Birding Trips in North Wales and Beyond
At Birdwatching Trips, we offer our guests the very best birding experience in beautiful North Wales. From our base in Llandudno on the stunning North Wales coast, we offer a range of birdwatching holidays and day trips to suit everyone. If you are looking for a relaxed-pace birdwatching trip, with plenty of time to really enjoy all the birds, and lots of laughs along the way, then look no further.
North Wales is a special birdwatching destination offering a wide variety of habitats and birds, from Snowdonian mountains to sandy beaches and everything in-between, all within a short drive from one another so that’s more time birdwatching and less time driving.
We only take small groups of up to six guests on our birding day trips and tours with one or two guides, so we can offer you the highest levels of individual attention. And with our field guides and top of the range telescopes always on hand, you will have the best possible views of all the birds we encounter. We take our time to really enjoy all the birds, so you can learn about them and photograph them, no tick and run here. With Birdwatching Trips you know you’ll enjoy great customer service and superb birdwatching.
Your guides Alan Davies and Ruth Miller are THE local birding experts in North Wales. Alan wrote the popular site guide to the area, and Ruth writes a regular column for Birdwatching Magazine. Together we’ve been leading birdwatching trips for many years, sharing our passion for birds with visitors to the area.
And great accommodation? We’ve got that covered too. We recognise that there’s more to a birdwatching holiday than just seeing lots of birds, so our guests always stay in comfortable ensuite accommodation on our tours, and enjoy delicious meals along the way, majoring on local Welsh produce.
However we don’t stop there. We have been running our successful Birdwatching Trips across the rest of the UK too for over ten years, including regular visits to the beautiful North Norfolk coast, tranquil Suffolk, the dramatic Scottish highlands and islands, the stunning coast of Yorkshire, and wild Northumberland too. And as you would expect we apply our birdwatching expertise and high standards of individual attention and customer service to our tours here too. We know just what it takes to ensure that you have the perfect tour when you join us for our Birdwatching Trips across the whole of Britain.
Starting From GBP 150 / per person
Starting From GBP 150 / per person
Starting From GBP 1,700 / per person
Red-billed Chough
This charismatic corvid is resident around the coasts and hills of North Wales, THE best place in the UK to encounter this species.
Black Grouse
Displaying Black Grouse is a must-see spectacle in the bird world and we can take you so close that you will never forget the experience. North Wales is THE best place to see them in the UK
Black Guillemot
North Wales has a small resident population of these beautiful auks and is THE best place to see them away from Scotland
Atlantic Puffin
Everyone loves a Puffin and we can show you these wonderful birds between April and July around our coastline
Northern Goshawk
Goshawks are known to be elusive, yet we have a wonderful reputation for showing them to our guests. Best time to see them is in early spring. This wonderful photo of a juvenile Goshawk was taken in North Wales by Indy Kiemel Greene.
Hen Harrier
One of the most charismatic and rarest of the UK’s breeding birds of prey. We can show you these birds all year round including their wonderful sky-dancing display in spring.
Pied Flycatcher
A classic bird of the Welsh oak woodlands along with Common Redstart and Wood Warbler, there’s no better place than North Wales to see this trio of summer visitors
Common Crossbill
Our upland forests in North Wales have healthy populations of these large-billed finches. A visit in late winter would be the best time to look for these colourful finches
Hawfinch
North Wales has a resident population of these huge-billed finches. Best time of year to see them is early spring and again in autumn. We have a wonderful track record of showing our guests these beautiful birds
Eurasian Dipper
The fast-flowing streams of North Wales provide the perfect habitat for these bizarre water-inhabiting passerines. Dippers are resident birds so we can show you them all year round, guaranteed to make you smile
Birdwatching Trips makes a donation to the local Wildlife Trust for every guest joining our tours. This means that you can enjoy watching the birds knowing you are supporting the conservation of the very birds you see.
Best of North Wales Birdwatching Trip 2nd - 6th March 2019
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
This was my third birdwatching trip with Ruth and Alan and I suspect it will not be my last. A five day trip based at the lovely Princess Arms Hotel in the Conwy Valley which is an ideal location from which to start out from. Comfortable, friendly and serving lots of superb food, you will not go hungry. Anyone who chooses a Birdwatching trip that is organised by these two world record holders, birders who have immense knowledge of their chosen subject, will not be disappointed They know where all the best birdwatching places in North Wales and Anglesey are. Every hillside, outcrop, every field, mountain or moorland. Every valley, river and marsh, every estuary and reserve and the many sea watching areas. An endless choice and a superb place to come and visit at anytime of the year. Fancy a Goshawk to start your list with, then step out side with Alan before breakfast. Never seen a Black Grouse before, then mention it to Ruth at dinner, you may well be taken to see one the next day. How about a Purple Sandpiper, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier, Red - throated Diver, or a lovely little Goldcrest....... Join Alan and Ruth and immerse yourself in the freedom and majesty of the Birds of North Wales. You will not be disappointed.
Best of North Wales
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
I had a fabulous few days on Alan and Ruth's North Wales trip. Birdwatching would start before breakfast, from our hotel rooms overlooking the river, or the car park (goshawk and mandarin duck included), and continue during our delicious cooked breakfast, as we had a table in the bay window. Birds would be spotted from the minibus (e.g. dipper and sparrowhawk). Alan and Ruth knew the best places to go to see seabirds, waders, raptors and woodland birds, not forgetting the grouse lek, or the hooded crow in MacDonald's' car park. We'd have a tasty lunch at a cafe or garden centre. Even when the weather turned bad, we went to bird hides at the RSPB reserves and watched in comfort, (e.g. avocets and godwits) with extra hot chocolate provided. Within seconds, Alan and Ruth would have views of great birds in their telescopes, with plenty of tips on where to look and how to identify them. Then back to the comfort of the Princes Hotel to go through the checklist and enjoy a three course meal. I learnt a lot and felt inspired by their enthusiasm.
Best of North Wales Birdwatching Trip
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
From arriving at the Princes Arms Hotel I was made welcome by Alan and Ruth and immediately Alan had me watching a goshawk soaring over the Conwy Valley through his scope from the hotel car park. With their expert local knowledge Alan and Ruth made the five days full of birds every day visiting a range of sites from Anglesey in the west to the black-grouse moors in the east. A total of 125 birds see on a memorable trip. With the excellent meals at the Princes Arms Hotel and travelling with a friendly well-led group I will be returning again very soon. With out hesitation I give this trip 5 stars.
An excellent trip!
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
This was our third birding trip to North Wales with Alan and Ruth, each at a different time of the year. It would be hard to overstate how much each trip surpassed our expectations, both in terms of birds seen and the care given to enhance our experience. Our guides, who through careful preparation maximise every possibility of seeing the full range of birds , ensured that all the target birds for our group were not only seen, but also closely observed - from lekking Black Grouse to a perching, then circling, young male Goshawk. We came away from the trip with our birding knowledge, including some of the more difficult calls and songs, improved by Ruth and Alan's expertise and enthusiasm. As ever, the accommodation and food were excellent. The Princes Arms is the ideal location run by a wonderful couple for whom nothing is too much trouble. We would strongly recommend this trip to anyone interested in birdwatching, whatever their level of knowledge.
Top marks in all categories
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
For our first Birdwatching trip we chose the The Biggest Twitch in North Wales run by Alan & Ruth two very enthusiastic guides. We certainly weren't disappointed. The hotel and food was superb and together with four other travellers made this the ideal trip. Alan & Ruth were relentless in their quest to give us all the best experience possible and managing to show us so many birds we never thought possible. We highly recommend The Biggest Twitch to anyone seeking a first class Birdwatching experience.
Lifetime Ticks
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
I chose to birdwatch in North Wales as it gave me the chance to see three birds which I had not seen before, and to visit an area that I had not visited previously. Ruth and Alan were excellent hosts and guides and the Princes Arms an excellent base for this break. I felt we were shown an excellent range of birding habitat ranging from R.S.P.B. reserves to mountainous areas, moorland and local woodland and heath,. The fact that we saw nearly 130 different species during the trip and 115 in a 24 hour period from 2pm on the Monday afternoon speaks volumes for Ruth and Alan's knowledge and expertise. we spent plenty of time at each location and did not move on until all members of the group had seen the birds on view. Much additional information was given regarding species rarity, breeding patterns and conservation issues regarding the habitat. This was an excellent trip during which I am sure we all felt we were in the hands of the professionals. The only drawback was having to limit the food consumed from the wonderful breakfast and evening meal menus! The fact that I saw the three birds I wanted (Puffin, Chough and Goshawk) may lead to some bias but I would recommend this format of trip to anyone regardless if their birding skill.
North Wales Birding - March 2019
Best of North Wales Birding Tour
This was an excellent 5-day tour during which we saw a wide variety of birds in a number of different habitats. Ruth and Alan were fantastic hosts - very knowledgeable about the birds, but also excellent tour guides and pleasant company throughout the tour; they take exceptionally good care of their customers and will tailor events to meet an individual's needs. The hotel was very good - especially the catering - as were the various lunch locations at which we stopped. I have no negative comments about this tour, and I look forward to joining them again in the future.
Great Birding Experience with Great Guides
Birds in North Wales Custom Trips
We are enthusiastic birders but had never been in Wales. We arrived by ferry, our only equipment our binoculars. Alan and Ruth picked us up and soon we were seeing the birds we had always wished to see: the Orange-billed Chough! Not just a glimpse, but a pair of them doing their digging behavior! Alan and Ruth knew the perfect spots to visit so that we saw all sorts of birds. They had a 'scope for each of us, always focused on the bird we wanted to see. We stopped at the Conwy RSPB Center where there were great trails and a break for hot chocolate. Rocky cliffs and tidal estuary, warblers and seabirds, it was a wonderful day. We look forward to a return. Alan and Ruth's knowledge of the birds and birding sites, their attention to our interests and their kindness to us as first-time visitors to northern Wales all made us feel at home. Thank you, Alan and Ruth!
A Welsh day trip
The Very Best of Anglesey Birdwatching Trip, Wales
Welsh day trip An early morning start on 16th February 2019, travelling to Llandudno to meet Alan Davies and Ruth Miller along with two other birders, for a “Best of North Wales” birdwatching day trip. It was a chilly and blustery day, but then it was February. With a fantastic start to the day with a Rose coloured starling, superb views. Then to head to Anglesey, where we caught up with Pale-bellied Brent Geese, lots of waders including Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin & Grey Plover. A short drive to Holyhead harbour to find Red-breasted Mergansers very close views & a couple of Black Guillemots also showing well. We headed to McDonalds (not for lunch) but to see Hooded crow, before breaking for a lovely lunch at a very warm and friendly cafe. Time to head back out and brave the conditions, not to be disappointed, we caught up with Long-tailed duck, Goldeneye, Lapwing, Goosander, Teal, Gadwall, Greylag and Canada Geese, Chough, Peregrine, Kestrel, we also had a brief stop at a Forrest and encountered lots of woodland birds. I can honestly say I had the most amazing day, so much so I booked another trip visiting another area of North Wales on the 27th February. Again seeing more fantastic birds. I can honestly say Alan and Ruth are fantastic and ensure a full, fun, day with so many species. Alan and Ruth cater for both new and experienced birders alike and for any beginner birder, don’t be afraid to ask as both Alan and Ruth are more than happy to explain. Definitely 10 out of 10 and really looking forward to my next trip, very soon.
Anglesey Daytrip
The Very Best of Anglesey Birdwatching Trip, Wales
We headed out to Anglesey in a very comfortable 4x4, the weather was not at its best but then it was January! Throughout the day there were plenty of laughs and some great birds due to Alan and Ruth's expert guiding. We battled the winds and a hailstorm on the cliff side at South Stack but still managed to see some lovely Chough. We warmed up with a lovely lunch and then set off again. Not only special birds, but days to day birds as well kept coming as we went to many beautiful areas across the Island, Alan and Ruth know the area well and where to find the birds. There was a real highlight for me when Alan spotted a Merlin and we all had wonderful views. I hadn't seen one of these beautiful birds for quite a few years so I was really pleased. We ended our day on the edge of an estuary in the marshland, soaking up the wonderful surroundings and the sights and sounds of birdlife preparing to roost. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
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