Tour Itinerary
Example Holiday week Itinerary – Spring Tour (April - June) - £365 per person
Important to remember: At all times on our tours we follow the Birdwatcher's “Code of practise” to ensure we do not disturb birds
Day 1 - Monday
Arrive at your accommodation for 11.30, check in, introductions and coffee/tea followed by light lunch and a chat about what the week holds for us all. There will be a welcome pack and an up to date itinerary detailing what we will be hoping to see and everything you need to know about the weeks adventures ahead.
Afternoon sees us heading off in the mini-bus, weather permitting, we travel just a couple of miles down the road and into the heart of the spectacular countryside of the Upper Derwent valley and the Ladybower Reservoir. Here we will explore the lower valley and woodland to start the week off with a few ticks, the woodland is home to a number of common species, most seen from the car park and the well stocked feeders and we will also be looking for the slightly less common birds such as Nuthatch, Woodpeckers, Treecreepers and Goldcrests. The reservoir itself is worth a look as with luck we may see Red-breasted Mergansers or an early returning Common Sandpiper.
We will then head up the valley to the moors (keeping an eye on the stream outlets for Grey Wagtail and the chance of a Dipper). The plantations along the valley are one of the best places in Derbyshire to see Common Crossbill and there are also Redstart, Tree Pipit, Blackcap, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher in the valley. On the moor tops we can expect to see the iconic bird of the Uplands, the Red Grouse, its unmistakable call makes it relatively easily located (Black Grouse have been reintroduced to the area and are resident in small numbers but we would have to be really lucky see them), The moorlands are home to Ring Ousel, Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe, Short-eared owl and Golden Plover, amongst others. At this time of the year we will keep an eye on the skies for our real target bird of the day, the Goshawk, which can be seen displaying over the plantations. If the elements are on our side, we may also see Raven, Peregrine, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, all regularly seen over the moors and if we're really lucky, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Rough-legged Buzzard, all of which are occasional visitors. We will also keep an eye out for Mountain Hare, that live in the surrounding moorland area.
It's then back to the mini bus to arrive back at the accommodation late afternoon/early evening, plenty of time to review the afternoon's check list and then time for you to relax and enjoy your dinner (not included in your holiday price), followed by an early night (or maybe a drink or two), ready for a fun filled week ahead in beautiful surroundings.
(Please note the Upper Derwent Valley is an upland area where adverse weather such as low mist and rain will ruin the chances of seeing the specialities in the area so other venues may be used, please see the note at the bottom of the page for further details)
Day 2 - Tuesday
Its an early breakfast ready for a 8.30 start as we set off for Carsington Water, in the very south region of the Peak District.
Carsington water is a large reservoir that boasts an ever growing bird list now totalling 212 species, with the average daily species recording being an impressive 70. The reservoir has 4 hides, including a great central heated and double glassed wildlife centre with views of wading birds on the scrapes, including nesting Lapwings and Little Ringed Plovers. The beautiful Kingfisher is often observed from the wildlife centre. Birds we can expect to see on and around the water from the hides include Oystercatcher, Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Little and Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, and various species of Wildfowl and Gulls. There is always the chance of catching a Diver in the winter or early Spring. The northern end of the reservoir that has been set aside as a wildlife zone so is relatively undisturbed and we will explore this area on foot. The feeding stations near the car park and hides attract several species including parties of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Treesparrows, Various Tits and small numbers of Reed Bunting with the odd Great Spotted Woodpecker. Other species we hope to see around the reservoir are Green Woodpecker, Yellow Hammer, Redstart, Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Whitethroat, Pipits and Warblers. Little, Tawny and Barn Owl are resident and occasionally Short-eared Owl are seen. Ospreys occasionally stop over at the reservoir in spring and autumn on their migration routes.
We will have lunch in the visitor centre (not included in holiday price) where we will review the birds seen. We may want to spend the whole day at Carsington as there is so much to see or we can move on to Cromford Canal, an area managed by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The area is home to Dippers that display in March and early April along with resident Woodpeckers, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtails, Treecreepers, Nuthatch and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. The elusive Hawfinch is also seen in the area, but best chances of seeing them is October to March, when there are no leaves on the trees.
On the way home we travel through the majestic Chatsworth Estate, with luck we should see the Red Deer herd making their way down to the lower ground so maybe a good photo opportunity.
We arrive back at the accommodation early evening for a review of the days events, and plenty of time for you to do your own thing for the evening.
Day 3 - Wednesday
It's another early start with an 8.30 pick up as we head over the border into South Yorkshire for the short trip to Potteric Carr Nature reserve. Potteric Carr is Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's largest reserve, and is arguably one of the best inland reserves in the country. The main habitats include open water, reedbed, woodland, marsh and small meadows, creating a diversity of wildlife and over 200 species of birds that visit the reserve every year, over 100 of which breed there.
Why should we go there, “Areas of woodland surround fantastic marshes, reedbeds, and stretches of open water, providing habitats teeming with a world so rich in wildlife you will constantly be amazed at what you see” that's how Yorkshire Wildlife Trust describes it, and frankly I couldn't agree more, a must see place when you're in the area and less than an hour away.
The facilities at the reserve are good with 7 miles of footpaths, mostly easy walking, 15 easily accessible viewing hides, toilets, shop and a lovely little cafe in the middle of the reserve.
A trip to Potteric Carr at any time of the year is always well rewarded but April through spring time is a fantastic time when just about anything can turn up “on passage”. Some of the birds that are there all year that we would hope to see are: Kingfisher, Water Rail, Little and Great Crested Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Red Legged and Grey Partridge, Snipe, Lapwing, Little/Tawny and Long-eared Owls, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sky Lark , Tree and House Sparrows, Yellowhammer, and many many more. The reserve has regular Bittern and Short-eared Owl sighting in the winter and last year (2009) three Great Northern Divers were around in April, with one hanging around until the end of the month. The summer visitors are all starting to arrive, waders will include Oystercatcher, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Black and Bar Tailed Godwits, Curlew and Common Sandpiper. Other birds will include many species of Warbler's including Willow, Sedge, Grasshopper and Reed Warblers, Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, Chiffchaff, Reed and Corn Buntings and many types of Finches. Who knows, we may to lucky enough to see Hobby, Osprey or a Marsh Harrier but we should see the first real signs of approaching summer with Swifts, Martins and Swallows all returning from April onwards (oh yes, and we'll listen out for a cuckoo to spot). The reserve is a great place to spot other wildlife as well, mammals include Foxes, Water Vole, Rabbits, several species of Mice and Roe Deer, as well as 28 species of butterfly and over 20 species of dragonfly!
Lunch will be in the “Low Ellers Junction cafe” (not included in holiday price but very good prices and excellent food) – It's situated right in the centre of the reserve so we can carry on Bird Watching whilst enjoying a leisurely lunch.
There is really so much to do at Potteric Carr that it needs a full day, however, there is another reserve only 25 minutes away the RSPB Dearne Valley - Old Moor nature reserve and gives anyone new to birding an idea of what the RSPB's nature reserves have to offer. The site recently won Best Environment Project in the Heritage Lottery Fund awards and is another wonderful place to watch wildlife. There are 5 hides on the reserve and another one overlooking the bird-feeding garden. A late afternoon trip to the reserve on route back to the accommodation gives us the opportunity to go in search of any birds we've missed at Potteric, especially species like Little Owl that become more active as dusk approaches.
Its then back to the accommodation with a reflection on the days events and a tally up of what should be an impressive check-list for the day. We will also agree a plan of action for Thursday.
Day 4 - Thursday
Thursday sees us getting out and about in the Peak District and exploring some of the different scenery and habitats that makes Derbyshire an ideal place for Bird Watching. We will roughly stick to the itinerary suggested but depends on recent sightings in the area. We will take a packed lunch (included in the holiday price) and see where the day (and the weather) takes us.
Early morning (as early as we can manage) we travel just a few miles down the road to the National Trust's Longshaw Estate (free entry), which incorporates Padley Gorge, a notified SSSI. Padley Gorge is made up of woodlands, meadow and open moorland. Birds in spring time we may see are Lapwing and Curlew arriving back from their wintering grounds, Red Grouse frequent the moors, summer visitors we hope to see are Wheatear, Ring Ouzels, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Cuckoo and Whinchat (although they usually arrive from from May). This is a good area for Redstart and Pied Flycatcher, both species nest in the purpose built boxes throughout the estate. There's always the chance of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, and Treecreepers in the woods. On Burbage Brook we will keep an eye out for Grey Wagtails and Dipper.
The walk through Padley will take around 2 hours, we will then jump in the mini bus and pop just a mile or so down the road for a quick visit to Barbrook pools, where spring migration means that in addition to many of the same birds as Padley (a good area for Wheatear), there also the chance of Stonechat that are present all year. Waders such as Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Whimbrel can be seen and migrating ducks such as Wigeon and Shelduck may be on the water. The surrounding moorland is always worth a look for raptors with occasional Marsh Harrier and Osprey sightings at this time of year.
Its then back to the mini bus to travel to Lathkill Dale, one of the Peak District’s 5 National Nature Reserves, (Lathkill Dale, Cressbrook Dale, Monk’s Dale, Long Dale, Hey Dale). Lathkill Dale was featured in Bird Watching magazines October 2009 edition, it was quoted as one of the best five places in all the UK to see Dippers. The Peak District is made up of two distinctly different areas, the Dark Peak to the north, typified by gritstone moors and Peaks, such as the Upper Derwent region and to the south, the White Peaks, where the limestone valleys form a landscape of rolling hills, some with deep valleys and imposing craggs, truly stunning, beautiful scenery. Lathkill Dale is situated two miles south of Bakewell and just a short minibus trip from Padley Gorge.
We will follow the path by the River Lathkill, down through the valley where the water is crystal clear, along the slower parts of the river we may spot the resident Kingfishers and along the faster running stretches we can expect to encounter the Dipper. The Dipper is our only songbird that can swim under water, and has an unmistakable comic bobbing action, a wonderful sight, not matter how many times you have seen them. The valley sides have meadows and some woodland, mainly ash and alders. The birds we will look for along the way include Marsh Tit, all the Woodpeckers, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Skylark, Whitethroat and Yellowhammer.
As the daylight hours increase later in Spring, we will look to finish around mid afternoon on the Thursday, so you can explore the local area for yourselves for a few hours with an optional late afternoon/early evening Wildlife watching trip.
Possible optional wildlife events include a Bat Walk, there are 17 species of bat in the UK with four species we would be most likely to see on a bat walk. A Badger watch, although Badgers are relatively common in Derbyshire they are creatures of the night and quite elusive but with the right people helping us locate them, we stand a good chance of catching up with them. A evening on the heath listening and for and watching the mysterious Night jar, a species that is struggling in Derbyshire, with only a few pairs remaining. Or an evening spent Moth trapping, identifying the moths and insects we find.
Day 5 –Friday Morning
What haven’t we seen yet, the world’s our oyster! (well at least the Peak District but you know what I mean. )
By now we will have an impressive check-list, including most of the birds of the upland's, together with some great memories of a wonderful area, in county that few other counties in England can boast such spectacular scenery.
We will have a leisurely breakfast before we head off for the final mornings bird watching. Depending on what we've seen already (and the weather) and what we want to see, we could go looking for raptors and revisit the spectacular Upper Derwent Valley, it could be searching out Dippers and Grey Wagtails on the streams of one of the other picturesque Dales not visited, such as Monsal or Cressbrook Dale or a visit to the East Moors in search of one last look at the Red Grouse of the area followed by a walk through Chatsworth Park for that final glimpse of the areas beauty (and hopefully Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Sandpiper and lots of woodland birds, I defy anyone not to be uplifted by a walk in this area, real food for the soul.
We will arrive back at the your accommodation at around 2.30 for your afternoon departures home.
Please Note:
This is an example itinerary for the Spring tour, this itinerary will be different for the other seasonal tours to maximise the chances of seeing the birds present at any particular time of the year (see How to book for further details). We also reserve the right to change the itinerary for any reason including adverse weather (we have a choice of at least 20 top Bird Watching sites in the area to choose from) and for any other situations outside our control.