Photo Gallery
Photos by Bryan Bland, Patty Briggs and, where noted, Richard Maxfield
For its size Great Britain offers the most dramatically varied selection of habitats in the world, and the richest history. Our first few days are spent at Cley-next-the-sea - the home of birdwatching, famous as Britain’s prime ornithological Mecca for 200 years - and, incidentally, Bryan Bland’s home.
Photo: Richard Maxfield
But two days later we shall land on the Farne Islands, where seabirds abound and offer amazingly photographic opportunities even for the simplest
—and Black-legged Kittiwakes amongst the Common Guillemots.
The next day we shall be in the Cairngorm mountains, Britain’s only arctic/alpine plateau where snow sometimes lingers throughout the year and where the speciality
—in 2002 this individual ran up to us like a lost puppy and allowed itself to be stroked. This tameness explains its name, Dotterel meaning Little Fool.
Photo: Richard Maxfield
In the river valleys and moorland below we shall search
…and both Red…
—and Black Grouse.
We are never far from reminders of the country’s turbulent past - such as Ruthven barracks, the Redcoat headquarters blown up by the Jacobites in 1715.
Quintessential Scotland: mountains and moorland, coniferous forests, loon-haunted lochs, and a lone bagpiper - just the spot for a picnic.
In the Outer Hebrides, where we hope for Corncrake, Twite, and Whooper Swan, time has stood still for centuries - epitomized by this simple dwelling on North Uist, silhouetted against white sand and blue sea.
Castles abound throughout our tour - from the much-filmed Bamburgh, dominating the space between the beach and our hotel—
—to the equally photogenic Eilean Donan as we approach the Isle of Skye.
Equally impressive are the many majestic cathedrals - such as mighty Durham
But we also visit many more domestic dwellings - such as Ann Hathaway’s cottage which, after an evening at the world famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon, is a relaxing way to combine history with birdwatching in the Shakespeare Garden. Bullfinch is a regular favourite here.
Photo: Richard Maxfield
During our circuit of Britain we shall visit countless hides (blinds), the most comfortable way to view Bitterns, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, and numerous waders and wildfowl.
Photo: Richard Maxfield
One of the commonest waders, widespread throughout Britain, is the spectacular Lapwing.
Photo: Photo:Richard Maxfield
Equally popular is Britain’s national bird, the friendly Robin - here perched on the wing mirror of Bryan’s minibus
The page from Bryans visitors’ book illustrating over 80 birds chosen from the 200-plus species seen on the 2002 trip. This Jubilee year selection was suitably celebratory with many exotic extras such as Rose-coloured Starling, Scarlet Rosefinch, and the first European Bee-eaters to nest in Britain since 1955 (and the subject of the second biggest twitch of all time: 15,000 people visited the site during the summer). Even the more routine specialities are the envy of most British birdwatchers, many of whom spend a lifetime seeing Red-necked Phalarope, Golden Oriole, Crane, Honey Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier, Roseate Tern, Storm Petrel, and Cetti’s Warbler. If you identify all the species illustrated correctly, Bryan has a surprise for you when you take the trip.