Sunday March 18th

Mothering Sunday. My ride was a little earlier this morning, so that I arrived at the Peregrine Watch around 9am. There was a strong north wind but with the bright sunshine and clouds it was quite warm. The wind was creating waves on the river, and the gulls and jackdaws were falling around the sky above the Gorge. Arriving at Sea Walls I heard a thump, thump of drums, at first I thought it was a car stereo, then a band marching along the Portway, it turned out to be a 'rave' going on in the quarry opposite, caravans and a tarpaulin, and some tents were visible though the trees. That should keep the pigeons away! The drums were still audible at the Peregrine Watch.

A peregrine appeared high up, probably another 250ft above the Gorge rim, from his circling I think he was looking for breakfast. However the gulls did not even notice him, maybe they fell safe and the Gorge peregrines go for other prey. He glided over towards Stoke Bishop, then came back overhead, then back down river again over Stoke Bishop, disappearing as a speck towards Shirehampton and Horse Shoe Bend.