Friday 13th October

Very misty with low wet cloud, but cleared a little whilst I was at the Peregrine Watch (10.30am). Birds very quiet, no raptors this morning. Unlucky Friday!

Thursday 12th October

A Misty blue sky this morning when I arrived at the Peregrine Watch around 10.30am. The tide was high and just on the turn, a few ducks were exploring the river edges, the jackdaws were flying, often in pairs, and looked as if they were enjoying themselves. I saw an adult peregrine leave the cliff beneath me, and drop down in a big arc to land in a small bush, just below what I have heard called the 'banana tree'. I did not see him move from the bush for half and hour afterwards - despite waiting in hope!

Monday 9th October

I arrived at the peregrine watch just before the heavens opened - not as invigorating as Friday's wall of water. The tide was high, probably just on the turn, and most birds were hiding. A few gull's braved the rain storm.
If you come to this (says he hopefully) from my MySpace Blog, then contact me if you know a way to use the HTML "refresh" so that the redirect is immediate!
Concerning MySpace, take a look at the Silicon Newsletter Report about Murdock's activities.

Sunday 8th October

A pair of mallards flew very fast down river, keeping very close together and just below the gorge rim. Jackdaws were chasing each other and pigeons flew rapidly across to Leigh Woods. I felt that there should be a peregine around - but could not see one. Off home about 10.30am, and then off to a Morris booking in Bitton.

Friday 6th October

I managed one circuit around the Downs, then the heavens opened as I was approaching the White Tree. I scuttled off home to a hot shower.

Wednesday 4th October

A bright cold morning, and the first time my feet felt cool in sandals! Autumn is around! Rooks, carrion crows and various seagulls were scattered over the football pitches. A group of ducks were squabbling in the small outflow just below the Sea Walls cliff. I thought I saw a buzzard, but on looking through glasses it is more likely to have been a seagull soaring high up.

Monday 2nd October

Saturday was Bristol Morris's 'Erik Day', commemorating the life of Erik Ilott, Bristol Shanteyman. This was the 20th anniversary of his death. We circumnavigated Bristol Docks, consuming ale and toasting his memory at eight pubs.
Sunday was very wet - the heavens opened - so a ride was not possible. However the effect was still to be seen at the Peregrine Watch. A line of gulls stretched along the mud, nearly all at the same distance from the grass that lines the river banks, just above tide level. Just under, and on this side of the river I spotted two herons probing the shallows, with more gulls. It is likely that the rain had washed small creatures from the banks. It is rare to see herons on the river mud, they fly up and down sometimes, but rarely try to feed.
Just as I was about to leave I noticed the unmistakable flight of a peregrine over the little valley beside the Sea Walls cliffs, the falcon seemed to be chasing something. A little after this a pair of buzzards were flying around in the same region. A large flock of rooks was also flying around in the brisk westerly wind.