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News in Brief: Poland, Scotland, the USA, Romania, Uzbekistan, France, India & Sri Lanka
March & April 2025
Tour leader, Jan Kelchtermans, reflects on a remarkable 5-week season of guiding our back-to-back ‘Poland's Mammals: In Search of the Eurasian Lynx!’ tours this spring, full of exciting wildlife encounters and new technological advantages. He says, ‘For the first time, both guides used thermal cameras connected via Bluetooth to an iPad, enabling us to follow sightings in real time — especially effective for observing Wolves without disturbing them with spotlights.
The Wolf sightings were truly exceptional, with over 30 encounters involving five or six different packs. Observations ranged from solitary individuals to full packs, with unforgettable moments of howling, hunting, feeding, and even Wolves near Bears or close to houses.
Though Bear numbers were slightly lower than the previous year, each tour still featured encounters, with the third tour offering particularly stunning views. Some sessions even resembled Finland’s famous bear hides — though here, Bison carcasses replaced Moose or Reindeer bait!
Bison appeared in strong numbers, especially later in the season as they moved into meadows for fresh vegetation. They were also seen regularly in forests, along the San River, and near the Ukrainian border.
Beavers and Otters maintained their usual presence, with Otters frequenting the local Beaver pools to fish. A known Beaver site also hosted an Otter family, with frequent sightings and tracks visible on nearby roads.
Eurasian Lynx remained the ultimate prize, requiring patience and nighttime minibus sessions. We succeeded in spotting three individuals across five tours — each providing superb views. Wildcats were more readily seen and consistently observed.
Among mustelids, we saw Badgers, Pine and Beech Martens. Bird highlights included phenomenal Ural Owl numbers, photogenic Pygmy Owls, and a tour “first” for Naturetrek — a visual of a Tengmalm’s Owl. Hazel Grouse, Nutcrackers, Lesser-spotted Eagles, Hawfinches, Black Storks, and various woodpeckers rounded out a spectacular season.’
May 2025
‘A fantastic week on the Uists began before we arrived, spotting a six-foot dorsal fin of a male Orca cleave the waters of the Minch from the ferry!’ writes tour leader Jim Wardill. ‘Once on this famously atmospheric island chain, we explored astounding white sand beaches, machair meadows, rugged sea lochs and moorland from our comfortable base at the Hammersay Hotel in Lochmaddy. In better-than-expected weather, we toured the islands from Berneray and North Uist down to Benbecula and South Uist, always marvelling at the light and colour of the landscapes spread beneath ancient mountains.
We experienced classic Western Isles wildlife, from Corncrakes and waders in the rich machair habitats to fantastic views of majestic Golden Eagles, Short-eared Owls and Hen Harriers. The boat cruise around the island of Ronay gave us dreamed-of views of White-tailed Eagles at their eyrie, extremely smart Black-throated Divers and Arctic Skua. Otters, Glaucous Gull and Red-necked Phalarope were the icing on the cake of a wonderful week!’
May 2025
‘This 8-night cruise was a fabulous exploration of Scotland’s Hebridean islands, surely some of the best habitat that the UK has to offer!’ writes tour leader Sara Frost. ‘Sailing from Oban, we overnighted in Loch Sunart before heading to North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, seeing Barrel Jellyfish, Common Dolphins, Arctic Skuas, Common Eider, White-tailed Eagles and both Common and Grey seals en route. Our crossing to St Kilda was remarkably calm – although it was made distinctly “un-calm” by the shriek of “ORCA!” from the bow, resulting in a stampede to the front of the boat. Indeed, a single adult male Orca glided through the water near our boat – what a glorious sight!
Reaching the far-flung islands of St Kilda was a cherished moment for many, it being the main reason for most people travelling on the trip. The magnificent cliffs and sea stacs were busy with Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins, with Great Skuas patrolling overhead and Common Snipe frequently calling from the hillsides.
The rest of the cruise provided visits to the islands of Taransay, Rum, Canna and Mull, with us overnighting at a tranquil, peaceful site each evening. Common Dolphins, a Minke Whale, White-tailed and Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers, Red- and Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Red Deer and an Otter made the whole cruise truly magical, and a very memorable voyage in such a special part of the world.’
May 2025
‘Cape May is one of the most famous bird migration hotspots in the world and this spring tour certainly experienced some good sightings, despite the winds being unfavourable on some days,’ writes tour leader Barrie Cooper. ‘The first morning in Cape May provided us with great views of birds such as White-eyed Vireo and Prairie Warbler, but the sight of a Swallow-tailed Kite overhead even got the locals excited as it’s a rare bird there. Within a five-minute period on that first morning, we saw Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle and Osprey – quite a start! A good selection of warblers was seen during the week, including Bay-breasted, Prothonotary, Pine, Yellow-throated, Magnolia and Hooded. We witnessed Horseshoe Crabs laying their eggs on beaches where hundreds of breeding-plumage Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers were feeding on this important food source before continuing their journeys to their Arctic breeding grounds.
Away from Cape May, we visited a heronry where we enjoyed close views of birds such as Little Blue Heron. A day in the rain at a reserve near Atlantic City gave us breeding-plumage Stilt and White-rumped Sandpipers plus close views of Black Skimmers skimming right in front of us. The phrase “Osprey with a fish” was the most frequently used statement called out on every day of this excellent trip as these magnificent birds soared over. In addition to the birds, we also saw some excellent butterflies and other invertebrates to add further colour and variety to an excellent trip.’
14th May 2025
'An exciting trip to Romania took in the stunning Carpathian Mountains, arguably the greatest delta in Europe for wildlife and the remaining steppes of Dobrogea, plus a visit to the Black Sea coast,’ writes tour leader Neil McMahon.
‘Highlights in the mountains were undoubtedly a pair of Wallcreepers showing well in the beautiful Zanesti Gorge and on the same day, an opportunity of witnessing eight Brown Bears at a feeding station which included females with cubs and an awesome alpha male, all acting naturally at close range in stunning afternoon light. In the same area we managed to track down the likes of Lesser Spotted Eagle, Great Grey Shrike and the first of the colourful trio of Bee-eater, Roller and Golden Oriole.
Our floating hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the channels and lakes of the Danube Delta, and was perhaps the main reason why many of the participants had come on the trip. In addition to the varied birdlife on offer, we were very fortunate to encounter views of Otters and a Golden Jackal and probably saw and heard just a fraction of the frogs dominating the shallows and margins!
Flocks of Great White Pelicans with their distinctive “Mexican Wave” flying formations, less gregarious Dalmatian Pelicans and the mix of herons and egrets were constant, surrounded by large feeding flocks of Whiskered Terns, patrolling black-headed Pallas's Gulls and woodpeckers, Kingfishers, ridiculous numbers of Cuckoos and yet more Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and Rollers along the tree-lined channels.
20th May 2025
‘How on earth does one summarise such a fabulous trip and pick the best highlights?’ asks tour leader Andy Bunten. ‘Was it the Brown Bears parading around in front of us: two tiny twin cubs with their mother making a rapid exit as a huge male Bear entered, stalking a receptive female? Or the stunning views of Piatra Craiului (King’s Rock) in glorious sunshine with a Goshawk whisking overhead and Spotted Nutcracker hurrying past?
Perhaps it was the day we had extended views of Red-breasted Flycatcher; Golden Orioles zipping hither and thither; Levant’s Sparrowhawk perched just feet away; soaring Honey Buzzards, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard; Icterine Warblers wheezing from Hornbeam and Middle-spotted Woodpeckers exploring a nearby tree trunk for insects?
There again, it could have been when we travelled down the Black Sea coast and found Paddyfield Warbler, Bee-eaters, Rollers and Red-footed Falcons galore and a stunning male Bearded Tit.
However, we all agreed that the star of the show was the Delta itself. Its stunning vistas and abundant wildlife spectacles. Hundreds of Cormorants, pelicans and egrets feeding together in a frenzy of action; the “mixed maternity ward” of breeding Black-necked Grebes, Black-headed Gulls and Whiskered Terns and, of course, the small boat trip down legendary “Kingfisher Alley”!
What an amazing trip!’
May 2025
‘Our “Uzbekistan’s Wildlife & Culture” holiday was a successful introduction to this diverse and ancient land, with its mix of mountains, deserts and the icons of the Great Silk Road,’ writes tour leader Martin Pitt. ‘Expertly assisted by Timur as wildlife guide, together with local cultural guides and drivers, we visited the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara with their blue tiled mosques, madrassas and mausoleums and the natural wonders around them. We headed high into the “Switzerland of Uzbekistan” at 2,500m in Za’amin and the low plains of red sand in the Kyzylkum Desert. We also experienced the hospitality of the Uzbek people and their unique cuisine, a tasty blend of Persian, Turkish, Indian and Chinese food.
Overall and despite early and hot spring weather, we recorded 134 species of birds, seven of mammals, 22 of butterflies, 10 of reptiles, 12 of dragonflies, and some interesting species of plants. No doubt because of earlier blistering temperatures, the plant- and insect-life were more advanced than normal, explaining the high numbers seen. However, much of the bird migration had already passed through and breeding was in full swing, with even some early nesters having young. Many of these species are localised to this region, whilst many are familiar from further east, south or west, creating a “melting pot” and including species that have only scientific names. Highlights included Turkestan Ground-jay, Blyth’s Rosefinch, Rufous-naped Tit, Himalayan Vulture, Secret Toad-headed Agama, Rapid Racerunner, Great Gerbil, Turkman Goitered Gazelle, and Turkmenian Wild Ass.
Butterflies and dragonflies were also active and many of the species are little known, including the Turkestan Goldenring, Sandy Darter, Turkestan Winter Damselfly, Persian Spotted Fritillary, and Marbled Whites, Hairstreaks and Graylings that have yet to have English names. During our tour we visited a wide range of habitats from mountains to deserts, via wetlands and fertile valleys. In all, this was a stunning introduction to this double landlocked and historic part of Central Asia.’
May 2025
‘The Cévennes were blue and gold, sparkling in the spring sunshine while the air was heavy with the scent of broom,’ writes tour leader Pip O’Brien. ‘All around our little hotel near Florac Trois Rivières, swifts and Crag Martins swooped and called.
We explored fields filled with orchids, woods carpeted in wintergreens and meadows blooming with narcissus and geranium. Butterflies surprised us, with unexpected appearances of Spanish Festoon and Duke of Burgundy, not to mention a group of Chequered Blues. But it was the geology that stole the show with deep gorges cut through limestone, towers, pinnacles of honey-coloured rock and the grand granite boulders of Mont Lozère.
Add in glorious French food and we had a perfect trip!’
May 2025
‘A week of wonderful sunshine – not the norm in the Outer Hebrides but we made the absolute most of it,’ writes tour leader Mick Durham. ‘As we drove around Harris and Lewis, not only did we enjoy wonderful wildlife but the scenery was spectacular. The stunning beaches of the west coast of Lewis with glowing sands and aquamarine waters and the rugged mountains of Harris gave us amazing backdrops to a real mixture of wildlife. Harbour and Grey Seals, divers, Gannets, shorebirds and a brief sighting of a Minke Whale were just some of the wildlife to be found along the shores and at sea.
A boat trip to the Shiants was really all about Puffins, thousands of them, but we also enjoyed just as many Guillemots and Razorbills and hundreds of Kittiwakes on their nest ledges, while White-tailed Eagles drifted lazily above us. Amazing! Our shorter boat trip in a RIB out of Stornoway gave us a great view of a White-tailed Eagle sitting on its nest and, very unexpectedly, some close-up views of a Black-throated Diver. This was the trip that also gave us the view of the Minke. The week started off with us just hearing Cuckoos but by the end we had seen at least five.
Two early morning walks in the grounds of Lews Castle gave us a number of woodland birds, as well as Herons performing in their heronry.
There were some gaps. We saw no Otters despite visiting several promising locations, we only got one sighting of a Hen Harrier and there were no Corncrakes calling. But the eagles… well! In total we saw 18 White-tailed Eagles (eight on the boat trip to the Shiants) and seven Golden Eagles. These really were the stars of the show.’
April 2025
‘Seven of us met up in Glasgow, all set for a few days of wildlife photography on the Isle of Mull, one of Scotland’s Inner Hebridean islands,’ writes tour leader Mick Durham. ‘A 2-hour drive took us to Oban and the ferry across to Mull, where we were soon driving south towards our hotel at Port nan Gael on the shores of Loch Scridain. Up through Glen More we scanned the ridges for eagles, with no success but as we neared the hotel, Mick spotted two Otters swimming close inshore. These were the first of nine Otters we saw during our stay.
During our first two days we experienced beautiful weather, warm and sunny, and our two boat trips enjoyed calm seas. Three hours out photographing White-tailed Eagles, Great Northern Divers and Black Guillemots got the trip off to a great start. The next day, we sailed out to Staffa to see Fingal’s Cave and then on to the Treshnish Isles to land on Lunga, host to thousands of Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and Shags and some very vocal Wrens. On the crossing we picked up some recently arrived Manx Shearwaters, as well as rafts of auks. We had organised an extended day on Lunga and by 4pm we were the only people there – a very peaceful way to enjoy the antics of the resident Puffins.
The weather did then change and we had to endure some rain on our visit to Iona and the rain also threatened our second eagle boat trip. However, we were so lucky to get a break in the rain just as the eagles came out to feed and this photo session was voted a real success – lots of activity and some great stormy light.
Cuckoos were all over the island but although we heard them every day, we failed to actually spot one. We saw distant views of Short-eared Owls and a female Hen Harrier. We photographed both Common and Grey Seals, Red Deer, Golden Plover, Wheatear, Great Northern Diver, ancient Atlantic Oak woodland, and stunning scenery, while each evening, we enjoyed the excellent hospitality and food at the Inn at Port nan Gael.’
April 2025
‘This wildlife tour was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a thrilling blend of diverse wildlife sightings and a deep connection to India’s natural wonders,’ says tour leader Yusuf Rizvi. ‘With over 31 different Tiger sightings, the journey through such iconic Tiger Reserves as Tadoba, Kanha, Pench and Satpura was absolutely captivating.
The chance to witness a Tigress with her cubs in Pench was particularly special, as these moments are so rare and evocative, capturing the tender side of these magnificent animals. The Leopard sightings, with over eight individuals spotted, added an extra layer of intrigue, given the elusive nature of Leopards. The Dholes, too, are fascinating with their social dynamics and often challenging to spot, so encountering 22 individuals across the tour was a remarkable experience.
And, of course, the birdlife — over 197 species — added a whole new dimension to the adventure. Whether it’s the colourful plumage of exotic birds or the calls of rare species, birdwatching in these rich ecosystems can be just as exhilarating as spotting the larger carnivores. The variety and abundance of wildlife in these parks was breathtaking.
The journey itself was meticulously planned, with every day offering something unique, from thrilling safaris to enriching cultural experiences. The group not only encountered wildlife in its raw, unfiltered state but also had the opportunity to explore the surrounding culture, adding a human connection to the wild places they visited.’
March 2025
‘This 15-day Sri Lanka wildlife and birding expedition offered a perfect blend of adventure, discovery, and relaxation across some of the island’s richest natural and cultural landscapes,’ writes tour leader Saman Kumar. ‘From the iconic Elephant herds at Hurulu Eco Park and Udawalawe National Park to rare nocturnal encounters with elusive cats and civets, each day delivered unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Travellers journeyed through diverse habitats — lush rainforests, misty highlands, dry zone forests, and vibrant wetlands — spotting a dazzling array of endemic and exotic bird species, playful primates like the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey, and fascinating reptiles and mammals. Highlights included thrilling safaris in Lunugamwehera and Yala National Parks, serene bird walks in hotel gardens and village surroundings, and captivating night drives revealing the island’s secretive nocturnal wildlife.
Cultural enrichment was woven throughout the tour with visits to Sigiriya’s ancient rock fortress and Kandy’s revered Temple of the Tooth, providing insight into Sri Lanka’s rich heritage. Alongside expert-guided excursions, guests enjoyed comfortable accommodations and the chance to relax in scenic settings, making this a well-rounded journey for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Designed to maximise wildlife sightings and provide authentic encounters, this tour provided awe-inspiring moments and lasting memories at every turn.’
February 2025
‘India in February is a landscape of contrasts — cool morning mists giving way to warm afternoons, ancient forts and Mughal monuments standing quietly beside forests alive with alarm calls and the footfalls of predators,’ writes tour leader Rishin Basu. ‘This “Wild India in Style” tour brought together a vibrant group of wildlife enthusiasts for a journey through some of India’s richest ecosystems and cultural landmarks.
We began with explorations in the wetlands near Delhi before heading deep into the sal and bamboo forests of Kanha and Bandhavgarh, where Tigers dominated the narrative. From there, we moved to Agra, where history unfolded against the backdrop of the Taj Mahal, and then to the avian paradise of Bharatpur, before wrapping up with thrilling Tiger sightings in Ranthambhore.
Across two weeks, the group recorded an astonishing diversity of wildlife: dozens of mammal sightings (including Leopards, Sloth Bears, Dholes, and multiple Tigers), over 200 species of birds, and memorable moments with owls, reptiles, bats, and more. Seven participants began the journey together; two of them departed after Fatehpur Sikri, while the rest continued deeper into India’s wild heart.’
January 2025
‘Our journey kicked off with an unforgettable experience: encountering thousands of Spinner Dolphins off the coast of Kalpitiya,’ writes tour leader Thilanka Ranathunga. ‘We also found rare bird species such as Wimbrel and Terek Sandpiper, making this part of the tour truly remarkable. Following that, we made our way to Wilpattu National Park, where we had the incredible luck to spot four Leopards. Throughout the trip, we documented an impressive variety of wildlife, including 16 mammal species, 136 bird species, and 10 species of reptiles and amphibians!’
