Scotland - Shetland and Orkney Islands 2023

      Aberdeen, UK

      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews
      May 31 - Jun 11, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 10
      Scotland - Shetland and Orkney Islands 2023
      Aberdeen, UK

      Ventures Birding Tours
      • Email address verified
      85 reviews

      May 31 - Jun 11, 2023
      Group size: 5 - 10

      About this trip

      These beautiful archipelagos in Scotland's far north have always been synonymous with history and nature. They are places of open skies, empty beaches and rugged coastlines that enjoy almost twenty-four hour daylight during the summer months. Due to their strategic positions, these islands have been settled since before the Neolithic period, with many important archaeological sites dotting the landscape. Due to the lack of trees and use of durable stone for building, it is believed that there are on average, three archaeological sites per square mile on Orkney alone. We aim to explore many iconic sites including Skara Brae; a Neolithic village uncovered unexpectedly in a storm back in 1850. 


      Both island groups are a birder’s paradise and are often rated as THE best places to birdwatch in the whole of Britain. This title is well deserved with plenty to see, especially in spring and fall. June and July are the best months to visit when the many seabird colonies are busiest with activity. 21 of the 24 true British seabirds nest on the islands with important populations that include Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Common Murre, Arctic Tern, Great Skua, Black-legged Kittiwake, Parasitic Jaeger and both European and Leach’s Storm-Petrels. The island’s interior moorlands and wetlands are equally good and support Merlin, Red-throated Loon, Whimbrel, European Golden-plover, Red-necked Phalarope, Common Greenshank, Eurasian Wigeon, Short-eared Owl, and in the cultivated areas, the secretive Corncrake. 

      Another area we’ll focus on are the marine mammals, as diversity and observation rate in the region is high. Species seen regularly around the islands include European Otter, Orca, Minke Whale, White-beaked and Risso’s Dolphins, plus Short-beaked Common Dolphin and Pilot Whale. Diversity that makes a watch from a headland or two an exciting prospect even in bad weather.

      We have chosen the first two weeks in June in order to combine the breeding specialties with the best chance of encountering overshooting migrants and rarities that regularly include Bluethroat, Wryneck, red-backed Shrike, Common Rosefinch, Marsh and Icterine Warbler, Golden Oriole, and Ortolan Bunting. High pressure combined with anticyclonic conditions are best, so as to cause northbound migrants to drift westwards towards the islands. The rarities discovered during this period are legendary with Red-footed Falcon, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-throated Pipit, Rustic Bunting, Thrush Nightingale, Great Reed, Subalpine and Greenish Warblers all making it onto the island’s long bird list.  


      It is with a spirit of adventure we start our trip in Aberdeen with an evening ferry journey to Kirkwall on Orkney. We aim to visit many of the historic sites in the three full day’s allocation, with priority given to Skara Brae, Maes Howe, St Magnus Cathedral, The Standing Stones of Stenness and The Ring of Brodgar. Avian specialties we will search for include Corncrake, Twite, Hen Harrier as well as seabirds and cetaceans. We will be based in the charming historic city of Kirkwall during our stay on Orkney, and it is from here that we commence our onward ferry journey to Shetland.


      It is from Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, that we start our second and longer leg of the trip. Once landing, we initially journey south to visit the southern mainland for seabirds and migrants, but quickly head back north to Lerwick, and the islands of Bressay, Noss, Yell, Fetlar and finally Unst, the most northerly island in Britain. Seabirds and passage migrants/vagrants will be the focus of this tour, but also the many cetaceans and other mammals encountered around the islands. Highlights will include a night time visit to Mousa Broch and its famous colony of European Storm- petrels, the boat trip around Bressay and Noss for the incredible seabird colonies and the rare privilege to visit Fetlar for a taste of some sub-arctic species such as breeding Whimbrel, Red-necked Phalarope and Parasitic Jaeger.  


      This is a wonderful opportunity to venture to Scotland’s far north, a small piece of land on the edge of the wider Arctic. The wildlife, history and culture of this region are not to be missed. 

      What’s included

      • Food
      • Accommodation
      • Ground transportation
      • Guide services

      What’s not included

      • International flights
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Laundry
      • Gratuities
      • Items of personal nature

      Available Packages

      Double Occupancy

      Room-sharing

      $5,875
      Deposit: $400
      Single Traveler

      For those wanting their own room

      $6,550
      Deposit: $400


      Your Organizer


      VB
      Ventures Birding Tours
      85 reviews
      Small travel company based in Asheville, NC, specializing in birding & nature tours both locally & worldwide.

      Reviews

      MC
      Great trip. Vicky knows her ducks and other waterbirds and where to find them. We look forward to more trips with her as a guide
      By Mike C for Duck Day in Asheville on Feb 13, 2024
      The trip was very enjoyable, in spite of the cold weather. Michael Werndley is a great guide and fun to be with. The main attraction was the chance to see up to ten species of owls, many of which can often be seen after migrating down from more northern areas in Canada. The group saw a Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl, Barred Owl, and (the major attraction) two impressive Great Gray Owls! Other local species included Snow Buntings, Common and Hoary Redpolls, a Northern Shrike, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeaks, Golden Eye, numerous Bald Eagles, and a Merlin (sitting atop our hotel in Minneapolis). In addition, the group saw many winter species common to our own area. An unexpected treat was the sight of three wolves totting along the frozen harbor shoreline in Duluth! A great time was had by all!
      By Peter H for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 05, 2024
      Weather was a lot better than I anticipated, but even if it had been exceptionally cold, this trip is definitely worth it. To see the snow-covered landscape scenes, the beauty of the Black Spruce trees, all the native habitat for the Great Gray Owl, was an exciting and enjoyable experience. The food choices were fantastic as were the views of Lake Superior. Dress warmly and go for it!
      By Shirley A for Northern Minnesota 2024 - Owls & Winter Finches on Feb 04, 2024
      This was our second trip with Keith Watson and it was very special - he is wonderful to bird with, and to just be with. Our group was small and it made the trip that much more meaningful. We saw beautiful places, beautiful birds, and had lots of good food and good company. We had difficult weather at times and Keith was able to keep our spirits up and make it feel adventurous rather than adverse. Very grateful.
      By RHONDA B for Cranes Galore at Hiwassee on Feb 03, 2024
      This was a uniquely wonderful birding trip. Great group and great birding, with fantastic local guide, Sean, and always wonderful, Simon Thompson. We had our own chefs, one of whom traveled with us, with wonderful food and some Suriname local food. The Surinamese people were warm and welcoming. Fantastic trip!1
      By Toni M for Suriname 2023 on Dec 15, 2023
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