Swallow Birding

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Swallow Birding

Swallow Birding & Wildlife offer a great range of birding & wildlife holidays in the UK and beyond All our air holidays are bonded through the CAA.

Swallow Birding & Wildlife offer a great range of birding & wildlife holidays from 3 night breaks to 14 night holidays in the UK, Europe, Africa, Central America and India
Founded 2006

Our motto is 'GREAT VALUE - GREAT FUN - GREAT WILDLIFE'

Visit www.swallowbirding.co.uk for more information. ATOL number 9831.

16/11/2024

STEVE'S BIRDING DAY at BLUE HOUSE FARM
Thursday 14th November 2024

A fantastic day guiding at this brilliant reserve on the banks of the River Crouch.

Some great birds seen including male HEN HARRIER, 2 SHORT-EARED OWL, 2 PEREGRINE, 2 COMMON BUZZARD, WESTERN BARN OWL, 6 WESTERN MARSH HARRIER and female MERLIN.

Other goodies included SPOTTED REDSHANK, CORN BUNTINGS, EUROPEAN STONECHATS, EURASIAN ROCK PIPIT, COMMON GREENSHANK plus thousands of wildfowl and waders.

Here are some images from our visit...

14/11/2024

SPANISH PYRENEES IN WINTER - WALLCREEPERS, BEARDED VULTURES & LARKS
Thursday 7th - Monday 11th November 2024

It was so good to back in the Spanish Pyrenees after a break for a few years and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Some excellent species of birds included WALLCREEPER, BEARDED VULTURE, GOLDEN EAGLE, ALPINE CHOUGH, DUPONT’S LARK, EUROPEAN STONE-CURLEW, CRESTED TIT, ALPINE ACCENTOR, COMMON CRANE, WATER PIPIT, RED-BILLED CHOUGH, BLACK WHEATEAR, THEKLA’S LARK, LITTLE OWL, IBERIAN GREY SHRIKE, COMMON FIRECREST, BLUE ROCK THRUSH, BLACK REDSTART, CALANDRA LARK and lots more.

The excellent weather produced plenty of other wildlife including LANG’S SHORT-TAILED BLUE, CLEOPATRA, BATH WHITE, WALL BROWN, IBERIAN WALL LIZARD and some lovely wildflowers.

It had been a fabulous tour with so many birding and wildlife highlights, excellent food and wonderful accommodation and scenery which was shared with a lovely group.

04/11/2024

NORTH NORFOLK BIRDING DAY
Saturday 2nd November 2024

A fantastic day guiding on the North Norfolk coast where the weather certainly didn't feel like November!

With so much to see, we spent the day at Titchwell RSPB reserve where highlights were flocks of beautiful EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER in the morning sunshine plus seven WESTERN CATTLE EGRET, two EURASIAN SPOONBILL, three GREAT EGRET, RED KITES, WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS, great views of BEARDED REEDLINGS, EUROPEAN ROCK PIPIT and that was before we reached the sea.

Sea conditions were pretty calm and although lots of birds weren't close, we did find 4 COMMON EIDER, NORTHERN GANNETS, RED-THROATED DIVER, a flock of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, COMMON SCOTER, SLAVONIAN GREBE and COMMON GOLDENEYE.

Birds of the day were three SNOW BUNTINGS that were well worth the walk along the beach for and gave the group lovely views as they fed on the tideline.

After lunch we explored the woodland, reedbeds and pools where we saw a very shy TAWNY OWL, adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL, CHINESE WATER DEER and the day ended watching WESTERN MARSH HARRIER in fading light with the added bonus of thousands of COMMON STARLINGS coming into roost.

31/10/2024

Great morning on Southend Pier with Bird Aware Essex Coast and Essex Birdwatching Society taking part in the Great Coastal Birdwatch.

Millpond conditions on the river with 23 MEDITERRANEAN GULL, 3 RED-THROATED DIVER, NORTHERN GANNET and a EUROPEAN S**G the highlights.

Here are some images...

29/10/2024

BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH DAY 4
Monday 28th October 2024

Our final day of guided walks, the first at The Naze which was rather windy and a bit damp at times but the group managed to see COMMON EIDER, COMMON SCOTER, GOLDCREST, COMMON CHIFFCHAFF, BRENT GEESE, WESTERN MARSH HARRIER, EUROPEAN STONECHAT and more.

After lunch we concluded the weekend with a visit to Holland Haven where YELLOW-LEGGED GULL and PEREGRINE were the highlights in less than favourable conditions!

We're looking forward to BCBW25 and more guided walks around Essex.

27/10/2024

BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH DAY 3
Sunday 27th October 2024

A simply amazing day at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park - Essex Wildlife Trust. Over 45 people took part in the first of our guided walks and then 35 on the second walk on what was a stunning day weatherwise.

Lots of birds and wildlife to be seen including OSPREY, GREAT EGRET, RED KITES, WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS, COMMON BUZZARDS, REDWINGS and a really good variety of waders on the estuary and marshes.

Thanks to everyone who came along with Matt and myself and made it so memorable!

27/10/2024

BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH DAY 2

Here are some images from two guided walks, the first at Mistley Walls led by Mark Nowers, Matt Turner and myself and then down to Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park - Essex Wildlife Trust where 44 participants joined Matt and myself for an afternoon birding the reservoir.

Highlights included LITTLE OWL, SPOTTED REDSHANK, MERLIN, 17 GREAT EGRET, 3 RED-CRESTED POCHARD, SCAUP, 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES, 2 COMMON KINGFISHERS and lots more...

25/10/2024

BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH DAY 1

A great start to the Essex Birdwatching Society's annual event with two walks, the first at Gunner's Park and the second at Wallasea Island.

Thanks to everyone who came along and supported us and we managed to see some good birds including 2 WATER RAIL, COMMON KINGFISHER, SANDERLING, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, GREAT CRESTED GREBES, MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, EUROPEAN STONECHATS, 3 GREAT EGRETS, 2 HEN HARRIERS, 6+ WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS, PEREGRINE FALCON, CORN BUNTING, NORTHERN PINTAIL and lots more.

Here are a few pics from the day...

23/10/2024

BIRDING DAY ON CANVEY ISLAND
Wednesday 23rd October 2024

A rather murky start to the morning at Canvey Point where VELVET SCOTER, 2 COMMON GUILLEMOT, hunting PEREGRINE FALCON and a very showy EURASIAN ROCK PIPIT were the highlights along with thousands of waders and wildfowl.

After lunch we explored West Canvey Marshes RSPB where BARNACLE GOOSE, 5 COMMON SNIPE, GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 WESTERN MARSH HARRIER, 4 COMMON BUZZARD, 6 COMMON KESTREL, 3 CORN BUNTING and EUROPEAN STONECHATS were the pick of the bunch.

22/10/2024

EAST YORKSHIRE - AUTUMN MIGRANTS SPECIAL
Friday 18th - Monday 21st October 2024

Once again, the British weather threw all it could at us including Storm Ashley but we still managed a really good long weekend of birding in East Yorkshire.

Highlights from the east including two BLACK REDSTARTS, 1st winter female RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL, a lovely stripy PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER and four YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS.

Other goodies included female HEN HARRIER, female MERLIN, 10 LITTLE GULLS, juvenile LITTLE STINT, two CASPIAN GULLS, WESTERN BARN OWL, EURASIAN TREE SPARROWS, LITTLE OWL, MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, WESTERN MARSH HARRIER, BARN SWALLOW, YELLOWHAMMERS, EURASIAN BULLFINCH, LESSER REDPOLL and lots more which rounded off a cracking weekend with some good birds, lots of food, laughs and challenging weather conditions, all enjoyed with a lovely group of clients!

17/10/2024

GOLDEN ISLES OF SCILLY - AUTUMN MIGRATION
Saturday 5th - Saturday 12th October 2024

Some of the other wildlife and scenes we encountered on our tour last week. Thanks to tour participants Emma Robinson & Julia Todd for some of the images!

16/10/2024

GOLDEN ISLES OF SCILLY - AUTUMN MIGRATION
Saturday 5th - Saturday 12th October 2024

It was so good to be on The Isles of Scilly for our annual tour of these beautiful islands.

Although there were no ‘Mega’s’ this year, we enjoyed good views of some scarce species which included ISABELLINE WHEATEAR which we co-found, BLACK KITE, GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, ORTOLAN BUNTING, EURASIAN DOTTEREL, CORY’S SHEARWATER, EURASIAN WRYNECK, RED-BACKED SHRIKE and YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS.

With a supporting cast of COMMON FIRECRESTS, JACK SNIPE, LITTLE TERN (a rare bird on Scilly), BARNACLE GEESE, WHOOPER SWANS, BLACK REDSTARTS, WHINCHATS and EURASIAN SPOONBILL there was plenty to keep us occupied.

Non-bird highlights included seeing the Northern Lights plus thousands of GOOSE BARNACLES on a washed up log, PRICKLY STICK INSECTS, HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTHS plus GOLDEN TWIN-SPOT and MADDER PEARL.

All this along with amazing accommodation, good food, reasonable weather and brilliant company made it a tour to remember.

Many thanks to tour participant Julia Todd for some of the bird images.

15/10/2024

BIRDING DAY AT THE NAZE & HOLLAND HAVEN
Tuesday 15th October 2024

A great day guiding at The Naze & Holland Haven with the undoubted highlight being some very showy COMMON FIRECRESTS flitting around just a few feet from us. We also saw YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, BRAMBLING, EURASIAN SISKIN, REDWING, COMMON CHIFFCHAFF, EURASIAN ROCK PIPITS, SANDERLING, COMMON SCOTER, COMMON KINGFISHER, 10+ EUROPEAN STONECHAT, GOLDCREST and lots more.

Here are some pics from our day...

04/10/2024

BIRDING DAY TO TWO TREE ISLAND & GUNNER'S PARK
Wednesday 2nd October 2024

A lovely day spent guiding in South Essex where our first port of call was Two Tree Island. It was good to see thousands of DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE on the estuary and our walk around produced 35+ EURASIAN SISKIN, BARN SWALLOWS, 10 migrating GREY HERONS, COMMON CHIFFCHAFFS, CETTI'S WARBLER and several flyover EURASIAN SKYLARKS.

The western lagoon held good numbers of waders as the tide came in and best of the bunch was a CURLEW SANDPIPER amongst the COMMON RINGED PLOVERS, DUNLIN & GREY PLOVER. Other goodies included 27 COMMON GREENSHANK, 70 PIED AVOCET and 500 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and several FIREBUG, my first in Essex.

We then moved over to Gunner's Park where we had lunch in the sunshine and then spent the after wandering about. Good numbers of DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE were moving offshore with small numbers of SANDWICH TERNS and we found a group of around 500 SANDERLING which were amazing to watch.

As we headed back to the cars, we found two COMMON KINGFISHERS and then picked out two RING OUZEL in flight which rounded off the day rather nicely indeed!

01/10/2024

THAMES BARGE TRIP
Saturday 28th September 2024

Matt Turner and I led the first Thames Barge trip of the autumn with Topsail Charters and we couldn't have wished for a better day out on the Rivers Stour and Orwell.

Due to the poor weather the previous day, we now were leaving from Harwich instead of Ipswich which meant more time in Essex!

Highlights included up to 35 MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, RED KITES, SANDWICH & COMMON TERNS, NORTHERN PINTAIL, DARK-BELLIED BRENT GEESE, both ATLANTIC GREY & HARBOUR SEALS and lots more plus fine weather, food and company!

Here are a few pics from our day.

29/09/2024

BIRDING DAY - LANDGUARD POINT, SUFFOLK
Wednesday 25th September 2024

Lovey day guiding at Landguard Point, Suffolk where we found 12+ NORTHERN WHEATEAR, WHINCHAT, EUROPEAN STONECHAT (a scarce bird here), 20+ COMMON CHIFFCHAFF, 10 EURASIAN BLACKCAP, 2 SONG THRUSH, a very showy PURPLE SANDPIPER, 2 COMMON TERN, 5 MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, 4 SANDWICH TERN and lots more.

26/09/2024

Annette and I had only been at Walton-on-the-Naze 1 minute when the EURASIAN HOOPOE flew in, spent 5 mins preening on fence and then fed on lawn before flying off south over the houses. Not seen one in Essex for a long time!

25/09/2024

BIRDING DAY TRIP TO NORTH NORFOLK
Saturday 21st September 2024

A fantastic day both weatherwise and birdwise for our day trip to Norfolk. We kicked off the day at Titchwell RSPB reserve where the tide was covering the freshmarsh and making quite a sight.

Up to 18 EURASIAN SPOONBILL were roosting plus we had fantastic views of BEARDED REEDLINGS at close range. Other goodies during our morning session included LITTLE STINT, PINK-FOOTED GEESE, GREAT EGRET, EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER, NORTHERN GANNET, SANDWICH TERNS, COMMON GREENSHANK and lots more.

After lunch in the sunshine we headed for Burnham Overy were lots more PINK-FOOTED GEESE were on the grazing marshes plus CHINESE WATER DEER, EGYPTIAN GEESE and female MERLIN.

After an unsuccessful hunt for a Barred Warbler we walked to the west end of Holkham pines where a newly arrived YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER flitted around constantly in a Sycamore and ended the day rather nicely!

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Stanway
Colchester

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http://www.swallowbirding.co.uk/

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Videos

Heath Fritillaries

Orgy of HEATH FRITILLARIES at Hockley Wood, Essex on Tuesday.

Common Nightingale giving it large!

Pretty ropey weather down at Abberton Reservoir this morning. Redhead SMEW, 3 RUFF, 5 GOOSANDER, 3 MARSH HARRIER, RAVEN, ROCK PIPIT and 3 GREAT EGRETS best of the bunch.

European Nightjar

Wobbly video of 'churring' EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR taken during our trip to Suffolk on Tuesday night.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth

So pleased to see a HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH in our Stanway garden this evening. It's been a while since one of these beauties graced us with a visit.

Loganair plane landing at Barra Airport

Loganair flight from Glasgow landing at Barra Airport (the only airport in the world that has scheduled flights landing on a beach!)

EURASIAN PYGMY OWL

FINLAND - LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN We have spent the last three days birding the area around Oulu in Northern Finland and what a great time we are having. Highlights have included GREAT GREY, PYGMY, LONG-EARED, SHORT-EARED, BOREAL and URAL OWLS which our group have enjoyed good views of us but so far, Hawk Owl has eluded us. Other goodies included CASPIAN TERNS, COMMON ROSEFINCHES, WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, PIED FLYS, BLACK GROUSE, HAZEL GROUSE, lots of EURASIAN WOODCOCK and more. Non avian species have included RED SQUIRREL, MOUNTAIN & BROWN HARES, NORTHERN DAMSELFLY, RUBY WHITEFACE, EUROPEAN SWALLOWTAIL and NORTHERN WALL BROWN to name but a few. Today we head Northeast to Kuusamo for 3 nights where we hope to see more great species. Here is some footage of a rather smart PYGMY OWL from yesterday.

GREAT GREY OWLS

FINLAND - LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN Great to be back in Finland and what a start to our tour! This amazing female GREAT GREY OWL with two chicks wowed our group this afternoon and we have caught up with some great species such as ORTOLAN BUNTING, CASPIAN TERNS, GARGANEY, HORNED GREBE, SHORT-EARED OWLS, BOREAL OWL, COMMON ROSEFINCHES and COMMON CRANE amongst others.

Fishing Northern Gannets off the Isle of Noss, Shetland

SHETLAND SUMMER BIRDING Sunday 29th & Monday 30th May 2022 An amazing past couple of days with weather varying from bitterly cold to blue skies and sunshine but the wildlife has been utterly brilliant. Highlights included 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, feeding MINKE WHALE, RED GROUSE, thousands of seabirds at the colonies at Sumburgh Head and the Isle of Noss, SHETLAND BUMBLEBEE, displaying EURASIAN WHIMBREL, WHOOPER SWANS, RED-THROATED DIVERS, ARCTIC & GREAT SKUAS. It wasn't difficult for our group to choose their favourite moment and these fishing NORTHERN GANNETS were something that would stick in our memories for a long time!

Calling EUROPEAN STORM PETREL

SHETLAND SUMMER BIRDING Saturday 28th May 2022 A great first day of our Shetland tour with some great wildlife including RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, ARCTIC TERNS, SANDERLING and other waders in pristine breeding plumage, GREAT & ARCTIC SKUAS and our first OTTER of the trip. We concluded the day with a cracking visit to the Isle of Mousa where hundreds of EUROPEAN STORM PETRELS flitted around us and we could hear them calling from the Iron Age Broch. Apparently likened to a fairy being sick, what do you reckon?

LEAF-CUTTER ANTS

Our group were mesmerised by these LEAF-CUTTER ANTS as they headed to their nest in a large tree. We're coming to the end of a fantastic tour and with another couple of days to go, we are hoping to add some new species to our lists.

FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

Didn't expect to be videoing this FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD from just 3 inches away using my phone!

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Our Story

Swallow Birding & Wildlife offer a great range of birding holidays from 3 night breaks to 14 night holidays in the UK, Europe, Africa and Central America. We also run day trips and bespoke tours for clubs and individuals as well as local walks and barge trips. Our motto is 'GREAT VALUE - GREAT FUN - GREAT WILDLIFE' Visit www.swallowbirding.co.uk for more information. All our air holidays are bonded through the CAA. ATOL number 9831.