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2008 Orkney
Birds, Wildlife & History
Tours Enjoy orcas & basking sharks! - click for 2007 - 2005 highlights We offer relaxed, tailor-made, birds, wildlife and activity holidays for small groups of people (maximum 4 guests) from our organic farm base at Gerraquoy, South Ronaldsay, the southernmost Orkney island - see 2007 highlights for examples of sightings. If self-catering is more your style we have a luxury small converted barn (Visit Scotland 4 star graded) suitable for couples - click Peedie House self-catering. Please note that we're pleased to report that Orcadian Wildlife tours are fully booked May - August inclusive but there is still plenty of availability in April, September & October. Because of a cancellation we have 2 spaces available for week commencing Sat 31 May 2008 - this is prime time and a much sought after week! Self-catering is also well booked, and availability is now limited to a few weeks in September and October 2008 only). New for 2008: Wildlife Art Week, a dedicated Photography Course Week, and two Seal Pupping Weeks - click art, photography or seal pups for details. 2009 Bookings or enquiries: We're pleased to say that we have already taken bookings for 2009. If you really wish to visit in May or June 2009 then early booking is essential - these weeks book up first and quickly. Any bookings made before the end of the 2008 season will benefit from 2008 prices! Click 2009 bookings for further information.
Weekly log Sat 25 April 2008: A great week's weather for our guests David & Tricia Hawkins, and a record 91 species of birds seen, including 8 species of raptor! Highlights of the week included a food pass between male and female hen harriers, and a displaying goshawk no less than 50 metres away, unbelievable, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime sight. Summer visitors now pouring in such as sand martin, swallow & willow warbler. Visits to Papay and Hoy produced some good photos in excellent light. For monthly sightings and more click 2008 highlights.
What makes a holiday in Orkney with Orcadian Wildlife different?
We welcome
enquiries by email or telephone for 2008 and 2009 availability and bookings.
As guests you will enjoy a large conservatory, with stunning views over Grimness Head
and the seabird island (RSPB nature reserve) of Copinsay. Imagine relaxing or
eating your meals with bonxies, Arctic skuas, short-eared owls and hen harriers
flying overhead; or watching whales and dolphins out to sea! Guests in April
and October will benefit from lovely low light for photographs, and seeing the
winter birds like great-northern divers, long-tailed duck and snow buntings.
Don't hesitate to book or enquire using the Booking
or Enquiries page.
·
See Examples
of Tours page for ideas
for a one week tour and islands to visit. · See 2008 Offers page for prices, early or late season offers and short break (2-3 days) options. · Download a 30 MB Powerpoint file on Orcadian Wildlife. · Check the availability of our new self-catering cottage for 2 persons.
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Congratulations to our prize winners
from the British Birdwatching Fair in 2007: 1st prize Mrs Ruth Slack of
Belper (short break with Orcadian Wildlife); joint 2nd prize Mr Roger
Burrows of Brixworth (Pentland Ferries travel voucher); joint 2nd prize Mrs J
Coles of Worksop (bottle Highland Park 12 year old malt whisky). Correct
answers to our questions were fulmar (commonest breeding seabird in Orkney); hen
harrier (commonest breeding raptor in Orkney); and 21 calling male corncrakes in
Orkney in 2007. · See How to get here page for travel details - Orkney is closer than you think!
A Selection of Guest Testimonials 2008 & 2007 "What an exciting week! Top birds (and hares). Top landscape. Lovely people. Excellent food. You really looked after us. A BIG thank you." David & Tricia Hawkins, West Bay, Dorset. "A wonderful introduction to my latest favourite place!" Cath Casburn, Forres. "Our 4th wonderful visit to Orcadian Wildlife. Mountain hares, displaying hen harrier, unforgettable memories to cherish of a day spent on Hoy. As ever excellent food and hospitality." Tim & Cheryl Hunt, Norwich. "Had a great time, saw lots. Sarah/Steve thanks for the hospitality, my first time on Orkney. See you again." Neil Hughes, Melton Mowbray. "A great way for a solo traveller to spend a week - great hosts, good food and company: thanks for an eventful week delivered with enthusiasm!" Linda Ing, Dalham, Suffolk. "A totally relaxing week. Good food, good company and good birdwatching. The orcas on the last day were a considerable bonus!" Roger & Kate Seaman, Ipswich. " The food was great, the company most enjoyable, the sights impressive, the casual style most appreciated... " Neil & Ginny Eklund, Danville, Kentucky, USA. "We came to see and photograph the breeding birds of Orkney. Thanks to Steve and Sarah we did wonderfully at both - seeing 80 species. Gerraquoy was very homely, we leave with many fond memories." Chuck & Nancy Bell, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
"You have given us an
amazing experience of Orkney countryside, birds and wildlife that we will
treasure. My sincerest thanks!" Judith
Harker, California, USA
"Thanks for the cooking & the wildlife & the history and most of all the laughs." Marianne & Don Mockford, East Sussex "A lovely way to discover Orkney..." Elizabeth Purves, Birdwing's Flat, New Zealand. "Good company, good food, good walks, good birdwatching and a good rest plus a basking shark. Thank you." Tricia Bickerton, Hackney, London.
Orcadian Wildlife offers tailor-made wildlife and history tours to small groups of people up to a maximum of 4 guests.
These shots were taken in October 2007 on a nearby beach and at our home of Gerraquoy, and show our Land Rover that will take you around the Orkney archipelago. It's a comfortable vehicle and you'll see lots from it! Your base for your wildlife tour will be our family farmhouse and small organic farm 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. Through careers, guiding experience and general interest, both your hosts have an excellent general knowledge of wildlife and Orkney. Contact Us: Steve or Sarah Sankey
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