Tour Diary - Scottish Birding in Spring

Pre-cruise extension to the Wild Scotland Conservation Cruise

30th April - 6th May 2026

Designed to complement the Wild Scotland voyage which followed immediately on from this tour, this pre-cruise extension was planned to maximise our Scottish birding experiences and it didn’t disappoint with 146 species recorded, including a few unexpected bonuses.

The first afternoon approaching Deeside delivered brilliant views of three grouse species and both eagles and was followed by enjoying superb views of the eastern Cairngorms on a perfect Spring day. The following day we enjoyed more White-tailed Eagles, Osprey, Common and presumed-Scottish Crossbills, Green Woodpecker and plethora of breeding waders. Our first coastal day was manic as nearly 100 species passed in front of our binoculars from four tern species to Spoonbill, Marsh and Wood Sandpipers, Tundra Bean and Eurasian White-fronted Geese, Corn Bunting and Grey Partridge, Great Egret, Marsh Harrier and Whooper Swan. Migration was in full flow with a brilliant array of waders and wildfowl all visible, not to mention a full complement of farmland birds.

Back in the mountains, we enjoyed exploring the varied habitats of Strathspey which produced the classic Highland species such as Crested Tit, Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Ring Ouzel, Goldeneye, Dipper and Grey Wagtail, Redstart and a plethora of raptors which again included both eagles. Back along the Moray Firth coast we picked up summer-plumaged White-billed Diver, auks and Eider, and mammals including Otter, and just inland we found some very obliging Red Squirrels.  This was all complemented with our final stop that saw us enjoying the classic array of oakwood species including Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler, Nuthatch and Treecreeper.

As well as an incredible haul of species the tour was an immense amount of fun and a great prelude to an equally remarkable voyage.