The Solway Winter Wildlife Experience - Mon 8th - Fri 12th December 2025

TOUR REPORT

Day One

We all met outside the hotel at 12noon and headed straight for the English side of the Solway. It was a high spring tide, so the waders were pushed in close to the shore and getting ready to roost. It was lovely to see groups of Pintail and Shoveler just offshore near Bowness and wader species consisted of Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank. Large numbers of Wigeon and Teal were also offshore, and a group of Common Scoters flying west.

As we made our way further west towards Anthorn we checked some fields and spotted a flock of Stock Doves and groups of Lapwing.

We had lunch and headed down to the hide for the main event of the evening. We watched three Marsh Harriers coming into roost and two very distant male Hen Harriers rooting further out on the marsh. Other species included Starling, Teal, Mallard, Fieldfare and Little Egrets.

DAY TWO

We headed across the border and itt was quite wet in the morning, so the range of hides on the reserve would be most welcome! We headed to the Avenue Tower first of all and saw a huge number of Wigeon on the nearby pools along with a few groups of Barnacle Geese. A Peregrine made a flyby right past the hide and there was also a ringtail Hen Harrier out eagerly hinting along the reed beds.

We headed to the Peter Scott observatory to watch the wildfowl be fed at 1pm, and feed ourselves as well! Whooper Swans, Wigeon and Gadwall were seen, and the ranger provided some information on the reserve and species. There were Yellowhammers in the hedge outside the hide.

After lunch, we went to the nearby folly pond hide and admire a huge number of Teal along with Wigeon, Shoveler and Redshank. Whooper Swans arrived in, providing great views! The main event on the high tide was the Saltcot Merse Observatory as we hoped it would push in some waders / wildfowl along with the chance of a nice Solway sunset!

A huge number of Shelduck were seen out on the marsh, along with two Great-white Egrets. Tight flocks of waders (Knot and Dunlin) were on the move constantly, being pushed by the tide and also predators like a Peregrine, that we managed to spot!

A male Hen Harrier was also seen hunting out on the marsh, and we got some lovely sky-scapes from the setting sun!

DAY THREE

An earlier start as we headed south today! The first stop was Shap to check a Red Squirrel site but no sign of the mammals, unfortunately. Heavy rain and wind perhaps did not help.

Onto the main reserve was flooded, but good of them to keep it open for visitors. We headed / waded straight to the Bearded Tit grit trays to persevere for a good spell. No sign unfortunately, but Water Rail seen / heard and Cetti’s Warbler also very vocal. We moved onto the Causeway hide and watched a female Greater Scaup and a few Gadwall. Cormorants and a Marsh Harrier also showing well.

We had lunch back at the van and then headed for the coast to the two hides looking out to the salt marsh. Lots of Pink-footed Geese in the distance and a really healthy number of Shoveler on the close pools. A Marsh harrier was seen again and also a Peregrine disturbing the flocks of lapwings! Great-white Egret and Black-tailed Godwits were other sightings of note.

We finished with the tower hide back at the main part of the reserve and enjoyed about 10k Starlings dropping into roost and also a Marsh Harrier roost of seven birds. Fieldfares and Redwing were also seen/heard overhead. A good mix of sightings but did not mange to connect with Beard Tits, Bittern and Otter, unfortunately.

DAY FOUR

Back north across the border to the realm of the eagle! We left sunny Cumbria behind for the dreach southern uplands! We called into a nature reserve at Lockerbie first of all and saw a Red Kite near the town. Another attempt for the Red Squirrel but after a 50-minute wait there was no sign but a good mix of other species including Kingfisher, Nuthatch and Long-tailed Tits.

Onto the Moffat Hills. A 15-minute walk to a view point over the glen and almost immediately we were rewarded with a male Golden Eagle right overhead, getting mobbed by a Kestrel. Great views as we admired an area recovering with life again! 2 Ravens also flew over the glen.

A scenic stop at Grey-mears Tail before lunch at a reservoir where a Brown Hare was spotted. We had another distant Golden Eagle driving through the glen, before it disappeared into the mist.

Further west we did a shot walk alongside the burn and managed to spot a Dipper and 2 Buzzards.

We finished in the ‘Eagle Town’ of Moffat where we had a look around before our journey back south over the border to our Hotel.

Male Golden Eagle

DAY FIVE

A 7am breakfast and then out onto local moors to try for Black Grouse…early bird catches the worm as they say!

We got rewarded with 8 Black Grouse on a lekking site before they moved to some nearby moorland to feed on heather shoots. 10 Ravens overhead were also of note along with Stonechats, Redwing and Fieldfares. We saw the Black Grouse again, feeding on hawthorn berries, stunning views!

Black Grouse

We headed easterly into Northumberland to check for Crossbills and any raptors. A real treat was a close flyby male Hen Harrier whilst we were in the van! At our hot drinks stop, we had 6 Crossbills flying over. The windless conditions really helped to hear the ‘chip chip’ of these fantastic birds.

It was then back to the hotel to say our goodbyes.

Many thanks to all the guests for your patience, perseverance and wonderful company throughout the 5 days.