Scotland April 6th to the 10th.

John · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:08 PM

Before you start rubbing it in, I know you all had superb weather down south but we certainly didnt. For virtually the entire time there we had to endure dark clouds, windy conditions, low cloud and mist and rain. Only on the saturday did we gut three hours of sun and apart from another thirty minutes sun on the Isle of Skye on Sunday that was it.

I haven't put any photos in the gallery yet but I thought that by giving you a link to the report I have put on my web site you will get a better picture of the images I took. I can't present it like this in WAB.

Because of the weather I didn't get anywhere near the images I wanted but there is enough to pad out the report. I hope you take a look and let me know what you think.

Here is the link.

Untitled Document

John

JeffH · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:19 PM

What a great trip John, with report and photos to match. Shame the weather wasn't kinder to you but 27 new year sightings sounds quite a result.

Jeff

Boddie · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:20 PM

Unlucky John, I got a tan over those days.

almostnormal · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:37 PM

looks like the weather didn't rob you too much....although it would have been nicer in the sunshine no doubt. i like your highland cow. they're my favourites. some fab pictures there!

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:43 PM

I wondered what had happened to you! Shame about the weather, but at least you saw some wonderful birds. The Red Squirrel shots are brilliant. You should get the weather in Lesvos (hopefully!)

Beryl · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:43 PM

Great report John .
Sounds as though you had a good time inspite of bad weather and some superb photos
Beryl

Mark43 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:48 PM

Nice report John....you are sure getting about this year.

Good for you though mate.

Enjoy Lesvos.

John · #8 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:06 PM

Thanks guys and gals.

If the weather in Lesvos is anything like it was in Scotland then I give up. Just now I can't seem to escape the bad weather wherever I go.

Roll on May 3rd for two weeks. Mind you I am up possibly in Yorkshire next weekend then the weekend after I am having two days in, and around, Minsmere in Suffolk. I just hope the weather improves for those two trips as well.

BTW I have put some of those images in the gallery now.

John

Ollie · #9 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:13 PM

A great report from your trip John. As always written in a manner that enables one to feel as though they were there with you. Shame about the weather but you always manage to provide us with some great images despite the lack of sunshine. Thanks for sharing with us
Roger

smartie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:17 PM

Heavens, John, I don't know where you find the energy. Sounds like a great trip in spite of the weather, and you got some very decent shots too, as always. It may have been hot sunshine here, but weeding the patio and clearing the winter debris out of the pond doesn't compete!

BTW I hope you took your power naps while Steve was driving

rlchew · #11 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:18 PM

John

I had wondered why you had been absent from WAB .... I forgot you were going to Scotland for your spring break .... lucky you!

A very interesting report from some sites that are well known to me. It was unfortunate you had poor weather but nonetheless you did clock up a good trip list and some excellent life/year records.

I am sure you must be looking forward to Lesvos .... and I look forward to reading your report and seeing your photos.

Richard

John · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartie

Heavens, John, I don't know where you find the energy. Sounds like a great trip in spite of the weather, and you got some very decent shots too, as always. It may have been hot sunshine here, but weeding the patio and clearing the winter debris out of the pond doesn't compete!

I have been a commercial driver (Lorries, Taxi's, you name it), for most of my adult life so driving long distances has never phased me. I love driving anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartie

BTW I hope you took your power naps while Steve was driving

Steve doesn't do any driving unless it is an emergency. When we went to Turkey last year we did about 4,200 KM. He did about 200 KM out of those and that was because I had a bad headache for those two hours.

John

Chris Hawes · #13 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 09:55 AM

Great report John!

I am off to that part of the world myself in a week's time, and have planned to visit several of the sites you did. I'll be happy to see half of the birds you saw, and fingers crossed for the weather!

dbozkurt · #14 (**permalink**) 14-04-2007, 07:57 PM

The Lesser Scaup, John how could you I have been trying for weeks on Benbecula to capture that one!! Great days, trying to think what it was like here but I think we had quite good weather on the islands. We have either a dark cloud over us or the winds blows the clouds over us and it is great when everyone else is cloudy.

Hope your trip abroad is great, I have been working the harbour day and night here in Stornoway just trying to get a glaucous gull but no luck. One of the leading Scottish Bird men is back from his holidays soon and he was going to take me around the harbour to see if we can see the American Herring Gull...prob gone now!!!

Take Care Debs

John · #15 (**permalink**) 14-04-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbozkurt

The Lesser Scaup, John how could you I have been trying for weeks on Benbecula to capture that one!! Great days, trying to think what it was like here but I think we had quite good weather on the islands. We have either a dark cloud over us or the winds blows the clouds over us and it is great when everyone else is cloudy.

Hope your trip abroad is great, I have been working the harbour day and night here in Stornoway just trying to get a glaucous gull but no luck. One of the leading Scottish Bird men is back from his holidays soon and he was going to take me around the harbour to see if we can see the American Herring Gull...prob gone now!!!

Take Care Debs

Sorry Debs but you know me, I go after anything, no matter where it is.

BTW I have PM'd you with a query.

John