Wednesday, Thursday, January 27th, 28th

I walked over the Downs to the Gorge both days. It is too cold to cycle, and I needed the exercise. No sign of the Kestrels yet, I hear that the Peregrines are courting, and have been seen around. I haven't seen them since before Christmas. On Thursday a Buzzard was gliding around over Walcombe Slade, she attracted attention from the Gulls, a couple of Ravens and a large flock of Crows, Jackdaws and Rooks. So nice to be so unpopular! It was amazing how she avoided her tormentors - a feint, occasionally a slight tumble, or just a change of direction. She circled for some ten minutes so that my arms became tired holding the binoculars. Then she came down over the river and up close past the Peregrine Watch, so that I had a fine view. She turned and came back again past me and towards Black Rocks, finally she moved off over Leigh Woods, still pursued by three Crows, and disappeared under the tree line.

Mondays 18th, 25th January

The first of these mondays was quite warm, the second, today, was perishing so that I only managed one Downs circuit. It seemed to get colder even when I cycled! There is still a diminished pile of snow-ice at the junction of Circular Road and Ladies Mile. I did not stop to look for any birds, but there was a large group of Jackdaws/Crows/Rooks pecking around on the grass by the Peregrine Watch, and a number of fluffed-out pigeons sitting in the trees. On the 18th I did get a glimpse of a Kestrel, and this set me wondering about when they, the Kestrels, will take over their nest beside Black Rock cliff. I'm certain that they will be back in 2010, and this cold weather is less problem for raptors than other birds - lots of weak food around on the wing!
My ride this morning was to try to lay down a marker for regular cycling again, however the forecast is not good, and it looks as if the cold air is pushing the warm air back out into the Atlantic again. I'll persevere, and hopefully be out again tomorrow ....