This holiday is based in a comfortable Scottish country house hotel set in 3 acres of garden and woodland and only a two-minute walk to Newton Stewart, a picturesque, small, market town on the banks of the River Cree. From here, we explore a range of world class nature reserves from Loch Ryan on the west coast, one of the best winter birding sites in Scotland, to the famous Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Caerlaverock on the Solway estuary. We also explore several reserves in between, including the RSPB reserves of Ken-Dee Marshes and Mersehead.

In early winter, the Solway estuary is a truly magical place for birdwatchers with unrivalled opportunities to see thousands of wild geese, wildfowl, waders and an impressive cast of raptors, divers and grebes. We will see thousands of barnacle geese, over-wintering on the Solway’s shores from their summer breeding grounds in Svalbard in the high Arctic, and sometimes they may fly over-head almost within touching distance! Also common on the saltings are Pink-footed and Greylag Geese. On all our outings, we will be searching the attractive landscape of lochs, undulating farmland, heath, reed beds, woodlands and willow scrub for the more elusive birds of Dumfries and Galloway. These include the peregrine, merlin, hen harrier and short-eared owl as well as the small flock of Greenland White-fronted geese that over-winter here and the resident, rarer, small birds such as willow tit and twite. We will also aim to enjoy the red kite feeding frenzy which is a sight to behold.

The focus of this trip is on bird watching rather than walking and cars will be used to give us the flexibility to move from one place to the next during the day.

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£680 in a single occupancy ensuite room / £150 discount per person in a twin shared ensuite room Price Includes: 4 nights' bed and breakfast at a 3* hotel; packed lunch; transport to walks; entrance to Caerlaverock Nature Reserve; entrance to red kite feeding event. Not included: Evening meals (these will be arranged by your guide), personal expenses; insurance

The focus of this holiday is bird watching which will be prioritised over walking. Any walking around reserves will be leisurely in nature with plenty of time to stop and observe the wildlife.

The Creebridge House Hotel is a traditional Scottish country house hotel, with 18 ensuite bedrooms, which preserves the peace and tranquility of rural life in elegant surroundings. Your hosts offer a warm welcome and comfortable stay.

Madeline Holloway is a natural history expert and freelance ecologist with a hugely impressive knowledge of birds and nature. She has been a walking guide for over 10 years and her enthusiasm for her subject is infectious. Be prepared to end up on your hands and knees magnifying glass in hand!

Creebridge House is located in Minnigaff, near Newton Stewart DG8 6NP By Train: The nearest station is in Dumfries, 42 miles away. There is a bus service, 500, to Newton Stewart which takes around 1.5 hours. A taxi costs around £100 so do get in touch if you would like to share a taxi to the accommodation. By Car: The journey from Dumfries is around 50 minutes. There is parking at the hotel.