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The Great British Bird Race - Dorset
Tour Code: GBR346Join us in Dorset for an exhilarating adventure. It’s the perfect antidote to the winter blues, and a chance to start the year with plenty of birds and a lot of fun.
£595
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Kick off your birding year with Naturetrek on an exhilarating winter bird race in Dorset, a county celebrated for its rich mosaic of habitats and impressive winter bird diversity. From rugged sea cliffs to sheltered harbours and ancient woodlands to lowland heath, Dorset offers an ideal stage for a high-energy birding challenge.
The goal: to record as many bird species as possible in 48 hours. We will be in friendly competition with the best birding counties in Britain, so every species will count.
Our bird race will take us from the dramatic headlands of Portland — perfect for passing seabirds, Rock Pipits and, perhaps, a Black Redstart — to the vast tidal expanse of Poole Harbour, where Avocets, Spoonbills and Red-breasted Mergansers gather in large numbers. Offshore, we’ll scan for Great Northern Divers and grebes, while the reedbeds may reveal Bearded Tits or a shy Water Rail.
Inland, the county’s remnant heathlands and pine-fringed commons provide a chance to encounter Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and flocks of wintering finches, all set against a backdrop of sweeping gorse and Silver Birch.
Led by local experts with intimate knowledge of Dorset’s best birding sites, we’ll aim to tally an impressive species count, combining strategic planning with plenty of fieldcraft and fun. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned birder, Dorset’s winter birding will not disappoint.
Join us for birds, banter, and the thrill of a winter bird race!
- The thrill of the bird race
- Spoonbills & Avocets in Poole Harbour
- Cirl Bunting possible
- Maybe a wintering Black Redstart
- Wintering Great Grey Shrike possible
- Woodlark & Dartford Warbler on the heaths
- Wintering raptors
- Potentially a big total in a rich and diverse county
Dates & Prices
2026
Tour Leader: Byron Palacios
Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who has been working as a researcher and bird watching tour leader since 2000. A keen birder and nature lover by 'nature', Byron has a vast knowledge of the neotropical and Western Palearctic avifauna, particularly in his native Ecuador and other neotropical countries such as southern USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, the Caribbean, European and Northern Africa regions. His sharp ears and bioacoustic skills allow him to locate the most elusive forest-dwelling birds in the field, successfully leading more than two-hundred trips so far! As a Field Ornithologist, Byron has contributed many important discoveries to Ecuadorian Ornithology, all published in scientific magazines and bulletins, such as the first record for Ecuador of the Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives), Feb. 2007; the rediscovery of the Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis), Aug. 2006; and the discovery of the Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri), Sep 2004, a new species for Ecuador. Byron currently works as an independent Wildlife Consultant, supporting the Operations team based at our Hampshire HQ. He also supports different conservation organisations and charities, helping people from remote communities to get involved in the conservation of their home habitats. He has also actively involved in many birding and conservation programmes in Spain, where his birding field skills have rapidly made him one of the authorities amongst the Iberian wildlife world. Byron endorses Gitzo products and other birding optics equipment brands, and is based in a beautiful corner of West Dorset.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
