Wednesday February 11th

I walked up to the Downs via Kersteman Road and Blackboy Hill. Several Robins were establishing their territory with song, probably encouraged by blue sky and warm sun. On the Downs were many snow remains, large dirty snowballs, slight patches where the snow figures were a couple of days ago, and a huge sculpture of some sort near to the Huntingdon Elm. It looked like a large throne and had a bucket on a chair in front of it! There was still snow on Dundry and the Welsh Hills, and a large patch at the top of the Gully where the trees shade the grass.
At the Peregrine Watch I think I could see a couple of Peregrines over in the Leigh Woods oak trees, but maybe one was a pigeon fluffed up against the cold. At around 3pm from Sea Walls the sunshine was shining right into the Peregrine nest, and illuminating the cliff around. Was there another peregrine perched just beside the nest on the cliff, it seemed to move a little, but the effect could have been a trick of the sunlight? There were gulls on the mud, one had a black head like a Black Headed Gull; it seems a little early for these birds to loose their head-phone appearance. One lone Redshank, and a Cormorant flying down river.
Walking back across towards White Tree and past the Seven Sisters I wondered if it is still possible to see 'Quarry 1' (Gerry Nichols - Bristol Branch of the Historical Association, 2005, No 116). Maybe.

Thursday 5th February

Another day for walking rather than cycling, though the main roads were not too bad. I walked over the Downland to the Peregrine Watch, then back again, missing out Sea Walls. Unlike the pristine snow of Tuesday morning there were patches of mud, grass and snow, and a jumble of footprints. The population of Bristol were out rolling huge snowballs and building statues and snow people. My favorite was a statue of a couple embracing, the sculptor stands beside his creation - he was from University Close - the University had the afternoon off for a Union Meeting.
At the Peregrine Watch. It was very difficult to see if there were any birds in the Leigh Woods trees. With all the leaves down, and snow on the ground between the trees the woodland floor dominates the view. All the little glades stand out from the surrounding trees.
Now, if it flies like a pigeon, and looks much like a pigeon, even through cold glasses and watery eyes, then why was it chasing a Seagull? Maybe we have some rabid pigeons out over the river ...

There were many huge balls of snow, very dirty from the mud they had collected, and leaving large tracks on the grass. Some of the snowman-artwork was very clever, several igloos, one with a shopping trolley balanced on it, and I'm told there was a dragon over by Blackboy Hill. There were also a few phallic creations! No imagination some people. I did like this quartet of snow people.

The Seven Young Sisters and their three Maiden Aunts in the snow.

Tuesday 3rd February

Snow! There was a large snowman beside Ladies Mile. For once I was up early, walking through quiet back streets to the Downs to see the sunrise. Then a walk over the snow to Sea Walls from the Granny Down, passing the Water Tower and back via Redland Green was about my limit without becoming frozen. The playground loved by my grandsons looked very cold - although they seem to be enjoying the snow up in Sheffield. There were very few birds around, certainly no Redshank on the estuary mud, one Rook (you can just see his grey beak) was picking through the snow as I walked towards Sea Walls.

The trees beside the Water Tower on Stoke Road. Just before sunrise.

Sunrise. A clear blue sky made the sunrise a spectacular event.


Reflections off the windows of the house by Sea Walls. A rather forlorn Rook! Enlarge the picture (by clicking) and you can see his large grey beak.

Black Rocks, Sea Walls. No climbers today.

Blackboy Hill. The sun was getting higher by the time I crossed the Down beside the Dumps.


Joseph and William enjoying the snow in their back garden in Sheffield. The last time we had snow like this in Bristol 'Mum' was not much older than Joseph! I remember that it was very cold in Ashton Court, 1980 perhaps?

Redland Park The children's playground.

... and the snow returned again with a vengeance on Thursday night ...

Monday 26th January

A cold circuit today! Gulls and some Redshank on the mud, the Jackdaws quite the Gorge just as I arrived, and a Raven flapped up river. The BBC's refusal to support the DEC Gaza appeal shocks me. So I'm changing my top line on the blog for the duration of the appeal - which may be a very long time if the 'war' restarts.

Friday 23rd January

The Avon was low so that there were birds all along the muddy banks. I think the strong wind from the cold North Atlantic must have driven a number into the estuary, at any rate there was a Black Backed Gull and a lot of smaller gulls which I did not recognise at first, they were probably just Common Gulls! Redshank too. A Peregrine was just visible in the oak opposite the Peregrine Watch. Huge puddles nearly covered parts of Circular Road.

Sunday 18th January

I walked across to the Gorge, stopped a few minutes just down the path into Fairyland, then back through the myriad paths that make up this woody glade. I fervently hope that it does not get 'opened up' by the Parks Department. A few birds on the wing over Clifton Downs, a small flight of thrush-like Fieldfare, a Great Tit and the usual culprits - Magpies, Rooks, Black Headed Gulls, Blackbirds etc..
The rest of the week was cold and wet, so, Friday has arrived and I'm about to set off on the first cycle ride for nearly two weeks!
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Friday 16th January

Lots more mud when I arrived at the Gorge, this time around 3pm. There were Redshank, Cormorants and Mallard, with skeins of Seagulls flying down-river. Across in the oaks a peregrine stood out like a little lantern, and through my glasses I could see another bird within arms length of it, but with its grey back to us. Then they flew, first one, then the other, across the water and in under the cliff. To the nest? Looks like they are pairing up for this year's nesting.