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News in Brief: Bali, Scotland, Portugal, Scilly and the USA
October 2024
‘For this 2-week holiday, our privately chartered motor yacht cruised to some of Indonesia’s least-visited sites and guests were able to enjoy fabulous marine-life every day!’ writes tour leader Sara Frost. ‘Twice-a-day snorkelling over vibrant coral reefs with a mind-boggling variety of colourful fish – plus turtles, octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters, nudibranchs, starfish, moray eels and sharks – was breathtaking! Daily pods of dolphins kept us regularly entertained whilst sailing between islands (most helpfully often turning up at meal times!), with Indo-pacific Bottlenose, Spinner, Spotted and Fraser’s Dolphins being seen, plus playful Melon-headed Whales also swimming around our boat and the highly elusive Dwarf Sperm and Pygmy Killer Whales being seen at good distance! Brown and Red-footed Boobies and Lesser Frigatebirds made up a good supporting cast, and walks on shore further found the critically endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo, the endemic Flame-breasted Sunbird, Green Junglefowl, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Green Imperial Pigeon and Blue-tailed and Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters and much more.
Guided walks on the islands of Komodo and Rinca provided us with up-close encounters with the formidable Komodo Dragons, and a zodiac cruise along a beach even found several of them feeding on a carcass! Seeing these world’s largest lizards was anticipated by guests as being the highlight of the trip; however, it’s safe to say that two outstanding mornings snorkelling with Manta Rays and another with a Whale Shark(!), without a doubt stole the show.
Those staying on Bali for the birding extension (at the opulent Menjangan Lodge in the heart of Bali Barat National Park) also saw the Bali Starling (multiple times!) and (most saw) the Javan Banded Pitta and a huge amount more, all rounded off by relaxing on the beach sipping from a coconut! It was with great reluctance that we had to leave, having enjoyed such a fabulous cruise in the tropics.’
November 2024
'This year's venture to Islay to see the gathering geese and other birds was blessed with dry and mild weather conditions, which was just fine for our daily excursions out of Port Charlotte, positioned on the western shore of Loch Indaal’ writes tour leader Neil McMahon. ‘However, mammals threatened to steal the show with multiple sightings of three species of deer, the two seal species, the fabulous Brown Hares, which are common on the island, and some great Otter-watching. One big dog Otter came ashore on the rocks next to us to consume his large fish prey and then decided to have a seaweed brush-up and sprainting session, fully aware of our presence but seemingly not caring one bit – we think he was something of an exhibitionist!
Battalions of sharply patterned Barnacle Geese grazed the meadows and fields, interspersed with groups of the dark Greenland White-fronted Geese and larger Greylags. Pale-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Geese were in smaller numbers and calling Whooper Swans moved through each day. These days, Islay is as much about the eagles as the geese, with the mighty duo of White-tailed and Golden Eagles providing the awe and power in the skies. Add the “twanging” Twite, “chowing” Choughs and “wailing” seals and the scene is set! And all this was much enjoyed from our base at the very comfortable and friendly Port Charlotte Hotel.'
October 2024
‘What better place to witness the wonders of bird migration in autumn than in the south-western corner of Europe?’ asks Su Gough, co-leader of our recently returned “Autumn Birding in Southern Portugal” trip. ‘Gathering in Faro, we were soon en route to our wonderful – and wonderfully located – first hotel. As we approached, the sheer number of birds visible on the surrounding saltpans soon had everyone keen to get out and explore.
We were not disappointed and were soon enjoying local flamingoes, Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts and herons, alongside numerous migrant waders such as Curlew Sandpiper and Sanderling. Black-winged Kites and countless Ospreys showed themselves well as we spent the next couple of days exploring the area before moving on to another superb hotel at Sagres on the very south-western tip of continental Europe, where we were hoping to experience more migration in action and, again, we were not disappointed!
Raptors including Egyptian Vultures, Black Kites and Booted Eagles kept us occupied above, while migrant Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and Redstarts thronged the trees. A boat trip to look for seabirds proved to be the group’s favourite, however, where we encountered lots of shearwaters and petrels, but the star was an incredible and prolonged encounter with a Humpback Whale migrating south, which seemed as fascinated by us as we were by it.
Perfect weather, 160 species of birds, lots of other amazing wildlife, and stunning locations explored in this easy-going trip to an incredible part of Europe. What’s not to like?’
October 2024
'In common with much of the UK, the start of our 8-day tour was weather affected but with some great work by the Naturetrek staff, we were eventually assembled as one group!’ writes tour leader Neil McMahon. ‘The start of the week was dominated by rain or showers but it was much sunnier and cooler towards the end. We managed to visit all the inhabited islands in search of migrant and resident birds but were also lucky enough to see mammals such as Common Dolphin, Grey Seal and the introduced Red Squirrels on Tresco. Two Death's Head Hawk-moths were a treat one day and other insects included Hummingbird Hawk-moths, Clouded Yellow butterfly and late odonata.
As usual, large numbers of tame Song Thrushes, lunch-stealing House Sparrows, gorse-hopping Stonechats and plunge-diving Gannets supplied the necessary backdrop to our meanderings around the islands. Beautiful sunsets, aurora sightings and rainbows provided the ambient qualities as we looked at scarce passage migrants at close range, such as Red-backed Shrike, Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, Black Redstart and Jack Snipe.
Rarer visitors delighted in the forms of a flamboyant Isabelline Wheatear, a showy Short-toed Lark, an aloof Dotterel and an elusive Wryneck which eventually gave itself up on the last day! A juvenile Osprey made regular appearances at the same time as northern migrants such as Barnacle Geese, Whooper Swans and Redwings were arriving. Personal favourites for some included an Ortolan Bunting and a Red-breasted Flycatcher, while our ferry journey back provided unparalleled sightings of many Cory's Shearwaters, a few Great Shearwaters and other seabirds, with a stunning setting sun seascape at the stern.’
October 2024
‘Visitors to the “Queen of the Hebrides” and the “Fairest of the Isles” hope for raptors, Otters and geese. We had those in spades!’ writes tour leader Andy Bunten.
‘A period of northern winds had caused Barnacle Geese to pour into Islay for a few days before we arrived and we reaped the benefit of these winds. Huge numbers of these gorgeous black and white geese were spread over the estuaries and fields of Lochs Gruinart and Indaal. Interspersed with these were dark and wary Greenland White-fronts, lumbering Greylags, neat Pink-feet, familiar Canada and a few coffee-coloured, diminutive, Pale-bellied Brents.
Lurking among these flocks were hulking White-tailed Eagles watching for migration-weakened geese. Occasionally one of these behemoths would take off, causing mayhem as thousands of calling geese thundered into the air. Other raptors are available too and we saw more beautiful, floating Hen Harriers than you could shake a stick at, Peregrines and Merlin dashing over the estuaries and a glorious Golden Eagle mastering the wind over the sea cliffs of the Oa.
To Mull and even more Golden Eagles – three flying together and two perched on a hill and watched through our scopes. Amazing. More White-tailed Eagles, tails shining bright in the strong sun, and then the Otters! Hunting right in front of us, diving and rolling in the water, grooming and scratching, crunching up fish and one getting its tail pulled by Hooded Crows while getting on with its meal. Stunning!
Add in some wonderful weather, excellent hotels and fabulous food and you get quite a trip – and we had quite a trip.’
October 2024
'As usual, our autumn tour of Mull experienced a variety of weather, which was always mild, and we managed to visit most of the hot spots for wildlife on this rugged island, as well as an excursion to Iona too’ says tour leader Neil McMahon. ‘In October there are few tourists, which provides us with plenty of space and opportunity to find and remain with wildlife at our leisure. Mull is renowned for its Otters and eagles and so it proved to be, with sightings of Otter every day and multiple sightings of the hulking White-tailed Eagles and the majestic Golden Eagles.
Our little trip to Iona yielded a flock of stunning Barnacle Geese, a migrant Lesser Whitethroat, an opportunity to visit the abbey and other relict buildings, and beautiful weather to stare out towards the Treshnish Islands, Staffa, Coll and Tiree. The sea-lochs of Mull were home to flotillas of Great Northern Divers, many still in summer plumage, and plenty of seals, Red-breasted Mergansers and Shags. Red Deer presided over the heather moors and upland areas, and we found Fallow Deer in light woodland and rhododendron scrub. Penetrating sunshine in the cloud and mist provided an atmospheric surround to the amazing views that Mull has to offer whilst we watched Hen Harriers, Sparrowhawks and the plentiful Common Buzzards and Grey Herons. Our comfortable hotel provided excellent food and attentive staff and we had time to explore the iconic settlement at Tobermory and surrounds. Nobody wanted to go home as the magic of Mull worked its wonders once again!'
October 2024
'As always, our tour to the “Queen of the Hebrides” (Islay) and excursion to Jura was packed with wildlife, in a variety of weather and with amazing landscapes’ writes tour leader Neil McMahon. ‘Based at Port Ellen, we made excursions to the RSPB reserves at the Oa and Gruinart, thoroughly enjoying the birds and mammals of these special places. We were fortunate to have multiple sightings of Otter and three species of deer, lots of Brown Hares and plenty of Harbour and Grey Seals.
A sunny day on Jura was to see this rugged island at its best, with Red Deer and their harems on the moors, both Golden and White-tailed Eagles, three Otters and Craighouse harbouring Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck and Black Guillemot. We endured an amber alert weather warning whilst on Islay when Storm Ashley hit with anticipated 80mph winds but it didn't stop us from finding a Lesser Scaup and seeing lots of eagles and a Ring-necked Duck! Somehow, we squeezed in walks to Ardmore Point and around the hides at Gruinart, as well as a distillery tour and eating out at three different restaurants for our evening meals. Of course, the geese are an amazing attraction with battalions of black, white and silver Barnacle Geese dominating and flocks of Pale-bellied Brent, Pink-footed, Greylag and Greenland White-fronted Geese in good numbers too. At one stage we watched a White-tailed Eagle chase after a Barnacle Goose but the chase was a long one and we didn't see the outcome. We saw the “flying barn doors” every day and enjoyed super views of the majestic Golden Eagles, quartering Hen Harriers, and dynamic Peregrines and Merlins. Jaw-dropping scenery, amazing wildlife and great company made for a splendid week on these stunning Hebridean Islands.'
October 2024
‘The autumn colours tour of New England took in a wide range of wildlife sites across Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts’ writes tour leader Martin Pitt. ‘Initially we headed up the picturesque coast, with its marshes and rocky headlands, culminating in a dramatic whale-watching boat trip into the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy that found us surrounded by whales and dolphins, including close views of two of the critically endangered Northern Right Whales, one of the rarest mammals in the world.
We then headed inland to the White Mountains region on the New Hampshire/Maine border. Here we started to see the autumn colours that the area is famous for. As “leaf-peepers” we toured the scenic routes as the forest turned from the yellows of birches and beeches, with later on the reds of Oaks and the Sugar Maples appearing and turning the mountainsides a variety of hues.
Overall, we recorded 114 species of birds, including the iconic species of Bald Eagle, Common Loon, American Robin and a mix of warblers and vireos. We also saw 14 species of mammals (eight of which were marine mammals), nine species of butterflies marked by good numbers of migrating Monarchs heading for their wintering grounds in Mexico, six species of dragonflies, plus a range of other interesting taxa of plants and reptiles. At all times, the winner was the scenery and the variety of this part of the USA, from coast to mountain and with quaint clapperboard towns with names that are familiar to us from home.’
