The common whitebeam by the Sea Walls fence has a good crop of berries. {iPhone photo}. Back on Saville Road the chesrnut trees look very poorly, many brown patches on the leaves of these fine trees, especially at the Cote Green end. The Downland has turned back to a pleasant green after the rain.
Offficious wardens object to a family windbreak on the Downs - behavior of the Downs Warden or his underlings needs broadcasting. Perhaps some attention to the many people who park illegally on the grass, who spoil the grass with barbecues, and who dump huge quantities of picnic rubbish, would be more apposite! I'm glad to see that the BCC will reprimand those concerned and tell them to be more judiceous in their choice of targets. They are still working on the Gorge fence, but it looks as if it will not be finished (again), five years to erect a couple of hundred meters of repaired fence!
The four Peregrine youngsters were sitting atop the yew tree opposite the Peregrine Watch. One flapped its wings and took off, then another. The other two remained for all the time of my visit. Then one reappeared, and circled over the quarry, slowly making its way across and over towards Sea Walls. High up it started to chase a Sea Gull, diving and chasing it high over the Downs and eventually over towards the Zoo. I understand that at least one Gull has been killed recently, also that five chicks were ringed and fledged. Certainly only four survive now. This was a glorious summer morning, with a warm breeze, high tide (receding), and small clouds.
