Scotland May 2010

Just had a few days in The Boat of Garton, Scotland. The birding was absolutely dire. It was still winter there with no buds, let alone leaves, on the trees. We had rain, hail and snow. There was a serious lack of all birds which makes us think that the long, hard winter has taken its toll. Resident species were obviously absent. Local birders say that most birds died last winter. Raptors were especially poor which makes you think that they are being persecuted. The snow damage was there to see on all the trees with most trees loosing limbs or suffering die back. This was the worst birding holiday we have ever had and came home after 4 days.