Winter Birding Break on the Solway Coast - 4 days with optional accommodation at Mabie House.
Outdoors and Environment

Winter Birding Break on the Solway Coast – 4 days with optional accommodation at Mabie House.

From: £380.00

Saturday 3rd to Tuesday 6th January

four DAYS

Shambellie House is delighted to offer the chance to enjoy the best of the Solway winter birding, with local guide Ken White. Have expert guidance exploring the local birding hotspots and witness the massed ranks of migratory swans, wildfowl and waders that converge on the Solway, escaping the oncoming harsh northern winters from all corners.

If required, accommodation is available at Mabie Country House Hotel,* a short distance from Shambellie House. This is not included in the cost but is at a reduced rate, payable direct to the hotel.

 

 

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Enjoy the best of the Solway winter birding with expert local guide Ken White. Have expert guidance exploring the local birding hotspots to witness the massed ranks of migratory swans, wildfowl and waders that converge on the Solway from all corners of the harsh northern winters.

What you can expect from the course:

Day 1 – 3rd January

Meet at Shambellie House at 3pm for afternoon tea and an illustrated talk on the birds that we will come across during the trips, with information on where and how they get here. Drive to your accommodation at Mabie House Hotel* for bed and breakfast and enjoy their cosy and friendly hospitality. Evening meal and packed lunch options available. (Order from Mabie House)

Day 2 – 4th January

Minibus collection at 09:00 to take you from Mabie House Hotel* to RSPB Mersehead. This weekend has been timed carefully to coincide with tides that are likely to let you see the widest range of different birds the Solway hosts.  You will spend the the day here exploring via the walks, hides and coast with the potential to stop off at other parts of our richly biodiverse and varied coastline enroute back to your agreed drop off/pick up point.

Day 3 – 5th January

Minibus collection at 09:00 to take you from Mabie House Hotel* to WWT Caerlaverock where part of the day will include the wild swan feeding at 13:00. Once again Ken’s local knowledge will allow you to make the most of this vast refuge to see the large numbers and variety of birds on this wetland reserve. The journey home to the warmth of the stove and welcome at Mabie House (or other accommodation) will include a stop off at Glencaple Quay to view the tidal River Nith and Kirkconnell Merse.

Day 4 – 6th January

Minibus collection at 09:00 to take you from Mabie House* Hotel to Southerness to see the birds move inland as high tide approaches at 13:00. Afternoon tea will be back at Shambellie House at 15:00 where there will be a relaxed trip review and a time for you to complete your complimentary trip diaries and say your farewells.

Keen photographers are welcome to make use of our digital suite  with Adobe Photoshop at Shambellie House to do any instant editing of photographs.

*For those people not staying at Mabie House Ken will agree a suitable meeting and pick up/drop off point for each day trip.

 

What's Included?

Costs included:

  • 4 days of local knowledge and guidance from Ken White
  • All travel to locations
  • Entry to RSPB and WWT and any other locations en route
  • Afternoon tea at Shambellie on 19th and 22nd
  • Use of the digital suite at Shambellie House

Not included:

Accommodation

Rooms have been reserved with a reduced rate of £65 pppn sharing and £100 pppn single for bed and breakfast at Mabie House Hotel which is less than 10 minutes from Shambellie and a lovely small country hotel.  Participants should contact them directly to book,  quoting Shambellie House Autumn Birding weekend to secure the reduced rate.

Mabie Country House  Telephone 01387263188

There are a wide range of other activities available in the local area including a selection of golf courses, heritage, arts and crafts,  walking and mountain biking to name a few. Rooms can be double/twin and so a partner or friend could join you for the weekend.

 

Gallery of Images - Credits Ken White

 

        

 

 

Kit and Requirements

 

What you need for the course.

Waterproof boots/wellies, binoculars, 2 sets of waterproof outdoor clothing. A passion for birds!

A moderate level of physical fitness and mobility is advisable as there will be stiles, gentle slopes, shorelines etc on footpaths.  The Digital Suite is on the second floor accessed only by a flight of stairs.

 

 

Do you have any access needs?

If you have answered yes and would like to discuss your requirements then please get in touch.

Have you any dietary requirements?

Accommodation @ Mabie House Hotel

I require accommodation at Mabie House Hotel and understand that I should book directly with the hotel quoting Shambellie Birding Weekend.

Four Day Experience

I understand this is a four day experience starting on Saturday 3rd January and finishing on Tuesday 6th January 2026.

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