Friday 15th September

9.50 am at the Gorge. This was the first wet morning for many weeks; however there was only light rain with a wind coming down Ladies Mile from the east. No peregrines, but I did see a solitary cormorant flying up river. Otherwise there were the usual suspects: pigeons; jackdaws; some crows and rooks; seagulls of various sizes; several mallard on the river.

Wednesday 13th September

10.00am at the gorge. The river was very rough with a wind from the Suspension Bridge. A peregrine, probably a female, came up suddenly above me, then swooped down towards the quarry on the other side. She disappeared into some bushes; maybe a kill? A few minutes later a number of small birds fled the quarry, and a little later she flew back to the cliff under the peregrine watch. Peregrines move fast, and often, the first I see is them as they appear from the camouflage of the trees opposite. The best place to view them as they come in to roost is up close to the cliff edge - near the 'Danger' sign.

12th September 2006

9.50am, another quiet day with a high tide, rather more wind on the river. The jackdaws were flying around, and roosting in their tree. No peregrines during my 20 minute stay.

11th September 2006

9.50 am The tide was very high and still coming in. The water was still, but the debris on the incoming tide had attracted four mallards who were busy dabbling about at the river edges. Apart from that - very quiet - certainly no peregrines, and few jackdaws or other birds.

Friday 8th September

Later at the peregrine watch today - 9.50am, but not a peregrine in sight. Pigeons were flying as if they did not have a care, around the gorge and in and out of the trees over the river, so they felt safe today. A large flock of gulls was being carried rapidly downstream on the outgoing tide. I took a 'photo for a couple of Japanese tourists - them standing in front of the jackdaw tree.

Wednesday 6th September

High cloud and sunshine this morning, quite warm. The river current was taking floating gulls downstream quite fast, and a flock of jackdaws was in the air. I arrived at the Peregrine watch at 9.10am and stayed for a quarter hour. A peregrine took off from the cliff below me just after I arrived, flew over to Leigh Woods and briefly circled around the woods, then flew back to the cliff. Quite a large bird, so probably female. I heard a young peregrine calling just after this.

Tuesday 5th September

No ride today! What is the collective name for a dozen (or more) magpies? The rhyme only reaches ten, but this morning well over a dozen of the birds flew over Birchall Allotments whilst I was doing some weeding. I wouldn't have noticed except for the chattering racket they made.

One for sorrow, two for joy;
Three for a girl, four for a boy;
Five for silver, six for gold;
Seven for a secret, never to be told;
Eight for a wish, nine for a kiss;
Ten for a bird that's best to miss.