Fri, Sat, Mon - April 16, 17, 19

Three days cycling, with two of them early (for me), leaving home around 8am! During these days I heard Blackcaps, saw a Greenfinch, the Peregrines, a Cormorant, and the Kestrel. My principal actors! Then there were the Doves, Pigeons, Rooks, Crows and Jackdaw pairs. Over on the Raven nest black heads can be seen, someone mentioned two chicks? On Saturday there was an 'extra' Peregrine, it was chased vigorously by one of the residents. I had a brief glimpse of the Kestrel leaving the rock face near last year's nest,so assume that they are back.

Around the rest of the Downs the chestnut tress are rapidly coming into blossom. The whitebeams are forming buds, so that it is easy to see these trees amongst their neighbors in the woodland. Now is the time to photograph the whitebeams in the Gully (Walcombe Slade) before the wretched Council turns out the goats!

Mentioning BCC brings me to another grouse. This morning the refuse and plastic rubbish left by the 'Goode Cytizens of Brystle' had to be seen to be believed. It was difficult to distinguish between the plastic and the Gulls on the Downland beside Sea Walls. So much for the large, stupid, plastic notices which now adorn various parts of the Downs. I have great sympathy with the unfortunate Downs ranger assistants who have to clear this mess. On the plus side the BCC have supplied rubbish bins, but these were all full. I notice that the Zoo Parking area is larger than last year (now encompasing the pollarded ash trees), no doubt in celebration of their getting a three year free parking lease. If they were charged a decent amount, say £1000 per day they might be encouraged to go elsewhere. FODAG ("Friends" of the Downs and Avon Gorge) have issued another anodyne, uncritical, half baked comment on the parking, perhaps if they monitored the rare plants in the extended parking area it might have some meaning.

There, my rant is over!