Friday 4th July

The three Peregrine kittens frolicked in the air whilst one of the parents surveyed their antics from the bottom of the 'banana' tree - at least that is what it looked like! The youngsters flew, often so close you would think they would fall from the air in a knot, and at other times chasing each other, with mock attacks, swoops and aerial acrobatics. It was a scene to relish - and to wonder what it might have been like were there still five of them? Ghosts perhaps, but sometimes the bird shadows, projected by the morning sun onto the cliff face, made the appearance of more than three birds!
On our side a quartet of Cormorants flew rapidly up river to the docks, their shadows came into view before the birds, flying close together, and just over the Portway rather than the water; a hide tide and still coming in. Just behind, and over the Downs, a Kestrel appeared, hovered briefly, then flew off to the north.