Friday May 2nd

We saw the first Swifts this morning, calling loudly as they flew over the Peregrine Watch. Two young Ravens are still on the side of their nest, the third appears to have moved to the cliff face over to the left (we saw an adult go in to feed it). High above was a hunting Peregrine. A quiet day!

Tuesday April 29th

There was a fire over beside the water in Avonmouth, the orange-red flames were visible just under the motorway bridge, the smoke attracted attention, then a buzzard swung into view! It was silhouetted against the smoke and sky. Over by the Peregrine Watch the male Peregrine flew past on a couple of occasions, he is a dark large bird, so there is a fine view as he passes to and from the nest. Over on the Raven's nest the youngsters are flying around a little, one went as far as the quarry, at other times they sit on the side of the nest, in the neighbouring Whitebeam, or Silver Birch. I may have had a glimpse of the Kestrel from Sea Walls.

Sunday, Monday, 27th, 28th April

On Sunday we watched the foxes in the bushes below the Peregrine Watch, their bright red coats are now very prominent amid the new green foliage, nearby beside the Portway are three Bristol Whitebeams are in their spring glory. In the quarry the three young Ravens perch on the side of their nest or disappear inside it into safety. We saw the male Peregrine below in the Gorge on a couple of occasions, then the Kestrel. On Monday a Buzzard soared above Sea Walls, and then flew on over towards Snyed Park; a Cormorant started circling high above, the same happened with another Cormorant (the same one?), but over above the Peregrine Watch. Another Cormorant flew low over the water up-river. Why do Cormorants circle like this? The male Peregrine took off from below us and flew high above us, it is likely that the female is on her eggs at the moment, since the Peregrine activity is a bit muted. A flock of teenage Herring Gulls was on the river; a lone swallow passed, and I watched a Heron fly past and could follow him with binoculars almost as far as the motorway bridge. Two beautiful bright mornings, though on Monday there was a cold westerly wind, the tide is in-coming, with a little more mud each day. Only the ducks at the river edges, no other waders.