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Cudyll Bach · Monday 3rd March 2008, 11:58

I have managed to book a Sun holiday at Craig Tara in Ayrshire starting on the 26th of May until the 30th of May. We then move to the Portsonachan Hotel on the banks of Loch Awe on the 30th. Can anyone tell me what sort of birding I can expect at the two locations? What, if any, Scottish specialities would I possibly find?

Capercaillie71 · Monday 3rd March 2008, 12:43

I'm not sure about Scottish specialities, but there are a number of nice spots around loch awe. Dalavich oak wood is worth a visit, although one of the specialities there is Pied Flycatcher, which you probably have plenty of in Wales. Ospreys breed in the vicinity, and fish on Loch Awe.

These links may help:

http://s115507184.websitehome.co.uk/

http://argyllbirdclub.org/

Cudyll Bach · Thursday 6th March 2008, 13:56

Thanks Capercaille, the forest sounds great. I had no Pied Flycatchers in my local woodland last year so they would be nice to see.

McMadd · Saturday 8th March 2008, 08:59

If you are mobile whilst there...RSPB Woods of Cree reserve in Dumf & Gall is worth a look too

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guid...cree/index.asp

**delia todd** · Saturday 8th March 2008, 09:09

I can't help with the Ayrshire bit but you may also find some ideas in this trip report from a couple of years ago.

D

Cudyll Bach · Sunday 9th March 2008, 10:06

Thank you both. I liked your trip report Delia, how long is the drive from Portsonachan to Oban? Is a visit to Mull (or any of the other islands) feasible from Portsonachan?

**delia todd** · Sunday 9th March 2008, 10:38

Portsonachan to Oban will be less than an hour (if you don't keep stopping to look at the views

) so a trip to Mull (and Iona) is certainly feasible - check the Calmac site for ferry times.

The wildlife tour companies pick you up off the ferry which would maximise your chances of seeing your target species and save you the expense of taking the car over - you're not likely to go to Iona with them though. You'll get info about them on the Mull Birds site - they're all good so no need to worry which one to pick.

Arran would also be feasible too.

Islay is possible, I suppose, but you'd need to check the ferry timings to see whether you'd have long enough to make the trip worthwhile.

D

Cudyll Bach · Monday 10th March 2008, 07:49

Many thanks again Delia. I am aware of the potential of Mull for birding/wildlife watching but what species could I expect on Islay? How long does the Lagavulin distillery tour take?

Capercaillie71 · Monday 10th March 2008, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cudyll Bach

what species could I expect on Islay?

At that time of year, Chough, Corncrake (also possible on Iona), Golden eagle, Hen harrier.

http://www.islaybirding.co.uk/index.asp

http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/lagavulin

**delia todd** · Monday 10th March 2008, 09:39

Take a look at this site we went out for the day with Jeremy in October a few years ago and it was excellent.

I went there for the Whitefronts and Chough

but otherwise the species would probably be similar to Mull I think. You could send a PM to Andrew Whitehouse - he lived there for a while I think.

LOL no idea how long a distillery tour takes, maybe one of the sites could tell you - I've only done the littlest one at Pitlochry and that took about an hour I suppose.

D

Monday 3rd March 2008, 11:58	#1
Cudyll Bach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Wales Posts: 732 My location	Scotland May 26th - June 2nd I have managed to book a Sun holiday at Craig Tara in Ayrshire starting on the 26th of May until the 30th of May. We then move to the Portsonachan Hotel on the banks of Loch Awe on the 30th. Can anyone tell me what sort of birding I can expect at the two locations? What, if any, Scottish specialities would I possibly find? __________________ The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Thursday 6th March 2008, 13:56	#3
Cudyll Bach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Wales Posts: 732 My location	Thanks Capercaille, the forest sounds great. I had no Pied Flycatchers in my local woodland last year so they would be nice to see. __________________ The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Saturday 8th March 2008, 09:09	#5
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 90,237 My location	I can't help with the Ayrshire bit but you may also find some ideas in this trip report from a couple of years ago. D __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Sunday 9th March 2008, 10:06	#6
Cudyll Bach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Wales Posts: 732 My location	Thank you both. I liked your trip report Delia, how long is the drive from Portsonachan to Oban? Is a visit to Mull (or any of the other islands) feasible from Portsonachan? __________________ The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Sunday 9th March 2008, 10:38	#7
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 90,237 My location	Portsonachan to Oban will be less than an hour (if you don't keep stopping to look at the views ) so a trip to Mull (and Iona) is certainly feasible - check the Calmac site for ferry times. The wildlife tour companies pick you up off the ferry which would maximise your chances of seeing your target species and save you the expense of taking the car over - you're not likely to go to Iona with them though. You'll get info about them on the Mull Birds site - they're all good so no need to worry which one to pick. Arran would also be feasible too. Islay is possible, I suppose, but you'd need to check the ferry timings to see whether you'd have long enough to make the trip worthwhile. D __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
	Click here to Support BirdForum

Monday 3rd March 2008, 12:43	#2
Capercaillie71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Deeside, Aberdeenshire Posts: 3,040 My location	I'm not sure about Scottish specialities, but there are a number of nice spots around loch awe. Dalavich oak wood is worth a visit, although one of the specialities there is Pied Flycatcher, which you probably have plenty of in Wales. Ospreys breed in the vicinity, and fish on Loch Awe. These links may help: http://s115507184.websitehome.co.uk/ http://argyllbirdclub.org/

Saturday 8th March 2008, 08:59	#4
McMadd groovin' on the 35th floor... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shanghai Posts: 1,416 My location	If you are mobile whilst there...RSPB Woods of Cree reserve in Dumf & Gall is worth a look too http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guid...cree/index.asp

Monday 10th March 2008, 07:49	#8
Cudyll Bach Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Wales Posts: 732 My location	Many thanks again Delia. I am aware of the potential of Mull for birding/wildlife watching but what species could I expect on Islay? How long does the Lagavulin distillery tour take? __________________ The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

Monday 10th March 2008, 09:39	#10
delia todd Moderator but.......If I say the wrong thing put it down to Senior Moments Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Perthshire Posts: 90,237 My location	Take a look at this site we went out for the day with Jeremy in October a few years ago and it was excellent. I went there for the Whitefronts and Chough but otherwise the species would probably be similar to Mull I think. You could send a PM to Andrew Whitehouse - he lived there for a while I think. LOL no idea how long a distillery tour takes, maybe one of the sites could tell you - I've only done the littlest one at Pitlochry and that took about an hour I suppose. D __________________ In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed 2006 63, 2007 52, 2008 46, 2009 32, 2010 31, 2011 27 Total 81 Latest Patch tick: Magpie The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates
	Click here to Support BirdForum

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