OVERSEAS 2023

We have a reputation for being ‘less-intensive’, during itineraries planned carefully so you see memorable wildlife, whilst enjoying relaxed, informal days that are great fun. Our holidays are not ‘dawn to dusk’ expeditions, and we take sensible breaks when in very hot places and regular comfort breaks on every holiday. Each is run for guests who we consider friends as well as clients. That means rewarding and exciting days in the field with capable Leaders who really look after you, and good quality accommodation and meals, with a real flavour of the country we are visiting. Please take a close look for great holiday content at very attractive prices - wherever you want to go!

ECUADOR with AMAZON RAINFOREST Extension

Wed 23 Aug - Tues 5 Sept £5595 £395

Extension Mon 4 Sept - Sat 9 Sept. Extension £1595

Extension £195

Ideal for those who wish to experience the incredible avian diversity of Ecuador accompanied by a friendly, experienced guide. Some key birds are unforgettable Andean Condor, spectacular and colourful Cock-of-the-Rock, strange-looking Oilbird and incredible Long-wattled Umbrellabird. Extend your holiday to include the bird and wildlife wonders of the greatest rainforest on earth, exploring the trails, waterways and visiting an amazing parrot clay lick!

BULGARIA in Autumn

Tour Leader - Ian Ford

Sat 2 Sept - Sept 9 Sept £2395 £150

An exciting tour focusing on the spectacular annual migration of thousands of birds of prey, pelicans, storks and passerines along the Black Sea Flyway, known as the Via Pontica. The tour is based in two centres, allowing exploration of the Black Sea coastline, the bottleneck for migratory and resident birds. This tour is suitable for beginners and experts.

NEW! GREENLAND & ICELAND

Tour Leader – Andy Jones

Wed 6 Sept - Mon 18 Sept

From £6495 £185

A unique and genuinely outstanding experience, beginning with an optional land journey across Iceland focusing on birding and geology, followed by a voyage north by comfortable ship to Scoresby Sound in Eastern Greenland, where Polar Bear, Muskoxen and whales are our targets. On this tour, wildlife can be sparse, but when it happens can be stunning!

HUNGARY in Autumn

Tour Leader – Gerard Gorman

Sun 1 Oct - Sun 8 Oct

£1995 £200

Our main focus is the spectacular migration of Common Cranes through the Hortobagy National Park, one of Europe’s great birding experiences. Other special residents include Great Bustard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, eight species of woodpecker and more, while the first winter visitors such as Rough-legged Buzzard and a range of wildfowl enhance this tremendous autumn holiday

NORTHERN PERU

Tour Leader – Carlos Diaz

Tues 3 Oct - Wed 18 Oct

£5995 £425

An important birding destination with many wild and hard to reach places. Our tour concentrates on the northern birding corridor, focusing on sites with a rich bio-diversity and a large concentration of species. The itinerary is exceptionally good for hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans, raptors, finches and fruiteaters with chances of Andean Condor, Cock-of-the-Rock, Humboldt's Penguin and Inca Tern.

CHILE

Mon 9 Oct - Thurs 26 Oct

£8795 £945

A fantastic adventure to a country with some of the most diverse and varied habitats in the world. We search for birding specialities in the high Andes, arid desert, Pacific islands, Humboldt current and the tundra and sub-Antarctic rainforest of Tierra del Fuego. Highlights include Diademed Sandpiper-Plover, Magellanic Plover, Least Seedsnipe and Andean Condor.

INDIA - GOA, from the Konkan coast Tues 21 Nov - Wed 6 Dec £3895 £425 to the Western Ghats

Goa is rich in birdlife and key habitats are concentrated, our itinerary features many easily worked areas. There are approx 28 endemics within the Western Ghats, plus many near-endemics. We seek Malabar Whistling Thrush, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Velvetfronted Nuthatch, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback and Asian Fairy Bluebird to name a few.

KENYA Ultimate Birding Tour Sun 3 Dec - Sun 17 Dec £5995 £750

Tour Leader - Ian Ford

This tour is an exceptional Kenyan birding safari taking in soda lakes, freshwater lakes, both high and low altitude grasslands, bush, standard savannah woodlands, mountainous ecosystems and escarpments, extreme drylands and of course, tropical habitat. Kenya has the second highest birdlist for any African country with over 1000 species, and on this tour we expect perhaps 450 of these, including many of the most sought-after Kenyan and regional endemics during a birding spectacle to treasure, as we visit many of the country's top sites.

NEW! QUEENSLAND, S.E AUSTRALIA Sat 25 Nov - Thurs 21 Dec £12,495 £1680 & TASMANIA Grand Tour

Australia is nearly impossible for the birder to 'do' thoroughly in one visit, requiring a great investment of time to cover all regions of interest. We offer the chance to join a fabulous Grand Tour combining our Queensland, Tasmania and South-Eastern Australia itineraries, to maximise your experience in one visit. With a significant price saving we seek the very best birding and natural history encounters.

NEW! QUEENSLAND Sat 25 Nov - Wed 6 Dec £5995 £655

This itinerary takes us to significant areas in North-east Australia. We visit the Atherton Tableland with its fertile plateau and protected rainforest for endemics and rare mammals, Lamington National Park for sub-tropical birdlife, reptiles, frogs, mammals and invertebrates and the Wet Tropics. Another highlight will be our visit to The Great Barrier Reef, the most spectacular coral reef in the world.

TASMANIA & SE AUSTRALIA Mon 4 Dec - Thurs 21 Dec £7795 £1010

With its rich history, vast tracts of wilderness, remote mountainous areas and un-spoilt islands, Tasmania offers a wealth of wildlife opportunities. Of particular interest are key mammals and marsupials, while great birding is guaranteed throughout. A pelagic cruise (optional) into the Southern Ocean will be a highlight, potentially reaching the continental shelf where we could encounter between 20-30 species of tubenose as well as seals, dolphins and whales.

FOCUS ON... NEW! SOUTH KOREA

Leader/s Mark Warren, joined by experienced local guides. Join this new and exciting holiday to one of the recently-discovered hotspots of Asian winter birding – South Korea! This is a comprehensive birding tour of a modern country with high quality infrastructure, and relative ease of travelling between destinations, which enables us to cover the whole country and feature many hard-to-find East Asian specialities, and large numbers of other sought-after birds. Around 500 species have been recorded in the country, many along the coasts, and we will visit the whole range of major wildlife habitats – offshore islands, tidal flats, coastal lagoons, rice fields, rocky shorelines, headlands, rivers, open country, and forests and scrubland, including the DMZ – the land that time forgot between South and North Korea.

Our tour is timed in January to coincide with the presence of winter specialities, including the world’s largest concentration of Baikal Teal and highly-prized Scaly-sided Merganser. Flocks of Red-crowned Crane stand out on tidal-flats, while there may also be thousands of White-naped and Hooded Cranes too. We aim to see spectacular Steller's Sea Eagle, Swan and Lesser White-fronted Geese, Solitary Snipe, and Relict and Saunders’s Gull. Uncountable numbers of ducks and geese fill western coastal sites, possibly including rarities like Baer’s Pochard, while the formerly extirpated Crested Ibis has been reintroduced. As we travel around the country, we hope to see Varied Tit, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Cinereous Vulture, Black-eared Kite, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Chinese Penduline Tit and Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker in suitable habitat. Pacific seabirds including Ancient Murrelet, Temminck’s Cormorant, Rhinoceros Auklet and Spectacled Guillemot on our boat trip will be a highlight. Asian Rosy Finch, Pallas’ Rosefinch and Siberian Accentor will be important finds in the mountains, and in the fields the range of Asian finches and buntings is outstanding.

Due to the ever-expanding tourist industry in Korea, the country is likely to become a major birding destination in the not-too-distant future, so join Heatherlea at the start of this trend, and discover the beauty of this hitherto little-known wildlife hotspot.

FOCUS ON… CYPRUS

Fri 5 April - Fri 12 April 2024

Price: £2095pp ssupp: £290 Deposit: £300pp Leader/s Chris Rodger, joined by another from the Heatherlea team with more than 7 clients.

Due to the success of our 2023 departure, we are delighted to offer our Cyprus tour again in 2024. A fabulous Mediterranean birding destination, Cyprus offers excellent spring migration and notable, sought-after residents including endemics. This holiday is timed to give us excellent chances of variety and high numbers of passage migrants as they travel north or settle down to breed.

Staying in just one centre, we are well positioned to visit hotspots including Paphos headland in the southwest, the Arkamas National Park in the northwest, Larnaca in the east and many great sites in between. We spend our days exploring saltpans, coastal scrub on headlands reservoirs, dry riverbeds with residual freshwater pools, traditional farmland and also the Troodos Mountains for raptors and endemic subspecies found in the pine forests. A big birdlist approaching 150 species is very possible as we aim to connect with a mix of northern and eastern European migrants, including herons, wildfowl and waders. Passerines such as Isabelline and Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Citrine Wagtail, Black-headed, Cretzschmar's and Ortolan Bunting, Ruppell's, Eastern Olivaceous, Eastern Bonelli’s, Sardinian and Eastern Subalpine Warbler and both Collared and Semi-collared Flycatcher are possible and we should also enjoy Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Roller, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Honey Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Wryneck, Woodchat, Red-backed and Masked Shrike daily. The sought-after endemics are Cyprus Warbler, Cyprus Pied Wheatear and recently split Cyprus Scops Owl. We aim to see all three, plus difficult to find Black Francolin and we also hope to connect with some of the rarities for which the island is increasingly famous. On last year’s tour we connected with Diederik Cuckoo, a real find!

OVERSEAS 2024 Europe Holiday

SPAIN - BIRDING & LYNX, Andujar plus Coto Donana

Sat 6 Jan - Sat 13 Jan £1895

£195

This is a combined birding and mammal trip, with a special focus on seeing endangered Iberian Lynx in the wild. You also have the advantage of excellent birding on this two-centre holiday, including many Spanish resident speciality birds, and absorbing birding in pleasant weather is a very enjoyable part of this holiday.

NEW! BULGARIA and NORTHERN GREECE in Winter

Mon 29 Jan - Mon 5 Feb £2295

£150

Birding in wetlands, forests and mountains of two wildlife-rich countries. We seek flocks of pelicans, swans and geese and later look for Eastern Imperial, Golden and White-tailed Eagle, Long-legged and Rough-legged Buzzard, Griffon and Cinereous Vulture. Other possibilities include five Woodpecker species, Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch and perhaps Eagle Owl. A great winter tour for beginners and experts alike.

NEW! SPAIN in Early Spring

Sat 2 Mar - Sat 9 Mar £1995

£250

This wonderful winter-into-early-spring holiday is based in parts of the Iberian peninsula which are full of speciality birds including Wallcreeper, Lammergeier, eagles, bustards, sandgrouse and much more! This is a true birding feast on one of the very best Spanish itineraries!

CAMARGUE

Sat 9 Mar - Sat 16 Mar £2095

£225

Join us in one of Europe’s premier birding destinations in late winter. Wallcreeper is one of our top targets, and we visit known hotspots to look for this unique and beautiful bird. We also look for Alpine Accentor, Blue Rock Thrush, Eagle Owl, Citril Finch, Black Woodpecker, Bluethroat, Little Bustard, Bonelli’s Eagle and more!

NEW! FINLAND and NORWAY in Winter

Wed 20 Mar - Mon 25 Mar £2895

£185

Finnish Lapland and Norway offer a unique environment for birding and in late-winter a number of Arctic specialities can be easier to see here than anywhere else. Highlights may include King and Steller’s Eider, Brunnich’s Guillemot, Gyrfalcon, Siberian Jay, Pine Grosbeak or even the Aurora Borealis!

SPAIN - EXTREMADURA

Sat 13 Apr - Sat 20 Apr £2095

£195

Extremadura and the Monfragüe National Park are brimming with some of the best birdwatching in Europe, featuring many of Europe’s rarest and most endangered species such as Spanish Imperial Eagle and Cinereous Vulture. Birds of prey, bustards, sandgrouse and brilliant Spanish spring birding!

SPAIN - CATALONIA and SOUTH-EAST ARAGON

Wed 17 Apr - Thurs 25 Apr £2195

£295

This eight-night adventure features days full of birdsong and breeding display. Our itinerary covers many of the sought-after species, and although not a holiday to see all the key targets of the region, can certainly be an opportunity for outstanding European birding covering an impressive number of targets in delightful places featuring authentic Catalan hospitality.

FOCUS ON… GEORGIA Sat 20 April - Mon 29 April 2024

Price: £3195pp ssupp: £195 Deposit: £800 Leader/s Dave Pearce, joined by experienced local guides

Located at the junction of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Georgia holds a diversity of habitats and landscapes, ranging from semi-desert to humid subtropical forest. On this tour we explore the rich birdlife of snow-capped mountains, dry steppes, intact savannas, barren mountain semi deserts, impressive gorges and canyons, lush deciduous forests and waterfowl-teeming wetlands and lakes. Avian highlights include endemic Caucasian Snowcock, near-endemic Caucasian Black Grouse, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Armenian Gull, Wallcreeper, Krüper’s Nuthatch, Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Rose-coloured Starling, Green and Ménétries’s Warbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Red-fronted Serin and Great Rosefinch. Other highlights might include Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Alpine Accentor, Barred Warbler, Dalmatian Pelican, Demoiselle Crane, Pygmy Cormorant, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Spotted and Little Crake, Broadbilled Sandpiper, Montagu’s and Pallid Harrier, Black Vulture, Lesser Kestrel, Scops Owl, Lesser Spotted, Steppe, Short-toed and Booted Eagle, Bee-eater, Roller, Golden Oriole, Black Francolin and many more. We travel at the beginning of the northerly migration season, and many passerines and raptors can be expected in key hotspots such as the broad Tergi Valley, and we should find a good representation of eastern European species.

FOCUS

ON... CAPE MAY FOR BIRDERS

Leader/s: Mark Warren joined by experienced local guides.

Sat 21 Sept - Mon 30 Sept 2024

Price: £4595pp ssupp: £735

Listed by National Geographic as a World’s Best destination for birding, Cape May is an iconic location for the migration enthusiast. The narrow peninsula is a natural bird funnel, bringing in songbirds during their spring and autumn (fall) migrations. As such, large numbers may occur in the right conditions and birding can be especially varied and enjoyable.

This is very much a location for the migration enthusiast, concentrating on autumn movement on the eastern Atlantic seaboard. Our time will be well spent, as we seek, find and identify dozens of warblers, vireos, thrushes, flickers, kingbirds, tanagers, orioles, raptors, seabirds and shorebirds.

Over twenty species of attractive American Wood-warbler are possible, including Pine, Blackpoll, Magnolia, Myrtle, Black and White, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, American Yellow, Prairie, Connecticut, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Tennessee and Cape May Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat to name but some. Often it is the sheer volume of birds which stand out, perhaps of just a single species. The good days are spectacular, while the exceptional days can be thrilling and defy belief.

Deposit: £1200

The Cape May Hawkwatch platform is legendary, and here at the raptor capital of North America we might record Coopers, Sharp-shinned, Broad-winged, and Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Turkey and American Black Vulture, Northern Harrier and American Kestrel. With waterbirds which might include Semi-palmated and Grey Plover, Pectoral, Western, White-rumped, Semi-palmated and Least Sandpiper, Willet, Marbled Godwit, (Hudsonian) Whimbrel, Short and Long-billed Dowitcher and American Oystercatcher and beaches where a few post-breeding Piping Plovers may be present, along with possible American Avocet, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary and Spotted Sandpiper, Tricolored, Little Blue and Great Blue Heron. There are many possibilities, and we expect to see around 150 species, an impressive tally for such a small area!

This really is a classic holiday in perhaps the world's most iconic destination to observe bird migration. For those who have poured over North American field guides and dreamt of finding these species, this is the perfect trip. Holiday Dates

NEW! LESVOS, GREECE

Wed 17 Apr - Wed 24 Apr £1995 £175

Lesvos is a classic destination, one of those 'must do' places reaching a wonderful peak when we visit during spring migration. We find speciality birds including Kruper’s Nuthatch, Cretzschmar’s Bunting and Cinereous Bunting, show you summer visitors newly arrived such as Subalpine, Orphean and Ruppell’s Warbler, and enjoy the wonderful migration around this beautiful island.

MALLORCA

Sat 27 Apr - Sat 4 May £2095 £195

The most exciting time for birding in Mallorca is during springtime, when many thousands of birds pass over and through the island, resting and feeding before heading to mainland Europe. This passage peaks in late April and early May, and is an exciting time when virtually anything can happen.

ARMENIA

Sat 4 May - Wed 15 May £3195 £230

A small, landlocked country in the Caucasus region, Armenia is rural, unspoilt, sparsely populated and very hospitable. It forms a geographical bridge between avian populations of Europe and Asia and holds a variety of habitats. Mouth-watering targets include Caspain Snowcock, Grey-necked and Ortolan Bunting, Lammergeier, Armenian Horned Lark, Upcher’s Warbler, Radde’s Accentor and more!

ESTONIA in Spring

Sun 5 May - Sun 12 May £2195

£195

A Baltic Birding Bonanza, superb Eastern breeding birds and thousands of Northern migrants! On this three-centre adventure we target northern and eastern specialities including Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagles, Montagu’s Harrier, Hazel Grouse, lekking Great Snipe, Pygmy and Ural Owls, four Woodpecker species, Thrush Nightingale, Savi’s, Icterine and River Warblers and Nutcracker.

BULGARIA and NORTHERN GREECE Sat 11 May - Mon 20 May £2495 £175

A fabulous ten-day birding tour that combines the highest mountains of Southwestern Bulgaria and the wetlands of Northern Greece, including famous Lake Kerkini and the Axios Delta. The timing and sheer range of habitats covered give us the chance to record 180-200 species; a very good birdlist with many eastern species, not easy in Europe!