Monday 7th, Wednesday, Thursday 9,10th

Monday's walk was a repeat of Sunday. The difference only that I spotted a couple of wintering Redwings in one of the lime trees on Ladies Mile. There must be more around. Over at Sea Walls a man in a very bright flourescent coat pointed out a Heron down by the storm outlet, I had missed it.
Cycle rides on the other two days, but delayed to the afternoons. The sun is low down over Leigh Woods so it is pretty impossible to see anything over on the quarry faces opposite the Peregrine Watch. Today at Sea Walls a Kestrel flew past and into Walcombe Slade. The tide was slack, very still and reflecting the suspension bridge. Ducks made big v-signs in several places, it was very tranquil.

Sunday 6th December

It is nearly 4 weeks since I cycled. A combination of wet cold weather and a nasty (5 stitches nasty) cut on my left hand kept me away. Today I walked up through Redland, over to Sea Walls, then back via the Peregrine Watch, Ladies Mile, the White Tree and home. There were groups of gulls on the Downs, and a lot lining the estuary mud, I saw one Redshank below Sea Walls, and the two Ravens circling high above the river. No Peregrines.

Tuesday 17th November

A squawk from a Seagull high above Sea walls alerted me to the Peregrine, she was soaring around above the end of the Down, and it looked as if she was hunting. The Gull gave up and she continued, then made off towards the Peregrine Watch where I lost sight of her. A little while later as I cycled past the the Gully she reappeared, then moved rapidly over the Down towards Clifton.
On the mud, a large line of Gulls, some Mallard, and a couple of Redshank, both close enough under the cliffs to get a good view of their red legs. They use their long bills to explore the mud under the water at the edge of the river. Home to breakfast.

Thursday, Friday, Sunday, November 12th, 13th, 15th

There 'may' have been a Peregrine clinging to the cliff to the left (by the ivy strands), but the light was not good, even with a clear blue Sunday sky, to say definitely. There was only one Redshank on the mud today (below the Peregrine Watch), the other two days saw several lined up on the mud around Sea Walls. There are still plenty of Mallard (dozens) and Black Headed Gulls. The Ravens were soaring around above Sea Walls, and doing what I can only think was 'Raven Pair Bonding', occasionally falling around in the sky together. The Jackdaws, Crows and Rooks do rather the same. On Thursday a looping flash of white wing parts as a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flew past the Peregrine Watch - seeing a pair it must be courtship time!
I wondered if the strong winds of yesterday (100mph at the Needles) had brought any strays in from the continent.

Tuesdays 27th October, 3rd November. Sunday 8th November

A combination of allotment work, sloth and the weather have kept me away from cycling over the last few weeks. Today (Sunday) was grey and rather too cold for my liking, it may have been around 10C, but an east wind chill made it much colder. Large numbers of assorted gulls scattered over the Downland grass, and at the Peregrine Watch a fleeting glimpse of a Sparrow Hawk as it passed us at cliff level. The tide was high, so no mud birds.
Last Tuesday I cycled in sunshine and the tide was quite low. From Sea Walls I could see a single Redshank down on the mud, and further down river the very black wing cases of what could only be a group of Greater Black Backed Gulls with some of their juveniles. The Tuesday before that has been lost to my memory!

Wednesday, Friday 21st, 23rd October

On Wednesday afternoon I cycled over the Downs and over to Blackwells to pick up a book. On the way over I stopped at Sea Walls, it was low tide, a number of Redshank were feeding on the mud. A Cormorant flew upstream, scattering a group of gulls en route, it barged past one of the gulls and nearly knocked it from the sky! I saw some very unusual behaviour by a Raven. The bird was gliding around in the Gorge thermals, it scarcely moved a wing, but every now and then folded its wings, and tipped sideways slightly, going into a short peregrine-like swoop. This flight pattern went on for five to ten minutes. Then over by the Peregrine Watch I saw two Ravens, one was perched on their nest at the top of the quarry. There was no sign of a Peregrine.
On Friday I completed my "10 mile" trip for the first time in a couple of weeks. The tide was high and still coming in. Apart from some friendly Jackdaws and the usual Wood Pigeons and Gulls, I noticed few other birds.

Monday October 12th

My first bike ride for over a week, the weather tempted me out, with a radiant blue sky and no wind. The tide was coming in, but also imperceptibly slowly, so that the floating gulls scarcely moved. There were about five Redshank down river from Sea Walls, otherwise it was very quiet in bird land. No raptors!

Thursday 1st October

The trees on Saville Road are shedding large numbers of conkers so that it looks like a huge contest has taken place. The road is peppered with car-crushed conkers. Likewise the trees are loosing leaves, and the chestnuts are the first to do so. At Sea Walls I saw a single Redshank on the mud just opposite, very still, with the eponymous legs bright in the sunshine, it did settle its wings now and then so that the white patches flashed. Lots of ducks and gulls lined the mud and swam at the river edges; the tide was receding. At the Peregrine Watch a Peregrine was perched at the base of the banana tree, it was almost invisible among the sun lite parts of the tree.

Tuesday 29th Septermber

From Sea Walls: 2 Redshank, one up stream, the other down stream; a Cormorant on some low tide rocks (shared with a duck!); a Heron by the storm drain. The occupant of the little red car had just fed the Rooks, Crows, Jackdaws and various Gulls, and a large, hairy, floppy dog was chasing among them to loud caws of disgust. The birds were persistent in getting the remaining bits of bread and dodging the stupid hound.
At the Peregrine Watch we saw all three birds. The male in a close majestic fly-past, he disappeared off towards Avonmouth; the female was over in the banana tree; the juvenile appeared from the cliff beneath us, and eventually disappeared off over Leigh Woods in a swoop. Several groups of Mallard flew up river, Gulls and more Mallard swam on the tide. A pair of Mute Swans came low over us, their wings making that lovely whooping sigh of a sound. Over at the top of the quarry to the right a small red brown speck looked like a Roe Deer, but I said it looked more like a Tamworth pig! Then a Fox appeared over to the other side of the quarry. So was the first sighting a Deer or a Fox? The morning was capped with a beautiful blue sky. Magical.

Monday 28th September

A week has gone past since my last bike ride. No excuses! This morning was dull and cold, the trees are turning drab green-grey but also getting autumn colours. In the quarry opposite the Peregrine Watch two people were armed with cans and gloves which looked like herbicide to kill trees! The quarry already has a number of dead trees in it, no doubt more will appear in the new year. Someone should suggest to the National Trust that they find better ways of removing small trees that they don't want. The present method leaves an unsightly mess, especially through binoculars from the Peregrine Watch.
A Peregrine was perched in the banana tree. On the estuary mud below Sea Walls I spotted a couple of Redshank.

Friday, (Saturday), Monday. Sept 18, 19, 21

On Friday I cycled through town, out along the Portway (ugh) and back up through Snyed Park then via Sea Walls. There were no Redshank or Peregrines visible from the Portway, though I did spot a Buzzard and a Redshank once I got back onto the Downs. Saturday it went down to the docks to watch our new morris side, Nonesuch. Lots of photos here!
Today's ride delivered a Buzzard and a Peregrine over in the banana tree. The Peregrine disappeared whilst I wasn't looking, I did not see him move. There was a very high tide which had just started to ebb, it had dangerous looking tree debris in it. The chestnuts are changing colour to red and yellows, and a cycle helmet is useful to ward off falling conkers.

Wednesday 16th, Thursday 17th September

The Gorge looks very different in the afternoon, it is nearly impossible to see whether a Peregrine is over in the opposite quarry. However the Swifts were flying around at cliff-top level, and I did get a brief view of a Green Woodpecker as it disappeared into Leigh Woods.
Thursday was a bright blue day. A couple of Redshank were feeding on the mud above Sea Walls. Peregrines are difficult to see even in a good light. At the Peregrine Watch it was just possible to make out the very still form of a Peregrine in the banana tree, one of the birds was spotted heading towards the Suspension Bridge, then, as I cycled along the path beside Fairyland another was pointed out on the cliff face below. It was very difficult to see, and I missed spotting it at the Peregrine Watch, however it took off and flew across the Gorge, confirming that the slight shape on the cliff was a raptor.

Monday, Tuesday, September 14th, 15th

Monday: I spotted a Buzzard over Leigh Woods as I cycled up to Sea Walls, it dropped quickly into the trees and did not reappear. Most of my ride was occupied by taking pictures of the many tree stumps and gaps between trees on the Downs. The council is very good at felling trees (aren't we all?), but very poor on replacements. This is especially so during the last five years or so. The photos are on Facebook
Tuesday: A 'normal' ride around the Downs. This morning: a solitary Redshank by the storm drain; a fleeting glimpse of a Peregrine as it disappeared towards the Suspension Bridge; the Raven pair were over near their nest, they seemed to be exploring the rock face crevices.

11th September 2009

Two Redshank were feeding on the mud below Sea Walls, one close by, and with glinting red lags in the sunshine, the other was much further down the estuary towards Avonmouth. Apart from another (maybe the same one) begging Herring Gull, nothing of note. I don't see many Swallows or swifts, so maybe they are back off to Africa? No peregrines were visible, a hopeful birder had set up his 'scope at the Peregrine Watch.

Thursday 10th September

The horse chestnuts are turning to reds and yellows, and a few conkers have fallen. At Sea Walls a party of a dozen and a half young mothers, all with push chairs and infants were busy doing exercises under the tuition of a man in a track suit. They hitched rubber bungees to the railings and were using them to exercise their arms, while half the group used the wooden posts by the road to stretch their legs. I see this group fairly regularly, along with numerous joggers. The greater proportion of those exercising are women.
At the Peregrine Watch the sun and wind were playing tricks with the foliage around the banana tree, so it looked as if a group of Peregrines was flitting around the tree. I didn't have my binoculars this morning so could not tell what was going on. This must have been tricks of the light and the clear blue sunshine. There was a cold breeze from the north.

Monday 7th September

I'm a couple of days late filling this blog in. Cycling towards Sea Walls I passed a young Herring Gull, all fluffed up, and begging from a parent. It made squeaking noises, so at first I hear the sound, and thought that my bike needed oil somewhere. The young gull looked to be far to large to beg! There was a coach party beside Sea Walls when I returned on my second circuit of the Downs, a lot of older folk all gazing into the Gorge. No one looked skywards, if they had they might have spotted a buzzard slowly circling its way down river, a hundred feet or so above the cliff top. No Peregrines were visible.
The CONE project is back - it has been for about six months but I missed the start. See http://cone.berkeley.edu/. This version is running in Texas, and is now called CONE Welder. Try it, and learn about birds, mammals and invertibrates down in Texas.

Friday 4th September

I cycled around via Clifton and Observatory Hill, then across to the Peregrine Watch. There was a Peregrine over in the banana tree, it took off just as I was about to leave, flew around the quarry for a while, then disappeared. A squdron of Mallard flew down river just after this, wheeled around and sped back past me. I've not seen ducks fly so fast before, so maybe the Pergrine was visible to them! In America they refer to the Peregrine as a duck hawk .....

Wednesday 1st September

I cycled down through Bristol and out by Cumberland Basin, then along the Portway to just below Sea Walls, back up Bridge Valley Road, and around the Downs past Sea Walls. By the time I got to Sea Walls there was a heavy misty rain falling. At the other side of the Downs by the White Tree it had nearly stopped and was dry. Micro climates!
The Avon was very low, with a small stream flowing out from the middle of acres of mud. Common, Herring, and Lesser Black backed gulls were all over the mud with this years siblings, now well grown, beside them. Mallard were busy by the storm drain, a couple of Cormorants flew up river, stopped for a while to greet another Cormorant perched on the mud, then continued up river. There was a Heron further down the river past Sea Walls. No sign of any Peregrines, but it is possible to see where they have been sitting on the rock faces, large white splashes of guano are spread below various rock perches. I managed to spot the group of Sorbus Wilmottiana - or Wilmott's Whitebeam just beside the Donkey Slide, they look as if they are thriving. There was a heavy rock slide on the slope beside them a little while ago, but it did not damage them. A number of other common Whitebeams now have berries and their leaves are starting to turn colour, so autumn is close.

Monday 31st August

A heron took off from the mud down river from Sea Walls, he stopped first by the storm drain, then a little further down, and again down belwo the Peregrine Watch. This time I could see a Peregrine over on the 'banana tree'.

Sunday August 30th

The Redshank have returned to the estuary mud after their summer recess, there were two birds by Sea Walls. A set of curious tracks on the mud showed up. They were probably made by a (large) dog running from the tow path opposite, however at one point they joined up with some neater tracks which looked like those from a deer, I wonder whether they hide a story? Someone has removed the council's large notice by Sea Walls! There was a bike event on Ladies Mile, causing it to be closed to traffic, so some small children could enjoy cycling up and down.

Tuesday, Wednesday August 25, 26

On Tuesday there were two Roe deer in the quarry opposite Peregrine Watch. A doe and her fawn, they were on the grassy slope just by the trees on the lhs. The fawn suckled its mother at one stage, the mother was also busy eating the lower branches of the trees.

Wednesday was very windy as the remnants of hurricane Bill passed over Bristol.

Tuesday 18th August

A quiet ride around the Downs. Bristol's butterfly bush, the buddleia, is producing some second blossoms, and I have seen the occasional painted lady butterfly on them. No
Peregrine this morning.

Tuesday 11th August

Grey and blues days seem to alternate, today was blue with some clouds. A quick trip around the Downs with brief stops at Sea Walls and the Peregrine Watch. The river was muddy brown, debris, gulls and ducks still moving slowly in on the nearly high tide. I spotted a male Peregrine as soon as I had my glasses focused towards the quarry, he flew low, then towards me and the cliff below, as he came in and got close, he folded his wings as in a stoop, but to land on a cliff ledge.

Sunday 9th August

Another sunny morning (irony). The river tide had just turned, very little bird life that I could see. The travellers / gypsies have moved on, or been moved on, so that that the only relics of their camp are large grass circles showing where their tethered horses cropped the grass.
A more careful reading of the plastic posters shows that they refer to barbeque's and removing rubbish, it looks as if some more permanent notices on metal posts will appear soon, probably about parking. There are already such notices on Cote Green, and one on Ladies Mile hidden by foliage. We have far too many notices plastered over our roads and countryside, the useful ones are usually obscured by trees and bushes.
Home to sardines and croissants for breakfast.

Friday August 7th

A group of travellers are camped on the grass below Sea Walls, eight horses and four round topped caravans. The horses have eaten large circles from the grass, it looks spectacular from the cliff top! Whilst I was watching a small red Hyundai car drew up; a large group of Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws with young and old Gulls gathered on the other side on the downland. They were not worried by several runners, just moving aside to let them through! They recognised the car, and its occupant, who was about to feed them. There were a number of cars parked, several others passed, but only this little red one attracted attention. Members of the Corvus family are an intelligent bunch, and they led the way for the Gulls. Several of the young gulls were going into 'feed me' postures while this was going on. The birds waited, I waited, the man waited! Eventually the man got out and the birds were rewarded with bread scraps.
The Peregrine watch was quiet, no Peregrines, but a Heron and a Cormorant flew down river, and towards Nightingale Valley a Buzzard came and settled in the top of a dead tree.

Wednesday 5th August

A warm and very humid morning so that my glasses kept misting up when I tried to use them with binoculars! The rain copious rain over the last few days created a strong ebb tide with a lot of mud and debris. Not many birds to report, a Cormorant flying downriver and lots of Black Headed Gulls on the mud.

Monday August 3rd

A lower tide now, Black Headed Gulls were lined along the riverside, with a few Mallard in the river. On the Downland by Sea Walls someone was feeding a large flock of Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Jackdaws, Rooks, and Crows. They milled around and grabbed the bread as it was thrown.
At the Peregrine Watch, no Peregrines but a young Kestrel came and sat in the Jackdaw tree. She moved around on the branch, and gazed intently at the grassland at the foot of the cliff, preened her feather a little, and balanced in the strong southerly wind. Every now and then the wind pulled her speckled feathers up into a little umbrella around her waist, most undignified for a lady! But what a little beauty! Eventually she left and flew in front of me below the cliffs.

Some large plastic posters were being erected, mounted on stout wooden posts at either end they are nearer to posters than the usual kind of notice. One at Sea Walls, the other on the corner of Circular Road and Ladies Mile. There are probably others. The message is that barbecues are not allowed on the Downs - and please remove your litter. Quite so! Very commendable! However I do wonder how long such flimsy notices will survive - vandals or the wind! Some weeks ago I watched a policeman on horseback talking to people parked on the grassland by Sea Walls, there was also a barbecue going. He did not seem to be doing anything about moving them off the Down, so what use these notices will be remains to be seen.

Sunday 26th July, Friday 31st July

Sunday was my birthday! A Roe deer was feeding in the quarry opposite the Peregrine Watch. No sign of the Peregrines, but a Kestrel took off from our side, flew over the river and along the treeline by the river, disappearing eventually among the trees. The tide was fairly high on both visits. The rest of the week was so wet that I did not cycle at all. Apparently this was the wettest July in Bristol since 1888.

On Friday I was told by others that there was a Peregrine perched on a ledge near to the Raven's nest. It was not obvious to me.

Thursday 17th July

Whilst I don't mind being caught by the rain, I don't like starting out with it raining! So today (Friday) is not a good day for cycling for me. Yesterday's ride was unremarkable, with neither Kestrels nor Peregrines in view. A lone Cormorant flew down river, and low over the water, I saw another flying towards Bristol across Ladies Mile.

Monday 13th July

I set out in sunshine ... and finished in strong rain. From the Peregrine Watch I could see the rain coming over Dundry and wondered whether to go back through Redland or by the long route and St Ursula's'. I chose the latter. Wrong choice!
There was no sign of the young Kestrels on the Black Rock slabs, I had a careful look and waited (only) about ten minutes. From the top of Walcombe Slade there was no sign of any Kestrel. However cycling into the clearing above the fence I nearly ran over a minute vole. Kestrel food. No Peregrines either, so not a very interesting morning.

Wednesday 8th July

I watched one of the young Kestrels on the rim of the quarry, perched on a bare ivy branch. It was just hidden from the path, a few meters away from the traffic, and noticed by nobody except me. It preened, fluffed its feathers, spread and stretched its wings, hunkered down in the breeze, moved its head around like an owl - with no body movement - and stayed put for at least an hour. I went over to the Peregrine Watch and came back the bird was still there. It moved, but only down to a ledge below to join one of its siblings. So, where are the other two youngsters? I did spot a Raven sitting on the fence near the Austrian pines. Would a Raven attack one of the Kestrel chicks? If it was injured, maybe, but otherwise, probably not.
A large (Welsh?) school party was watching one of their number dressed up as a Peregrine (quite realistically!) at the Peregrine Watch. I wonder if they got to see the real thing this morning? I didn't.

Sunday, Monday, 5th, 6th July

Four Windhover chicks hatched - or so I was informed by the 'Watchers at the Peregrine Cliff'. I only ever managed to see one outside the nest before they fledged, but on Sunday all four could be seen flitting and squatting on the rock slabs at the top of Black Rocks Quarry, and then along in the trees at the top corner of the Gully. On Monday I watched two of them, the others, nor their parents were around. They sit fluffed up sometimes, at other times they waddle over the rock face searching for grubs and other insects. Their parents must keep them fed for at least a month. They practice flying and hovering over the side of the cliffs, and are not too worried about people; I watched one this morning about three meters from someone by the railing - but he was blind to the youngster! On Sunday a Peregrine flew high above them, then today a Buzzard flapped over the river nearby, then flew overhead. The Buzzard was troubled with Crows and the Ravens, and a couple of Gulls. I guess that the raptors, Crows and Ravens are all a danger to the young Kestrels. They are well above the Portway traffic, but could be attracted down there. Wish them luck everybody; they won't harm the racing Pigeons I saw being released from the Sea Walls Plateau this morning.

My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, - the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

On the estuary the tide was ebbing, only Common, Herring, Lesser Black Backed, and Black Headed Gulls are visible on the mud at present. No Redshank.

Sunday June 28th

I cycled through the town and down beside Harbourside to Cumberland Basin to see if I could find the nest that the young Kestrel fell from. No luck on the Create Center ledges, but I'm told they may be on the other old warehouse. There was a Buzzard flying above Ashton Court, a Cormorant passed me just below the Suspension Bridge, and below the Peregrine Watch I could see the grey back of a Peregrine perched on the cliff face. Along under Black Rock Quarry, amid several groups of climbers, a young Kestrel was perched on the cliff just outside the nest. I hope that some of the local Crows, or even Jackdaws don't pester it. There was no sign of any parents. The tide was coming in, carrying a few Black Headed and Herring Gulls up river with it. When I got to Sea Walls from Shirehampton the Matthew was making its stately passage down river - motor driven though! From the cliff top I could see one Kestrel youngster just below the nest, sitting with its tail out and face into the rock. The birders along by the Peregrine Watch had a 'scope trained on the Kestrels, and I'm informed there are four chicks.

Wednesday 24th June

I saw one (or more) of the Kestrel chicks this morning, it came to the edge of the nest and flapped its wings, then, on some occasions for the next ten minutes or so, a small head was visible peering from the rock face. The chicks must be close to fledging, so let's hope that they can get safely from their nest when they start to fly. Unlike another young Kestrel from the Create Centre roof. We took that youngster to Secret World on Tuesday.

At the Peregrine Watch one of the young birds flew over the river from the nest site, and flew around the tops of the trees for a while. They practice their flying and catching skills on tree tops - when there are no pigeons around to chase. The young Peregrine was joined by one of its parents. One of them ended up perching in one of the dead trees opposite. Home to breakfast and a kipper!

Monday 22nd

I did not see a Kestrel this morning, but only stayed at Black Rocks to watch for about 20 minutes split over two visits. Whilst I was waiting a very small bird flitted along through the bushes at the top of the cliff, and perched among the perpetual peas, its greenish brown underparts and very small size - less than a blue tit - leads me to identifying a Willow Warbler. A Peregrine was just visible as a small white speck on the back end of the nest, on my second visit the 'speck' had disappeared - so it really was a Peregrine! A peregrine was perched over on a dead tree in the wood behind the Raven's nest, it moved along to another tree top whilst I cycled around the Downs.

Sunday June 21st

The Portway was closed for the the 16th Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride. From Black Rocks all that could be heard was the swish of bicycle tyres! I stayed to watch for the Kestrels, and was rewarded with two visits from the female. The cliff around the nest has white dropping stains, so there must be young in the nest. At the top of Walcombe Slade I surprised a Green Woodpecker, its yellow rump disappeared rapidly across the Slade into an ash tree. The Peregrine Watch had a large group of birders with a telescopes and a tent - avoided them and went along the cliff path for a little way, from which vantage point I could see a Peregrine sitting on the Raven's nest. All in all a very pleasant ride.

Sunday June14th

Des sent me this picture of a Bee Orchid. Thanks Des. Today the Downs were beautifully quiet, no traffic, and the lights at the corner of Stoke Road even changed as I approached. A Mistle Thrush was busy on the grass beside Saville Road, and was still at it when I came round again 20 minutes later. Normally the bird would have been scared off by lots of people and cars. Today was the Race for Life, with thousands of ladies in pink running their 5kM around the Downs in support of cancer charities. The link is to Joanna's Pecsaetan Morris in Sheffield. They danced the 5 kM in 52 minutes, and raised £1600+ with their dancing.

I stopped at 10am beside Sea Walls, and stayed to watch the Kestrel nest on the Black Rocks cliff. It was 35 minutes before the birds appeared, firstly the female appeared, hovered briefly, flew in circles, then disappeared into Walcombe Slade. She was followed a few minutes later by the male, he perched on the nest entrance then flew off, also to Walcombe Slade. I left as the runners started to pass in their hundreds, about 11.15am. There was no sign of the Kestrels returning. So how many chicks? If the adults are still about they cannot have fledged, also they don't seem too busy, so maybe only one chick? Can someone say?

June 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th

I'm getting lax in my postings, and forgot last week! The Peregrines can be seen flying and perching opposite, sometimes on the now vacant Raven's nest, other times in the banana tree (a small birch tree just above and to the left of the Raven's nest). I heard that there were two Peregrine chicks, but that after someone went down to see them preparatory to trying to ring them, that there was only one?! I also heard that two rings were then placed on the remaining unfortunate chick! Couple that with a report I had today (Thursday, June 11th when I did not cycle), that someone had been around and put small numbered bamboo posts beside all the bee orchids. Why ring? Why label? Why do we interfere with wildness?

The Kestrel nest is still intact so far as I can see, and the parents can be seen coming back and forth. They must have chicks, but when will they fledge? It must be soon. I see climbing parties further over on the Black Rock cliff, but this does not seem to perturb the Kestrel parents. They are far more worried about keeping nosey Jackdaws away from their patch!

Thursday, 28th May

The Black Rock Kestrels both appeared from their nest a few minutes after I arrived around 9am. One disappeared back into the nest whilst the other sat on the rock face a few feet below the nest. A Mallard drake appeared from underneath the cliff, flying round in an arc, and disappearing back again! The sitting Kestrel rose from its perch on the cliff, hovered briefly and disappeared after the duck! A few minutes later the Kestrel disappeared back into the nest hole - but I was too slow to see if it carried anything - a duck chick? I know that ducks nest in daft places, but up on Black Rock cliffs near a Kestrel nest?!! Anyway it was a drake, and I don't think they sit on the eggs at all.
At the Peregrine Watch I could see a Peregrine perched on the side of the, now empty, Raven's nest. It moved occasionally, preened itself, but did not fly.

Tuesday - May 19th, May 26th

A long gap without rides or posts! Hospitals, holidays, weather all kept me away from the Downs on my bike. I did manage several walks around the whole Downland.

On one walk I discovered a lone Sorbus wilmottiana - Wilmott's Whitebeam planted in the border leading onto the Suspension Bridge. I am incredulous that Bristol City Council (The Downs Committee) are perfectly prepared to sacrifice 10% of this trees total world population (42 trees - maybe 43 with the one by the bridge) to goats in Walcombe Slade. See: The distribution and population sizes of the rare English endemic Sorbus wilmottiana E. F. Warburg,Wilmott’s Whitebeam (Rosaceae).

On another visit a month ago I made another discovery - a kestrel nest on the cliff face of Black Rock. It is beside a large patch of ivy, and hidden by a small dead bush. On several visits I have seen the birds going in and out, circling above the quarry, chasing, and being chased by the local Jackdaws and Crows. This last tuesday both birds left the nest and flew rapidly towards Walcombe Slade. I waited about 15 minutes, but they did not return, so the vole catching cannot have been easy!

Last Tuesday I met a bird watcher who reported seeing a female Goshawk going up and down the Gorge. Lucky! lucky! During my occasional visits over the last month I spotted the Peregrines on several occasions; they are reported to have chicks. The Ravens nesting opposite have left. How many Raven chicks fledged this year?

Thursday April 23rd - St George's Day

I visited the Peregrine Watch at about 8am and was pleased to see, probably the male, over in a lower oak tree. He was sideways on, so his lantern front was less visible. Then on to the Lord Mayor's House to dance with Bristol Morris Men and help him start St George's Day off.

Monday to Wednesday, 20th to 22nd April

Three cycle rides this week. I saw Peregrines only on Wednesday, the female came into the nest and the male left to sit over in a lower oak tree opposite. The Ravens are still on their nest, I think I can see a youngster? One of the parents sits on guard on the top of the yew tree to the left of the nest. On Monday there were two sets of Deer tracks on the mud opposite Sea Walls. No Redshank at the moment. The whitebeams are all coming out in bud, some more advanced than others. Look at the group just over the fence from Sea Walls, a 'daddy' tree surrounded by siblings of various ages. This shows very clearly how these lovely trees propagate - but is this one of the apomictic species?

Friday 17th saw an interview for the BEPP about the idiot proposal from BCC and Natural England, to put feral goats into the Gully in a pen. BCC have a propaganda wagon to try to persuade the good folk of Bristol that 'Goats Would Be Good' (to eat ...). However, putting six goats into a pen on the north side of the Gully will enable them to firstly eat the rare whitebeams, and when they run out of fodder, to escape, and probably have to be shot. As they were down in Studland Bay a couple of years ago.
When goats are penned in in this way do they cease being feral? In Burrington Coombe goats, Exmoor ponies and long horned cattle have about 300 acres to wander over (including the road which has cattle grids); down there they are not a problem. The road up Burrington Coombe is busy, but no where like the Portway.
Whilst the interview was taking place I watched a Kestrel circling around under the Black Rocks Cliff for several minutes.

Saturday to Tuesday, 4th-7th April

Saturday. I cycled via the Portway. Just beside the Wessex Water works, and on the walkway by the road, with lorries and cars thundering past, a minute black ball of fluff was lying. I nearly fell from my bike trying to stop - well they do tell you to walk that bit - it was an injured pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus (I discovered later that it was a pipestrelle). About the same size as my top thumb joint, and still very much alive so far as I could see, certainly injured, but I could not see how apart from a small lump on its face. What to do? I could not leave it there, and could not care for it, and did not want to leave it in the bushes. I decided to take it to the Zoo and contact Mandy Leivers. It wriggled in my hand, got rather hot and torpid, but we got there and the girls on the counter produced a small cardboard box for the bat while Mandy called around to some of her contacts on the Avon Bat Group. We took the little animal over to Mandy's office and tried to give it some water, but it seemed to prefer bathing to drinking, and was now moving around in the box at some speed. Very not dead! Mandy had contacted a vet student, Heidi, who could look after the pipestrelle.

I left and went on with my ride via the Peregrine Watch and Downs. At the Watch there were several fly-pasts and (eventually) a Peregrine landed in one of the oaks opposite.

Sunday. No Downs today, but Bristol Morris Men had a cycle tour around Yatton. We danced outside three local pubs. Well where else do you find Morris Men? I did see a Heron, but was too busy watching the somewhat rough paths to see much more. The Brompton bike is not nearly as pleasant to ride as the Dawes road bike, especially the saddle.

Monday, Tuesday The Peregrines were flying on both days, around the Gorge, landing in the trees opposite, and high up, probably hunting. The Ravens are still over on their nest, and on both days there was a large group of Redshank lined up on the river-edge mud below Sea Walls. I counted over 30 birds on Tuesday. The trees are now coming strongly into leaf, with the Horse Chestnuts leading the way. The Whitebeams have white buds on them, and many other trees are sprouting.

The pipestrelle. I had a 'phone call from Heidi this morning. The bat had an injured eye, and despite valiant efforts at feeding, it was getting weaker, so she had to put it to sleep. A sad ending, but the little animal did have some TLC, did not die miserably beside the Portway, and will have given a young vet some valuable practical experience. The head injury to its eye was just too severe, and despite tasty meal worm offerings it was fading fast. Thanks, Heidi and Mandy.

Sunday 29th, Tuesday 31st March

Sunday. A Peregrine and a Raven sparred briefly in the air above the cliff face to the left of the Raven's nest, the Peregrine diving, the Raven turning on its back in a ball to face the Peregrine. No feathers, so this was shadow boxing. A Peregrine eventually settled over in the oak tree opposite; they were flying around, sometimes into the nest.
Monday. The tide was still coming in, and the river was very full and still. A quiet morning with one good view of the female Peregrine circling around the cliff, and (supposedly) landing on the nest. I thought that I could see a Jackdaw under the bush in front of the Peregrine nest. Nesting? Some neighbours for these audacious small birds!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, March 24, 25, 27

By Tuesday it was much colder, so I was back into long trousers again! I spotted about a dozen Redshank on the mud just down river of Sea Walls, but little else. On Wednesday I decided to walk the periphery of the Downs, around from Cote Green, along the edge of the Gorge, then back via Zoo Bank and finally the Granny Down. You see much more than from a bicycle. Coming through the edge of a grove on the side of Walcombe Slade a Peregrine appeared high above me, circled for a while, then flew rapidly to the North. Coming through the bushes by the Dumps a bright green bird, gone in a flash - a Green finch! Just before that I saw a group of six Magpies on the grass towards Ladies Mile, these are not good news for the Green finch if it is nesting.
The Ravens are nesting; sometimes the female (I assume) is hunkered down in the nest and invisible, other times a small piece of black is visible, now and then the bird comes onto the edge of the nest.
On Friday I decided to be lazy, took the car and parked by Sea Walls, then walked along through the top of the Gully, over to Peregrine Watch, then down the new Zig Zag to the Portway, and crossing, along to come back up via the Gully. I watched a Peregrine, first from the top on the path beside Fairyland. The bird circled quite low and for nearly a quarter hour, over the trees opposite on the side of Leigh Woods, going into the quarry beside the Ravens nest, then coming back towards the Gully, sometimes flying fast, mostly gliding in the wind. Hunting? Possibly. From the Portaway I stopped and looked up at the Peregrine nest, there was no activity for a full half hour, but then I saw a Peregrine circling about 500 feet up, it circled higher and higher, eventally dropping rapidly to the Gully. A kill? Just after that I saw a Sparrowhawk flying above the Gully. A very pregnant deer was sitting under a birch tree in the sunshine in the quarry opposite Sea Walls. My last Peregine, a large bird, appeared quickly by Sea Walls and disappeared towards Black Rock cliff.

Monday March 23rd

An early morning ride (and the first one this year in short trousers), so I was up by the Peregrine Watch around 8am. The Great Bristol Public were out in force on Sunday, the evidence was left all over the Downs, with some particularly large piles in the cleared scrub beside Circular Road. The Downs Committee also seem keen on removing even more trees, I counted three with stump bases all looking fine. At this rate, and without replacements, the Downs will be treeless in ten years - I joke not!
There was some mud showing, and to the west of Sea Walls I counted ten Redshank, in one place a small flock of half a dozen birds were all busy pecking at the mud. At the Peregrine Watch the Jackdaw flock was flying around in a noisy group, I though that a raptor might have set them off, but could not see one.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, March 9th-13th

Back to more regular rides! The tide precessed during the week, going out, but getting higher with less mud as the week progressed. Today Friday, about a dozen Redshank were on small patches of mud on the opposite bank; also with the Mute Swan sitting on the riverside. I do hope that he/she is well? A small black head is just visible on the Raven's nest, so she must be sitting. On Monday the male was displaying - flapping around then folding his wings and dropping down. Earlier in the week there were large numbers of gulls on the mud, Lesser Black Backed, young and old, Herring Gulls, Black Headed Gulls, Common Gulls.
I see the Peregrines in the oak trees opposite, sometimes one, sometimes two. I heard that there were two other adult birds flying on Monday, whilst two were perched. On Tuesday I had a glimpse from above Black Rocks of a Peregrine land below the nest on the cliff, then fly around. It is rare to be able to see them from the Sea Walls region. When the Peregrines are flying the Jackdaws become more agitated ....

Thursday 5th March

The cold has returned so I was on foot at the Peregrine Watch. A large flock of Sea Gulls was circling above the river, looking like pieces of paper in a wind. Walking back along the Gorge rim I spotted a Redshank just below the Donkey Slide, then, just before Circular Road stopped to look for a Robin singing. He was high up in some ivy on an ash tree, without his red breast he would have been impossible to find. Coming back behind Zoo Bank there were three kinds of Tit - Blue, Coal and Great, all in pairs, and flitting around the top of the hawthorn bushes. Add Blackbirds and Thrushes, Magpies, Crows, Pigeons and Jackdaws.

Sunday, Tuesday, 1st, 3rd March

Sunday afternoon brought out the crowds - and banished most birds from the downland, though a flock of Jackdaws had found a tasty patch to probe beside Ladies Mile. On the river I saw the lone Mute Swan on both days, I wonder if he/she is either looking for, or has lost a mate. There are a number of Swans on the docks water. There were a few Redshank on the mud on Sunday, and a Cormorant digesting its dinner. Tuesday I watched a flock of Jackdaws wheeling above the Gorge, the Raven pair were flying around, sometimes in the midst of the Jackdaws. A lone Peregrine left the Gully, flew over the river, and then up towards the Suspension Bridge.

Wednesday 25th February

The Peregrine was sitting side on to me showing folded gray wings and a white front, every now and then she scratched herself, a little like one of my cats. Like all birds she probably suffers from pests (mites?) in her feathers, in Baker's iconic book on the Peregrine he describes how the birds love to bathe every day. I've never seen this, and the Avon looks very mucky! At Sea Walls a few Redshank were probing the mud, and a Swan was sitting at the edge preening his feathers. On the Downs, flocks of Starling and a lot of Rooks and Jackdaws; the latter flock were wheeling around in a large group, but broke up to move off in different directions. It almost looked like a command from a leader.

Friday 20th February

I should have guessed when I saw two Oyster Catchers on the mud just below Black Rocks Quarry that this would be an interesting morning! When I reached the Peregrine Watch I noticed, even before I was off my bike, two Peregrines in the oak opposite. They moved a little during my stay, but were otherwise stationary, the male, smaller and facing - a white light in the tree - the female - larger and showing us her gray back. Then the Sparrowhawk: passing so fast within a few meters of me that I wondered what it was, it raised the Jackdaws from their tree, and disappeared, all in a fraction of a second. Then a voice from behind me said "Did you see the Sparrowhawk?". Next a couple of Redshank flew low over the river. The numerous Gulls rose as one from the river edge, wheeled and landed on the mud again. What caused that? We then saw the two Ravens return to inspect their nest up on the cliff, they did not stop long, but will be back. The finale was to see a Cormorant fly low over the water and down river, but three other birds started to fish just below us. No sign of a catch though.

Wednesday 18th February

I have forgotten when I was last on a bicycle! Long ago, anyway with tyres pumped up and me well wrapped up, I did my Downs ride this morning. It was misty and a bit damp, on the Downs between Saville Road and the Seven Sisters there must have been a couple of hundred gulls. Some of the Black Headed Gulls are donning their summer caps. By the time I had re-circled the Downs the gulls had all departed; driven off by dogs and walkers. At Sea Walls I could see three Redshank on the mud, then at the Peregrine Watch a brief glimpse of a Peregrine as it came into the cliff. The river tide was flowing very slowly downstream; it was so calm that there were surface reflections from the trees.

All the snow has gone ... but the huge 'throne-like' object just beside the Huntingdon Elm at the end of Ladies Mile remains as a dirty pile of snowy debris. The chair and bucket have gone!

Wednesday February 11th

I walked up to the Downs via Kersteman Road and Blackboy Hill. Several Robins were establishing their territory with song, probably encouraged by blue sky and warm sun. On the Downs were many snow remains, large dirty snowballs, slight patches where the snow figures were a couple of days ago, and a huge sculpture of some sort near to the Huntingdon Elm. It looked like a large throne and had a bucket on a chair in front of it! There was still snow on Dundry and the Welsh Hills, and a large patch at the top of the Gully where the trees shade the grass.
At the Peregrine Watch I think I could see a couple of Peregrines over in the Leigh Woods oak trees, but maybe one was a pigeon fluffed up against the cold. At around 3pm from Sea Walls the sunshine was shining right into the Peregrine nest, and illuminating the cliff around. Was there another peregrine perched just beside the nest on the cliff, it seemed to move a little, but the effect could have been a trick of the sunlight? There were gulls on the mud, one had a black head like a Black Headed Gull; it seems a little early for these birds to loose their head-phone appearance. One lone Redshank, and a Cormorant flying down river.
Walking back across towards White Tree and past the Seven Sisters I wondered if it is still possible to see 'Quarry 1' (Gerry Nichols - Bristol Branch of the Historical Association, 2005, No 116). Maybe.

Thursday 5th February

Another day for walking rather than cycling, though the main roads were not too bad. I walked over the Downland to the Peregrine Watch, then back again, missing out Sea Walls. Unlike the pristine snow of Tuesday morning there were patches of mud, grass and snow, and a jumble of footprints. The population of Bristol were out rolling huge snowballs and building statues and snow people. My favorite was a statue of a couple embracing, the sculptor stands beside his creation - he was from University Close - the University had the afternoon off for a Union Meeting.
At the Peregrine Watch. It was very difficult to see if there were any birds in the Leigh Woods trees. With all the leaves down, and snow on the ground between the trees the woodland floor dominates the view. All the little glades stand out from the surrounding trees.
Now, if it flies like a pigeon, and looks much like a pigeon, even through cold glasses and watery eyes, then why was it chasing a Seagull? Maybe we have some rabid pigeons out over the river ...

There were many huge balls of snow, very dirty from the mud they had collected, and leaving large tracks on the grass. Some of the snowman-artwork was very clever, several igloos, one with a shopping trolley balanced on it, and I'm told there was a dragon over by Blackboy Hill. There were also a few phallic creations! No imagination some people. I did like this quartet of snow people.

The Seven Young Sisters and their three Maiden Aunts in the snow.

Tuesday 3rd February

Snow! There was a large snowman beside Ladies Mile. For once I was up early, walking through quiet back streets to the Downs to see the sunrise. Then a walk over the snow to Sea Walls from the Granny Down, passing the Water Tower and back via Redland Green was about my limit without becoming frozen. The playground loved by my grandsons looked very cold - although they seem to be enjoying the snow up in Sheffield. There were very few birds around, certainly no Redshank on the estuary mud, one Rook (you can just see his grey beak) was picking through the snow as I walked towards Sea Walls.

The trees beside the Water Tower on Stoke Road. Just before sunrise.

Sunrise. A clear blue sky made the sunrise a spectacular event.


Reflections off the windows of the house by Sea Walls. A rather forlorn Rook! Enlarge the picture (by clicking) and you can see his large grey beak.

Black Rocks, Sea Walls. No climbers today.

Blackboy Hill. The sun was getting higher by the time I crossed the Down beside the Dumps.


Joseph and William enjoying the snow in their back garden in Sheffield. The last time we had snow like this in Bristol 'Mum' was not much older than Joseph! I remember that it was very cold in Ashton Court, 1980 perhaps?

Redland Park The children's playground.

... and the snow returned again with a vengeance on Thursday night ...

Monday 26th January

A cold circuit today! Gulls and some Redshank on the mud, the Jackdaws quite the Gorge just as I arrived, and a Raven flapped up river. The BBC's refusal to support the DEC Gaza appeal shocks me. So I'm changing my top line on the blog for the duration of the appeal - which may be a very long time if the 'war' restarts.

Friday 23rd January

The Avon was low so that there were birds all along the muddy banks. I think the strong wind from the cold North Atlantic must have driven a number into the estuary, at any rate there was a Black Backed Gull and a lot of smaller gulls which I did not recognise at first, they were probably just Common Gulls! Redshank too. A Peregrine was just visible in the oak opposite the Peregrine Watch. Huge puddles nearly covered parts of Circular Road.

Sunday 18th January

I walked across to the Gorge, stopped a few minutes just down the path into Fairyland, then back through the myriad paths that make up this woody glade. I fervently hope that it does not get 'opened up' by the Parks Department. A few birds on the wing over Clifton Downs, a small flight of thrush-like Fieldfare, a Great Tit and the usual culprits - Magpies, Rooks, Black Headed Gulls, Blackbirds etc..
The rest of the week was cold and wet, so, Friday has arrived and I'm about to set off on the first cycle ride for nearly two weeks!
Please support Amnesty's Campaign:

Friday 16th January

Lots more mud when I arrived at the Gorge, this time around 3pm. There were Redshank, Cormorants and Mallard, with skeins of Seagulls flying down-river. Across in the oaks a peregrine stood out like a little lantern, and through my glasses I could see another bird within arms length of it, but with its grey back to us. Then they flew, first one, then the other, across the water and in under the cliff. To the nest? Looks like they are pairing up for this year's nesting.

Tuesday 13th January

My first cycle ride in a month! I started the cycle rides a couple of years before these blogs, at first it was a short ride, and not always around the Downs, keeping fit being the main aim. The distance went up to about 16kM by the time I started the blog - and was around the Downs all the time. Then I was attracted to the Gorge, and bought myself binoculars. But the purpose was always the exercise. A month out of the saddle brought this home to me.
Today. Redshank on the mud with a high, but ebbing tide, one landed just opposite the Peregrine Watch whilst I was there. A Jay flew from a tree below, and there was a Peregrine over in the oak tree. The stripping of the woodland beside Circular Road continues.

Sunday 11th January

A happy new year to all! This is the first blog in a month, blame the weather (cold), a trip up to Sheffield, and more cold. Warmer weather and rain has arrived so maybe I can start my bike rides again soon. Not Monday though, whilst I'm writing this it is pouring with rain outside.



On Sunday I put on my walking boots, took up my camera and binoculars, and walked over to Sea Walls, the strong wind made it feel a little colder than it was. En route a flock of Starlings, Black Headed Gulls, and a mixed flock of Crows, Jackdaws and Rooks were busy feeding off the soft Plateau grassland. For the last couple of weeks it has been hardened by frost. At Sea Walls it was low tide so I was pleased to see some of my old friends on the mud - the Redshank. At the Peregrine Watch a couple of flights of Mallard flew low and fast up river, but there was no sign of Peregrines. The Jackdaws were flying around, making a lot of noise, and landing in 'their' tree.

Peregrine watch scrub clearance
The side of the Peregrine Watch has been cleared of scrub, fine, it gives better views so we can see the foxes below again, but I can't help feeling that this 'clearance' is more drastic than in previous years. The birches and whitebeams have been spared, but the rest is much more open. It will be difficult to creep up on any Peregrines should they perch on the silver birch at the edge of the open area.



Over Enthusiastic Scrub Clearance, some might say Vandalism
I object very strongly to the "scrub clearance" now enacted at the top of Walcombe Slade and beside Circular Road. Several yew trees have been hacked about, but far worse, it is now possible to see right through from the leafy glades just beyond the roadside, and onto the road, where we have the pleasure of both seeing cars passing, parked, and hearing them. Clearing site-lines means clearing sounds lines. How much longer (with such disproportionate acts of scrub clearance) before there will be no places on the Downs, or in the sides of the Gorge, where we can escape from motors?



The picture shows a very fine old yew tree (possibly the oldest and largest on the Downs?), on the edge of a leafy glade just in from Circular Road, and before the slopes of Walcombe Slade are reached. So far it has been spared the chain saw and mechanical flail. Click on the image(s) for larger views.