Situation awful

Very little outdoor action has taken place recently due to torrential rain in our part of the world.

The flooded River Aire from my train on the way to work on Monday. The rain has continued, on and off since, causing widespread flooding with some loss of life and very much damage and disruption.

However, here are some highlights of the last month.

• Nightjars
  

We met with Andy at Timble to ring Nightjars. This male was caught very shortly after turning on the MP3 lure. Caro held it in her hand as it recovered its wits and flew off into the dark.

• Ringing kestrels

I was invited again to assist with ringing activities. This involved abseiling to the nest on a small cliff where three bedraggled kestrel chicks sheltered in a damp and squalid hole with their dead sibling. It stank! Photo by Caradoue.

• Giant/T-mobile Mountain Mayhem 24 hour mountain bike race. This annual event has become a regular habit (in stark contrast to my training regime on this occasion). Here's me anticipating my first lap riding for Team Banana Racing.
  

Photo by team-mate Andy Carson.

Me looking fresher than I felt.

• A walk with Wharfedale Naturalists Society. My course was canceled due to bad weather so we went for a walk around Addingham with Wharfedale Nats instead.
  

Beamsley Beacon from Addingham.

Curious Cows