Treecreepers were my target at the only site in Bristol I’ve seen them, back in 2010: a thin strip of wilderness clings to the Avon Gorge between the Suspension Bridge and Seawalls; I walked this on a quiet Saturday afternoon, which is not the best time for passerines.
So it proved. The one lively spot added great spotted woodpecker to my list and a song thrush for my first sighting anywhere since July. A detour on my return route had me chasing mistle thrushes and redwings near the peregrine watch point. And thus my Downs total hit 50.
That’s a bit of a cheat because I count the Gorge as part of the site. Otherwise it would be yet another long, thin strip in Bristol, like the New Cut and the Floating Harbour. Talking of which, a jay bounded over Cumberland Basin and on to that list on my way up to Clifton. In fact jays were manifest all day. ‘Tis their season.
I couldn’t mention the watch point without mentioning whether peregrines were about. They weren’t initially but as dusk fell a couple of slate grey individuals glided upriver and set up station in trees on the Somerset side. Were they staking out gulls who were drifting downriver, presumably en route to roost at Denny Island? And were they this year’s birds already moulted into adult plumage?
No, that won’t happen until about this time next year. So, Saturday’s birds were adults and a fine finale. The day continued to improve when I got to the Royal Oak and found Saints 4-1 up against Hull. What a great time to be a Southampton fan! (Cf. just three seasons ago.)
