Tuesday, Wednesday October 28th, 29th

Cold weather is not conducive to cycling, so I walked to the Downs. On the river mud there are small groups of Redshank, their legs glowing red in the sunshine, on Wednesday I counted eight birds in a small group opposite the Peregrine Watch. The black headed gulls have regained their earphones, there were over a hundred of them on the football pitches of the Plateau. I also saw several Jays.

On Wednesday I walked over to the University to take a look at bubo bubo, Clifton's own Eagle Owl, as featured in the Guardian on October 10th. She was perched in the sycamore tree beside the steps up to University Walk from Woodland Road beside the Queens Building. Today, the best view was from the lawn beside BISC. She was a little difficult to see at first, but once spotted is difficult to miss! Enormous, majestic, beautiful, awesome, are all understatements, and sitting on a big thick branch with her tail protruding from underneath. There are reports of these owls breeding in Yorkshire, and the RSPB has commented on them, though I don't like the comment since it hints at culling! Whilst I love cats (I have three!), it is about time the local moggies learned some respect, they have had matters their own way with most of the bird population of the UK for far too long. Whilst I was looking at Bubo some old friends from Computer Science appeared and told me that the remains of a cat had been found under the tree, also that the owl was feeding on local grey squirrels. I also heard that local foxes take cover. We should also warn the corgi population!

Monday 27th October

The grassland beside Sea Walls attracted a large group of Crows, Rooks and a few young Herring Gulls, a Raven landed briefly on the Black Rock cliff, then glided off around towards the river. On the mud I could see one or two Redshank. All was quiet at the Peregrine Watch initially, then a large group of Jackdaws arose from under the cliff, wheeled around over the river, and as if someone had said 'right folks, off to the grass', flew over towards Clifton Down. I though that was it, but no, several views of the Ravens, then a grey Peregrine flew from Leigh Woods to land under the cliff, moments later a pair of Kestrels left Leigh Woods near the quarries, and I watched (the female?), glide across to Walcombe Slade. Just before I left for home and breakfast a Sparrowhawk flew from Leigh Woods and disappeared into the trees on the left beside Circular Road.

Thursday 23rd October

This morning there were Redshank on both sides of the river mud, even the quartet that I saw yesterday. Two of the four birds are a little lighter than the others, maybe the adults have gained their winter plumage, so that the other two are youngsters from this year's brood - they remain darker. I had a beautiful view of male Kestrel at Sea Walls, he was flying around the cliffs, presenting a reddish brown back and black wing ends, with a grey head and tail and a black bit with a bar on his tail. Seeing him from above is a pleasure afforded by the view from the top of a couple of hundred foot of cliff!

Wednesday October 22nd

There were Redshank on the mud downriver from Sea Walls, and a quartet of the birds pecked and strutted the mud opposite the Peregrine Watch. A Buzzard appeared over the river opposite Walcombe Slade, then moments later a Peregrine came into view, he chased a Jackdaw towards Black Rocks, was unsuccessful, then disappeared, probably into the valley. There was a rain shower just before I left home, the sun shone for my ride.

Friday 17th October

At midday the quarry opposite the Peregrine Watch is very dark, with the sunshine casting dark shadows over the rocks, so that spotting any Peregrines is difficult. I could not see one, neither were there any sign of a bird in flight. On the mud under Sea Walls a couple of Redshank were feeding. A quiet noon.

Thursday 16th October

I cycled around via Temple Meads, along the Cut, then walked(!) up Bridge Valley Road and came via Fairyland to th Peregrine Watch. There seem to be more Jays around than in the past, or am I noticing them more? The Jackdaws were performing some very curious antics in the air, seeming to fall over and drop, almost as if they were being attacked by something in the air. Over Fairyland a group of three Magpies was harassing a couple of Jackdaws. The tide was high, but receeding, so there was no mud for the waders.

Tuesday 14th October

A very grey looking Peregrine flew into the banana tree. He remained still in the tree, facing the river, for the rest of my stay. His flight was almost like a Pigeon, with fast wing beats. Most unexpected! A little later I mistook a Pigeon for another Peregrine. Ahh me! There were a large number of gulls in groups along the river mud, I expect these are Black Headed Gulls, but as yet without their fine brown heads. I spotted a couple of Redshank just under Sea Walls, and a quartet of Cormorants (in formation), flew rapidly towards the docks. They outpaced the Portway cars some of the time.