BRITISH ISLES
April 25 - May 10, 2016
16 Days / 15 Nights
$4695 double occupancy PRICE REDUCTION!!
$975 single supplement
Price shown is for a group of 7-8; surcharge will apply for smaller groups.
Amount of surcharge will be dependent on exchange rate at time of payment.
April 25: Arrive at Heathrow Airport in London and drive north into Suffolk.
Overnight at The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham.
April 26: Today we'll bird in the Minsmere area. This is a ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with a variety of habitats including meadows, woodland, heathland, reedbeds, lagoons and shingle beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Tern, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Woodlark, Bearded Tit and Reed, Sedge, Grasshopper, Cetti’s and Dartford Warblers. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at The Bell Hotel.
April 27: We'll begin our morning birding at Cavenham Heath. This small area of heathland is a National Nature Reserve and a good site for Stone Curlew, Woodlark and Green Woodpecker. Later, we'll explore Lakenheath Nature Reserve, a fairly new RSPB reserve with a poplar plantation, river, pools and reedbeds. Breeding specialities include Common Crane, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Cuckoo, Bearded Tit, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting and Golden Oriole, though this is now very scarce.
Overnight at Wensum Lodge Hotel, Fakenham.
April 28: Cley is a very famous reserve with reedbeds, lagoons and shingle beach, owned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Reed and Sedge Warblers. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Temminck’s Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Little Gull and Black Tern. From Cley we'll travel to Titchwell, another ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with lagoons, reedbeds, saltmarsh and sandy beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Gull and Black Tern.
Overnight at Wensum Lodge.
April 29: Snettisham is another RSPB reserve that has farmland, coastal lagoons, saltmarsh, mud flats and shingle beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Red-legged Partridge, Common Tern and Barn Owl. Late winter visitors could include Brent and Pink-footed Geese, Knot and Grey Plover. We should also have time to visit Sandrigham, a royal estate of pinewoods and heathland that is inhabited by Golden Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Crossbill.
Overnight at The Old Pheasant, Glaston.
April 30: Rutland Water is a large reservoir with adjacent lagoons, farmland and woodland. Breeding specialities include Great Crested and Little Grebes, Osprey, Shelduck, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at The Grange Hotel, Newark.
May 1: Potteric Carr is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve with lagoons, reedbeds and woodland. The rare Black-necked Grebe occasionally breeds here along with Great Crested and Little Grebes, Little Ringed Plover, Kingfisher, Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Willow Tit and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Shelduck, Garganey, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at Parsonage Country House Hotel near York.
May 2: Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB reserve featuring steep cliffs which attract the largest colony of Gannets in mainland Britain, along with thousands of Guillemots and Kittiwakes, amongst which we can also find Fulmars, Razorbills and Puffins. The adjacent farmland attracts Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Tree Sparrow and the increasingly rare Corn Bunting. There may be time this afternoon to visit the historic city of York.
Overnight at the Parsonage.
May 3: Pendle Hill is an ‘island’ of moorland is a regular spring staging post for Dotterel, while breeding birds can include Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Dipper and Twite.
Overnight at The Mill at Conder Green near Lancaster.
May 4: Today we'll visit Leighton Moss, another ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with farmland, reedbeds and pools. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Cuckoo, Marsh and Bearded Tits, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Gull and Black Tern.
Overnight at The Teesdale Hotel, Middleton in Teesdale.
May 5: We begin with a search for local specialities such as displaying Black Grouse plus Ring Ouzel, Dipper and Pied Flycatcher before driving north of the border to catch the ferry from Oban to Mull.
Overnight at The Isle of Mull Hotel.
May 6: Mull is a large island with mountains, moorland, woodland, farmland, estuaries and rocky shores. Breeding specialities include Red-throated Diver, Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Guillemot, Rock, Meadow and Tree Pipits, Stonechat, Whinchat, Redstart, Lesser Redpoll, Hooded Crow and Raven. Offshore we may find Great Northern Diver. We will also visit a tiny island off the west coast of Mull called Iona, a breeding site for the rare Corncrake.
Overnight Isle of Mull.
May 7: We will take a boat trip from Mull to Treshnish Islands today. These small islands allow close encounters with breeding seabirds such as Shag, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin and Kittiwake. Other breeders include Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Twite.
Overnight Isle of Mull.
May 8: We will return to Oban by ferry and drive to the Cairngorms. This mountain range has moorland and native Caledonian Pine forest with breeding specialities like Red and Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Goldeneye, Redstart, Crested Tit, Siskin, Scottish Crossbill and the very rare Capercaillie.
Overnight at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey.
May 9: We will spend our last day of birding in the Loch Garten area in search of the local breeding specialties.
Overnight at Grant Arms.
May 10: Drive to Inverness Airport for domestic flight to Heathrow. Transfer to international flight back to the U.S.
The price INCLUDES:
- Lodging
- Breakfasts and dinners during tour - Dinner on April 25 through breakfast on May 10
- Expert local birding guide
- Private transportation during tour
- Treshnish Isles boat trip
- Transfers to and from airport
The price does NOT include:
- International airfare
- Internal airfare
- Lunches
- Entry fees to reserves in itinerary
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature, such as extra drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Deposit of $900 with registration (link for registration form is at the bottom of this page). Balance is due on or before December 25, 2015.
Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and mailed with the registration form to:
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation must be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit
Between 4 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 4 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be
given only if the vacant spot is filled.
Trip insurance is recommended.
You can compare prices and coverage offered by various trip insurance companies at this website:
http://www.quotewright.com/?sub_id=6056
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity. Lodging is subject to change based on availability.
Overnight at The Bell Hotel, Saxmundham.
April 26: Today we'll bird in the Minsmere area. This is a ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with a variety of habitats including meadows, woodland, heathland, reedbeds, lagoons and shingle beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Little Tern, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Woodlark, Bearded Tit and Reed, Sedge, Grasshopper, Cetti’s and Dartford Warblers. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at The Bell Hotel.
April 27: We'll begin our morning birding at Cavenham Heath. This small area of heathland is a National Nature Reserve and a good site for Stone Curlew, Woodlark and Green Woodpecker. Later, we'll explore Lakenheath Nature Reserve, a fairly new RSPB reserve with a poplar plantation, river, pools and reedbeds. Breeding specialities include Common Crane, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Cuckoo, Bearded Tit, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Bunting and Golden Oriole, though this is now very scarce.
Overnight at Wensum Lodge Hotel, Fakenham.
April 28: Cley is a very famous reserve with reedbeds, lagoons and shingle beach, owned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Reed and Sedge Warblers. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Temminck’s Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Little Gull and Black Tern. From Cley we'll travel to Titchwell, another ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with lagoons, reedbeds, saltmarsh and sandy beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Gull and Black Tern.
Overnight at Wensum Lodge.
April 29: Snettisham is another RSPB reserve that has farmland, coastal lagoons, saltmarsh, mud flats and shingle beach. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Red-legged Partridge, Common Tern and Barn Owl. Late winter visitors could include Brent and Pink-footed Geese, Knot and Grey Plover. We should also have time to visit Sandrigham, a royal estate of pinewoods and heathland that is inhabited by Golden Pheasant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Crossbill.
Overnight at The Old Pheasant, Glaston.
April 30: Rutland Water is a large reservoir with adjacent lagoons, farmland and woodland. Breeding specialities include Great Crested and Little Grebes, Osprey, Shelduck, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Little Stint, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at The Grange Hotel, Newark.
May 1: Potteric Carr is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve with lagoons, reedbeds and woodland. The rare Black-necked Grebe occasionally breeds here along with Great Crested and Little Grebes, Little Ringed Plover, Kingfisher, Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Willow Tit and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Shelduck, Garganey, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.
Overnight at Parsonage Country House Hotel near York.
May 2: Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB reserve featuring steep cliffs which attract the largest colony of Gannets in mainland Britain, along with thousands of Guillemots and Kittiwakes, amongst which we can also find Fulmars, Razorbills and Puffins. The adjacent farmland attracts Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Tree Sparrow and the increasingly rare Corn Bunting. There may be time this afternoon to visit the historic city of York.
Overnight at the Parsonage.
May 3: Pendle Hill is an ‘island’ of moorland is a regular spring staging post for Dotterel, while breeding birds can include Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Dipper and Twite.
Overnight at The Mill at Conder Green near Lancaster.
May 4: Today we'll visit Leighton Moss, another ‘flagship’ RSPB reserve with farmland, reedbeds and pools. Breeding specialities include Avocet, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Cuckoo, Marsh and Bearded Tits, Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Bunting. In spring a variety of migrants can occur such as Spoonbill, Garganey, Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Gull and Black Tern.
Overnight at The Teesdale Hotel, Middleton in Teesdale.
May 5: We begin with a search for local specialities such as displaying Black Grouse plus Ring Ouzel, Dipper and Pied Flycatcher before driving north of the border to catch the ferry from Oban to Mull.
Overnight at The Isle of Mull Hotel.
May 6: Mull is a large island with mountains, moorland, woodland, farmland, estuaries and rocky shores. Breeding specialities include Red-throated Diver, Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Black Guillemot, Rock, Meadow and Tree Pipits, Stonechat, Whinchat, Redstart, Lesser Redpoll, Hooded Crow and Raven. Offshore we may find Great Northern Diver. We will also visit a tiny island off the west coast of Mull called Iona, a breeding site for the rare Corncrake.
Overnight Isle of Mull.
May 7: We will take a boat trip from Mull to Treshnish Islands today. These small islands allow close encounters with breeding seabirds such as Shag, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin and Kittiwake. Other breeders include Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Twite.
Overnight Isle of Mull.
May 8: We will return to Oban by ferry and drive to the Cairngorms. This mountain range has moorland and native Caledonian Pine forest with breeding specialities like Red and Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Goldeneye, Redstart, Crested Tit, Siskin, Scottish Crossbill and the very rare Capercaillie.
Overnight at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey.
May 9: We will spend our last day of birding in the Loch Garten area in search of the local breeding specialties.
Overnight at Grant Arms.
May 10: Drive to Inverness Airport for domestic flight to Heathrow. Transfer to international flight back to the U.S.
The price INCLUDES:
- Lodging
- Breakfasts and dinners during tour - Dinner on April 25 through breakfast on May 10
- Expert local birding guide
- Private transportation during tour
- Treshnish Isles boat trip
- Transfers to and from airport
The price does NOT include:
- International airfare
- Internal airfare
- Lunches
- Entry fees to reserves in itinerary
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature, such as extra drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, etc.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Deposit of $900 with registration (link for registration form is at the bottom of this page). Balance is due on or before December 25, 2015.
Checks should be made payable to Cheepers! Birding on a Budget and mailed with the registration form to:
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget
Post Office Box 385
Spring Valley, OH 45370
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation must be made in writing (email or snail mail)
More than 6 months prior to departure – full refund of deposit
Between 4 and 6 months prior to departure – 50% refund of deposit
Less than 4 months prior to departure – No refund of deposit
If cancellation occurs after full payment is made, a refund will be
given only if the vacant spot is filled.
Trip insurance is recommended.
You can compare prices and coverage offered by various trip insurance companies at this website:
http://www.quotewright.com/?sub_id=6056
Cheepers! Birding on a Budget LLC reserves the right to make changes in the itinerary if the need should arise due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, landslides, and other natural phenomena, as well as suggestions by local guides in order to take advantage of an unusual birding opportunity. Lodging is subject to change based on availability.
| british_isles_registration_form_apr_2016.pdf |