Volcano stops play

The ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano (left: photo courtesy BBC) which started erupting last week, now sits over Europe and has brought much of northern and western Europe's airspace to a close.

Several birders arrived on Lesvos before planes stopped flying on the 15th, but many more got stopped at airports on the 16th and 17th and have been sitting it out since. Some have already packed up and returned home very disappointed at losing their holiday.

I myself was due out in the morning but having been cancelled I am now booked on flights on Weds and Thurs. On Thursday my first group is due out and one of our number is already in Greece. Having been working in the US and unable to get home to the UK, he flew straight to Athens in the hope that we, inc. his wife. will join him on Lesvos on Thursday. Here's hoping!