Birdwatching

Orkney birdwatching, wildlife & culture holidays. Self-catering also available.

2012 Orkney Birds, Wildlife & History Tours

Flying puffin - pic Sarah Sankey Spyhopping Risso's dolphin - pic Sarah Sankey Gannet with guga - pic Sarah Sankey

_{Enjoy our seabirds, raptors and whales}_{& dolphins!}

Orkney is one of the best places in Britain to get close to and enjoy seabirds, birds of prey and whales & dolphins (cetaceans). We offer relaxed, tailor-made, birds, wildlife and activity holidays for small groups of people with a maximum of 4 guests from our organic farm base at Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay, the southernmost Orkney island. If self-catering is more your style we have a luxury small converted barn (Visit Scotland 4 star graded, Green Tourism Business Scheme GOLD award) suitable for couples - click Peedie House self-catering.

Availability update (mid January 2012): space is now extremely limited for June 2012 - last 4 places only in early June; with some availability also in early or late May, an excellent month for birds in particular, with the winter birds still present.

_{click for 2011 - 2005
highlights of wildlife sightings}

Hen harrier female - pic by Sarah Sankey Short-eared owl at Gerraquoy - pic by Sarah Sankey Hen harrier male - pic by Sarah Sankey

Orcadian Wildlife tours welcome enquiries by email enquiries@orcadianwildlife.co.uk or telephone 01856 831240. For 2012 availability please don't hesitate to book or enquire using the Book or Enquire page.

NEW FOR 2012! Worried about your carbon footprint? Come and stay with us in a carbon positive environment! For the 2012 season we have installed a ground source heat pump as the heating source in our farmhouse; three solar panels; and two domestic wind turbines aiming to produce almost 40,000 KW hours pa, making Orcadian Wildlife a net producer of green renewable energy. For details of our renewable systems click renewables.

We're also delighted to announce that that the Peedie House self-catering has been given a GOLD Green Tourism Business Scheme award, a reward for all our hard work! For details click self-catering.

On the subject of awards Orcadian Wildlife was also short listed for a Highlands & Islands Tourism Award 2011 in the category 'Best Sustainable Tourism Exemplar'.

Wildlife log : August - October 2011. Autumn birds featured waders and warblers. 2 grey plover on Westray (9/8) began our migration season, with a juvenile ruff at home being a first for Gerraquoy on 10/8. Many ruff were present in Orkney over the next few weeks. Twite flocks began to build with 40+ at Hoxa on 25/8, where at least 15 harbour porpoises were also seen. Sandwich terns became present again with the first on 25/8. A fall in mid September saw lots of 'common' migrants (robins, blackcaps, willow warblers) but also a yellow-browed warbler, grasshopper warbler and lesser whitethroats locally on 19/9. A little stint was found in a large wader flock (mostly golden plover & lapwings but also many ruff) also locally on 21/9. 4+ harbour porpoises were present in Hoy Sound on 24/9, and a further 6+ from Hoxa on 1/10. Great views of a water rail at The Loons hide on 30/9. A rare N American vagrant, a Bonaparte's gull, was seen over Kirk Sound, Holm on 7/10. On 12/10 an adult, presumed male, injured, ill or simply disorientated sperm whale was present off Kirkwall harbour, giving rare and good views to many locals. Sperm whale strandings occur every few years (we've seen two) but to see a live animal is most unusual. Great excitement on 29/10 with the arrival of an immature female desert wheatear in Deerness. For 2011 - 2005 sightings click 2011 highlights. For 2011/10/09/08 cetacean sightings click here.

What makes a holiday in Orkney with Orcadian Wildlife different?

	We are a unique set up in Orkney - no other operator specialising in wildlife tours offers a complete all round service based on an organic family farm. We run our business & farm on genuine sustainable principles (see information above on green renewable technology used at Gerraquoy); and have a Green Tourism Gold Award for our self-catering cottage.
	We keep groups small (max 4 guests only) on purpose in order to enable you to see more - you will see lots of memorable sights with us, whatever the time of year. We specialise in a blend of wildlife and culture.
	We talk to you carefully about exactly what you'd like to see and where you would like to go - there are no sites on set days. Visiting islands is included and great fun - it's one reason why we're here!
	Our two guest bedrooms are en suite, and there's a large and comfortable conservatory that looks out across the farm and out to sea - hen harriers, short-eared owls, waders, orcas and minke whales are just some of the treats seen from our "hide".
	We actually live here (unlike most tour groups who visit) and so we know more about daily life in Orkney.
	Our holidays are all-inclusive, so that all you have to do is get here, and we do all the rest.
	We make the farm, its produce and our family work as part of your holiday - much of our food is organic and grown in our own greenhouse or vegetable garden. We also enjoy catering for vegetarians and gluten-free diets.
	We're proud of our approach to the environment: a very small group; an organic lifestyle; Green Tourism Business Scheme silver award for our self-catering; and a generator of renewable energy to help offset your carbon footprint.
	If you're a solo traveller we don't surcharge!
	We encourage repeat visits (Orkney gets a grip of you...) and returning guests benefit from large discounts.
	Last - but most important - we really look after you! See the many testimonials on our website from our guests who have appreciated our relaxed style over the last 6 years.

Clouds, Ring of Brodgar - pic Steve Sankey Orcas pass close by in the summer months Enjoy Scapa Flow's fusion of sea and sky

· See Examples of Tours page for ideas for a one week tour and islands to visit.

· Download a 30 MB Powerpoint file on Orcadian Wildlife.

· Check the availability of our self-catering cottage for 2 persons.

· See How to get here page for travel details - Orkney is closer than you think!

Stroma light - pic Steve Sankey Vat of Kirbister Stronsay - pic Steve Sankey Old beacon North Ronaldsay - pic Steve Sankey The Altar, South Ronaldsay - pic Steve Sankey

A Selection of Guest Testimonials

"Thank you for sharing these wonderful islands with us. Superb hospitality, excellent food, expert knowledge. There is no better way to see Orkney that we could think of! A special thank you to Sami for teaching us all about birds!" Roderick & Sylvia Edwards, Westerham, Kent.

"Exceeded our expectations! Weather wonderful. Amazing to see so much in the company of our excellent guides. It's been a great joy to meet you all and enjoy your hospitality. Thank you so much." Geoff & Judi Singleton, Hexham, Northumberland.

"Hemos pasado unos dias magnificos.....Gracias." Beltrán y Chata de Ceballos, Sevilla.

"Despite the rain showers we managed walks both cliff & moorlands. Fantastic support in enabling a 'baby birder' to identify so much. Thank you." Pam & Malcolm Mundy, Sutton Coldfield.

"Hold ups on Hoy, hoopoe hunting on South Ron add to our memories of Orkney to treasure and keep us sane for another year." Tim & Cheryl Hunt, Norwich.

Orcadian Wildlife offers tailor-made wildlife and history tours to small groups of people up to a maximum of 4 guests.

Gerraquoy organic marbled steaks Sankey family on Ronas Hill July 2011 Gerraquoy organic greens from the greenhouse

Your base for your wildlife tour will be our family farmhouse and small organic farm (click here for more details) on the southern island of South Ronaldsay, easy to access from the Gill's Bay (vehicle) or JoG (passenger) ferries near John O'Groats on the Scottish mainland. Transport will be in our comfortable 7 seat people carrier - with only 4 guests there will be plenty of space!

Through careers, guiding experience and general interest, both your hosts have an excellent general knowledge of wildlife and Orkney.

Steve & Sarah are pleased to use Swarovski 10 X 42 HD binoculars - we like them because the optical quality is superb, even in poor light, and they are light to the feel. You're welcome to try ours during the week if you don't own a pair yet....

Contact Us: Steve or Sarah Sankey

Telephone: +44 (0)1856 831240
Postal address: Gerraquoy, St. Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, KW17 2TH
E mail: General Information: enquiries@orcadianwildlife.co.uk