Ultimate Uists

A birdwatching and nature discovery holiday to the varied and beautiful islands of North and South Uist. Internationally renowned for the rare Machair habitat, rich in wildflowers and supporting incredible numbers of breeding waders, and a special home for the rare Corncrake. Little and Arctic Terns nest in the dunes and sandy fields, and raptors including Hen Harrier, Golden and White-tailed Eagle patrol the hills and moorlands. Along the miles of white sandy beaches small parties of Turnstone, Sanderling, and other waders in full summer plumage can be seen, and groups of Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit are en route to the tundra! Inland still lochs have breeding divers, and duck and Short-eared Owls patrol looking for voles. The wheezy calls of Twite, Skylarks in song, and the chacking calls of Stonechats and Wheatears accompany our walks.

"The good views and the sheer number of Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers. The boat trip and the sightings of dolphins, Manx Shearwaters, etc. on the return ferry crossing. The congenial company and Isabelle's cooking and just the whole atmosphere." Ann Farrer, 2021

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Trip Report

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Leader

Stuart Housden OBE

Day 1	Meet up in Inverness for overnight stay. 1 night Premier Inn
Day 2	Travel down the Great Glen and across Skye, before catching ferry to Lochmaddy and making our way to our hotel. 6 nights at Hamersay
Days 3-7	Birdwatching, botany and wildlife exploration of North and South Uist, Benbecula and Berneray.
Day 8	Travel back to Inverness. 1 night Premier Inn
Day 9	Depart after breakfast.

Weather	Though usually quite dry, these islands can experience all the seasons during one trip and can be windy (5°-20°C)
Walking	Coastal walks on uneven terrain of up to three miles - walking boots recommended, but trainers or even sandals suitable on some occasions. Collapsible/telescopic walking poles could be useful for this trip
Boat Trip	Our boat trip to Grimsay lasts 2 hours
Meals	All included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9
Insects	Biting insects unlikely to be a problem at this time of year
Accom	Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite
Group	7

This tour has been created by Stuart, who first visited the islands in 1978. As the former Director of RSPB Scotland his knowledge of the Uists and their conservation is exceptional.

	* We visit North and South Uist, Benbecula and Berneray
	* A chartered boat trip affords close views of skuas, raptors, Harbour and Grey Seals
	* Corncrake and Red-necked Phalarope - we shall search for these elusive rarities
	* Visit scenic Loch Druidibeg, looking for Short-eared Owls, waders and raptors
	* Walk through beautiful machair flora hoping for the rare Great Yellow Bumblebee
	* We shall keep a watchful eye open for Otters and Golden and White-tailed Eagles
	* Visit the RSPB Balranald Reserve for waders, duck, Twite, Corncrake and Corn Bunting

Days 1-2	We meet for dinner in Inverness and set off next morning for our journey through the Great Glen, across the Isle of Skye to Uig, where we board the ferry to Lochmaddy. On the crossing we shall go on deck to search for Puffins, Razorbills, Gannets and Manx Shearwater. With luck, we may see Common Dolphins and even a Storm Petrel. After docking we make our way to our hotel nearby.
Days 3-7	At this time of year the days are long, dawn breaks at 04.25 and the sun sets at 22.30! We shall pace ourselves to enjoy the mornings when birds are active and take a more relaxed approach in the afternoons. Optional walks before breakfast will be offered on some mornings. Making full use of Stuart’s expert knowledge our exploration starts in the south, where shallow lochs fringed by Yellow Flag Iris and rocky headlands emerge from beautiful stretches of shell-sand beaches. Behind the dunes that face the Atlantic is the machair, a sandy grassland rich in wildflowers used by crofters to grow crops and raise cattle. The stunning flora includes deep purple Northern Marsh Orchids, the wine red Early Marsh Orchids and a succession of colourful pansies, clovers and Corn Marigolds. These flowers attract Moss Carder Bumblebees and with luck the Great Yellow Bumblebee, now confined to the far north of Scotland. The machair is alive with Skylarks and calling waders and we shall search shallow lochs for Snipe, Teal, Shoveler and Wigeon. Migrant birds are still passing offshore, with summer plumaged waders and sometimes skuas heading up to the Tundra! We shall look for lingering Great Northern Divers and Whimbrel, or Black-tailed Godwits bound for Iceland, which may drop into the fields. Otters are widespread and with luck we may see one during our visits to coasts or lochs. Along Loch Eynort the efforts of one landowner has transformed the north side of the loch. Native woodland has been planted and the shelter offers a home to warblers and Redpolls and the occasional rare migrant. There is an excellent area to picnic, where we watch for divers, Harbour Seals and sometimes Otter. The ridge lines of the mountains form a wonderful backdrop and we shall scan for Golden and White-tailed Eagles! Another highlight is Loch Druidibeg, where the local community and RSPB have a Reserve good for moorland birds, including Short-eared Owls. By special arrangement we shall take a chartered boat around the island of Grimsay, exploring the channels and islands where seals haul out and terns breed. The boat allows close views of eiders, mergansers and even Black Guillemots. With luck, we shall find Blackthroated and Red-throated Divers and hopefully catch a glimpse of a White-tailed or Golden Eagle! With care we look for the Red-necked Phalarope, which in some years nests here. There are only 30-40 pairs in the UK and this tiny population winters in the seas off Ecuador! This dainty wader swims confidently and it’s the more dowdy male which incubates the eggs. Our attention now switches to North Uist and Berneray, which have lovely Machair and rolling moorland where Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls, and sometimes Merlin can be seen. There are excellent viewpoints to scan for these species, with Stonechats and Wheatears to keep us entertained. Cuckoos often fly across the moorland searching for Meadow Pipit nests. The moorland is visited by hunting eagles, often mobbed by Ravens and other raptors! The RSPB Reserve at Balranald has ideal habitat for Corncrakes. This area is also the best place for Corn Buntings and Twite. In the fields we may see young Ringed Plover chicks following their parents. Little and Arctic Terns nest nearby and we should see them diving for fish just offshore. We shall identify the three species of Marsh Orchids found on the Uists. The deep wine red of the Early Marsh, contrasts with the purple Northern Marsh. Hebridean Orchid which has a smaller flower spike and deep black or brown blotches on its spearshaped leaves and is found nowhere else in the world! If time permits we shall visit Berneray for a walk beside Loch Bhrusda which can be good for waders, wildfowl and nesting terns.
Days 8-9	Today we catch our ferry. For those who wish to look for seabirds and cetateans, we shall go on deck and watch the mountains on Skye get close, as we journey across the Minch. Then it’s a steady drive to Inverness. The woodlands seem so vivid after the near treeless landscape we have left! Then it’s back to our hotel for dinner. After breakfast the next morning we say our farewells.

Just some of what we hope to see..

Corncrake	Whimbrel	Wheatear
Red-necked Phalarope	Little Tern	Stonechat
Golden Eagle	Arctic Tern	Redpoll
Hen Harrier	Arctic Skua	Puffin
Merlin	Great Skua	Storm Petrel
Short-eared Owl	Pomarine Skua	Twite
White-tailed Eagle	Long-tailed Skua	Golden Plover
Great Northern Diver	Manx Shearwater	Hebridean Orchid
Black-throated Diver	Black Guillemot	Harbour Seal
Red-throated Diver	Black-tailed Godwit	Otter

"Hearing the corncrake out of the window of the minibus and walking back to the spot and seeing it, on the first morning"
Carol Dow

"Obviously the bird watching was fantastic. Roy made the trip with his dedication and enthusiasm. He was helpful to everyone. His knowledge was excellent"
Caroline Cruickshank

"Wonderful views of Corncrake, White-tailed Eagle & Red-necked Phalarope"
Lynne and John Tidmarsh

"The good views and the sheer number of Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers. The boat trip and the sightings of dolphins, Manx Shearwaters etc on the return ferry crossing. The congenial company and Isabelle's cooking and just the whole atmosphere"
Ann Farrer

"As we sat down for our first evening meal at Orosay Inn, we were greeted by a Short-eared Owl quartering the moorland outside the dining room windows and a male Hen Harrier eating his catch"
Mary and David Penton

With its guarantee of a good night’s sleep, a reputation for excellent customer service and a good restaurant, the Premier Inn is the ideal place to spend our first and last evening. Located at the edge of Torvean Golf Course, this contemporary hotel is a 1-minute walk from the Caledonian Canal. In-room amenities feature free WiFi, pillow-top mattresses and en suite bathrooms with showers, as well as tea and coffee-making facilities, TVs and desks.

Purpose built in 2005 in the village of Lochmaddy, Hamersay House was bought by the team from Langass Lodge in 2014. A series of refurbishments has established this as a comfortable 4 star hotel popular with discerning visitors keen to explore this island.
The rooms have been decorated to reflect the coastal location of the hotel and offer top quality comfort. These large and spacious rooms all have en suite bathrooms and wonderfully comfortable beds.
Dining at Hamersay House is with a Restaurant menu that emphasises to source the very freshest ingredients locally. Head Chef Iain Davidson has worked across Europe and combines his eclectic knowledge with the very best local ingredients available on North Uist. The result is a fresh and variable menu that appeals to all.

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