Friday March 26th

Windy again and with occasional small showers, but from the south so that cycling up to Sea Walls was hard work. However a week of cycling has helped my back pains. At Sea Walls there was the largest group of Redshank that I have seen for a while, at least three dozen on the side of the river downstream and another dozen or so under the cliffs. The tide was still receding with more mud than water. A couple of days ago, at the Peregrine Watch, we could hear the lions in the Zoo roaring. Apparently it is quite common but I had not heard it before, the sound must be fearsome from just outside the cage.

Thursday March 25th

Back into shorts today - the temperature is rising! At Black Rocks the Redshank were on the mud just below the storm drain outlet. At the Peregrine Watch I was asked whether the birds were around, when low and behold a powerful grey back glided out from just underneath us, then sailed back out of sight. This was repeated several times, just as if to say, "we are here". A very small black back was just visible on the Raven nest. No Kestrels.

Wednesday 24th March

Dull, a bit wet, but warmer than yesterday. The rain stopped by the time I reached the Downs. The Redshanks are back on the mud, over on the mud on the Leigh Woods side by Sea Walls. I counted 20 of them in a tight group, all busy probing the mud at the water side. A Kestrel landed in a bush close to the nest site, then took off and started to hunt all along the scrub and trees at the top of the Gully, I cycled over and watched him (her?) from below as he hovered. He disappeared into the Gully, but I could not see him there until he moved out back towards Black Rocks. At the Peregrine Watch a couple of ducks were speeding up and down river, one a Mallard, the other is a curious brown and white bird, I've seen it for several years. Maybe a cross with a domesticated duck. A Raven was just visible on the nest, there must be eggs by now. No Peregrines today.

I discovered another bird blog - see http://www.wildmonty.co.uk/ : Wild Monty - Wildlife sightings in the Montpelier, St Andrews, St Pauls and St Werburghs districts of Bristol, UK

Monday, Tuesday March 22nd, 23rd

Monday was cold with a strong wind from the south west, apart from Wood and feral Pigeons, Gulls, Jackdaws and Rooks, I only saw a Cormorant flying with rapid wing beats up towards Bristol Docks. The tide is high but receeding a little each day. A second "short trouser" day!
Tuesday was even colder, but thankfully without the wind. The cold drove me to wear long trousers again. A Peregrine was flying around under the cliff at the Peregrine Watch, flying just out towards the road and back repeatedly. One also came in from over by Leigh Woods, and also from the Walcombe Slade area. Maybe all the same bird. A small black head was just visible over on the Raven's nest.

Monday March 15th, Sunday March 21st

Monday: A lunchtime trip especially to see if there was any sign of the Kestrels. Yes, one flew down to the cliff beside the nest and perched on a ledge, perhaps for five minutes, then flew off towards the Gully. The bird may have joined a mate, since I saw two birds for a short time. No sign of them in the Gully. No return to the nest.
Sunday: The first morning ride (in shorts!!!) for a long time. Sunny weather and a beautiful view from Black Rocks. The climbers were out; pairs of Jackdaws circling under the cliff, but no Kestrel. The nest site cliff has small white stains in several places, a sign that they are nesting. At the Peregrine Watch the 'watchers' were out in force with 'scopes and binoculars, and the usual banter. First a Sparrowhawk appeared and flew back over the Downland Then a Peregrine passed up the Gorge at speed, it rose in the air and started to circle, hunting, to be joined and buzzed by an irate Raven. The Raven gave up; the Peregrine circled high over Leigh Woods then up over the Gorge and river, probably 500 foot up. Then an amazing stoop at high speed towards the river surface where I lost sight. Brilliant!