A relaxed and informal two-center, short, spring break sampling spectacular close-up winter goose flocks and breeding specialties such as grouse and raptors on the leader's home territory. Splendid and inspiring island and highland scenery in a historic setting.

This tour combines Peter's island home of Islay (pronounced "eye-lah") and the Scottish Highlands in a tried and tested late winter/early spring birding and cultural experience. Good numbers of special winter birds remain, while the most sought after of Scotland's breeding species are already nesting. Islay, the most southerly of the Inner Hebrides on the west coast, is a fine mix of sea lochs, cliffs, long sandy beaches and dunes pounded by the Atlantic, heather moors and hills, peat bogs, freshwater lochs, woodlands, streams, and farmland rearing prime beef cattle and Scottish black-face sheep.

This is winter home for a spectacular gathering of 35,000 Barnacle Geese and 15,000 Greater White-fronted Geese from Greenland. A good range of other wintering birds includes Greylag Geese, Whooper Swan, Eurasian Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Eurasian Teal, loons, European Shag, Fieldfare, and Redwing. Amongst these are occasional Brants, Long-tailed Duck, Iceland and Glaucous gulls, and more. Shorebirds include Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Golden-Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Purple Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Eurasian Woodcock, Eurasian Oystercatcher, and Common Snipe—recently split from its North American counterpart. Black Guillemot, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Merlin, Eurasian Kestrel, Peregrine, Northern Harrier, Red-billed Chough, Barn and Tawny owls, Twite, White-throated Dipper, Rock Pipit, and Yellowhammer are regularly seen and resident breeding birds.

Islay has a long, colorful history: gaunt standing stones, Iron Age Forts, Celtic crosses, and Finlaggan: the power center over much of Scotland's Atlantic coastline, and seat of the Lord of the Isles and Clan Donald in the 12th-15th centuries. Islay is world-renowned for its single-malt whiskies. Seven distinctive whisky distilleries and a working woollen mill producing world-famous fine tartans and tweeds all welcome visitors.

The Highlands scenery is dramatic—the highest peaks in Britain still snow-covered, and extensive moorlands and large tracts of beautiful, ancient Caledonian pine woodland. We will be based at the superb Aigas Field Center, a gloriously appointed early Victorian hunting lodge near Beauly, home of acclaimed conservationist Sir John Lister Kaye O.B.E. We'll be targeting species such as Arctic Loon, Eurasian Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Willow and Rock ptarmigan, flocks of Pink-footed Geese, the endemic Scottish Crossbill, localized Crested Tit, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Siskin, and special raptors such as Osprey, Red Kite, and White-tailed Eagle. These will have commenced breeding and displaying by early April, and we have good chances of seeing them all. There will, of course, be many other more widespread species that will be of interest to any birders new to European birding. While at Aigas we'll have time to make some optional historical asides, and be treated to short evening lectures by local conservationists.

While expecting to see some very special and sought-after birds, we also aim for a fun, relaxed, and varied tour, using excellent accommodation with fine food in highly scenic areas. Transport will be by roomy minibus—the best birding can be done from the roadside using the vehicle as a blind for watching and photography, or with short, easy walks. We'll visit excellent nature reserves with large visitor centers and observation blinds looking out onto prime birding areas. Join Peter at home in Scotland to sample special birding and fine dining amidst some fascinating history, whisky, and tartan!

Fine food and unique accommodations; easy short walks; optional cultural and historic diversions and evening lectures.