The Speyside Wildlife Trip Report

Bird and wildlife watching on the Isles of Scilly - Simon and Sally return to this scattering of beautiful and tranquil islands - the Isles of Scilly, on the south west limit of Britain - rightly famous for scarce birds and migrants in the autumn – including many new birds for Britain! This is when the greatest variety of migrants to turn up and we hope to find a nice mix of scarce species such as Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck and Yellow-browed Warbler – or perhaps something much rarer! Staying on St Mary’s we visit other islands by boat and keep up with local news – our birding is all on foot.

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Join Cath and Roy as he talks us through our 2024 holiday to Estonia in search of the elusive Eurasian Lynx!

This holiday gives the chance to see the elusive Eurasian Lynx (as yes, they did see one), plus Brown Bear, Elk and Raccoon Dog. Thousands of migrant birds - geese, waders, raptors, passerines and Common Cranes.

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

As the most remote part of the UK, St Kilda holds a certain magic and mystery. During this episode we explore this archipelago, some of the hidden treasures and wildlife of the islands of the Hebrides and just why this is such a special holiday!

NOTE: Roy's audio is not as clear in some sections but hopefully Sally's enthusiasm for this holiday more than makes up for it!

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Ahead of our 2025 Indonesian Cruise, guides Roy Atkins and Chas Anderson sit down in conversation about the highlights they are looking forward to and exactly how the holiday itinerary runs.

Along with the largest lizard in the world - the Komodo Dragon, this is a cruise full of cetaceans and incredible coral reefs - with whales, dolphins, excellent snorkeling and the chance of Whale Shark, turtles, Manta Rays and great birds. 

For more information please head over to our website.

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Something different for this episode as Cath sits down with Roy for a pre-trip podcast to talk about our upcoming River Amazon Cruise this summer. This is a holiday of childhood dreams - our guests will be staying for 10 nights on a traditional wooden-hulled riverboat called the Iracema as they explore the mighty Amazon River using smaller motorised boats.

There are so many highlights, but we hope to see Amazon River Dolphins, Giant Otter, Tucuxi, Amazonian Umbrellabird, Capuchinbird, Pompadour Cotinga and lots of monkeys, sloths, plus lekking Cock-of-the-rock and an exciting range of birds as we cruise deep into the Amazon. 

For more information about our 2024 Amazon River Cruise holiday please head over to our website.

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Alladale Wilderness Reserve is a privileged experience you will never forget. An autumn spectacular in the remote Northern Highlands, to immerse ourselves in the some of the best wildlife Scotland has to offer. Join Sally Nowell and Cath as they talk about the holiday highlights from our 2023 trip.

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

The world famous Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Moremi Reserve and Kalahari Desert. Join our guide Darren Rees for African big game viewing at its very best and a bird list as long as your arm. In this episode he speaks with guests Jane and Pam - Jane returning for the second time (because it is that good) and Pam on her first African holiday.  This episode is littered with the phrase "We haven't mentioned......" as memories flood back and the wildlife was overwhelming at times. As Jane says, "Botswana never feels crowded and at times like you have Africa all to yourself".

Breaking her golden rule of not going back to the same place twice, our guest Jane sums this holiday up perfectly, "For me it's like stepping into a real life Lion King, it's just absolutely magical. I love the sunsets and the big animals, the birds and the atmosphere and this holiday takes you into so many different places and wilderness.... it's just wonderful."

For Pam, this being her first African holiday she has her first wild elephant encounters and monkeys along with a huge array of other species, not forgetting over 150 species of bird.

Botswana delivers magnificent sunsets, emotional animal encounters and apparently "The best G&T location"!

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Roy and Jane are looking forward to returning to Norfolk during the winter of 2024 and during this chat they remember their highlights from past trips including the lovely hotel, a great group and the various birds they saw. Birds included a superb flock of Common Cranes, Hawfinches, three species of egrets, Golden Plovers, Shorelark, Water Pipit, Iceland Gull and best of all, a stunning Red-breasted Goose. A Barn Owl treated them most morning as it hunted in fields beside the hotel, Marsh Harriers were in amazing numbers and they saw huge numbers of waders and wildlfowl, including a truly massive flock of Pink-footed Geese. There were lots of Brent Geese, Marsh Tits and good views of a Water Rail, plus Chinese Water Deer and Muntjacs - so many species that those living in the north rarely get to see - they even saw a mole!

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

After our recent autumn holiday to Cornwall, Julian sits down with Sally to chat about the highlights and itinerary - this was recorded during one of the recent storms so there is a slight interference in the audio at times.

“Our trip to Cornwall this year was ‘off the scale’ in regard to the numbers and variety of seabirds seen, along with a fantastic array of waders and passerines. We therefore enjoyed a tremendous week in mostly glorious weather - which is always a bonus!

We managed a few headland sea-watches from Pendeen and Porthgwarra, but it was our ‘day trip’ to St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly that produced some unforgettable moments. We had close encounters with five species of shearwater along with other quality seabirds, including the mega-rare Red-footed Booby on Bishop Rock Lighthouse.

All the commoner waders were seen around the reservoirs and estuaries but two Buff-bellied Sandpipers, Kentish Plover, Little Stints and Spotted Redshank kept things interesting. Land birds were not so forthcoming, but a Red-backed Shrike on St Mary’s and Pied and Spotted Flycatchers on the mainland were all good to see, as well as the iconic ‘Cornish Chough’. It’s certainly not all about birds as we had bow-riding Common Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise, breaching Bluefin Tuna from Lands End, plus Adder, Slow Worm, plus various butterflies and dragonflies, which all added to a wonderful week in this south west corner of England.”

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.

Following our 2023 holiday to the Brazilian Pantanal. guide Roy Atkins sits down with Christine and Max Maughan to chat through their holiday highlights and the sheer quantity of birds seen during the trip- 328 if you were wondering!

Jaguar sightings were plentiful and there were magical interactions with Giant Anteater, Brazilian Tapir and Giant Otter. Our groups time at Iguazú Falls is as dramatic and magical as expected as towards the day, Great Dusky Swifts stream in to roost behind the vast curtains of water.

As Roy says, “There are three very distinct areas that we visit on this holiday. They are all remarkably different - from dry savannah - to the famous seasonal wetland - then finally the rainforest and dramatic, jaw-dropping views of the famous waterfall. Each with a different set of birds and animals and all amazing in their own ways - this is one of my favourite trips!”

Speyside Wildlife is a wildlife tour operator based in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Established in 1991 Speyside Wildlife has been offering wildlife-watching day trips, tours and holidays in the UK and Overseas. We cater for a wide variety of wildlife-watchers, from the dedicated wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply wish to include some wildlife-watching as part of their holiday.

For more information please click here.