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This was a three day break staying at an excellent and very attractive hotel in Corfe Castle. Everything was incredibly well-organised and we packed in a lot of different experiences without feeling rushed. We saw seabirds, waders, heathland birds, we watched birds being ringed and we opened a moth trap and learnt a great deal about the scores of moths in there. The knowledge of our two guides was second to none, not just about birds, but wildlife in general. There were some very experienced birdwatchers in our small, friendly, group and others, who, like me, were not so knowledgeable! It made no difference whatsoever, everyone was generous and helpful to a fault and I came away at the end of three days feeling I'd learnt a lot. I felt completely relaxed and happy being on my own - nobody was in any way excluded. The food at the hotel and on our lunch stops was great and we were lucky enough to have absolutely beautiful, warm, clear weather. Purbeck is a fabulous region of Dorset with a lot of variety, I could have happily spent a few more days there, and in fact several of our group decided to do exactly that. I shall definitely holiday with them again.
T.J. London, Oct 21
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Dorset - South Coast Migration Special
Tour Code: GBR63A superb 4-day break to enjoy the exciting autumn migration on the south coast, visiting such well-positioned sites as the wonderful Portland Bird Observatory.
£745 (land only)
Highlights
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Summary
Utilising sites such as the wonderful Portland Bird Observatory, and at a time when many birds will be passing through on their way back into Europe and beyond - anything is possible! Firecrests, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels or perhaps a Yellow-browed Warbler or Red-breasted Flycatcher. Birding at a site such as this can be very exciting indeed. We will also visit other sites including RSPB Radipole and Lodmoor with their vast reedbeds and wetlands, staying at a superbly located hotel on the Isle of Portland.
- Visit the famous Portland Bird Observatory!
- Spoonbills in Poole Harbour
- Look for exciting birds such as Yellow-browed Warbler & Firecrest
- Moth-trap - previous species include Palpita vitrealis and Convolvulus Hawk-moth
- Heathland species may comprise Dartford Warbler & Woodlark
- A chance for Eurasian Otter
- Led by an expert naturalist guide
The long distance migration of birds is a truly remarkable feat and certainly one of the real wonders of the natural world. During this exciting and varied new weekend break this phenomenon will be at the forefront of our minds as we explore some of Dorset’s finest nature reserves watching for migrant birds and learning about them as we go. We shall watch from headlands, join a bird ringing session, visit an observatory, cruise across Poole harbour and also open some moth traps. All this will be coupled with some superb hospitality.
We will be based for our two nights at the beautiful Mortons Manor in the centre of historic Corfe Castle with this 16th century Elizabethan manor house lying within easy striking distance of our intended sites. Meeting at the hotel in the early afternoon we shall visit the nearby site of St Aldhelms head for our first exploration. The headland here is the most southerly point of the Purbeck peninsula and affords some stunning coastline and ocean views. We will enjoy a walk watching for migrants which may include Wheatear, Whinchat, migrant thrushes, and perhaps some birds moving over the sea before we return for a delicious dinner.
Across the nest two days we will enjoy a great range and variety of activities. At Durlston National Nature Reserve we shall join the local ringing group for a demonstration. Species caught may include warblers with Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps common, finches such as Brambling and Linnets and with birds moving anything can be found. We shall also open two moth traps here to see what we can find with this site very good for migrant moths as well as birds. A ferry across to Poole will provide us with wildfowl, waders and raptors with Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Brent Geese, Marsh Harrier and many more species possible.
We will also visit the wonderful Portland bird observatory and at this time many birds will be passing through on their way back into Europe and beyond. Anything is possible with Firecrests, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels or perhaps a Yellow-browed Warbler or Red-breasted Flycatcher. Birding at a site such as this can be very exciting indeed. We shall also visit sites including RSPB Radipole and Lodmoor with their vast reedbeds and wetlands.
Outline Itinerary
Reviews
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The variety along the coast of RSPB reserves found masses of different birds and wildlife. The leader was so knowledgeable that he made the trip for us. Naturetrek look after their clients in a way that exudes reassurance, especially in these strange times. Can fully see why they have been awarded the Good to Go Covid certificate and our welfare was of paramount importance to them.
M.M. Devon, Oct 20
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.
For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.
A selection of our UK short breaks:
- A winter bird watching break in Norfolk
- An autumn holiday to enjoy the Red Deer rut in Ardnamurchan, Scotland
- A wildlife weekend in the New Forest
A selection of our overseas short breaks:
- In Spain we look for the world’s rarest cat, the Iberian Lynx
- Wolves on the plains in rural northern Spain
- An exploration of La Brenne’s exceptionally rich butterfly-life in northern France
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays
At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.
It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!
Our specialist recommends...
Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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We offer a truly mouth-watering selection of trips for those who wish to revel in the incredible autumn migration of birds, from several UK-based ‘staycations’ to short-haul ventures to other parts of Europe. Here we share some of our most popular autumn migration tours.
