Wild Scotland: Secrets of the Solway
Currently available as a tailor made photographic safari
Welcome to Hidden gems, part of our fully flexible Wild Scotland Safari !
This section may be booked alone but is also perfect to combine with either or both of the other sections
Wild Scotland Part 1: Highlands
HIDDEN GEMS OVERVIEW
South West Scotland’s Solway area is a little visited, wildlife rich gem. We book exclusive use of a network of specialist professional hides to get you close to all of the region’s iconic Springtime species… these are the secret places that many top pros use to create those shots you see and think “wow – how did they get that??” We will also take the opportunity to explore astro photography in this Dark Skies designated area…weather permitting!
Kingfisher - one of the most beautiful and dynamic birds to photograph - this hide is the UK's premier location for those WOW! shots
Sparrowhawk - Chris Packham's World's Best Bird, and star of BBC Autumnwatch 2015 - sparrowhawk Mad Max (& Mrs Max!)
Exclusive use of the hides used on Autumnwatch to photograph and video these tremendous sparrowhawks.
What Chris says about Mad Max: "Best bird I've ever seen..." "Awesome..." "The greatest individual bird on planet earth..."
Watch Mad Max & Chris Packham's encounter on Autumnwatch at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p037b652
Adder - we're pretty keen to bet that this is as close as you could ever get to this fascinating and beautiful creature - a one-off photographic opportunity
Badger - the hides here provide excellent access to this perennial favourite of UK wildlife. Being able to photograph badgers here in daylight and close proximity means you'll go home with wonderfully intimate shots
Cuckoo - just back from Africa, these birds are keen to mate and put on a display for photography that's unmatched anywhere in the UK
Red Kite - the spectacle of up to 150 red kites spiralling overhead is a dizzying one. With exhilarating opportunities to photograph the birds in flight, diving for food and fighting in mid air for scraps, this is the perfect opportunity to bag a unique image.
Dipper / Pied Flycatcher - from these hides you will have the chance to photograph busy parent birds bringing in food for their hungry chicks
...and you're always likely to see a few surprise guests such as fox, red squirrel, deer and countless woodland birds!
SUGGESTED HIDDEN GEMS ITINERARY - please note that species will depend on time of year
1
Travel Day to Kirkcudbright Accommodation)
We will split into two smaller groups for the next three days, during which we'll have exclusive use of a network of professional hides.
2
Daytime
For group 1 our key species today is the kingfisher, and our hide here in Galloway is the premier place to photograph these brilliant birds in the UK
For group 2 our hide today will allow us to photograph Sparrowhawk, red squirrel, a plethora of woodland birds and - as dusk descends - fox and tawny owl
Evening
Badger / Pine Marten - staying in our small groups, we shall use two hides to access these elusive mammals
Overnight - Kirkcudbright Accommodation
3
Full Day
Whichever hide your group was based in yesterday, you will photograph from the other one today!
Evening
Badger / Pine Marten - again, whichever hide your group was based in yesterday evening, you will photograph from the other one now!
Overnight - Kirkcudbright Accommodation
4
Morning / Early Afternoon
Staying in our small groups we will focus on Adder, Cuckoo, Dipper and Pied Flycatcher, rotating the groups through the hides so everyone gets the chance of some brilliant shots.
Afternoon
Review and Post Processing #3
Overnight - Kirkcudbright Accommodation
5
Late Morning
A relaxed start for packing up, followed by a fitting finale to our Wild Scotland safari: a photography session of up to 150 red kites in flight, diving, feeding and duelling.
Approx 3pm
Final goodbyes and head home
You may also like to see our Guest Gallery and Feedback page for this tour!