Holiday lets (5 Viewers)

[birdthing]

Has anyone got any advice on holiday lets in Scotland anywhere thats good for birding and photography where there are likely to see Eagles and or crested tits lots of wildlife

 

[delia todd]

Hi BT

Do some research on the Grantown-on-Spey area, Anywhere from the Newtonmore to Carbridge area on Speyside, for Eagles, Cresties and loads more: HERE'S a list of sites in the Cairngorms National Park which you could look at for more information. Loch Garten is the main place to see the Crested Tit in Scotland really.

Also consider the Isle of Mull; no Crested Tits there, but loads of eagles and other Scottish specialities. Here's our Opus article on the Island and if you've not been it's a must : https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Isle_of_Mull

I'm sure others will be along with more information for you too.

 

[earthdragon64]

Agree with what Delia has said, also Islay in late autumn/early winter is great, no Crested Tits, but both Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Barnacle Geese, White-fronted Geese, Choughs etc.

 

[delia todd]

Agree with Audrey on that one too. Here's our article on the island: https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Islay

I've been twice, once in October (shirt-sleeve weather) and again at Easter (with a group of Birdforum Members). Loads of birds to see there, October, particularly, is noted for the influx of White-fronted Geese.

 

[birdthing]

Thank you im looking in to a visit what would be the best time of year would you say

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

I really enjoy staying in Nethybridge. Great base. Mull is actually doable in a day but a bit of a slog. Some superb places on your doorstep. Lovely walks from Nethy itself.

Gordon’s (Hamlett) book will point you in the right direction. I pack it every time I visit the area.

Rich

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

I prefer Winter personally but closely followed by Spring. On Mull it would be the other way round.

Rich

 

[earthdragon64]

For Speyside, late winter/early spring is probably best for seeing Crested Tits which are less visible later in spring, but not impossible. For everything else, late spring as there will still be some winter visitors about with some of the earlier summer visitors arriving as well.

 

[delia todd]

Yes, I love the Spring, with the winter visitors still here and the summer ones arriving. May/June you can bird for 18 hours a day (or more if you want LOL), it hardly gets dark!

 

[Mono]

This place is great.

The Woodman's Hut, Eco Hut, near Aviemore, Cairngorm National Park, Scotland.

This award winning off grid hut is the ideal place for couples to slow down; enjoy the elemental comforts of breathtaking views, good food and fine company.

www.lazyduck.co.uk

Lie in bed and watch red squirrels

 

[jpoyner]

Thank you im looking in to a visit what would be the best time of year would you say

Always a difficult question as depends on what you really want to see. Everyone comes spring though that is the hardest time to see Crested Tits for example which are far easier in late autumn winter. Long summer days can make looking for Eagles harder, far easier again in winter with shorter days. Summer plumaged Divers and Slavonian Grebes any time during summer, though be aware there are periods when nesting they become more elusive.

We are trying to discourage ANY searching for Capercaillie now in Spring and summer and encourage birders to only try for this species in Autumn and winter.

Grantown on Spey and surrounding villages are ideal bases with ample accommodation.

 

[burnie]

I would say that to see Crested Tits you would be in areas that are perhaps not the best areas to have a very good chance of seeing Eagles, there is more chance seeing Eagles to the west of Scotland, especially on the islands. Islay has been mentioned as venue to see Eagles and I have seen Goldens there, I have found Lewis and Harris or Mull or Skye as better destinations to see both Golden and White tailed Eagles. There are Golden and White tailed Eagles in the Highlands/Cairngorms, but they are less often seen, I saw Eagles every day on Lewis, I don't see Eagles every month in the Cairngorms, sadly I think this is linked to disturbance on the shooting estates in the east.

 

[wolfbirder]

It is a number of years since I went there, but places like Otter Lodge at Glenmore, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. In April and then in September we had great views of Golden Eagles, and easy to do Mull on a day trip from there via the ferry. April was spectacular for summer-plumage divers on the mainland and on Mull.