ISLAY
20 - 26 October 2002

Our tour to this, the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides, is timed to take advantage of the last of British Summer Time and to coincide with the spectacular arrival of thousands of geese, mainly Barnacle and Greenland White-fronts but also Pink-footed and Greylag. Using a small coach and local driver for our excursions we shall cover the variety of habitats and landscapes including the neighbouring island of Jura. From our base, the charming 4-star Port Charlotte Hotel on the western shore of Loch Indaal, we shall explore the famous RSPB Reserve at Loch Gruinart, sea lochs, moorland, saltmarsh, sea cliffs and small woodlands. In addition to the geese, other species we shall be looking for are a wide variety of duck, sawbills, divers, grebes, waders, raptors including Golden Eagle, Chough, plus lots more as we are visiting this island at migration time. If the birds are not enough then we can look for some of the wild animals such as Deer, Otter and Seals.

This is the home of many malt whisky distilleries so we may be able to fit in a visit to one - the areas they are in are often great for wildlife as well. There will be ample opportunity to sample the products in the homely lounge of the hotel.

Our wildlife watching commences immediately we board the Ferry at Kennacraig for the 2 hour 10 minute lunchtime crossing to Islay - divers, ducks, auks including Black Guillemot, and dolphins are all possible. Transfer to the Port Charlotte Hotel where we have an opportunity to settle in over a cup of tea then familiarise ourselves with some of the birds on a walk in the immediate vicinity of our hotel overlooking Loch Indaal.

Dinner in hotel.

Five days of wildlife and bird watching. Areas we shall explore include the extreme south of the island on the sea-cliffs of The Oa. Whilst sea-birds will have departed the 300 foot high cliffs, there is still the chance of Gannet out to sea and the surrounding countryside holds Golden Eagle, Peregrine and Merlin. Redpolls, Redwing and Fieldfares are the advance parties of winter migrants.

Further along the south east coast between Port Ellen and Ardmore Point not only do we have probably the best selection of Malt Distilleries in the whole of Scotland but some rugged shorelines that we can explore for divers, grebes and sea-duck - the palm fronds and colourful flowering shrubs give a good indication of the pleasant climate Islay usually enjoys. Bowmore, Bridgend and Loch Indaal form the central, focal point of the island and we pass through on many of our excursions - each time will require a stop as something new is likely to turn up at any time. Common Scoters, Long-tailed Ducks and Scaup being amongst the favourites. Barnacle Geese feed along the tide line and the Bowmore rubbish dump can turn up the odd gull - including Iceland or Glaucous. The woods near Bridgend give opportunities for more common species including tits, finches and thrushes possibly accompanied by marauding Sparrowhawks or Merlin. On the coast between Port Askaig and Bunnahabhaim not only do we get fantastic views of Jura but also opportunities for Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders, Otters and Stonechats. To the west and north west of Islay we find some of the most beautiful and unspoilt landscapes. In the extreme south west around Rubha Na Faing is a good spot to look for any late moving sea-birds with shearwaters and petrels being possible amongst the more common Kittiwake and Fulmar. As we move up the coast towards the sandy Machair Bay we have the best of many opportunities for Red-billed Chough, Twite and possibly newly arrived Snow Buntings. We continue to explore the north around Sanaigmore and Ardnave Loch where Hen Harriers drift across moorland, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Curlew and Turnstones can be feeding on the shoreline of the loch side. Then of course the RSPB Reserve of Loch Gruinart - famous for its wintering geese - perhaps 20,000 or more Barnacle Geese and a 1000+ Greenland White-fronts but the whole area can be excellent for wildfowl and raptors with Peregrine, Merlin, Buzzard and Short-eared Owl all possible.

We shall also spend one day on the adjacent island of Jura - a wonderful wilderness of a place where the "Paps" (the rounded peaks we’ll have been seeing from Islay much of the week) will dominate the scenery. Here Golden Eagle hunt and a few thousand red deer roam. The Jura House Walled Garden once again proves the unusual climate experienced with its unique collection of unusual plants and shrubs, many of which are more suited to warmer climates.

So, this week offers fine opportunities for many waders, ducks, divers, grebes, geese and raptors plus much, much more - otters, red and roe deer, seals and dolphins are all there to be found. The hotel is most comfortable with hosts used to looking after the needs of birdwatchers. Lunches will normally be packed and taken from the hotel to give maximum flexibility although there will also be opportunities for coffee stops and visits to local attractions including a distillery to suit the group’s requirements.

Transfer by coach to Port Ellen for the morning ferry sailing to Kennacraig where we arrive just after mid-day.

Provision has been made for transfers from Glasgow to Kennacraig on Sunday 20th: returning Saturday 26th. Alternatively you might like to meet at the ferry port at Kennacraig (free parking is available).

If you require overnight accommodation in Glasgow on either 19th or 26th we can arrange this to meet up with transportation to and from Kennacraig to connect with the ferries. We expect the hotel will be close to Glasgow airport and weekly car parking can be arranged at Secure Parking sites nearby. Hotels and car parking in Glasgow are not included in the cost of the tour.

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