Birding Tour United Kingdom: Ultimate Spring Tour

United Kingdom: Ultimate Spring Tour
May 2023

The islands of the United Kingdom are situated on the northwestern fringes of the European (and Western Palearctic) region, and as such the birdlife is influenced by a range of geographical and climatic factors. This small group comprehensive tour starts in the south of England (London), finishes in Scotland (Edinburgh), and is timed during the peak of the spring migration within the United Kingdom, when breeding for a number of species also will be well underway.

A number of bird species are resident and common (and spectacular to the visiting birdwatcher or bird photographer), such as European Robin, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, European Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Wood Pigeon, Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse), Yellowhammer, Northern Lapwing, and European Green Woodpecker. We have put together a detailed  “Common Birds of the UK” blog series presenting a photographic look at the common garden, farmland and woodland, and wetland and coastal birds of the UK. These common resident and migrant species will also add great value to our tour and are sure to delight.

Eurasian Blue Tit, gorgeous and abundant in the United Kingdom.

There are a large number of rare, scarce, or very local breeding species in England, and we will target as many of these as possible during the tour, such as Bearded Reedling (Bearded Tit), Eurasian Bittern, Red Kite, European Honey Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Hobby, Garganey, European Turtle Dove, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Corncrake, Common Quail, European Nightjar, Eurasian Spoonbill, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Black Grouse, Mediterranean Gull, Little Tern, European Nightjar, Eurasian Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, Dartford Warbler, Common Nightingale, Common Kingfisher, and Common Crane.

Some birds are restricted to the Scottish Highlands and will only be possible while we are birding there, such as Scottish Crossbill (a Scottish endemic), Parrot Crossbill, Western Capercaillie, Rock Ptarmigan, breeding Red-throated Loon (Red-throated Diver), Common Loon (Great Northern Diver), Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Horned Grebe (Slavonian Grebe), Black Guillemot, Eurasian Dotterel, Snow Bunting, and European Crested Tit.

The subspecies of Willow Ptarmigan occurring in the United Kingdom is considered a separate (and endemic) species by one authority and is called Red Grouse in the United Kingdom.

As the tour will be occurring during the spring passage period our time at the coast could be interrupted by a scarce migrant such as European Bee-eater, Red-backed Shrike, or Icterine Warbler, or something altogether much rarer. Spring rarities in the United Kingdom can come from far-flung places such as the United States of America, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, or Siberia, so almost any migratory species could be on the cards!

Itinerary (18 days/17 nights)

Day 1. Arrival in London and transfer to a hotel near the airport

After our arrival in London (Heathrow) we will transfer to our hotel and gather for our group evening welcome meal together. If you would like to explore the many tourist attractions of the city of London (Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Kew Gardens, Natural History Museum, etc.) please organize an early arrival into the United Kingdom (we will not be ending the tour back in London). We can help arrange your plans if you would like to partake in any additional activities prior to the beginning of the tour.

Overnight: Heathrow Airport area, London

Day 2. Transfer to North Norfolk

We will leave the Heathrow area after breakfast and will commence our journey to North Norfolk, our base for the next four nights. Birding near London may get our lists going with some of the many exotic species present in the United Kingdom, such as Rose-ringed Parakeet, Mandarin Duck, or Egyptian Goose. We will also likely see the first of the common species that we will see over the course of our tour, such as European Robin, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, European Goldfinch, Common Wood Pigeon, and Eurasian Magpie.

On arrival in Norfolk we will likely get our birding underway at one of the many nearby birding sites described below.

Overnight: North Norfolk

European Robin is a common garden bird in the United Kingdom, and we will likely see it on most days of the tour.

Days 3 – 5. North Norfolk

We will spend three full days birding at a selection of sites around Norfolk and adjacent counties as we explore East Anglia, one of the best birding areas in the whole of the United Kingdom and great for a varied selection of restricted-range breeding birds as well as a fantastic reputation for spring passage migrants and rarities. Some of the coastal and inland reserves we will likely visit during our time in the area include Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Titchwell Marsh, RSPB Lakenheath Fen reserve, and Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) Cley Marshes, among others.

We will visit vast areas of saltmarshes, freshwater marshes, inland and coastal wetlands, and estuaries that at this time could be teeming with passage shorebirds changing color into their gorgeous breeding plumage as they head north, such as Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Temminck’s Stint, Common Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, and Dunlin, as well as an assortment of raptors such as Western Marsh Harrier and Montagu’s Harrier.

The water and its surrounding edge habitat are likely to hold a wide array of breeding ducks (e.g. Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Garganey, and Mandarin Duck) along with a mix of wading birds like Pied Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Egret, Grey Heron, and Water Rail, while reedbeds may hold Sedge Warbler, European Reed Warbler, and Bearded Reedling (Bearded Tit) and scrub may be supporting the prized Common Nightingale, Cetti’s Warbler, and Dartford Warbler.

Pied Avocet is a striking bird.

We will spend some time inland in the Brecks, where we may find breeding Eurasian Stone-curlew, Common Crane, Eurasian Bittern, Common Kingfisher, Water Rail, Woodlark, Common Firecrest, European Green Woodpecker, Northern Goshawk, Red Crossbill (Common Crossbill), Little Owl, Eurasian Hobby, Little Egret, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail), and maybe even the now-rare Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

The above is just a small selection of the birds we will encounter and places we will bird during our time in Norfolk to give some idea of what we might find.

Overnight: North Norfolk

Eurasian Stone-curlew will be a target in the Brecks.

Day 6. Transfer between North Norfolk and the city of York

This will be a travel day as we move between North Norfolk and the city of York after our final early-morning birding session in the area. York will be our base for the next four nights as we spend time birding in Yorkshire. York, the former Roman capital of the north of England, is a walled city and has some very impressive buildings, none more so than York Minster, although Clifford’s Tower and ‘the Shambles’ (an ancient street) also take some beating. We will have some time to see these areas while we are in the city. We will spend an evening (either tonight or one of the following nights) looking for a range of crepuscular or nocturnal species, such as Eurasian Nightjar, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Western Barn Owl, and Eurasian Woodcock not far from the city itself.

Overnight: York

Days 7 – 8. Yorkshire birding

We will spend two full days birding around the county of Yorkshire. We will focus our attention near our base in the farmed landscape of the Vale of York and the surrounding hills (the Chalk Wolds). This patchwork of arable and pastoral farmland (many areas managed specially for flora and fauna) interspersed with woodland and ‘common land’ forms an incredibly important mosaic of habitats, and here we may find European Turtle Dove (now regrettably a rare breeding bird in the country).

The European Turtle Dove population has crashed massively over recent years due to pressure on breeding grounds (habitat change), passage routes (hunting and trapping), and wintering areas (drought). However, we hope to find them during the tour.

Other species we will search for around York include Western Barn Owl, Western Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Common Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Common Snipe, Corn Bunting, Common Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Goldcrest, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Common Linnet, Eurasian Goldfinch, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Rook, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Common House Martin, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common Swift, Common Cuckoo, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Common Chaffinch, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

Part of the farmland in the Vale of York is a seasonally flooded wetland, and depending on water levels during the preceding winter there may be some bonus birds within the area we will be birding, such as Black-necked Grebe, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Crake, Garganey, Corncrake, Common Quail, Common Tern, or Black Tern.

Moving further from the city of York one of the must-see places on the Yorkshire Coast is Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve. Here huge and staggering sea cliffs will be packed with returning breeding seabirds like Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Razorbill, European Shag, Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, and Northern Gannet. There may even be our first chance of seeing the gorgeous (and clown-like) Atlantic Puffin, and likely European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Skua, and Peregrine Falcon will all be patrolling the sea cliffs, looking for an easy meal.

Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve is home to a large nesting colony of Northern Gannet, and great eye-level views will be possible as they fly onto and off the cliffs.

While we are at the coast we will need to keep an eye out for passage migrants; anything could turn up here at this time of year from the likes of White Stork to Eurasian Hoopoe to Eurasian Wryneck. None of these are necessarily to be expected, but with spring migration you never exactly know, and this area has a track record of rare birds turning up! However, birds like Wood Warbler, Common Redstart, and Pied Flycatcher might be more likely. We will probably also visit the rarity hotspots of Flamborough Head or Spurn Point during this time; exact locations will depend on the weather and the rarity forecast.

The moorland in Yorkshire is known for its great birding too, and here and in the nearby dales and wolds we will spend time searching for the likes of Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse), Eurasian Dotterel, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Whinchat, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Eurasian Curlew, European Stonechat, Ring Ouzel, Lesser Redpoll, Black Grouse, Short-eared Owl, and Merlin, with adjacent woodland likely to hold a wide range of migrant and resident breeders such as Wood Warbler, European Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Willow Warbler, and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Overnight: York

Day 9. Transfer between Yorkshire and Northumberland

This will be a travel day as we move between York and our next base near Alnwick, Northumberland. We will make a couple of stops along the way (there are a lot of great options) depending on what we’ve seen over the past couple of days and the rarity forecast.

Overnight: Northumberland

Day 10. Northumberland Coast

We will spend the day birding in Northumberland visiting the Farne Islands. The seabird nesting colony here will likely be a highlight of the tour with close views of breeding Atlantic Puffin, Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Razorbill, European Shag, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Northern Fulmar, as well as Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Roseate Tern, Little Tern, and Arctic Tern, which will allow excellent photography opportunities. Common Eider, Purple Sandpiper, and Ruddy Turnstone are all possible around the rocky shores of the islands too.

Overnight: Northumberland

Day 11. Northumberland to Edinburgh

We’ll have a final morning’s birding along the Northumberland Coast, where, tidal conditions permitting, we may call in at Holy Island (the mudflats here are likely to have an interesting assortment of shorebirds present, e.g. Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Common Redshank). We will then drive north once more to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital city and home to some impressive castles and historic buildings. We will pay careful attention to the latest bird news as over recent years a flock of Common Scoter has been present along this route, and they may contain the odd surprise like Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider, or something much rarer, like Black Scoter, King Eider, or White-winged Scoter.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Day 12. Edinburgh to Aviemore

We will drive north from Edinburgh to Aviemore. The farther north we get we may start noticing a different set of birds. We will likely stop at a wetland site along the way, where we may find Western Osprey, and there’s sure to be some interesting waterfowl too, maybe Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, or Greater Scaup. The shores of the wetland may support Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, or Common Greenshank at this time of year. We will arrive in Aviemore in the late afternoon and check into our hotel, which will form our base for the next five nights of the tour.

Overnight: Aviemore

Days 13 – 16. Scottish Highlands

We will have four full days exploring the Scottish Highlands. Our base is in an ideal location for finding some of the Scottish specialties, such as European Crested Tit, Scottish Crossbill, Parrot Crossbill, Horned Grebe (Slavonian Grebe), Golden Eagle, and Western Capercaillie.

We will spend a couple of days getting the most out of the local area, where other birds we might find include Black Grouse, Red-throated Loon (Red-throated Diver), European Pied Flycatcher, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, and Spotted Flycatcher.

On one of the days in the area we will visit the Cairngorms plateau, where we will look for resident Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse), Rock Ptarmigan, and freshly arrived Eurasian Dotterel as they set up their territories for breeding, and as we search for these species we may find Twite, Snow Bunting, Ring Ouzel, and Northern Wheatear. Streams lower down the mountain may also hold White-throated Dipper and Grey Wagtail.

On another day we will head west, where we will look for White-tailed Eagle, Black Guillemot, Golden Eagle, Hooded Crow, and Common Loon (Great Northern Diver) among others.

Overnight: Aviemore

A big target here will be the dainty European Crested Tit.

Day 17: Aviemore to Edinburgh

After a final morning birding around Aviemore we will have lunch and then check out of our accommodation and commence our drive back to Edinburgh, where we will have a final meal together and tackle the difficult task of selecting a “Bird of the Trip”.

Overnight: Edinburgh

We will search for Rock Ptarmigan while on the Cairngorm plateau.

Day 18: International Departure

This is a non-birding day with international departures from Edinburgh.

Overnight: Not included

Please note that the itinerary cannot be guaranteed as it is only a rough guide and can be changed (usually slightly) due to factors such as availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, roads, or birding sites, the discretion of the guides and other factors. In addition, we sometimes have to use a different international guide from the one advertised due to tour scheduling.

United Kingdom: England in Spring Custom Tour Trip Report

29 APRIL – 10 MAY 2022

By Oliver Reville

Atlantic Puffin

Overview

Our 12-day custom tour of England (which ended in southern Scotland) began on the 29^th of April 2022, in London, and concluded on the 10^th of May 2022, in Edinburgh. During the tour we visited famous birding locations like Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Minsmere Nature Reserve, Cley and Salthouse Marshes, Welney Wildfowl and Wetland Trusts (WWT) Reserve, RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and the Farne Islands National Nature Reserve. This private tour was loosely based on our United Kingdom: Ultimate Spring Tour, but at a much more relaxed pace (which meant we didn’t see as many species as we would usually expect to see), with more cultural aspects enjoyed and non-birding activities included. It also didn’t cover the section in the Highlands of Scotland where we would usually look for the Scottish specials.

A total of 147 bird species were recorded during the tour and included superb species such as King Eider, Velvet Scoter, Garganey, Black Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan (the British endemic subspecies known as Red Grouse), Eurasian Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Common Crane, Eurasian Dotterel, European Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Arctic Tern, tens of thousands of alcids (including Atlantic Puffin), Western Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Hobby, Common Nightingale, Bearded Reedling, European Pied Flycatcher, White-throated Dipper, Common Firecrest, Dartford Warbler, and Wood Warbler. The tour also featured plenty of common and attractive resident and migrant species. Species lists are given at the end of the report.

I would like to thank Bill and Jayne for their company during the tour and the great memories shared. I look forward to birding with you again soon!

This Common Nightingale gave wonderful views while belting its impressive song out.

Detailed Report

Day 1, 29^th April 2022. Arrival in London, England and transfer to Suffolk

The first day of the tour was an arrival and transfer day from London Heathrow to Westleton in Suffolk. After a three-hour drive from Heathrow airport in London, we arrived in rural eastern Suffolk to relax at our hotel. In the evening we took a short drive to look for Common Nightingale and had three birds singing, however sadly none showed well, but it was good to know that they had arrived from their African wintering grounds and we’d be sure to look for them early the following day.

While in Suffolk we enjoyed amazing views of the striking breeding-plumaged Mediterranean Gull.

Day 2, 30^th April 2022. Birding Westleton, Dunwich, Minsmere, and Hickling

Today we began early in search of the Common Nightingale once again. This time we had far more luck and enjoyed wonderful views of a singing bird. Other birds of note here included a singing Common Cuckoo and Eurasian Blackcap.

Our next stop was the scenic coastal area of Dunwich Heath. Here our target was Dartford Warbler and we enjoyed good, but distant, views of a stunning singing male. While on the heath we also found European Stonechat, Common Linnet, Garden Warbler, and Eurasian Skylark, while Common Nightingale and Woodlark were also heard here.

After breakfast it was time to head to RSPB Minsmere, one of the country’s premier birding locations. With 64 species recorded during our visit, there were plenty of highlights, however the sight of three Eurasian Bitterns flying over the reedbed was certainly the main highlight of our birding here. Notable mentions went to Mediterranean Gull, Eurasian Hobby, and Sedge Warbler.

Our final stop was over the border in Norfolk at Hickling Broad Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT). Here we enjoyed good views of a stunning Black-winged Stilt and a drake Garganey, plus other species such as Common Crane, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, and European Robin. After a long day we arrived at our hotel on the Norfolk coast, our base for the next few nights.

Day 3, 1^st May 2022. Birding Titchwell and Burnham Norton

This morning we visited RSPB Titchwell, yet another principal birding reserve. With beautiful weather we were able to enjoy species such as Common Pochard, Stock Dove, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, and Western Marsh Harrier. However, with 55 species recorded here there were plenty of other highlights.

After lunch we visited the far lesser-known Burnham Norton marsh. Despite the lack of spring rain leaving the area quite dry, we were able to enjoy good views of Brant (Dark-bellied Brent) Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Pied Avocet, Great Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Bearded Reedling – an exciting monotypic family and attractive species.

While in Norfolk we enjoyed fabulous views of Common Reed Bunting.

Day 4, 2^nd May 2022. Birding Burnham Overy, Blakeney, Cley, Salthouse, and Ringstead

We started today with a walk at Burnham Overy dunes. Lovely weather greeted us again and during our walk we enjoyed species like Common Pochard, Grey Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sedge Warbler, and Common Reed Bunting. After a short break we headed to the famous east bank at Cley. Many of the species we had seen previously were present here, but we also recorded Eurasian Wigeon, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, and Common Snipe which were new for the trip. We also enjoyed good views of Common Redshank, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Bearded Reedling.

After lunch we took a long walk to Kelling Water Meadows from Salthouse, where we recorded 38 species, including Tufted Duck, Eurasian Whimbrel, Rook, Sand Martin, and Common Whitethroat.

Our final birding of the day was a spontaneous stop near the village of Ringstead. Despite the cold wind we enjoyed distant views of Eurasian Dotterel, a great surprise to end a productive birding day.    

Sedge Warblers were abundant in all suitable habitat during the tour and were extremely vocal on their return to breeding sites after spending the winter in Africa.

Day 5, 3^rd May 2022. Birding Thornham, Snettisham, and Hunstanton

Our final day on the north Norfolk coast started at Thornham Harbour. Shortly after parking the car, we enjoyed close views of Northern Wheatear and, while walking the sea wall, we found some stunning Ruff molting into breeding plumage. In the harbor itself were Grey Plover and Eurasian Curlew.  Our next stop was the very productive Snettisham Coastal Park. Here we enjoyed a number of species including Tufted Duck, Eurasian Whimbrel, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, and Meadow Pipit. A distant Common Swift was our first of the tour, but sadly at very long range (these are usually one of the last summer migrants to arrive back in the UK each year).

After lunch we walked the beach at Hunstanton and enjoyed great views of Northern Fulmar as they soared overhead and interacted on the cliffs at their nest sites.

Day 6, 4^th May 2022. Birding Welney, Lynford, and Santon Downham

Leaving the Norfolk coast behind we headed into the fens to explore the famous Welney WWT Reserve. We enjoyed a productive morning here with some standout scarce species like Western Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis. A good number of Whooper Swan remained at the reserve and also here were Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Tern, Great Egret, Lesser Whitethroat, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

After lunch we headed into Thetford Forest to Lynford Arboretum. Here we enjoyed brief views of Common Firecrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Garden Warbler, as the weather closed in. Dodging the rain, our final birding location was Santon Downham. Sadly, we could not locate the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in poor weather, but did see Great Spotted Woodpecker and heard Eurasian Siskin and Red (Common) Crossbill.

Day 7, 5^th May 2022. Bike ride, transfer to Yorkshire

Today was mainly a non-birding and travel day. In the morning Bill and Jayne took a bike ride in Thetford Forest. After lunch we began our journey to Yorkshire.

The massive cliffs at Bempton gave us amazing views of breeding Razorbill.

Day 8, 6^th May 2022. Birding Bempton Cliffs and the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

After yesterday’s travel day we were itching to get back out birding. To begin, we headed to the world-famous Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve. This amazing seabird colony gave us sensational views of Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, European Herring Gull, Northern Fulmar, and Northern Gannet. We also had distant views of Corn Bunting and enjoyed close views of Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

After lunch we headed into the North Yorkshire Moors. A random stop in Forge Valley Woods gave us our first Tawny Owl, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, and Eurasian Nuthatch of the tour. Following this we visited a well-known site for European Turtle Dove, sadly none were present, but we did add Yellowhammer to our trip list.

With the weather closing in we headed onto the moors. To our surprise they were a hive of activity with Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse), European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Western Marsh Harrier, Mistle Thrush, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, and Tree Pipit all present.

This female European Pied Flycatcher gave us prolonged views at close range in the stunning Derwent Gorge.

Day 9, 7^th May 2022. Birding North Yorkshire Moors, Saltholme RSPB, and the North Pennines

Today we would leave Yorkshire. Before doing so, we stopped in some woodland on the west side of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, where we found, to our surprise, a pair of Mandarin Duck, an unexpected find. Also here were Stock Dove, Common Cuckoo, Mistle Thrush, and other common woodland species.

We headed next to Saltholme RSPB reserve. The site was busy with bird life, and we enjoyed good views of two drake Garganey as well as Common Pochard, Pied Avocet, Sedge Warbler, and other typical wetland species.

As we headed into the Pennines the sun emerged and we took a pleasant walk into Derwent Gorge. Here we enjoyed fantastic views of European Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler, plus added Eurasian Treecreeper and Grey Wagtail to our list.

Finally, we explored the moors near Langdon Beck which again were busy with birds, including Black Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse), Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, and Tree Pipit.

European Golden Plovers were one of many highlights of our brief time on the moors.

Day 10, 8^th May 2022. Birding Langdon Beck, Farne Islands boat trip, and Holy Island

Today we headed further north into Northumberland towards the famous Farne Islands. Once again, we passed through the Langdon Beck area, where we recorded eight more Black Grouse and had great views of European Golden Plover.

We arrived at Seahouses in the late morning to catch the boat to the Farne Islands. A blustery but enjoyable three hours was spent among the huge seabird colonies that populate the islands. We had excellent close-range looks at Common Murre (Common Guillemot), Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, European Shag, and Common Eider.

After lunch we took a short drive to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) where Bill and Jayne took a walk around the village on the island.

This first-summer King Eider provided us with yet another highlight from our enjoyable tour.

Day 11, 9^th May 2022. Bamburgh Castle and birding Mussleburgh Pools

Our final full day saw us explore the wonderful Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. A striking location full of relicts and monuments, emphasizing the rich history of the area. We also got to enjoy great views of Northern Fulmar nesting on the castle keep.

After lunch we left England and crossed the border into Scotland where we headed to Mussleburgh Pools to the east of Edinburgh. On the sea here we enjoyed great views of a first-summer drake King Eider, with a small group of Common Eiders. Further out a large raft of Common Scoters held a small number of Velvet Scoters, while Northern Gannet fished close to the shore.

On the freshwater pools of the site, the typical common wetland species were present including Common Shelduck, Common Redshank, and Gadwall, while a purpose-built Sand Martin colony held a good number of breeding birds.

Our final stop of the day, and the tour, was the River Esk on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Walking the riverside path we enjoyed great views of a juvenile White-throated Dipper, which was feeding in the rocks of the fast-flowing river. An amazing way to end the tour.

Day 12, 10^th May 2022. International departure from Edinburgh, Scotland    

The tour concluded with an early flight from Edinburgh airport.

Please see the downloadable PDF above with the full species lists included. This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.

UNITED KINGDOM: ULTIMATE SPRING TOUR  

TOUR-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED KINGDOM CAN BE READ HERE

TOUR OUTLINE

This small group, set departure United Kingdom (UK) spring tour will start in London (Heathrow), England and end in Edinburgh, Scotland. The tour is timed during the peak of the spring migration within the UK and when breeding for a number of species will also be well underway. This comprehensive tour will connect with a wide range of rare and localized breeding species and will spend time focusing on the famed “Scottish Specials”, species not found further south in England, such as Golden Eagle, Rock Ptarmigan, Western Capercaillie, European Crested Tit, and Scottish Crossbill.

WEATHER/CLIMATE   

Spring is generally a calm, cool season, particularly because the Atlantic has lost much of its heat throughout the autumn and winter period. As the sun rises higher in the sky and the days get longer, temperatures slowly rise, but the solar effect is mitigated by the effect of the cool ocean waters and westerly winds that blow across them. The average nighttime temperature in the UK in spring is 44 °F (7 °C), with the daytime temperature average of 60 °F (16 °C). We will be making several early morning starts, visiting northern latitudes, and spending some time at higher elevations on this tour, so we will likely experience a wide range of temperatures (see more below).

DAILY ACTIVITIES, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND TOUR PACE

This tour covers a large part of the eastern UK and is at a faster pace than some of our other tours, for example our United Kingdom: England in Winter Tour is a slower-paced and less intensive birdwatching tour, with a different set of birds possible.

During this spring tour, sunrise will be around 05:00hrs and sunset around 21:30hrs, the tour will require some early starts and late finishes to our days in the field.

Most of the English leg of the tour is spent in the lowlands and at sea-level, though we will spend time in higher elevations, but these elevations are still rather low and are unlikely to provide any constraints to anyone. We will venture to higher ground (around 3,300 feet / 1,000m) when birding in the Scottish Highlands, potentially a little higher, briefly.

Much of our birding will be undertaken at established nature reserves, such as those managed and operated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and regional wildlife trusts and organizations, such as Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and Northumberland Wildlife Trust in England, among others, such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Most of the reserves we visit have good facilities, such as trail networks, viewing blinds (hides), and visitor centers often (including gift shops and cafes) though we will also be walking on rough tracks at times. Please note that the further north we go (such as when birding in Scotland), we will be spending more time on rougher tracks and will spend time walking some hills, though we will go at a pace suitable for everyone in the group.

The nature reserves we visit often allow great views of many species and can also offer good photographic opportunities, though please note that this set departure tour is not designed as a photographic tour, if you would like a custom photography tour for you or a group of friends, please let us know, as we can put together something specific for you.

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

There are no domestic flights included in this tour. Note the tour starts in London (Heathrow), England and ends in Edinburgh, Scotland.

ACCOMMODATION

We will be staying in comfortable bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodation for most of the tour, with the exception of the beginning/end of the tour when we overnight in a hotel in London/Edinburgh. All accommodation has private rooms and bathroom facilities.

WHAT TO BRING: CLOTHING

In addition to the clothing mentioned in the general information document, a ‘midge net hat’ is recommended for when we are birding in Scotland. Although this tour takes place in late-spring, suitable clothing for cool mornings and evenings is recommended and rain should be expected at any time, so good waterproof clothing is necessary. Sturdy walking boots are recommended for this tour.

WHAT TO BRING: OTHER ITEMS

A walking/hiking stick will be useful for walking in some areas on this tour, such as when in Scotland.

United Kingdom General Information

Download UK: Ultimate Spring Tour Information

‘England in Spring is the fifth tour I’ve done with BE, and this one was up to your usual standards. With Oli as the guide, we saw all the hotspots, and his expertise with the birds and habitats was impeccable. The lodgings were fascinating, as was the driving time, seeing the beautiful character of the English countryside. This is a wonderful tour of the UK during spring migration.’

William