Birding Holidays?!

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I was in Aberdeenshire two weeks ago as I had the week off and went up to visit my parents. There are quite a lot of good bird and nature sites in the area so I hired a 100-400 lens and went out to have an amateur go at bird photography (wayyy harder than it looks :bonk:). While I was out I banged into a couple who were also hunting the birds. They were searching for a King Eider (so was I, ever optimistic :lol:) and they were lovely and friendly and we stopped for a chat. They were from down south but seemed to be on a birding holiday, they had been right round the coasts and listed off a heap of birds they had found (golden eagles!). They were obviously very serious hobbyists with a lot of experience and knowledge. Afterwards it got me thinking that I wish I knew people like that to learn from.

Is there anywhere where you can find groups of people who go away on these types of birding holidays or even day trips? I would love to tag along with someone with more experience and learn from them. I just don't know if many people serious about the hobby would want a complete amateur following them around and probably being a distraction!
 
I am sure someone will come on here and give you a list as long as your arm regards to holidays. It would pay for you to let people know where you are first of all, as there could be a member or three who lives local to you and would be happy for you to tag along. Also checkout any local wildlife groups or communities. It would be far better to get in some practise beforehand without the expense of travelling off with very little experience.
 
It's worth keeping an eye in the meeting forum to see if anything turns up in your area. There is a TP trip to skomer next month for instance (fully booked now) and next week the loonies are going into the beacons on a one day trip which will be both bird and landscape orientated.
 
Have a look at Hugh Harrops' site,he offers birding holidays aswell as bird photography holidays. I think he operates under 'Shetland wildlife'? anyway google his name,there is plenty on the web.
 
Thank you :). I would just be interested in day trips at the moment as I am obviously not experienced enough at the moment to commit myself to anything longer and it would probably just be a disappointment and a waste of my (and everyone else's!) time.

I will have a look for local groups, TP meets and the suggested websites :). I am in Edinburgh but travel about Scotland (mostly Lothians/Borders/Aberdeenshire) quite a bit on the weekends.
 
There are lots of pro's all over who do 1-to-1 sessions or small groups but you'll be paying a bit of money for the day especially if you go 1-to-1. That said I know people who have been on these sessions and benefited tremendously.

Best advice though is to get out and practice locally.
 
Your in a great location. My family are in Edinburgh and my wifes in Aberdeen. You are around some great spots were you live and up the east coast and Aberdeenshire is full of great sites.

Have a google on birders in Edinburgh / Lothisn and quite a few will come out. When I head home I look at the local sightings pages to see whats about.

If you want some public walks about Aberdeeshire were you can get some fantastic shots drop me a pm.
 
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