Thursday 17th July

Whilst I don't mind being caught by the rain, I don't like starting out with it raining! So today (Friday) is not a good day for cycling for me. Yesterday's ride was unremarkable, with neither Kestrels nor Peregrines in view. A lone Cormorant flew down river, and low over the water, I saw another flying towards Bristol across Ladies Mile.

Monday 13th July

I set out in sunshine ... and finished in strong rain. From the Peregrine Watch I could see the rain coming over Dundry and wondered whether to go back through Redland or by the long route and St Ursula's'. I chose the latter. Wrong choice!
There was no sign of the young Kestrels on the Black Rock slabs, I had a careful look and waited (only) about ten minutes. From the top of Walcombe Slade there was no sign of any Kestrel. However cycling into the clearing above the fence I nearly ran over a minute vole. Kestrel food. No Peregrines either, so not a very interesting morning.

Wednesday 8th July

I watched one of the young Kestrels on the rim of the quarry, perched on a bare ivy branch. It was just hidden from the path, a few meters away from the traffic, and noticed by nobody except me. It preened, fluffed its feathers, spread and stretched its wings, hunkered down in the breeze, moved its head around like an owl - with no body movement - and stayed put for at least an hour. I went over to the Peregrine Watch and came back the bird was still there. It moved, but only down to a ledge below to join one of its siblings. So, where are the other two youngsters? I did spot a Raven sitting on the fence near the Austrian pines. Would a Raven attack one of the Kestrel chicks? If it was injured, maybe, but otherwise, probably not.
A large (Welsh?) school party was watching one of their number dressed up as a Peregrine (quite realistically!) at the Peregrine Watch. I wonder if they got to see the real thing this morning? I didn't.

Sunday, Monday, 5th, 6th July

Four Windhover chicks hatched - or so I was informed by the 'Watchers at the Peregrine Cliff'. I only ever managed to see one outside the nest before they fledged, but on Sunday all four could be seen flitting and squatting on the rock slabs at the top of Black Rocks Quarry, and then along in the trees at the top corner of the Gully. On Monday I watched two of them, the others, nor their parents were around. They sit fluffed up sometimes, at other times they waddle over the rock face searching for grubs and other insects. Their parents must keep them fed for at least a month. They practice flying and hovering over the side of the cliffs, and are not too worried about people; I watched one this morning about three meters from someone by the railing - but he was blind to the youngster! On Sunday a Peregrine flew high above them, then today a Buzzard flapped over the river nearby, then flew overhead. The Buzzard was troubled with Crows and the Ravens, and a couple of Gulls. I guess that the raptors, Crows and Ravens are all a danger to the young Kestrels. They are well above the Portway traffic, but could be attracted down there. Wish them luck everybody; they won't harm the racing Pigeons I saw being released from the Sea Walls Plateau this morning.

My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, - the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

On the estuary the tide was ebbing, only Common, Herring, Lesser Black Backed, and Black Headed Gulls are visible on the mud at present. No Redshank.

Sunday June 28th

I cycled through the town and down beside Harbourside to Cumberland Basin to see if I could find the nest that the young Kestrel fell from. No luck on the Create Center ledges, but I'm told they may be on the other old warehouse. There was a Buzzard flying above Ashton Court, a Cormorant passed me just below the Suspension Bridge, and below the Peregrine Watch I could see the grey back of a Peregrine perched on the cliff face. Along under Black Rock Quarry, amid several groups of climbers, a young Kestrel was perched on the cliff just outside the nest. I hope that some of the local Crows, or even Jackdaws don't pester it. There was no sign of any parents. The tide was coming in, carrying a few Black Headed and Herring Gulls up river with it. When I got to Sea Walls from Shirehampton the Matthew was making its stately passage down river - motor driven though! From the cliff top I could see one Kestrel youngster just below the nest, sitting with its tail out and face into the rock. The birders along by the Peregrine Watch had a 'scope trained on the Kestrels, and I'm informed there are four chicks.

Wednesday 24th June

I saw one (or more) of the Kestrel chicks this morning, it came to the edge of the nest and flapped its wings, then, on some occasions for the next ten minutes or so, a small head was visible peering from the rock face. The chicks must be close to fledging, so let's hope that they can get safely from their nest when they start to fly. Unlike another young Kestrel from the Create Centre roof. We took that youngster to Secret World on Tuesday.

At the Peregrine Watch one of the young birds flew over the river from the nest site, and flew around the tops of the trees for a while. They practice their flying and catching skills on tree tops - when there are no pigeons around to chase. The young Peregrine was joined by one of its parents. One of them ended up perching in one of the dead trees opposite. Home to breakfast and a kipper!

Monday 22nd

I did not see a Kestrel this morning, but only stayed at Black Rocks to watch for about 20 minutes split over two visits. Whilst I was waiting a very small bird flitted along through the bushes at the top of the cliff, and perched among the perpetual peas, its greenish brown underparts and very small size - less than a blue tit - leads me to identifying a Willow Warbler. A Peregrine was just visible as a small white speck on the back end of the nest, on my second visit the 'speck' had disappeared - so it really was a Peregrine! A peregrine was perched over on a dead tree in the wood behind the Raven's nest, it moved along to another tree top whilst I cycled around the Downs.