Isles of Scilly
Spring in the magical isles

Saturday 12 - Thursday 17 May 2012 (6 days)

A myriad of rocky isles and islets set in the Atlantic and warmed by the Gulf Stream, with spectacular sub-tropical flowers in bloom around the walls and small gardens... superb ever-changing scenes of rocks, waves, light and shade... a patchwork of small bulb fields surrounded by stone walls and quiet winding lanes, with tall elm trees still thriving in the hedgerows... and, of course, one of the most exciting places in Britain to watch birds!

It is partly the scale of Scilly that makes it so special: the biggest town is the size of a village, the main road is a tiny winding lane, and the fields seem like walled gardens. But there again, the diversity of habitats on the largest island, St Mary's, alone, makes it, somehow, seem bigger than its mere two and a half miles from end to end.

Mid May is an excellent time for spring migrants. Although it is impossible to predict the more unusual birds, the most likely source of these will be the south, with continental birds overshooting their destinations. Rare herons are a distinct possibility in spring (we've seen Purple Heron, Night Heron and Squacco Heron in the past), and Red-rumped Swallow on three occasions. Spring seabirds here include Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin - the latter best seen on some of the boat trips. We hope to take a boat trip out to Annet one spring evening to view the Manx Shearwater gatherings that occur here.

While we aim to visit the off-islands of Tresco, Bryher or St Martin's, and St Agnes, the itinerary is very weather-dependent. A possible outline is as follows:

Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Penzance in the afternoon on a scheduled helicopter flight (20 mins) Penzance-St Mary's. Evening slide talk by Will Wagstaff.
Days 2 - 5: Excursions will include:
  • Half day walk on St Marys and Seabird trip in alternate part of day, depending upon tide and weather.
  • Full Day on Tresco including pm in Tresco Abbey Gardens
  • Shearwater trip one evening
  • Full Day on St Agnes
  • Full day on St Mary's
  • Full day on St Martin's or Bryher
Day 6: Depart St Mary's heliport on a morning flight to Penzance.

We shall be walking more than on our usual trips. It is difficult to predict the distances involved, but we shall be on our feet off and on for most of the day in our search for wildlife.

Price:
£ 1,295

Single supp.: £ 175
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price is per person and includes return scheduled helicopter or Skybus flight Penzance-St Mary's, 5 nights' accommodation, all meals including lunches from dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the final morning, travel as on the itinerary including boat fees, landing fees and admissions and the services of the leaders.

Prices exclude travel insurance (please do not send your insurance premium at the time of booking, as we offer special Isles of Scilly travel insurance for this holiday and will send you details with confirmation of booking), travel to and from Penzance Heliport, drinks and other personal expenses.

It is possible to travel to St Mary's by other means (e.g. the Scillonian ferry, or direct flights from Exeter, Plymouth or Southampton). Please enquire if you would like to do this, or to extend your stay. For an ex-flight cost, please deduct £ 145 from the cost of the holiday.

The Scilly Islands map

Accommodation
 We are based at The St Mary's Hall Hotel, in Hugh Town, St Mary's, just 5 minutes walk from the quay. This is an extensively refurbished townhouse, which offers a high standard of accommodation set within its own grounds. All Rooms are en suite.

Leader: Will Wagstaff

Numbers: Max. 14 clients

Click here for a full, printable itinerary



What you say:

'Thank you for organising such a good holiday: birds, flowers, butterflies, an unusual dragonfly...we shall be back! Certainly we've never been on a holiday before where there's been so much laughter.' I. & N.S., W. Midlands

'It was a splendid week. I hope to be back on one of your other holidays and I shall certainly recommend this one. Many thanks.' D.C., Yorks.