The Pokerbird
Clifton Suspension Bridge & Avon Gorge, Bristol
I figured to kick off my big month with a solid foundation – to see how many species were possible on a walk through Bristol. The answer was 44, which surprised me.
It was helped by a semi-surprising common sandpiper in the New Cut, then a jaw-dropping great crested grebe just outside Cumberland Basin. I didn't know where to count that one but it made my life easier by eventually drifting into the New Cut. Other notable birds were a grey wagtail floating downstream on a log (how much junk flows along the Avon!) and a kestrel powering over the Create Centre.
Then it was up to Clifton and the first blackcap of the walk. The place has changed since my day in the mid-80s. Zombies proliferate as money has driven out the last remnants of intelligence. It was a relief to hit the Downs.
One redwing guarding its berries near the Bridge also put me on to a song thrush before I went on to peregrine alert. My route to the Watch Point did bring me one but it kept to the Leigh Woods side. As did a raven. However, a foray into the Gully brought three jays, a nuthatch (foraging upwards!), coal tits and a gorgeous goldcrest. Stock doves also commuted over the river and Seawalls provided two unexpected oystercatchers.
I found a path down through Sneyd Park to the Portway. This skirted a little reserve, mentioned way back in this blog, and landed me at Sea Mills. Redshank was the only addition to the list here so with a while to kill before the next train I sampled the Millhouse. A couple of pints of Doom Bar went down fast.
The railway line back to Temple Meads runs under Clifton Down to its eponymous station. I had a brainwave and got off there and walked down Whiteladies Road. Apart from anything this saved me paying – cunning, eh?
It also took me in the general direction of Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant on the Centre that's had favourable reviews. It didn't disappoint: an excellent goat curry (what else?) accompanied a pint of Red Stripe (also what else?)
I don't think today will add much to the month list. Persistent rain is spreading, with possible gales, which should be interesting on top of high tides. There, I couldn't keep flooding out of the blog for long!
Clifton Suspension Bridge & Avon Gorge, Bristol
I figured to kick off my big month with a solid foundation – to see how many species were possible on a walk through Bristol. The answer was 44, which surprised me.
It was helped by a semi-surprising common sandpiper in the New Cut, then a jaw-dropping great crested grebe just outside Cumberland Basin. I didn't know where to count that one but it made my life easier by eventually drifting into the New Cut. Other notable birds were a grey wagtail floating downstream on a log (how much junk flows along the Avon!) and a kestrel powering over the Create Centre.
Then it was up to Clifton and the first blackcap of the walk. The place has changed since my day in the mid-80s. Zombies proliferate as money has driven out the last remnants of intelligence. It was a relief to hit the Downs.
One redwing guarding its berries near the Bridge also put me on to a song thrush before I went on to peregrine alert. My route to the Watch Point did bring me one but it kept to the Leigh Woods side. As did a raven. However, a foray into the Gully brought three jays, a nuthatch (foraging upwards!), coal tits and a gorgeous goldcrest. Stock doves also commuted over the river and Seawalls provided two unexpected oystercatchers.
I found a path down through Sneyd Park to the Portway. This skirted a little reserve, mentioned way back in this blog, and landed me at Sea Mills. Redshank was the only addition to the list here so with a while to kill before the next train I sampled the Millhouse. A couple of pints of Doom Bar went down fast.
The railway line back to Temple Meads runs under Clifton Down to its eponymous station. I had a brainwave and got off there and walked down Whiteladies Road. Apart from anything this saved me paying – cunning, eh?
It also took me in the general direction of Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant on the Centre that's had favourable reviews. It didn't disappoint: an excellent goat curry (what else?) accompanied a pint of Red Stripe (also what else?)
I don't think today will add much to the month list. Persistent rain is spreading, with possible gales, which should be interesting on top of high tides. There, I couldn't keep flooding out of the blog for long!