[SA Chris]

Don't know if they have been more active this year, or if there have just been more people coming to this;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-32348742

But seen loads of photos of dolphns this year, some very cool ones.

[slackline]

If you've been on holiday to North America and wondered about any of the birds you've seen...

Algorithmic bird identification from Cornell University

[fatneck]

Went to RSPB Burton Mere last weekend having not been since it was a fishery many moons ago. Very warm welcome and when I mentioned I'd never seen an Avocet before the staff were very keen to let me use their scope to have a gander. Went on to see lots of Avocets! Also saw Reed Buntings, Common Tern, Little Grebes, Garganey and Teal and Little Egrets highlight of the day was having a very good view of a Grasshopper Warbler! Several firsts in one day...

[Johnny Brown]

I saw lots of Porpoise and Gannet last week in Scotland, plus a few confusing red-head Goosegansers in eclipse plumage. Heard Heron chicks in the nest too, an amazing sound, I thought it was the trees creaking at first.

Great piece of research on Gannets recently, tiny gps tags are producing some fascinating results.

[Wood FT]

saw a Basking Shark and a Sea-Eagle off Pabbay among other stuff, well psyched.

[Johnny Brown]

Bastard. Always wanted to go and seem to miss the boat every year.

[SA Chris]

How was trip Guy?

[Johnny Brown]

According to everyone on faceache it was the best trip they'd ever been on.

[Wood FT]

I haven't been climbing very long but it totally was, I have a great set of memories, it really is quite a special place. After all the sea-sick, boat crossings and landing on the beach I forgot about the actual climbing and was just excited to be even camping there. Haven't been arsed about writing for a long time but think I will for this.

Make next year the one Johnny, if you can face climbing with me i'll plan it with you, I'll only try and kill you once and then never again.

[willackers]

I'll only try and kill you once and then never again.

I tried to kill Johnny once. We were on top of a building in Derby I think. He told me to go and unclip a rope, I unclipped the wrong one.

[cheque]

I haven't been climbing very long but it totally was, I have a great set of memories, it really is quite a special place.

Did you do any filming Guy?

[Wood FT]

Just home movies stuff on my compact

[Wood FT]

the lesser spotted Hickish
great orange flapper

[SA Chris]

Just home movies stuff on my compact

Fucking amateur. I've still not been, one of my to do, but always concerned I will not have enough to do at my punter lead grade of HVS/ E1 with a tailwind. At least Lundy has some harder slabs I could blag my way up.

[Wood FT]

We had a few people on our trip around that grade who worked towards things like 'Prophecy of Drowning' by the end and they had a really good time. There's stacks at that grade it's just not the 4* stuff. Most stuff is soft too, though not without reason obviously.

[Wood FT]

basically what i'm saying is

[SA Chris]

UKB trip next summer? back to back with Islay Whisky Festival?

[GazM]

Chris,  first time I went to Pab/Ming I was climbing about HVS/E1 and had a great trip. Spring Squill and the Priest stand out. Plus Sula on Ming is prob only E1 really.
Just to justify this post here, I saw a capercaillie today (but thats my job).

[SA Chris]

Love to see one of these elusive animals. Most elusive I've seen is Scottish Wild Cats.

Got the nod from a seal when out surfing last night.

[SamT]

Barn Owl, first I've ever seen in the wild.  On the slopes between speedwell and peak cavern nr Castleton.  Landed on the ground a few times which I thought was unusual behavior as it hadn't appeared to have caught anything. Then disappeared up cowlow nick. 
Nice.   
Got to the rising sun to find one of the guest ales was 'Barn Owl'. It would have been rude not to.

[Johnny Brown]

Nice. Horseshoe was very reliable for Barn owls in past years on summer evenings. Not sure if they've nested this year.

[andyd]

Barn Owl, first I've ever seen in the wild.  On the slopes between speedwell and peak cavern nr Castleton.  Landed on the ground a few times which I thought was unusual behavior as it hadn't appeared to have caught anything. Then disappeared up cowlow nick. 
Nice.   
Got to the rising sun to find one of the guest ales was 'Barn Owl'. It would have been rude not to.

The ones on my in-laws' often seem to land and spend a fair while amongst the crops. I was pretty surprised at this.

[dave]

Saw a heron at Turkey Dip last night.

[SA Chris]

Bats. Walking home from bouldering at 10:30 last night. Small, I guess Pippistrelle (Sp? can't be arsed to goolge spelling)

[fatneck]

Was fishing at the local the other night and saw the usual Pipistrelle bats but also saw a number of larger bats. Wondered if these could be Noctules?

Speaking of the local (Newsham Park - well urban) we have had two pairs of GC Grebes this year. A first for the park, but not the city, there are at least two other parks with breeding pairs. We have a brood of two and I think the same pair are sitting again. Is this common?

We also have a Jays (common in some parts but never seen/heard one before this year in Newsham) a nesting pair of Sparrowhawks and I counted 4 Herons this morning...