Friday 17th October

At midday the quarry opposite the Peregrine Watch is very dark, with the sunshine casting dark shadows over the rocks, so that spotting any Peregrines is difficult. I could not see one, neither were there any sign of a bird in flight. On the mud under Sea Walls a couple of Redshank were feeding. A quiet noon.

Thursday 16th October

I cycled around via Temple Meads, along the Cut, then walked(!) up Bridge Valley Road and came via Fairyland to th Peregrine Watch. There seem to be more Jays around than in the past, or am I noticing them more? The Jackdaws were performing some very curious antics in the air, seeming to fall over and drop, almost as if they were being attacked by something in the air. Over Fairyland a group of three Magpies was harassing a couple of Jackdaws. The tide was high, but receeding, so there was no mud for the waders.

Tuesday 14th October

A very grey looking Peregrine flew into the banana tree. He remained still in the tree, facing the river, for the rest of my stay. His flight was almost like a Pigeon, with fast wing beats. Most unexpected! A little later I mistook a Pigeon for another Peregrine. Ahh me! There were a large number of gulls in groups along the river mud, I expect these are Black Headed Gulls, but as yet without their fine brown heads. I spotted a couple of Redshank just under Sea Walls, and a quartet of Cormorants (in formation), flew rapidly towards the docks. They outpaced the Portway cars some of the time.

Monday October 13th

A grey day with some rain in the wind. A Heron flew up river, one of the Ravens glided overhead. No Peregrines today.

Sunday 12th October

Low tide, with a fast stream flowing down the middle of two mud banks. The oil slick has nearly disappeared. Most of bird activity was down near the water and on the mud, and as soon as I had my glasses out at Sea Walls, I saw two Redshank flying low over the mud. Others were on the waters edge. There were gulls and ducks on the water being swept rapidly downstream. A Cormorant flew upriver and a Grey Heron landed just under the Peregrine Watch, then moved down to some rocks past Sea Walls. No Peregrines, but a Raven was perched over on the nest.