is the best and largest surviving area of Iberian Mediterranean forest. We alsospend some time taking advantage of the excellent birdwatching opportunities in Madrid, virtually unknown toBritish birders. (Black-bellied) Dipper, Firecrest and Rock Sparrow are also present in the region.

We stay in two centres on this short holiday, with an emphasis on local food and wine. We use comfortable,clean and convenient hotels with good food, in rural locations. Evening meals have options for vegetarians,coeliacs or those with allergies. Wine (within reason!) is also included, and lunches are sometimes a "tapas-raciones" style or picnics in the field so we can keep birding!

NEW! ICELAND - ORCAS AND AURORASSAT 21 MARCH – THURS 26 MARCH

PRICE: £1695PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £155PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER TRAUSTI GUNNARSSON. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

A fantastic short break in the land of fire and ice at the end of winter, searching for birds and whales. Gyrfalcon,Harlequin Duck, Barrow's Goldeneye, White-tailed Eagle, Ptarmigan in winter-white plumage and more providethe birding highlights. We learn about Iceland's volcanic geology, and make a special journey to the Snæfellsnespeninsula, which in recent years has seen magnificent Orcas coming close inshore. We'll look from the land, and,if the weather permits, take a boat trip to see them close up. There are lots of birds here too, with both Icelandand Glaucous Gull, the chance of a King Eider amongst the flocks of Common Eider, and more Harlequin Duckand White-tailed Eagles.

Geology is always a major component of our Icelandic tours, and in addition to the birds and Orcas we will visitmany natural wonders including Gullfoss, considered by many to be Iceland’s finest waterfall. Nearby is the famedGeysir after which all geysers are named. A dynamic gusher erupts every few minutes to a height of 30 metres.We then explore Pingvellir National Park, where for centuries the early parliament met in the open air. We travelin a winterised 4x4 vehicle which allows us to reach some out-of-the-way places, and some of the best geologicalsites in south west Iceland, accompanied by our friend Trausti Gunnarsson, a very knowledgeable and experiencednaturalist/guide.

PLUS we hope to see the awe-inspiring aurora borealis, an experience never to be forgotten! After dinner eachnight we’ll be ready to observe the northern lights if conditions are favourable. A dramatic and awe-inspiringadventure!

ITALY – PO DELTA AND VENICEGREAT BIRDING SHORT BREAK, FOLLOWED BY A FEW DAYS IN VENICE

SAT 4 APRIL – SAT 11 APRIL

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £295PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER KEVIN SHAW. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

A very different and relaxing holiday, combining birding with culture.

Specialities of this vast wetland include Black-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Purple, Night and Squacco Heron, GlossyIbis, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Little Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Marsh, Green andWood Sandpiper, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Caspian and Gull-billed Tern, Mediterranean and Slender-billed Gull, Wryneck, Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Firecrest, Penduline Tit, Red-backed, Woodchat and SouthernGrey Shrike, italiae House Sparrow and Serin. Just as rewarding will be our hunt for migrants, which might include HoneyBuzzard, Black Kite, White Stork, Black Stork, Bee-eater, Hoopoe and several races of Yellow Wagtail on passage to morenortherly breeding grounds. We may also take a boat trip out into the shallow Adriatic lagoon to see breeding Slender-billed Gull, depending upon availability.

We will be joined by top local birder Menotti Passarella, who always produces fascinating birding, often with access toplaces not normally open to the public. Our lovely hotel is a major element of our holiday experience, everyone whohas joined this holiday has loved this delightful venue. Breakfasts are expansive and luxurious, and evening meals superb.A real treat, and very much a taste of rural Italy.

After birding, we drive to nearby Venice, to enjoy the city’s timeless wonder. A tour with Kevin begins at the Doge’s Palace,and takes you down the Canale Grande. See St Mark’s Basilica and the poignant Bridge of Sighs, and just enjoy the feelof Venice. Use your 72-hour waterbus pass (included) to explore the lagoon and Grand Canal, or visit the many artmuseums. Our Alilaguna cruise at the end of the holiday is perhaps Europe’s most enjoyable airport transfer!

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EXTREMADURABIRDS OF PREY, BUSTARDS, SANDGROUSE AND BRILLIANT BIRDING

SUN 19 APRIL – SAT 26 APRIL

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER CRISTIAN JENSEN, JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORETHAN 6 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Some of the best birding in Europe, featuring many rare and endangered species. We expect outstanding raptorwatching, with all five Spanish eagles, Bonelli’s, Golden, Booted, Short-toed and endangered Spanish Imperial,and three vultures, Black, Egyptian and Griffon. We watch the spectacular breeding display of Great Bustard, andalso include Little Bustard, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Others should include Bee-eater, LesserKestrel, Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Montagu’s Harrier, Roller, Hoopoe, Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting,Southern Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Alpine Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Calandra Lark, Woodlark, Short-toed Lark,Tawny Pipit, Black-eared Wheatear, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Tit, Rock Sparrow,Hawfinch, Penduline Tit and Little Bittern, and we see both White and Black Stork at the nest.

Red-billed Chough, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Eagle Owl with chicks, and beautiful southern specialitiesBlack-shouldered Kite and Azure-winged Magpie are all targeted. Great Spotted Cuckoo, Purple Heron, LittleBittern, Spanish Sparrow and Savi’s, Sardinian, Bonelli’s, Subalpine, Dartford, Spectacled, Orphean, Melodious, andperhaps shy Olivaceous Warbler, you won’t believe how many birds there are! We stay in a comfortable, localhotel with all rooms en suite.

LESVOSEASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SPECIALITIES AND MIGRANTS

SAT 18 APRIL – SAT 25 APRIL

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER CHRISTOWNEND JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 6 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

A classic destination, with migration at a wonderful peak during these two weeks. Specialities include Krüper’sNuthatch, Cretzschmar’s and Cinereous Bunting, Subalpine, Orphean and Rüppell’s Warbler, Isabelline and Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Lesser Kestrel, and Blue Rock Thrush.

We return to the saltpans, rivers and fields as one set of migrants replaces another, and there is great varietyevery day; Red-footed Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Scops Owl, Glossy Ibis, Rock Nuthatch, Masked Shrike,Baillon’s, Spotted and Little Crake, Hoopoe, Purple, Squacco and Night Heron, Gull-billed, Whiskered, Black,White-winged Black and Caspian Tern, Bee-eater, Roller and many waders including Collared Pratincole andMarsh Sandpiper. Eleonora’s Falcon, Rufous Bush-robin, Black-headed Bunting, Montagu’s Harrier, Short-toedEagle and Alpine Swift. Rarities include Great Snipe, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Spur-winged Plover, ThrushNightingale and Olive-tree and River Warblers.

Some days we lunch at tavernas with Greek salad (feta, tomatoes, local greens and olive oil), beans, wine, anda selection of sardines, calamari, chicken, lean local lamb – a real experience! Expect 145+ species (though weregularly see over 160!) in a whirlwind of brilliant birding, with easy access and limited walking.

CROATIATHURS 23 APRIL – THURS 30 APRIL

PRICE: £1695PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £140PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER GERARD GORMAN, JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR GUIDING TEAMWITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This highly original itinerary is based around the karst landscapes of Dalmatia just inland from the clear bluewaters of the Adriatic Sea. We visit three scenic protected areas, an offshore island and the country'slargest natural freshwater wetland. The tour is at a relaxed pace, and we stay in three bases, in comfortablesmall en-suite hotels.

Key birds include: Pygmy Cormorant, Rock Partridge, Rock Nuthatch, ‘real’ Rock Dove, Sombre Tit, Whiteand Black Storks, Squacco and Purple Herons, Spanish Sparrow, Scops Owl, Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine Swift,Alpine Chough (at low levels!), Cirl Bunting, Crag Martin, Stone Curlew, Short-toed and Crested Larks,Tawny Pipit, the black-headed race of Yellow Wagtail, Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Serin, Ferruginous Duck,Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, Wryneck, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted, Lesser Spotted and BlackWoodpeckers, Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers, Short-toed Treecreeper and Hawfinch. There should alsobe tern and wader passage and flocks of Ruff and Spotted Redshank, many ducks, herons and egrets, andother wildlife including reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. Our week in Croatia will produce somestunning scenery and several relatively unexplored wildlife sites await us. In addition we will sample localCroat and Dalmatian cuisine, which might be described as a blend of Italian and Balkan, and no doubt therich local wines.

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TURKEY EASTERN EUROPEAN BIRDING WITH MANY SOUGHT-AFTER SPECIES

FRI 1 MAY – TUES 12 MAY

PRICE: £2395PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £ 190 DEPOSIT: £ 300 PER PERSON LEADER: CRISTIAN JENSEN. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This trip to southern Turkey takes place at one of the best times, during peak migration and with breeding species on territory.We seek some of the most sought-after birds in Europe, where wetlands, marshes, delta floodplain, steppes and high mountainpeaks provide tremendous birding habitat. Amongst many exciting species we hope to find are See-see Partridge, Northern BaldIbis, Pallid Scops Owl, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Iraq Babbler, Bimaculated Lark, Red-tailed (Kurdish) Wheatear, Graceful Prinia,Upcher's and Ménétries's Warbler and Dead Sea Sparrow.

Other notable birds include all the European herons, Marbled Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant, Spur-winged Plover,Collared Pratincole, Glossy Ibis, Bonelli’s and Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Purple Swamphen, Black Francolin, Slender-billed and Audouin’s Gull, Caspian Tern, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Eagle Owl, Scops Owl, Little Swift,White-breasted and Pied Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Roller, Syrian Woodpecker, Desert Lark, Rufous Bush Robin, RockThrush, Spectacled Bulbul, Olive-tree, Orphean and Rüppell's Warbler, Yellow-throated and Pale Rock Petronia, Sombre andPenduline Tit, Krüper's and eastern Rock Nuthatch, Masked, Woodchat, Lesser Grey and Red-backed Shrikes, Golden Oriole,Chestnut-shouldered Sparrow, Pale Rockfinch, Snowfinch, Desert Finch, Black-headed and Cretzschmar's Bunting.

A highlight should be our day in the mountains to see Caspian Snowcock. We also try for Radde’s Accentor, White-throatedRobin, Isabelline and Finsch’s Wheatear, Wallcreeper, Crimson Winged Finch, Snow Finch and Red-fronted Serin.

SKYROSEXCITING SPRING BIRDING ON AN UNDISCOVERED GREEK ISLAND

SAT 25 APRIL – SAT 2 MAY

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER PHIL KNOTT JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 6CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

A brand new destination ideal for birders who want to enjoy spring migration on an island unspoilt by tourism, withoutcrowds of birders. Comparisons with nearby Lesvos are inevitable; basically Skyros is smaller, with less cover. Therewill probably be fewer species (about 100 – 130), but birds are more concentrated and conspicuous here.

Skyros sits far out in the Aegean, highly visible to migrants because of its dominant mountain rising sharply from sealevel. Birds drop in to sparse cover and small wetlands where they are bottlenecked and easy to see. Fertile areas aregreenest in late April, at peak migration time, so birds rest to feed before moving on. With its location and topographyfalls of migrants are highly possible, and birding can be exciting.

We visit a variety of interesting habitats including rocky heaths and scrub, fields, groves and wetlands, gnarled oaks andmaples in the valleys, open slopes, rocky streams and coastal mouths, and of course the open sea, where we chartera boat for a cruise including a dusk visit around seabird islands to see and hear shearwaters return.

Birding will include a wide range of spring migrants, with warblers, flycatchers, shrikes, buntings, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, hirundines, raptors and waders arrivingdaily. Eleonora’s Falcon arrive late April in small numbers, Rock Partridge, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Bonelli’s Eagle, Levant Sparrowhawk, Cory’s Shearwater, YelkouanShearwater, Audouin’s Gull, and many more will give us absorbing birding in a lovely location. In the evenings we eat at tavernas on a relaxed itinerary which will giveyou time to explore (or keep birding!) as you choose. If you want spring migration in a quiet and unspoilt place, this is it!

MALLORCASAT 2 MAY – SAT 9 MAY

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER ROBJORDAN JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This is an exciting time of year when virtually anything can happen, as many thousands of birds pass over andthrough the island, resting and feeding before heading to mainland Europe. There may be hundreds of HoneyBuzzards overhead, or trees full of singing Nightingales displaying openly. Unexpected rarities can occuranywhere, and there are excellent migrant 'traps' such as the fig orchards and fields at Casas Veyas and theBoquer Valley.

Rare and much sought species include Black Vulture, Marmora’s Warbler and Moustached Warbler. Key birdsseen infrequently in the UK include Golden Oriole, Bee-eater, Roller, Wryneck, Firecrest, elegant Eleonora’sFalcon, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle and Red-footed Falcon, and a huge variety of water birds andpasserines, both resident and migrant. Our base for the week is a family-run hotel in a small village in the northof Mallorca, very conveniently placed for transfer to migration hotspots, yet away from busy tourist areas. Weare also well placed to visit the varied mountain, marsh and coastal habitats of the northern part of the island,and with little physical effort, we'll be able to enjoy some of Europe's most sought-after species amid beautifuland sometimes spectacular scenery. This trip is ideal for those who want to experience the thrill of Europeanspring migration at its best, for those who are new to European birding and want to see many of the most iconicspecies, and for those with more experience who want to ‘fill-in’ a few gaps while enjoying warm spring sunshineon a relaxing and laid-back holiday. This gently-paced tour has a potential list of over 120 species and a majorobjective is for everyone to get good views of as many of these as possible.


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HUNGARYSAT 9 MAY – SAT 16 MAY

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £125PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER IAN FORDJOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

We visit three very different areas: the forests of the northern Zemplen hills, flood-plains of the Kiskunsag, and thelowland wetlands of the Hortobagy NP.

In the hills we seek Lesser Spotted and Short-toed Eagle, Black Stork, Woodlark, Red-backed Shrike, Eagle Owl, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Barred Warbler, Serin, and Hawfinch. Forests are home to Ural Owl, Red-breastedand Collared Flycatcher and nine woodpeckers including White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted, Syrian, Blackand Wryneck. Wet-meadows hold Corncrake, River and Marsh Warbler.

In the famous Hortobágy a highlight is magnificent Great Bustard. Photogenic Red-footed Falcon are wonderful, andfish-ponds teem with Pygmy Cormorant, Black-necked Grebe, Squacco, Night and Purple Heron, Common and LittleBittern, Spoonbill, Garganey, Ferruginous Duck, Spotted Redshank, Collared Pratincole, white-spotted Bluethroat,Penduline and Bearded Tit, Icterine, Moustached, Marsh, Savi’s and Great Reed Warbler – we should see most ofthese.

Others include Lesser Grey Shrike, Roller, Hoopoe, Tawny Pipit, blue-headed Yellow Wagtail, Little Owl, Stone Curlew,Black-tailed Godwit, Long-legged Buzzard, Marsh and Montagu’s Harrier and Saker Falcon. Marsh birds are everywhere;Whiskered, Black and White-winged Tern are a particularly delicate delight. We should see Common Crane andpassage waders in breeding plumage. Almost anything is possible; one of the best bird lists in Europe awaits you!

ESTONIASUN 3 MAY – SUN 10 MAY

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £130PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER DAVE PULLAN AND LOCAL GUIDES. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Estonia is one of Europe’s best destinations for birdwatchers. More than 200 bird species breed, and in spring a heavypassage of wildfowl and waders occurs along the Baltic coast heading north.

This is the smallest and least populated of the Baltic states. About 10% of the country is legally protected forconservation reasons, typified by coast, wetlands and forests. There are thousands of ponds, marshes, bogs and lakesand nearly 1,000 offshore islands and islets. About 40% of the land is covered by forest and 20% by bog, and farmlandis often managed in a low-intensive manner with many acres of hand-mown meadows and lush pastures. Thispicturesque rustic scenery only enhances the charm of this little known country, and we aim to explore each habitatthoroughly to bring you the very best of the birds - a real Baltic birding bonanza.

Much depends on the passage of spring migrants and the local availability of rare breeding species, and on this wellplanned north-east European adventure, we stay in three different locations, giving us the best possible chances offinding specialities. Targets include White-tailed, Golden, Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagles, Hazel Grouse, lekkingGreat Snipe, Red-necked Phalarope, Corncrake, Pygmy, Ural and Tengmalm’s Owls, White-backed, Grey-headed, Blackand Three-toed Woodpeckers, Thrush Nightingale, Savi’s, Marsh, Barred, Icterine and River Warblers, Citrine Wagtail,Nutcracker, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch, Red-necked Grebe, Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, Caspian,Black and White-winged Terns, Montagu’s Harrier, Temminck’s Stint, Black and White Storks, Red-backed and GreatGrey Shrikes, Penduline Tit and Parrot Crossbill. Other possible species include Capercaillie, Broad-billed Sandpiper,Golden Oriole and Ortolan Bunting.

SPAIN – PYRENEES, STEPPES AND EBRO DELTAA TREMENDOUS BIRDING TOUR FROM MOUNTAIN TOP TO THE MARSHESOF THE EBRO DELTA.

SAT 13 JUNE – TUES 23 JUNE

PRICE: £1795PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £165PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER CRISTIAN JENSEN JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 6CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This exciting holiday includes much of Spain’s best birding as we combine the high Pyrenees with the steppes ofcentral Spain and the lowlands of the Ebro delta. This allows us to target a much wider range of specialities than manysimilar holidays.

Key birds in the Pyrenees are Wallcreeper, Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Alpine and Red-billed Chough, Citril Finch,Black Woodpecker, Alpine Accentor, Bonelli’s Eagle and much more. In the steppes we seek Great and Little Bustard,both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, elusive Dupont’s Lark, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Bee-eater, Little Owl, GreatSpotted Cuckoo, Calandra Lark and Hoopoe amongst many others. The Ebro Delta will be teeming with birds, includingGreater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Little Bittern, Audoin’s Gull, Collared Pratincole and many waders, herons and shorebirdswith great views of breeding colonies.

With all the special birds from the magnificent scenery of the high mountain tops to the flatlands of the delta, this holidayis a great exploration of Spanish birdlife at a relaxed pace. You can expect a list of around or in excess of 150 species.

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ICELAND ‘COMPLETE ICELAND’ – BIRDS, CETACEANS AND GEOLOGY

THURS 23 JULY – THURS 30 JULY

PRICE: £2595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £250PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER ANDY JONES OR TRAUSTI GUNNARSSON. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This unique holiday is a complete tour of the Land of Fire and Ice. Our trip is designed to give you the very best,as we stay in three centres in an unforgettable and thorough exploration. Want to ‘do’ Iceland? Look no further!

Amid dramatic landscapes, we seek Gyrfalcon, Red-necked Phalarope, Great Northern and Red-throated Diver,and dazzling Harlequin Duck and Barrow’s Goldeneye. We cover all the birdlife, including White-tailed Eagle,Ptarmigan, Brünnich’s Guillemot, Snow Bunting, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Arctic and Great Skua. Recenttrips have produced rarities including Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon and King Eider.

We also enjoy three whale-watching trips – giving fantastic chances to see Orca, Humpback and Minke Whale,White-beaked Dolphin, and Harbour Porpoise. We may see mighty Blue Whale, plus Sperm, Fin and Sei Whales,and Bottle-nosed and White-sided Dolphins, as these mammals congregate in the food-rich waters of the NorthAtlantic.

Later, you will see the hot spring area of Hveravellir, the dramatic glacial river falls of Gullfoss, the famous geysersat Geysir, and the glaciers, waterfalls and active volcanoes of Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla. The tumbled morainesprovide much of interest for botanists and geologists.

SPITSBERGENPOLAR BEAR, WALRUS AND BIRDLIFE IN THIS INCREDIBLE ARCTIC WILDERNESS

THURS 18 JUNE – THURS 25 JUNE

PRICE: £3495PP BASED ON TWIN CABIN WITH PORTHOLE DEPOSIT: £600PPCHECK OUR PRICES, BECAUSE THIS IS AN OFFER WITH BIG VALUE! NB PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE INCLUDE FLIGHTS AND OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION EITHEROSLO/LONGYEARBYEN. LEADER IAN FORD WITH 12 OR MORE CLIENTS.

NB Should you choose to book this cruise plus flights and land accommodation with Heatherlea, you benefit from theprotection of our ATOL Licence for all elements of the package. Book the tour directly with the boat operator, at a similarprice, and you don't have this protection. Please note we only have very limited availability on this departure, so book early!

In one of the last great wildernesses on Earth, only 600 miles from the North Pole, nothing can prepare you for your firstPolar Bear, undisputed king of the Arctic. Expect prolonged views at close quarters, and fantastic sightings. Our time withWalrus can also be unforgettable; these massive animals can be just a few feet away, another great wildlife experience.

We take advantage of long daylight hours at the height of the breeding season. Countless seabirds nest on spectacular cliffs,and we watch Little Auk, Ivory Gull, Grey Phalarope, King Eider, Long-tailed Skua and Brünnich’s Guillemot amongst thevariety of ducks, geese and seabirds. Sabine’s Gull and American vagrants are also very likely, and we should see Arctic Fox,Svalbard Reindeer, four species of seal, beautiful Beluga and Minke Whale and perhaps other cetaceans including Fin Whale.You will never forget the wonderful wildlife of this harsh, beautiful landscape.

Our vessel is ice-strengthened and ideal for this voyage, and we use inflatable zodiacs amongst the ice-floes to spend as much time ashore as possible. Expect afriendly intimate atmosphere in a cosy and comfortable onboard environment. This is not to be missed; come and join us for the Arctic wildlife trip of a lifetime!

SPAIN – PICOS MOUNTAINS BIRDS AND BEARS

SUN 23 AUGUST – SUN 30 AUGUST

PRICE £1695PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £110 DEPOSIT £300 LEADER CRISTIAN JENSEN, JOINEDBY PHIL KNOTT WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

This new holiday is an exciting wildlife experience, as we target some of Spain’s most sought after montane and forestbirds coupled with excellent chances of seeing Iberian Brown Bear in the wild.

This is a two centre holiday. Our first base is in the Somiedo Nature Park, where we target Brown Bear and raptors includingEgyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle and Booted Eagle. Other birds of note might include Blue Rock Thrush, Woodlark,Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Golden Oriole, Water Pipit, Rock Bunting, Firecrest and Black Woodpecker.

In the evening and again in the early morning we go bear watching, to see Iberian Brown Bears in their wild environment.On this holiday there is no use of hides or maize/honey baiting. This means we may take longer to find them than undercontrolled conditions, but the genuine natural experience is worth the effort. We use optics to view the bears and torespect their wild status.

Our second base is high in the Picos de Europa, where we will be birding for key species including Snowfinch, Wallcreeper,Alpine Accentor, Red-billed Chough and Alpine Chough. The scenery is spectacular, walking relatively easy, and the birdingpromises to be memorable.

We stay in family-run hotels to experience a real feel of Spain. Your Leaders Cristian and Phil are experienced birders in thispart of the world, with excellent local contacts for birds and bears. Those Heatherlea clients who have enjoyed our Spanishbirding and Lynx holidays with Cristian should have a feeling of deja-vu on this relaxed and exciting new itinerary!



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ANDALUCIA WITH NORTHERN MOROCCOSPECIALITIES AND AUTUMN MIGRATION IN SOUTHERN SPAIN AND MOROCCO

TUES 15 SEPTEMBER – TUES 22 SEPTEMBER

PRICE: £1595PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £140PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER JOSELE SAIZ,JOINED BY ANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS. MAX 12 CLIENTS.

More raptors migrate across the Straits of Gibraltar annually than at any other site in Europe. A daily stream of thousandsfilter southwards through Spain, with concentrations in different places according to the weather. If unsuitable for passage,birds continue to funnel into the area each day until there may be 10,000 individuals waiting to cross. Our main focus iswatching this spectacular migration from a variety of viewpoints on the Spanish side of the Straits. There may also besignificant passerine migration during our visit, and as an additional focus we also take time to find key local residentbirds rare or unknown elsewhere in Europe.

We also take a ferry trip to Morocco to spend some time watching birds arriving on the southern side of the Straits, aninteresting extra perspective. We enjoy seawatching for birds and cetaceans from the ferry crossing the Straits, and includea few Moroccan species during our time in North Africa.

Target raptors include Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Bonelli’sEagle, Booted Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and possibly Golden Eagle, Black Vulture, Black-winged Kite, andLong-legged Buzzard. Other birds include many White Stork and Black Stork, Marbled Teal, White-headed Duck, Red-knobbed Coot, Purple Gallinule, Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis and Penduline Tit in the wet ‘marismas’, Balearic Shearwater,

Cory’s Shearwater, Audouin’s Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Caspian Tern and Lesser Crested Tern on the coast, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotless Starling and Spanish Sparrowinland and migrating Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, Crag Martin, Red-Rumped Swallow, Hoopoe and Bee-eater.

AZORESA BLEND OF BIRDS, WHALES, PLANTS AND GEOLOGY AMIDST INCREDIBLE COASTAL SCENERY

SAT 29 AUGUST – SAT 5 SEPTEMBER

PRICE: £2695PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £250PP DEPOSIT: £300PPLEADER ANDY JONES, JOINED BY IAN FORD WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS.

The spectacular Azores stretch across the Atlantic almost a thousand miles from the coast of Europe. The climate is mild,the surrounding seas are warm, and the islands shelve steeply into the sea, a combination which makes this one of thebest places in the world for whale and dolphin watching. The breeding birds include Cory’s Shearwater, Roseate Tern and,of course, the endemic priôlo or Azores Bullfinch together with the island races of Buzzard, Chaffinch and Goldcrest. Theflora of the islands is very interesting with perhaps 60 endemic species of plant.

We stay on three of the islands, and take two sea trips to watch cetaceans. At this time we hope to see Sperm Whales,perhaps with calves, as well as several dolphin species including Spotted, Common and Risso’s, Beaked Whales andperhaps other marine life such as flying fish, turtles and sharks. At sea we sometimes encounter Great Shearwater andBulwer’s Petrel.

We’ll explore the uplands of Sào Miguel island searching for the Azores Bullfinch, visit hot springs and fumaroles, walkaround a wonderful caldera to find endemic plants, stroll around cliffs for shearwaters and terns, and learn about thevigorous geology of the archipelago amid some of the most dramatic coastal scenery to be found anywhere in the world.

A non-intensive wildlife experience on attractive and unspoilt Atlantic islands, combining a relaxed atmosphere with veryinteresting natural history and geology.

HUNGARY IN AUTUMNSPECTACULAR CRANE MIGRATION AND ABSORBING AUTUMN BIRDING

SUN 27 SEPTEMBER – SUN 4 OCTOBER

PRICE: £1395PP SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: £130PP DEPOSIT: £300PP LEADER GERARD GORMAN, JOINED BYANOTHER FROM OUR TEAM WITH MORE THAN 7 CLIENTS.MAX 12 CLIENTS.

Our main focus on this three-centre holiday is the spectacular migration ofCommon Cranes through the Hortobagy National Park in eastern Hungary, oneof Europe’s great birding experiences. Each autumn up to 70,000 of theseelegant birds from Fenno-Scandia, the Baltic States, Poland and elsewhere innorthern Europe congregate here. We will see cranes flying to roost at dusk in vast skeins and feeding by day in cropfields. There are also special resident birds including Great Bustard, Saker Falcon, White-tailed and Eastern Imperial Eagle,eight species of woodpecker including White-backed, Middle-spotted, Grey-headed, Syrian and Black, and winter visitorssuch as Rough-legged Buzzard and Great Grey Shrike. The numerous wildfowl present should include Greater White-frontand some Tundra and Taiga Bean Geese. Eastern Hungary is a key staging area for the threatened Lesser White-frontedGoose. Other birds should include Hawfinch, Black Redstart, Rock Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper, Marsh Harrier,Penduline Tit and Dotterel. A tremendous autumn feast of birds!


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birding and wildlife holidays 2015details, airport hotels, accommodation in the destination country...

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