Resolved

After a particularly turbulent year in 2007, I made (for the first time) some "proper" new years resolutions. These were, in summary:

Play -

• gain a level 1 canoe coaching qualification - YEP
  
• gain consistency with my eskimo roll - NOPE
  
• complete at least one multiday canoe tour - NOPE
  
• do more caving, climbing and cycling - NOPE
  
• take more photographs -YEP.

Work -

• get some more employment as an outdoor instructor - YEP
  
• continue with the RSPB - YEP
  
• work with a more realistic perspective, assertiveness, calmness and control - YEP.

Home -

• Throw out items of junk - YEP.
• Keep rooms tidy - YEP (SEE ABOVE).
• Repair broken things - YEP.

Study -

• continue to average 2:1 in my Wildlife and Countryside degree - YEP (BUT BY THE SKIN OF MY TEETH AT TIMES).

Relationships -

• be happy in future relationships - BIGGEST YEP
  
• stay friends with one I'm leaving behind - 2nd BIGGEST YEP
  
• reconnect with those I've neglected over the years - YEP (TO SOME DEGREE).

So, other than in the area of play, most of my resolutions have been well and truly resolved and in that respect it's been a good year but, in others, one of very low, "lows" and high "highs" (which I'll keep to myself). Success in some areas has been at the expense of others though I wouldn't have missed the relationship "successes" for anything. On occasion, the ups and downs have taken my focus away from my goals. Life is full of surprises and I never expected my social life to take such a fun turn or to secure such an interesting line of work in the outdoor sector.

Given the success of last year's resolutions, I'll set some new ones

Play -

• gain consistency with my eskimo roll
  
• improve my river paddling skills
• attend a kayak skills course
  
• complete at least one multiday canoe tour
  
• do more outdoor activities
• continue to take photographs
• submit my birdwatching records to BOG each month
  
• lose 1/2 a stone and get fitter
  

Work -

• continue employment as an outdoor instructor and with the RSPB
• continue to work with calm control, perspective and independence
• investigate options for more work in environmental and outdoor education
  

Home -

• continue to filter out items of junk and keep the house tidy
• recycle more consistently and reduce waste of food and fuel
  
• make good decorations following re-wiring
  
• refurbish the kitchen
• tidy outdoor spaces following pointing work and fix the shed doors
• eat breakfast, prepare packed lunches and cook an evening meal more often

Study -

• finish my Wildlife and Countryside degree course with at least a 2:1 average
  

Relationships -

• continue to nurture my friendships
• get to know my niece and nephew better
• keep in more regular touch with my family

Will see how it goes this time next year.

They keep on coming

I'm now a Level One Paddlesport Coach

From a course I did in the summer.

More c'tificates

On a recent weekend away with colleagues from work, me and a friend completed the Go Ape high ropes course at Grizedale Forest. For this I received...you guessed it...a c'tificate.

Signed by the Chief Gorilla himself, though I suppose he gets one of his minions to do it.

On a more serious note, I also attended a White Water Safety and Rescue course, delivered by Leo Hoare of getafix.com. This involved swimming in the cold and murky River Calder, practising defensive and aggressive swimming and rescues of bodies and boats but also safe river running and communication. Useful stuff and another certificate for the collection.

Seaquest

I completed this canoe event last weekend.

It takes place on the tidal stretch of the River Wyre, out of Fleetwood, which drains into Morecambe Bay.


The event raises money for charity and is organised by the Outdoor Adventure Group, itself a charity working with young people living in the Blackpool and Wyre areas. While many associate these areas with seaside holidays, like many UK resorts, their heyday has passed and deprivation exists in large part.

Even better. I got this certificate,


and a stick of rock!

Loup Scar, bete noire

Out kayaking on the Wharfe in the big water we had at the weekend. I exited my boat again at Loup Scar. Having missed my line into the eddy on river-right, I ran into a large standing wave which pushed me backwards and sideways and defeated my second support stroke.

Woodhouse rapids were all but washed out and this time I portaged the upper part of Appletreewick Falls and enjoyed a chunky descent of the lower falls.

Fantastic, invigorating fun though and something to work on for the future.

Move over Mrs Beeton

I made the skull decorations for these gruesome confections today.

They're for a colleague's birthday, who's into all things grisly and ghoulish.

What's a hospice?

Over the bank holiday I spent a week camping and canoeing in the Lake District.

We took an open canoe and explored Windermere and Coniston, visiting Peel Island. Apparently this island was an inspiration for the Swallow's camp in the Swallows and Amazons books. Donald Campbell died close to the island in 1967 while trying to set a waterspeed record over 300mph.

One evening we walked to this place on Hampsfell near Grange-over-Sands.

The "rangefinder" on the roof indicates various landmarks and there are great views over Morcambe Bay and the Lake District Fells. Inside there are some interesting inscriptions. Read more here.

Those canoe trips in full

Three weeks ago I went kayaking on the River Wharfe with friends and one was kind enough to take a photo (thanks Richard). I had two swims on that trip. Once at Loup Scar because I wasn't warmed up or paying enough attention and another,at Woodhouse rapids, due to experimenting with how little "edge" I needed to apply to cross the current. More, it turned out!

This photo's taken on the lower section of Appletreewick Falls, the most notable rapid on the river (a class 3) which I actually negotiated without incident.

Today I had an even better trip on the River Greta near Ingleton. I made a conscious effort to be alert from the outset and felt more actively relaxed. Although I was apprehensive on arrival at the main class 3 rapids, my friends pointed out the line and I ran them with no problems. Exhilarating!

The icing on the cake, however (together with the company, scenery and sightings of heron, kingfisher and dipper) was an otter. My first, and certainly something that will make the trip stick in my mind for a long time.

Canoeing, outdoor instructing, rangering & practically conserving

Aside from the tiresome necessity of my day job I've been up to some more interesting things over the last month or so.

• Some more field teaching with the RSPB at Fairburn Ings.

Four-spotted chaser on one of the ponds at RSPB Fairburn Ings.

• I went on a residential with work to Lumley Fee in the southern Lake District.

Silage bales in a field in Grizedale.

• I passed my BCU Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport.

• I did some more work instructing rock climbing with Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

• I volunteered as a Ranger in Cropton Forest. Working for Forest Holidays, a business of the Forestry Commission.

Moonlight over spruce trees while waiting for Nightjar in Cropton Forest.

and

• Completed the practical conservation element of my wildlife and countryside conservation course.

Finished vehicular boardwalk at Hatfield Moor.

• Meanwhile I visited Wharram Percy, a deserted medieval village on the Yorkshire Wolds.

19th Century cottages at Wharram Percy.

Along with relaxing with friends and a course fieldtrip (I even think I had a canoe trip on the Wharfe), I don't think I've done too badly.

More photos on my Flickr pages.

Poems from the Dark Side...

...of the Pennines.

Half my family's from Lancashire, Bolton to be precise. Though Yorkshire and Lancashire are historic rivals I'm actually quite fond of my "dual heritage" and I pricked up my ears when Mark Radcliffe (himself a Boltonian) broadcast a tribute to poet Hovis Presley aka Richard McFarlane on BBC Radio 4 - Hovis Has Left The Building.

I felt moved to buy a copy of Hovis's book, Poetic Off Licence, all proceeds from which go to charity.

Enclosed with my copy was this handwritten note.

Which aside from being a bit of an "isn't it a small world" thing, just proves that the historic rivalry is not all that historic!

Someone's got to do it

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job involves preparing and working on residential programmes with my students,

Today, a colleague and I went to recce a mountainbike trip round Grizedale Forest Park, sorting out a route, sussing out health and safety issues and other logistics.

As you can see, this is desperate work. More pictures from the day on My Flickr Page.

Spider monkey mum

This is one of the shots I posted to my Flickr page after visiting Chester Zoo. Caradoue thinks that the monkey's expression is so sad. Perhaps this sums up your feelings about zoos.

We've been to the zoo

Chester Zoo to be exact.

I have mixed feelings about these places.

On the one hand, caging wild animals for amusement is terrible and I have, in some zoos, seen signs of distress in the animals kept there.

Pacing tiger at Chester Zoo. See more images at my Flickr page.

On the other, many of the animals are bred in captivity and, to some extent, habituated to their circumstances. Good zoos are increasingly involved in conservation, education and captive breeding and release programmes, without which some species would be extinct. Good zoos go to great lengths to ensure the welfare of the animals they keep.

On balance, I'd much rather see efforts invested in conserving wild habitats, without which there will be nothing to release captive bred wild animals into. Zoos may be diverting attention from the "real issue". However, "we are where we are" and zoos seem to have their place in this imperfect world.

How about you?

A climbing trip

It's raining today so, aside from doing my coursework, I'm occupying myself with updating my blog.

For the first time in a while, I went climbing at the weekend with a novice friend at Ilkley, Rocky Valley. Though he was nervous on Cooper's Slab he managed well on "classic of the crag" Long Chimney.
The route takes the broken cleft in the middle of the face and is a lot of fun.

More feeding signs

These are hazelnuts eaten by Wood mouse. The fine, tooth marks round the edge of the hole are characteristic.

These are pine cones gnawed by squirrel.

It's not easy being green

Last night I went for a dusk walk with a friend to find Barn owl which I knew were in the area.

We lucked out on the Barn owl but saw Short-eared owl instead, which are also fantastic birds to watch. I also found this pellet under a well used fence post. It's about 4 centimetres long and you can see the bones sticking out of it.


When I got it home I took it apart to see if I could find out what bird it came from and what it had been eating.


The bones seemed to come mainly from frogs (there was evidence of at least 3), but there were also lots of beetle wing cases among the grisly remains. Above you can see humerus (upper arm), radio-ulna (lower arm), tibio-fibula (shin bone) and vertebrae (back bone). Though no skull. Anyone know why?

Above is a frog's tibio-fibula (shin bone).

All things considered it seems likely that the pellet came from Little owl which I know to live in the area. I also now know that they give Kermit and his mates rather a hard time.

Day of the long ears

I went out to a number of locations around the Washburn and Nidd valleys on Sunday helping Wharfedale and Calderdale Wild Bird Ringing Group.

I get to climb trees and handle fantastic owl chicks while my friends ring them in order to monitor their movements for the British Trust for Ornithology. All in the name of science.

Our best "haul" of the day was a nest containing four Long-eared owl chicks.


Long-eared owl chicks. Photo by Sean Gray.

Hoping for Barn owls, we also found a Kestrel, a Tawny owl, a Mandarin duck and a squatting Grey squirrel (which we evicted) in nest boxes erected by the group.

A Tawny owl photographed by Sean Gray. Please visit his fantastic site at Grayimages.

Punch drunk

Mr Punch performs at Rothwell May Day Fete

It's been a while since my last post.

My dad dying, the end of a relationship, work and my wildlife course have all taken their toll over the last few months and I've not felt like I've had the time or inclination to post here.

There have been some highlights though:

• Learning to kayak at Bradford and Bingley Canoe Club with trips on the Brathay, Swale, Crake and Tees.
• Shooglenifty at The Victoria Hall, Saltaire and the New Rope String Band at The Priestley.
  
• Fieldtrips with my wildlife course, seeing a Marsh harrier catch a Red-legged partridge.
  
• Trips to the Lleyn peninsula (seeing Chough) to London (The Eye) and Sicily (San Vito lo Capo).

Llandbedrog Beach on the Lleyn Peninsula

The London Eye

Monte Cofano, North-west Sicily

• Teaching primary school children outdoors at RSPB Fairburn Ings.
• A snowy walk round Ogden Water with kids from Bradford children's services outdoor activities club
• Time spent with old and new friends and on my own at Northcliffe Woods and at Bradford Ornithological Group's reserve.
  
• Paid outdoor instruction work with Bradford Met Adventure Activities Unit
• A new special relationship
  

All these normal and extraordinary things have helped and things now seem to be returning to an even keel. For that I'd like to thank everyone who's been so supportive of late.

King of fishers

Last weekend presented an opportunity for some birdwatching as I walked home from Caro's in Bingley.

There's a spot I know where Kingfisher can often be seen, especially when the rivers are high.

They're probably the most strikingly coloured of all UK birds but surprisingly difficult to see.

Underground again

I've not been caving for a while, but over the Christmas break I took a trip with Bradford Pothole Club friends down Great Expectations near Stump Cross Caverns in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here's what I wrote for the BPC Newsletter:

"The last trip of 2007 was also one of the first for me as I’ve had a bit of a lay off over the last year. It’s fair to say I was somewhat out of practice. The weather had been particularly inauspicious over the previous week. A double fatality, due to flooding, had occurred at Long Churns in the previous 48 hours. I had the snotty remains of a tedious cold and was feeling slightly jaded, just a little more so than the usual turn-of the-year reflective melancholy/hangover. Nevertheless there was beautiful light on the drive up Wharfedale, painting the fields vibrant green. Jackdaws and rooks were being blown around the treetops in joyful festive flocks and I looked forward to catching up with friends.

On arrival at a bleak Stump Cross the van rocked, buffeted by Baltic blasts. Bullet hard raindrops rat-tat-tatted on the windows and I wondered what I was doing here. I was reminded of this as Jeff, Brian, Steve and Malcolm joined me and the banter started - the buzz of good company and the prospect of fun ahead. Later, Terry and Neil arrived and our party was complete with Rick Helliwell, our guide, who’d driven from Hull. We checked in at the caver-friendly Stump Cross café and made the short, wind-blasted walk to the Fort Knox (a locked lid with heavy-duty manhole cover underneath) entrance of Great Expectations.

A slightly awkward shaft, which we laddered, led to a slightly tight hole in the floor that dropped us into a walking, stooping, crawling passage and chamber system, well adorned with stalactites, columns and other pretties. A sickly yellow flowstone reminded me of my cold at its mucosal zenith a week previously. These we explored as Rick guided us from his position at the bottom of the shaft. “Check out the slot in the floor”, “Have you looked up to the left”? “Try climbing over the boulders and up to the right” drifted through the hole in the bottom of the entrance shaft. A good guide knows when to allow their charges a sense of discovery and Rick kept out of the way as he suggested mini itineraries from his niche.

A fairly full exploration took us a couple of hours or so and we were soon back on the chilly surface, life lining each other up the shaft in rotation to allow a rapid retreat to the café for tea. Sliding the hefty manhole cover back into place proved to be one of the more strenuous aspects of the whole trip. More banter and discussion of club affairs followed with season’s greetings and best wishes for 2008 exchanged before departures for home. An easy though thoroughly satisfying trip was had.".

That list in full

This time last year I resolved to keep a casual UK birding list. Here it is:

1. Mallard, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
2. Kestrel, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
3. Pheasant, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
4. Water rail, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
5. Moorhen, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
6. Woodpigeon, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
7. Collared dove, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
8. Great spotted woodpecker, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
9. Robin, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
10. Blackbird, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
11. Song Thrush, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
12. Chiffchaff, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
13. Firecrest, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
14. Long-tailed tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
15. Blue tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
16. Great tit, 1st Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
17. Jay, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
18. Magpie, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
19. Jackdaw, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
20. Carrion crow, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
21. Chaffinch, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
22. Greenfinch, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
23. Reed bunting, 1st Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
24. Mandarin duck, 2nd Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
25. Redwing, 2nd Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
26. Goosander, 2nd Jan, River Aire - Hirst Wood, West Yorks.
27. Coot, 2nd Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
28. Dunnock, 2nd Jan, Stockbridge Reserve, West Yorks.
29. Skylark, 2nd Jan, Swales Moor - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
30. Shorelark, 2nd Jan, Swales Moor - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
31. House sparrow, 2nd Jan, Pule Hill - Halifax/Queensbury, West Yorks.
32. Goldfinch, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
33. Little grebe, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
34. Wren, 6th Jan, Cromford Canal, Derbyshire.
35. Mute swan, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
36. Grey heron, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
37. Kingfisher, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
38. Grey wagtail, 7th Jan, Leeds-Liverpool Canal - Dowley Gap, West Yorks.
39. Sparrowhawk, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
40. Rook, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
41. Treecreeper, 20th Jan, St. Ives, Bingley, West Yorks.
42. Pied wagtail, 21st Jan, Dowley Gap, Bingley, West Yorks.
43. Goldcrest, 21st Jan, Dowley Gap, Bingley, West Yorks.
44. Nuthatch, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
45. Mistle thrush, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
46. Starling, 21st Jan, Hirst Woods, Bingley, West Yorks.
47. American robin, 27th Jan, Gilstead, Bingley, West Yorks.
48. Great crested grebe, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
49. Cormorant, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
50. Shelduck, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
51. Gadwall, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
52. Pochard, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
53. Tufted duck, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
54. Barn owl, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
55. Fieldfare, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
56. Bullfinch, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
57. Yellowhammer, 4th Feb, Staveley NR, North Yorks.
58. Whooper swan, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
59. Bewick's swan, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
60. Wigeon, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
61. Teal, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
62. Merlin, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
63. Lapwing, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
64. Green woodpecker, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
65. Meadow pipit, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
66. Stonechat, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
67. Tree sparrow, 16/2/07, Ouse Washes.
68. Little egret, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
69. Brent goose, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
70. Shoveler, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
71. Marsh harrier, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
72. Peregrine, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
73. Oystercatcher, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
74. Ringed plover, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
75. Grey plover, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
76. Bar-tailed godwit, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
77. Curlew, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
78. Redshank, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
79. Turnstone, 17/2/07, Wells-next-the-Sea.
80. Canada goose, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
81. Pintail, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
82. Goldeneye, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
83. Red-breasted merganser, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
84. Avocet, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
85. Golden plover, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
86. Snipe, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
87. Black-tailed godwit, 18/2/07, Titchwell RSPB.
88. Woodcock, 11/3/07, Washburn Valley.
89. Dipper, 11/3/07, Washburn Valley.
90. Buzzard, 13/3/07, Gallymoor landfill site, from the car, on the way to Bishop Burton.
91. Raven, 31/3/07, Thrusscross, Washburn Valley.
92. Grey partridge, 1/4/07, Dunsop Valley.
93. Red grouse, 2/4/07, Heyshaw Moor.
94. Red-legged partridge, 2/4/07, Graincliffe Reservoir.
95. Hooded crow, 6/4/07, Fort William.
96. Greylag goose, 9/4/07.
97. Osprey, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
98. Capercailie, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
99. Coal Tit, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
100. Siskin, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
101. Crested Tit, 10/4/07, Loch Garten RSPB.
102. Slavonian Grebe, 11/4/07, Aviemore.
103. Ptarmigan, 11/4/07, Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairngorms.
104. Wheatear, 11/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
105. Black grouse, 12/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
106. Ring ouzel, 12/4/07, Northern Corries, Cairngorms.
107. Hen harrier, 15/4/07, Yorkshire Dales Upland Bird Study Group Area.
108. Willow tit, 16/4/07, Fairburn Ings RSPB.
109. Blackcap, 22/4/07, Strid Woods, Wharfedale.
110. Pied flycatcher, 22/4/07, Strid Woods, Wharfedale.
111. Swift, Shipley, 6/5/07, Shipley, West Yorks.
112. Short-eared owl, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
113. Cuckoo, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
114. Tawny owl. 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
115. Nightjar, 25/5/07, Timble Ings.
116. Red kite, 26/5/07, Otley area.
117. Eagle Owl, 26/5/07, Otley area.
118. Sand martin, 27/5/07, Staveley NR.
119. Swallow, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
120. House martin, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
121. Reed warbler, 27/5/07, Staveley NR
122. Little owl, 28/5/07, Malham.
123. Spotted flycatcher, 28/5/07, Malham.
124. Redstart, 28/5/07, Malham.
125. Long-eared owl, 29/5/07, Timble Ings
126. Tree pipit, 29/5/07, Timble Ings.
127. Chough, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
128. Linnet, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
129. Corn bunting, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
130. Kittiwake, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
131. Fulmar, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
132. Purple sandpiper, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
133. Gannet, 8/07, Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
134. Dunlin, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
135. Eider, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
136. Sandwich tern, 9/07, Lindisfarne.
137. Redpoll, 9/07, Fairburn Ings.
138. Great egret, 9/07, Leighton Moss RSPB.
139. Bittern, 9/07, Leighton Moss RSPB.
140. Common crossbill, 14/10/07, Timble Ings.
141. Red-flanked bluetail, 20/10/07, Flamborough Head.
142. Brambling, 27/10/07, Dalby Forest.

At 142 species I'm pretty impressed with my casual efforts and the list has given me a push, on some occasions, to get out and see some species I'd have overlooked otherwise. Some have been very rare, lifers (in red) or otherwise notable, others have prompted an enjoyment of the beauty to be found in commonplace things.

Some of the sightings have brought me closer to my local area around Shipley and Bingley and into contact with members of Bradford Ornithological Group who have indulged me as a relative novice and been great company. Thanks especially to Andy, Sean and Pete.

Some of my sightings have coincided with some special trips away, notably to North Norfolk, the Cairngorms and Pembrokeshire, with a special person whose sharp eyes have pointed out birds and many other things (not just car keys!) I'd otherwise have missed. Thanks Caro, I hope we can do this stuff again.

So, what for the New Year? Some changes, that's for sure.

Play - I'd like to gain a level 1 canoe coaching qualification, gain consistency with my eskimo roll and complete at least one multiday canoe tour. Do more caving, climbing and cycling and maintain some quiet time at home and outdoors, with nature, alone and with friends. Also take more photographs.
Work - I'd like to get some more employment as an outdoor instructor and continue with the RSPB to broaden my future career prospects. I'd also like to work with a more realistic perspective, assertiveness, calmness and control in my "proper job".
Home - Throw out items of junk. Keep rooms tidy. Repair broken things.
Study - I'd like to continue to average 2:1 in my Wildlife and Countryside degree.
Relationships - I'd like to be happy in future relationships, stay friends with one I'm leaving behind and reconnect with those I've neglected over the years.

Looking forward to 2008 with hope and optimism.