Thursday, September 17, 2009

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.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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.