Wednesday, Thursday, January 27th, 28th

I walked over the Downs to the Gorge both days. It is too cold to cycle, and I needed the exercise. No sign of the Kestrels yet, I hear that the Peregrines are courting, and have been seen around. I haven't seen them since before Christmas. On Thursday a Buzzard was gliding around over Walcombe Slade, she attracted attention from the Gulls, a couple of Ravens and a large flock of Crows, Jackdaws and Rooks. So nice to be so unpopular! It was amazing how she avoided her tormentors - a feint, occasionally a slight tumble, or just a change of direction. She circled for some ten minutes so that my arms became tired holding the binoculars. Then she came down over the river and up close past the Peregrine Watch, so that I had a fine view. She turned and came back again past me and towards Black Rocks, finally she moved off over Leigh Woods, still pursued by three Crows, and disappeared under the tree line.

Mondays 18th, 25th January

The first of these mondays was quite warm, the second, today, was perishing so that I only managed one Downs circuit. It seemed to get colder even when I cycled! There is still a diminished pile of snow-ice at the junction of Circular Road and Ladies Mile. I did not stop to look for any birds, but there was a large group of Jackdaws/Crows/Rooks pecking around on the grass by the Peregrine Watch, and a number of fluffed-out pigeons sitting in the trees. On the 18th I did get a glimpse of a Kestrel, and this set me wondering about when they, the Kestrels, will take over their nest beside Black Rock cliff. I'm certain that they will be back in 2010, and this cold weather is less problem for raptors than other birds - lots of weak food around on the wing!
My ride this morning was to try to lay down a marker for regular cycling again, however the forecast is not good, and it looks as if the cold air is pushing the warm air back out into the Atlantic again. I'll persevere, and hopefully be out again tomorrow ....

Saturday January 9th

I walked across to the Peregrine Watch, then around to Sea Walls. The snow was very powdery, and compared to last year there were few snow sculptures, but some very large snowballs! The bitter cold made it difficult to linger. I spotted a Raven from the Peregrine Watch, and possibly a Peregrine over in Leigh Woods trees. Then at Sea Walls a Kestrel was chased around by a Crow, some Redwing were flying around above the river. A small speckled bird, just below the fence was probably a Meadow Pipet. This morning (Sunday), from our house window over Redland another Crow was chasing, probably a Peregrine. The survival of many of these birds in this cold must be precarious.

Monday 7th, Wednesday, Thursday 9,10th

Monday's walk was a repeat of Sunday. The difference only that I spotted a couple of wintering Redwings in one of the lime trees on Ladies Mile. There must be more around. Over at Sea Walls a man in a very bright flourescent coat pointed out a Heron down by the storm outlet, I had missed it.
Cycle rides on the other two days, but delayed to the afternoons. The sun is low down over Leigh Woods so it is pretty impossible to see anything over on the quarry faces opposite the Peregrine Watch. Today at Sea Walls a Kestrel flew past and into Walcombe Slade. The tide was slack, very still and reflecting the suspension bridge. Ducks made big v-signs in several places, it was very tranquil.

Sunday 6th December

It is nearly 4 weeks since I cycled. A combination of wet cold weather and a nasty (5 stitches nasty) cut on my left hand kept me away. Today I walked up through Redland, over to Sea Walls, then back via the Peregrine Watch, Ladies Mile, the White Tree and home. There were groups of gulls on the Downs, and a lot lining the estuary mud, I saw one Redshank below Sea Walls, and the two Ravens circling high above the river. No Peregrines.

Tuesday 17th November

A squawk from a Seagull high above Sea walls alerted me to the Peregrine, she was soaring around above the end of the Down, and it looked as if she was hunting. The Gull gave up and she continued, then made off towards the Peregrine Watch where I lost sight of her. A little while later as I cycled past the the Gully she reappeared, then moved rapidly over the Down towards Clifton.
On the mud, a large line of Gulls, some Mallard, and a couple of Redshank, both close enough under the cliffs to get a good view of their red legs. They use their long bills to explore the mud under the water at the edge of the river. Home to breakfast.

Thursday, Friday, Sunday, November 12th, 13th, 15th

There 'may' have been a Peregrine clinging to the cliff to the left (by the ivy strands), but the light was not good, even with a clear blue Sunday sky, to say definitely. There was only one Redshank on the mud today (below the Peregrine Watch), the other two days saw several lined up on the mud around Sea Walls. There are still plenty of Mallard (dozens) and Black Headed Gulls. The Ravens were soaring around above Sea Walls, and doing what I can only think was 'Raven Pair Bonding', occasionally falling around in the sky together. The Jackdaws, Crows and Rooks do rather the same. On Thursday a looping flash of white wing parts as a pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers flew past the Peregrine Watch - seeing a pair it must be courtship time!
I wondered if the strong winds of yesterday (100mph at the Needles) had brought any strays in from the continent.